IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT With the advent of warmer weather, I want to remind all of our families to be cautious and safe at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. We have witnessed parents and children crossing the street to get in the car and a family driving through an intersection with a school patrol member in the street. We had a student fall crossing the street behind a car that backed up narrowly missing the child. None of us want to have an injury. Please help ensure the children’s safety by following these guidelines and thank you for your help.

• Families should drop off only on the school side of Kenneth and Eleanor and pick up only on the school side of Wilder and Bayard.
• Families may park on the side opposite of school in order to either visit the school or use the playground, but please cross only at the intersections.
• Walking patrols will cross only at  the intersections. Please wait until they have cleared the intersections completely before driving.

08-09 Class Placement With spring in the air, many families have begun to think about the coming school year. I have already received letters from families making requests for next school year. My policy for class placement requests is quite simple. If you wish, you may write me a letter describing:

• Characteristics of teachers with whom your child has worked well in the past,
• Your child’s strengths in learning, and
• Any concerns about your child’s education or special needs.

Please do not request the name of a particular teacher as it may not be possible to honor such requests. There are many reasons why it may not be possible. One of our top priorities is to create balanced classrooms so that every child receives the greatest support. Another example is that each grade level will have clusters of students that receive support services. Parents do have the opportunity to meet with me to learn more about our school, specific grade-level curriculum, and special programs if they feel they need more information about their child's next grade level. Parents are also welcome to attend one of our school tours.

The teachers and I use our experience, knowledge of children, and understanding of educational fundamentals to develop successful class placements and to make sure each student is placed in the most supportive classroom. The assignment of students for next year's classes is accomplished through grade level meetings with teachers and me. We consider many factors as part of the placement process, including individual needs and strengths, whole class needs, learning styles, academic levels, peer relationships, leadership qualities, behavioral factors, gender balance, and levels of parent classroom assistance.

Your child’s current teacher and I will team together to create classes for next year. Our goal is to create the best quality experience for each child. Only letters received by Friday, April 25 will be considered.

Let’s Celebrate! Final RIF Distribution To celebrate National Library Week, we will be holding our final RIF distribution next week.   The theme this year is, “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.”  National Library Week is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary.  All students will be given a book of their choice on Thursday, April 17^th.   This book give-away is made possible by RIF, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. RIF supports literacy development by providing free books for children to choose and keep. If you have any questions regarding the program, contact Mariana Tennyson, at 293-8965.

Reschedule Budget Meeting for Parent Input The parent input meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, April 17 at 6:00 p.m., in conjunction with the PTA meeting, to provide information on the potential changes for next year’s budgets. Our district will be cutting about $7.5 million. Horace Mann’s budget shortfall is about $53,000. I will have to make changes and want to make choices that will keep the best school for students. Your priorities are important information as I decide what to do. Please come and give me your input. RSVP to Judy at 293-8965 so I can plan an appropriate space.

Upcoming Events- Click here for more info.

• No Chess Club Tuesday, April 15th and Tuesday, April 22 due to MCA testing

­2008-2009 Site Council Ballot If you did not receive the paper copy of the Perspectives, please contact the office to read the candidates’ letters of interest and  vote for three  members. One vote per household. Ballots are due by April 18, 2008 to the office. Candidates are:

• Martha Faust
• Jeff Larson
• Karin Roof
• Denise Seck