Welcome to the 2007-2008 School Year at Pinewood Elementary!

Pinewood staff and I are excited to begin a new school year with students! Plans are under way to offer a challenging and rewarding year of learning to every child. Pinewood is a school with high expectations for student learning and a respectful, safe and caring place to learn. Ongoing support from parents and staff and a firm belief in each child’s ability to be successful will help our children to excel at high levels. There is a continuous emphasis on improvement and lifelong learning for students and staff. Everyone “Believes and Achieves” at Pinewood!

Challenging Students to Do Their Best

During the upcoming year, teachers will guide students in developing essential literacy skills in reading, math and writing. Time and staff will be used efficiently to reduce instructional group size and differentiate instruction to best meet student needs during these core learning areas. Teachers will also use different strategies to provide additional practice or extend learning, based upon student needs. Student growth will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and instruction will be adjusted to maximize student achievement.

Reaching New Levels of Reading Achievement: Join “Team Read”!

One of the best predictors of reading success is the amount of reading that a child does outside of the school day. Pinewood students will be invited to participate in “Team Read”, a school wide theme to increase independent reading throughout the upcoming school year. Monthly events will be planned to promote and encourage independent reading as a positive lifelong habit. Participating students will also be honored as members of the Pinewood School Reading Hall of Fame. This program kicks off in September!

Opportunities to Enrich Student Learning

Student learning will be enriched through daily experiences with Pinewood specialists in art, music, physical education or science. This year, a part-time library /media specialist will also be available to support our library and technology needs. Our students will benefit from a range of lessons and experiences in these content areas!

“Project Lead the Way” Continues at Pinewood

Mounds View is joining districts across the country in renewing a commitment to prepare students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Nationally, this is referred to as the STEM initiative. At the elementary level, a smaller component of our STEM improvements is a nationally reputed program designed to increase the number, quality, and diversity of students pursuing careers as engineers. During the ’06-07 year, Mounds View became the first school district in the nation to pilot a ”Project Lead the Way” curriculum for students at the elementary level. The project was piloted at Pinewood Elementary and Bel Air Elementary in New Brighton. This program will expand during the upcoming year and be implemented during science specialist lessons. Watch for an update on this unique opportunity to integrate science, math and technology throughout the year!

Join the Fun! Volunteer to Support Pinewood Students and Programs

Parents and community members are invited to share their talents in making the 2007-2008 year an outstanding one at Pinewood! Come and be part of the excitement as we provide a wide range of special programs and experiences to benefit our children. Join the Pinewood PTA, work in classrooms, or volunteer to support special events throughout the year. Working as a team, we can provide the best learning opportunities possible to our Pinewood children!

Yours for a fantastic year of learning ahead,

Bill Book

Principal