Dear Mt. Carmel Elementary Parents and Guardians:
 
As we complete the remainder of the 2015-16 school year, we are pleased to inform you that our plan for Personalized Learning at Mt. Carmel Elementary School based on the HCS personalized learning tenets has been tentatively approved for an August 2016 launch date.  Mt. Carmel joins eight other schools in the district who were selected to move forward in the process of personalizing learning opportunities for our students.  Mt. Carmel’s Personalized Learning Design Team has spent the last year analyzing, researching, exploring, and reflecting on our school’s needs and priorities and we are excited about the bold plan we have developed and the possibilities it holds for our students!
 
We have utilized resources from within our school, district, and throughout the United States.  Teachers, parents, and students have provided both insight and feedback in the development of Mt. Carmel’s plan for personalized learning.  Throughout this process our ultimate goal has been and continues to be to provide more personalized learning experiences, create more dynamic learning environments, and provide more voice and choice for our students and teachers.  Additionally, our aim is the development of 21st Century learners who exhibit the skills of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, thus students who are well on their way to becoming college, career, and life ready.
 
Transforming a school from a traditional model to a more personalized learning model will be a process.  We realize that it will require involvement from all stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, and the community.  We desire and welcome your participation in this process.  We will take steps to ensure thoughtful and deliberate steps are taken as we move forward in this 3 - 5 year process.
 
During the remainder of the 2015-16 school year, we will continue to focus on informing and involving staff, parents, and students to develop a common language and understanding of Mt. Carmel’s Personalized Learning Plan.  We will also provide the necessary professional development for our teachers, and continue to take steps to investigate innovative learning practices for our students. 
 
You will find additional information regarding Personalized Learning on both the Mt. Carmel Elementary School’s website at https://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/domain/10076 and the Henry County Schools’ Personalized Learning website at http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/domain/7692.  We will continue to share our progress throughout this journey and we welcome your involvement.  Thank you for your continued support as we seek to Personalize Learning for Every Child Every Day!
 
Sincerely,

Martin Gore, Principal
Mt. Carmel Elementary School