Friday Focus
Week of September 23rd-27th
Week at a Glance
T:
W: Student Council Induction 1:30 PM, Grades 3-5 in attendance, Grades K-2 optional (please notify Mrs. Frazier and Mrs. Dark if your class will be in attendance.
Th: Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School
Scholastic Book Fair
F: Non-Attendance Day - No School
Sustained Silent Reading
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
- Confucius
1. Silent Sustained Reading is a time for students to engage in sustained reading of their AR book.
2. Students are to read silently for the entirety of the SSR period. Students may not socialize, use any sort of distracting technology, sleep, or work on any other materials. Teachers, please refrain from correcting minor student behavior as it disrupts the process.
3. Each Grade Level will engage in SSR at least once a week, and all classes within that grade level must be reading on the same day at the same time, for 10-15 minutes.
4. Prior to returning their AR book, students are to take an AR test in lieu of completing a reading log.
5. SSR is to begin the week of September 30th.
6. Take care to share your Grade Level SSR day of the week with Mrs. Tancredi and I by the end of the day, Thursday, September 26th
DEAR
-- Mortimer Adler
Once a month all Astros, Tall and Small will engage in D.E.A.R, Drop Everything And Read. This will occur the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 AM. Students can read a book of their choosing or their AR book. We will read for 15 minutes. Please mark your calendars.
Sickle Cell Awareness
I wish you all a FABULOUS FREEDOM FRIDAY!!!
Teachers' Corner by Jill Michalek
Meet…..Mrs. Susan Henehan
They say there is no place like home and that truly applies to our new 5th grade teacher, Susan Henehan. Susan lives in her childhood home that her dad and brother built! As the youngest of five, Susan was elected to keep the house in the family that she now shares with her husband and two sons.
Susan comes to Neil Armstrong from districts 163 and 144 where she also taught 5th grade as well as the gifted class. Susan had career aspirations of being a psychologist when she attended Eastern Illinois University but on the recommendation of a professor she switched to education.
Susan took some time off teaching to be mom to her sons. Much of her time is now spent attending the football and baseball games of her senior and sophomore sons. In addition to watching her own kids, Susan loves to watch the Cubs on TV.
When not teaching, Susan LOVES to watch horror movies. Summers are spent waiting for that one perfect week where one sport ends and the other hasn’t quite started yet so the family can vacation together. Last summer was Myrtle Beach and Hawaii was another previous favorite.
Susan’s bucket list items include going to the Netherlands. She is 100% Dutch and her family is first generation Americans so there is still a lot of family to go visit. Other items to do yet include visiting Niagara Falls and all the Wonders of the World. When asked what a perfect weekend looks like Susan said no papers to grade (as if that needed to be said!) and no place to be except for her massage appointment that is being paid for with a gift card!
Items of Interest
- It made for a long week, but thank you all for your professionalism and problem-solving efforts during our first round of Data Teams. I would also like to share a HUGE shout out on behalf of Grade 1 and and Grade 3 to Ashlee, Sarah, Toinette, Jill, and Shawanaclarice. Your Grade 1 and Grade 3 Team Mates appreciated and acknowledged your efforts for the academic strengths of their students for this school year as evidenced by the NWEA BOY data. Your hard work during the 2018-2019 school was evident.
- Thank you Jill for sharing the Close Reading Annotation Symbols document that is now attached to this edition of Friday Focus. As shared in each data team meeting, this is the format we will use across grades K-5. When we speak the same academic language it maximizes the academic excellence of our Small Astros.
- Palatrice, apparently you have at least one of us inspired to use sign language to reach all...KUDOS to Claudia for using sign language for a friendly community member who found a student's homework and wanted to return it so the child wouldn't get in trouble. And thank you Nakia for giving Claudia a GOTCHA in recognition for her efforts!
- Thank you Kristen for ensuring that all students are able to receive what they need at all times!
- Thank you Ashlee, Barb, Cindy, Michelle, Palatrice, and Sarah for making yourselves available at the first F.A.C.E event for the school year at NAES.
- Thank you Nate and Shawanaclarice for serving as RtI Team Leaders. I know it's hard work. I know it is another item on your plate. But it is appreciated as we all wrap our arms around every child to help maximize their greatness. THANK YOU:)
Remind: I have attached another flyer regarding Remind. We only have 22 families signed up under this page. Please check in with your families between now and especially during P/T conferences to ensure that they are signed up. Between the two groups we only have 86 families out of 320+. In order to keep our families apprised, and ensure that the lines of communication are open and transparent we need them to sign up. Remind is the only way they will receive notices from both School and District has the distribution of hard copies will be minimal. I thank you in advance for your assistance.
Bulletin Boards: Now that we are half way through the first quarter, it is time to review and address all bulletin boards and wall space. Our walls and bulletin board should mirror what is being learned throughout the school year. It is a celebration, acknowledgement, and form of reflection for student learning. As shared on August 16th, your boards should be updated at least once every quarter. Please take care to begin this process if you have not done so already.
Grade Book: Thank you to those who have maintained their Grade Book. As a friendly reminder, your grade book is to be updated weekly. If you have any concerns/questions please see Michelle or I.
Student Council: Next Wednesday is the Induction for our elected Student Council members. Our very own Village President, Mr. Reinbold will be here to induct our School President. He will be accompanied by a couple of Village Board Trustees and Village Manager.
Social Committee: Thank you again Nate for last week's outing. It was great to see so many of you outside of building! We all need an opportunity to see one another under different environments as it helps us get to know and appreciate one another. And Ashlee......(lol)