The Roadrunner Report
News from Rolling Ridge Elementary
From the Principal's Pen
October
10/1/19
Hello Roadrunner Families,
Welcome to a new month at Rolling Ridge! We are so happy that students have settled into their routines for the school year and that they are learning and growing every day. In my weekly email, I have been including questions to ask your child about his or her learning each week. Hopefully these will serve as conversation starters and brief insight into what students are learning at school.
October is a busy month at Rolling Ridge, with many opportunities to get involved. October 4th was our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration day. Thank you to those who were able to join us for some fun activities honoring the occasion. We will also continue our PEP program and Family Coffee series this month. These events offer valuable information for parents, and we hope that you can join us.
At the end of this month, our PTA will host Trunk or Treat on October 25th. This is an opportunity for students to dress in costume and participate in a fun and safe trick or treating activity. Please be on the lookout for more information from the PTA about this event.
As the weather begins to cool, please remember to send students to school in appropriate clothing, as they will continue to go outside for recess (weather permitting). As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sacco
PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
Thursday, Oct 3, 2019, 03:00 PM
Rolling Ridge Elementary School, East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Day
Friday, Oct 4, 2019, 08:00 AM
Rolling Ridge Elementary School, East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
Family Coffee
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019, 08:30 AM
Rolling Ridge Elementary School, East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
Thursday, Oct 17, 2019, 03:00 PM
Rolling Ridge Elementary School, East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
Book Fair Family Shopping Night
Friday, Oct 25, 2019, 03:00 PM
Rolling Ridge Elementary School, East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
PTA Trunk or Treat
Friday, Oct 25, 2019, 05:00 PM
Rolling Ridge Elementary School, East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
Search Information
Greetings from the Search Team,
Search is an opportunity for students in grades K-4 to work within the classroom to practice problem solving, incorporate high level thinking skills, and to identify students with exceptional abilities.
Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test
All Loudoun County third grade students will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test in October, 2019. The test will be given to students in their regular classrooms during their usual SEARCH time. Please prepare your child by making sure that he/she is healthy, well-rested, and that he/she has eaten a good breakfast on the day of the test. No other preparation is needed!
In order to help you, as parents, better understand the NNAT2, here are some frequently asked questions.
1. What does the NNAT2 measure? The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test 2 assesses school learning ability without requiring a student to read, write or speak. Instead, students rely on reasoning and problem solving skills to complete the test items.
Many people assume that intelligence is differentiated in two categories: verbal and nonverbal. The distinction actually refers to the content of the items on an intelligence test, not to the type of thinking or intelligence required. Verbal and nonverbal tests are two different ways of measuring intellectual ability.
2. What types of questions are on the NNAT2?
There are four categories of questions on the NNAT2:
- Pattern completion: requires the student to complete a pattern by determining both general orientation and design details of the missing portion.
- Reasoning by Analogy: requires the students to recognize a logical relationship between several geometric shapes
- Serial Reasoning: requires the student to recognize sequence of shapes and changes in a sequence
- Spatial Visualization: the student must recognize how two or more designs would look when combined
The geometric shapes and designs used for each test item are culture-free. A sample test item from the NNAT2 is shown in the figure below (actual test items use blue, white and yellow because these colors are most easily perceived by those with color-impaired vision).
3. Who will take the NNAT2?
Currently, all third grade students in Loudoun County Public Schools take the NNAT2 in the fall of the school year. The NNAT2 is available to students in grades K-12 for intellectual ability testing.
4. How long is the test?
The test has 48 items, which must be completed in 30 minutes.
5. How do I interpret the scoring report?
Percentile ranks range from 1 to 99, and describe a student's test performance relative to other students of the same age in the national normative reference group. A student performing in the 95th percentile, for example, scored higher than 95% of the students at his/her age. Ranks between the 25th and 75th percentile fall within the average range of normative expectations.
6. If there is a significant discrepancy between a student’s performance on the NNAT2 and his/her achievement in the classroom, should I be concerned?
Students may score well on the NNAT2 who do not demonstrate high levels of achievement in the classroom. The NNAT2 demonstrates that these students have the ability to succeed in school, though they may not have acquired the skills required to achieve at that high level. Alternately, there are students who are very strong in the academic domain who may score poorly on the NNAT2.
The NNAT2 helps us identify students who may not demonstrate their ability on more traditional tests of knowledge because of limited English proficiency, language or learning difficulties, or other factors that may hinder achievement. It should be kept in mind that the NNAT2 scores give only one piece of information about a student. As with any assessment, some tests will identify the strengths of students more than other tests.
Please feel free to contact one of us directly if you have any questions at stephen.jones@lcps.org or kristina.bohn@lcps.org.
News from the Gym
Students at Rolling Ridge have been moving at moderate-to-vigorous activity levels in physical education class. Our students practiced emergency drills, expectations, and have been on the move for the majority of most classes. Kindergarten, first, and second graders focused on locomotor skills and moving with personal space, while the third, fourth and fifth grade children played cooperative games, participated in FitnessGRAM assessments, and started learning about their food groups. As you can imagine, the CHAMPS tickets were distributed often in September. We hope that these tickets will continue to motivate students. We have plenty of role models at Rolling Ridge, so we’re positive that when our leaders “lead by example” that more students will watch them and learn from them.
October will packed with a variety of lessons that should stimulate everyone. Once the third, fourth, and fifth grade students finish their Fall FitnessGRAM assessments they participate in throwing/catching activities and will dabble in several mindfulness activities. Emphasis will be placed on components of fitness and core subject integration. Kindergarten, first and second graders will be working to improve their locomotor skills in an array of games. They will also focus on throwing/catching activities that will elevate their heart rates.
We will also be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a simple game called “Camino De Colores.” We hope that you’ll be able to join us on October 4th in the gymnasium for this game that will emphasize Spanish vocabulary and fitness.
Mr. Comins and Mr. Binford
RRD Physical Education Teachers
Counseling Corner
Happy October Roadrunner Families! October is National Bullying Prevention Month. At Rolling Ridge, it is our effort to create a physically and emotionally safe environment. The School Counselors will be providing lessons to all students to teach them effective strategies and skills for preventing, addressing and reporting bullying incidents. Students are encouraged to wear kindness shirts on October 1st. On October 7th, the whole school will be wearing BLUE to STOMP OUT BULLYING! Lastly, on October 23rd, the whole school will be wearing orange to promote unity.
If you would like to learn more about our lessons, please ask your children the following questions.
- What is STOP, WALK and TALK?
- Who can you talk to if someone bullies you?
Mrs. Abuasi-Eqab and Mrs. Huey are available to meet with students for individual and small group counseling. They can help students with a variety of social-emotional issues as well as teach students strategies to be the best person they can be.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 571-434-4542 or email at haneen.abuasieqab@lcps.org or morgan.huey@lcps.org. We look forward to a great year!
Let's Talk Tech!
In STEM Lab this month we will be working with students on collaboration and inquiry skills. Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade students will learn how to use the iPad App, Explain Everything, to explain and document the world around them and explore their Science standards. All students have been working on Typetastic, a web-based typing program, and a digital escape room. The Library and STEM Lab will be working together on a Zipline Design Challenge based on the book Pigeon Has to Go to School. We will continue to work on the 5 C’s of Loudoun County as we dive deeper into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math instruction.
For more information or questions about our STEM lab, you can contact us by calling the front office of the school or by email.
Matt Harbert, Instructional Facilitator, Technology
Lakin Williams, STEM Lab Tutor
Music Notes
Save the Date for our Annual Veteran's Day performance! 5th graders are working hard to prepare a special performance to honor the veterans of the United States military (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard). Students in 4th grade chorus will also participate in one song. The performance will take place on Monday, November 11 at 9:00 a.m. in the Rolling Ridge Multi-Purpose Room.
Any family or friends of Rolling Ridge students who are veterans are invited to join us for this special event. The students look forward to seeing you there!
Parents of 4th and 5th grade chorus students: We have rehearsals on Wednesday mornings beginning at 7:30 a.m. Please encourage your child to arrive on time. If your child is interested in joining chorus, they are still welcome!
4th graders will begin using recorders this fall. More information will be sent home in the coming weeks.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at 571-434-4540, or by email.
Ms. Cooper - Jennifer.A.Cooper@lcps.org
Mr. Holmes - Ronald.Holmes@lcps.org
From the Artist's Brush
Visual Arts News
In celebration of the Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), students grade k – 5th will be creating a variety of artwork inspired by Latino artists.
Please feel free to contact me with questions.
Mrs. Sanchez
Welcome to the Library!
COME TO OUR SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR!
October 25th – November 1st
Reading increases knowledge and vocabulary, lowers stress, and supports your child’s emotional growth. But perhaps the best benefit is the lasting bond you create with your child when you read with them.
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.
Book Fair Family Event on Friday, October 25th
3:00 – 5:45 p.m. (before Trunk or Treat)
Family Shopping Hours: Monday, October 28th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 29th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 31st 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, November 1st 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!
Mrs. Shea & Mrs. Boulware