Saltonstall
School
Mr. Robert Teel, Interim Principal
211 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970
tel.: 978 740 1297, fax: 978 740 1288
Dear Salts Parents and Guardians,
School got off to a very good start last week thanks to you, your children and the Salts staff. I enjoyed my first week – getting to know folks and making new friends – and can tell that Saltonstall School is a very special place for a lot of very nice people.
Open House for all parents and guardians will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd. This is a time to meet your child’s teacher(s) and learn about her/his classroom. In between Sessions I and II, a whole-school meeting will be held in the auditorium. I’d like to introduce myself and talk about our goals, routines and expectations at the Salts for 2009 – 2010. Ms. Egan, our school nurse, will also present health related information including an update on the H1N1 virus. A Health Table will be set up in the front hall during both sessions where Ms. Egan will answer your questions and provide handouts.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE for Wednesday, September 23rd
6:00 – 6:30 Session I Parents/Guardians visit classrooms
6:35 – 6:55 Parent and Guardian Meeting in the auditorium
7:00 – 7:30 Session II Parents/Guardians visit classrooms
Here are a couple of reminders:
- Classes begin at 8:00 and children need to be present and ready to learn. Kindergarten – 6 students line up in back of the school where their teachers meet them at 7:50 and enter the building. Seventh and eighth graders meet in the front of the school and also enter at 7:50. Seventh and eighth graders have the option of coming to the library at 7:30 to finish their homework. Please remind your children of this great benefit.
One late student means the teacher needs to stop what she/he is doing with the rest of the class and bring the late student “up to date”. Momentum is a key factor to successful teaching and learning. Interruptions like “being late” interfere with momentum. Please make sure your children are on time every day. Supervision begins at 7:30 when breakfast is also offered.
- The DROP-OFF and PICK-UP policy at Saltonstall School calls for children in grades Kindergarten – 6 to be dropped off/picked up on Salem Street at the rear of the school. Seventh and eighth graders may be dropped off /picked up in the front of the school. For safety and traffic reasons, it is important to follow this policy.
Thank you for your warm welcome to the Salts. I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd
Sincerely,
Bob Teel
Interim Principal
August 2009
Dear Saltonstall School Families, Faculty and Staff,
My name is Bob Teel, the Saltonstall School interim principal for 2009-2010. This is my fourth interim position since retiring from Burlington, MA as an elementary principal. I also worked in Beverly and Gloucester, MA and Kensington, NH as a principal, assistant principal and program director. Classroom teaching experience, grades 2-6, was in Gloucester.
My wife, Susan, and I live in Essex, MA on Cape Ann just north of Salem. We have three grown children (no grandchildren yet). I grew up on a farm in North Andover, MA and a lived a few weeks every year in Port Clyde, Maine where my family originated. Susan and I still spend a good amount of time in Maine and Nova Scotia where her family is from. Besides being a big Red Sox fan, I/we enjoy boating, fishing, reading, gardening and traveling. After three college educations and a wedding, we finally saved enough money to do an Alaskan Cruise. Our first cruise, is planned for the last week in August and we're really looking forward to it.
I love my job being with the children and working with parents and staff to help make schools the best they can be. It is a team effort among all people of the school community and I have been blessed to work with some of the very best. More than anything else, schools are places where all people treat each other with dignity and respect. When people feel safe, secure and challenged, they are happier and more successful. The expectations and rules are important:
1. Be courteous, polite and thoughtful. 4. Regular walking in the school, No running.
2. Use appropriate language and tone of voice. 5. Listen.
- Keep hands and feet to yourself.
But it is the values, Saltonstall Pride, that make a difference:
Caring Effort Teamwork Responsibility
School staff, students and their families have a shared responsibility to create and maintain a safe, comfortable and engaging environment that promotes and reflects kindness, helping others, hard work, life-long learning, trust and fun. I believe in my head and my heart that the essence of success in school begins with all people of the school community working together in the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and excellence.
During the first week of school, you will receive a packet of information including the Saltonstall Parent/Student Handbook. Like most manuals, it can be somewhat mundane and very direct. Please excuse this "cut and dry"approach. Experience and my share of mistakes have taught me to be clear and specific when it comes to safety and order, key attributes of excellent schools. My intent is never to be bossy or judgmental, but to always keep children and adults safe and healthy while providing all students with the best possible education. I need your help in accomplishing these goals, so PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY AND DISCUSS THOROUGHLY WITH YOUR CHILDREN. It is only fair that they know what we expect of them and each other.
At this time, we are still interviewing and hiring staff for the new school year. A complete list of new staff including assignments will be included in your packet going home the first week of school in September.
The few days I spent at school in July and the last couple of weeks tell me that Saltonstall School is a very special place Ð rich in tradition, diversity, humanism and academic excellence. I appreciate the opportunity to work with your children, the faculty and staff, and you.
Sincerely,
Bob Teel
Interim Principal
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