This Week, from Dr. Cuthbert | June 21
Hello Everyone!
Please let me begin with THANKS for your support this year, and to end my LAST BLAST for this school year with the same sentiments. What a marvelous school year, and can you believe that it is about to come to a close? When first I was invited to be the principal of Stoddert East, it was non-existent. My husband and I drove by and saw the beginnings of a structure, but much was left to the imagination. I was to report to Hardy MS and many district-level workshops. I did do these things, but kept driving by and watching this huge connection of 48 portables grow into our special Stoddert East. One day, after many safety checks, I was invited to come inside. It looked quite unusual from the outside, but the inside was bright and very accommodating. Questions from you and all the teachers I was beginning to meet came quickly and with earnestness. “Do you think this will work?” My reply, “Oh, yes”. “Do you realize that there are no windows?” “Yes, but please see how bright it is.” “Do you think the teachers will be OK here?” After meeting them, “Oh, yes.” And the rest is history. What I know now is huge: The teachers are great, the students are very capable and nice, and your support is “humongous”! I remember telling the construction crew, “Please just paint the door a different color so school can begin,” thus the yellow door, What a year!
On Thursday, we celebrated the promotion of a terrific 5th-grade class. The students performed and presented at the ceremonies, that were held at the Russian Embassy. We express deep appreciation to the Ambassador and all the Russian Embassy staff for hosting us so graciously. Thanks to Mary McLaughlin and the PTA for providing wonderful refreshments for well over 150 attendees. I had the privilege of promoting the students and charging them one last time with a theme that evolved this year: “Show what you know (academically, behaviorally, and interactionally)!”
Have you driven by or walked past the new school? It is simply grand. All the powers that be tell me that we are still on target for completion. I cannot wait for all of you to be able to come and see where your children will attend their beginning or the next grade level. It is a stellar complex with multiple amenities. With these lovely surroundings, we add the outstanding teaching that continues – and the equation equals excellence.
By our latest calculations, we now have 82% of you registered. Will the last 48 families please take, or find, time to come and register? We need you to do this so real and actual budgeting can happen. Our real budgeting is totally dependent on having students registered, as the budget is derived from the total number of students times the individual student allotment. PLEASE come in on 6/21 0r 6/22 and finalize your registrations for next year. After those last 2 days, the office staff and I will be located at Hardy MS on the second floor (35th Street entrance). We are happy to see you there, but it might be more convenient to register at Stoddert East. Beginning as soon as June 25th, sections of the portable will be demolished. REGISTER NOW, please.
Have your children lost any items of clothing? Please visit the LOST and FOUND rack and bins across from the main office. Especially with the pending move, we will have to donate to charity so many wonderful jackets, sweatshirts, hats, etc. Please take an extra minute and find your lost items.
Thanks for helping with the packing on Saturday, June 19th. It is a huge job that many of you know from last year. We appreciate your help on this large undertaking. Thanks to Molly Evans for helping organize our big packing day!
Please let me end my first year of BLASTs to you with THANKS for your support this year! I look forward to sharing ideas and news with you next school year. It will be totally invigorating to start the 2010-2011 school year in the new Stoddert ES. Please allow me to wish you a summer of happiness and many fun family adventures. Thank you for a marvelously rewarding year!
Your principal, Marjorie Cuthbert.
