Since assuming my new position in the district in July, I have enjoyed learning more about all of our schools, staff, and students. One way in which I have made progress is by learning about the two grants from the federal government I will administer. Both grants will enable our schools to make progress toward specific goals that we will accomplish and that will make us a stronger district.

Our receiving the REMS grant, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools, will award us $90,000. The goals of the grant are to create plans to prepare for infectious disease outbreaks, to improve staff knowledge of emergency management policies, to plan for sustainability and continuous improvement including a train-the-trainer program known as HELP-Heuristic Emergency Learning Practices program, to increase parent and student education/communication regarding emergency preparedness, and to improve facilities security and communications capability. This grant will continue through 2009.

Through the use of TaskStream, a web-based curriculum management package, our teachers are preparing lessons and units that will enable them to continue instruction in the case of long-term school closure. Students at all grade levels will receive instruction on the use of TaskStream. Workshops will also be held for parents on both the education procedures and on general crisis preparedness and infectious disease outbreak procedures.

A second grant, the Carol M. White PEP grant, Physical Education Program, will award nearly one million dollars to the New Fairfield Public Schools over the next three school years through 2011. The goals of this grant are to provide model physical education instruction and assessment strategies to help students understand, improve and/or maintain their physical well-being; to improve teachers' capabilities to implement a physical education curriculum that is rich in lifelong fitness activities; and to provide instruction in healthy eating habits and good nutrition for students.

Ensuring that all students and staff are aware of our comprehensive health and physical education program that will include 20 essential indicators, and measuring our success through an evaluation instrument called the Comprehensive Physical Education Profile (C-PEP) will be accomplished with the PEP grant. Using this evaluation instrument will link the written, taught, and tested curriculum with staff development. All changes in the curriculum will be accompanied by staff development, all of which is covered through the grant monies.

I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of all students and staff in the district this year and am available to assist as needed. I can be reached at 312-5753. I hope that your first weeks of schools are off to a promising start: I am very proud of the New Fairfield Public Schools and truly believe that the dedicated staff members have the needs of all learners in mind. Continue to take advantage of all that is offered through the New Fairfield Public Schools-for you and your family.