Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Week 11

I can not thank you enough, parents, for the incredible turn-out for conferences last night!  The feedback I received was extremely positive and motivating and I am looking forward to keeping that momentum going.

It is Red Ribbon Week and we are pledging to be drug-free, alcohol-free and tobacco-free.  We have activities planned for each day to show our commitment such as wearing hats on Tuesday to "put a cap on drugs," wearing mismatched socks on Wednesday to "sock it to drugs" and wear your favorite team jersey to "team up against drugs."

We will be assessing on reading next week to put our reading groups together based on proper DRA levels.  Please keep an eye out for your child's results so you are informed on where they stand. 

We have implemented the Book It Reading Program where students can earn pizza vouchers from Pizza Hut for reading 20 books per month.  Additional information can be found in your child's homework folder.

Congratulations to Tyonna Butler who received four purples and a blue for her behavior last week!  Awesome, Awesome, Awesome - well deserved Student of the Week.

Have a great week!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Week 10

I hope everyone had a relaxing three weeks off with your child and you were able to spend some quality time together.  As hard as it is to get back into "school mode" I feel like we transitioned rather easily yesterday, so that is a victory in itself! :)

This week we are experimenting with different materials to help with stroke formation skills.  While many of the children can recognize numbers/letters, writing them is a bit more challenging due to developing motor skills.  We will work with salt trays, gel bags and shaving cream which will provide models of stroke designs.

We are introducing iPads into our centers this week to begin implementing the student technology component of our daily schedule. Students will first learn how to handle the devices and to care for them properly.  We will begin various handwriting applications towards the end of the week.

Report cards go out on Friday.  Parent/Teacher conferences will take place Monday, the 24th where you can bring any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child or school procedures/policies.  I will be sending home a schedule today where you will make 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for a time slot.

Also, we are sending home information on our first fundraiser.  PTO has prioritized several items of importance that this fundraiser will help fund.  This is a great fundraiser to do with the holidays approaching so hopefully it won't be too challenging.  The more money we can raise, the quicker we can grow our school!

Have a wonderful week!