To the Families of Thomas P. Ryan Elementary,

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful summer vacation!  It is almost time to return to school.  I know I cannot believe it either.  In preparation for the 2012/2013 school year I would like to discuss a couple of items to ensure a great start to another successful school year.

First, I would like to remind everyone of our uniform policy. We had great success with our uniforms last year.  I want to commend all of the parents for supporting our uniform policy.  The students looked wonderful.  We looked like a private school. We want to keep that up this year.

Basically the uniform consists of khaki bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts, etc.) and a white or green, collared polo shirt.  The shoes are solid white or black (if you buy converse and they are white/black, that will be acceptable).  Black and white Nike Cortez shoes are not acceptable.  We started out with everyone following the policy for shoes, but as the year wore on students started wearing all different colors of shoes.  Please keep in mind that if you need to buy only one pair of shoes and you buy your child shoes that are red they will not be permitted to wear them at school.  Backpacks need to be solid white, green, or black.  We are possibly getting a donation for backpacks this year.  If we do we will not have enough for everyone.  Please keep your receipts for backpacks in case we do get a donation and we will give your child a backpack.  Sweatshirts are also solid white, green, or black.  If any of the clothing has a logo, it cannot be larger than a fist.  T-shirts or colored shirts under the uniform will not be allowed.  Red or blue colors are never permitted.  Sports themed clothing such as Raiders, 49’ers, Sharks, etc are not permitted even if they are smaller than a fist.  All accessories such as belts, bracelets, hair bands, shoelaces, tights, etc, need to follow the school colors: green, white, and khaki. Please help us with the uniform policy so we can spend all of our time on improving student achievement and not on uniform issues.  Also the uniform will eliminate any type of gang colors or styles and will be fair for all students. I have found uniforms and backpacks at Target, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory, Sears and Costco.  Buy them now before they sell out. I have attached a copy of the uniform policy.

Second, I have received many requests for student placements.  I will not be placing students until after the first fifteen days of school.  The reason I am not taking student placement requests at this time is that we are placing students strategically.  The staff placed students according to need and match with specific teachers.  Also, in many grades, students might have two teachers; one for Language Arts and one for Math.  Again, these placements are based on the need of your individual child.  If after the fifteen days are finished and you have a request for a particular teacher I will meet with you and hear your concerns; however I am not guaranteeing a placement change.

News from 4^th and 5^th Grades!!!!

As many of you know and for those who do not know, the past two years we have been grouping students in their core subjects (Language Arts and Mathematics) by their ability levels.  We have seen massive gains, and would like to continue with this idea.  However, we will be adapting it to be able to give your student even more specialized support!  Therefore, this year we are continuing to meet your student’s needs by giving them a specialized teacher for each subject.  This year your student will have either two or three teachers and it will run much like middle school blocking of classes.  We are so excited to support your student and guide them on the road to success with our specialized instruction this year! 

Please enjoy the rest of your vacation, but remember that vacation ends on Wednesday, August 29.  Wednesday, August 29 is the first day of instruction. Please make sure your children start on time.  School begins promptly at 8:15.  We need every day and every minute so let’s start the year right.  See you soon!

Respectfully,

D Paganelli

Principal

Thomas P. Ryan Elementary School