Dorn's November Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dr. McCaffrey
If you're like me, your "to do" list never ends. How is that even possible when there is NOTHING else to do in the world right now? No movies, no parties, no baby showers, no vacations...! My "to do" list should be totally completed since there is nothing else for me to do! But it is not. In fact, on my "to do" list tight now is to get this typed and to Letty so it makes it into the November Newsletter. But just as you cross things off, more things are added. I will bet that emptying the dishwasher and folding/putting away the clean laundry is on your list. But what about the more important things, such as reading to your child? How about playing with your child? When you are 50, emptying the dishwasher and folding clean laundry will STILL be on your list, but you won't be able to put on your list READ to your child, or PLAY with your child. My youngest, a 20 year-old, certainly does not want me to read to her or play with her. It will soon be too late for you and your child also. Please take the chance to do it now. Later in this newsletter is information about a Math App you can put on your phone. Maybe you can do that each day with your child. Just do something with your child, and have fun doing it. Try not to pretend! They know!
A special shout-out to parents of remote learners: You are doing an amazing job of working with your children. Parents of Glen Oaks and Conrady remote learners can just let them do the work themselves, but our small children need lots of support. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You made a huge commitment when you opted for remote learning for your child, and we all appreciate the hard work you are doing at home. We know it is not easy, and understand your struggles.
I hope that you can forget the "official" Thanksgiving Day to give thanks, and do so every day of your life. It is hard to give thanks for anything these days, but please remember that your most important blessing is your pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade student, and that alone is enough to wake up thankful each day.
I can't believe that the first quarter is over. Parent/Teacher conferences will look different this year, just like everything else. Later this month, teachers will be sending you a link to a sign up for a phone conference for either 11/23 or 11/24. We did not send out official report cards, just progress reports right now. The truth is, this year is a bit more difficult to assess students due to the social distancing with in-person students (no more one-on-one assessments) and not spending an entire school day with remote students. So conferences may be more about YOU telling us your concerns (especially the remote learners)!
Math App for your phone
Mommy? Daddy? Read me a word problem. That is probably not a request many parents hear. A new study shows that if a school child's parents replace a bedtime story with a math discussion even one night a week, the child's math skills may improve markedly compared with peers who listen to non-mathematical stories.
Bedtime Math (http://bedtimemath.org/) is a free Math App for your phone. It comes highly recommended! Each day they post a fun new math problem that the entire family will have fun solving/discussing. I suggest you download it and do the one problem each night with your child. You even have your choice between Spanish or English ( no Arabic or Polish- sorry).
Here is the description they give of it on their website:
Every day, we serve up a quick bite of wacky math just for fun. It's nothing like school. Parents can sign up by email, on our website, and on our free app. Whether it's flamingos, ninjas or pillow forts, kids can see the math in their favorite topics. No logins, No drilling. No scores. It takes only 5 minutes a day, and kids clamor for it.
I think that you and your child will enjoy it. I had fun exploring the App on my phone, and I don't even have a young child at home anymore!
Team Day- Crazy Socks Day
TEAM DAY
EARLY DISMISSAL
Wednesday October 7th, 2020
The students schedule on this day will be as follows:
1st Grade/Full Day Kindergarten/Rooms 7, 9 & 12
9:45AM-2:00PM
Dismissal will occur between 1:45-2:00PM for car riders with the buses departing and children arriving home between 2:00-2:45PM.
Lunch will be served on this day in the normal fashion.
KDG/PreK/EC AM 9:45AM- 11:15AM
Dismissal will occur between 11:00-11:15 for car riders with buses departing and children arriving home between 11:15-11:45AM.
KDG/PreK/EC PM 12:30PM -2:00PM
Students who take the bus will be picked up starting anytime after 11:15AM and arriving in time for the 12:30 start.
Dismissal will occur between 1:45- 2:00PM for car riders with buses departing and children arriving home between 2:15-2:45PM
No School, Wednesday, November 11th.
Physical ED Time with Mr. Boam
I have been enjoying the fun we have been having in PE class these first nine weeks. We have been going outside every PE class. I am very pleased that your children have been safe and following the proper social distancing guidelines. This coming month we will be having an obstacle course set up for the students. In class we talked about bullying and how to be safe by following the three school rules. Parent/Teacher Conferences are on November 23rd and 24th. Please email me if you have any questions, or concerns. My email address is: bboam@npd117.net. Do not forget to follow me on Twitter to see pictures of all the fun we are having in class. The handle is @MrBoamNPD117
PreK Corner
PreK News
In November we will have Dr. Lieberman to discuss how to help children through transitions. She will provide an overview around transitions children experience, explore how transitions feel to young children, discuss the types of reactions they may have and offer recommendations about how to respond. The link for this parent workshop is on my website. Please register in advance using this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tjludumtqDMjGdW5egCM4qovJWhZhlT3m8k9
Please when you register enter your child's first and last name so I can easily recognize who is with us. If you have more than one child in our pre-K program, just type your children's last name.
For the November Home-School Connections, the flyer is also on my website @ https://www.npd117.net/page/11807
Stay healthy and encourage your child to wash their hands frequently, wear masks and keep social distancing.
If you have any questions email me: bbenchekroun@npd117.net
Science Corner
The skin of a shark feels rough, not smooth. Do you know why?
All sharks have skin make up of very tiny teeth. Now scientists know that whale sharks also have tiny teeth on their eyes!!
Some kinds of sharks have eyelids, but whale sharks do not. Their eyes are also on the corner of their head. When whale sharks bump into things, they can hurt their eyes. The scientists think the tiny teeth help keep the eyes safe as the sharks swim around. Whale sharks are the biggest of all sharks. They are not a danger to people, though. People call these sharks the gentle giants of the sea.
Did You Know?
Board of Education Meeting
Please look on the district website for more information: NPD117.net.
You can also find district news on Twitter at: @NorthPalosSD117.
1st Grade Feast
Your child does not need to bring a lunch or order a lunch from school on this day unless you do not want him/her to participate in the feast. If that is the case, please let the teacher or the office know.
Thank you to our PTA for providing the food for this feast.