Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year! We are excited to have you back and to meet many new faces.

School Improvement Plan
A team of Oakdale staff worked again this summer to develop a new school improvement plan. The plan was designed to further our mission of “empowering students to gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed for success.” There will be a link to the plan on our homepage. Please take some time to read about our areas of focus this year. A copy of the plan will also go home with students in their “Friday Take Home Folder.” A copy of our Annual Report on last year’s School Improvement Plan is attached.

State test scores for some groups of students at Oakdale reveal that we have some work to do to improve math proficiency. We are taking a number of steps to ensure all students meet state proficiency requirements.

We are increasing mathematics instruction to 75 minutes per day.
In grades 2-5 students will be divided between grade level teachers for math instruction based on pre-test data for each unit.
Our math specialist will provide intervention to those students who are not proficient in specific strands of the state test (both during school and after school sessions will be planned).
Additional after school classes will be planned for students as needed.
Teachers will engage in ongoing professional development around curriculum, standards, and assessment in the are of mathematics.

After School Bus
We are trying something new at Oakdale this year. On a trial basis this fall we will be running an after school bus at 4 PM 2-3 times a week. There are several reasons for adding the bus. First, for the last few years we have had trouble getting students to attend our after school classes due to transportation. Second, some of our teachers would like to hold students after class to complete their homework. In addition, we are adding an after school detention to our behavior plan for 4th and 5th grade students. Finally, on occasion teachers would like some help after school from students.

Your child will never be held after school with out the school contacting you first. If your child rides that after school bus you will get information about the bus stop and approximate drop off time.

All School Morning Meeting
In 2005-2006 all classroom teachers implemented “Morning Meetings.” It is a daily routine that builds community, creates a positive climate for learning, and reinforces social and academic skills. In 2006-2007 we built on our classroom “Morning Meetings” and implemented monthly all school “Morning Meetings.” During the 2007-2008 school year these meetings will continue to build a sense of community and belonging among our entire student body, both essential to school success. Our all school “Morning Meeting” days will also be school spirit days. The Oakdale PTO will again be selling spirit wear early this school year. Look for more information soon!

School Behavior Expectations
In 2004-2005 a team of Oakdale staff developed a behavior plan to fit the “Responsive Classroom” philosophy. The Oakdale Behavior Plan is the guideline for handling day-to-day situations that require intervention with students. As part of the Responsive Classroom philosophy, teachers involve students in the rule making process in their own classrooms. Again this year class representatives will meet together to help craft our all-school rules for public areas. These rules will be based on Oakdale’s three core values of respect, responsibility, and cooperation. The plan also outlines consequences for not meeting expectations. At the end of the plan is an “Expectations Contract.” Please take some time to review the plan with your child, sign it, and return it to his or her classroom teacher.

It is important that the school and home work together as a team and support each other’s efforts to provide a quality learning and living environment for our children. I ask that you review these expectations at home and reinforce their value. In addition, we ask that you contact your child’s classroom teacher with any special needs.

Parent Involvement
Research shows that parents’ involvement in their child’s education is one of the most significant factors in success at school. Stay involved at school; check out the parent involvement section of our homepage for more information. We added a new section to the website that provides parenting tips from the country’s leading experts. Also look for the Reading Connection newsletter that comes home each month. It is packed full of fun and practical ideas for helping your child read at home. In addition, we have an active PTO with meetings the third Monday of the month.

Sincerely,

Peter Mau, principal

Principal

Peter Mau
821 Glenbrook Ave.
Oakdale, MN 55128
651-702-8500