The 2009-2010 school year is well underway and students are continuing to make great academic progress as we end the first quarter of the school year.  At Briarcliff Elementary, we spend a great deal of time trying to determine what things are working so they can continue and how we can do better.  One way this is accomplished is through our weekly Professional Learning Teams.  Our staff teams meet regularly to have meaningful discussions on how to support students academically and socially.  Whether it be attending academic support classes or academically challenging classes, we believe in working together to improve student learning. 

In our Professional Learning Teams, teachers are working together to answer these 3 important questions:  "Exactly what is it we want all students to learn?", "How will we know when each student has acquired the essential knowledge or skills?" and "What happens when a student does not learn?" . These questions initiate crucial conversations among grade level teams and strengthen the idea that all of our students belong to each of us and we have a responsibility to help all students succeed.

Parents, we need your help too.  In order for students to succeed and have the best opportunity to learn, we need for them to be at school on time on a consistent basis.  Our morning instructionall bell rings at 8:20am but students can enter their classroom as early as 7:50am.  I encourage you to get your child here a little earlier so they can get unpacked, situated, and ready to start their day.  Tardies can really add up. This could result in poor academic progress over time.  We appreciate all you can do to be sure your child arrives on time and ready to learn.

Thanks for all that you do to make Briarcliff Elementary a place where all children come read to learn and grow.  We look forward to the upcoming Book Fair and Family Reading Night on November 16th.  I hope to see you all there.

Sincerely,
Joy Gorman