Principal’s Message
December, 2008
Dear Hoover Families:
This letter is to inform you of an exciting new program we are starting at Hoover, as well as to review some of our school expectations.
Beginning second semester, we will be implementing an Advisory Program. Students will meet in groups with an Advisory Teacher two times per week for eighteen minutes per class. We will reduce other class times slightly, but think that our goals for the program will more than compensate for the loss of other class time. In Advisory, students will:
• listen to announcements from administrators, teachers, and fellow students (instead of during their core classes).
• develop a greater connection to an identified teacher and an on-going group of grade-level peers.
• have an opportunity to get support on academic and other issues that arise in school.
• study grade-appropriate curriculum including, but not limited to: organizational skills, friendship-making, career exploration, and bullying prevention.
• participate in student recognition assemblies and surveys.
As a middle school, we believe that Advisory will help meet the needs of “the whole child.”
We ask that you review our Uniform Policy with your student. In particular, please note that students cannot wear black sweatshirts, including hoodies, as outlined in the information sent home last summer. Please do not purchase black shirts, sweaters, jackets or gloves of any kind for school. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, all such black items will be banned from our uniform list. If you have any questions about the uniform guidelines, call us at 408-535-6274.
Finally, it is important that drivers pick up our youngsters in the designated parking lots or spots. Do not use the side streets, particularly Selborn, Sandringham, and Rosecrest, to drop off or to pick up your child, and do not encourage your child to jaywalk. Some drivers cut through these streets too quickly, double park, and/or make u-turns, creating potentially dangerous places for students to cross and/or to wait for their rides. Share this information with all drivers who are picking up or dropping off your student. THIS REQUEST IS FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY. Take the extra two or three minutes in the morning or afternoon to use the identified drop off and pick up locations.
I thank you, in advance, for your cooperation and hope your student is experiencing a positive and productive school year. On behalf of the Hoover staff I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Barbarasch, Principal
