School Board
Susan L. Valdes, Chair
Doretha W. Edgecomb, Vice Chair
April Griffin
Sally A. Harris
Carol W. Kurdell
Melissa Snively
Cindy Stuart
Superintendent of Schools
Jeff Eakins
Chief of Schools
Larry Sykes, Ed.D.
Area Superintendent, Area III
Brenda Grasso
Principal
Dave McMeen
Assistant Principal
Sarah Fish
July 28, 2015
Dear Parents,
I would like to welcome you to Kimbell Elementary school and the 2015-2016 school year. This
will be my first full year as your principal (my twentieth year in the district) and I am truly looking
forward to what Kimbell Elementary has to offer your child this school year. We will continue to
be an ERT school (Extra Reading Time) which means that our student school day begins at 7:15
a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. for students. We will continue to offer students the I-Ready adaptive
computer reading program just like last year.
The 2015-2016 school year will also bring some new staff members to our team and we will start
the school year off with a full staff. It has been a very busy summer hiring new teachers and I
know all of our teachers are excited to welcome your child into their classroom on August 25th.
Being a Title I school means that we receive federal money and these federal dollars are used to
hire resource teachers to work with your child and your child’s teacher in reading, writing and
math. Each year our teachers select specific trainings they would like to take to help them teach
your child and this year all teachers will have the opportunity to attend a training called Conscious
Discipline. Conscious Discipline is based on Dr. Becky Bailey’s work and it is focused on personal
transformation. This is a vital for embedding resilience in our schools, families, communities and
our country. Academics are an important part for all students as we grow and learn but when
students are truly transformed they are better able to learn the academics being taught by their
teacher and how to work and live with each other.
We have a great school and community at Kimbell Elementary and I am proud to be your child’s
principal! It will be a collective effort from parents, students, community and staff to work
together this year. The greatest predictor for a student’s success in school is when they know that
at least one adult in the child’s life truly cares. I am excited about the opportunities that will unfold
this year as we all work together. I know by the end of the school year you will be proud of the
accomplishments that your child will show. As always, please contact me if you have any
questions.
Wishing you a great 2015-2016 school year!
Dave McMeen
Principal
8406 N. 46th Street  (813) 983-3900  Tampa, FL 33617  Website: www.sdhc.k12.fl.us
School District Main Office: 813-272-4000  P.O. Box 3408  Tampa, FL 33601-3408