Chimborazo Elementary Newsletter
October 2018
Principal's Message
Happy October Chimborazo families,
First, I would like to say thank you to all the parents and volunteers that have enabled Chimborazo to have such an amazing start to the school year. It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night a couple weeks ago. We were able to give out nearly one hundred bookbags to our students through the generosity of local businesses and organizations. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events this month!
We have hit the ground running, and our second through fifth grade students recently took their Measure of Academic Progress diagnostic assessments in reading and math to help us track the gains your child makes throughout the year. The PALS (Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening) was also conducted in grades 1 through 3 to see what foundational literacy skills and knowledge our students possess. Kindergarten will begin their assessments soon. These results will provide the road map for how we best meet our students' needs and as we set goals. Interims will also go home this week to enable you to track how your child is doing both academically and behaviorally as well. Please be advised that there will be fewer grades this interim period due to the fact we spent our first couple weeks reviewing previous year material and establishing routines and procedures. However, you will receive information soon on how to access your child's grades earned in his or her teacher's gradebook.
Several exciting events have happened at Chimborazo recently as a result of the hard work of our PTA, staff, and new district leadership. 120 new computers were delivered in grades 3 through 5 classrooms. This has freed up technology in the upper grades that has now been brought to the primary grade classrooms for use. It is imperative that our teachers are teaching and our students are learning in relevant and meaningful ways and technology is one of the tools to enrich instructional content. We have had several dignitaries visit our school recently including VDOE State Superintendent James Lane and Delegate Delores McQuinn. The word is out on the great things we are doing at Chimborazo to equip our students with the behaviors and academic competencies to be successful in school and in life. Our students’ educations are extended outside of the classroom through Blue Sky who has started incorporating scientifically engaging lessons with many of our grade levels. Dancing in the Classrooms has began in 5th grade in an effort to defend last year's championship, and Say it with Heart is in the school to help students develop and exhibit appropriate social behaviors, resolve conflicts, and stand up to bullying. We have also continued incentives for our grade levels for positive behavior such as the Golden Spatula for cafeteria behavior and The Golden Compass for the grade level class that exhibits the most appropriate line and hallway behavior. We also continue making meaningful efforts to develop the leadership capacity of our students as evidenced through our Safety Patrol Induction Ceremony last week.
October will be a very busy month with lots of great things happening. Please continue to support our students at home with reading nightly and with homework support. Our teachers and staff are working hard to help our students flourish, but it is a team effort! Friday was our 18th day in school and marked the 10% mark of our school year. Attendance is a huge push in our school district at the school level. Thank you for your continued support, ensuring our kids are in school every day, and Happy October.
Respectfully,
David T. Peck
Principal- Chimborazo Elementary
October Events
October 1st-Chimborazo Supply Drive @ Lunch and Supper 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
October 2nd- 2nd grade YMCA swimming (Avula and Mallette)
5th grade Blue Sky Field Trip
October 3rd- 5:15 pm PTA Meeting
4th grade field trip to Lewis Ginter
October 4th-1st quarter interims sent home
2nd grade YMCA swimming (Jones and Messick)
October 5th- 1st quarter interims sent home
2nd grade Field Trip to Carter Mountain
School Spirit Day (Wear your favorite sports team's jersey)
October 8th- Columbus Day (No School)-Teacher Workday
October 9th- 2nd grade YMCA swimming (Avula and Mallette)
October 10th- 3rd grade Blue Sky Field Trip
October 11th- 8:15 am Moms and Muffins
Junior Achievement in a Day event (Grades K-2)
2nd grade YMCA swimming (Jones and Messick)
October 15th- PALS Testing begins for Kindergartners
October 16th- 2nd grade YMCA swimming (Avula and Mallette)
October 17th- 4th grade Blue Sky Field Trip
1st grade Field Trip to Hanover Berry Farm (Pumpkin Patch)
October 18th- 2nd grade YMCA Swimming (Jones and Messick)
State-wide Earthquake Drill
October 23rd-2nd grade YMCA (Avula and Mallette)
October 25th- 8:15 Dads and Doughnuts
2nd grade YMCA Swimming (Jones and Messick)
October 26th- 5th grade Blue Sky Field Trip
VPI Field Trip to Hanover Vegetable Farm
October 30th- 2nd grade YMCA (Avula and Mallette)
October 31st- 2nd grade Blue Sky
Book Character Parade-Students dress as their favorite book character (They must have the book with them).
Please consider joining PTA!
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=chimborazo%20pta
Our PTA is now on Twitter! Follow them @chimbopta now!
Follow us on Twitter @ChimborazoES
Get reminders and updates through Remind!
Like us on Facebook
First in Math for support at home and in school
Attendance matters
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. Also, as a subtle reminder, the school day starts at 9 a.m., so please do your best to ensure your child is not missing any instruction.
Student Code Of Responsible Ethics
What can you do to support your child in exhibiting positive behavior?
The Student Code of Responsible Ethics ( S.C.O.R.E.) outlines the behavioral expectations and potential consequences for students. Please consider the following suggestions below. A link to the the handbook is provided below.
- Review the Code of Behavior with your child.
- Ask your child about his/her day at school every day.
- Keep in touch with your child's teacher
- Encourage your child to use appropriate language and tone.
- Practice positive phrases with our child, such as, “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “Please,” and “I’m sorry.”
- Be a visible part of your child’s school day. Attend PTA and school events.