Principal’s Message
September, 2011
Dear Newberry Families,
Welcome back to school. It was fun to see so many of you at last week’s Packet Pick-Up. It certainly appears that most of the students that I spoke to are excited to be returning to school! After a long summer and several days of planning to continue our impressive upward trajectory of growth, the teachers are ready to receive the children back to the classroom, as well. We have several new initiatives that we are excited about, including a Pre-K -4th grade Music program and the implementation of a middle school advisory program! I am very happy to begin what I know will be a fantastic year at Newberry Academy!
As well as welcoming back the children and families, there are a few new staff members that we want to acknowledge, as well. Ms. Heidi Farrand will be working as our pre-K through fourth grade music teacher, Mrs. Miriam Rodriguez-Ruiz has joined our special education team, Mrs. Melissa Hernandez is joining us as the new Intermediate Science teacher and Ms. Sara Bassett will be working with Ms. Amanda and Ms. Vanessa in the preschool classroom. We welcome all of you to the Newberry family!
We have many plans for this school to assure our Mayor’s ambitious vision for CPS; “Ensure that every child -in every school and every neighborhood-has access to a world-class learning experience from birth.” Toward that end Newberry Academy is continuing and initiating programs that will challenge and support students in a meaningful way to assure academic success. Along with the Instructional Leadership Team, Assistant Principal, Ed Collins and I have identified the following areas as those to target for growth and development over the next three years
- Upward trajectory of academic growth: Continuing to understand and better–utilize data to inform instruction, working to enrich our mathematics program by challenging our students who perform above grade level and continuing to develop and monitor strategies that support differentiated instruction within a balanced literacy program.
- Cutting edge teaching: Establishing interdisciplinary units that will integrate subject areas in a meaningful way to increase student enthusiasm, understanding and rigor. Increased opportunities for students to explore the deep connections between Mathematics and Science learning will be established.
- Establishing a “Culture of Calm”: Developing a common understanding of school-wide expectations through the utilization of the Five Finger Values and teaching and communicating their meaning to students and parents.
- Increased parent and community involvement: Reaching out to the diverse parent community to identify and overcome obstacles that impede parent involvement and to continue to build on relationships established with the local community.
- Safety for all members: Indentify and proactively act on issues of student bullying, working to establish an environment built on trust and honesty and honoring the importance of a strong parent connection to the school environment.
To accomplish the ambitious goals that we have set forth we will need the support and presence of the entire parental community. Your role in your child’s education is critical to their overall ability to succeed. As a parent you can help us by:
- Making sure that your child is in school every day on time. Instruction begins at 8:00 am and everyone is expected to be in his or her seat at that time. Coming in late is a huge disruption for everyone-most especially the child who is late. Newberry participates in the Breakfast in the Classroom program and being on time allows for the consumption of a healthy breakfast!
- Assuring that, except in the case of illness, your child is present at school every day. Family vacations should not be scheduled during school days and will not be considered excused absences. Teachers will not provide work for unexcused and extended absences.
- Making sure that your child reads with an adult for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Making sure your child completes his/her homework nightly.
- Communicating regularly with your child’s teacher and making sure that school personnel has your correct contact information.
Finally, there has been a lot of speculation in the media about what will happen with the length of the school day for Chicago Public School children. I am quite certain that there will be changes in the coming months and as I get information I will pass it along to you. Unfortunately, in this media frenzy there has been some negativity generated about teachers, in general. Newberry parents already are aware that our teachers give 100% all of the time. Their day is long and they carry your children home with them in their minds and in their hearts; not to mention in the tote bags full of papers they bring home nightly to grade! Haven’t we all been inspired by or known a fabulous teacher? Let’s work together to elevate the role that teachers play in our lives and in the lives of our children, not diminish it.
I look forward to working with all of you to provide our students with a wonderful year of academic and social growth. Should you have concerns at all over the course of the year, please feel free to contact me or Mr. Collins to discuss your thoughts and ideas. . Please join us on Tuesday, September 13th at 6:30pm for our annual Back to School Open House. This is the first of many opportunities this school year to become involved in your child’s educational program. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Linda Foley-Acevedo
Assistant Principal’s Message
Dear Current and Prospective Newberry Families:
Welcome to the Walter L. Newberry Math & Science Academy website. I am very excited to be part of a yearlong process that will revolutionize communication across all levels. Through the new website, users will be able to access information about the school, its history, organizations, and extra curricular activities. As you know, updating a school website, so it contains current information is quite an undertaking, but I am proud to be part of a school community where parents and staff work closely in order to make this technological upgrade possible.
Also, I am very happy to begin the 2010-2011 school year as the Assistant Principal of this fine school. My years as a teacher here have reinforced that Newberry Academy is very special place as its culture is solidly based on what is best for all students. Its diverse community, coupled with quality teachers, committed parents and community members make Newberry Academy an exceptional school.
I look forward to working alongside each of you this year. Feel free to stop by, e-mail, or call.
Thank you,
Ed Collins
