The Gloucester Public Schools

Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, life-long learners

Telena S. Imel, Ed.D, Principal

10 Concord Street Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone 978-281-9835 / Fax 978-281-9886 timel@gloucester .k12.ma.us

September 1, 2014

Dear West Parish Families,

Welcome Back to a New Year!! I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful school community. I enjoyed seeing so many of you come to the open house. You made it a success for the K-4 community! Your feedback about the new space being a welcoming community for students to grow academically, emotionally and socially is appreciated. I look forward to seeing all returning students and their families, as well as meeting new West Parish Families. New families, my hope is that you will quickly come to love and become involved in the school community.

This has been an eventful last couple of months, with the move of our Kindergarten and Fourth Grade programs to 62 Prospect Street and our Fifth Grade Program move to the O’Maley Innovation Middle School. Both sites look fabulous and are ready for our students to arrive. In addition, West Parish teachers took classes over the summer, prepared for the implementation of a new math program, worked in the district’s summer school and tutoring programs, and spent an incredible amount of time here at West Parish unpacking and preparing to meet your child.

We have had several staff changes this spring and summer. Interview teams, made up of teachers and support staff, worked with me to identify new staff members who will help West Parish Students become well-rounded, confident learners who strive for and achieve academic excellence! I am pleased to share with you our new staff members:

• Melissa Desmond – Special Education Teacher

• Carrie Purdy – First Grade

• Taryn Grassia- Fourth Grade

• Sonya Shalkoski- Fourth Grade

  Rick Worthley- Kitchen

  Arrival and dismissal procedures have changed due to our new locations. It is very important that you make every effort to have your child arrive at school before 8:50 (Grades K-4) and 8:55 (Grade 5), as these are the times when we will be bringing students to their classrooms. If you arrive later than 9:00 (Grades K-4) or 9:05 (Grade 5), you will need to park and bring your child into the school building to sign them in. Please note that there is no parking on Pleasant St. during arrival or dismissal. Classroom instruction begins promptly at 9:00 AM/ 9:05 AM and dismissal will not begin until 3:00/3:05 PM.

  Morning Arrivals

  West Parish
  In the morning, if parents want to drop off their K-4 child on Pleasant Street, please note that parents cannot exit the car. Staff members will assist your child, and you will be asked to move along to keep traffic flowing.

O’Maley
For morning arrival at O’Maley, please pull up in front of the Main Office to drop your child off. Students will play in the courtyard (supervised) until it is time to go inside.

Afternoon Dismissal

West Parish
At 3:00 PM, the after-school program will be dismissed to a classroom where they will be checked in for confirmation of attendance and then proceed to the YMCA.

ALL other students will proceed toward the main entrance and the busses on Smith Street. Any parents who have pre-approved walker arrangements with the Principal need to be outside the main entrance to meet their child at that time.

• Students being picked-up by parents will be brought to O’Maley and exit the busses in the parking lot. Parents need to be parked in the designated area in the O’Maley parking lot.

  o If you pick-up your child:

  • §  Shut off your ignition; this is MA State Law;

  • §  There are new students and new staff; please have your child(ren)’s name(s) on

    a sign in your windshield. We may also ask for identification as we get to know students and families. We appreciate this extra effort even with our returning students.

  • §  Exiting the car and approaching the drop-off area will expedite the pick-up process.

  • §  We care about your children’s safety and as mandated reporters we take our jobs seriously. Please have your children ride in the car according to state law i.e. car seats, booster seats, seat belts etc. Thank you for your assistance!

• Pathways students will ride a bus to O’Maley and then get on the Pathways bus.

  O’Maley
  All Grade 5 students will be dismissed from the Cafeteria door and immediately board a school bus, a YMCA bus or be picked up. Grade 5 parents should also park in the parking lot and either meet your child at the door or have him/her walk to you. Please indicate your preference in a note to the teacher.

  In conclusion, I would like to share a few “Thank You”s. The following parents helped make the Open House a success: Lisa Groleau, Jim & Kerri Lee Cooke, Jeff & Amy Greaves, Graziella Paone, Tracy Lowhters, Kristin Rattray and Lori Smith. Tadhg Morgan and his crew from Windover Construction helped us in June and will again help us tomorrow with the few remaining whiteboards, flag holders and shelves that need to be attached to the walls. Their generosity of time after their workday is greatly appreciated! Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank all the West Parish families who helped on our work day in June and all the staff and their family and friends who donated countless hours to creating warm and inviting classrooms at both West Parish locations.

  I am looking forward to a wonderful year, please contact me at any time with ideas, questions or concerns or just to introduce yourself!!

  Warmly,
  Dr. Telena Imel Principal