Dear Salem Woods Families,

March is National Reading Month

Attached to the newsletter this week is a list of Instant Words that was developed by Edward Fry from the Rutgers University Reading Center. The reason for calling these words “Instant Words” is that a student must learn to recognize them instantly in order to achieve fluency in reading, writing, or spelling. You may also hear them called “sight words” or “heart words”. The first 10 words make up about 24% of all written material; the first 100 words make up about 50%, and the first 300 words make up about 65% of all words written in English.

How to use the Instant Word List

• Write them on index cards and have your child practice learning them. Start with 10-20 cards each night and add 10 more word cards to the pile after they master the first group. Keep adding more words, just practicing for 5 minutes each night, and it will improve their word recognition significantly!

• Memory game. Write each word on two index cards and turn them over on a table. Play a memory game with your child trying to find the two that match. As each player takes a turn, they also say the words. Help them if needed. In order to get a memory match they have to find the matching two word cards and be able to say the word, too.

• Have students practice writing the words. They can even make the index cards to use later by writing the instant words. Remember to start with only a few words per night and adjust as needed.

• Have them practice spelling the instant words. Remember to start with only a few words per night.

• Read books together and see how many times they can see the instant word on the page or within the story. It’s about spending time together and reading together, both are important!!!

• It’s all about short practice opportunities every day. In just 5 minutes, every day, you will see a lot of growth from your child.

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences are March 27-30 for ALL families

• Please email or call your child’s teacher this week if you have not already scheduled a time to meet. We would love to share your child’s progress with you.

• Tuesday, March 28th, will be our late night.

It’s time to register for kindergarten for 2023-2024

All Monroe elementary schools offer all day, every day kindergarten at no cost to families. Students attend from 8:55 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. State law requires incoming kindergarten students to have received current immunizations by the first day of class and be age 5 by August 31, 2023 to enroll for the 2023-2024 school year.

• New families may register online for the current year. Learn how here.

• Families with children currently enrolled can log into Family Access to enroll additional children.

If you cannot access the online registration packet, you can obtain the paper packet at any school office or at the District Administration Office, located at 14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe.

Thank you for bringing your students to school on time and prepared for learning each day. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at graym@monroe.wednet.edu or at 360-804-3600.

In Partnership,

Melanie Gray

On April 13th Dorian will be taking Class Pictures of all classrooms. All students will receive a free class photo. No action is required for this.

Also on this day Dorian will be taking individual personality photos. One of six backgrounds are available for your choosing. Order forms will be going home with your student next week or you may order online at the link below. All online orders must be placed prior to 9:00 AM on picture day. Order forms can be returned with your student to be given to Dorian on the day of.

Come meet and learn skills from the 2023 Monroe Bearcat softball team. The camp will consist of skills & drills designed for the growth and development of players in the 2nd through 6th grade. Players will be grouped upon their age and skill level.

• Camp staff: The camp will be run by the MHS softball players and coaches
• Cost: $35 includes camp t-shirt and prizes throughout camp
• What to bring: Glove, bat, helmet and water
• Make checks payable to: Monroe High School
• Mail to: Jennifer Garcia, 17001 Tester Road, Monroe, WA 98272
• Questions? garciaj@monroe.wednet.edu

*A confirmation email will be sent once registration and payment are received*

In digital learning, kinders through second are seeing how Blue Bots can be programmed via bluetooth so you don’t even need to touch any buttons to program the robot. All you need to do is add tiles to the tactile reader, push a button, and the robot drives around hands-free. The best part is that the Blue Bot’s eyes turn blue when it is connected via bluetooth. Third through fifth grade is also seeing how colors work with Sphero robots. Colors can be picked on a color wheel and even be programmed to change colors, move around to create pre-programmed geometric shapes, and even talk!

We are getting close to the halfway mark for our program!

Don’t forget to log your reading minutes on your reading log. The goal for High Trek vouchers is 480 minutes. Beginning April 1 you can submit your minutes and voucher request online using the Student Submission link or the QR code. Contact Ms. McInnis with any questions, mcinnisk@monroe.wednet.edu

Read 4 Adventure - Reading Log

When you call the Salem Woods main line (360-804-3600) you have the option to dial directly to the service you need. Below is a list of options you will hear when you call Salem Woods.

• Press 1 for Attendance Hotline
  
• Press 2 for After School Transportation Changes
  
• Press 3 for the Health Room
  
• Press 4 for the Counselor
  
• Press 0 for the Office Staff
  

The Monroe School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX Coordinator, Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW
Dan Johnston
14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2530
johnstond@monroe.wednet.edu

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
David Paratore
14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2609
paratored@monroe.wednet.edu

The Monroe School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact:

Chris Cronas
14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2558
cronasc@monroe.wednet.edu