Stone Bank School
Reaching Out ~ 9-7-18
From Mrs. Davies
Dear Stone Bank Families:
Welcome Back. We’ve had a great first week of school. It's always exciting to welcome the children back each fall. Below are a few important items for you to be aware of:
MAP Assessments:
Beginning the week of September 17th, our students in grades 2-8 will take the MAP Assessments in reading and math. The MAP assessment is a computer-based screener that adapts to your child’s level of learning. The MAP assessments immediately provide teachers with a detailed picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level. Your child's results will help us to track their progress and determine appropriate academic programming. We will repeat the assessment again in January and May to monitor student progress. Following each assessment window, we will provide parents with a report that allows you to see your child’s progress. MAP results are used internally by Stone Bank staff only. Individual results are not shared with outside organizations. If you have questions or concerns about the MAP assessment, please contact your child's teacher.
Curriculum Night
Please join us on September 19th at 6:00 PM for Curriculum Night. All parents are welcome to come and hear more about what your children will learn this school year. We will gather in the library for a general overview of the Writer’s Workshop model implemented at all grade levels this year. Parents will then have the opportunity to visit individual classrooms to learn more about specific grade level curriculum.
Coffee and Conversation
Throughout the school year Mrs. Wartzenluft and I will hold Coffee and Conversation opportunities. This is an opportunity for parents to learn more about our school and ask questions in an informal setting. Our first meeting will be on September 19th at 7:30 AM in the cafeteria. Bring your coffee mug and join us!
Guest Teachers at SBS
We have two guest teachers who will be with us for several weeks this fall.
In July, Mrs. Brannan had a little girl. She will be on maternity leave until the end of first quarter. While she is away, Mr. Randy Perry will be helping out in the library. Mrs. Effinger’s little girl arrived on the first day of school! Mrs. Brenda Barnes will be working with her students until December when she returns.
Please be sure to welcome them to our school!
I hope your children have had a great first week. For those families new to our school, I especially hope it has been a positive first week for you and your children. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or your child’s teacher if you ever have questions or concerns.
Have a good weekend,
Lynn
Attendance and Visitors
In accordance with Wisconsin State Law, section 118.15, all students are required to attend school regularly on a consistent and timely basis. If a student is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five or more days per semester, a petition may then be filed through the juvenile system. Though we respect that parents have the right to excuse their child from school, it is at the district's discretion to determine whether or not absences are valid.
We strongly encourage families to schedule vacations during our regular days off. If parents do schedule a family vacation during the school year, we ask that you notify the office in writing at least one week in advance.
Parents and visitors are reminded to sign in and wear a lanyard anytime they're in the building. Visitors, parents and/or guardians MUST sign in at the visitor window before proceeding elsewhere in the building.
A messagage from the Office
Bus Notes
2018-2019 Girls Basketball
Picture Day
Morning Announcements
Arrowhead Grade School Cross Country Run
On Friday, Sept. 21st, all Stone Bank students are invited to run in the Arrowhead Grade School Cross Country Run. This is an annual event hosted by the Arrowhead CC team. It is a great opportunity for kids to experience what it’s like to run in a real cross country meet on the same course the high school team runs on! Please see the attached flyer for more information and for the race times.
*****If your child would like to participate in this event, please use the following link to register, by Monday, Sept. 17th if possible:
https://goo.gl/forms/3WomvtbtBXxKHCKv2
(Students running in the 5 and under race do not need to pre-register - just show up to run!)
Families will need to provide transportation to the event as it begins at 5:00. Get there early to find parking as there is usually a large turnout. In past years, there have sometimes been close to 1000 participants!
The race will be on the northwest school grounds at Arrowhead, starting near the woods by the practice soccer fields. If you have pre-registered with the above link, then on race day you can get your runner’s tag at a table near the school/parking lot when you arrive.
Please direct questions to Mrs. Vance j.vance@stonebank.k12.wi.us
Stone Bank PTO
From the PTO:
It was so great to see so many of you at open house last week, and we are so excited to kick off the 2018/19 school year, that we just couldn’t wait until the PTO newsletter comes out at the end of the month to say hello!
Opportunity to Help
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who signed up to serve as a room parent/grandparent, &/or help with upcoming fall events!
We are still in need of room parents for AM 4k and 5K. Email us at stonebankpto@gmail.com if you are interested in this opportunity to take part in your child’s education, build relationships with other class families, get to know the incredible SBS teachers, and play an essential role in creating & maintaining the tight knit, family- like community culture that sets SBS apart from all of the other great schools in our area!
Bingo For Books
It’s time for a fall SBS family fun favorite!
Meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, have fun, and win books!
Please join us next Friday, September 14th for our annual Bingo For Books night!
6pm for Dinner (Rocky Roccoco’s Pizza & Breadsticks available to order; drinks and dessert provided by PTO)
6:30pm for Bingo only
Please complete and return the attached flier to the school office with your check made payable to Stone Bank PTO (if applicable) in an envelope labeled Attn: PTO (Rocky’s) by Monday, September 10th even if you are just coming for bingo. This will give us a better idea of reading levels to have represented in the book selection. (Pre-K children are welcome, too!) Please contact Angie McNeil at amcneil913@gmail.com with questions.
Spirit Wear
Our 2018/19 Spirit Wear Store through Mid City Sports is Open!
https://stonebankschool2018.itemorder.com/
Order Stone Bank School gear in child and adult sizes now through Tuesday, Nov 18th , and pick it up before Christmas!
A Note from Mr. Zastrow - How does Reader’s Workshop work in the middle school?
Subject and Classes: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Reading
Who am I:
My name is Mr. Gavin Zastrow. Most people at Stone Bank refer to me as "Z". I have worked at Stone Bank in a variety of roles since the 1998-1999 school year. Each year, I find myself lucky to be a part of such a "close - knit" community. It truly is a place I consider to be a "second family". I am appreciative of every opportunity that has been presented to me by working in this district.
Interests:
I am a passionate sports fan of almost all sports. Primarily I love to watch football and basketball. I am also someone that enjoys reading. My parents have a house on Okauchee Lake so I spend a lot of time at the lake reading and watching the boats go by. When I'm not doing that, I'm hanging with my family. Family is very important to me.
Education:
I attended Miami of Ohio University and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Education.. I received a Master's Degree from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in Administrative Education. I also took numerous class at UW - Madison where I obtained my Reading 316 and 317 licenses.
How does Reader’s Workshop Work in middle school?
Individual
Students read 22 - 27 minutes every day (independent read class time) in a book of their own choosing in a genre chosen by the teacher. During this time, the teacher runs individual conferences with each student to monitor comprehension, use of reading strategies, and help with note taking skills.
Partner work
Students discuss every day what was read during independent read with their partner. This discussion can be free flowing or directed toward a specific literary element identified by the teacher. Additionally, it allows students to practice summarizing what was read as well as work on asking and answering questions related to the text. It also exposes students to other books in their genre that they might be interested in reading next. Finally, it allows the “skill of that week” to be reinforced with discussion from the books being read by the student and their partner.
During pair share time in large group, students discuss with a partner during opportunities of pair share. These conversations are usually teacher directed and referred to as “turn and talk” time. These discussions usually are connected to the read aloud, the seminar lesson, or a specific literary element the teacher would like the students to focus on.
Small Group / Strategy Group
Students spend the entire week working on a specific concept on their own during independent read. Students also work on that concept with their partners during pair / share. Students are also given an opportunity to meet for strategy groups once a week (Fridays). The strategy groups allow teachers to check in and make sure those connections are being made. The group also allows students to see multiple viewpoints at or near their own reading level. This exposes them to multiple books in their genre that they might want to explore for the rest of the unit. Graphic organizers are used in this time to make sure students are mastering the specific concept being developed.
Large Group
Students learn how to listen and / or read along with the teacher as the teacher reads a passage to the entire class. This is achieved in the Read Aloud portion of Reader’s Workshop and occurs two - three days a week. Students also receive short seminar lessons on various literary elements and strategies. During this time, teachers can address grade level concepts with all the students and use traditional discussion questions to engage discussion and analysis for the students. Students either analyze on their own (independently) as the teacher reads, with a partner during opportunities of pair share, or in large group with A partners and B partners sharing out their discussions to the group.
The other component of large group work is seminar sessions. This occurs two times a week. Both lessons usually address a similar literary concept, idea, or strategy in different ways. Students are expected to take notes in a specific portion of their notebook during this time. The teacher will often read a short passage and there will often be pair / share discussion during this time.
Parent Communication - Contact me:
Feel free to email me g.zastrow@stonebank.k12.wi.us.. E-mail is usually the best way to contact me :)
If something needs resolution beyond a simple email, I will set a time with parents to discuss via phone that is convenient for both of us. I can be reached at 262-966-2900 EXT 3060.
If something needs a face to face meeting, I am available every day before school from 7:00 - 7:20 or after school (2:30 - 3:00) by appointment.
Student Communication: Google Classroom
Each middle school reading classes has a page located in Google Classroom for direct communication between Mr. Zastrow and each individual class. Specifically, this site is used for:
organizing class assignments
posting assignments
posting surveys for student feedback
posting reminders about general upcoming events
Student Teacher
Asbestos Free School
Weekly Planner
Monday, September 10
· Scribbler Club 2:30pm
· Board Work Session 6:30pm
Tuesday, September 11
Wednesday, September 12
· Student Council 2:30pm
Thursday, September 13
· Picture Day 8:00am-12:00pm
Friday, September 14
· PTO BINGO for Books, School Cafeteria. 6:00pm dinner (Rocky’s Pizza and Breadsticks) or 6:30pm for BINGO only. Please see attached for information and Family order sheet.
Monday, September 17
· Scribbler Club 2:30pm
· 3rd grade swim AHS 10:30am-12:00pm
Tuesday, September 18
· PTO Meeting 6:30pm, Stone Bank Library
Wednesday, September 19
· 7:00am special Board Meeting
· 7:30am Coffee and conversations with parents/Superintendent/Curriculum Coach
· Bagels with Buds, 7:00am $1.00 for a bagel with topping, $.50 for juice or hot chocolate
· 3rd grade swim AHS 10:30am-12:00pm
· Student Council 2:30pm
· Curriculum Night 6:00pm
Thursday, September 20
Friday, September 21
· 3rd grade swim AHS 10:30am-12:00pm
· PBIS all school assembly 1:30pm – t-shirts to be handed out that morning
· 7th/8th grade dance at Merton, 7:00pm-9:00pm