Message from the Principal

Welcome to Abernethy, our "little school under the elms!" The staff has been working hard to plan experiences for your child to grow academically, socially, and emotionally within a positive learning environment.

The school year begins with a few changes. The Trail Blazer organization came three times over the summer to paint our cafeteria, upper hallway, stairwells, and bathrooms. We also had fresh lines painted on the playground to enhance safety and activities.

Abernethy, Richmond and Edwards completed a successful first year together as a newly combined learning community. We made excellent progress academically in all areas. Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 increased reading scores so that 95% of students met or exceeded the bench marks. In math achievement, these same students increased math scores so that 93% of students met or exceeded. In writing, 79% of students met the benchmark. This was a 17% increase from the previous year. Writing will continue to be a staff development focus.

Students from all grades earned an incredible amount of money this past year in the annual Run for the Arts. We will be spending the money to support art instruction with artist Larry Verdoorn along with other residencies and assemblies. Larry will work with the staff and students to provide art activities that support work in the art studio. These activities include: mixing colors, making murals, infusing art with a project responding to our world wide theme. We are also fortunate that parent, Paula Jasczkowski will be joining the art committee and teaching "Art Masters" classes in room 2. We will have opportunities for assemblies in the auditorium using the Run for the Arts fund.

Our recently retired music teacher, Nancy Nordwall, will be back teaching basic music along with choir and violin for the upper elementary age students. She will be at ABernethy two days a week. Her position is funded by some district funds and the rest by the generous Abernethy Foundation. Music will be in the auditorium this year, providing an opportunity for more movement activities. We are fortunate to support such a talented community.

Breakfast/snack will not be provided free each day in the classroom anymore. The light breakfast will be available in the cafeteria before school starting at 8:30am. It is free to those who qualify for Free-and-Reduced lunch and available at cost for all others.

This year the Garden of Wonders has some ambitious plans for Abernethy. There will be an expansion of the food and garden education program that teaches students where food comes from and how it grows and how it will cook. All food will be prepared and cooked at Abernethy in the cafeteria kitchen. The goal is to provide a connection between what students are learning in the classroom with what they are eating in the lunchroom while seeing an increase in local and seasonal purchasing. Linda Colwell will continue to oversee this project.

We will continue with the Character Education Program and Grant. Jennifer Pitts is the Character Education Specialist whom we will be working with at Abernethy. The grant focuses on school climate, staff training, family education and service learning. We will have a Student Council again. Our focus will be on building a strong community and making new friendships.

School starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. The morning kindergarten dismissal is at 11:15 a.m. The school building will open at 8:30 a.m. daily and will be locked at 3:15 p.m. There is no supervision before or after school. Please remind your child to leave the school grounds when school is dismissed. There is a crossing guard on Orange and Elliott streets and a light to cross with on Division.

We invite you to visit the school, participate in field trips, classroom activities and become active in the PTA or Site Council. We appreciate your support and involvement and wish to work together as partners in your child's education. When visiting the school, remember to check in at the office first; it helps us keep Abernethy safe for students and staff.

And finally I would like to thank the PTA for sponsoring the yard cleanup day to start the school year looking sharp!

I am looking forward to an exciting and wonderful year at Abernethy!

Warm regards ,

Tammy Barron, Principal
August 2006

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