October, 2009
Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Groups,
We are off to a great start for the academic school year. The students are learning and the teachers are working very hard to ensure that every student excels academically and socially.
We are continuing are work as a school to reach our shared vision of "Academic Success Supported by All to Maintain a Positive Learning Environment". Our goals this year include; strengthening community outreach, implementing research based interventions to close the achievement gaps, strengthening our use of data to drive instruction, and the implementation of the P.B.I.S. model to create a safer environment for every student.
We will focus this year on improving our literacy and math scores as a school. We saw some great growth in math as 75% of all students met the state standards. This is the 2nd consecutive year that we did not make Adequate Yearly Progress according to NCLB, however, we have made AYP 3 out of the last 5 years and we are determined to make substantial growth in the area of literacy and math this academic school year.
This year, we will be offering more math and reading after school programs to supply our students with additional academic support. Enrichment classes in math will also be offered this academic school year for those who qualify. We believe that a more targeted approach as it relates to reading and math support for students will translate into better outcomes in the years going forward.
Additionally, I have 5 parents that will be working with the district leadership and the Enrollment and Facilities Committee to make recommendations to the U-46 Board of Education to alleviate the overcrowding in our school for the 2010/2011 academic school year.
Lastly, I will be holding 4 Coffee/Town hall Meetings this year that will be open to all parents and guardians. This will be a great opportunity for parents to ask questions or share ideas as it relates to making Hillcrest an even greater school.
As always, please contact me directly for any questions or concerns and I will respond swiftly.
Kind regards,
Dr. Duane R. Meighan
Principal
