The Principal's Office

December News

December 2008

 

“Principal”ly Speaking

Dear Varner Families,

 

          I am sure that December will be just as busy for you as it will be for me and the rest of the Varner staff.  While we all enjoy the holiday season, it often brings us stress and a very hectic schedule.  Many times, our children are the first to react to the changes in schedule and stressors of the season.  The staff at Varner is working very hard to maintain a consistent school routine and a calm atmosphere for the month of December.  Up until the week before the Winter Holiday Break we are planning on keeping interruptions and distractions to a minimum.  I hope this season will be one of peace and happiness for you and your family.

 

          I am so thankful that here at Varner we have such a wonderful community and fabulous family involvement.  The attendance at our Thanksgiving Feast and Winter Festival was incredible!  It was a pleasure to meet so many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.  Linda Mallam, our Food Services Manager, and her staff did an outstanding job preparing and serving the Thanksgiving Feast.  PTA did a great job with the Winter Festival which included the Reindeer Run, breakfast with Santa, student performances and even horses!  This event included McEchern H.S. students, Beta Club students, local “Santa” and a full breakfast for 300 donated by Waffle House on

Florence

rd.   It was great to see so many of our teachers here on a Saturday supporting their students.

 

          At a time when society is placing great value in what you can have or get, here at Varner our students are learning about the joy of giving.  In November our students donated over 600 cans of food to help those in need.  Letters have been written to our troops in

Iraq

and to Veterans here at home.  Once December started the giving tree was placed in the front lobby.  This tree is full of wishes from families who are going through tough times.  We understand the impact the current economic status has on everyone, therefore we decided to involve the children in raising the money for the “tree’s wishes”  All they had to do was purchase a link for 25 cents or 5 links for $1 and their links would be made into a chain that would decorate their classroom doors.  A quarter at a time we have already raised over $1,200 for the families in need.  I believe this is more a measure of our success than any standardized test.  Our children have proven that despite their limited resources they can also make a difference in this world a quarter at a time.  Continue to embrace this quality in your children because no matter what happens, your child depends on you! 

 

          During the rush of the holiday season, I hope you can find time to spend with your family and friends.  On behalf of the staff here at Varner, I wish you a safe and peaceful holiday season.  I look forward to a wonderful year at Varner in 2009!

 

Happy Holidays!

Ana P. Crommett

Principal

A note from the Principal

Dear Parents,

A BIG welcome back to a wonderful new school year!  I hope you and your family had a fun, restful and educational (I had to put that in!) summer!

We will continue to utilize the five Lifelong Guidelines that you have heard your children mention.  These are: Trustworthiness, Truthfulness, Active Listening, no Put-Downs, and Personal Best.  Please ask them to recite the pledge used  daily during morning announcements

I want to take this time to remind you of how critical you are to the success of your child.   Our staff “theme” this year is YOU ARE THE ESSENTIAL PIECE.    A poem written by Karen Hegeman captures this theme.  I would add to it parents and community members.

Essential Piece

Schools are like jigsaw puzzles. Each edge piece of a puzzle interlocks with two others to form the puzzle's framework and give structure and support to the puzzle as a whole. Each piece has a unique design and cut that ensure just the right place to fit within the puzzle. Each morning, staff members form the edge pieces that interlock to create a safe environment and give support to each other and the whole. Each morning, they provide just the "right place" for each of the students to fit safely and securely. The staff members are strength and stability, and like the edge pieces, they do not stand alone in this responsibility. There are always others to support and assist, ensuring that each and every student has a place.          

–Karen Hegeman

Together we can provide the support each student needs.  Together we can make a difference by joining PTA and supporting their activities. Together we will contribute to increased student achievement.  I encourage you to volunteer and be a part of this wonderful “puzzle” we call Varner Elementary School.

Sincerely, 

Ana Pardo Crommett

Principal             

Summer Schedule

SUMMER SCHEDULE

June 30 – July 11 

School Closed due to maintenance

Week of July 14^th ( Monday-Thursday)

School is open from 7:30- 3:00 p.m. for registration and CRCT pick up

Weeks of July 21^st and July 28th 

School is open from 7:30 – 3:30 for registration and CRCT pick up

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION

July 22^nd  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.   

August 7^th ( Thursday)

Sneak A Peak   1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Class lists posted 12:45 p.m.

December Newsletter

Click on the links below to open the english or spanish version of the December Newsletter

English:
Download dec1. 2007.doc

Spanish:
Download dec1. 2007-span.doc

RSS / emails

Parents
The service that we use to automatically notify you when the blog is updated has changed their terms of service in such a way that an ad will begin showing up at the bottom of the email that comes to you.  Your email address is still not being shared with anyone other than the school!  The mere placement of advertising in school communications is of concern to us, especially since we have no control over what the ad may be.

We are exploring other means of providing this service to you at this time.  For now, we ask your patience as we work through the concern.  In the meantime, if you receive an ad that is objectionable to you, we would appreciate your notifying the school, and holding onto it so that it may be forwarded to proper personnel.

Thank you for your patience!"

New Administration

What a busy summer it has been!!!  I am excited to be your Principal at Varner this year.  Mrs. Whalen was transferred to Sope Creek Elementary and I came from Lewis Elementary in North West Cobb. I feel I am a Viking already!

I was born in Cuba and raised in Puerto Rico; therefore Spanish is my first language.  I have been in education for over 20 years.  My experiences have been in Puerto Rico, Smyrna, East Cobb and Kennesaw.  I have two children, a daughter 21 years old who is a senior at Harvard and a son 17 who is a senior at Walton High School.

We also have a new Assistant Principal; Ms. Monica Howard, who comes from SkyView Elementary.  Ms. Howard and our highly qualified staff will continue to provide your children with Performance Based Instruction and high expectations.  They work very hard to provide your children with a safe and nurturing environment where they can learn and thrive. 

Our mission will continue to be “to promote academic excellence and responsible citizenship”.  We can’t do it without your support.  Parents are a valuable resource to their children and valued partners to their teachers.  Partnership between school and home is the one constant indicator of student success.

The PTA is a great example of this partnership.  Their motto “Teaming up for a Grand Slam” shows their commitment in making sure all Varner students profit from their efforts.  Please join the PTA and support their activities and also their business sponsors who are so valuable to our school.   Let’s have 100% membership this year.

I look forward to working with you this academic year.  Let us all provide that safe harbor for all our students.

   

Go Vikings!!!

   

Mrs. Ana P. Crommett

Principal

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