North Scituate Elementary School
January Newsletter 2020
A note from Mrs.Soccio
Happy New Year to All North Scituate Families!
I hope everyone is refreshed, well-rested, and ready to start the new year strong. As we begin the new year, students will be goal setting with their teachers. An upcoming school-wide community meeting will support a discussion around goal setting for this year.
We are well into the second trimester and approaching the mid-year benchmarking period. During this time, students will complete testing in both math and reading to assess their progress from the beginning of the year. AimsWeb Plus will continue to be used to assess students in grades K-3, while STAR will be used to monitor the progress of our grades 4 and 5 students. As we know, this is only one way teachers assess student progress over the course of the year.
Reminder: Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play. We are making every effort to get students outside for recess and must ensure they are properly dressed for the conditions. Thank you for your support.
Looking forward to a successful and exciting 2020!
Check out our Library Newsletter here.
Warm Regards,
Kaitlin M. Soccio, Principal
Setting Goals for the New Year
The middle of the school year is a great time for families to check in with students on goals. Setting academic and personal goals helps motivate, energize, and focus students, and it is a valuable skill that will benefit learners throughout their lives. Parents can help students set and achieve these goals.
Goal-setting can be tedious, even intimidating, for some students. Parents can support
students in this process by following these steps: pick it, map it, do it, own it, and celebrate
it.
Pick it. Encourage your child to consider his or her dreams and passions and pick goals
that are important and meaningful. Guide your child to think about, “What motivates me? What would inspire me to give my best effort? What would make me feel good while I’m doing it? What achievement would make me feel proud?”
Map it. After your child picks a goal, help map the path from where he or she is now to
where the child wants to be. Offer the following analogy: If we want to drive across the
country from New York to California, we don’t just get in our car and start driving—we get a map, pick a route, and follow it until we get to California. With your child, analyze
different approaches and define clear steps to reach their goal. For instance, if the goal is
to get a higher test grade in a tough subject, each quiz or project is a step on the path to
the higher goal: earning an A.
Do it. Once you and your child have mapped a path to their goal, encourage him or her to take action, focus on the first step and give it his or her best effort. Remind your child that no goal is ever reached without focused action.
Own it. As your child makes progress toward their goal, help him or her to take
responsibility for making it happen. Teach the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Reflect
with your child. Ask, “How are you doing? What’s working? What’s not working? What can
you or your family change to get to this goal?” From there, analyze the map, and make
changes to the plan if necessary. Help your child keep a positive attitude and own mistakes as well as successes. Remind your child that if something comes along that holds him or her back temporarily, to look at the experience as feedback. Failures, or bumps in the road, can provide us with information we need to succeed. Reinforce the message that we can learn from our mistakes and move on with new, valuable knowledge.
Celebrate it. Acknowledgment and celebration are huge parts of achieving goals.
Acknowledge every effort and celebrate your child’s mini-successes along the way to
achieving a goal. This builds his or her confidence and motivation. Your child will feel good and understand that perseverance will result in another mini-success and finally goal achievement. Try going through the goal-setting process as a family. Pick a family goal (perhaps a charitable activity) and work together to achieve it. After the family experience, have each family member pick a personal goal. Support and acknowledge one another as you move through the above steps. Success is assured when students believe in themselves and in their ability to achieve. Parents are key to helping them believe and succeed.
Report to Parents, written to serve elementary and middle-level principals, may be
reproduced by National Association of Elementary School Principals members without
permission.
Parent-Teacher Conference Tips
Before the Conference:
- Listen. If you hear your child talking about something he or she is doing well inor is struggling with, make a note of it. When it’s time for the conference, you’ll have a list of topics to discuss.
- Ask. Sit down with your child and ask him or her about school. Ask what’s happening in class, at lunchtime, or in special classes such as art or physical education. Does your child enjoy classroom activities? Does your child feel like he or she is falling behind academically? Is he or she bored? Are there any troubling issues with classmates? Try asking your child what he or she thinks their teacher is going to tell you about them.
- Assemble notes and papers. Write down questions you want to address with the teacher. Bring copies of any assignments you have questions about. Think ahead of time how to bring up concerns.
During the Conference
- Be on time. Schools tightly schedule parent-teacher conferences because there’s only so much time available and dozens of families to see. Show up at least a few minutes early.
- Take notes. Make note of what the teacher tells you about your child. Bring up your concerns, making sure to explore strengths, weaknesses, and social skills.
- Keep emotions out of it. It is always difficult to hear that your child may not be the person you thought he or she was in the classroom. Keep your cool and bear in mind that the teacher is offering constructive criticism.
After the Conference
- Talk to your child. Tell your child what you and the teacher discussed. Emphasize the positive things the teacher said. Remember that it’s important for your child to feel positive about learning, the teacher, and the school.
- Follow up. If there were important issues that need to be dealt with, make sure to follow up in writing with the teacher soon after the conference. Specify what steps will be taken, what your responsibilities and the school’s responsibilities will be, and what the timetable is for action.
- Meet with your principal. If, after conferring with your child’s teacher, you still feel that serious issues weren’t adequately addressed, set up a time to talk to the principal.
- Follow through. Once you know what you can do at home to help your child succeed in school, make sure you follow the necessary steps.
Source: Report to Parents, written to serve elementary and middle-level
principals, may be reproduced by National Association of Elementary School
Principals members without permission.
Attendance Matters!
We hope you and your family had a joyous holiday season. As we prepare to start school, we realize this is the time of year when winter takes a toll on school attendance. Colds, fevers, sore throats, and earaches often come with the winter months. Here are a few guidelines when contemplating keeping your child at home or sending them to school.
The best gift you can give your child is a good education. And the best place to get that education is in school. Every day. On time. If missing school is unavoidable, talk to your child's teacher to create a plan for making up missed work. But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that goes on in the classroom.
~Information gathered from www.attendanceworks.org
North Scituate Attendance Initiative
Congratulations to our December individual student winners:
- Kindergarten: Olivia Sokolow
- Grade 1: Michael Cavanagh
- Grade 2: Xavier Rosado
- Grade 3: Owen Josefson
- Grade 4: Olivia Mckay
- Grade 5: Madelaine Twiggs
All students get a fresh start for January! Keep shining, North Scituate Stars!
Coming Soon: SurveyWorks!
- SurveyWorks is a statewide survey sent out annually to students, families, and teachers to hear from Rhode Islanders directly about their experiences in our state's public schools.
- SurveyWorks will be given to all students in grades 3-12, parents, teachers, support professionals and building administrators.
- The Rhode Island Family Survey is for all parents to complete. For the third year in a row, parents of students receiving special education services will receive a single survey that combines the Rhode Island Family Survey and the Special Education Survey.
- More information will be sent home in the coming weeks.
Spelling Bee
Scituate elementary schools and middle school are once again participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee sponsored by the Valley Breeze! North Scituate School will hold classroom spelling bees for 4th and 5th grade students.
- Each grade level will hold a classroom spelling bee followed by a schoolwide grade level spelling bee the week of January 6th.
- 1 fourth grader and 1 fifth grader from each school will go on to the district bee. There will be an alternate for each grade, as well.
- The District Bee will be held on February 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the Scituate High School Auditorium (snow date: February 10th).
- The State Spelling Bee will be held on March 14th at 10:00 a.m. at Lincoln Middle School.
Positive Office Referrals
Principal's Book of the Month
High Five Friday with Scituate Spartans
Singing & Goodies
Read to Succeed Event
RICAS Data Dive
Grade 1- Balance & Motion
Informational Unit Gr. 2 & 3
Grade 4: Holidays Around the World
Grade 5: Thanksgiving Dinner Digits
Art with Miss Tourgee
A Note from Mrs. McCann
Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and happy 2020!
As you are well aware, we are entering the time of year when children are more likely to become ill with various viruses causing nausea, vomiting, colds and the flu. The RI Department of Health is reporting that the flu is widespread in RI right now. If you or your child has not been immunized against the flu, it is not too late to get the vaccine. It does take about 2 weeks after the immunization for antibodies against the flu to be produced by our bodies. Flu season sometimes extends until May.
Many times parents wonder if in fact their child has a simple cold or influenza. Here is a link to a CDC chart to help you determine if your child has the flu.
https://images.app.goo.gl/M9SGgu5ZhVGcxSfR9
Just another quick reminder to keep your child home from school if they have a fever > 100 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, severe disruptive cough, or is unable to be reasonably hygienic when dealing with respiratory secretions resulting from a cold. And students should only return to school after they have been symptom free for 24 hours.
As the new year begins, many adults decide to make new year’s resolutions to improve their health. Healthychildren.org has created a list of resolution ideas for
children. Learning to setting goals is an important skill. Learning to set goals to improve health can set the stage for a healthy life into and throughout adulthood.
Here is a list of ideas for you to talk about with your school age child, from the Healthychildren.org website created by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
I will drink reduced-fat milk and water most days. Soda and fruit drinks are only for special times.
I will take care of my skin by putting on sunscreen before I go outdoors on bright, sunny days. I will try to remember to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I'm playing sports.
I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
I will always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or skateboard.
I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
I'll try to be friendly to kids who may have a hard time making friends by asking them to join activities such as sports or games.
I will tell an adult about bullying that I see or hear about to do what I can to help keep school safe for everyone.
I will keep my personal info safe and not share my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I'll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without asking my parent if it is okay.
I will try to talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I have a problem or feel stressed.
I promise that I'll do my best to follow our household rules for videogames and internet use.
Have a wonderful January!
Mrs. McCann
School Nurse
A Note from the School Psychologist
A new year is a nice opportunity to reflect on the past year. Take time to think about what you tried, learned and accomplished last year. It is also a great time to set goals for the coming year. There are many reasons why setting goals is important. Setting goals helps us to focus on a specific target. Without goals, we tend to become scattered in our thoughts and actions. Goals direct our minds toward achievement and success. Goal setting improves our everyday actions and decision making. Goals also provide us with a sense of purpose towards a particular skill or talent.
When setting goals, think of SMART Goals:
SMART GOALS
S=Specific (Who, What, Where, When, Which, Why)
M=Measurable (How much?, How many?, How will I know when it is accomplished?)
A=Attainable (List personal traits that are needed in order to meet this goal.)
R=Realistic (What conditions would have to exist in order for me to meet my goal?)
T=Timely (Identify a time you plan to work on your goal in order to complete it.)
Once you have decided on a goal, think about each area and develop a plan to obtain that goal. A personal goal for each person is good but also consider having a family goal. For example, sitting down for dinner all together, having a family game night, trying new foods, or family reading night. After developing your goals post them in a place where you will see them daily.
Happy Goal Setting and Happy New Year!
Mrs. Schiappa
School Psychologist
Stuff a Crusier Event
PTO News
Huge thank you to our PTO volunteers who organized and ran our Village Stroll. This is a great community event held at our school the first Friday in December. Students enjoyed snacks, crafts, raffles, and a visit from Santa. Together, we raised over $800 from this event. Thank you to all the families who joined us.
Our next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:30pm in the school library.
Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program- click here for more information. The school is still collecting empty ink cartridges and box tops.
Please email NorthScituatePTO@gmail.com with any questions.
Parents Night Out
Scituate School Committee Update
Important Dates
12/23-1/1: Holiday Recess
01/07: School Committee Meeting
01/08-09: Parent Teacher Conferences
01/08: Robotics Club
01/15: Robotics Club
01/15: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
01/16: Fire Safety Presentations 9-11:30am
01/16: Student Council Meeting
01/16: Robotics Event 6-8pm at SHS
01/20: No School- MLK Day!
01/22: Robotics Club
01/29: Robotics Club
01/30: Student Council Meeting
North Scituate Elementary School
Email: kaitlin.soccio@scituateschoolri.net
Website: https://nses.scituateschoolsri.net/
Location: 46 Institute Lane, Scituate, RI, USA
Phone: 401-647-4110
Twitter: @NScituateSchool