From+our+Principal

//** From our Principal **//
Happy 2011 to everyone! Last week we received the Keystone Award for achieving AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) on the PSSA's for the past two years in a row. This success is only possible when everyone comes together to support our children. In March, we will begin our annual PSSA testing once again. We are busy in school with lessons that imbed the strategies our students need to score in the proficient and advanced range. At home, families can also be a part of the team by making sure students are doing homework, resting, and eating right. Ask your child what today's PSSA Word of Day was...make it a big deal to ask them what strategies they used in class each day, and read with your children. Research shows that children whose parents engage in reading with them on a regular basis tend to score higher on standardized tests than those who do not.

This week we mailed home information about our newly-forming SAC, School Advisory Council. We are seeking nominations for membership on this committee. We urge you to nominate yourself or another community member. Elections will be held during the first week of February. I am looking forward to working together to keep Cook-Wissahickon one of the most successful schools in the city!

The School District of Philadelphia sent home information for parents in the event that there is a delayed opening due to inclement weather. Please do not call the school to find out if school is delayed or closed. We cannot handle the call volume. You can find out this information by watching local TV stations, listening to KYW (1060AM) radio, or by visiting the school district website at www.philasd.org. Do not send students to school before 8:15 a.m. on a regular day or before 10:15 a.m. when there is a two-hour delay.

Please make sure your children come to school in uniform every day. We have been experiencing more students lately coming to school wearing blue jeans. We have begun to issue warning letters and will make phone calls home when a student is not wearing the uniform. Students who receive a third warning letter will be banned from school activities for the remainder of the school year. Thank you for your cooperation!


 * Karen L. Thomas,**
 * Cook-Wissahickon School Principal**