Chimborazo Elementary Newsletter
Late August/September 2017
Principal's Message
Welcome back Chimborazo families,
I want to officially welcome all of you to the 2017-2018 School Year! Summer has come and gone and now it is time to continue with the excellent traditions of Chimborazo, as well as to introduce exciting new programs and personnel. The office staff, teachers, custodians, and I have been working hard this summer to continue the momentum we established last school year. Over the summer break the school has been cleaned, facilitated summer school, areas have been repainted, murals and artwork have been added, and the gym floor bares our school logo. Our dedicated staff has been working hard to ensure a successful start of school Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
This will be my second year as principal of Chimborazo, and I am thrilled at the continued opportunity to engage in the educational process together. The elementary school years are critical times of development for students and families alike, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this year successful. I am a lifelong educator who brings a firm commitment to students and families as well as a love of learning and problem solving. I had the opportunity to go to the National Association of Elementary School Principals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During this time, I was able to collaborate with nationally recognized educational leaders and principals and gather strategies to promote the holistic success of our students. Our staff has spent the summer reading Teach like a Champion and applying the techniques outlined will help our students become champions inside and outside of the classroom. I look forward to building lasting relationships with each and every member of the Chimborazo community and cultivating a sense of pride and success. Out theme this year revolves around the upcoming winter Olympics as we “Go for the GOAL!”
We have several new staff members this year at Chimborazo which include:
· Lindsey Turner will be teaching 1st grade. She is a graduate of Open High School in Richmond Public Schools and has her Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from James Madison University.
· We also have four Virginia Commonwealth University graduates who completed the Richmond Teacher Residency Program. The first is Erika Dietz who will be teaching in 2nd grade inclusion class as special education teacher. She has her Master’s Degree through VCU in education as well as a Master’s degree in Public Health through Tulane University and a Bachelor of Arts through Ohio University.
· Casey Myers is a graduate of VCU with a Master of Education Degree and will be teaching special education across various grade levels. She also has earned her Bachelor of Arts in English through Virginia Tech University.
· Katie Porter will be teaching in Kindergarten after spending the year working with our current Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Campbell, in 2016-2017. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in Education from VCU.
· Ariel Goldberg will be teaching 5th grade this upcoming school-year. She attained her Master of Teaching Degree in Elementary/ Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education from VCU.
· Grant West will be teaching 2nd grade. He has an Associate of Arts Degree in Science from Thomas Nelson Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Virginia State University. He has spent a good portion of last year supporting our students through tutoring.
· Elaine Johnson will be our new music teacher. She is a graduate from University of North Caroline Chapel Hill. She has her Master’s Degree in music from UNC and attained her Bachelor’s Degree from Meredith College where she double majored in Piano Performance and Music Education.
- Sheena Davis, our low incidence teacher, comes to us from Wilder Middle School in Henrico County with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Cognates in Sociology and Psychology.
ARRIVAL TIMES:
Our school day begins at 8:45 AM daily. Please be sure to have your child/children here on time. Students who are consistently tardy are at a clear disadvantage, miss instruction, and usually arrive feeling frantic and unprepared. All students who arrive after 9:15 am must sign in at the office with a parent. If your child is sick please report the absence. If you drop your child off by car please remember to do so on the side of school. Parking in front to drop off presents a danger to children, parents, and other drivers. Also, do not park in front of school during marked hours before and after school. Richmond City Police Department will be ticketing those who do not abide by these procedures.
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES:
School lunch and breakfast will be served daily and will continue to be free of charge. Please regulate the amount of cash students bring to school for lunch. Many students are eating multiple snacks that can be purchased a la carte and not eating their lunch. The amount of snacks for available purchase will be limited to 2 and money carried by the student is the responsibility of that student. Parents are encouraged to come in and put money on a student’s account as opposed to the aforementioned.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS:
General: Our programs each year are exciting and structured to ensure that all our kids continue to receive a well-rounded and challenging education. Our standards and expectations remain high! As always, our number one goal is providing our students with a quality educational experience in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. All our instructors are fully credentialed while professional development and collaborative opportunities are built into our yearly schedule. Our curricular program is aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning.
TUESDAY FOLDERS:
Please ask your child for this folder every Tuesday. It is one primary way for us to maintain the lines of communication between school and home. Information regarding programs, events, PTA, instructional changes, etc. will be found in these folders, and parents are asked to sign the folders each week and return them promptly with their child on Wednesday. Please contact your child’s teacher after you inquire as to the whereabouts of the folder with your child if it did not come home.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Chimborazo Elementary provides some classroom supplies, however, a supply list was sent to families with their class placement. The list was also posted in on social media. Your child will need to bring a backpack to school every day. Please label personal belongings such as jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, and backpacks. We have a lost and found located in the Room.
SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT:
Because it is so important that teachers and parents work together in making a child’s school year a happy and successful one, it is hoped that you will be able to spend some time during the school year supporting in the classroom or at home. Please discuss with your child’s teacher, ways that will work within your schedule. Home/School partnership is essential to the success of Chimborazo.
TEACHERS/CLASSES:
Teacher attribute request cutoff date was June 2, 2017. Once your child has been placed in a classroom they will remain there for the remainder of the year unless barring extenuating circumstances.
PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATION:
We strongly encourage all of our families to join our Parent Teacher Association, led by our co- PTA Presidents, Lawson Wijesooriya and Sarah Carpenter. We are eager to see all of you again. Fundraising is paramount to the success of Chimborazo and we hope you will help support our programs and events this school year. When a fundraising event surfaces please consider supporting it through your time as it helps support our number one priority: our children.
I encourage you to follow our school on Twitter @ChimborazoES, on Facebook, and periodically visit our school website. This will allow you to see all the great things that are happening at Chimborazo on a daily basis and keep up to date on important dates and events. Lastly, if you wish to receive occasional reminders of important Chimborazo events and activities, please use the Remind app and text @7e3dh7 to 81010. I look forward to an amazing school year. If you have any questions please call me at 804-780-8392 or contact me by email at dpeck@rvaschools.net. Enjoy the remainder of the summer!
Respectfully,
David T. Peck
Principal- Chimborazo Elementary
August/September Events
Thursday, August 31st Gr. 1-5 3:00 PM Open House Classrooms
Thursday, August 31st 4:15 PM Kindergarten Orientation/Open House Gym/Classrooms
Monday, September 4th 3 PM Welcome Back to School Sidewalk Decorating
Tuesday, September 5th 1st Day of School
Wednesday, September 6th 9:30 AM Back to School Assembly
Wednesday, September 6th 5 PM PTA Meeting Room 120
Friday, September 8th 9:30 AM Grade 3 and 5 Say it with Heart Assembly
Tuesday, September 12th 9:30 AM 4th and 5th grade Band and Orchestra Interest Meeting
Thursday, September 21st 6 PM-7 PM Back to School Night Gym/ Classrooms
Please consider joining PTA!
Follow us on Twitter @ChimborazoES
Get reminders and updates through Remind!
Like us on Facebook
School website
Attendance matters
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. Also, as a subtle reminder, the school day starts at 9 a.m., so please do your best to ensure your child is not missing any instruction.
Go for the GOAL!!!
Student Code Of Responsible Ethics
What can you do to support your child in exhibiting positive behavior?
The Student Code of Responsible Ethics ( S.C.O.R.E.) outlines the behavioral expectations and potential consequences for students. Please consider the following suggestions below. A link to the the handbook is provided below.
- Review the Code of Behavior with your child.
- Ask your child about his/her day at school every day.
- Keep in touch with your child's teacher
- Encourage your child to use appropriate language and tone.
- Practice positive phrases with our child, such as, “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “Please,” and “I’m sorry.”
- Be a visible part of your child’s school day. Attend PTA and school events.