From the Principal’s Desk: A Year of Gratitude

As we near the conclusion of Marshall School’s 88^th year, I reflect on the spirit of gratitude that I believe is a cornerstone in our foundation.  Appreciating what we have is very important and I would like to take a moment to share my thoughts on this topic.  Our community is fortunate to have dynamic teachers passionate about educating students to reach their full potential, children eager to learn, and a strong PTA.

The evolution of our ideas into well orchestrated events at Marshall School yield a unique experience for each student.  To that end, every student will participate in The Drum Circle on June 13^th and this year there are many exciting surprises.  Also, our second grade students will experience a “Clap Out” at their last Marshall School assembly in June and the remaining students will be tapped, becoming stewards for those new learners entering Marshall School during the upcoming school year.  With gratitude for the work of our many volunteers who helped to make every school event this year a wonderful experience, I say thank you on behalf of our entire faculty and staff.

Enjoy your summer days while crafting your letter to your child’s new teacher(s) that detail his or her strengths as well as areas needing support. Equally important, please share your expectations for your child’s educational experience so that we may travel together on the same road.  For returning families, when you receive my letter in late August identifying the teacher assignment, please add his or her name to your letter and deliver or send it on the first day of school.  Please mark the following dates on your calendar:

9/6/11	Open House–Parent Classroom Visitation	8:45–9am
9/6/11	First Day Coffee	9–9:30am
9/15/11	Back-to-School Night (Doors Open @ 6:30pm)	6:45–8:15pm

As I near the completion of my 10^th year as the principal of Marshall School I reflect on my purpose for becoming an educator, which is to enrich the lives of children in my charge who I am very humbled to serve.  Thank you for entrusting your children to us.

 Angelica Allen, Ed.D.

Support Great Teachers and Great Teaching in Our Schools

Teacher appreciation time is coming soon, and the Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood has the perfect gift idea – it’s one-size-fits-all, doesn’t require a trip to the mall and is rated the gift teachers like to receive most! It’s also the gift that gives back to public education in South Orange & Maplewood.

Order personalized Honor Your Teacher and Staff tribute cards as thank-you gifts from your family to any staff member at any school. For a donation of a minimum of $5 each, Achieve will print your child’s message of thanks to a teacher, counselor, nurse, bus driver, etc. on special cards and deliver them to recipients the last week of school. Proceeds from Honor Your Teacher tributes support the Achieve Foundation’s Teacher Grants Program that enables all educators to apply for grants for their unique projects in the fall.

This year Achieve awarded a total of $43,000 for 50 innovative classroom grants in all nine district schools. Help fund more Teacher Grants in 2012 by ordering Honor Your Teacher & Staff tribute cards now. Watch for order forms in backpacks in May or print the form below (Click on the title above to view larger.)  Go to www.achievefoundation.com or call 973-762-3758 to place your order by June 1.

Parents Be Aware: Smartphones Pictures Pose Privacy Risk

Pictures you’ve e-mailed or uploaded from your smartphone could leak information that can threaten your safety or that of your children. Please watch the You Tube video of the NBC Action news clip for more information.  Keep our kids safe.

Play Video