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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

Each school year, students in grades Kindergarten – Ninth Grade take the
tests in September/October, January and April/May. This year, teachers
will share information about MAP results during parent-teacher
conferences in November.

The tests will be taken using a computer.  Most students spend about
40-50 minutes completing these tests in each subject area. MAP tests are
unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of
learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed
and maintain a positive attitude toward testing.  And with MAP tests, we
can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still
receiving detailed, accurate information about your child’s growth.

Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade are given a test with audio
support, which reads the test items aloud to the students. Some older
students who struggle with reading take this test as well.

We are truly excited to have a new tool available to our teachers and
students that will help us focus on every child’s individual growth and
achievement.  Consistently tracking student progress and using that data
to help improve student achievement is a key strategy of Seattle Public
Schools’ strategic plan, Excellence for All.

Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to ensure an
excellent education for your child. For more information about MAP,
including resources for parents and guardians,
click on this Link to MAP  on the Seattle Public Schools website
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/mapassess/index.dxml

For an overview of the primary test with audio support, click on this
link.
http://www.nwea.org/sites/www.nwea.org/files/tutorials/primary-warmup/in
dex.html
The Warm-Up will be done with all Kindergarten and 1st grade students at
school to introduce them to MAP and may be completed at home as well.

 –from Dr. Goodloe-Johnson’s letter to the Lawton community:  

September 8, 2010
SLOW START – Kindergartners only - Students with last names beginning with  A – L begin school today and stay home on Thursday 9/9. All students attend on Friday. 

September 9, 2010
SLOW START – Kindergartners only - Students with last names beginning with  M – Z stay home on Wednesday 9/8 and begin school on Thursday 9/9. All students attend on Friday.

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