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Dear Lawton Students, Families, and Staff,
As the new Principal of Lawton Elementary, I would like to welcome you to the 2010 – 2011 school year! I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team, and it is an honor and a privilege to serve the Lawton Community.
I have felt truly welcomed, and I’ve enjoyed meeting with members of the staff to begin formulating an understanding of the strengths and challenges of the Lawton Community. I have heard a consistent voice expressing our passion and dedication for high quality instruction, and I am impressed by Lawton’s commitment to arts in education.
For the past ten years as a teacher in both New York City and in Seattle, I have been intrinsically motivated by a love of children and the respect I hold for being an instrumental part of their development and learning. My work as an educator has always been rooted in the belief that each and every child deserves a high quality education and that the most important determinant of a high quality education is the relationship and level of rigor that takes place in the classroom between the teacher and the student. Additionally, I value strong relationships and work to develop collaboration between parents, community members, and educators as a powerful support system in nurturing a child’s development.
As the new school year begins, I am excited about developing and sustaining partnerships with all stakeholders to foster and promote positive outcomes for students. I am committed to actively listening and learning from every person. My number one priority this year is to continue to maximize and sustain the strengths of Lawton Elementary and to identify possible areas for us to grow. Lawton is a magnificent school and has demonstrated excellence in educating children. I am truly amazed by all the wonderful student opportunities within ONE school, each addressing and meeting the diverse learning styles and needs through the Spectrum, Contemporary, and Inclusion Services.
My role as the Principal is to ensure a safe environment where compassion and respect is understood and felt by all, and to ensure a quality education for every child at Lawton. I believe in promoting a school climate where children feel safe taking risks socially, emotionally, and academically. As the school leader, I will model and communicate positive behavior expectations that will contribute to a learning environment where every child can reach their fullest potential.
I welcome your feedback, comments, and questions. My door is always open. You will find me greeting families in the front of the building in the morning and saying good-bye on the playground in the afternoon. I also plan on hosting informal meetings in our staff lounge on Fridays from 9:30 to 10:30 until Thanksgiving, as a way for us to get further acquainted, please join me on September 10th.
Lawton is a wonderful school strengthened by our dedicated teachers and staff, loving families that share their children with us every day, our diverse community, and the great programs we have in place. We are committed to your child’s success!
Sincerely,
Christine Helm, Principal
