September, 2011

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is our country’s most important education law. A number of years ago this law was revised and is now called, The No Child Left Behind Act. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was designed to make changes in teaching and learning that will help our students achieve more in school.

The law requires that all schools receiving federal funds must inform parents of their right to ask schools about the qualifications of their child’s teachers. Our school receives federal funding and we are happy to share this information with you.

We believe that nothing is more important to your child’s education at school than having a well-prepared and highly qualified teacher. The law requires that all teachers must meet a specific, legal definition of “highly qualified” in order to teach in schools that receive federal funding. The legal definition of a “highly qualified teacher” has three parts. It states that the teacher must have:

1. A four-year college degree

2. A regular teaching certificate/license; and

3. Proof of their knowledge in the subject they teach.

New Jersey has some of the most qualified teachers in the country and we are extremely proud of the quality of the teaching staff in the Wallkill Valley Regional School District. All of our regular teachers have college degrees and many have advanced degrees. The State of New Jersey has always required a teaching certificate/license for all teachers. In addition, every teacher continues his or her own learning through professional development activities and our teachers are evaluated each year to make sure that their teaching skills remain at the highest possible level.

A highly qualified teacher knows what to teach, how to teach and has a full understanding of the subject matter being taught. Every teacher in our school is fully qualified and dedicated to teaching your child.

I encourage you to support your child’s education and communicate with his or her teacher on a regular basis. By partnering together - families and educators - we can provide your child with the best education possible.

Sincerely,

Edward Bolcar

Superintendent