Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year!  This year marks our 9^th year of the privilege of providing the formal educational experience for children in the greater New Orleans area. Thank you for giving us that opportunity. 

The BCA staff continues to strive to grow and evolve in order to provide the best tools and knowledge to your students to ensure they excel and succeed academically.  As in all previous years, our 2009-2010 test scores showed consistent school-wide growth in all areas of academic performance.  Our scores were excellent, and we know we will continue to get even better. 

We continue to strive to shape a well-rounded student.  We believe our after-school program has no equal.  Our numerous and varied offerings to all age groups ensure that students can continue their learning experiences via extracurricular activities.  In addition to national clubs and locally-formed groups of students with similar interests, Belle Chasse Academy will continue to have an outstanding sports program where students learn skills taught in the classroom but delivered in a different manner.  We hope you will encourage your child to find his/her niche and participate in these extracurricular opportunities.

Additionally, Belle Chasse Academy is completely committed to the social and moral development of your well-rounded student.  We are a CHARACTER COUNTS™ learning community; our Guidance Department provides individual, small-group, and whole group classes on various age-appropriate social issues; and our students are offered numerous opportunities for community service.  This year we are pleased and excited to implement the highly acclaimed and evidence-based Olweus® Bullying Prevention Program.

While the school has a dedicated instructional staff committed to the educational needs (both academic and social) of its students, and a first rate support staff with the same goal foremost in their actions; the vital role of you, the parent—the home educator and our partner—cannot be overemphasized.  We know that it takes everyone working together. 

Please get involved.  Our PTO is organized and energized.  In addition to a series of fundraisers to grow our building fund, the PTO will offer a full year of educational and fun family activities.  I encourage you to join and participate in the PTO, and to also participate in all the family learning activities that will be coordinated by your child’s teacher(s).  Please offer your assistance with our CHARACTER COUNTS™ and Olweus® implementation.  In short, your support and activism is crucial, and very much needed and appreciated.  Everyone is welcome—all the time!

Please avail yourself of the wealth of information available at our website:  www.bellechasseacademy.org.  This resource will answer 99.9% of your questions about our school…even questions you didn’t know you had!

I invite you to join your child, the students, faculty and staff at Belle Chasse Academy to embark on a successful 2010-2011 school year. We are an open door school and encourage your presence here. Please do not hesitate to contact me, or any member of the Leadership Team, if you have questions or suggestions for our school.  Working together, this can be the best school year ever!

Sincerely,

Jane Dye

Principal