A Message from the Principal

Anna . Booth Elementary

2008-2009

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our school!  We look forward with anticipation to the 2008-2009 school year.  Our teachers and staff members have spent many hours preparing to ensure a successful year for our students.  Our goal is to provide a motivating environment in which the children will thrive as they reach their full academic potential.

For the last five years, our school has implemented a nationwide initiative (Reading First) designed to ensure that all students are proficient readers by the end of Grade Three.  We consider it an honor to be referred to as a Reading First School.  The Reading First Initiative provides the means by which we are ensuring that no child is left behind at Booth Elementary School.  We had incredible results during our first five years as a Reading First School and fully expect such results again this year.

The Reading First Initiative is succeeding at our school because we have conscientious, competent teachers teaching capable students.  Equally important, our students' parents fully support our efforts.  In fact, the dedication of our teachers, students and parents has resulted in remarkable gains in student achievement.  All of the hard work and commitment is evident when one reads of the recognition we received during the 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years.  It should be noted that we did not seek these awards.  We are too busy for that!  In each instance, recognition was received based on increased student achievement.        

First, we were named a National Title I Distinguished School in both  2006 and 2008.  School representatives traveled to Dallas in January 2006 and Nashville in 2008 to be recognized for this honor.  (There are at leased 28,000 Title I schools in the United States--- Only 52 were named National Title I Distinguished Schools in 2006 and only 71 schools were named National Title I Distinguished Schools in 2008 with 2 of the schools from Alabama each of those years.  

Second, the U.S. Dept. of Education requested that each state nominate one Reading First school to be considered for the opportunity of presenting at the National Reading First Conference (a U.S. Department of Education conference).  The Alabama State Department of Education nominated our school.  After submitting a proposed presentation, the U.S. Dept. of Education selected our school as one of the twenty-seven Reading First Schools who presented at the conference in Reno, Nevada in July 2006.  There are over 5,000 Reading First Schools across the country.

Next, in 2006, 2007, and 2008, Booth Elementary was named a Torchbearer School by the Alabama State Department of Education.  In fact, Booth ELementary School is the only school in the state to receive the honor for all three years.  There were 9 Torchbearer Schools in the state of Alabama for the 2007-2008 school year.

Last, a committee comprised of members from various sections of the Alabama State Department of Education selected Anna F. Booth Elementary to submit a nomination for the National School Change Awards in March 2007.  In a letter from Dr. Joseph Morton, Alabama State Superintendent of Education, he indicated that Booth Elementary meets the "award eligibility criteria of schools that were previously low-performing, but are now recognized as exemplary."  In May 2007, our school was notified that we are one of only six schools in the nation to receive the award this year.  School representatives traveled to New York City in July 2007 to receive the award.

No doubt, when reviewing these awards, we are quite proud of our students' success.  Certainly our students are proving that they are as capable or, perhaps, even more capable than any children in this nation!

Next, we both welcome and value your involvement in your child's education.  Your child is the reason we are here.  As a parent, you are able to give us valuable insight into your child's academic needs and strengths.  Parents are an integral component of our plan to improve student achievement.  We need and appreciate you!  Also, please remember that I am always available to hear and respond to your concerns.

Through the continued commitment of the administrative staff, teachers, parents and community members, we will no doubt meet or exceed the goals we set for our students and our school.  We have a 2008-2009 School Action for Excellence plan in place to ensure academic growth for all students.  As we keep the best interest of the students in mind, our combined efforts will ensure a successful, memorable 2008-2009 school year.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                      

Lisa Williams                                                                                                                              Principal                                                                                                                                        824-1740

e-mail: lmwilliams2@mcpss.com