Chimborazo Elementary Newsletter
August/September 2018
Principal's Message
Welcome back Chimborazo families,
I want to officially welcome all of you to the 2018-2019 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 following has occurred at Chimborazo:
1. The building has been thoroughly cleaned and floors have been waxed.
2. A Little Free Library has been added to the front of our school.
3. Summer school has been facilitated with Bellevue, Mason, and our students.
4. Murals and artwork have been added to the cafeteria, office, and breezeway (updated).
5. 31 bathroom sinks have been installed and 2 bathrooms have been painted.
6. A few rooms have undergone makeovers in part to grants we have received.
Our dedicated staff has been working hard to ensure a successful start of school Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
I have begun my third year as principal of Chimborazo, and I am thrilled at the continued opportunity to engage in the progress we have made over the last two years. The elementary school years are critical times of development for students, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this year successful. Our theme this year is "Finding the Treasure in all of us," as we chart the course to develop great readers and leaders. If you see pirate garb, bulletin boards, or items relating to anything “pirate” then it relates to our theme. Our teachers will be teaching like pirates this year as well as they:
P-(exhibit) Passion
I-(are) Immersed
R-(develop) Rapport with students
A-Ask and Analyze
T-(promote) Transformation
E-(are) Enthusiastic
We have several new staff members coming aboard to join our crew this year at Chimborazo which include:
· Mary K. Avula will be teaching 2nd grade. She is a graduate of the University Of Virginia where she earned her Master of Teaching Degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has taught 1st grade in Albemarle County, 1st grade in Henrico, and rejoins the Chimborazo staff where she taught 2nd and 3rd grade. She has served as a teacher mentor and has played a meaningful role as a PALS tutor, PTA officer, and long term substitute over the last several years at Chimborazo.
· A Virginia Commonwealth University graduate who completed the Richmond Teacher Residency Program under Ms. Ware in 5th grade last school year will be joining our staff. William Perkinson attained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and Print Journalism in 2007. He returned to VCU where he attained his Master of Teaching Degree in Early and Elementary Education this past May. He will continue teaching duties in 5th grade and carries a wealth of educational and tangible experiences that he will be carry into the classroom.
· Stephanie Wozniak will be teaching 3rd grade after working in Title I Schools in Prince William County the last 7 years. She has a Bachelor of Science from Radford University with a concentration in Special Education and English. She also has her Master of Education Degree in Administration and Supervision. She has served her previous schools in multiple capacities including team leader, providing professional development at the site and district level, and she has facilitated multiple parent and student school-wide enrichment events.
· Gabrielle Mallete will be teaching 2nd grade after spending a year in Munich, Germany as an English Native Teacher. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family studies with a minor in German from Colorado State University and followed this with her Master's of Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State as well. She has classroom experience in Pre-K, first, second, and 4th grade.
· Mary Haley will be teaching 4th grade this upcoming school-year. She attained her Master of Education Degree in Reading, attained her Teacher licensure from the University of Mary Washington, and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Virginia. In her previous district she has earned recognition as her school's Teacher of the Year and district's Novice Teacher of the Year. She has facilitated a multitude of professional developments, served a grade level chair, and contributed to her school's leadership teams.
· Sierra Jones will teach 5th grade and will be joining our Chimborazo family after teaching in Mississippi since 2012. She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University. She has served as team leader, Professional Learning Community leader, and mentor in her previous school-district and her experience will be greatly valued as we welcome her to Chimborazo.
· Dr. Brenda Shelton will teach 3rd grade. She has a wealth of experience both as a teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal, and principal. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision, and Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia State University. Dr. Shelton's array of experiences and knowledge will no doubt be a benefit to our school and our students!
· Katherine Melson will teach 4th grade this school year. She recently graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and her Master of Teaching Degree with a certification in grade PK-6. She has engaged in a wide-range of field experiences before joining our staff including supervising and facilitating STEM clubs, completion of her teaching internship, volunteering at Faison School for Autism, and tutoring.
· Shanell Coleman will be joining our Chimborazo family as a special educator. She has worked to attain her teaching license from Radford University. She also has a Bachelor of Human Service Degree from Kaplan University and her Associates of Applied Science from Reynolds Community College. She has worked as an instructional assistant in both Richmond City and Hanover County Public schools since 2009. Mrs. Coleman has also served as an intensive In-home counselor, school based lead counselor, and in-home support specialist to not only support students’ academic needs but their social emotional and family’s needs as well.
· Our students have a multitude of talents outside of the classroom, and our new music teacher, Benjamin Mauch, will be helping nurture these talents. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Liberty University, where he was named both Instrument and Band Student of the Year, and completed his graduate studies in music performance at George Mason University. He plays a multitude of instruments across multiple genres and has multiple years of experience in integrating content as a classroom teacher and musician. Please welcome these teachers to our Chimborazo family when you have the opportunity!
Please note the logistical information below to ensure the school year runs smoothly.
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.
SCHOOLBREAKFAST 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 1 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. A la Carte will be limited one day per week. Sodas are not permitted in school.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Gr. 1-5 Open House
Thursday, August 30th
3:00 PM
Classrooms
Kindergarten Orientation/Open House
Thursday, August 30th
4:15 PM
Gym/Classrooms
1st Day of School
Tuesday, September 4th
VPI Orientation
Friday, August 31st
9:30 AM
Classrooms
Back to School Night
Thursday, September 21st
6 PM-7 PM
Gym/ Classrooms
PTA Meeting
Wednesday, September 6th
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Room 120
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Chimborazo Elementary provides some classroom supplies, however, a supply list was sent to families with their report cards in June. The list was also posted on our school website and social media accounts. 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 cafeteria.
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 my hope 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 you can help support learning at Chimborazo. Home/School partnership is essential to the success of our school.
TEACHERS/CLASSES:
Teacher attribute request cutoff date was June 1, 2018. Once your child has been placed in a classroom they will remain there for the remainder of the year barring extenuating circumstances.
PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATION:
We strongly encourage all of our families to join our Parent Teacher Association, led by our PTA President, Lawson Wijesooriya, and Vice President, 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 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. Operational procedures, protocols, and resources are outlined in our Chimborazo parent handbook. The aforementioned material is only a fragment of what it takes for our school to operate efficiently and successfully. 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 or concerns, please call me at 804-780-8392 or contact me by email at dpeck@rvaschools.net. Enjoy the remainder of the summer, and I look forward to setting sail towards excellence this school year!
Respectfully,
David T. Peck
Principal- Chimborazo Elementary
August/September Events
*Dates are fluid and if there are changes or additions, they will be reflected via social media and on our website.
Thursday, August 30th Gr. 1-5 3:00 PM Open House in Classrooms
Thursday, August 30th 4:15 PM Kindergarten Orientation/Open House in Gym/Classrooms
Friday, August 31st 9:30 am VPI Orientation/Open House in Classrooms
Monday, September 3rd 3 PM Welcome Back to School Sidewalk Decorating
Tuesday, September 4th 1st Day of School
Wednesday, September 5th 9:30 AM Back to School Assembly
Wednesday, September 5th 5 PM PTA Meeting Room 120
Tuesday, September 11th Delegate McQuinn School visit
Wednesday, September 18th VCU Dean of Education School visit
Thursday, September 20th 5:30 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
Find the Treasure in You! Charting the Course for Great Readers and Leaders!
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.
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.
Word of the Month-Dedication
Dedication
[ded-i-key-shuh n]
ExamplesWord Origin
See more synonyms for dedication on Thesaurus.comnoun
- the act of dedicating.
- the state of being dedicated:Her dedication to medicine was so great that she had time for little else.
- a formal, printed inscription in a book, piece of music, etc., dedicating it to a person, cause, or the like.
Let's all strive to be dedicated to ensure everyone that has a hand in our students' success does their part to see this come to fruition.