Principal's Message
Dear Graham Parents and Students:
Welcome to another instructional school year 2019-20! We look forward to seeing our returning students and we extend a warm welcome to our new students. Our goal is to provide a challenging curriculum in a nurturing environment that fosters high academic achievement, an enjoyment of learning, and respect for oneself and others. By working together, we can make certain this year is a success for all our children.
Developing 21st-century skills is essential to preparing our students for the future. I am proud to announce that Graham Elementary is now beginning the second year of being Spanish Dual Language School. We are opened two dual kindergarten classrooms last year, and this year will have two dual kindergarten and two dual first grade. Students will receive instruction in both English and Spanish. We are also continuing as a STEAM Academy. STEAM integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Instruction is focused on developing language, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration in all content areas by integrating art, science and technology. All students will receive music, art, theater, and dance throughout the year. Additionally, there will be an increased focus on use of technology daily in the classroom with the use of our new chrome books. In the upper grades, each two classrooms will share a chrome book cart allowing students to be on technology on a daily basis. We will continue focusing on Balanced Literacy, Reading, Writing, and Math Workshop. We look forward to your support and an exciting year!
In addition to providing a quality instructional program, our number one priority is your child’s safety and well-being. To continue creating a culture in which each child is valued and included, social, emotional instruction is taught in each classroom and during weekly and monthly positive behavior assemblies. We will be continuing to use PBIS (Positive Behavior Support) to celebrate students’ good behavior, and to support students in being safe, show respects, make good decisions, and problem solve. This year we are introducing Restorative Justice as a method to increase student social emotional skills, communication, and problem solving with their peers. Throughout the year, students learn about kindness, empathy, problem-solving, and positive social skills, which are essential to healthy communities. We look forward to a collaborative relationship between the home and school in promoting and celebrating our 4 Standards of Behavior:
MAKING GOOD DECISIONS, SHOWING RESPECT, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND BEING SAFE
Parents are the foundation of a student’s learning as all students learning begins in the home. Working as partners through home and school collaboration we can create a welcoming and safe school environment and as well as elevate student achievement. I very much look forward to working with you collaboratively during the decision-making process- together we can increase student success. Please visit our Parent Center, our webpage and follow us on our Facebook and Twitter account for up-to-date information.
Theresa Corsaro, Principal
