Butlerville Bulletin
September 2019
Principal's Update
In both first and second grades, teachers are using Orton Gillingham to provide students with a multi-sensory approach to teaching literacy. Additionally, second grade is using Lucy Calkins: Units of Study for teaching reading. So far this year students have learned to take charge of their reading by choosing how to read, learning how books want to be read, and learning to read in scoops. Next up is working hard to solve tricky words.
If there is anything we can do to help support your child here at school, please, don't hesitate to reach out!
Mrs. Miles
The Importance of Routines
From Ann Marie Klein, Literacy Coach
Knowing what to expect from daily life can develop a child’s confidence, instill a sense of self-control, provide comfort and reassurance. Providing primary-age students with predictable literacy and homework routines helps to set them up for success in their school environment. (Dr. Peter Gorski, Harvard Medical School).
Here are some things to consider when setting up routines for school:
Empty and review your child’s folder or backpack at a particular time each evening. Maybe it’s as soon as your child arrives home, or right after dinner.
Before bed, help your child pack his or her backpack for the following day. Then it’s ready to grab and go in the morning.
Set aside approximately the same time each day for homework, including reading. Spread homework and reading throughout your evening or morning. Avoid one long session of work.
Perhaps
Practice spelling while eating breakfast, riding in the car or waiting for the school bus.
Eat a snack after school, take a short, active break, then tackle a math page.
Brush teeth then snuggle next to your child to read together on the family couch or some other comfortable space.
Try to make reading time be away from TV or electronic devices.
Make reading a conversation.
When your child doesn’t know a word, have a conversation about what’s happening in the story or in the pictures on the page. Ask, “What word would make sense?” rather than asking your child to ‘sound-it-out.’ If the word your child chooses isn’t correct, tell him or her the word and keep reading. At-home reading should be enjoyable.
After reading, talk about the book for a couple minutes
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
What was your favorite part and why?
Which character are you most like? What makes you say that?
What did you know about the topic before you read? What did you learn about the topic after you read?
Expect students to complain or stall at homework in the beginning - once a routine is put-in place for approximately 18 -21 days, you may find they begin to anticipate and look forward to the tasks they have. As the parent, you become a partner in that routine, rather than the person who is telling the child to “do this” and “not do this.”
Routines don’t just make your life easier, they save valuable time. Most importantly, efficient routines make it easier for students to learn and be successful.
Notes from the Nurse
From Wendy Gordon, School Nurse
NO GERMS ALLOWED: It’s always a good moment to remind our kiddos to avoid chewing on their fingernails and keep their fingers out of their nose, eyes and mouth. Remind them to wash hands after going to the bathroom and before eating. Consider getting the flu vaccine for your child this year. Look for information next month about the mobile dentist coming to Butlerville in December. Best health to all!
Upcoming Dates
September 23: Delayed Start
October 10: Conferences (4:15pm-7:45pm)
October 10: PTO Meeting (4:45pm)
October 10-18: Book Fair
October 14: No School (Teacher Inservice)
October 17: Conferences (4:15pm-7:45pm)
October 28: Delayed Start
October 31: Fall PartiesSpecials' Spot
From Tonya Carmack, Teacher Librarian
I am so excited to be the library/media specialist for Grades One and Two, as reading and literacy are my passion! My goal is to inspire a love of reading that will last a lifetime! I truly believe that if a child doesn’t like to read, they simply haven’t found the right book yet.
We have been very busy in the library learning the routines, procedures, and rules for optimal learning. Ask your child to share our “Hug Your Books” line-up song we sing when leaving the library.
I will begin the year with many visual props to help the students relate to the types of books in the library (clown nose = funny, joke books; magic wand = fantasy/fiction, and “Al” the alligator hand-puppet to demonstrate non-fiction/animal books).
Sssshhh…don’t tell the students, but “Dr. Evil” will visit soon to teach us about what NOT to do with our books (including spilling fruit punch and performing a surgery on a book bought by Mrs. Carmack used for demonstration purposes only), as we delve into proper book care in preparation for library check-out which will begin in September. Let’s encourage our young readers to be responsible by caring for their books and returning them on time.
Another aspect of my job is teaching keyboarding. I will use a program called Type to Learn Cloud.
Why teach keyboarding? Computing is a way of life today. Not only in school or in the workforce, but also as a means for communicating with others, sharing ideas, and expressing thoughts. The keyboard is the primary means of interfacing with a computer. Keyboarding is therefore an essential, 21st Century skill that students must develop in order to use computers effectively and efficiently. With Type to Learn, using the keyboard will become as natural to your students as writing with pen and paper. Its research-based, interactive learning environment will engage all K-12 keyboarding learners.
After your child’s Type to Learn accounts have been created and the program is in full force, I will be sending home instructions on how to log in to this program at home so they can further advance their skills at home, as well as at school.
To learn more about library happenings, please feel free to join my Schoology page at HNMZ-63QX-HRPKJ. You will find my introduction letter and parent/grandparent volunteer letter, as well as updates on what I am teaching. I will also try to include Salem Township Public Library’s newsletter about all of their upcoming events. I highly recommend your child attend the “Reading With Raider & Friends” program which is the first Tuesday of every month. The first one is Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Your child will have the opportunity to read with trained therapy dogs. It is a fun experience for the whole family!
Counselor's Corner
For the past few weeks, I have been visiting all first and second grade classrooms introducing myself and explaining my role as a school counselor to our students. My goal is for every student to know who I am and how I can help. With my first grade students, I read the book, "The Color Monster". This is a fun pop up book about feelings. With my second grade students, I read the book, "In My Heart", which is also a fun, colorful book about feelings. During my visit, I had the opportunity to have "minute meetings" with each one of our students. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the second graders again, and to meet my first graders!
Core Essentials Program:
We will have our Core Essentials program again this year, where each month focuses on a specific value. The value for September is Trust.
Upcoming Events from the School Counseling Department:
- Start With Hello Week: September 23-27, 2019. This is a week where we will focus on creating a culture of inclusion and connection, and encourages our students to reach out and include others who may be left out.
- Classroom Counseling Lessons in October will focus on how to go beyond starting with hello and focus on friendship skills and ways to cooperate with others.
- Small group forms have been turned in. I am in the process of organizing and planning the times. Groups should be starting in the next week or so. If your child is not in the first round of groups, they will be in one later in the school year. I will send email updates so you know when your child is beginning a group. If you need a small group form, please let me know.
Connect with the School Counselor:
If you have any questions or concerns, or need to connect with me, please reach out to me by phone or email. I would love to work with you!
Brittany Stultz, School Counselor
513-899-5200 ext. 45427
Speech and Language Tips
Hello everyone! My name is Kara Detty and I am the Speech-Language Pathologist (AKA Speech Teacher) serving at your school! I am excited to get to know many of your children this school year.
Even if your child does not have speech therapy, there are lots of things to do to improve and enhance any child’s communication skills! Never fear, here are some simple ideas below!
Language Activity:
· Have your child create a back to school shopping list with you! Describe what the items look like and have the child use the word in a sentence. This is an excellent way to build new vocabulary skills with your child.
Articulation Activity:
· Have your child draw a picture of their target speech words (or words they have more trouble saying). Have them practice the word 5 times and then draw away! Make it more fun to draw with water on the sidewalk. Then their picture will disappear!
Social Language Activity:
· Make it a challenge to give 5 different people high fives on a walk outside. Remind your child that they must say hi and ask for a high five before doing it.
Contact Us
Email: jmiles@lmsdoh.org
Website: www.littlemiamischools.com
Location: 8276 State Route 132, Blanchester, OH, USA
Phone: 5138995200
Twitter: @LM_MrsMiles