Welcome Back to Shell Beach Elementary!  I am very enthusiastic about what's in store for us in the 2010-2011 school year!

First we have three new staff members this year.  Sue Baca is returning to us from Dorothea Lange Elementary and will be teaching fifth grade with John Dutra.  Carolyn Peters is coming to us from Nipomo Elementary and will be teaching kindergarten with Sheryl Bradshaw.  Madelyn Flechs is jumping from kindergarten to first grade and will teach with Susan Gross.  Our new school nurse is Sylvie Duvet.

  My goal for this school year parallels the district wide 2010-2011goal:

"Engage ~ Challenge ~ Inspire"

So how do these three words relate to moving our school from good to great?  It is crucial that all students are actively engaged in their learning.  This will result from using effective teaching strategies in conjunction with students putting forth their personal best.  Of course parents are also engaged in student learning when they volunteer at school or help support their child's learning at home.  It is also our goal to challenge all students to attain their personal best by being resilient problem solvers.  New learning is often challenging but very rewarding when mastered.  One definition of "challenge" is "to stimulate intellect - to stimulate somebody by making demands on the intellect".  And lastly, it is our goal to inspire our students.  This is the root of a self directed learner who loves to learn.  Staff, parents, and students can inspire each other with examples of integrity, problem solving, teamwork, empathy, resilience, innovation, imagination, and creativity.  We are each a very important component in the success of the students of Shell Beach Elementary!

We will be implementing a character education program this year called "Steps to Respect/2nd Step".  It is exciting to know we will be giving students the skills to help them build strong peer relations and problem solving skills.

  I look forward to seeing you at Back To School Night and working with you this academic year!

Sincerely,

Debbie Schimandle