We are very excited to welcome approximately 740 children in Grades K-5 for the 2010-2011 school year. Included in this number are 707 returning children and 33 new students who hail from 10 different states and 2 other countries. However, consistent with this year's school theme, we are confident that we will soon be SINGing Along to the Same Song with a focus on Service to Others, Independence in Learning, Nice Manners, and Good Decisions. It is going to be another fabulous year!
This year we also extend a warm welcome to the children and parents who will be part of our new K-5 Autism Program. Teaching the program are Mrs. Sia Griffith in the K-2 classroom and Mrs. Karen Metz in Grades 3-5. We look forward to the strong support that these teachers will provide to the children and families in the program.
Another special feature of the new school year is our Mathematics Teacher in Residence Program. Thanks to the support of grant funding, Mrs. Lynette Metzger has been relieved of her classroom responsibilities for the 2010-2011 school year to serve as our Mathematics Teacher in Residence. Working under the guidance of the Henrico County Public Schools Office of Mathematics, Mrs. Metzger's job will be to focus on helping Shady Grove teachers in all grades implement the new Henrico County Elementary Mathematics Plan. We are excited about this great opportunity to strengthen mathematics education for all our children!
We hope that our classrooms and hallways seem even brighter and more inviting this year than in the past. Thanks to the support of the Henrico County School Board, the interior of our building received a new coat of paint this summer. Exterior doors and bus ramp posts were also part of the project. We are so grateful for this opportunity to make the interior of our building even cleaner and more welcoming for our children and teachers!
On Thursday, September 16, we will celebrate the new school year with our traditional Back to School Night Program. Please plan to join us in the Multi-Purpose Room at 6:30 PM for the PTA Meeting and to view our introductory multi-media program featuring pictures of our children and teachers. Also, if you are new to Shady Grove, please plan to attend the Parent Coffee for New Parents on Friday, October 1 at 8:30 AM in the Shady Grove Dining Room.
In the meantime, we wish everyone a "happy new year." In particular, have a "Sensational September." We are so excited about the great year ahead!