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Dear Parents, Students, and Community members,
Please look for regular letters from me as we move through the coming year. My goal is to update you on our progress and information each month. . . .
Since coming on board, both Robert Brittingham (High School Assistant Principal) and I have spent countless hours studying new district graduation requirements, new state curriculum standards, and a variety of other topics so that we are thoroughly prepared for the task at hand. Working with members of the USS (Unite for School Success) group has been invaluable to us as we all share ideas and strategies for making East Hamilton Middle/High a premier school for our area.
Recently we met with USS members on the development of our website, www.easthamiltonhurricanes.org. We are lucky to have the expertise that was evident in the meeting! I feel sure everyone will be excited as our website grows and adds more features. You may also visit www.easthamilton.com for information on volunteering and construction news.
Staffing will be the main topic in an upcoming meeting with district HR representatives. It will be at this session that all details of teacher hiring will be discussed. We know preliminary hiring will begin in the fall, hopefully by the end of September. We anticipate interviewing literally hundreds of prospective staff members as we assemble the faculty and support personnel.
September 6th is the evening selected for our second Hurricane Party. I would encourage you to attend. You may purchase tickets by calling DeAnn Rauth (899-4933) or Lori Wade (899-7802). We will also have tables set up at the new Super BiLo on Ooltewah Ringgold Road on 8/23 and 8/24. The tickets are $50 of which $25 is tax deductible. Please join us for a fun filled night!
September also begins pre-registration for our opening year, 2009 – 2010, for grades 6 – 11. East Brainerd Elementary, Apison Elementary and Westview Elementary will have copies of the form needed. You may also print it from our website by clicking here. The deadline for pre-registration is September 30th. You may mail in the form or drop them by the main offices of the schools listed above. Pre-registration is important so that we may have accurate numbers and may staff the school appropriately. Also, by pre-registering, your child will be able to more easily access the schedule desired rather than waiting until much later when class choices could be full. Please let neighbors and friends who may not have a child in public schools at this time so that they can make a decision for next year.
Finally, the most exciting thing to let you know about is the progress of our building. After meeting with the architect and contractor, they have assured us the roof will start going on in the next 30 days with electricity, heat and air throughout the entire building by December! From the road you have no way to see the enormity of this project. It is phenomenal when you actually walk through the school. Wings are taking shape with large classrooms, science labs, and computer labs as well as interior halls within each wing to allow optimum flow of students. For our children with special needs, the exceptional education wing is outstanding with separate parking and entry areas in addition to large classrooms and a clinic. Our theatre and fine arts area are exceptional, particularly with the installation later of four soundproof Wenger practice rooms. As you move to the back side of the building and see the massive gymnasium areas, you can almost hear the cheering from hundreds of fans there to support the Hurricanes! The media center with its’ curved two story wall which will be made of glass, the computer lab and conference areas are equally impressive. The dining hall will be state of the art and will also sport a curved glass wall leading to an outside patio. We will keep you informed on the developments!
Pam Dantzler
Principal
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