From the desk of Boon Setser, Principal

August 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have many changes under way. I need your help with many of them.

After long consideration of test scores, teacher observations and other data, we have decided to keep current structure for the Kindergarten classes. We will have 3 classes to serve our students. Our staff met last Spring and decided against blending any classes. Our 1^st grade classes will be at capacity. If there are any additional requests from parents outside our attendance boundary to attend Green Acres at that level, I plan to deny entrance. We believe this is in the best interest to our current students.

The learning model for grades 3/4/5 has not changed. Students are placed in the most appropriate classroom for a morning “block” (approximately two hours) of instruction in language arts or math, science, and social studies and then attend the alternate block in the afternoon. Each teacher will be concentrating on one area, providing them the opportunity to plan and design the very best educational experience for your child in these core areas. This is the traditional model for secondary classes and we hope to expose students to such a structure as early as possible.

We are having our boilers replaced. The projected end date is late October. The boilers should be functional in early to mid-November. Once school starts the project crew will move to a swing shift. This will minimize disruption to the process of educating our children. Once the days cool off please be sure to dress children accordingly. There is a strong possibility that rooms will be cooler. We will be sure to keep you abreast of any changes.

When you visit Green Acres you will notice some changes. All classrooms have “adopted” a College or University. You will see flags, pennants and signs. We have built a map showing where education has taken the staff. I am proud or our education, whether it is a High School diploma or a Master’s degree. We want our students to know how important education is to their future. We are eagerly awaiting word back from “No Excuses University”, Inc. to determine if we have been accepted into this prestigious program.

We are changing the way we pick up and drop off students. Enclosed is the new flow plan for the parking lot. The entrance on 10^th street will be ENTRANCE ONLY. The right side will be for TEMPORARY PARKING only (please do not leave your car). The left lane will be used to access the parking lot (DO NOT DOUBLE PARK). We are asking that you continually move forward if space becomes available. We want there to be a single lane of traffic exiting the lot. Maple Street will be EXIT ONLY. We will have staff out showing the appropriate flow. Please respect our desire to protect our children. Patience is a must as everyone learns new habits.

Listed below are the exceptional teams at Green Acres:

Kindergarten Team: Tammy Brown, Lori Mills, and Teresa Craig1^st

Grade Team: Rebecca Groner and Jana Horne

2^nd Grade Team: Heather Bergstedt and Leah Price
3^rd Grade Team: Erica Cooper and Stacey Poe

4^th Grade Team: Vickie Zylstra and Andrea Ashley

4/5^th Grade Team: Kristen Gerig and Alan Cook

Specialists: Sonya Hostetter, Kari Wood and Linda Barr, Special Education; Suzanne Wallace and Janet Miller, Title I; Katie Palermo, Speech Language Pathologist; Jacque Wells, ELL; and Ashley Riutta, Physical Education

Support Staff: Laura Brazeale, Office Manager; Candice Crawford, Secretary; Bob Ainsworth, Custodian; Kelly Zaina, Cafeteria Manager; Lisa Bergstrom and Lois Simmons, Title 1 Assistants; Kristi Strom, Tanya Parker, Tom Kellogg, Bernice Hillsman, Pam SanNicolas, Dawn Vorderstrasse, Stacey Day, Susan Roosa, Stacey Zoon, Deanna Keenon, Lynette Lown, Special Education Assistants; Pam Phelps, Media Assistant: Diane Fadden, Peggy Knight, Shannon Tuttle and Eleanor Bradshaw (Office), School Assistants; Valentina Mikitchenko and Hilda Estrada, Bilingual Assistants

General Information to get school started:

· School Starting Time 7:45am – 2:35pm

· Every Wednesday is a 12:30 Early Dismissal

· The cafeteria is open at 7:30 for student breakfast. Students will not have access to the gym or playground during breakfast.

· It is important that your child arrive to school on time. Students arriving after 8:00 are considered tardy. After 8:00 all late arriving students must come to the office and receive a tardy slip to take to class.

· All visitors are required to sign-in and receive a VISITOR badge in the office before volunteering/visiting classrooms or during lunch.

· Please keep all non-school related items at home - ipods, MP3 players, radios, CD players, and other toys are not allowed on campus. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

· Cell phones may be brought to school, but must be turned off and remain off during school hours. Students have access to phones in all classrooms and the office. Phones used during the school day will be confiscated and parents will be called to pick up the item. Multiple infractions may lead to further disciplinary action.

· A Student Handbook is available on-line or for those who do not have internet access the school will provide a paper copy.

One belief I have is this: A child educated only at school is under-educated. Please take the time to read to your child as often as possible. Also, listed below are some ways to help extend educational opportunities.

Please read all available information. Between newsletters, letters home, and publications provided from the school. You will find answers for many of your questions, or at the very least, additional information to help ask the right questions. Your feedback is always encouraged and welcomed.

Attend School Events. Throughout the year we offer multiple opportunities to see and experience what happens at Green Acres and I welcome you to take advantage of those opportunities. Please check the weekly Tuesday folder for these events.

Parent-Teacher Club Meetings. Watch for these meetings to be announced this fall!

Volunteer. We will be sending home information on volunteering opportunities and an application. Please return this to the office if you are interested in assisting in the school.

And finally, we have multiple students with serious allergies to peanut products and peanut oil. I would ask, as a safety measure, if you send something to school for kids to share and it contains ANY peanut product let the teacher know. Case managers are typically assigned to monitor but we can never be too safe. We want a safe environment for all kids and require you help. This does not include items for your individual student for lunch, just those that will be shared with other students. Thank you in advance for your attention to this important issue.

I want to partner with you at all times in your child’s education. Please feel free to make an appointment to discuss any concerns. Either call Mrs. Brazeale at 451-8534 or e-mail me at boon.setser@lebanon.k12.or.us. I look forward to a wonderful school year as well as serving our students and community.

Sincerely,

Boon Setser

Principal

Green Acres Elementary

Go Griz!