Chelsea Intermediate School Administrative Letter

Dear Families,

As many of you know, Chelsea Intermediate School has undergone a large scale construction project over the course of the last three years since we re-located to this building that originated with an interior renovation project which provided for a new Fine Arts Wing, School Store, and four full size classrooms along with four smaller specialized instructional rooms. Following that project, we started working on the site work phase of the construction project, which provided us with dramatic improvements to our entire parking and play areas, as well as a complete re-organization of our bus loading and car drop off areas. This allowed us to make our arrival and dismissal procedures run much more efficiently and increase safety for all students each day. It also increased parking spaces significantly on the south side of the building.

The culmination of the multi-year construction project is the new addition, which has opened this fall is filled with students for the 2009-2010 school year. The addition provides for up to twelve new full size classrooms, coupled with the flexibility to transform three of those areas into a larger multi-purpose room. An entirely new playground area has also been installed as a part of this project.

Technology improvements for the entire school were a critical factor as we progressed through each phase of this project. Thanks to the ongoing support of the 157c Education Foundation and the FSP, we were able to outfit every single classroom in Chelsea, both existing and new, with drop down LCD projectors and purchase several SmartBoards. This will serve to enhance the learning environment in every classroom in the building. Both of these organizations also helped donate funds for all the beautiful murals we have added to the building within the last three years. We appreciate the support these organizations continue to give our schools, as it has a direct impact on the education all of our students receive each day. The Athletic Boosters also helped provide for the equipment we purchased for our multi-purpose room in the new addition, which will be used during indoor recess in the winter months. Their generous contributions have added a new dimension to the activities we can provide our students with throughout the year, as well.

We are extremely proud of the exponential growth Chelsea has enjoyed over the past three years, which is thanks to the incredible support we have received from our families and community members. The transformation of this building is not limited to the facility itself by any means. Chelsea has a CHARACTER COUNTS! Program sponsored by the FSP and 157c Education Foundation, that includes Student Ambassadors who serve as age appropriate student council members. We also have a program to assist with homework completion called the “Catch Up Club”, along with a new building schedule that enables us to provide daily supports for students struggling with reading and math. We have also expanded our after school programming to include more athletic opportunities for students as they prepare for middle school. Finally, in order to provide for a “school within a school” environment, each grade level is broken down into three smaller teams that allow students to switch classes, and eat lunch and have recess with their team mates, rather than the entire grade level at once.

We look forward to continuing our close relationship with the parents and community members who have provided so much support for our school throughout the past few years. It has been extremely exciting to be part of the transformation of Chelsea Intermediate School. The dedication of the staff, students and parents makes this building a remarkable place. I am confident that as we continue to evolve and grow, we will have even more success stories to celebrate with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Kristin Simpkins