Principals Message

On behalf of the staff of Elementary North, I would like to welcome you to the 2009-2010 school year! I hope this letter finds you all in good health, relaxed, refreshed, and ready to start another year of learning. Yes, I did write 2010. Hard to believe, isn’t it?

This school year brings a few changes to Elementary North. We have two new fourth grade teachers: Garon Stewart and Alyssa Munch. Jennifer Vazquez will be joining Elementary North as an ESL teacher. Nicole (Nikki) Joslyn will be joining EN (in the afternoon) as a kindergarten teacher. Rebecca (Becca) Staszak will be our new half-time art teacher. Connie Travis joins EN as a part-time social worker, and Raquel (Rocky) Martinez joins us as a part-time school psychologist. Finally, Heather Hussion joins us as the teacher clerk. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to these new staff members!

Many of the teachers at Elementary North participated in professional development opportunities again this summer. I am proud to say that a group of teachers has undergone Bernstein Artful Learning training, and we will be incorporating this method of learning at Elementary North throughout the school year. Please stay tuned for the exciting details. This is yet another step to demonstrate how closely all four elementary schools are working together. Collaborating with the other schools only enhances your students’ learning. Other professional development included common assessments, Designing a 21st Century Classroom, Robert Marzano’s 9 Effective Instructional Strategies, Understanding by Design, and Writer’s Workshop. Additionally, several teachers have been meeting and working together to create grade level projects and activities. As you can see, the thought that teachers take three months off during the summer no longer exists!

For the past two years, I have mentioned the importance of parents as partners in the education of their children. Because children are more likely to be successful and have positive attitudes, we welcome parental involvement in helpful ways that encourage students and teachers alike. This year more than ever we need parental volunteers to assist in the classrooms. If you have a child (or children) at Elementary North, please think of us as your school and in doing so become involved in all that we offer. Call us, visit us, ask questions, attend programs, and join the PTO. Working together we can make Hawthorn Elementary North a greater experience for all our students.

Please mark your calendars for our first Family Night of the school year - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th! The event starts at 6:30, and the DJ’s from A-Z Entertainment will be joining us for a fun-filled evening. We hope to see you there!

As I begin my third year as the Principal of Hawthorn Elementary North, I cannot be more excited to see what the future holds for our school. With the dedicated and hard-working staff, unique technology opportunities, cultural diversity, parental teamwork, and strong community partnerships, great things will continue to happen at Elementary North. Let the school year begin!

If you have any comments or questions about Elementary North or anything in this newsletter, please do not hesitate to call me (847-990-4500) or email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I look forward to seeing you in the afternoon of August 28th for Get Acquainted Day!

Sincerely,

Rich Viviano, Principal Hawthorn Elementary North