Herbert J. Saunders Middle School
13557 Spriggs Road • Manassas, VA 20112
703.670.9188 • FAX 703.670.3078 • www.pwcs.edu/Saunders
Myca Gray, Principal
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Dear students, parents and guardians,
Wow, where did the year go? In just about a week we will begin the 2009-2010 school year; a year in which we will continue to strive for and celebrate excellence. Actually, we started that celebration in June with our SOL carnival. Students who passed a state standards test in Math and/or Language Arts received a SOL pass. There families played games and students dunked teachers, administrators and me.
Then in August we hosted the first annual Super Spartan Welcome Week for our rising 6th grade students, and what a hit. Parents, teachers and students alike all said that it was a great experience. While 152 students met new friends and learned to open lockers, locate various sites in the building and engaged in computer-based math and English activities, parents learned more about finger scanning, Edulink and School Fusion. Still other students attended the two open-house occasions hosted by our Professional School Counseling department, where many of the mandatory annual tasks were completed on sight, with the aide of volunteers and Saunders staff.
It’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t long ago when the mention of twenty-ten (2010) sounded so futuristic, yet here we are. So, with a view to the future we have made some significant improvements to provide our 21st century learners with the tools and resources needed for success in our ever-increasing global community. In addition to the two full size labs and one mini lab here at Saunders, we have added 3 mobile labs which include computers that can access the internet anywhere, in the building, because it is now wireless. Moreover, we have purchased 3 Smartboards, 2 which are portable and can be used by the teachers in their classrooms. The purchase of PLATO, an interactive software system chosen by our teachers, will enable us to measure student progress. It also has the capability of prescribing individualized tutorial lessons for our students to help them meet state and county standards. Speaking of which, I like to take this time to publicly thank each teacher, student, parent/guardian, administrator, and staff member for the concerted effort involved. It does indeed take a village.
This village approach can also be seen in the numerous volunteer hours, donations and in-kind services of our mentors and business partners. Two examples include being adopted by Double Portion Spirit Ministries, International, the church that rents our building and their unsolicited gift of hundreds of pens, color pencils, spiral notebooks, packages of notebook paper, highlighters, pocket folders, scissors and glue sticks, so that, in their words, “no child would be without...” Another example of the power of networking and partnership can be seen in our new conference complex which encompasses 4 large conference areas furnished entirely by a local business. This area will provide our families a private place to meet with teachers and counselors.
So as you can see, we’ve been very busy this summer in anticipation of our students’ return. I’m certain that this year will be even more successful than last. Please do not hesitate to stop by and say hello or ask for assistance. I’m here to serve.
Most sincerely,
Myca Gray
Principal |
