Principal’s Column - June 2025
We did it! And we did it together! This school year was very important and certainly full of events and growth that we cannot ignore. Parents and teachers worked together to ensure that our children flourished and grew during these crucial years.
How we say good-bye and close the year matters so I wanted to take time to share with parents our plans for June.
I am currently on a “listening tour,” visiting each 4th and 5th grade classroom and asking the following questions to the students: What do you like about this school? What can we do better? What questions do you have about next year? The responses I am getting are insightful, truthful, and extremely helpful in planning for the 25-26 school year. During these meetings, it is clear that our students remember all the special events starting with our Fall Festival in October all the way to Gander week last week.
Gander Week was the staff brain-child on how to pull together all of our life long lessons at the end of the year. Using facts about ganders as a metaphor for our values led to a week of hands-on activities that were both fun and educational. Ganders are kind, ganders are loyal, ganders never give up, ganders soar and ganders work together were the values that we practiced. A school-wide scavenger hunt, kindness walls, community service and a PEP rally celebrating our year were the activities of the week. Like everything else we did this year, this week was a real success based on student reaction and staff feedback.
Still ahead is our Field Day on June 23 and the Student Council Aloha Barbecue the afternoon of June 20. The last day of school for students will be Thursday, June 26, which will be a half day. I also encourage you to attend our PTSA end of the year party at Stone House Tavern on the Hill the afternoon of June 26.
So let’s talk about summer and what you can expect as far as communication.
All entering 4th and 5th grade parents will receive a mailing in mid-July letting you know your child’s teacher for next year as well as a needed supply list.
Next year’s 5th grade program will be different than it has been in the past. 5th graders will be assigned to 2 teachers - one for ELA and Social Studies and the other for Science and Math.
Parents of entering 6th grade students will receive a letter in mid-July with a list of supplies.
Parents of entering 6th grade students will receive a letter in mid-August letting them know their homeroom teacher.
Please join us for our annual open house welcome back on August 28 from 4:30 to 6:30. 6th Graders will be given their schedule that day.
I value your feedback and I view summer as a good time to connect with communication. I will be available July 15 through the end of August Monday - Thursday here in the Intermediate School Office.
Wishing all of you a restful and enjoyable summer. Thank you again for the opportunity to work with you and your children.
All 4th graders went on a field trip to Musuem Village in Monroe, NY on Friday, May 16th. This living history museum allowed students to see an old Colonial Village, experience what life was like in the late 1700's and 1800's, and get hands-on experience with some activities. These activities included making paper flowers, dipping candles, and seeing how newspapers were printed back then. Many parents were able to come on this trip and made it a more memorable experience. Thank you to those chaperones! We received excellent feedback from Museum Village staff about the excellent behavior our students exhibited. Thank you 4th Graders!
