OLSON OUTLOOK JANUARY
WEEKLY NEWS FROM OLSON - January 28, 2019
Olson Elementary School
WILD ABOUT LEARNING!
ESTAMOS LOCO POR APRENDER!
Email: dfrisbie@wcusd200.org
Website: www.woodstockschools.org
Location: 720 West Judd Street, Woodstock, IL, USA
Phone: 815-338-0473
Facebook: facebook.com/olsonelementary
Twitter: @oeselem
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES FEBRUARY 14 - 15
Follow these Tips for Parents to make your conference more effective:
- Prepare questions in advance. The most important question of all is “How can I help my child at home?”
- Let the teacher know if there is a particular topic you want to discuss.
- Be specific. Bring with you any work that is of concern. Describe clearly any situations in the classroom that make your child uneasy. Ask the teacher to describe your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Ask to see your child’s work.
- Exchange information. Let the teacher know about any situation at home that may affect your child’s school work, such as a death in the family, a new baby, or a change in daycare arrangements.
- Take notes. Your conference may result in several actions for both you and the teacher. Taking notes will help you remember what was discussed and what was agreed upon.
- Start with a positive attitude. Don’t waste valuable conference time by focusing on the negative. You and the teacher are a team. Positive comments such as “How can we solve this problem working together?” will be the first step in coming up with good solutions.
- Support yourself. If you are not confident about your communications skills, bring someone to help. If your understanding of English worries you, bring a friend to translate.
- Discuss the whole child. Your child’s social and emotional development is as important as academic success. Include questions about her interaction with other children and willingness to participate in class discussions.
- Leave with a plan. The conference should end with a clear statement of what you will do to support your child.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- January 28 - February 1 - SOUPer Bowl Food Drive
- January 31 - D200 Tech Night at WNHS
- February 1 - Reading Challenge - Return this week's signed reading log **** Dress Up: ”Reading Beyond Your Wildest Dreams” Pajama/Comfy day
- February 6 - Late Start
- February 7 - February 15 - Scholastic Book Fair in Library
- February 8 - Parent "Coffee With the Principal" - 8am - 8:45am
- February 9 - D200 Education Foundation Dinner/Auction
- February 12 - All School Assembly
- February 14 - 15 - Parent Teacher Conferences
- February 15 - No School
- February 18 - No School - President's Day Observed
- February 19 - Family STEAM Night (Rockford Museum visits OES)
- February 21 - 1st Grade Music Program at 6pm
- February 21 - 2nd Grade Music Program at 7pm
DONATION WANTED: SNOW CLOTHES "WINTER SWAP" - FEBRUARY 14 AND 15
We know many children outgrow their winter items and/or they need replacement items as we move into the wintery months of February and early March. We also know that many families have items they would like to donate to children who may need them. This year during our February Parent/Teacher conferences, February 14 - 15, we will offer a SNOW CLOTHES "WINTER SWAP".
If you have items to donate, please send these items to the school office labeled "Snow Clothes WINTER SWAP". We are accepting donations of clean coats, boots, snow pants, hats, and gloves that are still in usable condition. We will collect these items and make them available for families as needed during conferences. All items will be available to anyone who wants them. Unclaimed items will be donated.
WHAT IS STEAM?
Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics
Research shows that integrating these subjects, (adding a creative component with art) is beneficial for students and makes sense for the way children learn. STEAM lessons are usually hands-on and exploratory, or inquiry-based. STEAM education promotes understanding of scientific concepts, problem solving, and critical thinking skills with activities that require students to apply understanding to a real life problem.
In D200 we are proud to offer STEM lessons in our STEAM Lab as a weekly part of the elementary curriculum. in the classrooms, supporting lessons based on the STEM unit objectives build background knowledge, with most of the "hands-on activities" done in the lab. Mrs. Jensen is the "Inquiry Specialist" at Olson.
SOUP-er BOWL FOOD DRIVE
Students are encouraged to bring canned/boxed food items to school to support the LA Rams or the New England Patriots. Students will use the food items to "vote" for their favorite Super Bowl team by placing their donated food items on the tables with either the Ram's Helmet or the table with the Patriot's Helmet. On Friday, February 1 we will determine which team our school wants to win based on the number of food items on the tables.
Students may vote more than once because each can/box = one vote.
JANUARY FOCUS - INTEGRITY
- The Empty Pot by Demi
- The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
- A Day's Work by Eve Bunting
- Jamaica's Find by Juanita Havill
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Arthur and the True Francine by Marc Brown
- Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
- David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
- Pinky Promise: A Book About Telling the Truth by Vanita Braver
- Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen
- The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron and Ann Strugnell
- The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot by Scott Magoon
- Eli’s Lie-O-Meter: A Story about Telling the Truth by Sandra Levins
BOOK FAIR
Book Fair Dates/Times:
- February 6 - Preview Day
- February 7 - 15 - Book Fair Purchases during Library Classes and during Parent/Teacher conferences
Dear Parents and Families:
Did you know that reading 20 minutes a day with your child is the best investment your family can make in their future? Research shows that children who read just 20 minutes per day score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests. Come to the Book Fair to stock up on the books your child will love reading and ignite your home reading habits.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!
AFTER SCHOOL LITERACY PROGRAM AT OLSON
January 28 - March 20
D200 Elementary Schools are offering an "After School Literacy Club" for a small group of 3rd and 4th grade students during January, February, and March. Students will participate in a rotation of literacy activities to build skills for comprehension, fluency, and writing. Student participation was determined by staff. Transportation is provided for the 15 session program.
FAMILY EVENTS CALENDAR
There are 2 tabs - English/Spanish. Please check the Olson website for additional dates and for more information about events.