August 2009

Dear Parents and Community of Edgemere,

Welcome back to another school year at the home of the Roadrunners. I am looking forward to starting another year with dedicated students, staff and community. I know this year will be a great success for everyone.

As we prepare to welcome back our students to another school year, we also need to reflect on the previous year.  We sadly say good-bye to several of our staff members. Mrs. Carol Empson retired, Mr. Marco Herrera and Mrs. Keithley Stanley transferred to EPISD to be closer to home. We are grateful for having them at Edgemere for a season.

This year Edgemere proudly received the status of "Exemplary", on the 2009 state tests. Our overall student performance was:  94% passing in Reading, 96% in Writing, 91% in Math, and 78% in Science. My expression of gratitude goes to all Edgemere teachers PreK-6th for their dedication to ensure our students' success.

We have been busy this summer getting ready for the 2009-2010 school year. We have temporarily moved out of the front the office so the remodeling can take place. Our office is now in the Keyboarding Lab in the 200 hall. The nurse's office is in the girls' locker room behind the gym and the counselor's office is in room 305. We are working hard so this temporary relocation does not  disrupt our students' learning. In addition, several of our staff members have changed teaching assignments. Mrs. Michelle Gamboa is now our Fine Arts teacher, Mrs. Angelica Vasquez has moved to third grade, Mrs. Jane Mooberry is now part of the first grade team and Mrs. Ginni Beaulieu is now the 5th grade reading teacher. We are currently in the process of selecting a fourth grade replacement for her. Additionally, we will be welcoming several new staff members to Edgemere. Mrs. Yvonne DeRouen will assume the position of Literacy Leader. She comes to us from  the University Of El Paso. Mrs. Carolina Kottmann who has assisted us many times as a substitute will now be a new addition to the Kindergarten team. Mrs. Michelle Delgado will be a joining the teachers in first grade. She has transferred from Parkland Elem. Joining our third grade team is Mrs. Irma Pinon who comes from Desertaire Elem. We also want to welcome our new Instructional Skills Class teacher, Mr. George Mendez and his two assistants, Ms. Rosana Palomino and Ms. Luzalva Velasquez. The unit is transferring from East Point Elem. Finally, Mrs. Sylvia Aguilar will be assisting Mrs. Herrada in our ISC II unit.

This year we will implement some changes in our school routines. Classes will begin at 7:40 am. The first bell will ring at 7:35 am. to allow students time to line up. Students who are not in class by the third bell at 7:50 am. will have to report to the office for a tardy slip. All tardies are unexcused. After three tardies lunch detention will be assigned.  In addition,  we will be implementing the Breakfast in the Classroom program.
 This program is a district and campus initiative to support our students towards being in school on time, having good attendance and achieving academic success. Beginning September 30, 2009 students will be served a free breakfast in the classroom at 7:40 am. Breakfast will run until 7:55 am. All students, whether eating breakfast or not are required to be in class for announcements by 7:40 am.

Our uniform policy will not change this year. Students will be wearing Docker style pants in kaki and navy blue color. The polo shirts will be the same as last year with colors that are representative of our school colors, bright yellow, white and dark green.

 As always our students' safety is a priority at Edgemere. We have several areas designated for student drop off.  The bus drop off zone is strictly designated for school buses and daycare vans. The drop off zone on Sally Brook is designated for parents who drive their kids to school. In addition remember that we have a gate on the side of Saigon Street to facilitate the entrance to our campus.  Please continue to use the drop off zone with patience and consideration of all the other families who use this area.

You may view the Edgemere (English and Spanish) and YISD Student/Parent Handbook on the internet. Or you may obtain a copy at the front office. If you have any questions that cannot be answered by these two handbooks, please feel free to come by or call the school at 434-4700. We will also continue to send the "Tuesday" folder to communicate  important school information of your children.

As the principal of Edgemere I will continue to dedicate my efforts  to building a strong relationship with the Edgemere Learning Community so that working together, we can continue the legacy of student success.

Respectfully,

Maria Maldonado
Principal