Tharptown Elementary School
October 14 - October 18
Celebrating Perfect Attendance!
Even though September has been set aside as Attendance Awareness Month, attendance is important every day of every month! According to the National Center for Education Statistics, when students miss school, it is a lost opportunity for students to learn. Research shows that students who have regular attendance at school have higher achievement than students who do not. This statistic is true even at the early learning level. In fact, absenteeism in kindergarten indicated a negative impact on a student's first grade outcomes. Research has also shown a correlation in a student's attendance in the early years and dropping out of high school. By the student's 9th grade year, attendance was the key indicator correlated with high school graduation.
Many times it seems that student attendance is out of our control. After all, we can't go home with these students and can't control whether they come to school or they don't. While that may be true, there are things that we can do to encourage good attendance:
- Let students know we miss them when they are absent. This can be done by simply saying, "Susie, I missed you in class yesterday." This lets the student know you value their presence in the classroom.
- Reach out to parents of frequently absent students to let them know you are concerned about the student's attendance and find out if there are things the school can do to help the parent improve the student's attendance.
- Use a variety of venues such as daily/monthly newsletters to communicate to the parent the importance of school attendance.
- Create a nuturing, positive, and engaging classroom that will encouarge students to want to come to school. Students love to be in classrooms where they feel welcome, respected, and encouraged.
- Encouage parents to be partners in their child's education and assist them in locating resources and support for circumstances that create barriers for positive school attendance.
Being a Positive Influence!
When I look in classrooms at TES, I see reminders to the students of how they are loved, valued, respected, and encouraged. I see classrooms that are inviting, fun, and exciting. I watch teachers interact with students in a positive, nurturing manner that elicits trust and acceptance. Students are no different than adults in their desire to be loved and feel secure. When our classrooms demonstrate these things, our students will love being there!
Anti-Bullying Awareness Month
School personnel play a huge role in protecting our students against bullying in our school. Below are five tips that will help teachers, administrators and other school personnel prevent bullying from occurring at school and how to respond when it happens:
- Create a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment: Establish a classroom culture where everyone is included and respect is demonstrated among faculty and students. Talk to students about appropriate peer relationships.
- Manage Classrooms to Prevent Bullying: Work with students to establish classroom rules that set high expectations for a climate of respect and responsibility. In addition, continually monitor classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and other areas where students are present.
- Stop Bullying on the Spot: If you see bullying taking place, stop it immediately and address the situation. Talk to students separately to find out the facts of the situation and if needed, send students to school administrators.
- Be a Role Model: Model respectful and appropriate behavior in the classroom by showing students respect and encouraging them to be successful. Demonstrate kindness and caring as you interact with your students.
- Reward Good Behavior - Look for ways to affirm good behavior that motivates students to demonstrate positive behavior at school.
Fall Break!
Upcoming Events This Week
Monday, October 14
- No known activities
Tuesday, October 15
- Make-up School Pictures
Wednesday, October 16
- Parent/Teacher Conferences - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 10
- Fall Break - No School
Friday, October 12
- Fall Break - No School
- Tharptown High School Football vs. Addison - Away - 7:00 p.m.