A.A.Cole Elementary

Principal's Podium

Mr. Brent Bowden, Principal

Walk the Talk Handbook Letter

Dear parents/guardians,

I would like to take this time to welcome you and your child(ren) to our school. I would also like to thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to our care. It is an honor and a responsibility that we do not take lightly. While at Aura A. Cole Elementary, you can rest assured that your child(ren) will be taught by exceptional teachers that all have a heart for children. In partnership with you, we will challenge your child(ren) developmentally, socially, and instructionally to be the best that he/she/they can be. As the school years progress, you may realize that school is much more academically rigorous than it was when you and I were in school. The increased rigor is due in part to the Federal “No Child Left Behind” Act, and in part to our unwavering goal to maximize the learning potential of each and every student in our school.

To this end, you will see two significantly new programs in our school this year. They are the implementation of the Everyday Mathematics Program, and the introduction of our newly developed Walk The Talk program.

First, Everyday Mathematics is a new textbook series (it is really more than just a textbook, it is a program) that the Central Square Central School District has recently adopted from grades K-5. We are very excited about this new program for several reasons. First, the program is a culmination of years of research into how students learn, perform and retain mathematics. Students actually “DO” math and think mathematically instead of just learning about it. Secondly, in other schools within our own District as well as those in other Districts that have implemented this program, students enjoy and look forward to math on a daily basis! And thirdly, students learn, retain, and perform better mathematically as a result of being taught with this new program and the new teaching strategies that it promotes. This program is new and different from the way you and I learned math 30 years ago. Some of the algorithms (processes) that your child(ren) will bring home may even stump you until you get the hang of it. This is the reason that we will be having some Math Nights here at school. We want you to be as comfortable and excited as we are with this new program so we will have some opportunities for you to come to school to learn how to play some of the games that your child(ren) will be excitedly talking about at home, and to learn the new algorithms that your child(ren) will be stumping you with at home. There will certainly be a lot more information coming home from your child(ren)’s teacher(s) on the Everyday Mathematics Program, and (as always) you are encouraged to call the teacher(s) with any questions you may have.

The Second significant undertaking is the implementation of our new Walk The Talk program. The Walk The Talk program at A. A. Cole will allow us to blend our Character Education program, student behavioral expectations, and classroom management philosophies into one consistent and cohesive structure. It all begins with the following set of Rights and the corresponding Responsibilities:

Student’s Rights Student’s Responsibilities

To be Safe……………………………I will always keep myself and others safe.

To Learn…………………………….. I will help myself and others learn.

To be Heard………………………….I will share when it is my turn. I will listen when it is not.

To be Valued…………………………I will value the ideas, actions, and property of everyone.

To be Myself…………………………I will celebrate my uniqueness and accept differences in others.

These Rights and Responsibilities are the “Talk” in Walk The Talk. They serve as a school-wide set of rules and behavioral expectations as well as platform on which we will build our Character Education Program. This foundation has allowed us to develop a consistent classroom management system K-2 and 3-5. It is also increasing our sense of community as we celebrate Walk The Talk each month in an all-school assembly where we will all wear our Walk The Talk T-shirts with our official Walk The Talk Logo. The teachers and the PTO generously joined efforts in raising the money required to purchase these t-shirts for your child(ren) so the first one is completely free to you.

This is a very exciting program which has been a huge undertaking. We are looking forward to seeing it unfold next year to assist us with our “High Expectations for All Students – No Exceptions, No Excuses”.

In closing, I would like to reiterate the fact that we truly appreciate the trust you have put in us to educate your child(ren). With your help and support, we will meet the District’s Mission: To Empower all Students to Excel as Citizens in a Changing World. Thank you for your prior and continued support of our school. As always, if you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 668-4207.

For the kids,

Brent D. Bowden
Principal – A. A. Cole Elementary School
"High Expectations For All Students - No Exceptions, No Excuses"
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