Principal, Sheila Shaw
Ardenwald Elementary School

October 18, 2011

Dear Ardenwald Families and Friends,

            We are off to a great start! We have had wonderful attendance at all our activities so far, and we are very excited about the energy and enthusiasm you all bring to Ardenwald!

            Family engagement is important to us all. Children do better when families are involved with school, and that involvement can take many different forms. As we head into the week I am reminded of the variety of ways families and parents can be involved at Ardenwald.

            Volunteering is a great way to be involved. On any given day, we can use a “hand’ in the cafeteria as students in kindergarten and first grade learn to wash their hands for lunch. In the office, swing by and ask for a task. Often there is laminating to be cut or papers to be counted. In the main hallway, the “Lost and Found” is a place that needs daily attention. If you need some fresh air, we have gloves for weed-pulling in the center court, too.

            Another way to be involved is to attend evening informational meetings. We had an Open House a few weeks ago, and this week we have an evening for our families that speak another language. Our ELD Specialist, Alison Hansell, will be explaining Ardenwald programs and the NCSD program for English Language Learners at ELD Night this week.

            Our Walk/Jog-a-thon was well attended earlier this month. Family involvement is simply dropping by to share some school spirit at one of our events.

            This weekend is Ardenwald’s annual Bingo Night. We hope you can attend this fun family event where you can play Bingo to win the basket of your choice, visit the “Candy Walk”, enter one of the raffles, meet up with old friends, and make some new ones!

            Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 27 and 28. While these conferences are short, teachers work hard to make this time valuable. They will let you know up-front, how the time will be structured. At conferences, you will learn a bit about the classroom, what your student is doing well, and where improvements can be made. We value student strengths and have high expectations for all. Working together with you, especially where there is a link to learning, is a wonderful way for us to work together to support your child. 

            In order to make the best use of your conference time, we have arranged to have general information in the main entry. There will be coffee, tea and water available in this area also. Please stop by to pick up the Title 1 Parent Compact, Title Brochure (if you did not get one at Open House), volunteer background check form (for field trips), and other school and community information.

            Thanks for all you do to support Ardenwald students, families and staff. You are greatly appreciated! If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please contact us sooner rather than later. When we work together, we all are stronger.

See you soon!

Sheila Shaw, Principal