Dear Summerwood Community,
It’s time to start counting the days! Some children may do this with a slight state of dread. Most parents count with joy. Just in case it’s not on your calendar, school begins on Monday, August 25.
Each year I try to find a story or theme to connect with the school year. The following represents the theme for this year:
On October 4, 1957 an event occurred that had lasting significance on global decisions for the next three decades or more. This event precipitated widespread urgency and change in the fields of engineering, science, politics, and education to name a few. An object less than two feet in diameter was launched into space. This object traveled in low orbit for approximately three months and then burned up on its re-entry into the atmosphere. The event was small. The duration was short, but it had significant and lasting influence for many, many years.
This event was the launch of the Sputnik satellite. It certainly created a “hum” in this country. This small satellite put the Space Race into full gear. In a few short years President Kennedy was challenging us to put a man on the moon.
I’m sharing this because it is the backdrop of an interesting story of passion, pursuit of goals, and the power of education. The story is Rocket Boys or October Sky. A group of boys become motivated to learn because they discover their passion, rocketry. They are pushed, challenged, and encouraged by a teacher who believes in them, even when most others do not.
Within the book, and slightly changed for the movie, is a line or quote that makes strong connections to our role as educators and parents. “The rocket won’t fly unless someone lights the fuse.” Our school and community are full of rockets just waiting to fly. All of the rockets have a reason to fly. It is up to us as the parents and teachers to help them find their reason and to light the fuse.
The Rocket Boys modeled a practice of learning that can carry all of us throughout our lives. Inquiry. Collaboration. Reflection. The boys pondered questions about rocket design and flight. They put their heads together to attempt to solve problems. They tried it out and then reflected on what went right and what failed. From there it was back to more questions and a continuation of the cycle. This is the cycle of learning.
Together we can light the fuse!
We have had our fair share of changes in staffing this summer. We will welcome some new faces and we will have some faces in different places. I’ll try to highlight this for you:
· Mrs. Breeding moves to kindergarten
· Ms. Doolin and Ms. Freeman are new to our 1st grade team
· Mrs. Risko and Miss Valenta move to 2nd grade
· Ms. Schurdell is new to our third grade team
· Mrs. Land and Mrs. Brown move to 4th grade
· Ms. Rosen and Ms. Morrow are new to our 5th grade team
· Miss Hughes moves to the 5th grade team
· Mrs. Stewart becomes the science lab teacher
· Ms. Sexton and Ms. Davis are new to the Adaptive Behavior Classroom
· Ms. Burgess moves to the role of PE teacher
· Ms. Jordan-Moore will be the PE paraprofessional
· Ms. Borowicz is new to our SPEAK program
· Ms. Frausto and Ms. Grizzaffi are new to the Special Education program
· Ms. Dye is new to the role overseeing GT and ESL
· Mrs. Donnell and Mr. Robinson are now in the role as Academic Lead Teachers
· Mrs. Noack moves from receptionist to registrar
· Mrs. Chiasson is our new receptionist
Mark your calendar for these dates for Packet Pick-up:
Ø August 12
Ø 7:30 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 4:30
Ø August 13
Ø 9:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 5:30
New Student Enrollment
Ø August 14
Ø 7:30 – 11:30 and 12:30 – 4:30
Ø August 15
Ø 7:30 – 11:30 and 12:30 – 4:30
Ø August 18
Ø 7:30 – 11:30 and 12:30 – 4:30
Our annual welcome back event (BLAST OFF) will be on Friday, August 22
from 5:00 – 7:00.
Communication will be ongoing through the year through the website and the Star Gazer newsletter. We also plan to make greater use of the texting tool used sparingly last year. If you would like to receive text messages from Summerwood Elementary, text the following:
@4aedc to (469) 507-3731
.
There will be more information coming to you in the coming weeks as we continue preparation for the school year.
Sincerely,
Brian K. Peters
Principal, Summerwood Elementary