The main topic of discussion on Wednesday will be home-school and school-home communication.  We will talk about the importance of addressing your concerns with teachers and administrators, how we deal with parent concerns, and out interest in doing better in every aspect of communication.

I also anticipate providing an update on the April School Referendum.

Recently the Green Bay Area Public Schools (GBAPS) board passed a new bullying and/or harassment policy.  Cyber bullying is now a behavior that can and will be investigated by school administrators.  Using the internet to bully or harass other students will not be tolerated by the GBAPS.

 Possible consequences;

·         suspension

·         expulsion

·         police notification (fines/citations may be issued) 

We encourage you as parents/guardians to be aware of what your children are doing when they are on the internet for their safety and the safety of others.  Please explain this new policy with your children and the consequences of bullying or harassing someone else in school or on the internet.  Please reinforce with your children the detrimental effects and harm that can come from bullying and harassment as well as the educational and possible legal implications of engaging in this behavior.

Cyber bullying includes but is not limited to the following misuses of technology:

·         harassment, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person or group of people by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings, including blogs or any other messages via cyberspace.

If your child is the victim of cyber bullying or any form of bullying or harassment please contact your child’s teacher, building administrator, social worker, counselor or any staff member for help.

We believe the most effective way to keep children safe is by working together and giving children a consistent message on what is safe and appropriate behavior.  Thank you for supporting our efforts by encouraging your children how to use technology, appropriately.

Questions about the referendum, including exactly what is proposed for the facilities and technology improvements/repairs and where they will be made are welcome, and in fact, needed.  As the principal of Green Bay East, and as a twenty-year employee of this district, I have a great amount of pride in how our schools and our students have been supported by the community, and I relish every opportunity I have to help explain what we are doing and what we propose for the students and community needs that we are entrusted to serve.

My email address is edorff@greenbay.k12.wi.us and I would be delighted to hear from you at any time about any matter, but especially now with this very important referendum question looming on the horizon.

A final note today:  there will be a meeting on Thursday February 18th at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Building for people who are willing to serve as “key communicators” about the referendum.  Those of us who attend will learn the major point of the referendum so that we can engage our friends and neighbors in the community with the most accurate information available.  If you would be interested and willing to join me and the other East “key communicators for this session, please respond to me via email or by phone.  I hope to have several parents, staff members and students represent East and then be prepared to talk with others about the referendum.

The April referendum will ask voters to approve a bond issue for 16.7 million dollars to cover the costs of much needed building and facilities repairs that had to be deferred and to pay for the cost of critical technology upgrades.  I hope we will have a good showing of parents.  There are lots of questions to ask, and Dr. Maass is the best one to answer them.

Here is the schedule for our First Semester Exams:

Wednesday January 13

Period 1: 7:30 - 9:00

Period 2: 9:10 - 10:40

Period 4: 10:50 - 12:20

Teacher Work Time: 12:20 - 3:15

Thursday January 14

Period 3: 7:30 - 9:00

Period 7: 9:10 - 10:40

Period 5: 10:50 - 12:20

Teacher Work Time: 12:20 - 3:15

Friday January 15

Period 8: 7:30 - 9:00

Period 6: 9:10 - 10:40

Teacher Work Time: 10:40 - 3:15

Cafeteria breakfast and lunch will be served on Wednesday and Thursday.

Breakfast only will be served on Friday.

Students are to remain within the classroom for the entire testing period.

Students are to leave the building or report to either the Cafeteria or 001 Study Hall when not testing.

Mr. Christy, our school “Web Master” has uploaded the profile onto our school’s web site, and I want to provide a link here on my blog.

http://www.greenbayeasthighschool.com/forms/EHS_profile.pdf

It’s a Great Day to be A Red Devil!!