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February 2005 Dear Families, It is amazing to think we have already reached the year 2005. As we approach the halfway point of the 2004-2005 school year, we are excited to see the growth and change in our students since August. We recently had several inches of snow on the ground. Our drop-off procedures worked reasonably well. I imagine more snow will eventually appear. In anticipation of that exciting event, I have a few reminders. Please make sure you continue to follow safe drop-off procedures. Please use the lane in front of the playground for dropping-off your child. If you plan to park, please use another area and reserve the street in front of the playground for our parents who can drop-off their child and move on. This is the safest area for student drop-off. The piles of snow from the city plows can complicate procedures but the lane runs smoothing and safely if everyone cooperates and has safety as a goal. Thank you in advance! Also, we try to have outdoor recess weather permitting so please send your children prepared for that 15 minutes fresh air break with hats, mittens, boots and snow pants so that they can enjoy the outside activities. On another procedural note, we have had a significant number of students late to school recently. Please remember that our instructional school day begins at 8:15 a.m. Students should be in their classrooms ready to begin a learning packed day. With all the unpacking involved in snowy weather, this means students should arrive at school between 8:00 and 8:05. Students who arrive later than that are really at a learning disadvantage. While all our teachers try their best to catch children up who come in "a few minutes" late, those students have lost opportunities that cannot be replicated. During the month of January, our School Family Community Partnership Committee, with Home and School funding, organized a visit from "The Mad Scientist". This family learning opportunity was a great success. Many students, together with their parents, gathered in our gym to observe scientific principles in action through exciting demonstrations. Shared learning experiences can provide outstanding opportunities for discussion and further learning. It was a "highlight of the week" for me to see our parents and children learning together! In previous newsletters, I have shared ways parents can enhance the learning experience at home. On are in which parents can participate in the educational process with their children is to show that learning is life-long. A parent's personal example carries a strong message to children! Help you child connect ideas from the classroom to daily life. For example, highlight how math is used in day-to-day living such as in cooking, shopping or on the football field. Take some time this winter to research a subject your family may have questions about. Share your findings and talk about the steps you took to get the answer. Talk about current events. Find places in the news on a map. Read often and discuss the books, newspapers, and articles you read. You are the most influential person in your child's life. Julie Beehler |
