Helen Edwards Friday Focus
Friday, January 8, 2015
Oh, The Places You'll Go
Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through all the trees. We get so caught up in the daily grind and the weekly planning that we lose sight of how far we have come! It’s not until we step back and take in the view from the top that we really start to see the progress and the strides we have made within the year. I will never forget the looks on some of your faces (kindergarten teachers) when I told everyone that our reading goal for the year is to have all our students reading at level “E” by the end of the year. I think we had to take a break and let everyone catch their breath once I broke the news. Ok…so it might not have been THAT bad, but it’s funny (now) to think back at everyone’s reaction. Well….LOOK AT US NOW!!! Our students are surpassing our expectations and making US work extra hard to meet their high level of success!! And here is the great thing!!! We don’t have any time to lose!!!
Our Pre-K and Head Start students are on the verge of reading (some are already there), our Kindergarten students are soaring higher and higher in their guided reading levels while we (the entire staff) has been working from bell to bell to keep pushing and supporting their success. It’s because of each one of YOU, that our students have found such success in their pre-reading and reading skills. Your constant drive to improve your classroom instruction, to learn more about guided reading, and to stay open minded with new programs and data has been more than anyone could ask for. Because of our Helen Edwards’ family working together and supporting each other, I’m happy to share that 91% of our Kindergartners are at or above grade level for this time of the year!
As stated in Dr. Seuss’ well known book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go, “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.” Look at the places WE have gone and the mountains WE have moved….and the journey isn’t over yet!!
~LOOKING AHEAD~
Mark Your Calendar
January
19: Circle Test (Pre-K, HS)
20: Circle Test (Pre-K, HS)
21: Circle Test (Pre-K, HS)
22: Lunch & Learn (Reading) @ 11:00
26: TPRI Test (Kinder)
27: TPRI Test (Kinder)
28: TPRI Test (Kinder)
February
3: T-Tess Meeting (Teachers only @ 3:15)
4: Planning Day
5: 100th Day of School for EVERYONE!!! Have fun!!!
8: SST
9: SST
10: SST
12: Kinder Valentine’s Party / HS Field Trip to Perot Museum
17: Tooth Fairy Visit @ 1:00
18: HS Circus @ 6:00
25: Pre-K Circus @ 6:00
January Birthdays
January 10: Loretta Petsch
January 19: Tiffany Wolfe
January 21: Julie Harris
January 28: Zan Turner