Principals' Message—March 5, 2026

Greetings to Eden Hall Upper Elementary Students, Parents and Staff,

As we start moving toward spring and the final nine weeks of the 2025-2026 school year, we wanted to share a few thoughts and important reminders for students, parents and staff. You have heard for years our focus on learning for every student, every day. This focus begins with a positive school culture that is welcoming for all students. At PRSD, diversity is defined as all the ways that people differ. Those differences have the opportunity to enrich our school and ensure that all students feel safe, connected, and valued.

Respectful

The RAMS Way begins with the "R" of Respect. Here are some key concepts that we discussed at the start of the year and have continued to reinforce in our neighborhood meetings and RAMS Way messages and events:

• We want to build each other up.
• We want to treat others with dignity and respect.
• We want to find ways to connect all students to their school in some way.

We will not tolerate:

• Bullying, name calling, or making fun of someone based on their physical appearance (e.g., skin color, hair, body, clothing/style choices).
• The use of the N-Word for any reason or excuse (singing a song, permission from a friend, "joking around," etc.).
• Inappropriate comments related to a person's gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• The use of inappropriate sexual comments, including talk about private parts of the body.
• The use of inappropriate comments or actions related to a person's religious beliefs, including antisemitism or for a person who does not have any religious beliefs.
• Inappropriate touching of others or their belongings in a way that is unsafe or inappropriate, or infringes upon their personal space.
• Disrespect to students with disabilities.

Accountable

We have so much to be proud of at Eden Hall. The vast majority of our students are making good choices on a daily basis. However, it is critical for us to clearly reinforce that negative comments and slurs—about any of the above areas—are completely unacceptable. They are hurtful to the individual(s) and create an environment that is the opposite of what we want. Each individual person must be "A" Accountable for their actions. In order to maintain our positive school culture, we ask that all students, families and staff members feel confident stepping in and standing up for others being mistreated and reporting these interactions immediately to an adult at home and school to allow intervention and support.

Technology

For many years, we have discussed the fact that technology brings both "possibilities and pitfalls."

• Cell Phones: Thank you to students and staff for supporting our "no cell phones" policy. Eden Hall students are expected to keep their cell phones in their lockers during the school day. Cell phones are not to be out during the school day and are absolutely prohibited in bathrooms. Violations of privacy will be addressed through our Discipline Code.
• AI and Social Media: We continue to see the misuse of technology on and off campus. We encourage everyone to stop and think before you post. Students, ask yourself if that post reflects well on you and/or your family, the school, and your future.
• Academic Integrity: Some students are using AI at home to complete assignments, which is a violation of our academic integrity policy when not explicitly permitted by a teacher. Violations will be addressed in accordance with the Discipline Code.

Motivated and Safe

Tied to the "M" and "S" of Motivated and Safe, we want to encourage decisions that promote physical and mental health.

• Healthy Habits: Get enough sleep! Try to incorporate exercise and healthy eating habits. Plan and prioritize your work to help avoid last-minute stress.
• Safe Choices: Please consider having conversations at home about making healthy choices and helping students understand the potential risks associated with certain substances. Students should avoid putting themselves in positions where their health is at risk or future goals are in jeopardy.

We share all of these messages and reminders because we care about each of you as our students, our families and our school. We will reinforce the topics in this letter through announcements and small group discussions. If you have concerns about anything, please talk to your parents or someone at school. Safe2Say is always available to report concerns anonymously.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Colleen Berezo, Principal

Mrs. Emily Dunker, Assistant Principal

Mr. Michael Rose, Assistant Principal

Dr. Kristen Justus, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education and Curriculum

Dr. Maura Paczan, Director of Student Services

Dr. Brian Miller, Superintendent