May 24, 2007

Dear Parents,

          Here we are at the last newsletter of the school year.  This year has really flown by.  Hopefully, it’s been a very good year for your children, filled with lots of learning, progress, great experiences, exposure to the arts, new friends, and a close relationship with their teachers.

 Even though this year has come to an end, the learning hopefully will continue through the summer, just in different settings.  One great experience that you won’t want your child to miss is the SUMMER READING PROGRAM at the Athens Municipal Library.  It’s a great program that encourages kids to get involved with reading great books and earning prizes over the summer.  Our Athens Library continually adds to their collections and have many books that can play an important role in developing your child’s love of reading.  All a student needs to participate is a LIBRARY CARD, which then becomes their passport to adventure.  If you live in the Athens city limits the library card is free.  If you live outside the limits, the cost is a very reasonable $40 for your family for a year.  That is a great deal when you think that’s less than $3 a  month.  It’s an even better deal when you compare it to Sherman ($125) and Springfield ($85) or buying your own books at Barnes and Nobles.  Be a library supporter and a reading family this summer!  You’ll be glad you did.

We are also trying to get our CANTRALL ELEMENTARY LIBRARY collection put back together for the summer.  We have a number of students who still have missing books.  We would like to get them all back so future students can enjoy them.  If your child has a missing book, the librarians will be contacting you.  We would like the book returned or the book to paid for so we can replace it.  Thanks for your help.

We are making plans for our LAST DAY FUN DAY on Wednesday, May 30.  The students will be going to the Arlee Theater in Mason City to see “Shrek III”.  If you have not paid your $5 to cover the movie, pop, and popcorn, it must be paid by Friday, May 25.  After the movie, Kdg. will be going to the Greenview Park for sack lunches and play, 1^st will be going to the Athens Park, and 2^nd/3^rd will be returning to the CES Campus.  You may join your child for lunch and play if you would like to get in on the fun.

This is also the last newsletter of my career as I move in to retirement with the conclusion of this school year.  I have been proud and honored to be the principal of Cantrall Elementary.  It’s been an interesting, challenging, fun, rewarding job.  What makes this job so good and many things possible is the support and active involvement of so many people;  our administration, the school board, our dedicated teachers and staff, you-the parents who are your child’s first and most important teacher who help in so many different ways, and finally, your kids who I enjoy working with every day and will miss them and being part of their lives.  I will be looking for new challenges and adventures in my retirement but the people and kids of Cantrall Elementary will always have a special place in my heart.

Have a great, safe summer and be sure to mark your calendar for registration for the new school year; Aug. 1^st and 2^nd.

                                                 Sincerely,

                                                 Mr. Gil Opferman

                                                 Principal

                                                 Cantrall Elementary School