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Bethany Wilson, Principal Lifeskill of the Month: Problem Solving
April 7, 2008
Parent Conferences
· Does your child complete and return his/her homework daily?
· Does your child follow directions the first given?
· Does your child respect the teacher and the learning environment? This means: no talking during instruction; work is completed to the best of one’s ability; toys are kept at home.
· Does your child have a “Can do” attitude?
· Can your child estimate how much time a task will take and stick to completing it?
Your child’s teacher can pinpoint the study skills your child has that pave the way to school success, and success in the real world and workplace. The teacher knows what study skills your child needs to improve to be most successful.
Our purpose in conferencing with parents is to communicate your child’s progress towards learning the grade level exit skills and standards. Between now and the end-of-the-year, what further progress can be expected? What help and support can school and home provide?
Teachers are able to help you improve the home structures that allow your child to succeed at school. Don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher for help.
Parents: Please do not have any of your children “wait” here for you to attend your conference. Students must go home immediately afterschool.
Please understand that all conference times are tightly scheduled. It is not usually possible to accommodate parents who are late, and if the conference is missed, there may be several days before the teacher can reschedule a meeting.
STAR TESTING April 22-May 8
The STAR test is given in every public school in
FOR STUDENTS: They get to “SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW.” Students’ scores are mailed home in the summer, and tell whether they have learned what they should have for their grade. For fifth graders, individual’s test scores are used by their sixth grade teachers to help determine whether he/she will have just one English and one math class on their class schedule; if they score below “Proficient”, he/she may have to take an extra English and/or an extra math class.
FOR PARENTS: The STAR test score is one measure of how well your child is learning at his/her grade level. You can compare your child’s scores year-to-year. You can also compare your child’s performance to how well other students in the state are doing.
FOR TEACHERS: Teachers use the STAR scores to group students for Team Time, and in the classroom for language arts and math instruction.
FOR SCHOOLS: The STAR test scores for all students are boiled down to one number, an API. We also get APIs for each significant student sub-group: “English Learners” “Whites” “Socioeconomicallly Disadvantaged” and “Latinos”. We use the subgroup APIs to measure our effectiveness in teaching different students. The community also looks at a school’s API or APIs as quality indicators.
Is the STAR test High Stakes? You bet. Sassarini may end up In “Program Improvement”, a program designated by the state, if we have failed to prepare our students to reach these goals:
J At least 35% of all our student subgroups must perform “Proficient” or “Advanced” on the Language Arts tests.
J 37% of all student subgroups must reach the “Proficient” or “Advanced” on the math tests.
To score at “Proficient” or “Advanced” levels roughly means a student must answer 60% of all questions correctly. And again, our subgroups are “Hispanic or Latino” “White” “Socioeconomically Disadvantaged” and “English Learners.” In other words, more than a third of all students in each grouping must score Proficient or higher.
I know our students are smart! They can show this! We want our Sassarini students to perform their best, and YOU are so important in making that happen!
How can parents best prepare their students for state testing?
1. Remind your child to Think Positively! Your child’s goal is to think and say, “I’m going to do the best I can,” “I can do hard things!” rather than “I’ll never make it through this test.”
2. Help your child be physically fit. To perform well on a test requires that your child be alert.
J Be sure your children, ages 5-8, are in bed by 8 PM, and ages 9-11 by 8:30 PM
J Be sure your children eat a full breakfast, including protein and complex carbohydrates.
3. Help you child know his/her personal “bug-a-boos” when taking a test. (A silly word, but have fun with this despite the seriousness of it all!) All students have weaknesses of one kind or another. For example, if your child’s weakness is reading accurately, help your child read each word by pointing with his finger, and to be most careful when reading the questions and choices. Then teach him or her to look back at the passage for a very specific answer. (Ask your child’s teacher for help with pinpointing the area your child needs to improve on!)
4. Help your child learn how to control his/her nervousness. A little nervousness is natural. Tell your child not to worry about things he/she doesn’t know. Help your child learn how to relax when he/she takes a test:
J Try taking slow deep breaths, counting in and out for four seconds each.
J Another strategy is self talk such as, “I can do this” or “It’s okay, I’m safe,” or “It’s only a test and nothing bad can come of this.”
J Yet another strategy for controlling nervousness is tensing and relaxing different parts of the body in a systematic way (tense and relax the jaw, then the face, then the shoulders, then the arm…).
J How do you handle nervousness or stress? Talk to your child about how you do it!
5. Discuss how testing is going, and how proud you are that they give the STAR tests their best efforts.
Please make these routine, calm days for your children. We want all students well rested and well nourished to perform at their peak. Thanks so much for your support!
SHOP OUR BOOK FAIR
Our goals for the bookfair are to put books into the homes of our students, and to raise funds to buy books for our Sassarini Carney Library. Our book fair will be open every day of conference week. This is a great opportunity to develop the home library and support our Sassarini School Carney Library. Bring your friends and family to shop our special offerings of books for kids and adults alike. A HUGE thanks to Karen Buscher for heading this extravaganza, and to all the volunteers who are working.
If you move to a new address…
Please notify us immediately so that we can update our records. If you move and you would like your child to continue to attend our school in the next school year, you will need to complete an Intradistrict Transfer Request. There is no guarantee, however, that the request will be granted as new students may enroll who are moving into our school attendance area. Please note that top priority among the transfer requests is given to students who previously attended the school that they are requesting.
K-8 Intradistrict Transfer Requests (IDT) Timelines:
Families must submit their IDT request within these windows. Requests will be accepted only at the District Office by mail, fax or in person and will be date-stamped when received.
|
Windows |
Dates |
Parent Notification from the District Office |
|
IDT Window #1 |
January 29-April 4 |
By May 2 |
|
IDT Window #2 |
April 7 – June 6 |
By June 27 |
|
IDT Window #3 |
June 9 – August 15 |
By August 21 |
Student Art Show
Don’t forget to visit the student art show at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway in
Bear Flag Track Meet
If your child loves to run or jump, this is the event where they can join with other students in the area and have fun doing what they love to do!
Pre-registration through the school office is necessary by Thursday, May 1st. No late registration will be accepted.
When: Thursday, May 8th. Check-in: 3:30 – 4:00 pm Starting time: 4:10 sharp
Where:
Who: All children in Sonoma Valley Ages 6-12
Donation for Student Registration: $3.00. Registration $12.00with Tee shirt:
OPEN HOUSE Thursday, May 15 6-8 PM
Plan now to be here this evening. Open House is the most important night for you and your child to be here together. Come see your child’s best work and accomplishments this evening! All our classrooms are open for families and community to tour.
IMPORTANT DATES through the End of the Year:
Parent Teacher Conferences Sassarini Annual Bookfair, April 7-11 STUDENTS DISMISSED EARLY Grades K-3 @ 12:36 Grades 4-5 @ 12:45Pm
Shop the Bookfair FAMILY NIGHT April 7, 6-8 PM. Parents invited to bring the family for dinner and a movie
OPT meeting, Monday, April 14, 5:30-7 PM. Topics include Teacher Appreciation
STAR testing for grade 2-5 starts, Tuesday, April 22-May 8
Seahawks Assembly, Tuesday, April 22, 1:05 PM
Assembly, Songs from the play “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”: Tuesday, April 22, Grades 2-3 only.
English Language Advisory Committee, Thursday, April 24, 7 PM
Fourth Grade Missions on Display at the
Seahawks Assembly, Tuesday, April 29, 1:05 PM
Due date to register for the Bear Flag Track Meet, Thursday, May 1
Drumming Assembly, Friday, May 2. A celebration of the artist-in-residence program for Sassarini’s second and third graders. Grades K-2 @ 1:00 PM; Grades 3-5 @ 1:55 PM
“All District” Music Performance featuring our fifth graders. Concert at
Cinco de Mayo event, Saturday, May 3. Time TBD
OPT meeting, Monday, May 5, 5:30-7 PM. Topics include Teacher Appreciation
Seahawks Assembly, Tuesday, May 6, 1:05 PM
Day of the Teacher, Wednesday, May 7. Our OPT hosts a luncheon for teachers.
Bear Flag Track Meet, May 8
Celebration of Accelerated Readers: Luncheon with the Principal. Thursday, May 8
Salute to Education. The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation honors educators in the
Assembly. Sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department. A helicopter arrives! Tuesday, May 13, 8:45 AM.
Students That Are Really Special Assembly, Tuesday, May 13, 1:05 PM
OPEN HOUSE and
Band and Chorus Concert, Friday, May 16, 9:30 AM
Assembly, Cascada de Flores, Tuesday, May 20, 1:05 PM
School BBQ -- Parents invited for lunch, Friday, May 23. Lunch times (K & 1 promptly at 11:20 AM. Grades 2 & 3 promptly at 11:40 AM. Grades 4 & 5 promptly at 12:15 PM)
Seahawks Assembly, Tuesday, May 27, 1:05 PM
Assembly, May 30, Friday, May 30, 1:05 PM. Sponsored by Kaiser. On Healthy Health Choices
Fifth grade End-of-Year class celebration, Monday, June 2. CalSkate and
Recognition and Awards Ceremony, Tuesday, June 3, 1:05 PM
Field Day, Wednesday, June 4
Fifth Grade Promotion, Thursday, June 5, 8:45 AM
LAST DAY, EARLY DISMISSAL at 12:36/12:45 PM, Thursday, June 5
♪ The Big 5 ♪
Chorus: Big 5, Big 5, Big 5, Don’t forget the Big 5
Taking tests is no big jive
It’s easy as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Follow these tips and you will be
The best test-takers in history
Chorus
Don’t be nervous, just stay calm
Rest and food will keep you strong
Follow directions, don’t waste time
Educated guesses will help you do fine
All parents know it’s important to read to their children. While those fifteen or twenty minutes of reading to your child are golden, there are also other things you can do around the house to promote a love of reading, even when you and your child don’t have your heads bent together over a book:
• Provide a special place to store books and a comfortable reading spot. A bookshelf, table by the bedside with a warm light, or bean bag chair in the family room with a small stand of books beside it are inviting for any young reader.
• Display your own collection of books with pride. Sharing with your child what books or magazines you’re reading, along with the reasons they give you pleasure, is the best model for the joys of reading you can offer.
• Bring a variety of books and reading materials into your home. Books, newspapers, and magazines offer a variety that ensures there is never a slump in home reading activity. (Remember that parents may check out books from our own Sassarini library.)
• Talk about books at the dinner table.
If you share what you are reading first, you’re more likely to get a response from your child.
• Schedule a quiet reading time each night.
Turn off the television for fifteen minutes or more so that everyone has a chance to read books quietly. If you observe your children out of the corner of your eye, you’ll get a sense of what bo
Conferencias de padres de familia
La semana próxima todos los estudiantes saldrán de clases mas temprano para permitir que todos los padres se reúnan con el maestro o maestra de su hijo/a. Una de las rezones para apreciar las conferencias de padres y maestros es que le permita ver a su hijo/a a través de los ojos de su maestro/a. Una de las piezas de información mas importantes que usted puede obtener de esta reunión es un entendimiento de las destrezas de estudio de su hijo/a. Las destrezas de estudio son los hábitos de trabajo y las actitudes que usa su hijo/a para aprender. Estas son cosas como:
· ¿Completa su hijo/a la tarea todos los días?
· ¿Sigue su hijo/a las direcciones desde la primera vez que se le dan?
· ¿Respeta su hijo/a a su maestro y al ambiente de aprendizaje? Esto significa: no hablar durante la instrucción; el trabajo es completado a lo mejor de su habilidad; los juguetes son guardados en casa.
· ¿Tiene su hijo/a una actitud de “yo puedo”?
· ¿Puede su hijo/a estimar cuanto tiempo le tomará hacer algo y tratar de completarla?
El maestro/a de su hijo/a puede enseñarle a su hijo/a las destrezas de estudio para mostrarle el camino del éxito escolar, así como éxito en el mundo real y en el lugar de trabajo. El maestro sabe que destrezas necesita su hijo/a para mejorar y ser más exitoso.
Nuestro propósito en reunirnos con los padres durante las conferencias es comunicar el progreso de su hijo/a por medio de las destrezas y normas en su nivel de grado. Entre ahora y finales del año, ¿qué otro progreso se puede esperar? ¿Qué ayuda y apoyo se puede proveer en la escuela y en casa?
Los maestros pueden ayudarle a mejorar las estructuras hogareñas para permitir que su hijo/a tenga éxito en la escuela. No dude en pedir ayuda al maestro/a de su hijo/a.
Padres de familia: por favor no tenga a sus hijos esperándolo aquí mientras que usted asiste a la conferencia. Los estudiantes se deben ir a su casa inmediatamente después de clases.
Por favor entienda que los horarios de las conferencias son muy seguidos uno con otro. Es muy difícil acomodar a los padres de familia que llegan tarde, y si pierden el tiempo de su conferencia, tal vez pasen muchos días antes de que el maestro pueda reprogramar una reunión. (Esto es especialmente verdadero cuando se necesita un traductor en la escuela.)
Si hay algún miembro adulto en su familia que habla inglés, por favor envíelos a la conferencia.
Nosotros siempre tenemos dificultad para proveer traductores para nuestras conferencias de padres y maestros. Es de gran ayuda cuando las familias ayudan al traer a su propio traductor. Gracias por sus esfuerzos.
Leer en la casa
Todos los padres saben que es importante leer a sus hijos(as). Los anuncios de servicio público en la radio y la televisión nos recuerdan todo el tiempo el valor de la lectura en el hogar.
Si bien esos diez o quince minutos de lectura a su hijo(a) son muy valiosos, hay también otras cosas que usted puede hacer en la casa para inculcar el amor por la lectura, aun cuando usted y su hijo(a) estén todo el tiempo leyendo.
• Proporcione un lugar especial para guardar los libros y un rincón agradable para leer.
Un estante de libros, una mesa junto a la cama con una luz apropiada, o una silla o cojines en
la sala, con un pequeño librero al lado, son medios que invitan a cualquier lector joven.
• Exhiba con orgullo su propia colección de libros.
Compartir con su hijo(a) los libros o revistas que usted está leyendo, junto con los motivos por los que le causan deleite, es el mejor ejemplo que usted puede ofrecer para despertar el amor por la lectura.
• Traiga a su casa una variedad de libros y materiales de lectura.
Los libros, periódicos y revistas ofrecen una variedad que aseguran que nunca haya un vacío en la actividad de lectura en el hogar.
• Hable sobre libros durante la cena.
Si usted comparte lo que está leyendo primero, es más probable que obtenga una respuesta de
su hijo(a).
• Programe un horario de lectura tranquilo cada noche.
Apague la televisión durante quince minutos o más de manera que todos tengan la oportunidad de leer libros calladamente. Si usted observa a su hijo(a) con el rabillo del ojo, tendrá una idea de cuáles son los libros que disfruta más. Usted también puede ver si el rincón de lectura que usted ha creado resulta cómodo, o si hace falta hacer ajustes.
OMPRE EN NUESTRA FERIA DE LIBROS
Nuestros objetivos para la feria de libros es poner libros en las casas de nuestros estudiantes, y conseguir más libros para nuestra biblioteca en Sassarini.
Nuestra feria de libros estará abierta todos los días de la semana de conferencias. Será al doble del tamaño de lo que es usualmente. Esta es una gran oportunidad para desarrollar la biblioteca de su casa y apoyar nuestra biblioteca de la Escuela Sassarini. Ayúdenos a alcanzar nuestro objetivo de ventas de más de $5000. Traiga a sus amigos y a su familia para comprar nuestras ofertas especiales de libros para niños y adultos por igual. Nosotros todavía necesitamos ayuda. Por favor hable con la Sra. Wilson o alguien en la oficina. Queremos agradecer a Karen Buscher por encargarse de esta extravagancia, a todos los voluntarios que están trabajando.
