This Week, from Dr. Cuthbert | January 16

What a great day!

Thanks to the PTA and our outstanding staff, Stoddert hosted another very successful Open House for prospective parents. The event was well attended and it seems that many are interested in attending Stoddert for the first time through the processes of Pre-K lottery, natural in-boundary new residency, out-of-boundary lottery, and entry from private school. Many questions were asked and answered, and fingers were crossed that the lottery will be kind to those who really want their children to be Stoddert Wolves. Many visitors reported to me that the parents were so helpful, the classrooms inviting, and that it was important to them to attend a culturally diverse school where academic achievement was important as was a safe environment.

Please stay tuned for information on the budgeting process. I attended a budget meeting today where I received the time line and projected budget based on an enrollment of 297 students for the 2010-2011 school year. The Local School Restructuring Team (LSRT), an advisory group of elected parents and teachers, will begin work on looking at what the projected budget will be able to support for the upcoming year. They will meet next Thursday and will get information to you as soon as possible for your consideration, input, and thinking.

Please mark your calendars, if you have not, for the PTA meeting next Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. It will be in the multi-purpose room at Stoddert East. Mr. Duff, our math resource teacher, will present a math workshop and the PTA meeting will follow. I hope to see you there.

Just a friendly reminder that Friday, January 22, 2010, is a half day with students being dismissed at 12:15 p.m. It is a Records Day for teachers to prepare the grades and report cards that will be sent home on February 5, 2010.

Dr. Marjorie Cuthbert