NEW School Hours: 9:15AM to 3:40PM
‘Cristy’s Corner’
The cyclical nature of the school year affords us new beginnings each September. I am personally excited about the 2010-2011 school year for several reasons. Gil Cass will be joining the LES administrative team as Assistant Principal. Gil comes with many years of leadership experience at the Middle and High School levels, and he demonstrates a passion for teaching humanities and arts. Gil and I share many educational philosophies, including: we both believe in nurturing students’ strengths while developing relative areas of weakness in meaningful, purposeful and respectful ways; providing staff with the necessary supports for the implementation of quality curriculum, instruction and assessment; and collaborating with families with regard to significant and relevant matters that have direct impact on our children, and learning community. I look forward to working with, and learning from, Gil this year.
What really has me anxiously awaiting the upcoming school year, is kicking off a year-long theme, “Making a Difference” which will provide an overarching focus for our students’ learning experiences. The goal is to further create an environment conducive for collaboration among and between students, staff, administration, families, and community members. “Making a Difference” will be woven into our daily routines and practices. Based on related monthly topics, an array of activities including hallway highlights, buddy sharing, and school-wide assemblies will take place. The PTA Co-Presidents, Mary Hafter and Ashley Murphy, have already committed to bringing the theme to life by purchasing copies of selected titles for each classroom, which will give our K-5 students the opportunity for shared reading experiences. I am hopeful that families will become involved by participating in the “Literacy Connections” that will be a part of ‘Cristy’s Corner’ in the monthly parent bulletin and attending Family Literacy Nights planned for 10/14, 12/9 and 5/20. Don’t miss out! Stay informed by attending the scheduled Principal’s Coffees, PTA Meetings and reading LEWS Views (sent home the first “back-pack Friday” of each month).
At the Curriculum Nights, Gil and I will inform you of the 2010-2011 BOE Goals. There is a continued focus on 21st century skills, and the Long Range Plan outlines the specific areas of focus and timeline. As a sneak preview, I share with you that sustainability curriculum, an inquiry based approach to science, and Project Based Learning are initiatives students and staff will be involved in this year. The Long Range Plan also provides a compass for making continual improvements to our literacy, math and character education programs.
I am hopeful that highlighting the main reasons for my excitement for the 2010-2011 school year has in turn increased your eagerness for the first day of school, just weeks away. Between now and then, please review the important information found in this mailing. If you have already submitted your Emergency/Contact Information and Media Permission forms, enclosed you will find your child’s class placement. If we do not have these forms, we ask that you bring it to LES as soon as possible and class placement information will be furnished at that time. A great deal of thought was put into creating classes. The decisions made are an outcome of a rigorous process, which includes the careful consideration of input provided by parents. You should communicate with your child’s teacher, early in the school year, to share your ideas on the ‘key ingredients’ for your child’s success.
Other information that you may find useful regarding LES practices and policies can be found in the 2010-2011Family Handbook, which will be uploaded onto the website. K-5 Curriculum Guides will also be available on the website, and hard copies can be ascertained by contacting the main office. We will be sending home the “Be Your Best” Code of Conduct during the first week of school. Staff will be reviewing the guidelines for school conduct with students, but we ask that you review it with your child as well in order to ensure an understanding of expectations.
Mark your calendars:
September 2nd - 11:30 AM Kindergarten Bus Orientation; 1:00 PM New Family Orientation
September 7th - First day of school for 1st through 5th Graders 11:15 AM – 3:40 PM
September 8th - First day of school for Kindergartners AM: 9:15 – 12:25; PM: 12:30 – 3:40
September 9th&10th School Closed for Rosh Hashanah
September 15th - 9:15 AM Principal’s Coffee- Open Forum; 9:45 AM PTA Meeting- Safety Drills and Procedure
September 20th - 24th National TV Turn-Off Week
September 22nd- 9:30 AM Class Parent Meeting; 7:00 PM Curriculum Night Grades K-2
September 24th - 5:00 PM Welcome Back Picnic at Lewisboro Town Park
September 27th - National Eat Dinner with Your Family Night
September 29th - 7:00 PM Curriculum Night Grades 3-5
September 30th - School Photos