Thank You!

Thank You’s go out to…

All of the parents who volunteered their time helping us on our Gingerbread House Building Day. We had a wonderful time which was made possible because we had so many parents helping. Thank you too, to the families who sent in donations so we could purchase all the items for the project. We are so thankful for all of your support! The houses were a success – hopefully yours made it home safely!

All of our families who send in snack and drinks each month. Your children look forward to having something to eat and drink when they get back from specials. If you ever forget your day, don’t worry! You can always send it in later.

All those moms and dads who check backpacks each night and get all of those important notices back to school and quickly as they can. I know a lot of information goes home and sometimes it’s hard to keep up.

News and Notes…

The front office has asked us to remind you that a note is needed any time your child has been absent from school. Your note should include your child’s name, the teacher’s name and the reason for the absence. Please send the note with your child on the day he/she returns to school. Without a note, your child’s absence is coded as “unexcused” and appears that way on the report card.

Also, please update your child’s Information Card on file at school. If your phone numbers have changed since school began, please send in the new information. We will make sure the correct numbers are changed on the cards. In an emergency, you want the school to be able to contact you.

TuscaroraElementary School

Parsons’ Kindergarten

Dates to Remember

  • Jan.17

Schools closed for Dr. King’s Birthday

  • Jan. 18 & 19

Schools Closed

for students

Teacher Staff DevelopmentDays

  • Jan. 14

Term End

  • Jan. 31

Report Cards issued

If you need to contact me…

240-566-0064 before & after school or leave a voicemail

240-566-0000

Front Office - during the school day

e-mail:

Remember to call the front office for any changes that need to take place that day.

Page 1

Becoming Independent

We are constantly looking for ways to help your children become independent. In school, we follow the same schedule and have the same routines. This routine and structure helps support them as they work on learning their responsibilities within the classroom.

As part of those responsibilities, we encourage them to manage daily living skills by themselves. We know that it is sometimes easier and faster to do these things for them. But when you help your child practice these skills at home, he/she is able to take care of those jobs at school. It’s a source of great pride and accomplishment when they learn to do something all by themselves!

Listed below are a few ideas that you can have your child practice at home:

  1. Put on coats correctly – which means they need to learn how to make sure the sleeves

are not inside out and what to do if that happens.

  1. Zip, snap, velcro or button coats
  2. Put on hats, gloves, mittens and shoes.
  3. Tie shoes. A daunting task but necessary. A little practice everyday goes a long way!
  4. Unpack backpacks. You need to see all folders and reading bags when you get home. But they need to take on this job.
  5. Pack folders, library books and reading bags back in their backpacks.
  6. Complete part of their homework without you sitting next to them. In school they must learn to do their seatwork without constant support from the teacher. You can check to make sure they understand the directions and then leave them for a time to complete it without you. Make sure you complement them for a job done well done – without you!

Reading Literacy

Part of learning to read is being able to read fluently. Fluency is the ability to read a text correctly and quickly. We tell the children that reading should sound like talking. If their reading still sounds like a “robot” because they are reading one word at a time, we need to work on developing fluency. Here are some strategies you can use to help build fluency:

  • Provide your child with time each day to read, reread, and reread again the little reading books in their reading bags. You can also do this with easy books you have at home. You build up confidence and fluency by rereading . You can also read with your child. Model lots of good expression and let them hear what good, fluent reading sounds like.
  • Practice sight words. The more automatic those words become, the easier reading and writing become. The more words your child knows automatically, the fewer words they have to “sound out”.
  • When you are reading library books with your child, stop on those familiar words and let your child fill in the word.
  • Check out the website for lots of reading strategies, activities & suggestions.

Page 2