June 2010

 “It is no longer how much you know that matters.  It is what you can do with what you know.” ~ Tony Wagner. The Global Achievement Gap.

 The school year’s end, offers us the opportunity to reflect and celebrate all of our student’s successes. During Open House, I visited each beautiful classroom. What a wonderful night of celebration for student achievement, growth, and maturity.  This is only possible through your support at home, the expertise of the classroom teacher, and the caring environment that is created by our entire Greenbrook staff:  Mr. Pelham, Mr. Tuffli and Mr. Freeman, our Resource specialists, Speech therapist, Psychologist,  our Reading intervention and tech specialists; Sue, our librarian; Fred, our custodian and, of course our dedicated team of paraprofessionals and Office managers. 

It is a wonderful time for thanks and appreciation. We began the month of May by honoring our parent volunteers at a special breakfast sponsored by our staff members. Our teacher appreciation week was an Academy Award winning week, complete with our teacher walking the Red Carpet at Flag Salute. Last week, we honored our Noon Duty Volunteers with a dozen “kisses”, signs, and a special poem. Our Fun Run, coordinated by Heidi Stepp and incoming PTA president Karin Westbrook brought out entire community together for some fun, fitness, and a chance to make a difference at our school.  With each grade level sporting brightly colored shirts of red, purple, green, yellow, and orange, our back field was alive with 630 students and parent volunteers making a difference!  Thanks to the many who supported this first time event for Greenbrook.

 Thank you, parents, for your continued support through volunteering and donations Thank you to the leadership of the staff, EAGLE, PTA, and Site Council for working together this year to insure that the program we know to be essential to the elementary experience will be in place for next year.  Not an easy task!

 For next year, I look forward to continuing to build on the successes of this year.  I look forward to continuing the partnership with EAGLE, PTA, Site Council, and the Greenbrook staff in providing an educational program that not only meets but exceeds the needs of our 21^st century learners. 

 For the 2010-2011 school year, EAGLE has committed to funding at all grade levels:

• Art instruction
• Reading and math intervention
• Technology and Innovation (equipment and staff development)
• Tech support and instruction
• Paraprofessionals in every classroom
• Science and art consumables
• Additional library time
• Vocal music (K-3) and Choir (4/5)
• Rainbow Program (counseling and Second Step)

Site Council has committed to funding the majority of our reading intervention program.  PTA continues with their great work of providing an opportunity for community building, student activities, health and safety, and tech support.

 Next year, we will again be facing a very tight, somewhat depressing budget situation both at the state level and the district level. The district will again be managing a severe budget shortfall.  Currently, the class size in grade K-3 has increased to a maximum of 26 students.  Even with larger class sizes, through the assistance of our parents, we are committed to providing an exemplary standards-based and visionary educational program for your student.

 We have a number of families who have supported Greenbrook for so many years.  We are saying goodbye to so many who have made such a positive impact in building the community as we know it today.  Thank you!!

 Finally, I have truly enjoyed getting to know our amazing, talented 5^th grade class.  They have a passion for sports and academics; are willing to takes risks, to excel, to create; and are excited about making a difference in the world. I am confident that as they head to middle school, Greenbrook students will be leaders and achievers in the classroom and beyond.  They exemplify our vision for student success. We will miss them!

 Please be sure to check out our Registration Gazette which will give you specific information about our online and in person registration in August. I wish everyone a very happy and relaxing summer! I look forward to hearing about your summer adventures when we return in late August!  See you at the park!

 “A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." -- James Dent

 Enjoy!
Sincerely,

 Jenise Falk