September 13, 2007				Jump to: Superintendent's Desk Principals' Corner School Events & Information Photos CSA News Other Community Interest Items Buzz Information
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		From the Superintendent's Desk Marie H. Doyle

Dear Parents,

Welcome back!  The campus is once again full of life with students bustling to classes, focusing in class and playing with friends on the plaza.  Parents have reunited at parent coffees where they met our wonderful teachers and saw newly decorated classrooms.  Various teachers have been here throughout the summer writing curriculum and preparing classes.    Our administrative, clerical, and custodial staffs deserve accolades for working diligently to guarantee a smooth opening. 

We've had an excellent start to the school year.  The staff, relaxed and ready for school to open, returned on August 29^th.  Sarah Ward provided an insightful presentation to the staff, and our teachers are looking forward to having her return to work on specific strategies to help students maximize their learning.  Ms. Ward is an expert on executive functioning, which is defined as “the brain's ability to absorb information, interpret this information, and make decisions based upon this information.”   

Everyone should know that Principal Patrice Hurley honored Mrs. Lynn Walker and Mrs. Daryl Greenwood as School Sages as they enter their last year of teaching prior to retirement.  Patrice provided crowns and wands to our two wise sages along with the promise that all their commands will be answered!  If you need advice, we recommend that you see Lynn or Daryl… 

The Strategic Planning Committee worked through last spring to draft a new vision statement, mission statement and core values.  Teachers assembled on August 29^th to review and provide their feedback. The School Council, School Committee, Carlisle School Association, and Carlisle Education Foundation will be asked to offer their input before the Strategic Planning Committee finalizes the document.  Here are the current drafts: 

Vision:
To inspire intellectual and moral excellence

Mission:
To educate students to their fullest potential through high expectations and rigorous standards in a collaborative and caring community in which each student is known, understood, and valued

Core Values:
Academic Excellence             Creativity         Respect           Responsibility                                                                                                

A fuller expression of these values would include . . .

• We always look beyond what we now know.
  
• We constantly work to know more.  
  
• We are respectful toward all in our community.
  
• We use what we know to help others.
  
• We take responsibility for ourselves and for others. 

The English Language Arts Review Team will begin to meet this year with a focus on writing.  If any parents are interested in volunteering, please email me as we have a few open slots.  The Math Review Team will enter our second phase as we examine our curriculum based on information gathered through the surveys of staff and parents completed last year.

On a systemic level, the School Committee is hiring John Littleford, a renowned consultant, to meet with the CTA (Carlisle Teachers’ Association), the administration, the School Committee and the Superintendent.  The following is a press release from Mr. Littleford:

The School Committee, with the endorsement of the CTA (Carlisle Teachers’ Association), the Carlisle School District Administration and the Superintendent, has hired John Littleford, Senior Partner of Littleford & Associates, to work with all parties separately and together to address the challenges that the District faces currently. After a day of preliminary meetings with all constituent groups, Mr. Littleford identified potential areas for improvement and stated that all parties share equal responsibility for addressing the challenges that the Districts faces. He foresees his future work as an opportunity for all stakeholders to learn and grow in their respective roles as leaders and representatives in the Carlisle School District. 

Littleford & Associates provides management consulting services to schools and nonprofit organizations needing strategic assistance in the following areas: board governance; head compensation; teacher compensation and evaluation; strategic and financial planning; safe harbors compliance (for US based schools); school climate and culture; managing change and transitions; team building; marketing and fund raising; and executive searches.

We look forward to working with John.

Best wishes for a wonderful academic year!

Sincerely,
Marie Doyle

		Principals' Corner
	Jim Halliday, Middle School Principal Patrice Hurley, Elementary Principal

Dear Parents: 

It has been a busy and very successful opening week.  The teachers and the students are off to a running start. As I visit the various instructional areas, I am impressed with how quickly everyone made the adjustment from a summer mode to a very fast moving academic environment.

Your children have been very well behaved, very cooperative, and supportive and helpful towards other students, which creates an environment committed to all students achieving to their fullest potential.  The atmosphere within the complex seems to be very upbeat among staff and students.

This week our many musical programs, our athletic programs, and other extra curricula activities begin to organize for the school year.  Please encourage your children to participate in these activities as we see these as an important facet of their middle school experience and excellent preparation for their involvement in the numerous extra curricula programs at the high school level.

I have asked students to not wear hats in the school building during the day, which is in compliance with the Carlisle Public Schools Parent Handbook.  The students are asked to leave their hats in their homeroom lockers during the school day including the lunch recess period.  This teaches students good manner and lets teachers see the faces, and reactions, of their students.

As you may know, I have changed the dining facility schedule so that Grade 8 and Grade 6 students eat and have lunch recess at the same time and Grade 7 and Grade 5 students eat and have lunch recess at the same time.  This has created less crowding in the cafeteria and less crowding in the play areas during recess.  The plan seems to be working fine at this time.  I know that some of the students were upset by the change, but we’ll watch and continue to do what we think is in the best interest of the students. 

We worry about student safety at all times, particularly after school as they wait for clubs to start.   I would like to remind parents of the After School Activities requirement developed for safety reasons as indicated on page 21 of the Handbook: 

• “Students remaining after school for activities, extra help, make-up or detention should report to their assigned room until the activity that they are staying for begins.  Upon completion of the activity, students should report immediately to their assigned bus or pick-up spot.  Students are not allowed to remain in the building or on school grounds before or after school hours unless they are involved in a designated, supervised activity.”
• “Students may not leave the campus and return to take the late bus.” P7

The annual School Bus Evacuation Drill is scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2007.

Grades 5,6,7,8 students and teachers will participate in the drill beginning at 7:40 AM.  After the actual evacuation of the buses, the students will move into the auditorium with their teachers for a safety briefing presented by a representative of the Carlisle Police Department, and the school administration team.  After the safety presentation, the students will move with their teachers to their homerooms for the beginning of the academic day.   This year is slightly different in that all teachers and ALL students are required to participate in the drill.  Hence, in addition to the students who ride buses to and from school, those students who either walk to and from school or are driven to and from school in an automobile must also participate in the evacuation drill.  The reason for this is because it is highly likely that all Carlisle students will be involved in riding a school bus on a field trip at one time or another this school year.

In closing, it has been enjoyable observing the students as they excitedly and optimistically settle in for this school year.  Particularly pleasant is to watch them as they renew old acquaintances and make new friends as they move about during the day in their different class groups.  I think the thing that has impressed me the most is not only are they bright and pleasant young men and women, but they are extremely nice people.

Sincerely,
Jim Halliday