April 19, 2007
Dear Drummond students, teachers, parents and community members:
I am writing to all of you today in the hopes that you can share this message with your children and family members. I have accepted a position as an Area Instructional Officer to oversee schools in Area 10. I have accepted this new challenge as I feel I am equipped with the abilities, knowledge and experience to make a difference at the area level. While this is a great opportunity for me to grow professionally and share my passion about educational leadership with several principals and their school staff, it is also a sad one as I prepare to bid you farewell as of June 30, 2007.
I am confident of our teachers’ and administrators’ abilities, whose vision is to continue to help students achieve higher standards and to stay focused on the three basic goals which have made us become Area 6 top-achieving-school in 2006 these are: 1) continue increase student academic achievement 2) provide staff professional development that promotes teacher-student engagement 3) continue the Montessori curriculum transition school-wide, now Pre K- through 8th grade.
As I prepare to leave Drummond, I want to take advantage of this opportunity to thank the wonderful students who have kept me focused on my work. They have helped me keep my passion alive! Secondly, I thank my administrative team and office staff who regardless of the stresses and conflicts that come with this job, have stood behind me and provided me with their loyalty and unwavering support. I am also grateful for our teachers and staff whose daily work have provided students with a nurturing, caring and a safe environment. They have made sure students’ needs were met and in many ways, helped exceed our academic goals each year since 1995. I could not have done anything without you!
Special thanks to all our parents, especially the PTO/NCLB/BAC and LSC teams, who have supported my ideas and initiatives in spite of the stressors we face as instructional leaders and change agents. Your dedication and commitment to our students and our great small school have made Drummond Montessori Magnet School shine throughout the city of Chicago! I am in awe of you!
Last but not least, special thanks to everyone in the Drummond School community such as local leaders and business members whose energy has provided our school with new ways to fund numerous school-community initiatives and the Campus Park Project. Your perseverance is to be admired by all and should be mirrored by all Chicago schools and communities.
I wish all of you the very best. Please don’t lose site of your passion, for without an intense passion we can not make significant changes in our children’s lives.
Sincerely,
Isabel M. Collins
Principal
