It is with great pride that I assume the role of principal at W. A. Day School. I look forward to serving a very dedicated school staff, eager students, parents who are equally eager for their children to succeed and a highly supportive community in the 2010-2011 school year.

I am committed to creating a positive and inclusive child-centered environment that nurtures compassion and that respects the individuality and dignity of each person, creating a sense of community and belonging each and every day. I believe that a warm, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that values the contributions and gifts each child brings to the school community lays the foundation for meaningful learning by all students entrusted in the school’s care.

 The staff at W.A. Day have set goals to provide a safe and caring learning environment. They are also committed to improving student learning with a focus on Literacy and Mathematics. My role will be to support teachers in their efforts to engage all students in meaningful learning experiences.

 High academic and behavioral standards guide students in maximizing their potential. Policies and procedures are in place and are reviewed regularly to promote and ensure safety, respect, and responsibility.  Success is greatly affected by attitude, attendance and engagement.

 In preparing our children for a world we can only imagine, students need to learn to be adaptable, good problem solvers, to communicate effectively with others, and have a life- long curiosity and love of learning.  To this end, it is our responsibility to move students toward becoming self-directed, intrinsically motivated learners who are engaged in their own learning through personal goal setting, an awareness of personal strengths and areas in need of improvement and a clear vision of what they can do to move their own learning forward.

Children learn best when the school, the student and the parents work closely together to support each other and student learning. I strongly encourage your involvement in your child’s education. It will positively impact your child’s success. Together we can work toward these common goals:

That your child develops positive habits and attitudes toward learning

1. That your child achieves their personal best academic achievement
2. That your child is well prepared for future learning and to move forward with confidence into a rapidly changing world.

Respectfully,

Connie Dersch- Gunderson