I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve as principal at Glen Yermo. The children welcomed me, and the staff is helping me learn how things are done here. It is a pleasure meeting parents too. Each day, I hope to remember more names and faces, but this will take time. From what I have seen so far, several strong impressions of Glen Yermo take shape:

• The students are extremely polite and respectful. This is a tribute to the values learned at home and encouraged by the staff here at school.

• The teachers love children, and they seem dedicated to helping students in any way possible. They are also committed to growing as educators and contributing to the overall effectiveness of our school.

• The parents support what is best for children, and they trust that our teachers share their concern. Through communication and teamwork, we aim for daily improvement with each child.

• The campus supervisors create a safe, friendly environment on the playground, and they promote a system that recognizes students for their kindness and cooperation. They work closely with students, teachers, and parents to monitor any special needs that exist.

• Pupil support services at our school include SDC, RSP, Speech, Title I, LAAP, ELD, and our Newcomers’ Class. These programs are designed for those children who need a more individualized approach to help them succeed. Coordinating these services is a challenge, and we have specially trained personnel to handle those jobs.

• Upper grade specialists in Performing Arts, Instrumental Music, and Physical Education work with students in grades 4, 5, and 6 to provide a balanced curriculum. We also have special programs funded by the PTA to enrich the experience of our children in visual arts and music appreciation at all levels.

• Generous PTA volunteers work to provide the extras for our children that can make school memorable, and they support the instructional programs with their time, their talents, and their fundraising efforts.

As we approach the upcoming parent conferences, I encourage you to give me any suggestions for improvements we need to consider or opinions about existing programs. I want our school to be the best too.