Principal's Letter

From East Village Community School

October 4, 2007

Dear EVCS Parents,

I am very pleased to share two pieces of great news with you!

Roberta Valentine Featured in New York Times article

Congratulations to EVCS art teacher, Roberta Valentine. The article in yesterday’s New York Times, “In the Classroom, Blazing a Path From Fidgeting to Focus”, highlights the remarkable work that Roberta does in addressing the challenges that students face regarding their ability to focus in class. This article provides a small glimpse into the kind of work that Roberta does in addition to fulfilling her role as the EVCS art teacher. Dr. Mel Levine, founder of All Kinds of Minds, the non-profit institute for the understanding of differences in learning, has also founded Schools Attuned, a program that helps students who struggle with learning to improve their success in school. Roberta has studied extensively with this organization and she implements incredible lessons that are created from this model. She has also been a great leader for our staff as we have undertaken this a school wide study over the past few years. We’re so proud of the work Roberta is doing in our school community, and are very fortunate to have her leadership in this area. Again, my heartfelt congratulations on your recognition for the wonderful, important and insightful work that you do!!

EVCS Recognized for Tremendous Gains in ELA!

EVCS has been recognized as one of ten elementary schools in all of New York City with the greatest gains in English Language Arts!, To honor this achievement, we have been invited to send 40 students in grades 3 – 5 to attend a special event at Carnegie Hall on October 19, 2007, where they will get to meet J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series of books.

Of course we would like to send all of our students to this special event, but as space is limited we have been asked to select 40 students. As part of the selection criteria, we asked students to fill out a survey with the following questions:

1) Are you a fan of Harry Potter? 2) What Harry Potter books have you read? 3) If you could ask J.K. Rowling a questions, what would it be?

Based on the responses to these questions, EVCS staff identified 40 students who have been invited to attend. Parent consent forms are being sent home today. Completed forms must be returned to the classroom teacher by October 9, 2007.

We’re very proud of our school’s great accomplishments!

Sincerely,

Robin

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January 30, 2007

Dear EVCS Families,

Mid-Year Reports

Tomorrow students will receive their Mid-Year Report as part of our continuous effort to evaluate your child’s work. In K-5 mathematics and literacy, teachers have measured progress with grade level expectations for the Investigations Curriculum and our balanced literacy curriculum from Teacher’s College. Teachers have also evaluated other areas to reflect the work that has been done in each classroom. Please examine your child’s report carefully. It’s important that your son/daughter knows and understands his/her strengths and weaknesses so, please take time to review the contents of the Mid-Year Report with your child.

Violin Program Returns

Third Street Music School would like to begin an after school violin program for fourth and fifth grade students (and third graders with previous experience playing the violin). If your child is interested in participating in this program, please fill out the form below and return it to your child’s classroom teacher tomorrow. Students who are enrolled in OASIS may still participate in this program. Space is limited for this free class.

Mission Statement

Many thanks to everyone who helped the School Leadership Team to create a mission statement for EVCS. Our mission statement expresses our school values and we want it to be known and understood by everyone in our school community. We will post our statement throughout the building. I urge you to become familiar with it and speak openly about its’ meaning and how it applies to you and your child.

Test Prep

Math Test Prep After-school will begin today and go until March 1st, 2007, on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. These sessions will help to prepare students for the upcoming mathematics test in March. Permission slips were distributed last week. To participate, your child must return the signed permission slip to his/her classroom teacher.

Student Council

Congratulations to our new Student Council Representatives. Students were elected to their positions and I’m confident that they will fairly address issues that arise in our school community. A special thanks to Mary and Lenore for taking on the challenge of facilitating an active Student Council.

Upcoming Testing Dates

• January 22 – February 2 English Language Learners Periodic Assessment
• February 5 – 16 Grades 3, 4, 5 Periodic Assessment for ELA and Math
• March 6, 7 – Grades 3, 5 State Mathematics Test
• March 6, 7, 8 – Grade 4 State Mathematics Test

Thank you,

Robin Williams

Principal