School News
St. Germain Elementary & NP Montessori Learning Center
March 2020
National Read Across America Day
March 2nd, Dr. Seuss' Birthday, was National Read Across America Day. This annual event is celebrated and designed to encourage reading in children. Our librarians at school did a variety of activities during library time this week to celebrate this day. We also have "dress like your favorite book character day" on March 5th. Even though we celebrated reading this week, it is something we celebrate and encourage all year long. Teaching kids how to read is one of the most important tasks we have as an elementary school but inspiring them to read is equally important.
We do a variety of things to encourage reading such as "One Book, One School, One Adventure", Reading Night, the St. Germain Elementary Reading Heroes event, we hold Book Fairs, celebrate National Read Across America Day and more. Although these are all important, parents are a child's first teacher and the best way to inspire kids to read is to have a family make time for reading. I often have parents ask, "What can I do to help with my child's academics at home?" My first response is always, "Read to your child and make time for him/her to read to you." At Family Learning Team meetings, and through teacher-parent connections, you have been provided a variety of valuable resources to support your child's academics at home, but the most important thing you can do is simply read.
There is endless amounts of research that indicate how reading to your child benefits him/her on many levels. For starters, it builds vocabulary and background knowledge on various concepts. These are the two most important things to help your child with reading comprehension. Therefore, the more you read, the higher vocabulary your child will have, the more he/she will know and the better he/she will be able to comprehend texts. Reading is also connected to increased academic success, higher test scores and increasing their IQ. It also fosters imagination and creativity and teaches kids many life lessons such as social skills, understanding emotions, personalities and much more. It helps increase focus, listening skills and promotes longer attention spans. Above all, and most importantly, it strengthens the bond between parents and children. Cuddling up and reading books opens communication between you and your child. It calms them down and gives them the feeling of intimacy and love. Research also shows that the feeling of love and getting attention actually helps children grow smarter.
In honor of National Read Across America Day, and in the best interest of your child, I encourage you to find time to read with your kids. A few things you can try are making it part of your bedtime routine, keep books in your car, find time each night that all electronics are off and everyone drops everything and reads. You can even have your child read to a pet, a stuffed animal or to a younger sibling. Go to the library and have your child get a library card and select books to read. Also model reading, whether it is magazines, books or a newspaper...if kids see you reading they are more likely to do so themselves. Reading with your child is the best thing you can do to help your child with academics and it will help strengthen your relationship with your child. As Dr. Seuss said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."
Sincerely,
Tony Duffek
St. Germain Elementary School and
Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center Principal
Celebrating Reading
One Book, One School, One Adventure
Reading Heroes
Pizza Lunch Winners
4K & 5K Registration Dates
The dates and times below are times you can register your child for 4K or 5K (if you have not done so already). We will also have developmental screeners and students get to meet their teachers for next year.
St. Germain Elementary — Friday, March 13, 2020, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm screening until 4:00 pm (registration to 5:00)
Eagle River Elementary -Thursday, March 5, 2020, 4:00 pm - 7 pm
Eagle River Elementary — Friday, March 6, 2020, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Land O’ Lakes Elementary — Friday, March 13, 2020, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm screening until 4:00 pm (registration to 5:00 pm)
Mother - Son Night (Lego Land)
Professor Gizmo & The Science Fair
Family Learning Teams & Montessori Peace Night Success
Families Making Meals
Studnet Project Showcases
Potluck Bringing People Together
Parent's Corner
Families and children seem to be busier than ever with sports, clubs, school, friends and more. It is important to find a balance between all of these activities that can be very enriching and just spend time with family. Another strategy that can be used to help slow down and teach your child coping strategies to overcome anxious feelings or business is mindfulness. Below is a short video on how you can use mindfulness to help teach your child to have control of his/her emotions. If you want more information on mindfulness just ask your child's teacher, many of our classes use mindfulness in a variety of ways to increase focus and concentration and to bring a sense of calmness to kids. If you want more helpful parenting resources and tips like this check out the link below:
Save the Dates
March - STG Color Day 3/11, 4th grade Madison Field Trip 3/13, Report Cards Sent Home 3/17, Mother/Son Night 3/20
April - Father/Daughter Dance (Enchanted Forest) 4/17, Spring Fling and Bake Sale - 4/24
May - Science Fair 5/1, Teacher Appreciation Week 5/4-5/8, Book Fair 5/26-5/29,
Reading Night 5/29, Mission Possible 1K & 5K Run 5/16
June - Color Day 6/3, Field Day 6/5
Upcoming Events for March & April
March 5th
- End of trimester
March 6th
- Montessori Learning Center - No school for MLC staff in-service the rest of NPSD has school
March 11th
- St. Germain Elementary School - Color Day - Recognition Assembly at 2:00 PM
March 12th
- Schools attending the 8th grade play at the Middle School/High School Auditorium in the morning
- Family Night at Timbers in St. Germain from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM - A portion of the proceeds that night go back to our schools
March 17th
- Report cards sent home
March 20th
- Mother-Son Night (Lego Land Theme) @ 6:00 PM
March 30th - April 3rd
- Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
April 10th
- No School
April 17th
- Father/Daughter Dance @ 6:00 PM
April 23
- Spring Pictures
April 24th
- Spring Fling @ 1:30 PM
_______________________
St. Germain Elementary and Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center
Email: tduffek@npsd.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.npsd.k12.wi.us/login_faculty.cfm?memberid=121&pageid=52801
Location: 8234 State Hwy 70, Saint Germain, WI, USA
Phone: 715-542-3632
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northlandpines/?scrlybrkr
Twitter: @tduffeknpsd