We have selected our elementary K-8 Student of the Month for September.  The student we have chosen is Gus Irvine.  He is in the fourth-grade class.  He will receive a $5 shopping card, one free admission to any regularly scheduled ball game, a free food item and drink from the concession.

Our monthly contest for students K-8 has begun.  We will be honoring those students who meet their reading goals each month.  Our students have raised over $1,150.00 for the Reading Awards Program.  We are looking forward to a very successful year.

Our school carnival will hold on September 17 from 4:30-7:00.  We welcome everyone to attend the carnival for a fun evening and to help our school raise money for each classroom.

Connie Helfenbein

Elementary Principal

Carney Elementary School

"Committed to Excellence"

Dear School Patrons,

I wanted to write a letter to our patrons to share the capital improvements that have been made thus far.  We applied for a Qualified Zone Academic Bond (QZAB).  These loans were made available by the federal government at very low interest rates for renovation of existing structures.  The Carney Board of Education decided to make improvements to the elementary building since it has not had any major improvements since its construction in 1968.

The QZAB monies were used to renovate the school in the following areas:

• New roof on elementary building

• New Heading/Air unit in all elementary classrooms

• New energy efficient windows in elementary building

• New energy efficient elementary classroom lighting

• Intercom system that connects all classrooms to the main office.  This was necessary to meet school safety standards

• New locks on doors.  This was also necessary to meet school safety standards

• Electrical upgrades in the electrical closet in the elementary building

• New carpet in high school library

• Much needed electrical upgrades in the high school

The remaining balance was 28,961.00  These funds can be only used to renovate any existing structure on our campus.  We are evaluating our existing buildings to determine the greatest need for improvement to best use these funds.

We will be asking out patrons to support our school by passing a building bond in February, 2004 to complete the new classroom building.  We passed a series bond to build Phase I which was the existing structure for $300,000 which only completed the shell and framework of the building.  The bond in February will finish the building.  We hope to occupy the building by August, 2004.  With your help, we will meet this goal.

Our campus is improving in all phases of educational process.  We now have internet access to 95% of all classrooms.  We have purchased 12 CPU's this year.  Our technology program is continually improving.  If you have any questions about the school, please do not hesitate to call my office.  Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Respectfully,

James Ramsey

Superintendent