THE SUNQUAM STAR

Week of November 17, 2008 Volume 4 No. 9 Lunch Week 3

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Reading and writing are important ways we use language to communicate. A child's reading skills are important to his/her success in school and in future work. Research has identified five early reading skills that are all essential. They are…
·  Phonemic awareness—Being able to hear, identify, and play with individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
·  Phonics—Being able to connect the letters of written language with the sounds of spoken language.
·  Vocabulary—The words kids need to know to communicate effectively.
·  Reading comprehension—Being able to understand and get meaning from what has been read.
·  Fluency (oral reading)—Being able to read text accurately and quickly.
Parents play a critical role in helping their children develop not only the ability to read, but also an enjoyment of reading. We will share ways for you to help develop your child’s reading skills in our next issue.
~Ms. Littell J
IMPORTANT
Children will not be permitted to participate in outdoor recess unless they are wearing appropriate clothing, including a coat or jacket.
SPECIAL AREA UPDATES
ART
Fourth grade students at Sunquam have explored the concept of contrast in their fascinating abstract line drawings. Students learned painting and drawing techniques to employ in their art as they considered the many ways contrast can be achieved. Moving onto a collage unit, fourth grade students will be introduced to Panamanian Molas before beginning to use cut and torn papers creatively to create interesting compositions that utilize repetition and symbolism.
SCHOOL WEEKLY EVENTS & FIELD TRIPS
Nov. 17- Site Based Management Meeting AP office 3:30
Board of Education Meeting at CO 8:00 PM
Nov. 19- Parent/Teacher Evening Conference
Nov. 20- K-R Thanksgiving show 9:45 AM
K-T Writing Celebration 1:45 PM
Parent/Teacher Evening Conference
Nov. 21 School Closed-Parent/Teacher Daytime Conference / IMPORTANT REMINDERS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 24-5-M & 5-O Caleb Smith Park 9:30 AM
All 3rd Gr. Fall Festival Party 12:30 PM
Nov. 25-5-G & 5-P Caleb Smith Park 9:30 AM
All K Gr. K Thanksgiving Feast 9:30-Cafetorium
Nov. 26-Spirit Wear Day
All 3rd Gr. L. I. Children’s Musuem 9:30 AM
Nov. 27 & 28th School Closed-Happy Thanksgiving
PTA WEEKLY NEWS
The PTA would liketocongratulate the parents from Mrs. Gucciardo's class and Mrs. Guillem's class for winning the "Parent Participation Award" for outstanding attendance at our last PTA meeting! We would also like to thank Dale Fensterstock, Jill Miller and Renee Bloomberg for stepping up andvolunteering to chair "Spring Fling", our biggest annual fundraiser! Let's make sure to pitch in and help them in whatever way you can.
Don't forget to send in those Holiday Pie orders to help support the 5th Grade Committee!
THOUGHTS FOR PARENTS
Children learn to read through a series of tiny steps. When your child reads even just a few words, be very proud! Celebrate these small successes. It will motivate your child and open a world of knowledge. Choose a book with your child to read every night and have a conversation with your child about the book to encourage them to ask questions and engage in a discussion with you. Asking questions is the paramount skill in reading comprehension—the end goal of all reading instruction.
WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
Grades K-2- http://www.starfall.com/
Grades 3-5- http://www.storylineonline.net/index2.html / QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.”
~ Mortimer J. Adler
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