Welcome to Crofton Woods!  I am so excited about the 2011 - 2012 school year and the great programs and initiatives we have in place to create an outstanding learning environment for your children. Crofton Woods truly is a great place for kids to learn!   Two weeks ago, new students and families in grades one through five had the opportunity to attend a new student orientation to hear about the many features that make Crofton Woods a great place for students. Our annual Ice Cream Social was held on Tuesday, August 31st and was a huge success. Thank you to all those teachers and parents who made that evening possible. We’re off to a great start!   Back to School Night will be on Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm. Parents will receive information regarding the 2011-12 school year and will have the opportunity to learn, first hand, about expectations and plans for the year ahead. Since large numbers of parents will attend this event, the structure of the evening does not allow for individual parent /teacher conferences. Therefore, such meetings should be scheduled apart from this evening as needed. Please mark you calendars and plan to attend Back to School Night.      Once again this year, students in grades three through five will take the MSA (Maryland School Assessment) in Reading and Mathematics in March and fifth grade students will take the MSA Science Test (online) in late April and early May. Be sure to visit Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ web page at www.aacps.org to read more about the exciting new programs being implemented and various highlights of the school system.  As you examine the web page, click on the ‘instruction/curriculum’ link.  A variety of resources are available, for you as a parent, to continue to be updated on the instructional philosophy of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and respectively Crofton Woods Elementary School.  Additionally, the same website has a link to the 2011 Maryland School Report Card with Maryland School Assessment results for third, fourth and fifth grade.  Crofton Woods students continue to demonstrate outstanding learning!   Crofton Woods Elementary School also continues to value school-to-home communication.  As a partner in your child’s educational progress, we value your continued communication with all staff members.  Parents are encouraged to request a personal or telephone conference with a teacher should there be questions about their child’s performance.   Parents and guests visiting our school often remark on the welcoming and nurturing environment at Crofton Woods Elementary School.  Students have many wonderful opportunities to enhance and extend learning in a safe and orderly setting.  Continuing with our efforts to maintain this level of safety, all exterior doors will be locked at 8:45 a.m.  Please know that we have established certain procedures that are designed to ensure your child’s safety. At times, these procedures may appear to be an inconvenience to you as you go about your very busy day; however, I want to thank you in advance for supporting our efforts to maintain a safe and orderly environment for your child.   As we embark on a new school year, please know that you are an important part of your child’s education. You can stop in to visit at any time, call, or write to me at jbarzal@aacps.org  . My door is always open and I look forward to working with you as we continue the tradition of excellence at Crofton Woods Elementary School.     Sincerely,       John Barzal Principal