From Our Principal
Dear Old Bridge Families:
Welcome back to another exciting year at Old Bridge Elementary. Our highly qualified staff is back, ready and willing to move your students to the next level of academic achievement. Obviously, we need your support. Please remember to check the backpacks each night for homework, notes, permission slips and other home to school communications.
Each year we welcome parent volunteers to partner with us in educating our students. There are many tasks that volunteers can perform that support our goals and initiatives. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Mrs. Pankowski, Assistant Principal and volunteer coordinator at 703-491-5614.
In order to reduce distractions and increase student learning in the classroom, we will only call into the classroom if your child is dismissed early or going home due to illness. Lunch boxes, eye glasses, homework, instruments, sneakers, cupcakes and other items will be delivered to students by one of the office staff or placed in the teacher’s box.
Classroom visits will be scheduled through the front office after consulting with the classroom teacher for a time that is convenient. Please call the office at least 24 hours prior to your desired visitation date. We will offer times that are convenient for you and a time that will cause the least amount of distractions to student learning.
We’ve had great success and will continue with our school-wide discipline program implementing the “Ways to be at OBE.” Our four basic rules are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe and Be a Good Listener. We’ve added a Better Bus Behavior program. Letters for you to read and pledge your support were sent home Friday September 11. If you did not receive a copy of the letter, please call the office. You can assist with our discipline program by frequently reminding your child and/or practicing the same or similar rules at home.
Children progress faster when they are in school every day. Excessive tardies and extended absences slow progress and cause many students to fall behind. You can contribute to your child’s success by getting them to school on time each day. Please try to schedule vacations, doctors’ appointments, and other events around the school schedule.
Due to increased enrollment and/or staff turnover, we welcome the following new staff members: Ms. Rebekah Allen- Autism Teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Stevens – Autism Assistant, Ms. Tessa Vannest – Kindergarten teacher,, Mrs. Melissa Henry- 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Tammy Duffy- PE teacher, Mrs. Catherine Hurst – Kindergarten Assistant and Mrs. Kris Rutherford – Kindergarten Assistant. We have two GMU interns currently working in third grade: Mrs. Brenda Dreesbach (Ms. Harrison’s class), and Ms. Sarah Standard (Mrs. Cresap’s class).
On behalf of the Old Bridge Elementary staff, we look forward to working with you while making the 2009-2010 school year the best ever!
Anita G. Flemons
