Santa Teresa Elementary School
Home of the Panthers

Welcome back to the start of a new school year. This year, we start our year waiting news from the Federal Education Department on our National Blue Ribbon Nomination. As the first elementary school in Oak Grove ever to be nominated for this prestigious award, we are honored and humble about our progress as an educational institution that see’s every child preparing for a path to college.

I am honored to return as school principal for Santa Teresa Elementary School for a third year. Santa Teresa is proud of our partnerships that support the enhancement of our children’s educational journey. We know it takes our surrounding community, staff and families, in collaboration, to set a vision so that all of our students reach to their highest potential. We will build upon our students’ many assets and continue to support a rigorous instruction to meet all of our students’ needs. The staff and teachers at Santa Teresa believe in the students, expect the most from their learners and appreciate the rich diversity that embodies the campus. We are a team, every step of the way. We encourage all of our parents and family members to take pride in the Panther team. I ask that you remember to read daily with your child, have them prepared to start the school day on time and be well rested.

Our school’s rules all fit into three categories:
1. We are safe.
2. We are respectful
3. We are responsible

Our instruction begins at 9:00 am everyday so being on time is a must. If on the rare circumstance your child is late, they must come through the front office for a tardy slip. As the latest start time in the district, this should allow plenty of time to prepare and be on time each day. We encourage afternoon dentists and doctors appointments when possible, as our morning instructional block is sacred with fresh bright eyed students and rigorous lessons from our teachers.

Please be extra cautious when dropping off your child to school. There are 600 other children, walking and/or being dropped off for school, as well. Let us slow down, and watch closely. Please remember that the red curbs mean no parking. Please respect the rules of not using the front or side small parking lots, as a drop off or pick up area. The front is designated as a fire lane and must never be in use. We do our best to have orange cones distract drivers from entering. The side parking lot is our Special Education Bus Loading zone. With 10-12 busses on any given morning and afternoon, we can not utilize that area. The parking lot is for CDC early drops offs and the County program that housed on our campus.

Where can one park? We have a great neighbor behind us, the church, that allows us to utilize their parking lot and also street parking is your best bet. Please give yourself a few extra minutes each day so that all children are in line, not running to line, by 9:00 am.

I would like to encourage all parents/guardians to get involved and volunteer in your child’s classroom and/or various school activities throughout the year, even just for one occasion. We would not be the school we are if we didn’t have a strong parent support group. Thank you, in advance! Keep communication with your child’s teacher an on-going trend not just at the formal report card period. It is meaningful for your child to see the invested time you give to their educational institution. I would like to thank all the parents that have worked over the summer to help us gear up for upcoming events, grants, and of course our Opening Day. I would also like to acknowledge all the families that have worked with their child in reading, writing and authentic day trips over the summer months.

Lastly, please return updated Emergency Cards during the first week of school. It is critical that we have updated information. Please do not ever hesitate to drop in to change a phone number or update a relative’s name. Keep in mind; we can not release your child, during the school day to anyone that is not listed on the emergency card. So, please consider someone that you might send to pick up your child and be sure they are on the card. Over the phone confirmation or texting your permission simply will not work.

I will look forward to working with all of you throughout the school year. Have a wonderful start to the 2011-12 school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me via the link here on our website or the school’s main line 227-3303.

Kristina Clecak