I hope the summer has been rewarding and restful, although with 2 children of my own, I know how restful summers really are. I want to thank you for the privilege it is to work with your sons in the academic realm. I know that every one of my colleagues is happy to be back to work with the students. It is the student's love of learning and the inquisitive young mind that drew us all into this noble profession. At MBA, we stand committed to excellence in teaching, and we are ready to start another year.

At MBA education is a partnership. Teachers, students, and parents work together to ensure the very best educational experience possible. Communication is the lifeblood of any successful partnership, and we sincerely hope that you feel an open line to communicate with advisors,
teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding your sons' needs. We will do our best to keep you informed through newsletters, electronic mail, our web site, and a host of other resources.

Let me remind you of a few things:

• First, we are increasingly relying on electronic communication. This resource not only saves paper, but should also make our communications more timely. You should be able to view your son's grades and comments via Net Classroom after each midquarter. We will, of course, still send a hardcopy of grades if you request one, but we hope that on-line reporting will be easier and more effective for everyone.
  
• Second, your sons will learn many lessons at MBA, and only a few will be "on the test." We take great pride in our academic curriculum, and we work hard to ensure that graduates of MBA will not only get into the very best colleges and universities, but also be successful there and beyond. Every aspect of the learning process is challenged by the MBA curriculum. So, if you son struggles, please help us to look at every aspect of his approach to school. Learning how to learn, how to access help, how to communicate
  clearly, how to read effectively, how to plan and prioritize, and how to persevere is an essential foundation for lifelong learning. It is this kind of skill with which the MBA curriculum best prepares its students.
  
• Third, we have formalized our academic probation policy a bit this year. Please be aware that any student who fails 2 or more classes at any marking period (MQ or Q) will be suspended from extra-curricular activity and directed to special assistance study halls until his performance improves. Our goal with this policy is not punitive, but we do hope to stress the important role that the academic mission of MBA plays in the
  lives of our students. A student who struggles significantly signals a need for special attention and support. The time required for that support to be delivered will also require a rebalancing of the student's priorities while at school, and we hope this policy gives us the ability to help students rebalance more quickly and effectively. Our goal is to improve the situation and have the student back in extra-curricular activity as soon as possible.
  
• Fourth, as I have spoken with the returning classes this week, I have stressed a few things that I hope will help each student to maximize his academic success this year. I have stressed that every teacher at MBA is very glad that the students are back. I have suggested to your sons that success in any endeavor is only partly found in the desire to be successful. Genuine success comes from hundreds of small decisions made
  each day. If they make the small decisions in pursuit of their goals, the goals will take care of themselves. Finally, I have reminded your sons that the only behaviors over which they have total control are their own. I encourage them to look inward to find ways to be as successful as they want to be. There are many people at MBA available to help them when they need help, but the initiative and dedication to achieve must come from within each boy.

Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious possessions.

Sincerely,

Alan Coverstone
Academic Dean
Montgomery Bell Academy