Text Box: From the Principal’s Desk— Happy Spring! We are all ready for a warm breeze and plenty of sunshine. This school year has been moving swiftly , and I can hardly believe that we are entering the fourth quarter. I continue to be amazed at the progress our students are making. I believe this is because our staff is truly dedicated to supporting and educating each student. You will see some highlights of their dedication in the following pages. The students recently completed the spring administration of the state level assessments. Students in grade 11 took part in either the MEAP (MME) or the MI-ACCESS assessment. The staff met in February to begin the process of School Improvement. The staff volunteered for one of five committees including: Teaching for Learning, Leadership, Personnel and Professional Learning, School and Community Relations, and Data and Information Management. We now have five committees actively pursuing School Improvement goals. Families may be receiving a survey or two over the course of the next year relating to this process. The input Text Box: and feedback from families will be extremely important in reaching our goals. Carol Ritcheske, our Adaptive P.E. teacher, recently coordinated the first dance for students with Severe Cognitive Impairments (SCI) at Freedom Acres. The dance was a great success in many ways. You will be able to read more details in this newsletter. What struck me most was to see how this activity became a common strand throughout our building. Students and staff worked together and benefited from each other regardless of the program they were in. The value of such activities is beyond words. (Below: Our Principal enjoyed the dance too! ☺) I know how busy life can get at times, but please take a moment to think of the staff at Freedom Acres. I feel greatly blessed to work with such caring and wonderful people. They Text Box: WELCOME SPRING! Text Box: Fun and Newsworthy April 2008 Text Box: FREEDOM ACRES NEWS