Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the 2006-2007 school year! The start of the school year is always an exciting time for everyone: students, parents, faculty and staff. It is a time of transition that is filled with enormous possibility.  It is a special gift to be part of a profession where one can literally start each year anew. Like our students (slightly more than 150 this year), we can all take advantage of the opportunity to start fresh,  grow and improve if we choose to challenge ourselves.

This year we have undertaken the special challenge of an additional language. Yes, our Fourth Graders are also learning FRENCH!

I am honored to serve as the Director of Balere Language Academy Charter School and will reach out to you and ask for your support, ideas, suggestions and involvement. I will encourage you to join our team, our Balere family; so to speak, where helping every children realize their maximum potential in preparing children for the foreign future is our number one priority.

I know that will be the case for the returning and new members of our school who will discover that due to the quality of our staff and to the unparalleled support of our Parents, this is a school that truly knows the meaning of cooperation!  This year we are joined by many new faculty members.  Hopefully you met most of them at Meet the Teacher Day.   If not, make sure to attend the Open House on September 7th.  We are all looking forward to working with your children this year.

As we move through this new school year, let us work extra hard to support each other, parents, teachers and students alike, as we work together to provide an exceptional education for our students who have the great good fortune to attend a small school with a big heart.

I ask that parents attend all major school events announced in the monthly newsletter and on the website, starting with Open House on September 7th, while gently reminding you of Parent Involvement Hours! Students thrive on their parents’ attendance at school activities and we love to see you here!  Please make an effort to check the school’s website for updates and new information.  It is easier for us to change information there, rather than print and distribute 200 papers!

There will be many opportunities in many formats to share more detailed information about school and district goals and objectives, new programs and initiatives and information regarding student performance. We are also happy to have on-site internet access in each classroom! 

Close communication between home and school supports the best interest of each student at Balere. Learning requires consistent effort, collaboration and genuine commitment of staff, students and parents. Parents are welcome to call or email to make an appointment with your child’s teacher before or after school to discuss your child.

Please don't hesitate or even think your comment or concern is unimportant. Through teamwork, open communication, and a dedication to continuous improvement we continue to make this school a place that children delight in and enjoy learning.

For now, on behalf of the faculty and staff, I would simply like to welcome everyone to the start of a great, new opportunity. I hope your school year is everything that you want it to be.  I look forward to working together as partners in learning.

Rocka Malik
Director of Balere Language Academy