Solana Santa Fe School
Welcome to the 2012/13 School Year!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SSF!! It’s hard to believe that Solana Santa Fe turns 20 years old this year!! She looks pretty good for her age, as they say…Stay tuned for more information about a special celebration to recognize this important milestone. There are nine staff members who have been here since we opened - do you know who they are?? On behalf of all the staff at SSF, let me officially welcome you to the 2012-2013 school year! I hope that you are all as excited as we are to begin the year. I am thrilled to be returning as your principal and to be a part of what will certainly be an exciting year at Santa Fe. (Yes, I am one of the original 9 - only 8 left to guess!)Exciting News! As you may remember, we did a 1:1 mobile device pilot program in our 4th grade last year. Ms. Spitzmiller, Ms. Tremble and the 4th graders were trailblazers and literally transformed the way that teachers teach and students learn. I am so excited to announce that because of their success AND your donations we have extended this project to three additional grade levels. That’s right - we will have 1:1 mobile devices in every one of our 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade classrooms as well as a class set in our Media Center! WOW!!! Additionally, all Kinder, 1st, 2nd and support classrooms each received an iPad to enhance their instructional program. In an effort to support this expansive implementation, our PTO has allocated money to allow Angie Tremble to be released from the classroom and serve as a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA). Specifically, Angie will work with our grade level teams to design and implement the most productive use of these devices to enhance teacher effectiveness and student learning. The world of education is changing and SSF is on the forefront of that transformation! It is going to be a year of excitement, challenge and new learning for all of us! Thank you to everyone who made this dream a reality - our students are very lucky indeed!! I look forward to sharing our plan and our vision as we begin the school year.Beginning of School important information: Our district will once again be posting class assignments online this year. You will receive an automated telephone message from me the evening of August 22, explaining the process and giving you the necessary passwords and directions for accessing the website. To help students and parents feel more comfortable on the first day of school, we will be having our annual Mini-Open House/Meet Your Teacher on Thursday, August 23 from 11:00-12:00. Kindergarten Orientation will be the same day at 10:00 am and childcare will be provided for Kindergarten Orientation. This event is a wonderful opportunity to meet your teacher and reconnect with your friends. Information materials for the lunch program, PTO, after school enrichment programs and The Rancho Santa Fe Community Center daycare program will be available at the Mini Open House. The placement of students each year is a task that our staff takes very seriously. Because of the many variables and delicate balance of each class, teachers cannot guarantee a particular placement for any child. Please do not call or email the school requesting a specific teacher. Class placements are a team effort and a very time consuming task. Our District policy supports the efforts of our teachers and requires a two-week waiting period before any parent requests for class placement changes will be considered. I can assure you that the teachers and I have your child’s best interest in mind. Our goal is to create an optimum learning environment for all of the students at Solana Santa Fe. Please see the Placement document below for additional information on the placement of students.Enjoy your final days of summer, but be sure your children “shake the cobwebs off” with some math fact practice, starting that book you’ve been meaning to read and/or clicking here to access our Avoid the Summer Slide Program on our Website. Don't forget to check the home page for important dates and upcoming events!See you soon!!
Sincerely,
Julie Norby
Principal
