171 Ralph Avenue Babylon, New York 11702 Main Office: (631) 893-7960
Principal:	Dana Basile
	dbasile@babylonufsd.org
Hours:	8:50 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

2012-2013

Dear Babylon Elementary School Families and Neighbors,                

“You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are.”
–Fred Rogers                

In an ever changing, fast paced world in which we are asked to become more accountable for each decision we make, it is important to take a moment to think about the most fundamental and simplistic moments of our lives. The above quote by Fred Rogers is one in which allows me to think about the most fundamental aspects of who I am as a person, educator, and administrator. Thus, it also begs me to reflect upon how I lead our school, our staff, our families, and most especially and importantly, our children!                

This year, New York State entrusts that we adopt an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) among teaching and administrative staff. This has been more than a year’s worth of conversation, collaboration and compromise upon all stakeholders.  In such a plan, teachers and administrators will be appraised on a rubric scale which holds us accountable for student performance, learning objectives, student growth, and effective teaching strategies. This review will be based on evidence collected throughout the year, formal and informal classroom and building visits, as well as collegial conversations and reflection.               

In addition to our APPR, the Board of Education has also adopted the Dignity for all Students Act, which went into effect on July 1, 2012.  New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. As part of our ongoing work with the Grade School Cross Buddy project, we have committed to meet two times throughout the year with a specific basis on the Dignity Act. This will help promote awareness for others and self-awareness in kindness and empathy.                

Each of the above New York State mandates can be found on their own tab on our district website at www.babylonschools.org .  Beginning August 1, you will also be able to connect to my own website E-board which has numerous memos, practices and procedures specific to the Elementary School.  “The Principal’s Place,” is a site you can visit as we continue to educate the whole child in academic, social, and emotional well-being. I will continue to update this site on a monthly basis so that all of the latest information is available to you on a consistent basis. To access this site, please go to the Staff Directory link on the main page and click on my name to be led directly to either my e-mail address or my website. Please feel free to visit as often as you may need or like.

In Babylon, we are each making a concerted effort to “go and stay green” this year, so many of our messages, posts and memos will be sent to you electronically, or be posted directly on my site. That being said, we are asking that you please update your e-mail and telephone information with our front office so that you can receive timely news, reminders and materials relevant to the Elementary School and Babylon School District.

We have a very exciting school year upon us! Although New York State shares mandates with us that are necessary for continued education and student success, we are also committed to remembering and teaching the whole child; the one with a family, and needs, and celebrations and successes!  This is the child who will marvel at loosing her first or fifth tooth, the one who may cry at the start of the school day, or the one who skins his knee at recess.  And…all of this happens in conjunction with Common Core Standards which we are committed to, and honor throughout each part of the day in both curricular and extra-curricular areas.

That being said, once again we remember the words of Fred Rogers, “The gifts we treasure most over the years are often small and simple. In easy times and in touch times, what seems to matter most is the way we show those nearest us that we’ve been listening to their needs, to their joys, and to their challenges.”

Gratefully yours,
Dana M. Basile