1. Well, we made it for our first full week of school.  We had an overall smooth opening; our staff and students hit the ground running.  Students have already completed their first benchmark writing assessment, we ran town meetings for all grade levels, conducted two excellent fire drills,  sent home tons of forms for parents, and we resolved all student schedule conflicts.     I think we are all ready for the long weekend.

2. A timely notice for this Friday afternoon:  President Obama is scheduled to give a speech addressing students across our nation on Tuesday, September 8 at noon.   As we still  have two grade levels in lunch waves between noon and 1:00 PM,  we have decided to record and play President Obama's speech it is entirety to our students during flex period for all four grade levels. 

Flex period is an enrichment block in our building and we use it for assemblies, full band rehearsals, silent sustained reading, LEAP pull-outs, reading and math tutoring, etc.  Flex period begins at 2:07 for grades 6, 7, and 8 and in grade 5 Flex is scheduled from 1:40 to 2:07.  This time in the day provides a perfect opportunity to give our students viewing time without causing a disruption in their daily class schedule. 

I understand that parents may not wish their child to participate in the viewing of the president's speech.  Therefore, parents may submit a request in writing (email is fine) to me, so I can notify the classroom teacher that their child may be excused to read quietly in our library during the flex block on Tuesday. 

For more information about the speech, parents can view details on: http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/.

3. Just to let you know that from our perspective, our bussing schedule has greatly improved in the past two days.  I was so proud of my 8^th graders today who became our "line leaders" to get their younger schoolmates on the buses at boarding time today;  90 % of our bus fleet was out of our parking lot by 2:58 today which is only 3 minutes off schedule.  There are some routes that still may need adjustments and the transportation staff is addressing those concerns.  We understand that this week was difficult for parents and students waiting at bus stops and getting to school or home later than usual and I thank you for your patience.  We do NOT mark students who are late to school due to transportation issues as tardy and we held homeroom to accommodate late arrivals. 

4. The after school club brochure will be sent home with students on Tuesday with our fall schedule.  If your child forgets it at school?  You can find it on our web site after 5 PM on Tuesday. 

Signups for fall sports are complete and the nurse is clearing all students for medical forms.  (If we don't have a sports' physical dated within the last 12 months on file for your child, he/she will not be cleared to participate in try-outs).  Permission slips for eligible students will be issued on Tuesday.  Try-out times and dates will be listed on the permission forms.  

5. The individual student reports for the 2009 CMT's were mailed home today.  You should get your copy within days.  Please take the time to review the results with your child. I will address overall scores and school performance in a later bulletin once everyone has their reports in hand.

6. Want to stay abreast of MS activities?  Please go to the district calendar on our web site (www.rsd17.org) for MS events.  The receptionist at the MS (Anne O'Brien) updates the calendar daily.  If  you double click on the event, she has added details to back up the event.  These will help answer many of the questions middle school parents have.  Mrs. O'Brien is still updating the many dates that we have coming up for the school year.  In the meantime, some upcoming events that should go on your calendars:

·         Friday, September 11 School Picture Day.  (Order forms were sent home with students the first day of school.  Extra forms are available in the main office).

·         Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30  - 8:30 PM  OPEN HOUSE Grades 5 and 6

·         Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 - 8:30 PM OPEN HOUSE Grades 7 and 8

·         Thursday, September 29 at 7:00 PM   PTO Meeting

We are filled with excitement and eagerness as we begin a new school year.  I understand the trust that must exist between parents and school for this to be a successful year.   I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with your child on a daily basis and hope that I can earn your respect and trust in turn. 

In order to keep you informed, I plan to send out electronic bulletins on the first and third Friday of the month.  I will issue special bulletins on different template as the need arises.  If you cannot read this bulletin via email contact, it will also be posted on our web site.

Enjoy this last weekend of summer before we begin our work in earnest.....

Sincerely,

Mim Wagner

Principal, HKMS