Principal's Scorecard » August 08 http://principaldawson.edublogs.org Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:27:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 en hourly 1 Aug. 25 http://principaldawson.edublogs.org/2008/08/26/aug-25/ http://principaldawson.edublogs.org/2008/08/26/aug-25/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:22:24 +0000 Mike http://principaldawson.edublogs.org/?p=42

New School Year 2008-09 – Blast Off with Good Character

This blog is designed as a link to help keep our families and community notified and involved within the hallways and classrooms of Branson Elementary West. Our school puts students first and cultivates a school culture that is positive, caring and nurturing and fosters professional collaboration to increase student achievement.

The following staff members have joined our school for the 2008-09 academic year and we welcome them, their talents and their positive attitude.

New Hire – Congratulations to Mrs. Starnes.  Karen was married in June to Kyle Starnes.  Karen will be new to our school this year and assigned to teach fourth grade.  She is originally from Lebanon and is a recent graduate of C of O.  Karen has been on the President’s List and awarded the Wilder Work Award. She’ll be a great fit.

Welcome Aboard   Elementary West also extends a warm welcome to our transfer teachers: Donna Baker (2nd), Katrina Dukes (2nd), Joshua Hart (PE), Vanessa Hogan (2nd), Erin Ipock (2nd), April Mulnik (2nd) and Sara Pardeck (3rd).  Each brings expertise and leadership.  I’m thankful to have this new crew and look forward to getting to know them and their families.

Registration “Fast-Pass” Feedback This summer we implemented a new enrollment procedure to help better serve our families.  We expanded our registration window from one day to five weeks.  Parents were sent their full registration packet at the end of June and strongly encouraged to stop by their school office between July 7–August 8 to deliver their registration materials in person.  Once all registration materials were completed, families were issued a “fast pass” which allowed them to by-pass any long lines and walk directly to the class assignment table at Registration / Open House on August 19th.  We believe this practice was more family friendly and a win-win situation for everyone involved.  Families were able to register in the office at their convenience and each school received the necessary safety / transportation information they needed prior to the start of school. 

Parent Orientation  On September 9th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Branson Elementary West will be sponsoring our official Parent Orientation where we invite the parents to school for a “Blast Off with Good Character” Assembly and a 20 – 30 min. presentation by your classroom teacher.  This is a great opportunity for families to learn about the classroom rules, procedures, expectations, curriculum, and policies and sets an excellent tone for open lines of communication.  The other advantage of attending Parent Orientation, besides learning about the classroom, is the opportunity to network with other families within your child’s class.  Parents and teachers need to be intentional about building community within our school.  Looking forward to seeing you on Sept. 9th!

 

WATCH DOGS – Pizza Kick-Off Night

(Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative program of the National
Center for Fathering focusing on prevention of violence in our nation’s schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures for a two-fold purpose: 

 

1) to provide an unobtrusive presence in the schools, and

 

2) to be a positive and active role-model for students at their school. 

 

Cedar Ridge Campus is excited about this important endeavor. Last year, Branson Elementary had over 150 men step-up to keep our school safe.  We believe that positive male role models can make an immeasurable impact on our school climate and student achievement.  The idea is to establish one father-figure (Dad, Uncle, Grandparent) each day of the school year to volunteer in classrooms.  During the day, WATCH D.O.G.S. may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow, mentor students, and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well.  Also, they can patrol the grounds to ensure the safety of hundreds of students.  It’s easy!  We’ll give you a schedule, walkie-talkie and get you rolling down the hallways.  To learn more about this exciting program, we’re hosting a pizza kick-off party on September 18th at 6:00 pm to launch our WATCH D.O.G.S. program into high gear.  A national speaker from WATCH D.O.G.S. headquarters will be in the house to educate and motivate men to participate in this unique program.  Look for more information at Parent Orientation and your students’ Friday folder.  

 

What do you think?  Can you volunteer one day to make a difference in the lives of children? Have you volunteered as a Watch DOG before, what advise would you give to our new volunteers?

 

 

 

 

 

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