MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Eaton Elementary:
Another Successful Year!
As the 2012–2013 school year comes to an end, it is an opportunity to celebrate, reflect and begin planning for the coming year.  The John Eaton Community of Learners is unlike any other in the District. School staff, parents, and community members come together to support and provide the very best educational experience for our students.  This collaboration, support, and “spirit” will continue to be the number one priority at Eaton.

Mrs. Anderson and I are pleased to announce that we were able to maintain our two reading teachers, math resource teacher, librarian, and special education staff.  Our social worker will be in the building full-time next year.  We are currently working to secure an art therapy teacher one day per week.  Due to a decrease in the number of English language learner (ELL) students, we will only have two ELL teachers.  Finally, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Wendy Pugh (World Cultures Coordinator), Amber Walson (HSA funded music teacher), Polly Furth (grade two teacher), Alan Maubouche (ELL teacher), Deborah Jenkins (Instructional Aide), Troy Shine (Instructional Aide) and Fon Valentine (Health Assistant).  It is difficult to say goodbye, so we simply say farewell, best wishes and thank you for ALL you’ve done to support our students.

Susan Coti (grade four teacher) will be taking a leave of absence next school year.  Larin Rottman, experienced teacher from McKinney, Texas Independent School District and KIPP Charter School in DC, will join the fourth grade team.  Brianca McKinley will move to second grade.  Kylie Hiemstra, recent graduate from The College of William and Mary, will join our first grade team. Robert Telley will be our full-time music teacher.  We also welcome Timothy McKoy, our new custodian.   Mrs. Anderson and I have made tentative classroom teacher assignments.  Eaton will definitely meet our budgeted enrollment but unexpected staffing changes might occur during the summer.

Pre-kindergarten: Ms. Barnhardt, Mr. Steinberg
Kindergarten: Ms. Dullea, Ms. Gardner, Ms. Hyde
Grade 1: Ms. Backert, Ms. Ciampa, Ms. Hiemstra
Grade 2: Ms. McKinley, Ms. Nathan, Ms. Spraggins
Grade 3: Ms. Bedenbaugh, Ms. Caine, Ms. Freda
Grade 4: Ms. Clark, Mr. Parodi, Ms. Rottman
Grade 5: Ms. Lavezzo, Ms. Witcher, TBD

The Home School Association (HSA) will continue to fund a full-time art teacher and our Enrichment Coordinator position.  Without this funding, we would have to make difficult decisions about reading and math resource support, Chinese, and other staff that are critical for our instructional programs.  Thank you for contributing to SET (Supporting Eaton Together) and participating in our fundraising events.

As Mrs. Anderson and I complete our second year as your administrative team, we want to thank all parents for your unbelievable support.  We continue to enjoy our time at John Eaton.  We want to personally thank Mrs. Joy Wallis and Mr. Mark Boss (HSA co-presidents) and Mr. Ed Dieterle (LSAT chairperson) for their leadership and guidance.  The Home School Association and LSAT Committee have worked many hours this school year to support our school.  Finally, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Eaton staff.  Your tireless effort to do “what’s best for each child” is an inspiration to all.  Mrs. Anderson and I wish everyone a safe, relaxing summer with family and friends.  Thank you for your continued support.

With much appreciation,

Dale E. Mann

Principal

This spring Eaton is the recipient of an outreach garden effort offered to ten DC schools via an organization called City Blossoms.  City Blossoms is working with the Nature Conservancy to create pollinator gardens—gardens for plants, animals, and human food.  As a partner with City Blossoms on this project, Eaton receives  $2,500 toward garden efforts, five workshops with a group of approximately 20 students, and an iPad and colored pencils.  Thanks to music teacher Amber Walson for telling Eaton about this wonderful opportunity.  For more information about City Blossoms, go to www.cityblossoms.org

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