Administration
Principal's Message | Assistant Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Pamela Thomey
Our mission is to provide an excellent Pre-school
through 5th grade learning experience that builds a
strong foundation for success in middle school and beyond.
American Education Week is November 15-21, 2009. We encourage every parent and/or guardian to plan to spend part of the day with their child. Parking is always a huge issue at Bainbridge Elementary; therefore, we have staggered the visitation days. The schedule is as follows:
Grades Kindergarten and 5 on Monday
Grades 1 and 3 on Tuesday
PreSchool and PreK on Wednesday
Grades 2 and 4 on Friday
In the past, when our school enrollment was smaller, we invited parents to have lunch with their child. Unfortunately, our enrollment of 424 students has reached the point where it becomes a real burden to extend the offer of lunch during American Education Week. The cafeteria just does not have room for students and their parents. We wish we could extend this fun activity, but it is a sad side effect of our growing population. (The exception to this is on Fun and Fitness Day. On that day parents can picnic with their children outside.)
Another issue that I would like to address is who attends the Outstanding Academic Achievement (OAA) Breakfast. The breakfast given is in honor of those students in grades 1-5 who have worked hard and earned a 3.0 or better on their report cards. Last year I noticed more and more siblings and even daycare children attending the breakfast who did not have a 3.0 on their report cards. Doesn’t that take away from the honor we are trying to bestow upon our students who earn outstanding academic achievement for the marking period?
This year I am asking that only the students who are invited and their parents/guardians attend the OAA Breakfast. If necessary, adults can alternate escorting the honoree(s) while the other parent stays home with the siblings. Or, perhaps, a neighbor or friend can get the siblings on the school bus. Remember, the purpose of the breakfast is to honor the child who worked hard and his/her parents.
We very much appreciate your understanding in both of these procedural changes this year.
In closing I would like to extend my Thanksgiving wishes. We have just a few weeks before we can all take some time off to be with our families and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday. It is my hope that all of you have a safe holiday especially if you are traveling. For those of us who are hosting and cooking – I wish you a wonderful bountiful dinner!
Assistant Principal's Message
Don Jessee
An important principle for children to learn and learn early is to be thankful. This is the month we emphasize that idea with a national holiday. I am continually amazed how much the children at Bainbridge Elementary often show their gratitude in small ways. Examples are when they open a door for someone or say thank-you for handing them a napkin. This is especially true when we have outside artists and guests that come to present a program for our students. They practice the special “3R’s” of Respect, Response and Relax during these presentations. Often an artist will tell me what a grateful and well-behaved audience we have here at our school. They truly enjoy performing for our students. The best way a child learns to be thankful is when they watch adults being kind and thankful. Let’s all work together to turn our Thanksgiving into Thanksliving.
Don Jessee
Assistant Principal