Stevenson PACT School is a public K-5 school that offers progressive education and a developmental curriculum. Through experiential learning, innovative teaching methods and a strong collaboration between teachers and parents, we emphasize growth of the whole child – intellectually, socially, physically, and creatively.

Principal's Message 2011-01

Happy New Year and welcome back to school! I enjoyed welcoming our students as they arrived last Monday morning and seeing smiles on their faces, It was evident that the kids had an enjoyable and relaxing break and yet were also excited to come back to school. It is gratifying that our students want to be at school and that PACT is a fun and pleasurable place to be!

While on break, I spent time relaxing, reading, and contemplating my first few months as a principal. I relaxed and refrained from checking email incessantly, I read both for work and for pleasure, and I reflected on what I thought being a principal would be versus what it actually has entailed. Just like my first year of teaching, the year has been full of great days, challenges, and unforeseen events. I had no idea what was in store for me, or all I would need to learn to manage and facilitate. I have to admit, there are days when I felt it was all about survival! But I also can say with pride that we’ve made some tremendous strides as a staff and as a school. A few accomplishments that come to mind include:

• a new play structure
• our school library
• PACT PALS and Newton after-school programming
• a successful Parent Education Program
• EL Homework Club
• a computer lab that houses eight new computers
• the school site plan and teacher goal team work
• a strong, active membership in ELAC
• SSC is working to support school climate
• our AMAZING Foundation, which has supported many events, trips, and activities

You’ve all played a role in making our accomplishments possible. Take a moment to relish this year’s milestones and congratulate each other for ajob well done!

The New Year invites us to reflect on our lives, our current practices, and any resolutions we feel we need to commit to in order to continually improve. While our list of accomplishments at PACT is impressive, there is always more that can be done to improve. One of my responsibilities as principal is to be an instructional leader; one that I feel is most significant. In order to be an instructional leader, I need to make personal connections with students, observe the strategies teachers are using, and support instruction to ensure all students have access to the curriculum and are learning. Therefore, I’ve decided that professionally, my resolution is to commit to being in classrooms more often! I have spent the first half of the school year learning the ropes, meeting with parents and students, and putting systems and procedures in place. I would like to spend the second half observing classroom nstruction and the exciting learning strategies used in our classrooms. I look orward to interacting with your children more in this capacity, and ask you as PACT parents, to also reflect on a job well-done and consider what next steps you resolve o take as we move forward together into the 2 half of the school year. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Sincerely, Angela