August 3, 2007

Dear Staff Member,

I take this opportunity to welcome you to Calumet Park School District 132 for the 2007-08 school year.  I am looking forward to meeting you at our institute sessions.  Our sessions will be held at Morgan Park Academy, 2513 W. 111th Street, Chicago, IL on Wednesday, August 22 and Thursday, August 23.  Coffee and a continental breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. The sessions will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.  On Friday, August 24 you will meet in your buildings.   Please see the attached agendas.

I am anxious to share with you that Burr Oak Academy and Calumet School made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).  Burr Oak School made great gains in Mathematics.

A new school year presents opportunities for new beginnings, new ideas, new materials, new classrooms, new assignments, new office spaces and sometimes, new faces.  There is a special kind of joy and satisfaction in planning new activities.  Although our grade level or subject area may be the same, the students are new to their grade level or class, and they appreciate the planning that we do for them.  No matter what our responsibility is, there is always room for improvement and for new ways to do a good job even better.

Our Board of Education, Administrative Staff, Union Officers, Teachers and Support Staff are all dedicated, aspiring men and women who have a common goal......to do what is best for all children.  We must, therefore, concentrate on the processes that spur continuing advancement, evaluate what we have done in the past, determine what we can do to improve and identify what we need to make those improvements.

This year’s staff development theme again is High Expectations Produce Positive Results.  With this in mind, each of us should work towards moving the students of Calumet Park School District 132 from their present state, to a higher level of achievement.  I am confident that we can accomplish this goal.

I hope this letter provides you with useful information.  I look forward to working with you.  Please call or visit if you have any questions.  My office line is 708-338-8920 ext. 108.  My home number is 708-460-5173.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth H. Reynolds
Superintendent