Dear Hursey Family and Community Friends,

Hursey has set its course using the "golden compass" and continues to achieve excellence. Our school is launching new learning landscapes in literacy for the next three years. We all work from the premise and believe in "Educating the Whole Child". Our Montessori Model is expanding. Our students continue to be served in the multi-age setting with the same Montessori teachers this school year. The two teachers have earned their Montessori certification from Lander University. Montessori training continues at Lander on the Greenville Tech Campus as the new Lower Elementary teacher for this school term moved into place for the elders this year. Early Childhood Models are the anchors for school success. Early childhood service and learning is an emphasis at Hursey. We continue to serve 3 year olds in half day programs and 4 year olds in full day programs. Our wing of little learners is inspiring and joyous daily. Canaan Baptist Missionary Church has invited us as a faith-based partner to use their facility for nursery care for our little ones as well as house our Parenting Program in their church during the day.

We have made steady progress in our classrooms as shown by our MAP and PACT improvements as well as have made state gain indices. Our improvement status has risen; therefore, we are on hold in restructuring under Federal Guidelines. I owe this steady progress to our effective teaching practices in the classroom by our teachers, our students' hard work and family and community partnerships, involvement and support. We have diminished discipline referrals due to our implementation of PBS (Positive Behavior System) schoolwide and CHAMPS in the classroom. We are a PBIS Banner Award winner for the second year. This year we moved to becoming a school focused on Peace Education and Raising the Bar Using the 3RRRs: Respect ~ Responsibility ~ Ready to Learn. We work to bridge the world for our children from their backyards to far away places such as Ghana.

School Communication - We ask you to continue visiting your school regularly and communicate with your child's teacher - without your cooperation and involvement none of our success would be possible. We will continue to use the Parent Link telephone system to bring you updates about events and important information. Please keep us informed of your telephone changes.

Your school has been implementing the Hursey Hope Worldwide 21st Century Extended Day Grant. We are serving 88-100 children in Hursey Hope( K -5th grades). We will serve your children from 7AM - 6PM each day- Monday through Friday and Saturday Academy. Certified teachers will work with your children on T and TH offering tutoring in reading, writing and math. The children will receive a snack, exercise and organized sports and special events daily. Consider these possibilities for guiding your student's progress in learning:

• visit your child's classroom often. Thank your teacher for their patience and excellence
• communicate regularly with your teacher by way of the written log (the black and white source book)and the silver communication folder
• help your child with homework
• check your student's homework
• set quiet time aside each evening to read with/or to your child(keep reading log current by signing and listing the title of the book)- we will be adding book reports for each book read
• attend our parenting workshops and family literacy classes (2 each semester)
• serve on Hursey's PTA board and/or School Improvement Council(SIC) We have a great time. Our SIC meetings are held the last Tuesday of the month at 6 PM and PTA board following the SIC
• volunteer in the library, hold a door and help greet children, choose the teacher's workroom cutting out laminated materials and PBS tickets, or help in the pareting center, clinic, or office.

It is most important to set time aside daily to talk about the school day, to set short and long term goals with your children and prepare for this year's learning journey.

Attendance is key for student achievement- getting to school on time and everyday are number one priorities. Arriving late or tardy keeps your child from establishing a healthy work routine or practicing the marketable skills of punctuality and promptness. Arriving late causes embarrassment in front of their peers. Please do your part in bringing your child to school on time.

Partnerships are key as we build relationships and improve student learning.

We set high expectations for our students, families and teachers because Excellence is our Standard. We are expecting ALL students to "Read for the Record- recording books read each evening and in school. We won the Community of Reader's Award- Hursey was recognized as one of the best for using best reading practices in CCSD.

We are blessed by kindness and contributions we receive from our guardian angels. Please thank our business partners: Pam Martin, Thea Anderson and Alys Campaigne with I'ON GROUP and Mixon Development; Mr. Corbin at Corbin's Trailer Hitch business on Durant Avenue; and partnership with Eric Hinton, Venture Aerobearings. They are staunch supporters of public schools. *We strive for excellence in educating your children. *Wecelebrate reading, writing and math problem solving. *We apply our reading strategies and math understandings to social studies and science. *We read authentic texts and expose our students to a wide variety of genres. *We are working to increase the technology capacity for your child's learning enhancement. *We set high expectations for everyone involved with your child's education. *Weknow we can count on your involvement and commitment.

The "Golden Compass" will set the course for "Launching New Learning Landscapes in Literacy" as we guide your children to brighter horizons.

Fondly,

La Dene' Conroy

Principal

Upcoming Events!!

• Thank you for all you do for the Hursey family. Remember, smiles and hugs cost nothing and can make someone feel welcomed and wonderful.
• Remember- Books are presents that can be opened again and again and enjoyed by many. Be watching for your set of ten for the Labor Day Holiday. Research shows that parents who read with their children each evening for 20 minutes opens the doors to success for their children.
• Celebrations! Your school was selected as one of 3 to receive the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grant for 2009-2010. We are winners for the 2nd year in a row. Your children tasted a wide variety of fruits and vegetables last year.
• Please join me at our first PTA meeting for the new school year ~ fellowship and friends meet to celebrate Sept. 1 at 7PM. Come support your student by attending Teacher Night in the Classroom begining at 6PM. Meet the teachers at PTA starting at 7PM. Hear about our first Talent Show. Help revise our Parent Policy for Title I. Join PTA. Purchase Ms. Carolyn Grant's Famous Fried Fish Dinner.
• The school's Community of Readers Home is an application we expect our parents to work on all school year. Last year the following families won: Ms.Manigault and Mrs.Snooks. Thank you for representing our families. We love you! Please support your child's literacy journey by signing up for your library card and beginning your work on The Communty of Reader's Family Award Application.

• Order your 2009-2010 School Yearbook now! Last year's yearbook was stellar. Don't miss out. Pay 3.00 per week and you will have it paid for in 6 weeks. It costs only 18.00 if you order it by October. Otherwise it will cost $20.00. You can still make weekly installments.

• Catherine Arthurs, Third Grade Academy teacher, is Hursey's new Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010.

• Wendy McIlwain, Kindergarten teacher, is Hursey's new Distinguised Reading Teacher for 2009-2010.

• Ukecia Gilmore, 5th grade science and reading, social studies teacher,was Hursey's Rookie Teacher of the Year.
• Brenda Jenkins, SASI Clerk and office administrator, was Hursey's Classified Employee of the Year.