A Message from Mr. Ponte
September 10, 2008
Thanks again for all your support during the opening of our school year. We have had more than our share of hardships during the opening of school. Thanks to the patience of parents and teachers our difficulties will soon end.
This fall your children will be tested by NWEA assessments. These tasks will give teachers data on students in ELA, Math and Reading. We will also be taking our NECAP test in early October. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and has a good breakfast and lunch during this state testing period. This is a highly publicized test that is reported by the state to all newspapers. We hope to continue to do well on these tests.
Here are a few reminders for all parents.
- We are making a conscious effort to fulfill state requirements on school attendance. Students MUST be in school all day for one hundred and eighty days. We ask that you schedule doctor’s appointments after school hours whenever possible. We also frown upon repeatedly dismissing your child early from school in the afternoons. This disrupts the classroom and this practice causes your child to miss too much learning time. Repeat offenders will be assigned to the district truancy court, where a judge will discuss the issues with you. As always, feel free to come in and talk to me if there are certain issues that cannot be avoided.
- Please stay out of the bus circle in front of the school from 8:15 am to 8:45 am and 2:15 pm and 2:50 pm. Often a parked visitor’s car disrupts the dismissal of students. Soon we will be dismissing from the new door in our new wing. Our dismissal time will go much faster. Thanks for your understanding and patience in this matter as well.
- School office hours have also changed slightly. The office will be staffed by 8:15 am. For your convenience, we now have an answering machine! Please feel free to call anytime and leave a message regarding a child’s absence, tardiness, questions, etc., and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Mr. Stephen C. Ponte
