Week of: September 24, 2018
Volume 3, Issue 7
***Please read as there is a correction to the last email sent. We will have TWO different picture days for students rather than one!***

Fall Pictures This Week:
  • Grades K-5: Wed., September 26, 2018
  • Grades 6-8: Thurs., September 27, 2016

How to Order:
  • Pre-Order at 
  • www.thephotoguys.org
  • Click ORDER NOW
  • Enter School Code: PAISTUDENT1819
  • Or, send cash or money order with the student on picture day

All students  must   wear their uniform for fall pictures (free dress is an option for spring pictures only). This year's background will be WHITE so it is recommended (not mandatory) that students wear their BLUE, GREY, or ORANGE uniform top.
State SBAC Data Released : As announced last week, the state released SBAC Data to schools from the spring administration of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). This assessment allows us to see how well our students are mastering the Nevada Academic Content Standards and identifies where students need more support. As a school, students showed tremendous growth in both Reading and Math! In Reading, Pinecrest Inspirada grew by twelve (+12) percentage points moving from 74% of students being proficient to 86.26% of students being proficient. In Math, Pinecrest Inspirada grew by three (+3) percentage points moving from 69% of students being proficient to 72.05% of students being proficient.  

Released this past week was information on how well our school did compared to all schools in the state of Nevada. Congratulations to teachers, and students for making Pinecrest Inspirada one of the best schools in the state! (Ranking information was gathered via Twitter @DataInsightPart.)

Pinecrest Inspirada – Elementary School

  • Ranked #2 public Elementary School in Henderson
  • Ranked #4 public Elementary School in Southern Nevada
  • Ranked #5 public Elementary School in Nevada*

Pinecrest Inspirada – Middle School

  • Ranked #1 public Middle School in Henderson
  • Ranked #2 public Middle School in Southern Nevada
  • Ranked #3 public Middle Schools in Nevada*

*There are a total of 664 public schools in Nevada.
Remembering October 01, 2017 :  On Monday, October 01, 2018, we will be remembering October 01 and celebrating the heroes of that day with a tree planting ceremony and a moment of silence. Staff and students are encouraged to wear any type of “Vegas Strong” shirt.    
Introducing Our Reading Series Program :  It is our goal to motivate students to practice independent reading skills and become proficient readers by reading books in a series that interest them. Starting the week of October 01, 2018, each staff member will host a series of books and encourage students who choose to read their series. For example, Mr. O’Dowd will host The Horrible Harry series.  As a student chooses to read The Horrible Harry series, he/she will come to Mr. O’Dowd’s office to get a bookmark listing the books in that series. The child will check out a book from Mr. O’Dowd one at a time to read. As the child finishes the book, he/she will take an AR Quiz (must pass quiz with 80% accuracy or higher) and then come back to Mr. O’Dowd’s office to exchange it for the next book in the series. While in his office, Mr. O’Dowd (or the series host) will talk with each child about the book they just finished. When students finish a series, Elementary students will receive a “Spirit Stick” and Middle School students will receive a “Free Dress” coupon to use on a designated day each month. 
 
Why are we doing this? According to research cited in Rigorous Reading by Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher, the more time students spend reading independently, the higher their achievement level. In this book, they site a study that found that the average elementary school student spent only 4-5 minutes a day in school actually reading independently. Most of Reading Instruction time was teacher directed instruction or the practicing of reading skills. They found that by adding just ten minutes a day of independent reading, students were exposed to over 800,000 more words per year and achievement scores increased by 30%. We encourage students to find a series that interests them and practice independent reading to build reading fluency, comprehension, and the love of reading! Please help your child find a book series at their reading level. 

Series Reading Kickoff :  We will kickoff this year’s Series Reading Program with fun activities the week of October 01, 2018. Students will participate in a schoolwide assembly, book series tours, a Book Series Trivia Game, buddy reading activities, and Accelerated Reader Challenge Day.  Parents are invited to a Family Book-Nic on Wednesday, October 03, 2018, during your child’s lunch period to eat a picnic lunch and read a good book out on the grass field.  

Book-Nic: On Wednesday, October 3, 2018, families are welcome to come eat lunch with their child at their normal lunch time and read books. Lunch will be outside picnic style. See below for lunch time schedules.

  • Grade 5: 10:45-11:20
  • Grade 1: 11:05-11:40
  • Grade 3: 11:20-11:55
  • Grade 6-8: 11:40-12:10
  • Kindergarten: 12:05-12:40
  • Grade 2: 12:25-1:00
  • Grade 4: 12:45-1:20
Pioneer Day : Save the date. Please plan on joining us for our third annual Pioneer Day on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. In honor of our school mascot and Nevada Day, we will celebrate Pioneer Day with a variety of activities, stories, and historical facts that demonstrate the way of life during the late 1700’s and 1800’s. Everyone will be invited to come dressed as a Pioneer. The last hour of the day will be reserved for teachers to hold a classroom Halloween party.
If you are able to assist with an activity from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., please contact Shae DiNofa (Receptionist) at 702-473-5777.
PTO Guide to Internet Safety Presentation: September 27, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m., MP Room, Refreshments will be provided (FBI presentation for parents regarding internet safety).
APEX is Coming! Pinecrest Inspirada is pleased to welcome back the APEX Fun Run starting Monday, October 15, 2018 through Thursday, October 25, 2018. Please see the attached flyer for more detailed information. Proceeds from this year’s Fun Run will go toward installing a permanent shade structure on the playground.  

The Elementary School "Fun Run" will be on October 24, 2018 at the end of the school day.   The Middle School "Color Battle" will be at the end of the day on October 25, 2018.
Support Inspirada Sports:
See below for schedule for 9/29/18...
  • Cross Country: 5:00 p.m., Somerset Losee (Please not, this is on 9/24/18)
  • K-2 Team 1 Flag Football Game: BYE WEEK 
  • K-2 Team 2 Flag Football Game: 10:00 a.m., Charlie Frias Park 
  • 3-5 Competitive Flag Football Game: 8:00 a.m., Pinecrest Cadence 
  • Varsity Flag Football Game: 2:00 p.m., Pinecrest Cadence 
  • K-2 T-Ball Game: 2:00 p.m., Aventura Park BB North Field 
  • 3-4 Recreational Volleyball Game: 10:00 a.m., It's All Volleyball, Court 2 
  • 3-4 Competitive Volleyball Game: 1:00 p.m., Doral Red Rock 
  • JV Volleyball Game: 2:00 p.m., Doral Red Rock 
  • Varsity Volleyball Game: 3:00 p.m., Doral Red Rock
Infinite Campus :  Don't forget to log into Infinite Campus frequently to check your fee balance and your child's grades.

**All course and sports fees were due by September 14, 2018! If you have not made payment, please log in and do so ASAP in order for your child to participate in courses and/or sports in which they are enrolled**
Pinecrest Board Meeting: September 25, 2018, 6:00 PM; Pinecrest Horizon
PTO Lost and Found Clean Out: September 28, 2018 (all unclaimed items will be donated)
Series Reading Kick Off: October 1, 2018
Code.Org Family Night: October 3, 2018, 6:00-7:15 p.m., Mac Computer Lab (click links below for more information)
Two Lunch Tuesday: October 9, 2018
PTO Restaurant Night at Raising Canes: October 9, 2018
PTO Fall Festival: October 12, 2018
APEX Fun Run: October 15-24, 2018
Data Day: October 19, 2018; Dismissal at 11:30
Nevada Day, No School: October 26, 2018
Pioneer Day: October 31, 2018
Pinecrest Inspirada PTO Fall/Winter Calendar