Walking the Halls
By BETTY POWERS Principal of Parnell Elementary School

Greetings from Parnell Elementary! School bells have rung, and boys and girls are in the classrooms. Faculty and staff have spent time bonding with children. Many teachers have already had special beginning of the year conferences or made phones calls to contact parents.

In just a short few weeks, we will conduct a Parent Conference Day (Monday, Oct. 15). On the days prior to that date, teachers will make contact and hopefully set up a conference with every parent/ guardian of every child in their classroom. Making our children feel comfortable at our school and motivating them to do their best is the goal of all our staff. We want parents to know that they are an integral and important part of that learning process.

I would like to highlight some of the things that are going on at Parnell. We are at the end of the first six weeks of school. This has been a busy time with our teachers and support staff giving several bench-mark tests along with other types of diagnostic observations.

The purpose of these tests and observations is to determine the optimum and best way to help our students perform to their potential and be successful. Very soon, we will begin afternoon tutorials.

Currently, we are in the process of preparing our students for the upcoming UIL Literary meet which will be held on the Few Campus Dec. 11 and 13. Tryouts were held the week of Sept. 17-21. Coaches are now working with the contestants.

Our GT classes wrote and produced a program on the constitution in observance of Constitution Day. Our fourth graders are in the process of trying out for Fourth Grade Choir. Mrs. Seal and the fourth grade science teachers are preparing for our annual "Outdoor Learning Day."

Sept. 18 concluded our fall fund raising activities with the profits being used for an educational out-oftown field trip for both third and fourth grade.

This past school year we were very excited to learn that we had attained the status of Recognized Campus. Needless to say, this is our goal again this school year. I know that this is a trite and over-used cliché, but our faculty and staff have "hit the ground running" to insure that all of our students will experience success this school year.

As we strive for excellence at Parnell Elementary, we solicit your goodwill and continued support. We optimistically look forward to a great year. Our staff and students will accept the challenges as well as the rewards that are in store for Parnell Elementary.