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August 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year!  I am looking forward to an exciting and rewarding school year.  As the new principal, I will work hard to ensure that Stockbridge Central School continues to provide opportunities for all students to learn and grow.

The Student Handbook is available on our website.  Please take time to read and review the contents with your child.  There is a new policy regarding student medication.  The policy allows students with “life threatening allergies or with asthma, whose parents or guardians comply with all of the requirements” to possess and self-administer emergency medication at school. The requirements are outlined on the Parental Authorization Form (also included in the handbook).  While we understand families have the right to make this choice, we are encouraging families to continue to allow our school nurse and designee to keep and administer all student medications.  Please feel free to call and discuss this if you have questions or comments.

I have three exciting announcements to share with you. The first is that we will be participating in the new Child Nutrition Program called the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  This program will allow us to offer our students free fruits and vegetables at snack time during the school day.  One of the program goals is to provide opportunities to try both familiar and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables.  Another goal is to provide nutrition education and activities in order to help students learn the importance of fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet.  We are also planning to incorporate as many fresh and local Vermont foods as we can. 

Secondly, we’ll be starting our After School Program on Tuesday, September 2^nd.  The program will run from Monday through Friday, 3:00-6:00pm, unless the school is closed. Shari McLaughlin has agreed to run the program and is excited about implementing her ideas for a safe and engaging after school program.  As you may have heard from Carl Groppe, the rates will remain at $4/hour per student for a minimum 9 hour commitment over 3 days.  For students attending fewer than 3 days a week, the rate will be $5/hour per student.  There may be space available for drop-in students at a rate of $6/hour per student.  There will be a $20 registration fee per student and some financial aid may be available.  Please contact the school office to determine the availability of drop-in care and financial assistance.  More detailed information will be available at the start of the program.  Currently, the program is open to all SCS students K-6.  However, if you are the parent/guardian of a Pre-K student and are interested in arranging after school care, please let us know as soon as possible as we may be able to make this available.  

Lastly, I am very pleased to announce that our very own Stephanie Colton has been chosen as the ELEMENTARY SCIENCE TEACHER OF THE YEAR by the Vermont Academy of Science and Engineering (VASE).  Each year, VASE honors two outstanding science teachers, one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level.  The criteria for this award include:

·         Inspiring students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn

·         Stimulating critical thinking

·         Sustaining excellence in teaching

·         Having the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues

·         Developing innovative approaches to teaching methodology and curricula

·         Playing an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.

Mrs. Colton will be presented with her award at the VASE annual meeting held in Burlington, VT on September 23^rd, 2008.  CONGRATULATIONS MRS. COLTON! 

Again, I look forward to a wonderful year for everyone at Stockbridge Central School.  Please stop by and introduce yourself if we haven’t met and remember to sign and return the form below. 

Sincerely,

Michele Ricci