Don Hutzel, principal of Churchill Road Elementary School, discusses Outdoor Odyssey and other stewardship activities in a second year of the "Green School" program.



Q: What do you consider the single most important news for your school community in anticipation of the new school year?

A: The Churchill Road community has several exciting news items to look forward to. Our PTA will continue to actively support the school through programs such as Outdoor Odyssey, in which parents and teachers work with children in our outdoor classrooms on various curriculum lessons and stewardship activities. Our ongoing recycling efforts will continue to be an important aspect of the school. We are excited that our partnership with the Kennedy Center, Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) will begin its fourth year. An exciting new opportunity for our students will be our Strategies Lab. The children will have opportunities to participate in interactive, higher level games, lessons and activities that promote critical thinking skills.



Q: Any new academic programs, initiatives?

A: This year, we are continuing our focus of providing children with higher level learning opportunities, using teaching principles based on pedagogy such as Blooms Taxonomy. Our K-6 Inquiry Learning initiative, in which children develop and investigate a curriculum-based thesis, will be enhanced and encompass student learning throughout the year. Also, we will begin our second year of establishing Churchill Road as a "Green School". Our students will continue participating in stewardship activities around the school grounds and we will have a goal of 100 percent success in recycling all of our paper, cardboard, bottles and cans.



Q: Changes in personnel?

A: One of the most exciting aspects of the new school year will be welcoming several new teachers to the Churchill Road community this year. It is very exciting to have new staff join us. Their ideas and energy invigorate the school.



Q: Number of students?

A: We are planning to have around 700 students on the first day of school.



Q: Important days in the fall school calendar?

A: Student Open House: Our first event of the school year will be the Open House on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m.-12 noon. During the Open House, students and their families will have a chance to locate their classrooms and meet their new teacher. Families can also stop by the cafeteria to arrange their children's lunch card.

Kindergarten families: This year, the morning kindergarten students are invited to visit their classrooms at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28.

The afternoon kindergarten students are invited to visit their classroom on the same day, at noon. Kindergarten families will be receiving correspondence from the school, prior to the Open House, informing them of their class assignments.

Back to School Nights: Parents and guardians will have an opportunity to hear their children's teacher share an overview of the school year after a brief PTA meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15 (grades 4-6, PM kindergarten) and on Sept. 17 (grades 1-3, AM kindergarten)).

School Hours: The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 2. The school hours are Monday-8:25 a.m.- 12:35 p.m. (AM Kindergarten 8:25-10:30, PM Kindergarten 10:40-12:35) Tuesday to Friday- 8:25 AM- 3:05 PM (AM Kindergarten 8:25-11:45, PM Kindergarten 11:55- 3:05).