PRINCIPAL MESSAGE:
One of Hope and Cooperation
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From Kay Burnside, Principal,
Washington School
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To the Washington School Community:

     We want to share our progress since last year.  We hope you will be
pleased, and want to become part of the exceptional group of people working to
make this community school an exciting place to learn. This year Washington has
several staff additions: three new classroom teachers, a math/science
resource teacher, and a project assistant.  Volunteer activity is also
increasing.
     Last year the staff, parents, and community of Washington started making
plans for a Marine Life Science program.  The school is now utilizing the
expertise of consultants, professors, and mathematicians from the Lawrence
Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley, Dominican College,
California State Hayward, and Marine World.  With the support of many
local businesses, this group of experts will provide the students of
Washington School with exceptional math, science, and language arts programs.

Special Thanks for Special Programs
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     Many thanks to the wonderful people who assist the school through gifts of
personal time and money.  People like you and the  school district allow us to
strengthen our academic program and support the children in giving us their
best.
     Teams of teachers, parents, and community volunteers visited model sites
and used that information in developing the Washington Math and Science
labs.
     Materials will be purchased from Lawrence Hall of Science and they will
provide staff training and guidance in curriculum development.  An Early
Intervention Reading Program is available for primary grade students.
Students in Fourth through sixth grades will take Algebra.  All students will
learn computers skills, participate in instructional television through
receiving a Federal Grant that the school received, and also have an
opportunity to participate in our before and after school "Research and
Discovery" program.  All students will participate in school-wide field trips
to places like Marine World and the Monterey Aquarium.  Our classrooms at
the kindergarten level will have a student teacher ratio of 1 to 20.  We
anticipate significant parent and community involvement.  All students will be
provided a quality education.

Tuesdays Is the Day
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     Tuesdays are Parent and Family Night at Washington School.  We offer
computer, science, math, and reading classes for the whole family.  We will
also have Family Fun Nights with games, good movies, and activities like
volleyball and bowling.
     The second Tuesday of the month will be reserved for PTA, School
Advisory Com-mittee, and School Site Coun-cil.  The fourth Tuesday of each
month will be Parent Drop In Night.  Washington School also has a
innovative Home-work/Parent Communication System.  Parents will be
able to access teachers through voice mail to keep up with the homework,
classroom activities, and tips on how they can best help their child learn at
home.
     The Parent Room has a component called the W.E.L.L.  which stands for
Washington Education Lending Library.  The W.E.L.L.  will be open Tuesday
evenings and throughout the week.  Parents may check out materials (educational
games, toys, and books) to share with their children.

New Look for the Old School
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     The West Contra Costa School District is giving Washington a new look.
The school is to be painted and receive a new roof next year.  There's a lots
moreÐplease come by and visit, weÕd love to show you around.  The Multi-
purpose room was painted this summer and rumor has it that the PTA may
be assisting us with plants and other little touches to enhance the
environment here.  In addition to painting, the district is also covering the
cement floor, and upgrading the lighting in the Multipurpose room.

Be True to Your School...
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     I would like to make a special request of all of you.  Hilltop Mall
sponsors a Be True to Your School program and schools earn dollars toward
computers and other educational materials.  If you shop at Hilltop Mall,
please save your receipts and turn them in for Washington School's credit at
the Little Red School House located in the Mall OR drop them off at the
Washington school.  WeÕll be happy to take them to the Mall for credit.

SCHOOL STARTED Please Watch for the traffic guard!