August 6, 2009

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you back to our new school year here at Independence. As we approach this new academic year, I am eager to continue working with each of you toward improving all aspects of our academic life and pursuing a continued ethos of school-wide progress. Moreover, I am hopeful that we might continue to renew our partnership as we embark together on another academic year. I look forward to working alongside teachers , students and parents to continue forwarding Independence’s tradition of superb academic achievement and pushing Independence’s commitment to school-wide success to a new level.

In addition, I look forward to listening to your concerns, gathering your input, and meeting with you in person to make sure that the needs of Independence students are continuously met by our staff as a whole. Likewise, I hope to make sure that all channels of communication are open between us and seek to ensure that school-wide collaboration occurs in a highly contiguous fashion. That way, the necessary improvements to our school may be made in the timeliest and most efficient of manners. Moreover, I look forward to celebrating more frequently the achievements of our wonderful staff and look forward to acknowledging each of you for all of the hard work that you provide each day in order to make Independence a better workplace for each of us, an inviting setting for colleagues and friends, and an excellent learning environment for our valley’s students.

I hope this summer gave you the opportunity to do the things that you enjoy, share good times with family and friends, and get plenty of rest and relaxation. In the meantime, I would like to update you on the latest changes to the Independence community from the district office:

First, I want to alert you to several changes within the administration. Please join me in warmly welcoming our new Villa B Dean, Dr. Gerri Forte, who is making her return to Independence. Tony Dao has taken over the reigns of Villa C, while Greg Meissner will continue presiding over Villa D. We continue to struggle with district budget cuts in the current economic climate, and this has meant a number of additional challenges for the Independence community. As of today, a number of positions that we were previously accustomed to, have been cut. The receptionist position has been eliminated, and Independence is now using an automated telephone system to receive incoming phone calls. Please be patient during this transition.

In addition, we are currently lacking a book room clerk. However, we have a temporary solution in place to address this situation. Every teacher will be able to bring their classes to check out their books through an appointment mechanism. Currently, staff are working in this area to ensure that the assignment of books to students at the beginning of the semester proceeds as efficiently as possible. I would also like to inform you that as of today the technicians are not back in the district. As a result, the district has assigned a technician to Independence on rotating service. If you need technical help in any way with your computer, you will be required to fill out a work order through the district’s help desk. Unfortunately, the career technician position was also eliminated, and we are currently working to address the challenges posed by the absence of that position. This coming year will be challenging without a doubt, as it will be difficult to make up for the loss of these valuable positions; however, I am confident that we will come together and help each other out as we tackle any challenges that might present themselves this upcoming academic year. Indeed, I look forward to witnessing the positive advancement of our school in the days and months ahead. Now that the summer is winding down, I hope that you are all energized and rejuvenated for the upcoming school year. Go sixers!!!

--Mrs. Grettel Castro-Stanley