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Timberwolf Times October 2017 Flipbook PDF
Timberwolf Times October 2017
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TIMBERWOLF TIMES October 2017
Principal, Mrs. Lord
Asst. Principal, Mr. Farrel
Secretary, Mrs. Ballesteros
Office Asst., Mrs. Edging
Come in,
WE’RE
OPEN SCHOOL HOURS A.M. Kindergarten: Regular Hours 8:40-12:05 Early Out Monday 8:40-11:45 Minimum Day 8:40-10:50 P.M. Kindergarten: (including Kickstart) Regular Hours 12:05-3:30 Early Out Monday 11:35-2:40 Minimum Day 10:20-12:30
3901 Little Rock Drive Antelope, CA 95843 916-338-6480 Fax: 916-338-6488
Grades 1-6: Regular Hours 9:15-3:30 Early Out Monday 9:15-2:40 Minimum Day 9:15-12:30
North
MISSION Country
To guide and encourage each student to thrive, to seek, to discover and to lead in order to be prepared for life's challenges.
North
VISION Country
At North Country we begin with the end in mind in order to clearly understand our destination. All students are prepared for the 21st century through leadership and critical thinking skills.
North
MOTTO Country
Developing Leaders one child at a time.
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 2
Principally Speaking Mrs. Lord There have been a lot of questions concerning math, especially after the latest round of conferences. I hope this article will be helpful: Math looks different these days. When you visit your child’s math class, it may look different from what you remember. For example, 2 apples + 2 apples still equals 4 apples, and learning your multiplication tables is still important. But, now you are likely to see your child solving real problems. Second graders might: Figure out how many apples they need for a classroom party. Determine the cost to buy those apples. Compare how much money they need to have in the class kitty. Fourth-graders are learning not only that 7 x 8 = 56, but, are deciding when they should use multiplication to solve a problem. Educators want children to understand that math is not only useful out of the classroom, but in their daily lives too. We know that every child is capable of achieving in math topics such as geometry, data and statistics, and algebra —topics we’ve traditionally thought of as only accessible to some. MY CHILD’S TEACHER SAYS THAT THE MATHEMATICS IS PROBLEM-BASED. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Teachers are now using activities that are connected to students’ real lives. Like mathematicians, students are now solving problems that may take them an hour, or perhaps, several hours to solve. There may be many ways to solve the problem. Children think about mathematics in different ways depending on their prior expe- riences at home and school. Teachers want your children to understand how important math is and how it helps them solve every-day problems. By allowing students to think flexibly about numbers teachers encourage them to “own” the mathematics forever, instead of “borrowing” until class is over. Parents can help out by showing their chil- dren when they use math. That may be as simple as: Helping your child estimate in the grocery store; Deciding together how many plants can fit into a garden and drawing a scale plan of your garden; or Discussing how the interest works on the mortgage. MY CHILD TALKS ABOUT WORKING IN PAIRS AND GROUPS. IS THIS HELPFUL? Research shows that students’ working together helps with understanding. It allows more time for all young people to talk about what they know and don’t know. During group problem-solving, teachers are actively listening to the students’ reasoning which, in turn, helps them better understand the students’ thinking. There is still time in the classroom for students to work independently, and teachers know how important that is. Business and industry leaders say that the three “R’s” are still important but that new employees also need good communication skills and the ability to work in a team.
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 3
HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD WHEN THE HOMEWORK IS SO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I DID IN SCHOOL? Homework may look different from when you were in school and the amount of it may be different also. Practice is still important and students continue to do that. Students will still be expected to memorize basic facts, and you’ll still see homework that asks you to help them do that. But, we know from research that students need activities and tasks that allow for a deeper understanding of the math. These tasks may take longer to solve and so fewer problems are assigned. But these problems will help students understand how integral math is in their lives and will continue to be in the workplace. I SEE FEWER GRADED PAPERS COMING HOME THAN I REMEMBER BRINGING HOME TO MY PARENTS. HOW ARE MY CHILDREN EVALUATED? Teachers still use traditional paper and pencil tests to help them assess your child’s progress. They also use district and statewide tests results to help them make decisions about instruction and assessment. However, teachers are also using tried and true methods of “kid-watching.” Watching and listening to students while they work in pairs, groups, or alone provides teachers with valuable information about your child’s progress. Students are asked to tell their teachers what they know in many ways. They may be asked to keep a math journal and write about the math they are learning. For example, after learning a new skill your child may be asked to write and describe how they would teach what they learned to a younger child. Teachers want to use as many ways as possible to help them decide what students know and understand. MATH IS EVERYWHERE! LOOK FOR IT WITH YOUR KIDS. Football—is it possible for a team to score 22 points? How many ways can they do it? Is there an impossible score? Driving to School—what does “miles per hour” mean? How does it help us know how long it will take us to get to school? What else may influence how long it takes us to get somewhere in the car? Consumers—is it more cost effective to lease or buy a car? How much paint do I need to buy to paint the front hall? Can you guess the amount needed or do you need measurements to figure out how much paint to buy? WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP ME SUPPORT MY CHILD’S INTEREST IN MATH? National Education Association The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics A Maths Dictionary for Kids The Math Forum-Ask Dr. Math Cyberchase PBS Parents-Early Math Education World Figure This! Math Challenges for Families Moby Max Math Power: How to Help Your Child Love Math, Even if You Don’t Patricia Clark Kenschaft 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Raise a Child Who Loves Math Kathy A. Zahler
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 4
October Newsletter
Organizational Skills Imagine a school morning where everyone knows what to do and is ready on time. Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s possible! Organization is a skill learned over time. By teaching organization at home, your child will learn this very important skill. Use the first three habits as a learning tool for you and your child: Habit 1: Be Proactive Habit 1 is about initiative and responsibility. Help your child determine what he or she will need for the next day. To start, writing a list may be helpful. Next, have your child gather the non-perishable items and put them in his or her school bag. Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind Habit 2 is about visualizing how you would like something to turn out before it happens. If a smooth morning is the goal, brainstorm with your child how that will look and feel like. Your child may actually have time to do something extra in the morning if he or she is organized and you will all have a happy start to the day. Habit 3: Put First Things Habit 3 means focusing on the task when there's something else you would rather be doing — the hardest part of all! Help your child learn how to avoid distractions by reminding him or her that, if they stick to it, all the fun things can come right after—with no guilt or nagging! Once children know these habits, and how to apply them, they can start tackling more difficult tasks independently. They will begin to feel selfconfident and proud when they're able to complete homework, chores, and other tasks by themselves. They're also sure to be pleased when they find they have some extra free time to do what they'd like to do. Remember, it may take time to teach your child these skills. Sometimes, it will seem simpler just to do it for them. But remember, your child won't learn how to be independent and successful if you always do it for them. Using Habits 1-3 is a life skill that will benefit them their entire lives.
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 5
North Country will be participating in the KCRA KIDS CAN food drive. This is the 20th year that we have participated in this worthwhile campaign. We will begin collecting cans and non-perishable food from October 9th to November 9th. Please help make Thanksgiving a special occasion in all households with your donation of non-perishable food items. This year, we are competing with other schools in the Sacramento area to be featured on television as one of the top schools with the most donated items. Our student Lighthouse team is in charge of this event and will encourage other students to participate.
Fall picture re-takes WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11TH
Red Ribbon Week October 23-27
Red Ribbon Week has grown into the country’s largest anti-drug endeavor. Encouraging youngsters to turn away from drugs is still the main emphasis, but giving them the tools to make other healthy choices is now a component. Activities revolving around daily themes have been planned. The kick off to Red Ribbon Week begins on the 23rd with Tye Dye day. - “ Don’t get TYED up with Drugs” Tuesday is Minion Day - Drugs are Despicable! Wednesday is Pajama Day- Follow your dreamsdon’t do drugs. Thursday is Crazy Hair Day- “HAIRS to a drug free lifestyle.” Friday is Superhero Day - Superheros don’t do drugs! It is also our 5th annual walk-a-thon!
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 6
PAWS PTO HARVEST FESTIVAL Get ready for the best event of autumn – The Harvest Festival is scheduled for Friday, October 20th beginning at 4:30 p.m. until dark. There will be food, games, vendors and a pumpkin patch. Classrooms are encouraged to enter the scarecrow contest. If you want to help your student’s teacher construct a scarecrow- the help would be appreciated! Put your creativity to work! This is always a well attended event so come on out and enjoy the fall evening!
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 7
TIMBERWOLF TICKET WINNERS Timberwolf Tickets are given to students who are demonstrating that they are following all rules and are treating others with respect and kindness. As students receive tickets, their names are placed into a monthly drawing in the office. Five students are given the opportunity to select a book from Mrs. Lord’s office. Congratulations to these students who were selected this month: Annalisa Claussen Mr. Hill Angelina Erdinc Mrs. Wilson/Hanson Anthony Carlos Mrs. Clement Nikita Tuzlov Mrs. Richwine Maxim Petrosian Mrs. Anderson
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 8
October 9-13 National School Lunch Week Lilly, Mary, Michelle, Christine, and Liz
Created in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, National School Lunch Week celebrates the benefits of the National School Lunch Program (the largest federal child nutrition program). /schoolnutrition.org/Meetings/Events/NSLW/2017/ Many thanks go out to our lunchroom supervision staff who do not always receive the credit they deserve. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our cafeteria staff – Michelle Swett; cafeteria manager, Liz Heeran and Christine Rice food service workers and Mary Mellado: cashier. Lunch is a very busy time of the day. These ladies serve over three hundred lunches each day. Also, a shout out to our noon duty supervisors: Angela Corey, Theresa Smith, Cera Impson, Rinki Chouhan, Richard Koscinski and Armida Chavez. Great job everyone!
Morning Intervention Timberwolf Learning Club (TLC) begins on Wednesday, October 18th. Students who qualify for the program have been identified through the use of Universal Screeners, (standard assessments) to determine which students need additional supports. Students learn in small groups, with the focus being to increase opportunities to practice and learn skills taught English Language Arts and math fluency (basic math facts). Notification has been sent home to parents with qualifying students. The morning program runs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00-9:00. Students eating breakfast will go to the multi-purpose room at 8:45.
TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 9
Halloween
PARADE The annual North Country Halloween Parade will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31st. This is always a fun event for students. Please have your child dress in appropriate costumes ( no blood, gore, etc.) and monitor what your child is wearing that day. The best place for parents to view the parade is on the picnic benches. We expect students to put their costumes on just before the parade. Costumes should not be worn to school. If for any reason you do not wish to have your child participate in our Halloween parade, please pick them up at 2:00 p.m. Prior to 2:00 our students are following their regular academic schedule and are not ready for early release. Any classroom parties will occur after 2:00 p.m.
STEAM CHALLENGE #2 October’s Science Event is the Paper Airplane Challenge. Students will work together in classroom groups to build the ultimate paper airplane based on research, trial and error. They will conduct pre-flights at the end of the month with their teachers to see which classroom groups constructed airplanes that fly the farthest or stays in the air the longest. Then, on Monday, October 30th, winning classroom teams will compete with other classrooms to determine which team (s) made the ultimate paper airplane! TIMBERWOLF TIMES | PAGE 10