March 1, 2010
Dear Parents:
Here is this week's News To Know:
- Connecticut Mastery Tests
- Progress Reports
- Budget Information
- Daffodil Days
- Joel Barlow Cheerleading
Connecticut Mastery Tests begin tomorrow and will continue over the next three weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please make sure your children are well-rested, eat breakfast, come to school on time, and bring a number 2 pencil. Remind them to do their personal best and check their work.
Progress Reports will be coming home on Wednesday, March 10. The reports have a NEW format. Please see the attached guide put together by Mr. Cockerham. It will be a useful guide for you.
Budget Information: A school budget is the mirror of what a community values and aspires to. Given these tight economic times, however, it also becomes a source of confusion, frustration and pain. Therefore, my purpose today is to provide you with a clear and useful communication regarding the 2010-11 Easton School budget as it pertains to Helen Keller Middle School.
This past Wednesday, February 24th, 2009, the Board of Education unanimously recommended a proposed budget increase of 2.79%. In order to reach 2.79%, the staff and program reductions at both schools will be deep and could impact your child’s education. Here at Helen Keller, two positions have been eliminated: a full time Music teacher and a full time Physical Education Teacher. And, a $7,265 cut has been made to our extra-curricular activities.
Reducing a music teacher means we will no longer have a full time Choral Program nor will we have a full time Instrumental program. Rather, we will have two half-time programs. Not all students who want to play a musical instrument or participate in a choral program will have that opportunity. While not ‘core’ subjects, choral and instrumental programs provide the very spark that excites many students about school when math, language, arts, social studies, or science simply do not. Not only do these Fine and Practical Arts classes frequently engage students in different modes of thinking and hands-on activities that appeal to diverse learning styles but the ‘special’ teachers often bring fresh perspectives to instruction.
Reducing a physical education teacher means our children will have less physical education time. Health education will be embedded within their physical education time. Physical education is critically important in early adolescence, when young people are concerned about their body image, physical development and attractiveness.
As I have often mentioned, research underscores the importance of ‘school connectedness’ for your adolescents’ emotional well-being and avoidance of risky behaviors. Diverse studies suggest that extracurricular activities contribute more to adult success than do traditional academic measures. One study of thousands of students found that those who participated in extra-curricular activities, compared to non-participants, got higher grades, felt better about school, had higher morale, drank less alcohol and used drugs less often.
I ask all of you to show your commitment to all of our students. You can do so by:
Make it your business to obtain as much information as you can.
Attend the Board of Finance Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room as that Board will next review the Board of Education’s budget.
If you can’t attend a meeting, you can always email any member of the Board of Education. Contact information may be found by accessing the district’s web site @www.er9.org
Your voice must be heard. Do not remain silent only to speak later about what was or was not done.
Joel Barlow Cheerleading Tryouts will take place on March 16, 17, an 18th for the 2010-11 school year. The try-outs will take place at the upper gym at the hihg school from 3:45-5:45 each of the three days. If your child is interested, please have them stop by the main office and pick up a packet of information. Contact is Ms. Jill DaSalva
Respectfully,
Joan Parker
Principal
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