HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!

(From our June, 2008, Newsletter...it should have come home on Wednesday!!)

Reasons to Celebrate 2007-2008

This is always a bittersweet time of year. Students, staff and parents look forward to summer break and possible trips, camp-outs or the opportunity to hang out at the pool. On the other hand, we have to say goodbye to friends, students and teachers and wish the 75 fifth graders good luck as they start a new endeavor next fall at the middle school. It is also a great time to reflect on the successes of the 2007-08 school year and focus on the reasons why our staff truly loves being a part of the family at Washington Intermediate.

On a large scale, our students took part in a few events that brought together parents, community and the school. Track and field day was a sunny-success as over 100 parents, relatives and friends joined us during a full day of celebrating health, fitness and some friendly competition. A community reading part at the town Square brought together students, parents and quite a few local business members for an extended lunch and reading. Over the past week, our 150 students, teachers and a few parents walked from Washington to the high school with a couple stops along the way. The students had learned about healthy eating habits and participated in a day of health and wellness capped by Washington and Inman students getting to watch Mr. Barry eat some not-so-healthy pie “served” by a lucky 3rd grader at Inman Primary! Finally, our ELO (talented and gifted) students entertained students, family and friends with a performance they had planned, choreographed and written themselves.

Nearly 1000 students attended our after school math program AND 12 local businesses and our school board supported our efforts in some fashion! Our third year of after school math showed us again that parents, students and our community believe in knowing the math basics. We do encourage our students to work on their math facts over the summer too. Just like tennis, basketball, piano or any other skill, it takes practice to become better at it. Make some flash cards, use an internet game to practice (http://www.mathplayground.com) or just practice orally in the car!

We know that our students grew leaps and bounds academically, emotionally and physically this school year. Of those three, we only have to report our students’ academic progress. We do have much to celebrate here too! Looking at the ‘Big Three’ ITBS testing areas, all of our students showed growth from last year to this year in at least one area. When looking at each area for our Washington students:

Reading Comprehension 107 of 148 proficient = 72.3% (nearly 3% higher than last year)

Math Total 104 of 148 proficient = 70.3% (less than 1% lower than last year)

Science 121 of 148 proficient = 81.8% (nearly 3% higher than last year)


Finally, we will say good luck to 75 fifth graders from elementary school and Washington Intermediate. They have come a long way since they started school in kindergarten and I have told them many times that they are a class full of potential, positive leaders and big thinkers!! I know they will continue to learn, grow and become people of great character.

As you can see, we do have much to celebrate at Washington! I hope you find time early this summer at home to celebrate your child’s successful school year too. We appreciate all you have done for us at Washington to make our school a great place to learn, laugh and work! We wish you a restful, relaxing and family-filled summer!