• Admissions/Students.  We have a growing population of really great parents and students, expanding from 65 students in 2007-2008 to 80 students in 2008-2009 (with about 10 applications still pending and more coming each week).  Many of our classes are full with a waiting list.  This is a true sign of parents recognizing the great need for the best education for their children even in a sluggish economy. We're positioned to have the strongest and best in class enrollment of families and students ever at The Cambridge School.
  
• Faculty/Staff.  We took a hit at the conclusion of the school year, but we have aggressively bounced back by filling those openings with really strong teachers.  We've already introduced you to Mrs. Johnson, who will teach Grammar Class V-VI (5th-6th grades).  We recently hired Mrs. Montgomery, who will teach Primary Class III (K); Ms. Hale, who will teach Grammar Class IV (4th).  We've added more responsibilities to Mrs. Laude, who will enhance our core courses with enrichment, such as art, music, drama, and foreign language.  We've added a formal physical and health education curriculum and hired Mrs. Andrews to oversee the instruction and implementation of it.  We've restructured our administration so that we have three core individuals--Executive Director (me), Dean of Academics, and Office Manager.  We're poised to have the strongest faculty ever at The Cambridge School!!!
  
• Professional Development.  With a $19,200.00 grant that we've recently received, we're expanding our professional development beyond where it has ever been.  Our curriculum committee has been actively engaging in the process toward solidifying courses and training that will enhance our faculty, equip them, and provide the proper accountability toward our continued success.
• Financial Stability.  You can tell an organization's success by its financial strength.  We have NEVER (not once) operated The Cambridge School in the red (deficit).  Cambridge may not have all the bells and whistles that some other schools have, but we are committed to providing the best education possible with strong objective results within the financial limitations provided.  Now, there are those who have supported us financially who want to do more.  Our most recent consistent donor "upped" his support from $90K per year to $120K per year.  That is quite a statement!  The Springboard Foundation recently announced that we will receive $19.2K for professional development, curriculum supplies, and after school enrichment programming. We have also seen more interest in our school from a development perspective. Wonderful!

1. Pray for the board, administration, faculty, staff, families, and students of the school;
2. Review the family handbook and point out the student decorum with your child (available on line).  It is important that we all be on one accord and be of one mind and purpose throughout this year;
3. Read the required reading to your child (summer reading list is available on the Web site);  Parents should read Shepherding a Child's Heart (available for purchase at Cambridge) so that we are on the same page about discipline and expectations;
   
4. Prepare by purchasing all school supplies now while they are on sale at major stores.  Waiting until the last minute will cost you.  Place all the school supplies in a large brown paper bag with your child's name on it.
5. Purchase your child's school uniform.  Your child will NOT be allowed to participate on the first day without the full uniform.  You should not delay as Martinelli's may run out of articles come the week before school begins.  You also need to ensure that the Cambridge logo patch is sewn to the garments.  Remember they go on the left side pocket area.  If you have a uniform that you would like to donate to the Uniform Closet, please bring it to the school and hang it on the coat area in Knights Hall.
   
6. Complete your child's registration information, which is now past due (August 1st was the deadline).  We will not allow students in the classroom without the Emergency Form, Health Form, and/or Family Information and Consent Form.
7. Tuition Payments have begun.  The first payment, for families choosing the 5th of the month, was on August 5th.  The first payment, for families choosing the 20th of the month, will be on August 20th.  Please ensure that you have all the necessary funds available for these payments so that you don't fall behind.  A new policy has been included in the FACTS agreement.  Payments made directly to the school will incur a 3% processing fee, $100 late fee, and must be by money order or cashier's check.  No cash payments and no personal checks!  You must set up your account with FACTS before August 8th!

• teach etiquette and manners;
• instill self-respect and respect for others;
• teach confidence, poise, and determination;
• train girls to become entrepreneurs and excellent money managers;
• expose girls to fine dining and dinner dances;
• build social skills, sportsmanship, and public speaking;
• provide positive affirmations;
• give girls advice on dressing for success, modesty, and true beauty;
• cultivate culinary and home economic skills;
• monitor academic progress and tutor where necessary.

Bridges: Partners in Music

Mad Science® is the world's leading science enrichment provider. They deliver unique, hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational. Mad Science is proud to introduce students of The Cambridge School to a world of discovery while sparking their imagination. Mad Science encourages scientific literacy in children in an age when science is as vital as reading, writing and arithmetic.
 
Cambridge and Mad Science begin this partnership in science education in October 2007 through the after school enrichment program.  The partnership will conclude in March 2008, with the science fair as the culminating event.