Midweek Updates - 26 Feb. 2013

Hello everyone,
Below are a few important midweek updates...

Parent-Teacher Conferences
We will dismiss for conferences on 13 March at 11:40, and on the 14th and 15th at 12:25.  A newsletter, blog- and Facebook-post regarding these dismissal times will be sent next week.

Snow-days
We will have school on April 26, 29, and May 3. There are still three make up days left: May 13, 17, and 20.  The Master Calendar has been amended to reflect these changes.  A newsletter, blog- and Facebook-post regarding these changes will, likewise, be sent next week.

Handwriting

The district school board has adopted two similar-but-different handwriting curricula for use in FUSD schools, Handwriting Without Tears and Zaner-Bloser.  We are currently piloting both programs in various grade-levels at Marshall.  At some point we will need to decide on which one we choose to implement here at our site.  According to assistant superintendent Walton, "There were two programs suggested as appropriate for adoption (if a school chose to do so).  It would be appropriate for a school to make a consistent choice when purchasing. Both of the programs Zaner-Bloser and Handwriting without Tears provide the adopted model (vertical/horizontal) so as a district we will still be consistent with instruction."  Discussion of student growth and progress in handwriting based on your first-hand experience with these materials would be a valuable component of upcoming CT meetings.

Office Construction
The front office will be unavailable beginning 13 March due to scheduled construction to redesign the front entry/access to our building in order to enhance security.  We are hopeful that this project will be completed by the time we return from Spring Break, however we have no guarantee that this will be the case.  Front office operations will occur in the Lounge throughout the duration of this project.  This will surely challenge and inconvenience everyone, albeit temporarily.  Thanks, in advance, for your patience and understanding.

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