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Midyear Update
MIDYEAR UPDATE
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Dear LakeFamilies DECEMBER 2, 2009
Well 12 more school days until Christmas break will be upon us. With half the school year almost over this might be a good time to reflect on what has been accomplished this year and also what lies ahead.
First we opened the school year on August 13 with a huge change. After over thirty years of teaching in the district we said good-bye to “Bev” Seale. Taking her place (but not replacing her) was Nathan Sonberg. Mr. Sonberg came from the WillowUnifiedSchool District after four years there. Over the summer and soon after opening we had an influx of families into the district with third grade students. This created a need to split the fourth grade class from the third grade class. We then were fortunate enough invite Maria Martinez to join the staff and she has done a wonderful job with our new fourth grade class.
Next, we are continuing to develop the Professional Learning Community under the Leadership of teachers Katie Boles, Becky Hart and Sharon Story. We meet approximately twice a month to share data and develop intervention strategies for all students who are performing below grade level. This year the staff chose to refine and expand a school-wide Response To Intervention or RTI. Every morning from 8:45 to 9:15, students who need extra help are given thirty extra minutes of instruction. Mr. Sonberg and Ms. Merlo have identified several students from the 5th 6th and 7th grades that need extra help in math. Mr. Dusty Thompson, in concert with those teachers has developed a SaturdayMathAcademy where certain math skills are taught using a more hands on approach. So far the results have far exceeded our expectations.
Also, we have and continue to repair or upgrade our facilities. However, before these projects are discussed, a debt of gratitude to Grant Sandro our former Superintendent must be expressed. Due to his tireless efforts the school received a substantial “Critical Hardship” grant to repair and upgrade specific portions of the main building and the first grade portable. This grant provided the funds for the roofing project that took place over the October break. The roof had been leaking for many years and had led to some minor dry rot and damaged ceiling tiles. The dry rot was addressed during roofing project. Over the Thanksgiving break all the ceiling tiles in the main building were replaced and the old insulation was replaced with a higher rated insulation.
There are two other major projects involving the main building. The first is replacing the fire alarm. This new alarm system will provide the school with more capacity to accommodate future growth if necessary. Also the main door and window assemblies need to be replaced to remove outdated building materials. Two other projects that have been funded involve the playground and the main parking lot. Both of these projects involve accessibility issues under the American with Disabilities Act. According to the ADA both the playground and the parking lot must be upgraded to comply with current access regulations. We have contracted an architect firm in Chico to provide the California Department of State Architects with plans that will satisfy these requirements. When those plans are approved by the state, those projects will be scheduled. The architectural firm estimates these plans may be approved in January or February.
Finally, we will be applying for modernization and new construction grants to begin repairing or replacing our existing classrooms, kitchen, bathrooms and library. This application will be submitted in the spring. As soon as information becomes available concerning the status for these grants, it will be posted on the school website and passed along to all of you. Thanks again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Timothy E. Ryan; Superintendent
LakeElementary School District | |
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