Robert Burke, Principal
Dear Parents, welcome to the 2009-2010 school year (2010 - I can't believe it)!
I hope your summer was adventurous and you are ready to begin a new and exciting year with us.
Last year, the district faced many difficult financial challenges which resulted in a reduction in the school site budget. Due to our outstanding fundraising efforts and some creative budgeting, we have not had to cut any of our programs. Friends of the Open School (our fundraising organization) raised $240,000 last year. Not only is that a record it is also an amazing feat given the current economic situation. We cannot thank you enough for investing in the education of all children at the Open School. We are incredibly humbled and honored by your contributions.
In addition to the budget cuts, the district also laid off all non-permanent teachers. Fortunately for us, we were able to hire four bright and energetic permanent teachers. Nancy Nakagiri’s new teaching partner in Indigo cluster is Jackie Herst. Anne Granick and Dena Vatcher’s new partner in Orange cluster is Tracey Maye. Denise Benjamin’s new partner in Yellow cluster is Regina Jeffrey. And finally, Paula Thomas’ new partner in Purple cluster is Kira Walker. We welcome all of our new teachers and look forward to the dynamic instruction they will bring to each of the clusters.
The office has been officially open since Wednesday, August 19th. The first day of school for all new and returning students will be Wednesday, September 9th. On this day, all new parents are invited to an orientation meeting at 9:00am in the auditorium. We urge you to attend and find out very important information on safety, transportation and other concerns that you may have.
September 9th will be a regular school day. School will begin at 8:20am and end at 2:45pm. Beginning September 15th, Tuesdays will be shortened days for teacher professional development activities. Students will be dismissed at 1:45pm and will have shortened days every Tuesday for the remainder of the year.
Yard supervision begins at 7:45am. Students can be dropped off at school beginning at 7:45am each morning. Please remind your child to remain on the yard until the bell rings. Students should not be in the hallways prior to 8:20am. For the past several years, we have been able to offer early morning supervision for families who need to drop their children off earlier than 7:45. Currently, we do not have anyone to staff early morning supervision. Should we find someone for the position, we will let you know about a start date. If we are able to start-up the program again, the cost of early morning supervision will be $60 per month, $15 per week, or $3 per day.
IF YOU ARE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO YOUR CHILD’S ROUTE, MORNING OR AFTERNOON, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE OFFICE. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOUR CHILD HAD A CHANGE LAST YEAR WE WILL ASSUME THAT THE CHANGE WILL OCCUR THIS YEAR. Sometime this month, you will receive a letter from Transportation with your child’s bus route, and pick up and drop off times. We strongly encourage you to make use of the school bus starting on the first day because the students will be instructed on bus safety and rules. If you live within the 3 mile radius and will be driving your child to school, please drop off and pick up your child at the second gate on Breen Street in the back of the school. For safety reasons, please do not drop off your child in either of the two main parking lots.
It is IMPERATIVE that all parents abide by the following guidelines when dropping off or picking up children at the Breen Gate:
- Please park on the school side of Breen Street.
- Do not double park.
- Do not allow your child to cross the street or walk between the cars.
- Do not park or block our neighbors’ driveways.
The Cafeteria will be fully operational on the first day and will serve breakfast ($.60) and lunch ($1.00). Cafeteria applications will be handed out with the first day packets. ALL parents must fill in this application to be processed for “Full”, “Reduced”, or “Free” lunch, and return it immediately.
Thursday, September 17th at 5:30pm is the first meeting of the Governing Board. The first Friends meeting will take place the following Thursday, September 24th at 5:30pm. Both meetings take place in the teachers’ lunchroom behind the auditorium. In addition, Back to School Night will take place on September 22nd at 6:00pm. This is your opportunity to meet with the teachers and other parents in your child’s cluster and to hear about the exciting curriculum and activities each team has planned for the year.
Despite the financial challenges facing our schools, we look forward to a successful school year. Our priority, as always, will be to provide meaningful learning experiences for our students through an innovative, enriching and challenging curriculum. We are proud of our outstanding teachers, and the school community’s involvement and spirit. We count on you, veteran and new parents, to be a part of our team as we continue to strive for educational excellence.
Sincerely,
Robert Burke, Principal