October 17, 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,

First, I would like to thank everyone for a great first quarter. During this last nine weeks we have set the foundation for another great year at the school. On the academic side we continue to challenge our students with the highest level of instruction possible. With the help of our new Classical Curriculum Director we implemented a new History Curriculum in grades 1, 5, and in the entire middle school. Next year we will bring this rigorous program into the other grades. It is great when a 1st grader can name the all of the continents of the world while most High School students in North Carolina cannot locate Europe on a map. In math all students in elementary school have begun Rocket Math and are developing the fluency necessary to be successful in later years. In Reading and Language Arts our 3rd graders just took the initial Beginning of Grade State Test which will give us much needed information to ensure all of our students are reading at grade level. We continue to look at data in every area to ensure all of our students are in the correct achievement level class. Additionally, our administrators, coaches and curriculum directors continue to guide our new teachers and give the professional development to our veterans in order to allow them to grow in their profession.

At the beginning of this year we, as an administration, made a commitment to involve our Charter Day Community in the school and its functions. With the help of all of you we have improved our school in accordance with the School Improvement Team, The Parent Involvement Committee, and the Booster Club. Your hard work on fundraisers has allowed the school to purchase much needed technology resources. The Attraction Books fundraiser set a record for money raised this year and allowed us to purchase 60 new Chromebook computers for our students. This technology will be used in the classroom beginning in the second quarter. I urge all parents to come to their child’s classroom to see them in use and volunteer at the same time.

We have started new extra-curricular activities at the school and continued with many of our established programs with the help of both parents and teachers. We have an after school art program run by parents that has more than 40 students. As the weather cooled, our 3rd grade teachers began a running program open for 3rd -8th grades which coincides with our Maco Legend 5k and Fun Run that takes place on November 16, 2013 (look for flyers and check our website for info). There continues to be a Yoga class, and hopefully a new creative writing class will begin in the new quarter. As with every year Daryl and Jean Lafave along with many parent and teacher volunteers are working tirelessly to continue the award winning Cheerleading and Football Teams. I want to thank them personally for their hard work every year. Additionally, we are starting a new Middle School basketball team. Tryouts for the team are October, 21, 22, and 23 at 3:45PM and we need parent volunteers. The last program that really excites me is the KEYS (Keeping Every Youth Successful) program put on by the Sheriff’s Department. Over this fall break over 30 students participated in a week of grueling physical and mental exercise to earn their certificate for graduating from the first iteration of an entire week of training. These students will now be the cohort for this program as we go forward. This program is similar to the JROTC programs in the local High Schools. Many thanks to Deputy Gunnell, Deputy Rogers,and RET Sergeant Lloyd for putting in the time and effort to make it successful. We always invite any help from our community because we know that without you we do not have the opportunity and privilege to teach your children.

The last issue I would like to address is the growing pains from changes at the school. When I took the job as Headmaster of Charter Day School, we as the administration drafted a letter talking about the change and that some people would be happy and some would not embrace the change. I have been blessed with having two great assistant headmasters, Mr. Gorski and Mrs. Edwards, who are the most competent and caring individuals with whom I have had the good fortune to work. They are tireless workers who come in early and leave late. They, as I, only have the best interest of your children in mind when we make any decisions about the school. Additionally, we have a new Office Manager, Mrs. Kathy Thompson, who has really stepped up to organize the office to better serve your needs. I am elated to say we have had very few changes in our staff in this 1st quarter. I have been very pleased that the teachers at this school have adapted very well to the change in administration, and I think that is because we continue to implement the vision of the school of strong academics and clear values. I thank them immensely for giving us a chance to be successful. As with any place of employment, change in staff happens as life also changes. This comes in many forms such as spouse job relocation, a new baby, a career move to a more specified area or simply to return to school. We love when we are able to retain all of our staff each year but acknowledge that there are times when these unforeseen changes affect the CDS family. It is my priority to fill any position that is open with the most highly qualified person available. My goal and the goal of my administration is that every teacher has the tools, coaching, and mentoring to be a great classroom teacher in order that students receive the highest quality of instruction possible in a safe and nurturing environment

In closing, I would be remiss if I did not update you on the sound financial situation in which we find ourselves. Nearly all of my budget requests have been approved, and our compensation packages for both teachers and staff continue to be aligned with those on the state and local level.

Once again I want to thank you for your support and for allowing us the privilege of instructing your children. I continue to have an open door policy and welcome any questions that you might have.

Best Regards,

Michael A. Frank
Headmaster, The Charter Day School