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Welcome to Park Street Elementary School, home of the Park Street Panthers!
Dear Panther Family,
With great excitement, I write to you as the new Principal of Park Street Elementary. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such amazing students, dedicated staff, and a supportive community. I have had the honor and privilege of being Park Street's Assistant Principal for four years. In the last four years, I have worked with the Park Street staff to ensure our school is a place where all our students can Learn, Grow, and Thrive.
This new school year will mark my 18th year in education. From 2005 to 2016, I taught Kindergarten through 5th grade in Cobb County as a general and special education teacher. I was proud to provide a safe, fun, and engaging learning environment for my students. In 2016, I became a special education administrator. Beyond the classroom, I led the yearbook, spelling bee, and talent show. I served as PTA Vice-President, PTA Co-President, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports lead teacher, and led professional development locally and on the district level.
I joined Marietta City Schools and Park Street in 2018 as an Assistant Principal. In this role, I helped facilitate the opening and operations of our new school building. I supported the work that saw significant increases in student achievement. Based on 2020-2021 MAP results, we were the only elementary school to grow in every grade and content area (grades 2-5) from Fall to Spring. I am proud of all that we have accomplished at Park Street, and I am excited by the opportunities ahead of us.
As a life-long learner, I want every Park Street student to feel the excitement of learning something new every day. I believe in supporting the whole child and making student-centered decisions. Our school and administration will be committed to making decisions that best serve our students.
In closing, author and former principal Roland Barth wrote, "The nature of relationships among the adults within a school has a greater influence on the character and quality of that school and on student achievement more than anything else." Our relationship, the relationship between school, family, and community, is vital to each of our student's success. I welcome and encourage you to become involved in our school community. My goal is to ensure Park Street is and will continue to be a place where all our students can LEARN, GROW, and THRIVE!
I may be reached at (770) 429-3180 ext. 7016 or asoto@marietta-city.org
Your New Park Street Principal,
Alex Soto, Ed.S.
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Querida Familia Pantera,
Con gran emoción, les escribo como el nuevo director de la escuela primaria Park Street. Me siento honrado de tener la oportunidad de dirigir una escuela con estudiantes tan increíbles, personal dedicado y una comunidad solidaria. He tenido el honor y el privilegio de ser el subdirector de la directora de Park Street durante cuatro años. Durante este tiempo , he trabajado con el personal para garantizar que nuestra escuela sea un lugar donde todos nuestros estudiantes puedan aprender, crecer y prosperar.
Este nuevo año escolar marcará mi decimoctavo (18) año en educación. De 2005 a 2016, enseñé desde el kinder hasta quinto grado en el condado de Cobb como maestro de educación general y especial. Estoy orgulloso de haber proporcionado un entorno de aprendizaje seguro, divertido y atractivo para mis alumnos. En 2016, me convertí en administrador de educación especial. Más allá del salón de clases, dirigí el anuario, el concurso de ortografía y el concurso de talentos. Me desempeñé como vicepresidente de la PTA, copresidente de la PTA, maestro principal de intervenciones y apoyos para el comportamiento positivo, y dirigí el desarrollo profesional a nivel local y distrital.
Me uní a las escuelas de la ciudad de Marietta y Park Street en 2018 como subdirector. En este cargo, ayudé a facilitar la apertura y las operaciones de nuestro nuevo edificio escolar. Apoyé el trabajo que vio aumentos significativos en el rendimiento estudiantil. Según los resultados de MAP 2020-2021, fuimos la única escuela primaria que creció en todos los grados y áreas de contenido (grados 2-5) desde el otoño hasta la primavera. Estoy orgulloso de todo lo que hemos logrado en Park Street y estoy emocionado por nuevas oportunidades por venir.
Como aprendiz de por vida, quiero que todos los estudiantes de Park Street sientan la emoción de aprender algo nuevo todos los días. Creo en apoyar al niño en su totalidad y tomar decisiones enfocadas en los niños. Nuestra escuela y administración se comprometerán a tomar decisiones que sirvan mejor a nuestros estudiantes.
Para finalizar, les quiero compartir unas palabras del autor y exdirector Roland Barth, quien escribió: "La naturaleza de las relaciones entre los adultos dentro de una escuela tiene una mayor influencia en el carácter y la calidad de esa escuela y en el rendimiento de los estudiantes más que cualquier otra cosa".
Nuestra relación, la relación entre la escuela, la familia y la comunidad, es vital para el éxito de cada uno de nuestros estudiantes. Les doy la bienvenida y los animo a que se involucren en nuestra comunidad escolar. ¡Mi objetivo es garantizar que Park Street sea y siga siendo un lugar donde todos nuestros estudiantes puedan APRENDER, CRECER y PROSPERAR!
Me pueden contactar (770) 429-3180 ext. 7016 or asoto@marietta-city.org
Su nuevo director de Park Street,
Alex Soto, Ed.S.
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Idris Johnson - Assistant Principal
Mr. Johnson began his career at Park Street in 2000 as a Kindergarten teacher. In his 20+ years, he has served as an Early Intervention Program specialist, Multi-Tiered System of Support Coordinator, 504 Coordinator, and now Assistant Principal. His academic background includes a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fort Valley State University. He looks forward to meeting and supporting all members of the Park Street and Marietta City community throughout the year!
Mr. Johnson may be reached at (770) 429-3180 ext. 7015 or IJohnson@marietta-city.org
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Dr. Velisa Caldwell-
Special Education Administrator
Dr. Velisa Caldwell is presently the Special Education Administrator (K-5). She has served for 22 years in Marietta City Schools. Her leadership experience spans across grades K-8. After earning her B.A. in Psychology in 1992 from the University of West Georgia, Dr. Caldwell worked in a hospital setting serving adolescents with emotional and behavior difficulties for five years. Shel entered Marietta City Schools in 1997 as a Special Education Teacher for students with Behavior Disorders. She has also served as the 8th grade girls' basketball coach and 9th grade girls’ volleyball coach. Dr. Caldwell earned a master's degree in Education from Central Michigan University in 1998, and in 2008 she received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Capella University.
In 2010, Dr. Caldwell transitioned from Marietta Middle School (MMS) to Park Street Elementary (PSE) as the Special Education Team Leader. She values the role of mentors in her life and she has enjoyed mentoring PSE staff members to help them become the best they can be. Dr. Caldwell believes all students will be successful with perseverance and a nurturing environment.
Dr. Caldwell may be reached at (770) 429-3180 ext. 7021 or vcaldwell@marietta-city.org