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June 9: PRE Principal's Message

 

Care For Yourself, Care For Others
"What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?
 
“Remember then that there is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side. This is why we are here.”
~ Jon J Muth, Three Questions

 

Dear Preston Families, 

The 2020 yearbook cover captures the social-emotional goals of our school.  The cover reads: At Preston School, WE BELONG TOGETHER, Care for Yourself, Care for Others, Care This Place.  The emphasis on belonging is intentional. Everyone - the shy student, struggling reader, athlete, artist, bookworm, English Language Learner, the student with ADHD, and the student who has ongoing medical needs -  belongs. We celebrate and honor our diversity.  I’m hopeful that all students and families feel connected to Preston School and that they feel seen, valued, and heard. 

In my open house welcome, I encouraged you to ask your children the following three questions daily:  How did you care for someone?  How did you care for yourself?  How did you care for your school? As a result of being asked these three questions, students are mindful of how they care for themselves and others.  I’m optimistic that these questions will guide your children throughout their education and in their lives.  I’m confident  they will look back at the 2020 yearbook cover and remember the power of Caring for Yourself, Others, and this place. As in the picture book, The Three Questions, I hope our students understand  the most important thing is to do good for the one standing at your side.

This week, students will return materials and pick up their belongings.  Each grade level  has a designated day and time. Please see Procedures for Returning and picking up belongings. If you have more than one child, you can come on the older child’s scheduled day.  However, the younger child will not be able to see their classroom teacher. Classroom teachers will be present to say a final in-person goodbye.  We hope this experience will provide a memorable closure to the school year. 

There will be a kindergarten moving up the parade around Preston School on June 15th to celebrate the completion of the first year of elementary school.  The parade is for kindergarten families only. Please read the details for the Kindergarten parade flier for details.

We continue to redesign and expand our summer programs. Due to the governor’s order, these programs will be held virtually. Summer programs will be designed in a way that is flexible and accomodate a larger number of students than in prior years. 

Third-Trimester Report Card
While at school and during Learning from Home, students engaged in content-based learning, demonstrated problem-solving, perseverance, and skill development. Throughout the year, families, teachers, and principals had many conversations about your child’s learning. Our goal is to provide information that reveals the progress your child continues to make.  To recognize that progress elementary students will receive a narrative-based report card for the third trimester.  We will use what we know, as well as what has been gathered in the third trimester to report your child’s progress.  More information can be found in this Elementary Report Card FAQ.

Kindergarten Orientation
Our elementary schools have begun welcoming incoming kindergarten families by gathering important social, emotional, and academic information about our newest students from the people who know them best, their families!  This information is especially important this year as a traditional kindergarten screening will not take place.  Kindergarten registration and new student registration for the 2020/21 school year are ongoing. If you or someone you know has an incoming kindergartener who has not yet registered, please visit harrisoncsd.org; click the “Parents” menu; and then “Student Registration,” to access our Online Registration system.  Email Michelle Marchese, District Registrar, with any questions: marchesemi@harrisoncsd.org

As this unprecedented school year ends,thank you for making this year a success. I wish you compassion, joy, and stronger connections. 

Sincerely,

Dennis Kortright
Principal


Ongoing items to note:
  • Visit the District’s K-5 Family University on the Learning From Home page, which offers additional learning activities for your children and continues to be updated.
  • The District provides free breakfast and lunch for eligible students. If you are currently eligible but have not yet applied, please complete the request form.  If your circumstances have changed and you are in need of food assistance contact your principal. All inquiries are confidential.
  • If your child needs a device, if there is a problem with your equipment, or if your family does not have internet access, the District will provide a device and/or a mobile hotspot to deliver internet access. If you require technology support please complete this form. If you have questions contact Brian Seligman (914-630-3389) or (seligmanb@harrisoncsd.org).