Hello October!

Congratulations on making it through the first month of school!

We know there have been a lot of changes from summer school, but everyone has done a great job transitioning into our academic school year. We have tried to talk to all of you when we see you at school, and so far we are getting good reports from the home front. It is very helpful for us to hear from you about what you see at home - behavior, homework, etc. Feel free to chat with us when you come to school! If you ever feel the need to sit down for a longer period, we are available for meetings before or after school. We are also happy to reply to emails :)

Homework has been going well so far this year. It has been a step-up from last years work load, but the students seem to be enjoying it! (lets hope this attitude stays with them for quite some time!!!) Here are a few notes about homework:

1) Please take the time to sit down with your student. Let them be the "teacher" and you can be the student. Have them explain what they are doing to you - this shows a mastery level of learning.

2)Feel free to help them with difficult concepts, or with reading if they are getting tripped up. Let them know that "mistakes are OK!" - as long as they try their best.

3) "Teachable moments" - when we as adults can assist our children or students in a learning process, academic or otherwise. Homework is just one small portion of these ever occurring moments in time. The next time you see your child struggling with something (holding their backpack, zipping their jacket, or putting on their shoes) DO NOT DO IT FOR THEM!!! In order to teach Independence, we need to coach them through these times.

4) We have arranged homework so you have the entire week starting on Wednesday. If you know you will be busy one night, please plan ahead. If your student's homework folder does not come to school, please let us know - write a note, email, or talk to us. We are trying to establish a sense of responsibility, so we need to model these behaviors as well.

We have had a great September, and we are looking forward to October - here are some important dates:

October 3 - Faris's Birthday
October 5 - Sevyn's Birthday
October 5 - Mr. Dougherty's Birthday
October 10 - Cole's Birthday and
Pumpkins can begin arriving for math activities. Please label them with your student's name on a piece of tape
October 13 - "back to school"
October 16 - School Carnival!
October 23 - Maintenance Day
October 29 - Field Trip to the Children's Museum