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Letter from Principal Cathy Howard
Barron Park Buzz, June 5, 2009
Dear Barron Park families,
BUDGET REDUCTIONS
While we have not been hit as hard as many California school districts,
we nonetheless face large budget cuts for next year. Across PAUSD,
class sizes may rise somewhat as necessary to 21 or 22 students in
kindergarten through third grade, and to 23 or 24 students in grades
4 and 5. We also face large cuts in state funding (especially the “School
Improvement” funds), and in federal Title 1 dollars. These cuts
will mean reductions in the hours of instructional aides, Home School
Liaison, and Reading Specialist; and in expenditures on Homework Club
and on printing, supplies, and materials. Your support of P.A. PiE
and of our PTA are more critical than ever! Thanks you.
TRANSITIONS
Several of our staff members will be moving on to new life adventures
next year. Special day class teacher Ashley Emling is
getting married this summer and may be leaving the area. With cheerfulness,
compassion, and commitment, Ashley has built strong bridges between
the children in room 4 and the rest of our Barron Park community, and
we wish her well as she moves on. Welcome to Ana Reyes,
who will bring several years of special education teaching experience
to room 4!
Due to declining enrollment and increased class sizes across PAUSD, the three fourth grade classes will be reduced to two fifth grades, and we will lose the second grade “bubble” class. Roxanne Cupp will be moving on to teach at Duveneck. In just one year she has become an important part of our school community. We will miss her thoughtful, experienced vision and “can do” attitude; Duveneck is indeed lucky to have her.
P.A. CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMES TO BARRON
PARK
Every three years the Palo Alto children’s Theatre brings an outreach
play to each school in Palo Alto. Next fall it is our turn! Third, fourth,
and fifth grade students can audition for parts after school on September
8 or 9, and will rehearse after school Tuesdays through Fridays all fall.
This is an exciting opportunity that requires a big commitment of time;
attendance at rehearsals is mandatory so students will not be able to
participate in other after-school activities on those days (except for
College Bound). The performances will be November 5, 6, and 7.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Due to statewide budget reductions, we continue to need to ask parents
to help us with donations of school supplies and materials. Coming
home with this Buzz is a letter asking every student to bring in a
few specific supplies the first week of school. Each grade level has
also identified a few special “Just Buy It” items that
we are seeking funds to purchase. Thank you for your help and
support with this!!
Have a relaxing summer, with plenty of unscheduled time to enjoy family and friends. Relax. Read your favorite children’s books to the family - again. Use numbers to count, compare, shop, estimate, and solve problems. Ask questions. Talk to each other. Listen to your children. Read some more. Allow time for unscheduled explorations, inventions, and creations. And we’ll see you in August rested, refreshed and ready for another fabulous school year!
Cathy Howard
Email Principal Cathy
Howard
Phone: 858-0508
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