Staff Weekly Update
For the Week of: April 18th, 2016
Another hurdle to be thrown at us, but we can 100% handle, will be ISTEP+ Part II. As stated in the SGE/PTO Calendar email, it starts this Wednesday, 4/20. As our students experience standardized testing for the first or second time, I am always in awe of the teamwork that comes together for the execution of ISTEP+.
Our K-2 teachers have prepared an incredible foundation of knowledge. Our related arts teachers integrate into their domains content area connections so that our students can start to see the bigger picture. Our support staff give extra hugs, smiles, and encouragement. Our 3rd and 4th grade teachers remain calm, cool, and collected and repeatedly tell their students how much more they are than simply a test score.
THANK YOU. Thank you for being able to handle ISTEP+ getting thrown at us with such grace and professionalism, coupled with ALL of other unpredictable things that . . . as my friend and I like to say . . . "this doesn't happen in the tall buildings!"
THUMBS UP FOR RYAN LAPLANTE & THE FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT CLUB!!!
Save the Date for Two Very Important Events!
- Retirement Parties for the irreplaceable Muff Biber, Diane Herbst, and Deb Ruckman!
- SGE Cafe
- 4:00 - 5:30
Thursday, May 26th
- Joy Club invites you to the End-of-School-Year Party!
- Hosted by Jessica Lunchenbill
- Sign-up sheet for pitch-in items will be out soon!
- 5:00PM start time
- During this party, we will also celebrate "Three Babies and a Wedding!" in honor of Cindy McKinney, Allison Albright, Abby Andries, and Holly Fitzpatrick
Field Day: May 20th, 2016
Next year will be the return of a much needed physical education teacher, coupled with a NEW resurgence of a well-balanced and well-rounded wellness program. "Field Day" will be one of the many activities that our new wellness teacher will absorb. Therefore, we will be using this year as a "transitional" year to phase out OUC and start to re-integrate in Field Day. With the assistance of Steve Strecker and PTO Dad's Club these past few years, OUC has started to evolve into a Field Day event.
So what must you do next? Very little! Terri Clayton has graciously offered to support Dad's Club to coordinate Field Day. It will look almost identical to what was done last year, but without the money donations and check offering ceremony to an organization. THANK YOU, TERRI! If you are on the OUC Club for this year, please continue to meet and work with Terri as your lead.
So . . . is this now an SGE event or a PTO event? BOTH! Let's remember, PTO = Parent and Teacher Organization. Next year, the natural lead will be our Wellness Teacher, but we will still lean on our PTO/Dad's Club to help gather volunteers in order to make this event as successful as possible! We will also put in a blurb in our SGE Weekly Newsletter in order to inform our families of the natural evolution of this event.
Thank you, everyone!
Tuesday Take-Away: STUDENT CHOICE AND ITS EFFECT ON READING MOTIVATION
Student Choice and Its Effect on Reading Motivation
A goal of every teacher is to help their students learn to LOVE reading. One of the most important things that we can do to help foster that love of reading is to empower kids to make their own choices when it comes to what they read independently.
From Judy Newman, president of Scholastic Book Club:
- Defining “reading for fun." Newman suggests defining “reading for fun” as “enjoyable independent reading,” which means letting kids choose books they will enjoy reading.” When students enjoy what they are reading, they will finish the books and absorb what it is about.
- Why does reading enjoyment decline sharply after age 8? What can educators do to help prevent this? The obvious answer is that around this time, many kids become enamored with the draw of video games and activities that employ screen time. A not-so-obvious answer is that it is around age 8, many families decide to stop reading aloud to their children.
- When kids get to choose what they read, the engagement goes way up. Newman states: “I can’t say enough about allowing kids to choose the books they want to read—just like adults do. As adults, we choose topics we like for many reasons: to escape with a good fantasy, get lost in a mystery, read about important figures in history or in the future. The same is exponentially true for children. Plus, the act of choosing a book to read and borrow from the library or owning a book to add to a personal bookshelf is amazingly empowering.”
- There are many resources out there teachers can use to help all of their students find a books they love reading. James Patterson is a favorite author of mine. He is also a huge advocate for getting kids to read, and Newman mentions his support of school libraries. This quote from him is one that sums this up perfectly: “There's no such thing as a kid who hates reading. There are kids who love reading, and kids who are reading the wrong books.”
Below are three places you can find suggestions for wonderful books for your students.
- Read Kiddo Read - I’ve shared this before, but it is so good I’m sharing again. This website from James Patterson contains lists of books organized buy every type of kid you could imagine, as well as lesson plans for educators, articles about reading with kids, and many other goodies.
- Best Books for Boys- 40+ Fantastic Reads for Boys Ages 8-16 - Getting boys to read can sometimes be a challenge. This site gives you a plethora of books boys will enjoy.
- Twenty by Jenny - This site has lots of book reviews categorized by age.
*NEW* From Our DOE's College and Career Readiness Department
Here are our beautiful birthday friends for April 2016!
*If you are NEW and we do not have your birthdate, please email Alison so we can recognize you on your special day! Thank you!*
April
2 - Pam Anyaebuman
7 - Muff Biber
14 - Leslie Frobig
19 - Carrie Williamson
20 - Rhonda Munz
23 - Joe Budd
25 - Paula Marine
2015-2016 Lifelines
August - Cooperation
September - Respect
October - Flexibility
November - Gratitude
December - Generosity
January - Responsibility
February - Friendship
March - Perseverance
April - Self-Control
May - Integrity