We had a very productive PTA/PTO meeting last week. Thank you Elizabeth, and the board, for taking on this important leadership responsibility, and thank you to all who were able to attend. One point of discussion was how to elicit all voices when making decisions for the community, and improving our communication to ensure everybody has access to what’s happening in the school and with the PTA. To that end, I’d like to share some important links for accessing PTA information:

• Chief Joseph PTA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chiefjosephschool/
• Chief Joseph PTA website: http://www.chiefjosephschool.org/links
• Flower Bulb Fundraiser: http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/campaign?campaign_id=24137

This is going to be a busy week, with many opportunities for community involvement. Thursday night is Open House. Our students and teachers have been working hard to get ready, and they are excited to share their classrooms with you. Doors will open at 6:00; classrooms will close at 7:30. This is a great opportunity to meet the teacher, have your student show you how their classroom works, and sign up for conferences. We will also be having a TAG informational meeting from 7:30 ­8:00, in the library, for parents who are considering nominating their students for TAG, or want clarification on TAG programming.

Friday is the Principal Coffee. We will meet at 9:00 am in the library. I will be sharing information about our partnerships and Continuous Achievement Plan. We’ll also have time for you to share your ideas with me. We will have donuts and coffee. I look forward to seeing you there!

I would like to clarify a few issues around pick up and drop off. The cafeteria doors open for breakfast at 8:15. If your student is eating breakfast, please make sure they have time to eat. We dismiss students to classrooms at 8:38. Buses no longer use the entire bus loading zone on Saratoga St. If you would like to drop your student off, without parking your car, you may do so near the front entrance. It is important that you do not park in the bus zone.

In the afternoon, students are picked up either at the classroom doors for K­1, or outside on the blacktop for 2­3. For student safety, we ask that you follow these procedures. Please do not pick up your student from inside the building.

Another safety concern is parking on the North side of Delaware St. This is a “No Parking” area. There is minimal visibility when backing out of this area and we do not want an accident. Please obey all parking signs.

Thank you,

Amber