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Dear Keels Family Members,
I hope you have all been enjoying a wonderful, restful,
laughter-filled summer. I know many of you are involved in work, camps, family
reunions, and day to day life. I do so hope you are managing to take time out
for yourself, family, and friends. The theme this year involves continuing to
strive for excellence during Keels’ 50th birthday year. Happy 50th
Keels!
I want to take this opportunity to welcome our new staff
family members. I know each one will bring strengths and skills to enhance our
school family, and promote a climate of excellence at Joseph Keels Elementary School. We are
welcoming a new member to our administrative team. Mrs. Michele Sumter is
joining us as an assistant principal. At Keels we continue to believe that if
we “Dream, Believe, and Achieve” all things are possible. We must maintain the
positive momentum that we have started. This year’s district theme is, “Dare To
Make A Difference!” At Keels, every
staff member is charged with making a positive impact on the lives of our
children. I encourage you, as parents,
community members, and stakeholders to reflect on how you will dare to make a
difference at Keels during the 2009-2010 school year.
We are the recipients of a 21st Century grant at
Keels this year to provide an after school program for needy students. More
information will be forthcoming on this in September. We have also been funded
to continue our fruits and vegetables grant. Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands will continue to provide a before and after
school care program with a sliding scale fee. Check in our main office for
details. You will receive information about these wonderful, innovative grants
through website and newsletters. with follow up information throughout the
school year.
I am sure you are also aware that we have had some cleaning
and repair work done in the building this summer. We have been busy preparing the building for
you and our students. You are welcome to come in any time, as we do have an
open door policy here at Keels. I am very excited about the 2009-2010 school
year. Keels continues this year with the school uniform policy. We have had
additional training in our school-wide PBIS (Code of Conduct) management system.
We have set our sights toward academic excellence for all of our students. I
believe this will be a year for us to work together closely as a team, to enhance our initiatives,
examine data effectively for instructional purposes, and make decisions for our school’s future as we seek
to provide the highest quality educational experience for all students here at
Keels. Our students deserve only the best. We have the talent, knowledge, and
ability to provide only the best! We are also going to take time to laugh,” to
fill each other’s buckets”, and to create a climate here at Keels that fosters
personal and professional respect, open dialogue, and shared decision making.
Mondays will remain as a faculty meeting, professional development, and professional
learning team meeting day for our staff. Please plan to stay in close
communication with the teachers and the school this year. We must work together
for the success of our children. I look forward to working with each of you
this year. It promises to be a fantastic year at Joseph KeelsElementary School.
Sincerely,
Lynne M. Ladue
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