May 29, 2012

Dear Families, I hope you enjoyed a pleasant Memorial Day break. This day of commemoration means so much to all of us because of our military students and families and their service to all of us. I always feel that the faith they inspire in us matches the hope and desire to look forward that summer always brings.

And the beginning of summer weather means it’s time to prepare for our last days of school.

May 30               District Elementary Chorus and Orchestra Concert
May 31               Science Lab Assessments, Grade 4
June 1                 3rd Grade Field Trip
June 4                 Science Written Performance Assessments, Grade 4
June 5                 Elementary Track Meet(Grade 5 Students)
June 6                 Head Start Visits Kindergarten
June 7                 Kindergarten Field Trip
                           NYS Field Tests, Grade 3, Writing
                           West Side Art Show
June 8                 4th Grade Field Trip
                           Gingerbread Students Visit Kindergarten
June 11and 14    Kindergarten Registration, WS Auxiliary Gym
June 12               Field Trips for Grades 1 and 5
June 14               National Pride Day:Flag Day – Wear Red, White and Blue
                           Morning Program for Flag Day
                           End of the Year Ceremony for Kindergarten
                           Orientation Day for Parents of Incoming Students, Grades 1-5
June 15               Fifth Grade Farewell
June 17               Second Grade Field Trip
June 18               5th Grade Visits the Middle School for Orientation
June 20               OPT Fun Day
June 21               Final Awards Assembly and Last Day for Students

Of special interest to parents is our Parent Orientation Day, Thursday, June 14. This is a date we set aside for parents to come to school and meet the grade level teams for their children. This has been very successful event and gives parents a better idea of the expectations of these grade levels. You will receive a flyer before that date to give you the specific times for each grade level.

You may also notice that there are several field trips in the next two weeks. Field trips are considered to be a part of the regular school day and are not open to parents who have not been designated as chaperones or to other siblings at home or in other grade levels. We therefore ask that you do not plan to attend field trips or meet the group at the field trip site unless you have been identified and confirmed as a chaperone or assigned some other role by the principal or teacher. These guidelines also apply to events such as Fun Day where volunteer workers help conduct activities for the children.

Our final Awards Assembly for school year is scheduled for June 21. This is the final day pupils report to school and it is a full day of instructional time. I hope you will be able to attend this important event. Our main office will then be open the week after the students finish and will close for the summer on June 29. The office will open again on August 20, two weeks before school begins. Please make certain that you have everything you need for the summer, particularly medications stored in the nurse’s office since the office staff will not be available to help you.

This will be my last correspondence with all of you. I’m certain that many of you are aware that I will be retiring at the end of this year, my 37th in education. There has never been a job that I’ve wanted more or enjoyed to the fullest in my career than serving you as principal at West Side. I have seen a whole group of children move with me from beginning to end, and the Kindergarten class from my first year here will be walking across the stage to receive diplomas as graduating seniors. We have shared celebrations, joys, sorrows, hopes and dreams for all of them. Thank you for sharing their lives – and yours – with me. My best wishes go of you and your new, wonderful principal, Ms. Charity Zawatski. Have a fantastic summer and many successful years to come.