Newsletter

May 6, 2008

Message from the Principal

Dear Gregory Families:

I want to take this time to thank all of you for having sent your kids to school ready and willing to take the WASL exams the last few weeks. The kids did an outstanding job of staying focused and making a sincere effort. Student scores will be returned for teacher use in late August. We will use our WASL, MAP and teacher collected data to learn more about our kids’ strengths and areas of need. We will provide classroom and after school small group support for kids with specific needs in math and reading.
A special thanks to Mrs. Bray for her role as site WASL administrator, we could not have survived without her. Also big thanks to Mrs. Coon, Mrs. Recker, and Mr. Boisjolie in their support roles helping Mrs. Bray. Thank you to all our certificated and classified staff for preparing our students, supporting our students and each other, during this testing time.

I want to provide a huge thank you from all staff to our PTSA for furnishing our outdoor patio with super cool patio furniture and a potted plant. We are definitely spoiled and loving it. PTSA should be proud of the second annual Husky Hike! Mrs. Sagmoen and Mrs. Box did a wonderful job coordinating this fun and rewarding day. Our kids loved every minute of the Hike, thanks again to all the volunteers that made it happen.

You are invited to our spring parent Math Night on May 20th beginning at 6:30 PM, concluding with a question and answer opportunity at 8:00 PM. We will receive an update by our math coach, Kathy Webster on the changing state math standards and how that will impact instruction. You will have a chance to “Do the Math” in a classroom setting just like you kids do. We hope this evening will provide you with more information on how Highline approaches mathematical instructional strategies.

On May 9th, all staff will be involved in our last waiver day professional development. Topics for the day include: Review of our 07-08 Math in-services, planning Celebration of Learning, continue working on our review of Gregory’s homework policy.

Sincerely,

Phil Robinson

Parent Input on Student Placement
for 2008-2009 School Year

We are approaching the time of year when we consider your child’s classroom and teacher assignment for the 2008-2009 school year. Student placement is one of our most important staff responsibilities. The staff at Gregory Heights Elementary works very hard to make educationally sound placements. Let me share the many points our staff will consider when placing students in next year’s classrooms.
Ability and Behavior: Classes are developed to reflect a balanced range of student academic abilities and behavior. Efforts are made to separate students that have difficulty getting along with others.
Gender: We try to balance the number of boys and girls.
Class Size: We try to distribute the number of students equally within each grade level.

Parent input regarding a specific educational environment is considered in the placement process. This information will also be read by your child’s teacher next year when planning for classroom needs and developing curriculum. If you have a concern about a particular behavior or learning need of your child, please give specific information on the Parent Input forms that will be located in the office. Please avoid mentioning any specific teacher by name.

Requests for specific teachers will not be honored. Enrollment numbers, changes in teacher placement, the possibility of multiage class, and other factors make it impossible to guarantee a specific request for a particular teacher. Please trust us and be assured that we will make the best possible placement.

If you choose to give input the Placement Input forms are located in the office and need to be completed and turned into the office no later than May 22nd.

Field Day and Barbecue

On June 12th we will have our annual Barbecue and Field Day events for our families and students . In order to make this a success we will need many volunteers. Please call Vicki in the office and let her know if you’re able to help out and join the fun!

Retirements

Recently both Mary Newby and Becky Casperson announced their upcoming retirements beginning at the end of this school year. Though we are sad to see them go, we are happy for them being able to take this time for themselves. Both teachers have given many years of service in the Highline School district, with many students thriving from their time in these classrooms. Congratulations to both Mary and Becky on taking this big step and moving on in life. We will truly miss them!

Husky Hike

Thank you to all of our students, parents and staff who were able to pull off this great event for our school. Just a reminder that all pledge forms need to be turned in no later than this Thursday, May 8th. We will have an assembly this month to Celebrate our students’ accomplishments and if we met our goal of $25,000, Mr. Robinson will wear a chicken suit doing the “Chicken Dance”.

Gregory Heights Canned Food Drive

When the students in Mrs. Johnston’s 5th grade class heard that the Highline Food Bank needed donations they decided to help. From April 1- April 22 they organized a school wide canned food drive. They set a goal to collect 500 food items. By April 22nd to their surprise they had collected 1,706 food items. Wow!
Thank you to all of the students and families who helped with this successful canned food drive. Together we can make a difference and help our local families.

Celebration of Learning

Our “Celebration of Learning” will be upon us soon! This is an event where we invite all of our families into the school to view some of what our students have learned throughout the school year. Make sure to mark your calendar for this event beginning at 6:30 in the evening on June 5th! We will have more information soon.