PRINCIPAL NEWSLETTER
February , 2020
Tapteal Elementary School Principal
Dear Tapteal Elementary Families,
We are over half way into our year together, in our transition year to the New Tapteal Elementary School. It's a good time of reflection and determination to new action toward our goals.
One thing that makes a difference in our children's lives is the relationship our parents have with their teacher. As we're connected, parents and teachers significantly influence our children’s lives each day. As mentioned in my last letter, our children depend on their Aces. When all of the Aces are working together, our children succeed.
In a few weeks we will be in spring conferences. It's a great time to reflect on what we can do to support student learning. Here are some suggestions from the PBS website:
Be a role model of learning: When a child begins school, the parent’s job is to show him how school can extend the learning you began together at home, and how exciting and meaningful this learning can be.
Practice what your child learns at school: Many teachers appreciate parents to go over what their children are learning in a non-pressured way and to practice what they may need extra help with. Set aside time to read together. Read aloud regularly, even to older kids. If your child is a reluctant reader, reading aloud will expose her to the structure and vocabulary of good literature and get her interested in reading more. “Reading the first two chapters of a book together can help, because these are often the toughest in terms of plot,” notes Susan Becker, M. Ed. “Let kids pick the books they like. It’s OK to read easy, interesting books instead of harder novels.”
Help your child take charge of his learning: “We want to keep children in charge of their learning and become responsible for it,” says Dalton Miller-Jones, Ph.D. “We want them to be responsible for their successes and failures, show them how engaging learning is, and that the motivations for learning should be the child’s intrinsic interests, not an external reward.”
Learn something new yourself: Learning something new yourself is a great way to model the learning process for your child. Take up a new language or craft, or read about an unfamiliar topic. Show your child what you are learning and how you may be struggling. Your child may learn study skills by watching you study. You might even establish a joint study time.
Learning is not easy, and we all expect that. Through the loving support of caring adults, including our staff, and parents, students learn how to think like mathematicians, young authors, and scientists. Equally important, students learn how to interact with each other, build empathy through seeing things from multiple perspectives, restore relationships, and how to make things right when we have done wrong. We believe supporting the whole child in their learning, academically, and socially and emotionally. As always, at Tapteal Elementary, our mission is to empower all students to achieve success, no exceptions.
We truly appreciate your support in your child's education. Thank you for being your child's ACE of HEARTS.
UP AHEAD
- SPRING CONFERENCES
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or March 11, 12, 13.
Teachers will be scheduling appointments with families shortly.
Wednesday is a Half Day, students released at 12:30. Breakfast and lunch provided.
- SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The Jungle Book fair is here! FEB 24-28.
- ONE BOOK ONE SCHOOL
One Book One school is coming up. This is our first year! Families will be encouraged to read a book together as a school. It is a cool community builder, and teaches wonderful lessons. This is set to be a surprise for our students. More information to come in March Super Hawk assembly. Stay tuned!
- Kid Calypso Tour
Mrs. Gabby Garcia is taking our Kid Calypso on tour April 17-18.
- Smarter Balance Assessment
Your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader are set to take the annual SBA assessment in the window of Week 1) MAY 11-15; Week 2) MAY 1-22; Week 3) MAY 26-30. Tests are not the only indicator of success. It is one measure that can help determine how students have learned this year. In order to provide the best testing experience for your child, please work with your teacher to schedule appointments around testing.
- Building Wide Positive Behavior Rewards
Each month, all students can contribute to Building Wide incentives with Good Hawk Behavior. A student can be rewarded with a GOOD HAWK BEHAVIOR card anywhere in the building, by any staff. These tickets can be turned in to the office or the cafeteria. Rewards are scheduled every month. Ask your child what we are working for. On Friday February 28, students earned Music in the Cafeteria with special staff performances.
- Great News Post Cards
Throughout the year, our goal is to positively recognize every student with a Great News Hawk postcard. One student from each class a week will have the opportunity to be recognized exhibiting a positive character trait by their teacher. A list of the year's character traits are attached below. Those students will also be able to eat lunch with Mr. Langdon on Friday. The postcards are mailed off for you to celebrate with your child!
- The TAPTEAL 200 Club
When students follow the big three (Show Respect, Make Good Decisions, Solve Problems), they may be rewarded with a Golden Tapteal 200 Ticket. These are extra special, and are to be rewarded for students going ABOVE and BEYOND. We believe when we look for above and beyond behavior, more kids will work to achieve higher expectations. The Tapteal 200 board is a grid of 200 squares, in rows and columns. Once a row or column is filled with students, ALL of these students win a mystery surprise! Check it out when you are here.
COLD WEATHER
Reminder to keep your kiddos home if they are feeling under the weather, especially if they have had a temperature within 24 hours. Be sure to call in for attendance concerns, and speak to Mrs. Jonna Dearinger 509 967-6351.
AFTER SCHOOL BUS LINEUP
We have moved our bus lineup indoors, to the gym. We believe it helps provided needed safety, structure, and organization to a daily routine. Parents needing to pick up their child in the case of an emergency are required to stop by the office.
EARLY PICK UP
Please do not make any changes past 2:30 MONDAY - THURSDAY, an 1:30 on FRIDAY. It makes it difficult for staff to ensure a safe transition home for your child. When there are several parents trying to get their child from the bus line, it is increasingly difficult. Parents and caretakers, please limit these last minute changes to emergencies only. If it becomes a pattern, we would like to meet with you to discuss some solutions for the future.
We are an Idle Fee Zone. Please help us keep the parking lot clear of exhaust fumes before and after school by turning off your vehicle while waiting for your child.
Chess Club
Tapteal Character Traits
The Tapteal 200
Join the PTA!
Sean Langdon
Website: https://tapteal.rsd.edu/
Location: 2100 Sunshine Avenue, West Richland, WA, USA
Phone: 509 967-6350