Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians:
Welcome to the Goddard website. I encourage you to take a few minutes to explore our site and familiarize yourself with all the information available. I also hope you will get a sense of what makes Goddard a great place for students to learn and grow.
The 2009-2010 school year will be a mix of old and new. I’m delighted to be the new principal of Goddard. While I will be taking on a new position, I’m not new to Goddard. This year marks my fifteenth year in Littleton Public Schools. I began my LPS career as a sixth grade math and science teacher at Goddard. Six years in the classroom were followed by five years as an assistant principal at GMS. For the past three years I have been principal of Wilder, an LPS elementary school that feeds into Goddard. Returning to Goddard is a welcome home with the promise and energy of new and returning students, families, and staff.
In the old, but very important category, are the priorities established by Dr. Oaks and worked on diligently by the Goddard staff and community:
· To promote academic rigor and continuous growth in student achievement;
· To support excellence in special instructional programs, including English as a Second
· Language, Gifted and Talented Education, Special Education, Reading, and Technology;
· To improve communications with parents and our community;
· To improve the appearance and physical condition of our school building and campus;
· To continue to provide a safe school environment.
These goals provide the foundation for a first-rate school and will keep Goddard moving in a positive direction.
In the new category:
· All fifth, sixth, and ninth grade language classrooms throughout the district will have Eee computers. These student laptops will help bring 21st Century Learning to our classrooms.
· The Public Education Business Coalition will provide staff develop throughout the 2009-2010 school year to support our writing focus of “Using Evidence to Support Ideas.”
· All teachers will focus on vocabulary instruction.
We are most appreciative of district support for these initiatives.
In the continuing category:
· First and foremost is our appreciation of the strong home and school connection. Once again we will partner with PTO to raise funds for student technology and other student needs. Next time you are in the building, take a look at the new climbing wall made possible by PTO and your generosity.
· The “Positive Behavior Support” program will continue to guide our efforts to promote positive, responsible and respectful student behavior and build a welcoming school climate. Yes, we are PR2 and proud of it!
· Our teachers will continue to work together in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to improve instruction and increase student achievement. Thank you for supporting the late-start schedule to support our PLC work. Many of this year’s late-starts will be used for staff development in writing. Our partnership with the Public Education Business Coalition is the perfect match for our focus on writing.
In the old and new category:
I look forward to catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones.
Kathleen Ambron
Principal, Goddard Middle School