Booth Hill School
Bobcat Update
Welcome Back!
In my summer letter I mentioned how transitions are difficult. They're difficult for adults and students. Communicating to our staff information that we needed to be aware of before school started, made the transition from home to school one of the best I can remember. Thank you for working with our staff to make this a seamless transition.
Many thanks to our Booth Hill staff. They came in before contracted hours to set up their rooms, learn about your children, and to make sure their classroom environments welcomed students. As we move through September, please make sure you communicate any information we need to know about your child. This home-school connection is vital to our success and creates the positive Booth Hill culture that we've developed since I arrived as principal.
I was able to visit all classrooms this week and even participated in a quick quiz show with Ms. Greco's students. For fun we played this quick game: Guess Mr. Pierce's age. Is it number one, between the ages of 35-45? Is it number 2, between 46-55? Or is it number three, over 55?If you would like to participate yourself, please send me an e-mail at dpierce@trumbullps.org.
One of the most important parts of my job is making sure that I connect wtih students, that I'm visible, and that students feel comfortable to use me as a resource. During my time with students this week, I was so impressed with how many inquired how my summer was, or if I visited any special places. These conversations are so important to create strong relationships with students. This week the Booth Hill staff spent a lot of time to getting to know your children. What are their interests? What do they like at school? What would they like to work on? Our classroom cultures are positive, reflect the interests of your children, and most importantly, are inviting. As I've mentioned in conversations with many of you, and included in previous newsletters, not much learning can occur if we do not create these strong relationships and bonds with your children. This also extends to the Booth Hill community. Building strong relationships with you to best support all of our Bobcats is vital to the success of our school.
Every year I take time to reflect on last year and think ahead to the following year. Within this reflective journey, I always stop and feel grateful that I'm the principal of Booth Hill School. I've always felt that I'm fortunate to work with all your children, all of you, and our amazing staff. I never take that for granted. Your involvement is paramount to our success as a district and as a school. If you haven't already, please join the PTA and Father's Club. They support Booth Hill children in endless ways. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, and for sending your beautiful children to Booth Hill.
My best to all of you,
Dana
What's Happening in Math?
Hello Booth Hill community! My name is Michelle Bal and I am thrilled to join the BHS staff as a math specialist. Mrs. Lombardi will not be far as she will be sharing her talents with the entire district as our math program leader! As an alumni, teacher, and parent of the Trumbull Public Schools, I am proud to be a part of the Booth Hill community and look forward to working together!
This week, classrooms were buzzing with excitement as teachers were establishing routines and fostering a positive foundation for math! Kindergarten and first grade teachers are using the math resource, Bridges (Bridges Family Information). Second, third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers are using Eureka Squared (Eureka Squared Family Information). More information about homework and supporting your mathematician at home is forthcoming from your child’s teacher during Back to School Night on September 8th.
The most common observation made by parents is how the math instruction and strategies seem so different from those they learned as a student. Let’s review some of the ways your child’s math classroom ‘looks like’ and ‘sounds like’ this year in order to foster a strong foundation and a lifelong love for mathematics. Please click on the picture above that helps illustrate what math 'looks like' and 'sounds like.'
I look forward to sharing helpful tips for developing fact fluency, current math practices and fun math opportunities your child can enjoy at home in future newsletters. I know we can COUNT on having a great year at Booth Hill School!
From our Literacy Consultants
Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year from your BHS Literacy Consultants Jackie Knapp and Jenna Nelsen.
Summer reading reminder:
Don’t forget to click this link to input your child’s reading over the course of the summer https://forms.gle/dEzGahQNsFb5NE2r6 by Friday September 9th. If your child participated he/she will receive a five dollar coupon to Next Chapter Books in Trumbull!
Setting up a reading environment at home:
It is so important to make reading a daily habit that the whole family can enjoy. One way that you can make reading a daily occurrence in your home is to set up a cozy reading area in your house. Here are some ways you can do that:
Put some soft oversized pillows in a quiet corner of a room.
Get a comfortable chair.
Dim the lights.
Cuddle up with a favorite stuffed animal.
Designate specific times of the day when everyone stops and reads.
Make sure the reading material is something enjoyable.
Try a family book club (great for reluctant readers).
Here is a look at some of our classroom cozy reading areas at school for some inspiration. Happy Reading!
Harper and Joshua
Xael
Don't Forget to Stop by
Dates and Reminders
- September 8 Back to School Night at Booth Hill! Kindergarten, first and second grade parents from 6:00-6:45. Third, fourth and fifth grade parents from 7:00-7:45. We look forward to seeing you!
- September 8, PTA Walk-a-thon Kick Off! Students start walking at Booth Hill. Ice cream truck provided by PTA for students from 11a.m. to 2 p.m.
- September 9, Father's Club BBQ behind Booth Hill School from 5-7p.m.
Booth Hill Elementary School
Email: dpierce@trumbullps.org
Website: www.boothhill.school
Location: 545 Booth Hill Road, Trumbull, CT, USA
Phone: 203-452-4377