Welcome back to our Sandburg students, staff, families, community partners and friends.  I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new Sandburg students and families.  I hope you had a restful summer and took time to experience new places and enjoy your own family and friends.

The staff is once again prepared to provide the highest level of educational experiences for each of your children.  Working under the guidelines and beliefs that all children can achieve proficiency we will continue to work towards required state standards and twenty first century expectations.  We will continue to model Lifeskills and Lifelong Guidelines in our daily practice to ensure a learning environment built on trust and mutual respect.  In turn we will continue to require all students to use the same guidelines as they work through this academic year.

Homework will be a daily expectation that requires your attention and daily support.  We encourage you to be actively involved in your child’s studies as this will give your child the understanding you care and expect them to do their personal best.  The academic success of your child is not the sole responsibility of the teacher, it is a shared responsibility between home and school.  We pledge to our part and I praise all of you who have made the same commitment.  Your children will thank you as they move into the next generation of our workforce and state/national leadership.

Safety Reminders:  Please be aware that the traffic in front of the school is very heavy and dangerous during the arrival and departure of the students.  Sandburg is a school built during a time when children walked to school.  The site and street configuration are not “user friendly” to a large quantity of cars.  It is your responsibility as adults to help us ensure every child is safe while going to and from the school grounds.  We thank you for keeping a watchful eye. We will be asking for parent volunteers to help “watch” the children every day.  If this is something you are interested in please stop by the office and let us know.

Visitors on Campus:  We welcome all visitors to our site with an understanding and expectation that you sign in at the office.  Regardless of your affiliation with the school the district and school requires everyone to have a visitor’s pass issued by the school or district while on campus.  The staff is prepared to offer gentle reminders to all people who do not have a pass while on campus.  This requirement is mandatory with no exceptions – safety first and for all.

Calling all Volunteers . . . If you wish to volunteer this year please stop by the office and see our Volunteer Coordinator, Debbie Raynor, for details.  There are district requirements that need to be followed before you can begin volunteering.  We look forward to having you help us.

We have had a large reduction in support staff (no Vice Principal, Counselor, Guidance Assistant, Attendance Clerk, Library Assistant) this year due to the budget crisis.  With no Vice Principal you may not see my presence as much as before.  Running a school of almost 700 students by myself will require me to be in multiple places at one time.  I want you to know I will continue to give my personal best in meeting the needs of the students and staff.  I have pledged my career to education and will continue to serve with a full heart.  It is my desire to be in all places at one time but it is not physically possible without help.  I appreciate your understanding.

We have many special events that take place throughout the school year.  Your back-to-school packet will arrive in our beautiful Tiger folder.  On the back of the folder you will find this year’s events.  Please make note of these on your calendars – we always need and appreciate volunteers and active participation from our community.

I look forward to another fabulous year at Sandburg. Please plan to attend our Back-to-School Night, September 11 to learn all about the new changes and curriculum for the school year

From my Heart with Sandburg Tiger Pride!

Laurie