Welcome back to a new school year at Marina Del Rey Middle School (MDR). We had a smooth opening and it is sure to be an exciting new year. My name is Stephen Foster and I will be serving as your new Principal. I will continue to honor Communication, Collaboration, and Consistency already in place. My door is always open to parents.

 

First off, I would like to let the community know that MDR is moving our students to higher levels of proficiency based on the California State Standards. We have raised our test scores every year for the past 6 years. Our Academic Performance Index (API) went up 24 points to 690. We are almost in the 700 Club. We met all of our participation rates and Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO’s) in English. Our academic focus this year will be in Mathematics, our English Language Learner population, and Special Education students based on the data received on the CST’s. Marina is on the move!

 

MDR will be getting a face lift. The entire school will be repainted both inside and out with earth tones (olive, beige, and brown) with reddish-orange color doors that pop out at you. This is in concert with the themes of the famous architect that designed our school, Paul Williams. The old, dingy, oxidized lockers will also be replaced with new aquamarine-colored lockers over the next couple of months.

 

We have opened up the basketball courts and football field to students during nutrition and lunch. Students must keep food in the lunch area, but may now run and play in the PE area after they finish eating.

 

A friendly reminder that MDR does have a Uniform Policy. Students must wear a white or dark blue collared shirt and navy pants.  Also electronic devices, such as cell phones, iPods, and Gameboys, that distract students from learning, are prohibited to be out and on during school hours. If these devices are visible to the faculty or staff, they will be confiscated and returned to parents after a parent conference is held.

 

We do have a Campus Safety Officer (CSO) and security personnel to ensure the safety of students on our campus during school hours. The school campus is secured at 8:00am and remains so until dismissal to ensure the safety of all students. If you come on campus between those hours, there is only one entrance to the campus at the Main Gate. You must sign in and get a Visitor’s Pass and proceed to the Administration Building.

 

Now all gates are open in the morning and at dismissal. Please refrain from dropping off or picking up your child in the Teacher’s Parking Lot. It creates severe congestion due to the limited space and prevents teachers from reporting to their classrooms on time.

 

The YWCA is offering after school activities to students from 3 to 6pm. Please see Ms. Murphy in Room 45 for more details. UCLA Bruins Partners offers mentoring after school. Please see Mr. Kastenbaum in room 55 for more details.

 

If your child receives free or reduced-priced lunches s/he may qualify to have a free private tutor through No Child Left Behind’s (NCLB) Supplemental Educational Services (SES). Please see Ms. Escajeda in Room 45A for more details.

 

We just added the 7th grade to our Marine Science Academy and it continues to grow. It is affiliated with Loyola of Marymount University, UCLA, and USC.

As far as the calendar goes Back to School Night is Thursday, September 24 from 5:30-7pm. Monday, September 28 is an unassigned holiday. Elections to the parent councils will take place Thursday, October 1 at 6pm in Library. The Performing Arts Magnet is proud to announce our spooky Autumn performance, “A Night of Thrills.” Please join us on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 7:00pm on the outdoor stage for a special collection of haunting poems, songs, dance, and music. We invite the audience to come in costume and stay after for some “tricks and treats.” Come if you dare!

 

We are proud to recognize our National Championship cheerleading team. Coach Farris and her team of 25 outstanding young ladies have claimed over 20 first place wins in the past 3 years. They have won two back to back National Championships and last year claimed the National Title, even defeating all the high school teams in their division. Our team practices over 5 hours a week, volunteers at major school and community events and maintains an average GPA of a 3.0. Their dedication and commitment is truly commendable.

 

We look forward to an exciting new year.