August 17, 2006

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

Welcome back!  As we begin the 2006-2007 school year we will build upon your past successes and continue to move student achievement forward. Our school district clearly has so many significant accomplishments and exceptional programs in which we can take pride.

 

I am fortunate and blessed to inherit a high performing school district.  From my interview and conversations with board members, I know that we have outstanding leaders, superior teachers and an excellent support staff.  This winning combination of talented individuals who comprise the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will absolutely lead to even higher levels of achievement for all of the children we serve. 

 

It should be quite apparent to all of us that parents are their children’s first teachers.  Hence, they are our most important partners in shaping and guiding their child’s learning pathway.  Honoring their input is something all of us should wholeheartedly respect and embrace.

 

From my past experiences, I believe in the cultivation of strong partnerships with local businesses, city government, colleges and universities.  It is through our collaborative efforts and partnerships that extraordinary experiences become a reality for our students.  As most of us would agree, the true victory for our students takes place inside the classroom. Therefore, the rest of us in the organization need to focus our energies on supporting those teachers who provide direct services to our children.

 

This week, Administrators participated in a two-day retreat, taking an in-depth look at Mike Schmoker’s, Results Now, How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning.  If we are to provide the highest quality instruction for all of the children we serve, then we must realize that this will require us to be courageous in our interactions as leaders, even more courageous than we may have been in the past. 

 

The goals for the district this year include:

1)      Focusing on the improvement of teaching and learning, especially math achievement and closing the achievement gap.

2)      Embracing diversity and improving race, class and cultural relations district-wide.

3)      Increasing the access to higher educational opportunities for all students.

4)      Assessing the effectiveness of the middle school model.

 

There will be a district-wide breakfast for all employees on September 1, 2006 at Santa Monica High School at 7:45 a.m. Busses to SAMOHI will be provided by our Transportation Department and will leave from Lincoln (7:15 a.m.), JAMS (7:15 a.m.), Malibu High (7:00 a.m.), and the District Office (7:15 a.m.)  Attached please find important information regarding the site-based professional development day.

 

Together, I know we can continue to positively impact the lives of the children we serve by providing them with challenging, meaningful, relevant and engaging work.  I look forward to meeting all of you and to our collaborative work during this school year!

 

Thanks,

 

 

Dianne Talarico

Superintendent

Please join us for our district-wide professional development day on September 1.

 

This is a paid day for certificated teachers, but all classified staff who work less than 12 months are encouraged to join us for “breakfast at the Greek” at Santa Monica High School at 7:45 AM.  Please be certain to use the school busses at the pickup/drop-off sites, as there is very little parking at SAMOHI.

 

Following the breakfast and keynote address by our new district superintendent, Dianne Talarico, teachers will report to their assigned locations for professional development as outlined below.  (All Elementary and Middle School Social Studies teachers please bring your Social Studies Teacher Edition to the professional development session.)

 

September 1st Professional Development Sessions

 

Who?

What?

Where?

Elementary Classroom Teachers

Social Studies

John Adams Middle School

Middle School Social Studies Teachers

Social Studies

John Adams Middle School

Special Education Teachers

Electronic IEPs

Lincoln Middle School

Elementary Music Teachers

General Music Instruction

PDLC

All other Middle School and High School Teachers

Culturally Responsive Instruction

Santa Monica High School

 

 

Parking at Santa Monica High School is extremely limited!  Those who are attending PD at SAMOHI will need to carpool.  Teachers who are attending professional development at Lincoln or John Adams should plan to park their cars there and take the district school bus to SAMOHI.  The busses will depart at 7:15.  Please be prompt!

 

Following the breakfast and keynote speakers, the busses will return to the pickup/drop-off sites.  12-month employees will return to their work sites and teachers will begin their professional development sessions, continuing until 3:30 PM.  Lunch will be on your own, so plan accordingly.