August 18, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am so excited to begin my second year at the best school in the world.. universe.. galaxy. Perhaps I am a wee bit biased. Still, this year is going to be fantastic.

In June I informed you that we would not begin our school year with Mrs. Peterson; however, her surgery needed to be postponed so … she’s back. New members to our school community this year include: Stephen Seymour – 1st grade teacher; Sue Heeschen – school nurse; Paula Blake – ELL teacher; Steve Ferguson – psychological examiner; Stacy Morin— part-time special educator; and Amanda Kozaka – new library media specialist.

Another change at Kaler involves 4 th grade. As you all may know, shifts in enrollment during the summer can lead to staffing changes within our schools. Currently we have 27 children registered in grade 4. Given needs throughout our district, a decision has been made to have one fourth grade class at Kaler. Mr. Cargill will teach this class and he will have a full time educational technician working directly with him to support the needs of all the children. Mrs. Beatty will be joining Skillin for the year to teach 5th grade.

This year we have many new and exciting plans and initiatives. We will be joined by new students and families that formerly attended Skillin; we will be joined by our own ELL students who no longer will have to attend Brown to get their services; we have a new theme of Happy Healthy Kaler Kids Helping Others and each grade level will select a focus for helping others; we will initiate the concept of Friday Forums – a schedule and structure for student enrichment that allows for increased professional development time for staff. There are so many exciting things happening.

I hope you all have been reading over the summer and participating in the PTA sponsored Read-a-thon. Remember to get family and friends to sponsor your reading either though a per book donation or a flat donation. Your participation supports everything from field trips to Field Day. There will be prizes for students as well.

Students in grades 1 – 5 will have their Open House on Wednesday, August 27 from 6 – 7 p.m. Kaler PTA is sponsoring an ice cream social in our café. Please come on in and meet your teacher and new classmates. Classes begin on September 2 for students in grades 1 – 5 and September 8 for kindergarten students..

School is a great place to be. It is a safe place for each of us to grow and learn. If we work together, supporting one another’s learning, there is nothing we can’t do. Not even the sky can limit us.

Sincerely,

Diane Lang

Proud to be Kaler Principal