June always brings with it reflections on the past year and changes for the new school year. I’ve had a wonderful first year as principal, getting to know Ashburton students and families. I am very pleased with how our students follow the Ashburton Expectations and how many successes we have had this year. I am most grateful for our parents, who are always supportive and volunteer to help whenever we need them. Most recently, we had many parents participate in Career Day and an incredible turn-out of parents that volunteered for our field days. We know that a number of parents are volunteering for the fifth grade dance, helping teachers plan end-of-school parties/picnics, as well as many hours devoted to the ‘weather-shortened’ spring book fair. I want to thank the PTA leaders for their commitment to our students and school, especially the parents whose last child is moving on—Jim and Linda Parker, Sabrina Weger, Rengin Gore and the officers who are finishing their terms, Mark Rashid and Diane Jentilet. I look forward to working with Amy Cohen and the new Board next year. Thank you for all you do!
As the year comes to a close, we are busy planning for next year. I want to share with you some anticipated changes, but caution that due to Ashburton’s ever-changing enrollment and a very tight operating budget this year, these could be tentative. We anticipate having eight sections of PEP, four of
Kindergarten, four of Grade 1, four of Grade 2, four of Grade 3, and three each of Grades 4 and 5. Student enrollment will necessitate some staff changes: Ms. Jen Lillis will teach first grade and Ms. Kymberli Richey will teach second grade next year.
We will still have our three Learning and Academics Disabilities (LAD) resource teachers, with LAD students in Grades 1-5 included in the general education classes as a more inclusive model. The fourth and fifth grades will have classrooms in the new addition, along with Ms. Peters’ kindergarten class and Ms. Killian’s K/1 LAD homeroom. Look for information in the summer letter about touring the new addition and volunteering to help teachers unpack.
We have several staff members leaving us: Ms. Marjorie Blanc, part-time ESOL teacher, will return to her home school and we will welcome Ms. Megan Scanlon to Ashburton. Ms. Sharon Sarisohn, Reading Initiative teacher, will move to a school closer to her home. Mrs. Kristen Bogacki, PEP teacher, will also teach closer to home in Fairfax, and we’ve hired Ms. Lisa Diamond from Clopper Mill to teach PEP next year. Ms. Heather Lucas, PEP Speech Pathologist, is leaving to work in private practice and Ms. Lisa Seligson will replace her. Mr. Andrew Mlynarski will be teaching full-time at Bradley Hills, and Ms. Lillian Hasko will fill that position. We wish those who are leaving well and will miss them. We welcome the new staff to Ashburton.
In August we will mail you a packet with more information about staffing—please note that this summer we have a number of teachers getting married and some names will change. Congratulations to Rachel Perla who married Michael Ralles this past weekend. This packet will also contain lunch and bus information and a calendar.
Please work with your child to complete the summer math and reading packets that your child will bring home. Read with them, make frequent trips to the library for new books, and encourage them to keep their brains busy!
Ms. Cino and I wish you a most pleasant summer and look forward to seeing to see you next year!
Sincerely,
Charlene Eroh
While you are here: