This week’s Paw Prints from Principal Katie Grassa:

• Welcome back to all staff and students in grades 1-8. Students were excited to get reacquainted with friends, meet new teachers and navigate their new schedules.
• This Saturday, September 7th from 11:30 am -1:30 pm all incoming kindergarten families are welcome for the Family Picnic. You can meet other families, teachers and even see your child’s classroom. We are also excited to welcome all of these students to the Curley Community on Monday, September 9th for their first day of school.
• Predictive Assessments will be given next week to all students in grades 3-8 as a way to gather baseline data. Throughout the month other assessments will begin such as PALS (K1), DIBELS and TRC (K2-Grade 2) and Terra Nova for Grades 3-5 (This assessment is to test into the Advanced Work Class program in grades 3-6).
• Arrival and dismissal have been a bit hectic, we ask for your patience as we try to problem solve with transportation around buses as well as other building logistics. We are asking that families refrain from parking on Centre St. and in the staff parking lots to assure we can have efficient arrival and dismissal procedures.
• Congrats to our Health and Wellness Committee on earning Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) bronze award. We are planning an assembly on Wednesday, September 11th at 8:45 a.m. in the Auditorium at Curley K-8 to recognize and honor the school for receiving this award. USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon, James Arena DeRosa, Northeast Regional Administrator, USDA Food and Nutrition Services, BPS Food and Nutrition Services Director Michael Peck and other prominent community leaders will all be attending.
• BPS has joined a federal program to automatically qualify every child, regardless of income, for a no-cost meal program. Check out this link and see a video from NECN that features the Curley K-8 School. http://www.necn.com/searchNECN/search/v/80415087/boston-students-greeted-by-big-changes-as-they-return-to-school.htm?q=boston+public+schools
• Save the Date – Welcome Open House for all families K-8 on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thank you to all the staff, students and families who welcomed me on my first week as the Curley K-8 Principal! I feel lucky to have the support of such a community and together we can provide the best education possible for our students.