Principal's Message

June 2008

We made it! Summer vacation is here with a well deserved change of pace. Enjoy this chance to spend some quality family time either by traveling or taking advantage of the wonderful opportunities our community has to offer. Please remember the importance of your child keeping up with recreational reading and maintaining their math skills during this summer break.

Before you know it, we will be back for another exciting learning adventure, but no doubt it won’t be business as usual next year. Budget cuts and a sluggish economy have hit Garden with some particularly difficult realities. Our ESE department was hit hard as we lost our full time Liaison, one fulltime classroom teacher and an aide. We will be sharing Liaison services with Venice Elementary, and our remaining full time classrooms will absorb the remaining students.

Regular education took a hit as well as we will not be replacing two retiring educators, and will not have a School Resource Officer on our campus. Remediation services for those struggling in Reading or Math have also fallen victim to the budget knife. Our on site Technology Coach has also been reassigned to a “regional” post which relates to less direct contact with Garden teachers and students.

On the bright side, we will add a certified teacher to Science on the Specials wheel and double the amount of time your child is taught physical education. Additionally our PTO and awesome volunteer program remains in tact and without a doubt both programs will make a positive impact on your child’s educational opportunities.

Believing that one must play the cards they are dealt, I am confident that the 2008-09 faculty and staff has the right players in the right positions to ensure the best year possible for your child. Garden has seen tough budget years before and always manages to score competitively locally, statewide, and nationally. Working together as a powerful force of advocacy for your child I am still confident that TOGETHER we will move forward with a rewarding year.

Best Wishes for a safe, rewarding, and relaxing summer break.

Sincerely,

John R. McQueen
Principal