The first day of school at Whitehead

What a wonderful start to a new school year. The students arrived to purple balloons at the entrance ways . We meet together as a school family in the multi purpose room to learn about our new school wide WHALE behaviors . 

Ask your child to tell you what the letters in W. H. A. L. E. stand for at our school.

Students are welcomed back to a new school year.

Families gather at the morning line up spot , waiting for the start of a new school year .

A family finds out their teacher's name from the JWES computer teacher.

Students entering their 3rd grade classroom.

1st graders take a tour of the school and meet the many staff members that are here to help them at school.

Every class practiced their evacuation/ fire drill on the first day of school.

Lunchtime !

This year we have added more adult teachers outside on duty to give students more adult help at recess.

On the playground at recess time .

What an awesome start to what will be a wonderful school year !!

PFA Purchases a New School Sign

The PFA at Whitehead ES purchased a new sign for our front entrance. Thank you parents for brining a new marquee to our campus. 

Our new sign will welcome back families at the start of this new school year. 

The new sign will be able to display messages for our families on both sides.

The old sign has welcomed visitors to Whitehead for many wonderful years.

Getting the scoop on your teacher !

Enjoying ice cream was one way over 70 families helped to support our school. 

Parents, and family members spent time getting to know each other at the PFA ice cream social.

Last night as I was welcoming families to the PFA ice cream social when I found myself smiling with joy .  All of a sudden our silent summer hallways were filled with laughter.  I wait all summer to hear that sound... the sound of students and the start of a new school year. For a principal , the first day of school is like Christmas morning. I get excited, and nervous and can't sleep the night before from anticipation of the 500 beautiful gifts we will receive on the first day of school . After seeing so many smiling faces last night, I am so excited for a new year to begin ! 

Ladybugs spotted at Whitehead

Our wonderful teachers returned to Whitehead today, to an infestation of ladybugs. Ladybug cupcakes, ladybug puppets, and ladybug erasers. The most important ladybugs were 13 brand new "Ladibug" document cameras that come to our classrooms thanks to a grant provided to our school from The EL Cord Foundation. 

These new technology teaching tools will connect to the computer and the LCD projector and allow teachers and students to project books or iPad images up on the big screen to just name one of the many uses. These visual supports will help to increase student engagement during instruction . So look for the "Ladibug" in your child's classroom and ask him/her how they are using it to learn.

The "Ladibug" document camera .

Today's meeting gave our teachers and staff members a chance to develop PBIS school wide expectations, and begin to discuss how to best integrate technology into teaching and learning. 

Field Day, A Fun Day For All! 2013

Our 6th graders were wonderful leaders and helped the younger kids at each game station. All of the students were well behaved , played fair and had a great time ! 

Waiting to hear your number called in basketball relay .

Rolling down the hill on the scooters.

Working as a team in the water relay. Ah nice cold water on a summer day !

Getting a hit in tennis baseball ! 

Weeeeeeeee! 

6th graders as the leaders of each field day station , well done.

Heading out to Field Day, beautiful weather. 

Cold water tug a war 

6th grade Celebration 2013

Last week we were entertained by our 6th grade chorus, band and orchestra. How quickly our students became musicians this year. The music was beautiful !

Then this week we got to take a moment out of our busy day and celebrate our 6th grade class as they finish their elementary school years and head onto middle school. 3 students were chosen to share their  favorite memory about Whitehead. I am so proud of how mature our three speakers were, it's not easy to speak In front of a large group, well done ! The ceremony ended with a slide show, how these great kids have grown ! Well done Mrs. Squires, Mrs. Hainline and Mrs. Cameron !

Kindergarten Celebration 2013

My favorite job as a principal is celebrating our Kindergartens as they finish their first year of elementary school. They come into school as little boys and girls and leave as independent readers, writers and thinkers. Today our Kindergarteners put on a wonderful show filled with their singing and dancing and joy for entertaining. Great Job Mrs. Grow and Mrs. Steele !!