Greetings from Placerita Junior High School

By the time this letter reaches your home, we will be well on our way into the second quarter of the 2009-2010 school year. Can it be possible that we are already talking about the holiday season? It’s been a busy start to the school year, but we have much to be pleased with so far this year. Here are a few items to consider as we head into the home stretch of this first semester:

Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

In order to ensure a safe and orderly drop-off and pick-up process, it is occasionally helpful to review our recommendations for pedestrians and motorists as they come to and from school.

1. Use the valet line in the front of the school
2. Do not drive into the parking lot to drop off your child

1. Do not double park as you wait at dismissal
2. Do not conduct a u-turn across all lanes of traffic on 16th Street
3. Never encourage a child to cross the street outside of the marked cross walk areas

We remain concerned for student safety when they cross at the unmarked intersection of Ignacio and 16th Street. We are also concerned as we watch numerous cars make u-turns across all lanes of traffic right in front of these students. Consequently, we are instructing all students that they should utilize marked crosswalks as they cross 16th Street.

Thank you for working with us to ensure that motorists and students remain safe.

Attendance Procedures

If you need to take your child off campus during the day, please have him/her bring a note to the ATTENDANCE OFFICE before school or during brunch. This will enable your child to be waiting for you in the office at the designated time, instead of your waiting for him/her. We understand that some appointments are made at the last minute, but please be advised that we try to avoid interrupting classes and there can sometimes be a delay in getting the student if prior notice is not given.

Requesting Homework

Homework can be requested through the attendance office for students absent for MORE THAN two consecutive days. We ask that you call the office before 9 AM on the third day and the homework will be available in the office after 3:00 PM. Please plan to pick up the work before the office closes at 4:00 PM.

Taking It to the Next Level

I’d like to highlight the return of a program we instituted several years ago that has really made a difference in the academic growth of our students. During the next several months, our staff will be meeting with all of the students in the school to review their STAR scores from the previous year, and to set goals for individual improvement. These meetings are based upon the belief that students are more successful when they are invited to take ownership over the
learning process.

We also believe that family discussions about the importance of goal-setting help set the stage for student growth. To facilitate this, we have provided a blank graph for STAR scores on page 6 of the student planner. On November 18th, all students will be graphing their scores from last year and setting goals for the coming year. We invite you to begin talking with your child about his or her goals and to encourage him or her to be working every day to reach for the next level of academic achievement. As always, we invite you to read carefully through The Prospector and to visit our web-site for information about all of the great opportunities available to you and your students this semester.

Best wishes as we head into the holiday season.