Notes from Dr. Schwab
We look forward to welcoming approximately 710 students to Shady Grove on September 6 and to having them join us in Going Wild For Learning this year! This number includes 40 new students who hail from over 10 different states and countries. We plan to make our new children feel very welcome by involving them with returning students through the New Student Mentor Program and by holding a special coffee for new parents on September 16.
The new year also heralds changing roles for some important staff members. Mrs. Sonia Ford has assumed the role of Associate Principal and thereby become part of Henrico County's new district-wide leadership training program for principal candidates. In her new role, Mrs. Ford will participate even more closely in key administrative functions of the school. Mrs. Jennifer Gates will also join our administrative team this year in the role of General Resource Teacher. We are very pleased that Mrs. Gates can now share her wonderful skills with all our Shady Grove children through the resource program.
We are also pleased to welcome the following teachers to Shady Grove this year:
- Mrs. Danna Burgess: Grade 3
- Mrs. Cameron Smallwood Grade 4
- Mrs. Shannon Maroney: Grade 4
- Mrs. Amber Saunders, Mathematics Teacher in Residence
- Mrs. Tori Swartz: Part-Time Art Teacher
All of these individuals are veteran educators with outstanding track records of achievement at other schools. In addition, Mrs. Saunders is a returning Shady Grove teacher who taught both kindergarten and fifth grade with us before staying home with her children for a few years. We are looking forward to having all these talented individuals share their ideas with us and to having them become an important part of our Cardinal Family.
This summer also brought some school facilities improvements in the form of classroom tile for three more rooms; new benches for the front of the school (the gift of the Class of 2010); and three more Promethean Boards for our classrooms (the product of the PTA's outstanding Silent Auction and your generosity to our school.) We are very grateful for all these wonderful additions to our school.
Finally, we look forward to seeing you at our annual Back to School Night on Thursday, September 15. The program will begin with a PTA Meeting in the gym followed by classroom visits. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive an overview of the year ahead, so we hope that you will plan to join us. Until then, have a fabulous start to the school year!