Principal Madden’s Weekly Message—Week of May 23, 2022
I hope you had a good weekend, despite the heat! Thank goodness it is not supposed to last.
Photos
This week’s photos show some of our fourth and fifth graders enjoying outdoor dining. And, some first graders are tasting chives from our garden. The other photos show some of our second graders enjoying a coding project with Holyoke Codes. Our Technology Integrators wrote a grant so that our 2nd and 4th graders could work with Holyoke Codes to learn Scratch. A side note…it must be time for me to retire since I’m not sure what “scratch” is! Our students look happy about it, though!
Retirement
And, speaking of my retirement, I hope you received the letter from John Provost about our principal candidate, Karen Albano. Letter is attached here, in case you missed it. I have to share some of my thoughts about Karen.
Letter-Principal-SearchKaren Albano, is currently the District’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She talked to me after an administrative meeting a couple of months ago about her interest in the position, and it was the first day I felt happy about my retirement. I want so much for this school to be led by someone with vision, talent, integrity, and a great personality. Karen would be an outstanding next principal. I have worked closely with her this year, her first in our district. She has also worked closely with many of our teachers, as she coordinates work with the district’s teacher leaders (we have leaders at every grade). She notices and appreciates how wonderful our school is. She really enjoys our staff and recognizes the excellent work being done here. She spoke to me about missing being an elementary principal and that working so much in an office is not really what she wants to do, and she very much misses seeing children every day. I know now that R.K. Finn Ryan Road School can keep moving forward with compassion and academic excellence.
Please come and meet Karen on Wednesday at 5:30 in the library, if you are able. Once her appointment is official, I will bring her around to all classes, so that your children will have a chance to meet her. The teachers and I couldn’t be happier!
COVID Updates
See attached letter from May 20 from Dr. John Provost.
May-20-COVID-Important Upcoming Dates
May 23 at 6:30: PTO Meeting
May 25 at 5:30: Come and meet principal candidate, Karen Albano, in the school library!
May 26 at 6:00: Talent Show! Email Lauren Fleit if you have any questions. lnfleit@gmail.com
May 30: No School—Memorial Day
June 8: Early Dismissal (11:30) Teacher Work Day
June 10: Field Day! Yea! Contact Ms. Minton if you want to help.
June 20: No School–Juneteenth
June 24: 5th Grade Celebration 12:30
June 27: Last day of School (11:30 dismissal)
Stay up to date with all of our school calendar on our School Website’s Calendar!
I hope that all families and caregivers feel welcome, comfortable, and valued at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am happy to meet with any of you or we can talk on the phone anytime.
Sincerely,
Sarah Madden, Principal
