Sunday, December 16, 2012

Keeping Our Children Safe


In the wake of the Connecticut tragedy, I want to assure you that we are working hard to keep your children safe. Our hearts go out to those who suffered in this senseless incident and we understand the importance of providing a safe environment for our students. We regularly practice emergency procedures and in the wake of this event we will be reviewing our procedures to try to identify any additional measures that would ensure a safe environment to protect our precious students. Our counselor will be available for any students needing support.

We hope that you will help as well by remembering procedures in place such as checking in at the office as you enter the building and obtaining a visitor’s tag. Our staff is a caring and loving one that would do everything in their power to protect your child.

We hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday and give your children an extra hug.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Happy Holidays!

I am very excited about all the reading students have been doing. Our library is buzzing will activity and Mrs. Whitehead has fostered interest and engagement, even using raps to involve the students in learning library skills. We also have access to a new online program, MyOn that tests students’ reading level and provides a wide variety of reading materials that may not only be accessed at school, but can also be accessed from home. We have a contest to keep the students reading over the holidays. The three students in each grade level (1-5) who read the most over the holidays will receive prizes. So keep that reading going! They can access the program from outside computers including those at the library if you do not have one available at home.

Our students in grades 3-5 are very excited about the upcoming visiting author, Obert Skye. Our students have been working hard on their writing skills this year. Teachers have been taking workshops on how to improve writing which provides them with enhanced skills and knowledge as we move toward the Common Core State Standards which require more writing at higher levels by all students.

We encourage those in the upper grades to forge forward in math using the Think Through Math program which may be accessed from home. This is a motivational program that increases skill and knowledge in an entertaining format. Coolmath.com is a great site for those students who are in the lower levels. Give it a try!

I am very pleased that our families have strongly supported the Food Drive. The Student Council managed to organize a very successful drive which resulted in the Food Bank having to make several trips to the school. We are blessed to have so many families who care about others in our school.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Donuts with Dad on December 20th. Please remember, if a Dad is not available, we encourage another meaningful individual in your child’s life to bring the student to school and enjoy a donut on that day.

If you get a chance, you may want to stop by the Chubbuck City Office to see the tree that our students decorated. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,
Dr. Betsy Goeltz