Waterford News
October 2015
From the desk of Mrs. Overton
You consult with your doctor about your child’s physical health. It’s just as important to consult with your child’s teacher about academic subjects, social skills and emotional development. Remember, you and the teacher are a team—working together. Consider these Tips for Parents that will help you be better prepared for parent teacher conferences on October 11th and 13th.
The conference is an information exchange. You bring to the conference information about your child’s interaction with people outside of school, his home life, and previous experiences that might affect confidence or interest in school. The teacher brings information about your child’s interaction with others in school, performance on tests, and knowledge of learning strategies. Pooling your information gives you both a better picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and lets you develop an effective plan for helping your child succeed.
The conference makes the teacher more effective. Knowing that “my child is fascinated by stars” may give the teacher the means to excite interest in reading. The more the teacher knows about your child, the better the child’s needs will be addressed.
Parent teacher conferences let you take part in your child’s education. Knowing what is being taught at school lets you direct the conversation in your family to issues being studied in school. Such reinforcement of school work at home makes a big difference in your child’s understanding, motivation, and school performance.
Dual Language: Meet, Eat and Greet
Meet and Eat
E.L Director Karen Blaha
Engaging Parents
Dual Language Immersion
On Monday, September 19, we had our first meeting for the new Dual Language Immersion Program that will be piloted in one of our Kindergarten classes next year. At our Meet, Greet and Eat, parents enjoyed a delicious pizza/pasta dinner and were presented with information regarding a Dual Immersion Program. Please feel free to comment, call or email if you have any more questions regarding the Dual Immersion Program. Please plan on joining us for another informational meeting later this year. Below, you will find some of the information provided to parents.
What is Dual Language Program?
- Dual Language education is an effective approach to developing language proficiency and literacy in English and a partner language; in this case Spanish.
What model will be used in Waterford?
- Here at Waterford we will be using a Dual Language Two-Way Immersion. This is a form of dual language education in which we have a balanced numbers of native English speakers and native Spanish speakers who are then integrated for instruction. English is used 50% and Spanish is used 50% during the instructional day and both groups of students serve in the role of language model and language learner at different time.
What does the research say?
- Enhanced knowledge of how language works which has proven to be important to reading acquisition.
- Improved performance verses monolingual students on tasks that call for divergent thinking, pattern recognition, and problem solving.
- Additional knowledge and understanding of one’s native language.
Nurse News
If a student needs any medication while at school, a parent or guardian must send the medication in the original packaging with clear instructions regarding the dose, when the medication is to be given and discontinued. Pharmacists will give a second labeled medication bottle at no charge if medication needs to be given both at home and at school. Loose pills in a baggie or envelope cannot be given. A parent or guardian must sign a medication authorization form in the health clinic before any medication can be given at school. (This also includes cough drops.) If you have questions, consult your school handbook or call the nurse. Thank you.
Extended Background Checks
The safety of our students is our number one priority. About 3 years ago a new form of background checks was implemented in the Goshen Community Schools. Please know, If you would like to participate in a field trip with your student you must complete an extended background check. We will need the completed background check form along with a valid drivers license or ID at least two weeks prior to the field trip. This extended background check has a one time fee of $16.95 and will go with your student until they graduate or leave Goshen Community Schools.
Additionally, there is another volunteer form that is used ONLY for volunteering in school. It is free and allows you to help in your student's classroom, with the presence of a teacher or staff member at all times. This form does not substitute for the extended background check and needs to be completed every year.
These forms can be found in the office. They can also be sent with your student upon request. For further questions please feel free to call the office at 533-6811.
Picture Retake
Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, October 25th. All students who were not photographed will be photographed on Picture Retake Day. If there was an error in your picture or you were not able to place an order, you may do so now with the new picture order forms located in the office. Please call to have a new form sent home.
Coming up in PTO...
October means Scholastic Book Fair and Parent/Teacher conferences! This year, the book fair will be held on October 11 - 13. Students and families can shop daily from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. All students will be given the chance to visit the book fair during their library time, but can also visit during recess, or other times approved by their teacher. We are also open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during Parent/Teacher conferences. After your conference, bring your ticket to the fair for a special prize!
Parent/Teacher conferences are also long days for staff, who must be in the building for their regular day of work, then all evening for conferences. It has always been our pleasure to provide a meal for them. We could use your donations!
New this year - we are offering you the option of signing up online through SignUpGenius. Use the following weblink to access the sign up and once there, view the options, select your choices, and submit! You will need to create an account using simply your name and email address.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0445aca729a1fa7-parentteacher
We can also send you a personal invitation to signups! If you would like one, please email a request to be included to waterfordelementarypto@gmail.com. Please include your name and the email address that you would like the invitation sent to, then watch your inbox!
If you have any questions feel free to call Jason Kauffman, PTO President, at 574-606-4064.
- Our next meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, October 24th (the fourth Monday this month, due to Fall Break) in the main office. We would love to meet you there!
Activity Calendar
About Us
Email: koverton@goshenschools.org
Website: http://waterford.goshenschools.org/
Location: 65560 S.R. 15 Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 574-533-6811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterford.elementary
Twitter: @WaterfordElem