S.O.A.R Weekly
Freedom Park Newsletter August 13th
Congratulations Eagles
How Are We Doing?
Follow Us on Social Media
Twitter: Freedom Park School
Instagram: Freedom Park School
Facebook: Freedom Park School and Freedom Park School PTA
Remind Updates (for school updates): https://www.remind.com/join/f83ec
Remind Bus Arrival and Departure (for updates of arrival and departure of buses daily). We will text when each bus arrives and departs the school. This service is to ensure parents aren't waiting at bus stops for long periods and know when their student left the school https://www.remind.com/join/2269b
Shout Out
A big shout out to all of the faculty and staff for making the first week run smoothly. A special thank you to Ms. Burgess who helped to decorate our building with all the wall quotes. Also to Ms. Ricketts for the welcome back/spirit cups for our faculty. Ms. Beard you have also been a great help with decorating. Also to our parent, the one and only, Ms. Terrette for painting and helping to decorate the front office!
Benchmark Testing
Important Updates - Student Safety
For the safety of our students, the front door will be locked from 3:50-4:00. At this time, the entire student body is moving around the building to their dismissal location. Adding more people in the foyer area (adults standing waiting on their students with or without other small children) increases the traffic and is a safety hazard for our current and future Eagles. The door will be unlocked at 4:00 pm so that you may pick up your students. Please do not stand in our hallways and grab your students out of line. Just a reminder, when you pick your student up early it is considered a tardy. In addition, they are missing the last few minutes of their class.
What if I hate the long lines for pick up?
It is best to wait until a little after 4 pm. You will be amazed at how easy it is if you arrive at 4:05. There is plenty of parking, you are not technically late, and there are no lines. Try it and let me know what you think.
Intake/Drop Off
Please do not drop your student off before 8:20. There are no staff members on duty before this time to care for your student. This is a serious issue and a safety concern.
Options for Dismissal
Car Rider
Students are lined up by grade level at the rear of the school. Students are escorted to their parents car by an adult.
Walk-Up
Walk Ups are held in the large gym. Parents wait outside until the doors are open at 4pm (usually about 2 min before 4pm). Parents walk in and get their student. Please do not park in the bus loading zone. Also, if you wait until a little after 4pm, this is probably your best option if you don't like long lines.
Walkers
Students who are old enough to walk home alone and/or walk home with a sibling (please follow Garrison Command orders concerning walking siblings home) are held in the art room until they are dismissed.
Teen Center
Students who attend the teen center walk to the teen center after dismissal. Our students love this option. Please check it out if you have not already done so.
CYS
Students who receive after school care through CYS are held in the large gym. CYS representatives escort them to the center.
One to One Technology Update
New Classroom Technology - Activepanel Touch
We are so happy to announce new technology for each classroom. All classrooms have now been updated with the new Activepanel Touch. The ActivPanel transforms front-of-the-classroom instructional displays into interactive, digital spaces for both whole-class instruction and small team engagement. Come by and check them out.
National Left Hander's Day
IB Update
What is International Baccalaureate (IB)?
International Baccalaureate (IB) is an education that challenges students to excel academically and solve problems from a global perspective. It encourage personal growth and understanding as a member of the worldwide community. It focuses on developing the student using the IB Learner Profiles.
What are the learner profiles?
The IB Learner Profiles are as follows: inquires, thinkers, knowledgeable, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk takers, balanced, and reflective.
What is the MYP Programme?
The program includes: rigorous learning objectives, student centered teaching, international perspectives, whole child development, sustaining learning in more than one language, learning how to learn, and evaluating information critically especially in unfamiliar situations.
Where are we?
Freedom Park educators are continuing to receive professional development in this area. They are also writing cross curriculum units to support the development of the IB profiles in our students.
How can I learn more?
Please visit http://www.ibo.org/
Countdown to Total Eclipse
Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. This is a half day at our school. Students will be dismissed at 12:15. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk. NASA created this website to provide a guide to this amazing event. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and our partners across the nation. https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/
Future Eagles - Eaglets
At Freedom Park we understand 90% of children's critical brain development occurs by age 5. Children who are read to, sung to, and talked to from a young age develop larger vocabularies, become better readers, and are more likely to succeed in school. Start early to ensure your students success. Freedom Park would like to partner with you to prepare your child for early success regardless of where you choose for them to attend school. This program is for preschool aged children 2-5 years of age. Best of all, its free. Check out Smarty Ants, your kids will love it! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/587fbed9414fb56f5c146008/t/594adc69c534a51027f697c8/1498078317065/Smarty+Ants_Flyer.pdf
Golden Apple
The Golden Apple Award honors those who believe in the true spirit of teaching by making classrooms a fun and safe place of learning. Do you know a teacher who has left a lasting impression in your family? Help us acknowledge those who are rarely recognized. If you know an outstanding teacher who deserves recognition for their efforts in the classroom, we want to know. Nominate your teacher hero at: http://wjbf.com/golden-apple-nomination-form/