August 1, 2022 Dear Parents, 

We welcome you back for the 2022-23 school year!  I hope your summer with your family & friends has gone well and you are excited for the beginning of the school year.

I am honored to begin my fourth year at Love Elementary & my twenty-ninth year in public education working with Stephanie Omste, Vice Principal, and the wonderful & caring faculty and staff of Love Elementary School. Our school vision is strongly committed to eliminating barriers to every student having what they need when they need it- that is the core function of equity.  Students must see themselves represented in curricula whatever the subject matter - the science of whole child development shows context and meaning-making are fundamental elements of teaching and learning. When young people see themselves, their histories, and culture represented in the curriculum, they’re more engaged, they feel a sense of belonging, and they’re more able to learn.

All of us at Love ES, working in partnership with families, can create the conditions necessary for all our students to thrive. Our Students of Color,  Indigenous students, white students, LGBTQ, neurodivergent students, and English language learners deserve schools committed to their well-being and academic success. When we focus on equity, we expand our community’s notions of who belongs and who schooling is intended to work for, including and to care for everyone. By respecting and bridging our differences in ways that help us heal from harm, we can ensure that every child is seen, valued, and thrives. 

We need each other.  We (students, parents/care, teachers, paras, staff, principals, and district leaders) must work together in mutually respectful relationships across differences to create the kinds of learning experiences and outcomes all our young people deserve. 

I plan to spend most of the day visiting classrooms and seeing what students are learning and will promptly respond to phone calls and emails within 48 business hours.  If you would like to schedule an appointment, our office staff, Neelab Sarwary, Office Manager, and  Cat Silverman, Office Assistant, will be happy to help you and arrange an appointment as soon as possible.

Again, welcome back, and we are excited to begin the school year in person!

Respectfully,
Tina K. Lagdamen, Principal   

Stephanie Omste, Assistant Principal