Note from the Principal
Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
We hope that you found time to enjoy family and friends over the long holiday break. With the start of the second semester in January, we enter into the time of year when our students show the most growth. The classroom routines have been established, the academic building blocks are in place, and there are fewer interruptions to the schedule. They are comfortable with their classmates and find safety and trust in their teachers.
Our English Language Learners will be taking the ACCESS test when we return in January. This is a required assessment that tests English proficiency levels and helps to guide instruction for our ELL students. At this time we will also be administering the mid-year PALS assessment to students in 5K-3rd grade and benchmarking students in Math. While this seems like a lot of testing, it really is just an opportunity for us to celebrate the progress that our students are making and adjust our plans and instruction to better meet our goals. Please watch for report cards to be sent home towards the end of the month. Parent/Teacher Conferences are not scheduled until March, but if you have any questions regarding your child’s progress, please ease your mind by reaching out to his or her teacher.
January tends to bring the cold and wet weather that comes with winter. While it is not my favorite season, winter is a much-loved time for our students. With that, it is very important that they come prepared for the weather. Our students have three recesses each day and they love to play in the snow! Winter gear should include boots, snowpants, a coat that zips, a hat, and mittens or gloves. Here are a couple helpful hints for winter gear and school: 1) Stretchy gloves are wonderful, but they get wet fast. A couple extra pairs in their backpack can help to ensure that your child has warm, dry hands. 2) Wet feet are also a problem. An extra pair of socks in their backpack will also be helpful in keeping your child warm and dry throughout the day. 3) PLEASE…be sure that your child’s name is on their gear. It is difficult to keep track of which black snowpants belong to which child when 12 to 16 students have black snowpants. If you are struggling to provide any of these items, please contact your child’s teacher or the office, as we may be able to help.
Mr. Nugent and I can’t help but smile as we reflect on the growth that we have seen during this first semester. Your children are showing independence and responsibility and we are grateful to be a part of their learning. Thank you for sharing your children with us.
Mrs. Becky Buhler, Principal
