This Week, from Dr. Cuthbert | January 9, 2010
Hello to All,
We are off to a busy and productive start of 2010. The teachers and students came back ready to learn. It was a busy week starting new projects, reviewing concepts, and continuing standards-based instruction of many objectives.
The Local School Restructuring Team met this first week back to begin work on next year’s school budgeting process. We will know our allocations on January 14. When more information becomes available, the team and I will keep you updated on developments as we prepare for next year. As you know, our budget is based on a per-pupil allocation and we will soon know the final projected numbers and accompanying allocation per pupil. [Ed.: Minutes from the meeting are available here.]
If you want/need more information on middle schools, click here for details of the Middle School Fair to be held on January 12 at Key Elementary School. There will be representatives from public and private schools to share information with you. It will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Next week our 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-graders will take another DC BAS test in reading and math. We will use the results to track progress and plan interventions to boost individuals’ skills. We are fortunate to have many students working with our resource teachers to improve skills. Teachers and some parents are volunteering time to give extra help to students also.
Our crossing guard brought in some reminders from the Department of Motor Vehicles Driving Manual with respect to D.C. laws. We will find a place to post them in more detail, but please remember some of the basic rules that contribute to safety of our students. Generally, rules pointed out were:
- Never open the door of a vehicle that will impede the flow of traffic. Use the curbside door;
- Do not stop a vehicle in front of a public driveway or on a crosswalk, etc.; and
- Do not stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except very briefly to pick up or discharge passengers within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
Thank you for you attention to these as our crossing guard and we work toward keeping our students safe.
As you probably know, January 15 is a Professional Development Day for teachers and a no-school day for students. This is just a friendly reminder. Have a great week.
Dr. Marjorie Cuthbert
