Elementary families learn more about Golden Hill at Back to School Night

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, a Back to School Night was held to help inform families of Golden Elementary students of procedures, policies and programs of the school and gave parents and guardians a chance to meet the teachers.

After introducing the district mantra, “Engage minds, Empower Futures, Excel Together,” and the building theme for this year, “Growing Greatness!,” Principal Starla Ciarelli highlighted details of the school year as well as some yearlong initiatives.

She also explained the  iReady diagnostic reading and math testing for kindergarten through fifth grade students, which will be done three times a year.

How Title 1 funding will be used to provide children the opportunity to receive a fair, equitable and high quality education and to close educational achievement gaps was also explained, and the people who help support the school in those goals were introduced.

Communication with families is also key to a successful school year, Ciarelli explained. She highlighted many of the communication tools the school will use, including parent communication folders, monthly newsletters, and snack and chats, the first which will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13. She also provided her contact information (845-651-3095, ext. 20100, or sciarelli@floridaufsd.org) as well as the email address of the Technology Department help desk (it.help@floridaufsd.org) that should be used for any Chromebook-related issues.

The evening closed with a “Specials Fair,” where families could learn more about the programs and meet with the staff members who help educate their students outside of the core classrooms.