We often think of the struggles that come with dyslexia. However, assistive technology opens a host of doors to literacy and learning. Technologies like text-to-speech applications, which can be found in all of our Chrome Books, have proven to be exceptionally strong aids for students with dyslexia, according to the Dyslexia Center of Utah. Ask your child to show you the Read&Write Google extension. Here is a link to a quick informational video.
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A Note From the Head of School:
The Art of Getting Past the "I Don't Know"
One of the most challenging responses parents can get when they desperately want to know what their children think or if a child finds something troubling is "I don't know." It can stop any discussion dead in its tracks and can elicit frustration from the person asking the question and a feeling of incompetence from the child. I know sometimes my children are not interested in engaging in a conversation with their "dear old" mum, but other times I think they simply struggle to find the right words to craft a response. Children want to feel competent and they want to impress the people they love.
Here are some suggestions to move beyond the shrugged shoulders and blank looks.
- Your child may not have been paying attention to the question, didn't hear it in its entirety, or wasn't able to process the auditory information to formulate an answer. Allow them processing time and then rephrase the question using less language. In the classroom, we ask teachers to count to seven in their heads before providing support. In fact, we have learned that sometimes our students need 10 seconds to give us a thoughtful accurate answer.
- Consider writing your question down so your child would have a visual to study and then answer in their own time.
- Teach your child to say something like, "Oh, just give me a minute," or even to teach them a non-verbal signal such as holding up their pointer finger allows them that time without frustrating the person who is trying to get an answer from them.
- Do not ask your child another question on top of your first question and try not to distract them.
- Sometimes our students actually don't know the answer to a question you are asking due to its complexity or their lack of knowledge. I think that allowing them the ability to add the word "yet" to "I don't know," allows them to preserve their self-esteem and creates an avenue for them to give you an answer later. For example, "What's the capital of Montana?" "I don't know yet."
I encourage you to use the chart below to coach your child to reframe their responses. This helps with their self-advocacy and allows them the opportunity to show their best selves.
Head of School
Here is a chart to coach your child on what to say instead of I don't know.
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October 29th, 2021
Halloween Activities/
Spirit Day
November 1st, 2021
Professional
Development Day
School Closed for Students
November 10th, 2021
Veteran's Day Assembly
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After a few minor incidents in the past few weeks, we'd like to remind all students that certain footwear is not permitted in the school's dress code. Students should be able to participate in P.E. class and run on the playground. The current school dress code prohibits such shoes as combat boots, cowgirl/cowboy boots, crocs, open-toed sandals, and hunting boots.
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We are so proud of the Maryland Pod for starting a Canned Food Drive as part of their service learning project. This week, students visited a local food pantry to learn how food banks operate. If you are able, please donate canned food and non-perishables to our food drive, now through October 29th!
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To celebrate Halloween, teachers, and students are organizing a Haunted House experience in the Great Room! If you would like to help or donate materials for the Haunted House, please contact Kelly-Anne Turner, Director of School Programming and Events.
Students may wear their costumes to school next Friday. Halloween costumes must be appropriate for school. No weapons (real or fake) can be brought to school. There will be a Halloween Parade at 1:15 pm followed by fun activities. Parents are welcome to come to see the parade and then stay and help with the various activities. Individual homerooms will send home information regarding Halloween parties.
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Radcliffe Creek School recently launched a brand-new texting tool. This new avenue of quick and easy communication will prove very useful to parents when we have weather-related closures and updates. If you did not receive an introductory text message last Friday, please text "Parent" to 410.778.8150 so you can receive all future updates!
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Celebrate the Soccer team's awesome season with one of Radcliffe's awesome hoodies! This year's sweatshirts will be $25 and will be available to both students and their families!! With youth and adult sizes available, the whole family can show their Radcliffe Pride! Click the button below to order yours today!
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Our after-school program offers homework help and special Enrichment Classes every day RCS is open (excluding half-days before vacations).
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If you would like for your child to participate in our after-school program, please fill out this Google form. In addition, please fill out the necessary MDSE paperwork (PDFs can be found here). If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Meg Bamford, Ben Joiner, or Jimmy Reynolds.
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Radcliffe Creek After-School Program
Monday - Tuesday | 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Wednesdays | 12:30pm - 5:00pm
Thursday - Friday | 3:15pm - 4:15pm
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Our incentive program, Buffalo Bucks, helps students learn about personal finance by earning Buffalo Bucks for good behavior and extraordinary kindness. Students can then redeem these Buffalo Bucks for prizes in the prize corner of our Main Lobby. The program's mascot and spokesperson, Buffalo Bill, is personally asking all parents to donate any small gifts, trinkets, fidgets, or prizes to his collection of goodies! For more information, please reach out to our Administrative team at info@radcliffecreekschool.org!
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201 Talbot Blvd.,
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone (410) 778-8150
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Discover. Create. Thrive.
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