School House News
July
31, 2009
Dear
Parents and Friends of Big Pine Academy,
Welcome back to those of you with children returning
to Big Pine Academy and a special welcome to those families whose children are
new to our school. I know that I also speak
for the entire staff in welcoming you to the new school year. We are looking
forward to working with you throughout the school year. It is critically important for us to work
together as a team for the best educational experience for your child, so your
questions are always welcome. I hope
that you will work with us to ensure that each and every child at Big Pine
Academy has the opportunity to be a successful learner. Success is the only option.
A family handbook will go home with each student
when school reopens in August. This handbook is meant to give you some key
information about our school. We have a caring, experienced faculty staff here
at the
Supply lists for each grade are
posted at the Class Webpage link on the homepage. We plan to have an Open House/Meet the Teacher event on
Friday the 21st of August throughout the day. Classrooms will be open and
teachers will be on hand to welcome families to come and see the rooms, meet
the staff, pay for supplies where necessary, and purchase t-shirts.
I would like to welcome Mrs. Mary Kent McDaniel to our staff
for the first half of the school year. She will be substituting for Mrs.
Nicole who will be off on maternity leave. I would also like to welcome
our new 6th grade teacher - Ms. Megan Oropeza. Megan is a graduate of Key
West High School, currently completing her Master's Degree in Education.
She will be a wonderful addition to our staff with lots of enthusiasm, energy
and knowledge and is excited to be welcoming our 6th graders to her room.
Her classroom will be located in the trailer next to Mrs. Anita's room.
Other location changes include the following: Mrs. Hazel and Mr. Steve
will be sharing the office in the cafeteria. I have moved up stairs to
the lilac colored door - the room that was home to Mrs. Merlou. Mrs. Merlou
has moved in to the former office (purple door). Other classroom
locations remain the same.
A lot of work is in the process of being completed or will
be completed before the beginning of school. A new floor has been
installed in the cafeteria and restrooms and the entire area has been
painted. Bright and clean! An awning will be installed over the
ramp from the cafeteria to the classrooms. A new sign panel will be
installed to the current sign out front reflecting the change from the
Neighborhood Charter School to Big Pine Academy. New storm panels have
been installed on the lower level doors and a variety new furniture is on the
way - not to replace all that we currently have but to add to and replace some
of the older equipment. All of this is made possible through some FEMA
dollars due to the school from Wilma.
In order to save paper throughout the
school year I will collect email addresses and use that as my form of
communication to parents whenever possible. Letters will also be posted
on our web page. If hard copies of
information does need to go home I will work from a list of "youngest
children in the family" so that each family only receives one piece of
information from the school whenever feasible.
Textbooks
and supplies are starting to arrive and we are receiving calls every day for
enrollments. It has been a very busy summer. I look forward to a
wonderful school year. I saw a quote this summer that reflects my
attitude toward where are going at Big Pine Academy "We are
limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision".
If you have any questions at any time about any of
our programs and/or policies during the next school year, please feel free to
contact your child’s teacher or myself. Our school takes particular pride in
maintaining an open door policy at all times for parent discussions and
classroom volunteers.
Again, welcome.
We look forward to working together to provide your child with the best
possible educational experiences, and a commitment to ensure student success.
Enjoy
the remaining days of summer with your children!
Sincerely,
Cathy
Hoffman
Executive
Director, Big Pine Academy