A Message from the Principal November 2009 ~ Issue No. 3
Dear Families,
Thanks to all who attended Parent Conferences
last week! It’s hard to express the importance
of conversations between parents and teachers.
Insuring that every student makes significant gains in learning takes all
of us working
closely together. If you were not able
to come in for a meeting, please call the office now to set up an
appointment. It’s never too late to meet
with your child’s teacher.
How can parents help?
We get frequent questions from parents about
how you can help with student learning.
In my experience there are three things that make the most difference:
- Have your child read every night—5 times
per week—for at least 20 minutes.
Read to kindergarten children, have students in grades 1 – 4 read
to you, make time for students in grades 5 - 6 to read on their own. Believe it or not, that is the single
most important thing you can do at home to help your children achieve
academic success.
- Be sure that your child completes his or
her math homework every day…and ask them to explain the concepts to
you! Explaining what they’re doing
reinforces their learning in powerful ways.
- Make the time for those two things!
Sports, TV, video games all compete for our
children’s time. Putting school first
and doing the three things listed here consistently…every night…produces great
results. Try it for the months of
November and December and let me know what you think! I guarantee that you’ll see measurable
growth.
Math Information Night
You’ve asked for help with math and we’re
responding! Our PTA meeting on Thursday, November 19 will begin with a
short business meeting at 7:00. The rest
of the meeting will be used to demonstrate some of the concepts and procedures
your children are learning in math. Join
us!
Enthusiastic! Energetic!
Engaged!
As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m incredibly
thankful for the opportunity our staff has to work with your children. They’re wonderful students—enthusiastic, energetic,
committed to learning and almost always engaged in all that we have to offer. The job of educators is not always easy but
it is incredibly rewarding and your partnership with us makes life at Spruce
one of great joy. Thank you. Have a wonderful November!
Margaret Mesaros
Estimadas Familias,
¡Gracias por ser parte de la comunidad de aprendizaje de Spruce! La educación de su niño es importante para
nosotros y sé que es para ustedes también. ¡ Aprecio
la ocasión para que trabajemos juntos!
Este año tenemos más de 120 estudiantes recibiendo ayuda aprendiendo el
inglés y hay más de 20 diversos idiomas hablados por nuestros
estudiantes. Cerca de 60 de nuestros principiantes de inglés (estudiantes
del ELL) hablan español en su hogar. Porque tantas de nuestras familias
hablan español, deseamos encontrar mejores maneras de comunicarnos con ustedes
directamente.
Muchos padres han preguntado cómo pueden ayudar con la tarea de sus
niños. Estamos programando una noche especial para los padres de habla
hispana el lunes 16 de noviembre. Habrá guardería de niños. ¡Por
favor vengan! Explicaremos las matemáticas que sus estudiantes están
aprendiendo y maneras en que ustedes pueden apoyar su lectura.
Gracias por colaborar con
nosotros para proveer a sus niños la mejor educación. Estamos trabajando
duro para estar seguros que cada niño sea un buen lector, entienda matemáticas,
escriba bien y tenga todas las habilidades necesarias para salir adelante.
¡Por favor déjenme saber en cualquier momento si ustedes tienen preguntas
o preocupaciones!
Margaret
Mesaros, Directora de Spruce
425/431-7727