Southside Library
Sheryl Parker, Media Specialist
901 E.B. Payne Sr. Drive
Tallassee, AL 36078
Phone: 334-283-2151
Fax: 334-283-3577
Email:
Webpage: http://southside.tcm.schoolinsites.com/
August 22, 2011
Parents,
Attached you will find:
· SMS Accelerated Reader Program Information – includes important dates for STAR and AR testing.
· Letter with instructions on how to log into Home Connect and your child’s user name and password.
*DON’T FORGET!! -----You can get to the Home Connect link through Southside’s website, http://southside.tcm.schoolinsites.com/ . Simply put your cursor on the Library tab at the top and click Accelerated Reader. You will also find the link on the instructions page….just make it a favorite!
If you have concerns or questions, please feel free to contact the library at 334-283-2151 or email
Sincerely,
Sheryl Parker
SMS Accelerated Reader Program Information
The aim of the AR program is to increase the reading skills for every student. By reading quality books on a frequent basis, students will improve reading skills and increase academic success.
Students are given a minimum of 25 minutes of AR time each day, but should read outside of school as well.
With your support, your child will benefit from Accelerated Reader in many ways. First and foremost, reading comprehension scores have been proven to improve with AR. Secondly, it has also been shown that the more a child reads, the more his/her reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills improve. Last, but not least, students are rewarded with incentives for certain number of points and their percent goal achieved. They can earn any number of prizes. We highlight their achievements Awards Day.
AR goals are not difficult to obtain. The most common reasons that students do not reach their goals are……….
· misusing their AR time at school.
· do not invest in reading time at home
· often misplace their library books and lose reading time.
· rush through their books and don’t do well on their tests (a minimum of 85% correct is our benchmark goal)
· try to get all of their points with one book that takes the entire 9 weeks to read. Oftentimes, they don’t do well on the test because so much time has passed since they started it.
· using the excuse that they do not like to read. This is no excuse. They have to be able to read “WELL” in order to succeed at anything in life.
Parents, we need you to………..
· stress the importance of reading.
· let your children see you reading.
· accept no excuses for failing AR grades.
· read with them and to them (make it a family event).
· sign up for email notification to let you know when tests are taken and the outcome.
· look closely at their AR progress through Home Connect and know what is expected of them.
· stay involved.
We have access to over 131,740 quizzes, and we are constantly adding new books to our library collection. That amount gives your child a lot of choices, and I’m sure many of them are books your child would enjoy reading. We are MORE than happy to assist your child with finding a great read. Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Adcock are avid readers themselves. We are always reading the books in the SMS Library and can share some great ones. Don’t be afraid to ask for our help; that’s what we are here for! Our number is 334-283-2151.
WE LOVE READING AND WANT YOU TO, ALSO!!
Did you know….?
· SMS has access to over 131,740 AR quizzes
· From home you can access the list of AR quizzes by reading level
or title on the Renaissance Learning website www.renlearn.com .
· You can be notified EVERY time your child takes a test through email.
· Home Connect is a tool that can help you follow your child’s progress….DAILY.
· You can access the Home Connect Link by going to the SMS website http://southside.tcm.schoolinsites.com/ and clicking on the Accelerated Reader link under Library (at the top of the page).
· Children who are avid readers make better grades in school.
· Each student’s grade is calculated by: avg. % correct (1/3), % of point goal earned (1/3), and Reader Responsibility (1/3).
STAR TESTING
We will STAR test the students 3 times during the school year. We test the first week of school, after Christmas, and 5th-7th grade will test at the end of the school year.
AR START & CUT OFF DATES FOR 2011-2012
August 15 – October 14 – 1st 9 weeks
October 17 – January 6 – 2nd 9 weeks
January 9 – March 9 – 3rd 9 weeks
March 12 – May 18 – 4th 9 weeks
Rewards and Recognition are given for…..
· Making your AR goal
· Top Readers
· Contest Winners
· 100% Club (making 5 or more 100s on your reading level in a 9 week period)
Prizes and Incentives
· Book Fair Gift Certificates
· Stamps
· Good Slips
· Prize Bags
· Certificates
· SMS Tokens
And more!