Principal’s Message

Maria Evans, Principal


August 13, 2008

Dear Parents,

Welcome to a new school year!  We—the teachers, staff, and I—are eagerly preparing for the return of our students.  We have much to celebrate this school year:  over the last three years Washington has tripled its academic growth.  Our children are better prepared than ever before in math and reading.  A great big thank you for your support of Washington Elementary with your participation at school functions and parent trainings, and your support of our teachers and the school community at large.  I am so proud of our school that I brag every chance I get:  Washington students and their parents are the best in the District! 

If you have driven or walked around the campus you will note a change in our appearance:  6 new portables line the playground, where staff parking was once located.  The reason we need more classrooms at Washington is due to a grant the school received because of its outstanding academic growth:  QEIA.  Now instead of having large classes for our upper grades, Washington will have some of the smallest class sizes in the entire district:  20 (instead of 30) students in third grade; 24 (instead of 31) students in fourth grade; and, 25 (instead of 31) in fifth grades.  I have hired a crew of new teachers to help us with class-size reduction, and they are one of the most energetic, passionate, and outstanding group of teachers it has been my honor to interview.  I know you will welcome all new faces to our school with a hardy handshake and great big “bien venido.”

In preparation for the first day of school, August 26 (no early release day on August 26; students will be released at 2:10 or 2:20 on the first day of school, but we will resume early release Tuesday beginning on September 2), I would like to remind you of a few important details:

1. Washington’s Uniform Policy remains the same:  navy blue pants/skirt/jumper with a collared white/hunter green shirt.  Closed toe shoes and socks are required.  Target, Mervyns, WalMart, and Kohl’s all carry Washington’s school uniform.  I thank you in advance for making sure that your children come in uniform each and every day. 

2. As usual, Class Lists, with teacher names and student classroom numbers, will be posted at 5:00PM on the Friday before the start of school, August 21.  I ask for your patience and understanding, as we eagerly await our final enrollment numbers. Inevitably there will be changes—based upon the number of actual students who attend Washington—in classroom assignments for some students and some teachers.  Everything depends upon the numbers!  I promise to contact you via a letter if one of your children is to be moved after the start of the school year, as quickly as I possibly can.  No one, especially teachers, wants to make changes once students are comfortable and ready to go!

3. The cafeteria is open for lunch on the first day of school. If your child is new to the District you must complete a Free/Reduced Lunch form in order for your child to receive FRL services:  new students must bring bag lunch to school until paperwork is submitted to the Office and the District has approved the form.  If your child is returning to the District and qualified for the Free/Reduced Lunch program last year, you will have 2 weeks from the start of school to complete the FRL form and turn into the office.  Your child will receive lunch from the Cafeteria during this time, until the deadline has been reached.  Should you be charged (fully or partially) for student lunches, we thank you for your prompt payment to Teresa, in the Cafeteria.

4. Thanks to Salvation Army, all fourth and fifth graders will receive a free backpack and school materials!  How lucky we are.  Teachers will provide lists of recommended items for their students on the first day of school.  Remember:  this list is a list of recommended items; it is not necessary to purchase school supplies.  But we highly recommend that you have in your home, the following school supplies:
lined paper, crayons, felt pens, glue, scissors, pencils, pens, tape, ruler,
and a box to keep all supplies in.

5. Washington Elementary is being considered for a pilot program on traffic safety.  I would ask parents who have a child in grades K/1/2 to drop off all of their children on Oak Avenue. Those whose have children who attend third, fourth or fifth grades, should drop off their children on Edwards.  Please do not double park and please do not allow your children to cross the street outside of the cross walk.  On the last day of school, in front of Hoover Middle School, a sixth grader was killed by a parent in a car who was in too much of a hurry to pay attention to the road.  Please help us to spare Washington such a tragedy.

We look forward to celebrating with you and your family the start of the school year, during Back to School Night, on September 24.  Let’s party!  And don’t forget, if your schedule permits to join us on September 11, 8:30 AM, for Patriot’s Day.

Sending you happy wishes for another successful year at Washington Elementary.

Sincerely,

Maria Arias Evans
Principal

P.S.  Each year the District informs parents that accident insurance for students is available for purchase through Myers-Stevens & Toohey & Company.  Your child will receive this information to take home on the first day of school.  If you are interested, please send the completed form directly to the company.