PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

August 2011

Dear Middle School Students and Parents/Guardians:

As I start my third year as principal of the middle school, I am very excited about the anticipated arrival of our new sixth grade class and the return of our recently promoted seventh and eighth grade classes. Every new school year brings a feeling of renewal and offers everyone a new beginning. I think that is a small part of what makes working in education so rewarding. Watching our students grow and learn each year gives me great hope for the future.

The middle school offers many fantastic opportunities for your children. We are very proud of our well-rounded school that emphasizes academic excellence and personal development.

Parent involvement is very important at Warwick Valley Middle School. Communication about school activities and important information is one way that we try very hard to involve parents. If possible, please take advantage of our District webpage: www.warwickvalleyschools.com. On our middle school webpage you will find our online calendar, newsletters, important dates and daily announcements. Please consider joining our terrific PTA and helping with many projects they sponsor during the year. Check the District’s calendar for PTA meeting dates and events throughout the year.

Every year the district undergoes some amount of change and the middle school is no exception. This summer the building has had all of the remaining carpet removed and new tile floors installed throughout the building. The media center is the only part of the building that will remain carpeted but will receive a new carpet to replace the one currently on the floor. Additionally, we are receiving an upgrade of our building’s technology capability through improvements in the infrastructure. Beside the physical changes happening this summer, we are preparing to introduce the new program initative called Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) that a leadership team spent last school year training to direct.

The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Please check the middle school home page on the district website for bus schedules and bus stops. School hours are 7:30 – 2:10 p.m. In order to minimize the impact of the increased car and bus traffic on West Street in the morning, we encourage all parents to let students ride their assigned buses rather than drop them off at school. Any consideration that can be extended will be greatly appreciated and very helpful.

We want to invite all sixth grade students to come and take a look at their classrooms on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Students with the last names beginning A – L may visit the school from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., while students with last names beginning with M – Z may visit the school from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 new students to the district and their parents only are invited to an orientation and short tour that will begin at 9:00 AM. We ask that you observe these times as we attempt to provide ample parking.

In the next few weeks every student will receive a grade level welcome letter and packet that will give more detailed information to help make their opening days of school run smoothly. Parents that have questions concerning the middle school are asked to call the main office at 987–3100.

I hope everyone enjoys the remaining days of summer. I look forward to seeing you on the first day of school. It is going to be a great school year!

Sincerely,

Robert Albanese
Principal