The end of summer vacation is just a short time away and we are looking forward to another great school year. Last year, with the partnership of our families and support of the entire school community, we once again had much to celebrate. Here are just a few of the highlights: Honorable Mention California Distinguished School, another SPARC award (Best in the West) for our outstanding counseling program, and an Academic Performance Index score of 893 coupled with statewide and similar school ranking of a perfect 10 out of 10! And while recovering from the arson fire, we received the California Business for Education Excellence Award Honor Roll recognition as one of the top 74 schools, out of all K-12 schools in the State of California and we completed filming a video series for the Bureau of Education and Research on classroom management and discipline, featuring National Educator of the Year, Gene Bedley.
I believe our recognition continues because of the ongoing strength of our staff and relationship with our school community. We continue to take pride in our reputation as a model school in the areas of academics and character. As we have done in prior years, we begin each new school year with a focus on our shared students. We refer to the students as “shared” because we believe strongly that education is a shared experience between the home and the school.
As I begin my fourteenth year as principal of Emperor and my 30th year as an educator, it is my pleasure on behalf of the entire staff, to provide you with information we hope will facilitate your planning prior to and during the school year. This letter will require a few minutes of your time, so please begin your partnership with us by taking a few moments to review the information contained in this letter.
First Day Information
Wednesday, August 30th…Our first day will be a modified school day, beginning at 8:15 with dismissal at 12:35 for Grades 1-3 and 12:40 for Grades 4-6. Kindergarten students are placed in one session (8:00-11:30). Parents new to Emperor or others interested are invited to attend a question and answer session in the cafeteria beginning at 8:30 a.m. Our wonderful PTA will provide coffee, juice and pastries for our time together.
Daily Schedule Information
School will begin each day for students in Grades 1-6 at 8:15. A copy of this year’s schedule and important dates will be provided for you on a refrigerator magnet for your reference during the school year. Please refer to the magnet to assist you with scheduling or school holiday questions. Your cooperation is most important in insuring that students are lined up and ready for class each and every day. Students should arrive no later than 8:05 in order to get to class on time. Please assist us as we build this important aspect of responsibility. Students arriving late to school will be required to forfeit recess privileges on the day of their late arrival. Often late arrival is tied to lack of adequate sleep. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that elementary school students require 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night. For pre-teens, 6th Grade through junior high the recommendation is 9 to 11 hours of sleep. As the new school year starts and homework and extracurricular activities begin, please work to insure that students are getting the amount of sleep required to learn and be successful.
Please note that each Wednesday is modified and school is dismissed at 12:35 for Grades 1-3 and 12:40 for Grades 4-6. Kindergarten students follow a specially designed schedule; please refer to specific scheduling information included in this packet of information. The modification of the Wednesday schedule allows us to continue our emphasis on professional growth for staff and broaden our pursuit of improving student achievement. Professional development opportunities directly impact the services we provide to our students. The modified schedule, in combination with our other staff development days September 15, October 23 and March 12, assist us in expanding our knowledge base and remain consistent with current educational practices. If you ever have questions regarding our Wednesday afternoon format or any other professional development opportunities, I welcome you to contact me.
After School Care
To assist you with childcare needs, which may arise on Wednesdays or any other school day, we will continue to suggest several options. The following programs are available: after school fee-based care provided through the District’s Quality Care Program, special interest activities, Temple City Education Center classes and on-site after school recreation, sponsored by the City of Temple City STARS Program. Some information is readily available now and more information will be available the first week of school. Please ask or contact us if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance in helping you secure other childcare options.
Before school care…is also offered through the District’s Quality Care Program. Fee-based care is offered each morning beginning at 7 a.m. and is available to afternoon Kindergarten students, as well. If you would like more information on before or after school care, please call the Quality Care office at (626) 548-5000, extension 1159.
Attendance
The amount of money we receive from the government and District monetary incentives are tied to our attendance rate. Last year we experienced a slight decrease in attendance. It is extremely important that your child is in school, on time each day, to insure our funding. Please plan family vacations around the academic and testing schedule. Winter/Christmas break is December 22-January 5 and testing will begin after Spring Break, April 2-6. School ends on June 14. Please schedule family outings or trips, and appointments during the breaks in the school year, on staff development days or after June 14. Each year our attendance is impacted as families take extended trips during the academic year. Please help us maintain our attendance rate by working together with us.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, making note of significant dates and information and discussing with your child, the responsibility of on time school arrival. You may want to keep this letter for future reference and you will also receive a copy of the
Partners in Learning Guide that provides additional information on dress code and other school-related matters. The staff and I look forward to the start of school each year. We welcome the opportunity to work together with you in the education of our shared students. It is our belief that working cooperatively, we can insure the success of each and every student.