Lions Ledger
Patriot Elementary School November 2019
A Message From Our Principal
November, 2019
Dear Parents,
I want to let you know about an approach to teaching that we use in our classrooms at Patriot Elementary. The Responsive Classroom has been successfully used by K-8 teachers in schools around the country for over 20 years to create learning environments where children thrive academically, socially and emotionally. It emphasizes teaching children to take care of themselves, each other and the school environment so that everyone can succeed at his/her best.
The Guiding Principles of Responsive Classroom
The Responsive Classroom approach is based on many of the great theories of how children learn and on the experiences of classroom teachers. There are seven basic principles behind the approach:
· Learning social skills is as important as learning academic skills.
· How children learn is as important as what they learn. Process and content go
hand in hand.
· Children gain knowledge most effectively through social interaction.
· To be successful academically and socially, children need to learn cooperation,
assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control.
· Knowing the children we teach-individually, culturally, and developmentally-is as
important as knowing the content we teach.
· Knowing the families of the children we teach and inviting their participation is
essential to children’s education.
· How the adults at school work together is as important as how skillful each
individual teacher is. Lasting change begins with the adult community.
Teaching Practices
The Responsive Classroom approach includes the following main parts. We will be
using some or all of these in our classroom this year.
· Morning Meeting: Children gather for twenty minutes or so every morning to greet
each other, read the morning message, share, engage in a group activity, and build expectations for the day, including the incorporation of academics. This daily routine builds community, creates a positive
climate for learning, and gives children practice in a wide range of academic and
social skills.
· Rules and Logical Consequences: The teacher and children create rules for the
classroom that will allow everyone to do his/her best learning. When children
break the rules, there are clear and non-punitive consequences that help them
learn from the mistake. This approach teaches responsibility and self-control.
· Academic Choice: An approach to giving children choices in their learning to
help them become invested, self-motivated learners. Academic choice can be used
to teach any subject.
· Classroom Organization: Arranging materials, furniture, and displays in ways
that encourage learning, care, positive social interaction, and independence in
children.
· Working Together With Parents: Ideas for involving parents as true partners
in their children’s education.
· Student Hopes and Dreams: Students created their hopes and dreams for the year and reflect on these throughout their learning.
· Energizers: Movement breaks incorporating academics and social skill development.
· Interactive Modeling: Students participate in evaluating interactive modeling to set classroom expectations for routines and procedures.
· Closing Circles: A closing circle at the end of the day so students engage in conversations, reflection, and goal setting.
· Quiet Time: An opportunity after lunch/recess to wind down, refocus, and become centered prior to instruction beginning again.
Please let me know if you have any questions. You can learn more about the Responsive Classroom approach by going to www.responsiveclassroom.org. I look forward to a continued productive and joyful year with your child!
Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for all of our staff members, families, and students. So blessed to serve the Patriot community.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Canon, Principal
Patriot Elementary Mission:
“For every student to become a lifelong learner and a confident, productive member of society by providing an engaging, safe, and supportive academic community.”
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
November
11/06 Coffee and Conversation with the Principals 7:30 am in Staff Lounge
11/06 Pancakes with the Principal (K-2nd)
11/07 English Language Development Night 5-6pm
11/08 Pancakes with the Principal (3rd-5th)
11/08 Veterans Assembly 1:00 pm
11/11 Veterans Day NO SCHOOL
11/15 Thanksgiving Meal served in cafeteria
11/18 PTO Meeting @ 2:45 pm in school cafeteria
11/19 Patriot Parents Academy in school cafeteria
Internet Safety @ 5:00 pm; Helping Students Be Successful @ 6pm
11/24-11/30 Thanksgiving Break
Special Education SEAC Meeting
Community Resource Directory
Click on link below for all of your community resource needs.
Community Resource DirectoryPatriot Elementary Thanksgiving Feast...Enjoy a meal with your student
We hope you will join us for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Friday, November 15th.
Menu:
Stuffing with Turkey Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Corn or Green Beans, Dinner Roll, and Pumpkin Pudding
Cost:
$3.50 per person (adults and non-Patriot students)
$2.40 all Patriot students (students' lunch accounts will be charged)
**No checks, debit cards or large bills
Join the PTO or SAAC
**Childcare provided in the gym; meetings will be in school cafeteria
SAAC/DAAC: Do you want to help plan a Vision for Patriot Elementary? Join the SAAC/DAAC Committee. Please contact Mrs. Canon for more information.
PATRIOT + PARENTS = SUCCESS
We Need You!!
Title 1
PTO at Patriot
Parents are encouraged to come to meetings and volunteer in our school.
Box Tops for Education
PTO organizes and collects Box Tops for Educaiton. It is an easy way for our school to earn FREE money!
PLEASE keep those Box Tops and students can paste or tape to Box Top Sheets.
PTO will specify the time frames to collect for classes.
BOYS TOWN Education Model at Patriot
November: Self-Control
5-9 Appropriate Voice Tone
13-16 Staying on Task
19-23 Ask Permission
P.A.W.S
The PAWS Pledge is promised each day during morning announcements: "I am a Patriot Lion. I show my pride by using my PAWS--Personal Best, Act Responsibly, Work and Play Safely, Show Respect to All; I am a Patriot Lion let me show you my PAWS! ROAR!!!
--Patriot Elementary School colors: Red, White, Blue
--Patriot Mascot: Lion
Peer Conflict, Mean Behavior, and Bullying. What is the Difference?
Talking with our children about these differences is very important in teaching how to handle these situations.
Click on the provided link to read more about the difference between peer conflicts, mean behavior, and bullying behavior.
Patriot Elementary School
Website: www.ffc8.org/Patriot
Location: 7010 Harr Avenue, Fort Carson, CO, USA
Phone: 7193821460
Facebook: facebook.com/PatriotElementaryFFC8