Principal's Newsletter
June 2016
It has been nearly 8 weeks since my last newsletter. In that time we have managed to navigate through PARCC testing, explored Senior projects, discovered a lot of new experiences through end of year field trips and graduated three grade levels into their next chapters of life: kindergarten into the elementary, grade 4 into the middle grades, and grade 12 into the real world! My, what an exciting journey it has been!!
I hope many of you were lucky enough to be at this year’s graduation at the Sullivan Property to see this village come together on a beautiful June day to wish their finest a fond farewell. It certainly has been a full year. I want to take this opportunity to thank parents for helping us to make this school so great. Your patience, dedication, and fine parenting really shines. It was awesome to watch our entire student body at graduation, dressed in their finest and celebrating the accomplishments of the seniors. One audience member commented to me that they had never seen such a group of fine looking individuals, and I must agree! Our kids are all beautiful, both inside and out! I also would be remiss to not acknowledge our staff. Many of them go way beyond to enrich student lives. They have raised thousands of dollars, planned trips that not only took kids off island, but out of state and out of the country!! It has been a great year and this summer we have lots of plans in the works to prepare for next year. I wish you all a safe and rejuvenating summer. I will have office hours throughout the summer, but will also be taking some time off. Please call the office if you need any assistance.
A few things to share.....
POW Science
1st graders at Mystic Aquirium
Kindergarten Graduation
4th grade Community Garden at the OceanView Property
Wind Farm Trip
7th graders sailing in Maine
Whitney Shares Her Learning With Her 1st Grade Friends
A Visit to Hokule'a
Osprey Banding
Great News for our School Weight Room!!
Tricky Times!
Practice Makes for an Easier September.
Summer Support!
Superintendent's Corner
School is out. The year is finished and I have learned a lot about Block Island School and the Block Island community. This is, indeed, a very special place. I consider myself to be quite fortunate to be your school superintendent. Thank you for sharing your children with me. They are delightful, respectful, and engaging. The staff has been so welcoming and helpful as I learn the Block Island ways. The best part of my day is cruising through the classrooms! Working with the School Committee, who are thoughtful about the issues that face Block Island School, has been refreshing. To Block Island friends, families, and the larger community thank you for your generous support of the school.
This summer I will be out to Block Island about once a week. Please feel free to email me at jlundsten@bi.k12.ri.us if you have any questions or concerns. I check my email twice a day even in the summer time. If you leave a message on the superintendent’s line (466-7727) it may be a week before I get back to you. So, if it is an emergency, please text or call me on my cell phone (401-248-4603). If you text me, be sure to include your name in the text.
On the days I’m on Block Island I will be working on policies and planning for the September school start. Please feel free to drop in and say hello and chat, but check to make sure I’m in the office that day! The days I’m not on the island I will be between East Greenwich and Yarmouth, Massachusetts. I’m looking forward to having the six grandkids for extended times. As you might imagine, one of the activities I will be doing with them is reading and checking up on their math skills. Please see the school’s website for information about this year’s summer reading and math expectations for your students.
Finally, I wish you all a healthy, happy and safe summer season.