As I was reviewing the information, I wanted to share the following that may be useful in your review: • The Brownsville set was priced in 2008 and ordered in 2009 while the Crozet set was priced and installed this year. There has been a significant increase (17% according to the vendor) in the cost of play ground equipment since that time due to the increased prices of plastic and metal. • We did obtain very favorable pricing for the Crozet play set by partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools (noted as FCPS on the attachment), the largest school division in the Commonwealth. The Crozet set was installed using FCPS pricing, and the vendor used was the lowest bidder. • The Brownsville site did not require the demolition and removal of an existing set, which accounted for $8,000 of the cost of the Crozet set. … Since there is room to expand the current Crozet Elementary play set, we would welcome an opportunity to work with a Committee, if external funding sources can be obtained, to add additional components to the play area. After you have had an opportunity to review the attached information, please let me know if you have additional questions, or if you would like to begin the process of forming a Committee to explore options for adding other play components to the existing play set at Crozet Elementary School.
Walking to School – Do you Do it?
Interesting article at the Wall Street Journal this morning discussing walking to school . I’ve noticed more people walking to Crozet Elementary this year, which I’ll chalk up as a good thing. (read more at my new favorite blog, Free Range Kids )
Register for Kindergarten in Crozet
I know, it’s really early to be thinking about this, but apparently it’s good to get registered for kindergarten now: A note from Mrs. Marcus: If you know of any family with a rising Kindergarten student, please make sure they have registered for next year. Teachers are hired based on the number of registered students and as of now, there are only 35 rising Kindergartners at Crozet Elementary! … Families whose first language is other than English should contact the International & ESOL Office at 434-296-6517.
Help Pick Crozet Elementary’s New Principal
Karen Marcus is retiring at the end of this school year after an amazing 38-year career in education. We are beginning the search for a new principal for Crozet Elementary School, and you have the opportunity to be part of the process.
Our Human Resources department wants your input about the qualities you would like to see in your new principal. … To offer input about your new principal, please visit the Crozet home page and click on the Principal Search link .
Albemarle County Announces Safe Routes to School Grant for Crozet Elementary
Approximately 177 of 305 students live within two miles of Crozet Elementary School and there are over 200 homes in neighborhood located within one-half mile of the school that will be able to take advantage of the new pedestrian features. In addition, the private Field School located directly across the street from Crozet Elementary will also be linked by the new sidewalk to neighborhoods north of downtown Crozet and will be served by the new crosswalk and warning sign features. … The Crozet PTO’s Walk to School program already sponsors monthly walks for children and their parents and supports the Safe Route project as a way to encourage active, healthy lifestyles among students, and the school administration is strongly committed to promoting alternative transportation for their students. … “Our goal is for families to feel comfortable allowing their students to walk or ride their bikes to school, and with the changes funded by this grant, we envision one-third to one-half of our student population now being able to safely walk to school.”
Crozet Housing Prices and School Quality
All the data in the world isn’t going to change my opinion, either as a Realtor or as a parent, that good, quality schools matter – to our kids and to our housing values.
…However, when purchasing a home, individuals do appear to consider the current test performance of students in the local school rather than the extent to which a community’s schools contribute to a cohort’s test performance.
… Brian Wheeler has presented a post with hard numbers – numbers that put into context what an increase in property taxes would mean for you – something that has been mostly lacking from most discussions I have read.
… … In an effort to get my head around the numbers, I have prepared the attached spreadsheet which evaluates (to the best of my ability with the data available) , the impact of the different budget scenarios and what different property tax rate increases necessary to close the funding gap.
News From Henley Middle School – 8 January 2010
I do encourage folks to at least scan the bolded parts (which I’ve done) – The School Budget Public Hearing will be on February 2, 2010 6:30 pm at the Albemarle County Office Building, Lane Auditorium (2nd floor). … Just look for the Box Tops for Education label on General Mills products. A list of all qualifying products can be found at the Box tops for Education website: http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx If you have any questions, please contact Susan Guerrant at [email protected] . … Sports, Current Events, and Open Art Studio) will end on Friday January 15th. · The next six week rotation will begin on January 25th. · Study Hall will be held throughout the transition period (Jan. 20, 21, and 22). · New Registration forms will be available the week of January 11th via the Henley website, Henley Matters, the main office and are attached above. · All classes will held for six week sessions pending enrollment of at least 12 students per class. … For more information and to register: (434) 975-9400 ext. 68032 or contact Sarah Blech, PREP/Parent Resource Center, (434) 975-9400 ext. 68032, [email protected] , www.prep-prc.org MARK YOUR CALENDAR (NEW DATES IN ITALICS) January 8, 8 th Grade Tour to CATEC and WAHS Counselors visit to Henley January 15 – End of 2 nd 9 weeks and 1 st Semester January 18 – Martin Luther King Day, No School January 19 th – Professional Learning Day for Teachers, No school January 27 – 8 th Grade Visit to WAHS February 2 – ACPS School Board Public Hearing: Proposed budget, FY 2010/11, 6:30 pm, Location TBD March 3 – Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: The County Executive’s recommended budget, Fiscal Year 2010/11, time TBA, Lane Auditorium, ACOB March 31 – Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: The BOS’s proposed budget, FY 2010/11 2010 calendar year tax rate, time TBA, Lane Auditorium, ACOB April 7 – Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: The BOS sets the 2010 calendar year tax rate.
News From Henley Middle School – 15 December 2009
Since most middle and high school students ride the same buses, not combining their schedules would have required a third bus run each day to bring middle school students home at 4:00 p.m. … The projected revenue shortfall for the 2010-11 school year is between $8 and $11 million, depending on the tax rate agreed to by the newly elected Board of Supervisors. … The board is pursuing a budget amendment at the state level to recalculate the county’s ability to pay for education based on the actual revenues on hand after the $18 million in revenue sharing is given to the city of Charlottesville. … Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 6:30 pm, Location TBD ACPS School Board Public Hearing: Proposed budget, FY 2010/11 Wednesday, March 3, 2010, time TBA, Lane Auditorium, ACOB Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: The County Executive’s recommended budget, Fiscal Year 2010/11 Wednesday, March 31, 2010, time TBA, Lane Auditorium, ACOB Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: The BOS’s proposed budget, FY 2010/11 2010 calendar year tax rate Wednesday, April 7, 2010, time TBA, Lane Auditorium, ACOB Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: The BOS sets the 2010 calendar year tax rate.
Support the WAHS Library – Buy books at Barnes and Noble
As much as I prefer to shop at local bookstores rather than chains, in light of the recession and the need for schools to earn money, the following presents an opportunity to support the Western Albemarle High School Library:* A book is a present you can open again and again!
…On those dates a percentage of all B&N purchases made with a WAHS voucher— including café and gift purchases —will be donated to the Western Albemarle High School Library Media Center ! … 12/13 @ 5:00 – Willie D-E singing original songs with guitar Far away friends and relatives can even support your child’s school library by taking the WAHS Book Fair ID number 583088 to any Barnes & Noble in the U.S . and making purchases on behalf of the WAHS Library from a distance! … In response to my question about what percentage of the proceeds actually go to Western, Clover Carroll, the school librarian kindly responded: “The more that is sold with WAHS vouchers on those dates (Dec. 12-14), the larger percentage we earn.
Walk to School Day in Crozet – Friday 20 November 2009
As far as I know, this is only for Crozet Elementary, but why not expand it to all schools in Charlottesville and Albemarle? If you’re in Old Trail, stop by Trailside Coffee on the way to Brownsville, Henley or Western Albemarle. If you’re in Downtown Crozet, stop by the Crozet Mudhouse. Make a good time of it!