A word from Dr. Bauer …

This month, we anticipate a full schedule of events, beginning with Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations, highlighted by a wonderful luncheon hosted by our PTA. Our third grade students host their annual “Mother’s Day Tea” on Friday, May 2^nd, and the first grade students invite their families to attend their annual “Authors’ Tea” on the mornings of May 7^th and 21^st.   Our 5^th & 6^th graders will participate in the State’s NJ ASK testing from May 5^th through May 8^th. We are proud of our students and know they will do well!

Currently, our musicians are rehearsing in earnest for our annual spring concert, which will be held at 7:00 pm on May 14^th and 15^th. All are invited to attend and support the arts in Chesterfield! Throughout May and June, our first and second grade students are planning  Chesterfield visits to attend the morning band concert, join in special programs, meet with their “pen pals” and help plant and cultivate the Chesterfield Garden.

This month also marks transitions, as we have been “rounding up” our future kindergarten students who will enter school in the fall. Kindergarten screenings are scheduled for May 22^nd, 23^rd and June 2^nd.  In contrast, our sixth grade preparations for middle school kicked off with our 6^th graders “shadowing” the Northern Burlington 7^th & 8^th grade students.  The Class of 2008 calendar is full with end-of-year events, including rehearsals for their commencement ceremony on June 13^th.   

The spring also presents many opportunities to meet new friends and participate in some rich Chesterfield traditions. Highlights of the spring include the Chesterfield Education Fund annual golf tournament, to be held on Monday, May 19^th, at Olde York Country Club.  Hole sponsorship is a great way to contribute, and all are encouraged to join the dinner and auction, which follow the day’s round at the Club.  Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, June 7, when our PTA will host its annual School Carnival, right here on our school grounds. The day is fun-filled with games of chance and skill, barbeque and a great time with neighbors.

Both the CPEF and the PTA make tremendous contributions to our school and our students, and these are the premier fund-raisers for each group. The ongoing success of these activities is due to the annual support of parents. While plans are underway, each organization continually seeks more support, in funding, donating, and volunteering.  Please consider how you can best contribute to success of these events. If you are not sure who to contact, feel free to send me an e-mail, which I will forward along to the committees, or to call school for contact information. These wonderful events do so much to benefit our students, and your support is needed and appreciated.

Finally, at this time we assess our year and commence planning for the following year. To better understand how well our programs and practices meet needs and expectations, a feedback survey has been developed and will be sent home with students. The survey will take only minutes to complete, but your assistance is invaluable to our planning. I appreciate your ongoing support of our school and children and hope you will share your feedback. The weeks ahead provide many fun, educational activities for our students, and I thank you for making this possible.  We look forward to seeing you throughout the month!