SEDGWICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS July 6, 2011 Dear Parent(s), Already the building seems quiet due to the lack of children’s voices. While it is too soon to say that we are looking forward to opening up the building in September, it sure seems that something is missing when the students aren’t here. The staff has been very busy since school was dismissed for the summer. Everyone will be changing rooms and most people will have new assignments. Mrs. Smith will be our Title I teacher; Vanessa Grindle will be our kindergarten teacher; Mrs. Warren will teach grade one; Mrs. Monteith will be in grade two; Mr. McKechnie will be our third and fourth grade teacher; Mrs. Hawkins will be our fifth and sixth grade teacher; and Mrs. Arendt will be teaching grades seven and eight. Room assignments have changed also with Mrs. Warren occupying what was the 1/2 classroom and Mrs. Monteith moving next door. Beverly Hawkins will be in the former seventh grade classroom and Mrs. Arendt will be across the hall in the former 5/6 classroom. We look forward to these program and staff changes to reinvigorate and improve our overall program. For the same reason, the school committee voted to change our basic math text. Rather than using Everyday Math as we have for the last ten years or so, we have changed to Saxon Math which will be used from kindergarten through grade eight. The Saxon Math program is a system that focuses more on basic math skills in a format that will be more effective for students and parents alike. It is a more traditional approach that parents will find familiar. Changing to the Saxon Math system will make it easier for parents to help children with their math homework and will help kids experience less frustration with the math itself. The school website has been updated to provide information based on recent staff changes. Current email addresses for teachers are there, but we are still making changes in classroom web pages. Expect those to be in place later this summer. The school calendar for 2011-12 is available in .jpg format and many items for next year have been put on the ‘live’ calendar on the website. There is also a listing of office hours at school through the first week of August. One of our goals is to improve the updating of the website, so please take a look and let us know what else is needed. Margaret Bixby is running a “Magic Food Bus”. This is a combination of bookmobile and free produce stand. Details are included on the back of this newsletter. At present, we are still searching for a guidance counselor for two days a week, a gifted and talented coordinator for once a week, and an ed. tech. III for three days a week. If you know of people interested in any of these positions, please have them contact the school. We opened our new school building 20 years ago in 1991 and want to hold a celebration of that event. An organizational meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17. If you are interested, please let me know. TEACHER NEWS: Mrs. Monteith is looking for a parent or volunteer to help her teach yoga to her students next year. If you are knowledgeable in this regard or know someone who is, please call 359-5002 or e-mail Mrs. Monteith at bmonteith@msln.net. Miss Grindle writes: “It was so wonderful to meet some of you at step-up day. I hope you are getting some quality time with your child in this beautiful summer weather! Kindergarten screening will be held shortly after school begins. I hope to schedule parent conferences at or around the same time screening happens. If you would like to meet and/or talk BEFORE the school year begins please do not hesitate to get in touch. I can meet any time that is convenient for you. E-mail me at vanessa.grindle@gmail.com or call 266-2854. You can also leave a message for me at the school at 359-5002 as I am in regularly. COMING SOON: Be watching your mail for a packet of summer fun to help your child prepare for school, as well as information about the coming year. Not to rush summer, but I can't wait to see you all in September!” COMMUNITY NEWS: British Soccer Camp will be offered on Deer Isle on Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 5. There are half day sessions from 9 AM to noon for players 5 to 15 years old and full day sessions for players 6 to 15 years old from 9 AM to 4 PM. Go to www.challengersports.com and find the link to the Deer Isle session. Please register as soon as possible as it helps with planning! The fees are $110 for the half day and $164 for the full day. Add $10 if your registration is not received by July 22. A soccer ball and camp t-shirt are supplied to all players. If you have any questions, contact Jo Jacob by phone 348-6997 or e-mail jjacob31@myfairpoint.net. Please check in before camp about what field we will be using. Also, there are lots of things to do on Deer Isle for parents and younger siblings while camp is in progress such as trails for hiking and the Lily Pond and Causeway Beach for swimming! Sincerely, Don Buckingham SEDGWICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS