September 7, 2010

Dear HOMS Families:

The first day of school is complete and it appears to have been a very successful day on the whole. Of course, we had some issues with schedules, lockers and a few other things, but all in all it was a very good day. The students returned with a noticeable enthusiasm for the new school year.

Bloomington is a standards-based district. The curriculum is our primary tool to teach the standards but we may use other tools. We do not necessarily teach courses “cover to cover” but we assure the essential standards. Every staff member at Hubert Olson Middle School has rewritten the essential standards in “kid friendly” language and will be posting and referencing them regularly. We want to be as overt as possible about our academic expectations. In time, we will be posting grade level course standards brochures that you can download from our website. Until that time, everything you might want to know about what your child will be learning this year, can be found on the District’s website. Here are the steps:

1. Go to www.bloomington.k12.mn.us
2. In the top left hand corner, use the Academics pull down menu to find curriculum.
3. Click on Secondary Curriculum to find the content areas.
4. Click on specific content areas and then click on Standards and Course Descriptions.
5. Find the grade level you are looking for and click.
6. Although there are important and enhancing standards for each course, we are assuring the consistent delivery of the essential standards.

We have high academic and behavioral expectations for all of our students. Please take some time to review the expectations listed in your child’s planner. Mr. Kuhns and I will be reviewing District policies that govern student behavior, Cougar Pride and a few other things with each Team over the next few days. We do this to ensure all students are clear on our behavioral expectations.

As the year progresses, you may have a question or concern. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher(s). If that does not bring clarity to your question, please contact either Mr. Kuhns or me. We address everything of which we are aware but we are not always aware of everything. Effective education occurs when the parents and the school work collaboratively in a functional partnership. To that end, I thank you for the privilege you give us to partner with you in the education of your child. It is going to be a great year!

Sincerely,

Thomas R. Lee