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To: Grant Parents and Students
From: Edgar W. Briggs, Principal
Kris Pilling, Assistant Principal
Patty Williams, Assistant Principal
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year. This past year was a very energizing and productive
time for the students, staff and community of Grant. The students succeeded, and the staff participated in various training experiences that enhanced their ability to assist the students in their success. Your feedback has informed us that we have been successful at meeting your needs. Please be assured that we will continue to work hard to meet the needs of students, parents, staff—the total Grant community.
You may notice that there are new faces around Grant this year. Ed Soto retired after forty years; Donna Bell Claus transferred to Manzano High School; Ron Sease retired, we have closed the industrial arts program; and Pam Schmille decided to retire to provide extra assistance with her family and Janae Conaway transferred to James Monroe. We have hired Margret Russell to teach Math, Language Arts and Literature in 7th grade, Jennifer Webb to teach seventh grade Math, Gavin Ferguson to teach Physical Education, Pamela Smith to teach sixth grade math and Andrea Quintana to teach 8th grade Math. Charlene Kelly will be returning as our Instructional Coach to assist in our work to continually improve our programs on behalf of the students.
We hope that you have noticed that the school has been very busy this summer as various M & O crews have been completing work orders. Two of the major work orders this summer have involved painting the interior and exterior of the school and relocating all of the portables to enable the contractors to start building the new science building on the south side of the campus. Many groups and activities have also been using the school as a Community Center this summer. We now offer the challenge to all staff, students, and the community to help to keep the building as bright and shiny as when they enter this year. Presently we have completed the remodel of the health clinic and are preparing for the ribbon cutting ceremony early this year. The monies we are receiving will assist the health clinic as well as before and after school programs through the Community Foundation, Citizen Schools, and the Atlantic Philanthropic.
We are hoping to continue our before and after school activities this year and know that they will be equal to, or improve on, our programs from last year. Currently we are in dialogue with the city and are very hopeful that the funding assistance will be continued so that we can support our students both socially and academically.
We will continue to need volunteers to assist with the coaching, tutoring, and supervision in the various sports and academic activities. Planning is in motion to continue tennis, volleyball, track, bowling, basketball, golf, reading groups, science clubs, and the YMCA after school program. Various additional activities are being discussed. Danette Townsend will continue to be the on-site coordinator working with the Community Foundation and Citizen Schools to orchestrate many of the new activities that are being introduced at Grant this coming year. We know that it is important to provide students with various activities and academic interventions to assist students in making wise decisions in using their personal time wisely.
We will continue to survey the P.T.A., teachers, and students in order to receive feedback and insights for improving the school. Your response to open ended surveys and the Quality of Ed Surveys, which we mail to your homes and give to parents at various activities, provide important feedback to us at the school. Additionally, we continue to encourage you to make appointments with us to discuss any issues or concerns. The information we receive will be used to develop ideas for in-service training, to enhance our knowledge of the needs of staff, students and parents to create work orders to improve the school. Your signature on the survey is always optional, yet it would allow us to personally respond to your concerns and keep you updated on our progress in addressing these concerns.
You will discover that we at Grant are focused on issues such as staff and student morale, maintaining
a discipline plan that is consistent and fair, being visible around the school and in the classrooms, maintaining a successful transition from fifth grade, developing skills for high school, maintaining a safe and nurturing school environment, and encouraging an open and trusting line of communication with the parents and the community.
Kayla Resendez, the principal's secretary, will always have a copy of his calendar, which will allow her to schedule an appointment should issues or concerns arise that need to be clarified. Also, you are encouraged to contact the principal on his cell phone at 315-2530. The principal’s phone number will be posted on the marquee and is also listed on his extension at 299-2113 ext 3001.
We are enclosing some forms in this newsletter that we would like you to review and/or complete with your child. Please bring the pink and yellow forms to GMS on August 7th and turn them in during registration.
1. Dress Code--Established by Albuquerque Public School Board with additional school clarification on the dress code. We are asking that all students wear shirt tails that hang no longer than the bottom of the student’s zipper. We encourage all parents to discuss with their students the possibility of tucking in their shirt tail and to wear belts whenever possible in order to assure that their pants remain on their hips and to prevent undergarments from being exposed.
2. Supply lists.
3. Electronic Devices/Cell phone/Camera form (new).
4. GMS Computer and Internet Permission form (revised).
Each student will receive an agenda book the first day of school. Our parent/student handbook is located in the front pages of your student's agenda. Students who lose their agenda book will be required to replace it immediately as done with other textbooks. Cost of a replacement will be $5.00. The students will be expected to have their agenda books with them at all times in order to record their assignments in the agenda as well as to use the hall passes in the book.
Important Dates to Remember:
1. Registration Dates: August 7th 12:30 – 7:00pm
2. Jump Start Date: August 8th 8:20 - Noon
3. First Day of School: August 12th 8:10 – 3:10pm
4. Christmas Break: December 22nd – January 5th
NO SCHOOL
5. Spring Break: March 23rd – 27th
NO SCHOOL
7. In-service Dates: October 17th
NO SCHOOL January 3rd
8. Parent Conference Days: August 11th
NO SCHOOL October 31st
April 23rd
Please call us should you need additional clarification on any of the information provided at 299-2113 ext. 3001 or 3002 or call Mr. Briggs on his cell phone at 315-2530.
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