Dear ISD Parents,

I hope you have all the heard the news that our school was identified by the state as a School of Distinction in the category of "Highest Overall Performance".  This was based on a new rating system enacted by the state where each school's performance on the CMTs is analyzed and assigned a "School Performance Index".  Our designation indicates our school performance falls in the top 10% of all elementary schools in CT.  This is something to celebrate and reflects the hard work of the staff and students. We are, of course, very proud of this accomplishment and committed to sustaining it.

A few weeks ago, Dr. McKersie requested the Principals and IB Coordinators from ISD, New Lebanon and Western Middle Schools to gather and collect data regarding the IB program as part of the information he needed on the topic of magnet schools.  Because we have been an IB authorized school since 2003, we were in a much better position to obtain data regarding student achievement than the other two schools.  The timing was also right as our first group of alumni who started in kindergarten are now seniors at Greenwich High School.  The achievement data was impressive and I would encourage you to review it as it is currently on the GPS website.  (We will also be adding it to our own school's website in the near future.)  I will also be including some of the information at next week's general PTA meeting when I will be addressing our School Improvement Plan.  The meeting is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 14th at 9:00 in the cafeteria.  I hope you can be there.

Speaking of Dr. McKersie, I want to thank him for visiting our school last Friday to read to each of our kindergarten and first grade classrooms.  The students enjoyed listening to him read while also responding to his questions and inquiries.  They had a good time and he left feeling very impressed by our students.  We also had a visit this week by Mrs. Irene Parisi, the district's Assistant Superintendent and Director of Curriculum.  Mrs. Parisi is new to the district having started here a few short weeks ago but eager to see each school and meet the staff and students of the district.  

Several of you have inquired about Mrs. Scott who is on a family leave and will continue to be through Dec. 21st.  Her husband suffered an injury from a fall and is slowly recuperating. Typically, at this time of year, Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Miloro (who transferred to Hamilton Avenue School) request food items in lieu of any holiday gifts, which would be donated to Neighbor to Neighbor. Even though Mrs. Scott is not here to initiate this now "annual tradition", I am proceeding to do so in her honor.  Please have students bring in appropriate food items for which Neighbor to Neighbor has indicated there is an urgent need.  These items include pasta, peanut butter, canned vegetables, etc.  Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness and generosity.  

Lastly, don't forget the Book Fair is scheduled for next week as is our Holiday Concert.

Sincerely, Terry Ricci