Lion's Ledger
January Newsletter
January Update
Welcome back Lafayette families! I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a healthy and happy new year! I hope your break was relaxing and filled with lots of time spent with family and friends. It was very quiet here at school and I was excited to welcome everyone back on January 6, 2020.
Upon returning to school for the second semester, I will be encouraging my students and staff to pick a word to focus on for the new year. My word for 2020 is IMPACT. I will work hard each and every day to ensure that I am having a positive impact on each person I encounter. What will your word be? Think about it...
You will receive your child’s report card on Friday, January 10, 2020. Please discuss it with your scholar and allow them the opportunity to share their strengths from the grading period. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s report card please contact their teacher to schedule a conference. Conference night will be held on January 21, 2020. We look forward to seeing you there.
As always, thank you for your support!
Courtney Wheeler
Principal
Grade 4 Update
Happy New Year! We hope that everyone had a wonderful break! We’d like to wish a very special 100th birthday to our very own Miss Brady! This month will be filled with a lot of exciting learning!
In Math, we will be focusing on Comparing, Ordering, Adding, and Subtracting Fractions as well as length.
This month we will be wrapping up Social Studies, by developing an understanding of Virginia during the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries and the current industries in Virginia that impact our economy. We will continue to review what we have learned throughout the remainder of the year.
Towards the middle of the month, we will be starting our IB Unit themed “How We Express Ourselves.” During this IB unit, we will begin our first Science Units, which focus on our solar system and weather!
In Literacy, we will be exploring different elements of fictional texts, such as characters, settings, plot, and themes. While writing our Story Element and Character Study, we will incorporate verb tenses, possessive pronouns, and quotation marks.
Thank you so much for everything you do at home to ensure the success of your child every day! We appreciate you! Happy 2020!
Grade 3 Update
Third grade is excited about continuing our learning into a new year! This month our students are starting a new language arts unit about Traditional Tales. We will be reading traditional tales from around the world, from many different cultures. Students will be comparing themes, setting, events, and characters in the stories. They will also be writing original tales.
Our new IB unit will explore citizenship. We will learn about our roles and responsibilities. They will also create action plans to help solve a community problem. In math students will collect and analyze data, explore probability, and create and extend patterns.
IB Update
Third Grade: This month, Third Grade is beginning their unit on Who We Are – an inquiry into rights and responsibilities. Their central idea is: A global citizen has a variety of roles and responsibilities that contribute to society and influence relationships. Within this unit, they will be focusing on their Social Studies SOLs on citizenship, government, and using globes and maps. They will also be exploring the theme through their literacy unit on Traditional Tales.
Fourth Grade: In fourth grade, students have begun their unit on How We Express Ourselves – an inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values. They are investigating the central idea: Our self-expression is influenced by our beliefs and values, which we can discover by observing the world around us. Within this unit, students will be learning how scientists use observations to understand and communicate information about our world. They will also learn how authors express their opinions of the past through historical fiction.
Fifth Grade: Fifth graders are working on their unit on Where We Are In Place and Time – an inquiry into explorations and migrations of humankind. They are focusing on the central idea: Humans are impacted by their environment. Within this unit, the students will explore their Social Studies SOLs on US Geography, Native Americans and Explorers. They will also be connecting through their literacy unit on Adventure. Fifth grade students are also continuing to prepare for the Exhibition by researching their chosen topics within their groups. The Exhibition will be held on March 25th.
Upcoming Calendar Events
January 10
Report Cards Go Home
Spirit Day - Dress like a SNOWMAN
January 14
School Board Meeting
January 20
HOLIDAY/NO SCHOOL
January 21
Honor Roll Assemblies:
Gr. 5 – 8:45 A.M.
Gr. 4 – 9:45 A.M.
Gr. 3 – 1:45 P.M.
Parent Conferences 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Multicultural Night 4:30 - 6:00 PM
January 24
Spirit Day - Dress like your favorite storybook character
Proud to be a Title I school
Title 1
Title I is the largest federal aid program for elementary, middle and high schools. Through Title I, the federal government designates money to school districts around the country based on the number of students in need in each district. Each district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children, such as:
· Class size reduction
· Additional teachers and paraprofessionals
· Parent resources
· Instructional materials and supplies
· Tier 2 and Tier 3 support services
The focus of the Title I program is to ensure all students meet challenging content and achievement standards. Title I also authorizes federal grant programs that provide funds for reading instruction, services to migrant children, services to neglected and delinquent children, comprehensive school reform and dropout prevention.
All FCPS students in grades K-8 are eligible to receive programs funded through the Title I grant.
Hugh Mercer Elementary School
Dr. Kimberly Doucette
Kisha Frye-Title I
William Wishard
540-372-1115
Lafayette Upper Elementary School
Courtney Wheeler -Title 1
Pam Diggs-Reading
PJ Pcsolinski- Math
540-310-0029
Walker-Grant Middle School
Justin Woodside
Stephen Ventura-Reading, Title I
Keesha Keels- Math
540-372-1145
Lafayette Upper Elementary School is a Title I school. If your child is in need of Title I services for support with mathematics or reading please contact Sarah Cook, Math Specialist or Pam Douglas and Patricia Balwanz Literacy Coaches at 540-310-0029.