Frenchtown School April Newsletter

Dear Frenchtown Families:

Looking out my window, it is hard to believe that spring has made it! Before we know it, the school year will be ending, with thoughts of summer and the next school year to come. I would like to take this time to share with you the student placement process here at Frenchtown School.

Very soon, teams of teachers and other building professionals will meet to share student profiles and begin to make recommendations for classroom placement in the 2016-2017 school year. Since student placement is multifaceted and includes considerations to meet the needs of each learner, this is a time intensive process. I will lead teachers in this process and then take their recommendations into account as lists are prepared over the next few months and finalized over the summer. I have asked teachers to refrain from conversations related to specific teacher requests, since there is no certainty that each of these requests can be honored.

Our philosophy here at Frenchtown School is one that supports parents as specialists in knowing their child and teachers as experts in learning and teaching. As a public institution, we also believe that all teachers can teach each and every child who comes to us. Our teachers understand that all children need a nurturing and supportive environment for learning. With this in mind, you are welcome to provide us with written information about your child’s special interests, learning styles and talents. This information, on the back of this sheet, will be considered when creating class lists and then given to your child’s new classroom teacher prior to the start of the new school year. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a wonderful way for teachers and students to begin that relationship which is so essential to learning. Please take this opportunity to share your reflections and recommendations. Please do not make reference to any teacher in particular as this information would not be appropriate to share with the team and would need to be eliminated from the process. Since placement decisions are made with team input and with several factors in mind, please understand that a change of placement may not be possible once lists are finalized.

We understand the often difficult job you face as parents as you turn your children over to others each day. We respect and value that trust. It is an awesome responsibility that we do not take lightly.

Sincerely,

Cheryl B. Vaughn, Principal

PLEASE RETURN ALL INPUT TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER BY

Friday, April 15, 2016

Student Name: _______________________________ Current Grade: _______________

Parents who wish to share information should focus their comments on:

Learning styles: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strengths and weaknesses: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Special issues that impact learning: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Interpersonal concerns: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prepared by: _________________________________ Date: __________________________

Expecting the Best (Optimism Month)

Research over the years has proven that there is an undeniable connection between a positive attitude and health. Keeping a positive attitude and replacing negative thoughts with thoughts of hope and confidence are also essential to learners! Brain research demonstrates how our brain grows with the right attitude and thoughts which drive our resiliency and persistence to tasks. Here are some suggested books to read at home:

• All for the Best!: The Secret to Happiness, H. Wilhelm

• Good Times on Grandfather Mountain, J. B. Martin

• Thunder Cake, P. Polacco

Brainy Stuff (Brain Awareness Week)

• Our brains are awesome. Brains are the most powerful and awesome 'computers' there are! Students will be taught the importance of being respectful and responsible with their computer brains.

• All About Your Brain, D. Bailey

• The Brain: Our Nervous System, S. Simon

• The Brain: What It Is, What It Does, R. D. Bruun and B. Bruun

• How Does Your Brain Work?, D. L. Curry

• Inside Your Outside: All About the Human Body, T. Rabe

• Look Inside Your Brain, H. Alexander

• The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body, J. Cole

• Me and My Amazing Body, J. Sweeney

• Think, Think, Think: Learning about Your Brain, H. Nettleton

• Your Brain and Nervous System, L. LeMaster

Clean and Bright

• We view the world through many windows, one of which is our conscience. When we make caring, honest, and responsible choices, our conscience is clear and we are better able to navigate our way to a more successful life. Students explore the meaning of the word "conscience" and the benefits of a clear conscience.

Happy Birthday Frenchtown Friends:

March 28: Jake S.

March 30: Patrick B. and Scarlett R.

April 2: Colin A.

Kindergarten:

Math:

Identify, Describe, Analyze, Compare and Compare 2D and 3D shapes.

Parent Newsletter:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mokeo0tdpc9s7l4/AAAbOhC3ZXZ84OO8vbVoPMv4a/K.3.3%20Parent%20Newsletter.pdf?dl=0

Fundations:

Digraphs: Wh, Ch, Sh, Th, Ck

Spelling words

Fluent reading

E/LA

W.K.1

Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion

pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are

writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book

(e.g.,My favorite book is . ..)

Grade 1:

Math

- Sorico 3.2 Solve word problems- Understand the problem and look at how to begin to solve the problem. Plan a solution instead of jumping right into the problem.

-Envisions Unit 6: Problem Solving: Draw a Picture and Write a Number Sentence

ELA

- Unit 3.2

-Students will continue to write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, including some details regarding what happened, using temporal words to signal order, and provide some sense of closure.

Science/SS

Spring Topics:

Weather, Rainbows, Ireland, Who lays eggs?

Grade 2:

Math

Students will begin telling time to the nearest half-hour using analog clocks. This is a fun skill to practice at home as well!

E/LA

Students continue to create their own narratives told from a third person’s point of view.

Reading

We are continuing to read many short fictional stories involving characters who face different challenges that cause them to change over time. These mentor texts have been helping the children generate great story ideas.

Reminder: Students should be practicing their math and reading skills as much as possible using RAZ Kids and IXL.

Girls' Night Out: April 1

COA Children's Voices: April 7th

School Play: April 8 & 9

Spirit Week: April 11-15

Kindergarten Registration: April 11 and 13, 9:30 -11 a.m.

PTG Meeting/ Parent Forum on Teaching and Learning: April 14th 6:00 p.m.

April vacation: April 18-22

Grade 1 Field Trip: April 26th

Dental Screenings: April 28th