June 2, 2008

Dear Small School families,

You can tell that school is almost over with the many bikes on the front lawn (love it!), tennis nets up, the sprigs of lilacs students bring to us, the many outdoor field trips, and the concerts and shows highlighting our many talents.  I know it is the end of the school year by the number of meetings, and the transitional activities, such as meeting incoming kindergarten families (all 52 of them!), and the fifth grade dinner celebration. Did I mention in my last newsletter how ready the fifth graders are to be out of here?! It is also a time to thank the many people who have made this a stellar educational year here at Small School.

We have only one retirement at Small this year, but it is an important one. David Cidorowich has been a special education teacher in South Portland for 25 years with 21 of those years at Small. I speak for the entire staff when I say that his expertise, calm and quiet demeanor, and dry sense of humor will be missed. We are proud of our work with exceptional students and we owe a lot of that fine work to Mr. Cidorowich. He never addresses a child as presenting with weaknesses rather a child with endless potential. He understands his job is to know the child intimately as a learner, teach to his/her strengths, and target areas needing growth. He is systematic and holistic in his approach. Students learn and flourish in his presence. He imparts the best gifts of all: self esteem, courage, and academic skills. Mr. C. we thank you for all you have done and wish you unending happiness and health in your retirement.

Another retirement of sorts is this year’s PTA executive board: Ross Little- President, Lisa Burns – Vice-President, Treasurer – Andrea Brown, and Jim Frederick – Secretary. As usual, the PTA has presented us with a ton of money toward educational enrichment, a variety of enrichment and learning opportunities, and loads of fun. The PTA’s efforts, energy, and enthusiasm are immeasurable and hugely appreciated. Small School brags that it has the most talented and giving parents around. We would not be so enriched and successful without the PTA. A special and heartfelt thank you goes out to Ross Little for his leadership and shared vision for education, “Give ‘em what they want.” We have wanted a lot and have received generously due to Ross’s generosity, openness, hard work, and ingenuity. His partnership with the community, parents, and staff has been rewarding on a multitude of levels. Ross, thank you for your support and hard work as Enrichment Coordinator and PTA President over the past four years.  I will personally miss the camaraderie and the humorous newsletters which were plentiful and chockfull of the magic the PTA creates on a daily basis. We look forward to working with the new PTA currently on the ballot: Jim Frederick & Susan Sullivan - Co-Presidents, Stephanie Pandora - Vice President, Sue Peterson – Secretary, and Peter Wildes – Treasurer . We wish the PTA continued success!

Lastly, we want to provide a special thank you to our many volunteers. On Wednesday, June 11, we will host a dessert “Eat in or Take Out” starting at 5:15 pm. It will end promptly at 6:15pm for the last PTA meeting of the year.  Bring your kids or come alone. Grab a dessert to enjoy later or come on in and eat a delicious chocolate treat with us. Comfort and sugar are our pleasures to share with you as a way of saying THANK YOU for all you do for us. I hope you are able to at least stop by and receive your “just desserts.” (Sorry, but you had to see that coming)

Updates and Reminders:
Because of our fluctuating numbers, we have reconfigured our classes. The following is a list of teaching assignments for the 2008 -2009 school year.

Kindergarten                            Mrs. Thompson, Miss Pike, and Mrs. Williamson
Grade 1                                    Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Storms
Grade 2                                    Miss Stevens, Mrs. Wood
Grade 3                                    Ms. Tewhey, Mrs. Wentworth
Grade 4                                    Mrs. Cloutier, Mrs. Dadmun
Grade 5                                    Mr. Caldwell, Mrs. Poore

• LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS TUESDAY , JUNE 17 @ 12:00PM

• Please return any borrowed books and/or pay for any lost or damaged books asap.

• Our lunch program is non-profit. In order to help keep prices reasonable, we need everyone to pay the remainders of their balance before the end of the school year.

• Check lost and found for your kid’s stuff.

Lastly, have a safe and fun filled summer! Read, write, create, calculate, problem solve, and dream.

Peace!

Bonnie Hicks