Dear Star Lake Families and Friends,
Welcome to the 2011-12 school year. I am very excited to begin my fourth year as principal at Star Lake. My full name is Melinda Muchmore-Thompson, but I prefer Mindy Thompson.
Before I was a classroom teacher, I was active in my sons’ schools as a PTA volunteer and worked as a paraeducator in the Puyallup and Sumner school districts, including recess duty! In 1993, the citizens of Puyallup elected me to the Puyallup School Board where I served two terms as school director. I am the proud mother of four sons and two stepdaughters who range in age from 25-40. My hobbies include walking, exercising, listening to music, and exploring technology.
I began my teaching career right here in Federal Way at Lake Grove Elementary where I taught 5th and 6th grade plus multiage GATE 3-5. I moved to Star Lake Elementary in 2006. At Star Lake, I taught 4th grade, ELL students and served as the Dean of Students.
I am proud to be the leader of such a vibrant learning community and award winning school! Last October Star Lake was named a School of Distinction for the second time in three years. In addition, Star Lake received an Achievement Award in 2009 from the state of Washington. All three awards honor our students’ increase in math and reading scores on our state assessments over time.
This year Star Lake is projected to welcome 530 students in grades K-5 that bring a treasure of diverse ethnicities and languages from all over the world. We provide a variety of grade configurations with the purpose of building strong learning communities and relationships over time and across grades.
Star Lake is proud to begin our second year as an AVID Elementary! AVID’s (Advancing via Individual Determination) mission is to prepare all students for college readiness in a global society. AVID Elementary methodology and strategies include organizational tools, daily agenda/planner, note-taking, and leveled questioning. AVID strategies are introduced as early as kindergarten at Star Lake and fully implemented in our 4th and 5th grade classrooms.
Parent involvement is crucial to the success of your students in school. (1) Join PTA and work on a committee. (2) Set aside a time each evening to read with or to your child. (3) Contact the classroom teacher when you have a question or concern. (4) Volunteer to help in the classroom, the library or the office. (5) Provide a distraction free, quiet area where your children can complete their homework. (6) Make sure your child is at school every day and arrives on time. (7) Attend school wide events and student-led conferences. (8) Hold your child accountable for their behavior at school.
Together we can build a world-class learning community for every child! I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Mindy Thompson
