News From Our Superintendent and Our Principal

Newsletter from the Superintendent

Superintendent’s Message – July 2010

Dear Parents,                                                    July 26, 2010

On behalf of the Taft Staff and our Board of Education, I hope and trust your summer has been exciting, safe, and rewarding.  The purpose of our letter is to welcome everyone back to school and provide important information to ensure a smooth beginning to the year, as well as to a successful educational year for all our students.

First, I would like to thank Mrs. Doran, Mrs. Richards, Ms. Carter, and Mr. Lemons for their hard work and commitment throughout the summer in assuring that Taft School is ready for this school year.  In addition to the usual washing, waxing, and painting, we are tackling two significant building projects.  These include repairs and coating of the auditorium roof, as well as the removal and eventual replacement/restore of decorative stone around the outside of the building.

Taft’s financial situation continues to be monitored closely.  There has been slight improvement in our overall fund balances; however we remain cautiously optimistic.  The news at the State level remains ominous.  The district is still owed approximately $100,000 in transportation and special education reimbursement from the last school year.  We most likely will not receive these payments, as well future reimbursement being questionable.  We’re also projecting a decrease in General State Aid, but please remember one variable that is factored into this amount is consistent student attendance.

Registration, Registration, and Registration.  Please, please, please…  This process has improved over previous years; however we currently have 266 students officially registered which means at least paperwork has been returned.  Serious decisions regarding class sizes and number of sections are dependent upon current registration information.  Class lists and hiring considerations are being delayed until additional enrollment information is formally received by the district.  If you have not completed the registration process, please do so. 

Once again, welcome back as we look forward to an educationally rewarding year.  Please be assured that the district remains committed to a balanced budget, as well as providing the best educational environment possible for your children.

David A. Rogowski, Superintendent

Newsletter from the Principal

Principal's Message - June 2010

Dr. Kim Sekulich

Thank you. We extend a special thank you to PTA for providing refreshments for the Running Into a Healthy Summer Event.  We thank Tanya Hopper (owner of Jazzercise in Lockport) for leading our students in warm-up stretches to music in the gym.  Special thanks to the Running Day Planning Committee:  Mrs. Brandt, Coach Howard, Ms. Rogers, Mrs. Thompson, and Ms. Valcik.

Summer Packets. As a way of welcoming our students to the next grade level and helping them to prepare for that grade level during the summer, the teachers have created summer packets.  1st grade teachers prepared a packet to give to current kindergarten students; 2nd grade teachers prepared a packet to give to current 1st grade students; 3rd grade teachers prepared a packet to give to current 2nd grade students; 4th grade teachers prepared a packet to give to current 3rd grade students; 5th grade teachers prepared a packet to give to current 4th grade students; and jr high teachers prepared a packet to give to current 5th grade students. 

Students who complete their packets and return them when they come to school in August will receive a certificate of completion, and have their name displayed on the bulletin board in the main entrance.

Registration.  If you have not already done so, please return your registration packet for the upcoming school year.  Enrollment information is vital for us to determine class sizes and the number of sections needed.  Prompt return of the registration packets will enable us to make these decisions earlier rather than having to wait until August. 

During the summer, we will mail you a newsletter that will contain important information about the new school year.  The first day of school for students in grades 1-8 will be August 23rd.  The first day of school for kindergarten students will be August 24th.

Thank you for the pleasure of working with your children and you throughout the school year.  We appreciate all of your wonderful support.