From the Superintendent's Desk

The Week of August 6, 2009

We are less than two weeks away from the opening of the 2009-2010 school year.  Can you believe that?  Next week, our teachers arrive, and on Tuesday, August 18, our doors will open to 42,500 students and their families. We are doing everything we can, right now, to prepare our schools for success on day one—and to lay the groundwork for a better-than-ever school year that will see record improvements in literacy, extended time for students, and a renewed emphasis on teacher quality.

Last year, we pulled out all of the stops to get students in class and have them ready to learn on the first day.  We worked with partners—the North Charleston Police Department, local churches, the Charleston Mayor’s Office and others—to ensure that families were well informed and had the supplies necessary for the first day of school.  As a result, we increased our first-day enrollment by 1,000. 

With your help, we can do even better this year.  We must ensure that students are in class on the first day in order to get them on the right track and building a strong foundation that will last throughout the year.  Please contact your child’s school, visit our new Back to School page, or call 937-6303 for everything you need to prepare for the first day of school—transportation, registration, and immunization information (along with information on upcoming events that offer free resources and supplies to students).  As an added measure, next Thursday, we will launch a parent help line that will be staffed from 7:00 am through 5:00 p.m. until the first day of school (we will call all parents and publicize this number early next week).   

On a final note, I want everyone—parents, students, staff, and business and community partners—to know how firmly rooted I am in this beautiful place that I am honored to call home.  I am fully committed to the students of this district, and with incredible momentum on our side, I am focused on ensuring—together with you—that we build on our momentum and make 2009-2010 the best year this district has ever had. 

Until next week,

Dr. Nancy J. McGinley