January Newsletter
Post date: Jan 8, 2015 7:24:31 PM
On behalf of faculty and staff, I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!
I would also like to take this opportunity to review some of the activities that have taken place so far this year. As you know, our Emergency Management Team, which focuses on health and safety, has been hard at work making changes to improve some of our procedures. I would like to thank all of the parents for bearing with us as we all work together to improve our car dismissal procedure. The procedure that we are following was created by two community police officers last year. This morning, we met with several officers from the police department to work out a traffic concern occurring on the main street. After working together, we have changed our procedure so that parents will now enter the school grounds the same way and go behind the teachers’ parking lot, but then will travel behind the school to the exit near the field. We will be sending out a parent survey within a couple of weeks to get your input. We know that our morning procedure is going very well, but we will continue to work on improving upon our car dismissal procedure. Once again, thank you to all who have been patient with us! It is greatly appreciated!
On Thursday evening (January 8th) at 6:00, Assistant Superintendent David Ryan will be meeting with parents in the school’s library to discuss assessments students are taking across the district. This meeting will provide insights as to why students are taking these assessments, and how the information is used to further student learning. This will be an informative evening, and we encourage parents to attend.
At HGF, we have begun a Technology Enhancement Committee that is working to create a three-year technology plan for the school. The plan is in its final stages, and we are hoping to be able to make some technology purchases soon. Our goal is to spend about $40,000 this year. The district will provide a bulk of the money with some money coming from our PTA and teacher/staff donations. We have teachers who have volunteered to be Technology Leaders in the school to help train staff with our new technology. Our long-term goal is to have a device available for all students.
Another one of our goals this year is to increase the amount of guided reading materials available for students. We currently have a reading room that we are working to fill with reading resources. Money from ice cream that is sold each Friday will be used to purchase more materials. Yankee Candles will once again be sold this year, with most of the profit going to purchase reading and math materials.
The above mentioned things are just some of the exciting things being worked on within the school. As we go forward into a new year, as a staff we will continue to work hard to provide your children with a valuable educational experience. We are so grateful to work with the wonderful children at HGF, and we greatly appreciate all of the help and support of our parents!
Much health and happiness for 2015.
Mrs. Matthews
Principal