The New School Year

August 8, 2014

Dear Parents,

I'm really looking forward to the start of this new school year, and I've heard from at least a few of the students that they are too.

Attached to this email is the new Parent Student Handbook and a map showing our new after school pickup procedure.  Thanks to Mrs. Hernandez for taking the time to draw this diagram.

The number one reason for the new procedure is safety.  We will separate cars from people.  Here's how it works.  First, decide if you intend to park and walk up to get your student from school.  If so, use the crosswalk.  See on the map the place to park.  The teachers will have "walk-up students" in a separate place from "drive-up students".  If you are going to drive up, nothing changes from last year.  Just form the line as you see on the attached drawing.  Please pull as far forward as possible to allow other parents to fill in behind you.  We'll get the identification placards out as soon as possible.

Another change for this year is that students will be present for the parent-teacher conference at the end of the first academic quarter.  They will not be in school that day except for the few minutes of the conference.  Although a brief time, I think this conference is a very important time.  In the older grades students will actually learn how to be in charge of this conference.  They will report their grades to their parents and what they plan to do the next quarter.  We want students to own their education and be responsible for it.  Younger students may not be ready to run the conference, but we want them to be involved in it.  They can still leave the room if needed.

And finally I'm asking that students not bring the rolling "backpacks" to school this year.  Teachers are going to work with students to determine what they really need to bring home, so they don't just bring everything home.  In addition most books are on line, so they really don't need to bring books home at all.  Books that are not on line can be scanned and viewed electronically as needed.

My request - please read the handbook attached and acknowledge receipt by reply email.  The handbook will answer most of the questions we are asked in the office.  Last year I asked for this similar acknowledgment, and it worked very well.   Over 50% of the families responded the first day.  By the second day another 25% had responded, and by the third day I only had a handful of families to call and remind.  Let's see if we can get an even great response this year.  I'll let you know how that goes.

On behalf of the teachers and administrative staff, thanks for your support. 

In His Service,

Tim Miesner
Principal