North Newsletter 10-24-11
Notes from the Princpal's Office
Third Grade IREAD 3 Test ***EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for parents or 3rd graders***
I think most third grade students and parents know about this test by now. In a nutshell, if a third grade student does not pass the IREAD 3 test this Spring, they will be retained in third grade for the next school year. No school can teach a student to read if the parents don't help. Please be sure that you are reading with your child at home. Do you know your child's reading level? The assessment we gave our 3rd graders earlier this year showed that 50% of them were reading on level. Obviously that means that 50% of them were not on level. We only have until March to get them on level. We are working very hard. Parents and family members please do your part to help.
Extremely important information
Every child no matter what their age needs to read for 20 minutes every evening. For those in Kindergarten and 1st grade the parent can read to the child. Talk to your child about what was read.
It would be helpful if students practiced math facts at home for 10 minutes. Flashcards are inexpensive or could be made at home.
Successful students do the following:
1. Get plenty of exercise
2. Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables
3. Sleep at least 10 hours every night
4. Don't miss school and aren't tardy for school
Lunch accounts and Textbook fees
Remember that you can update phone numbers, pay textbook fees, make a deposit in your child's lunch account, check the lunch account balance, check grades, check attendance, check discipline, and many other things all on-line and in the leisure of your own home. Please keep your child's Harmony username and password in a secure place. That same username and password will work all the way through their senior year in high school.
We have many families who still owe textbook rental. Please take care of that bill as soon as possible. You can pay on-line if you like or pay in our office.
A word about phone calls
We generally do not allow students to call home unless there is an emergency. Please do not call and give us non-emergency messages to relay.
Please plan ahead.
Do not call to change the way your child goes home. That becomes very confusing and it is difficult to relay messages correctly. Make sure your child knows how they are going home or send a note to the teacher if there is a change.
Attendance calls
Good attendance is important. Please remember to call our office to report your child absent. If you don't call, we have to call you. Someone will be in the office by 7:30 AM to answer calls.
Cell phones
If you child has a cell phone at school and it is out of a pocket, rings during class, disrupts the school day, it will be confiscated and a parent will have to come to the office to retrieve the phone.
Honor Roll
With the completion of the first grading period we were able to recognize our outstanding students. The staff and I were extremely happy to have over ninety students in grades 4th through 6th who earned recognition on either the Honor Roll or the High Honor Roll.
Perfect Attendance
North Elementary had over two hundred students who had perfect attendance during the first grading period. This is a very good indication that the parents of our students value education and want their children to learn and grow as much as possible. Good job parents! Thank you!
Security
Don't forget that our doors are locked once the students arrive. If you come to the school you will have to push the button by the front door so we can see who you are.
Birthday Balloons etc.
We cannot allow the delivery of balloons, dolls, etc. during the school day. Those should be delivered at home.
Birthday treats
We cannot give students birthday treats that are homemade. We cannot give students snacks that are unhealthy. If you must bring a treat please use our recommended snacks list. That list is on our school website or you can pick it up in the office.
Fall Fundraiser
Our school fundraiser was very successful. Thank you for your support. We expect the items to be delivered soon. We will let you know a day or two ahead so you can prepare for getting these items home in a safe manner.
Appropriate Clothing
Please be sure that your students are wearing tennis/athletic shoes to school. They must wear them for PE and recess. Sandals or flip flops are not appropriate for school.
It is getting colder
We will go outside for recess unless the air temperature or the windchill is below 32 degrees. Please be sure that your children are prepared to spend 20 to 25 minutes outside in the cooler weather by sending jackets, coats, hats, gloves, etc. It is a good idea to write their name in those items because they often get lost and we often have many unclaimed items.
Media Club
Our Media Club is made up of 5th and 6th graders. They have begun to meet and are working on projects after school.
Just Say No Club
Our Just Say No Club was in the Homecoming parade and had their monthly meeting in October. They had a guest speaker from the Daviess County Sheriff's Dept. speaking and sharing about crime scene investigation. 3rd through 6th grade students participate in the Just Say No Club.
Enrollment
As of Oct. 24th there are 414 students enrolled at North Elementary.
Basketball
Our 5th and 6th grade girls' basketball teams have been working hard and have represented North Elementary very well.
The 5th and 6th grade boys' basketball teams have started practice and will begin playing games soon.
Cheerleaders
The cheerleaders have been cheering at the girls' games and will do the same for the six boys' games. The cheerleaders have also done a nice job and represented North well. Nice job cheerleaders.
Reading Incentives
Reading incentives for grades 1st through 6th have begun. Students who take an Accelerated Reader quiz and score 85% or better have their name placed in a grade level drawing. The Student Council and the PTO are currently giving coupons for the upcoming Book Fair to the lucky winners.
North T-shirts
The Student Council will conduct a fundraiser in November. They will offer Hatchet and North Elementary shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. Please consider supporting our students by participating in this fundraiser. The shirts would make excellent Christmas gifts.
90 Minute Reading Block
This year our schools are implementing the 90 Minute Reading Block strategy for our Reading curriculum. This strategy is being used to focus our attention on Reading. During the 90 minutes interruptions are limited. Students will be working cooperatively at literacy centers. Teachers will be working with small groups.
The teachers have been working very diligently to implement these changes into their classroom curriculum.
Red Ribbon Week
North Elementary will have several activities in observance of Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 24th through Oct. 28th as part of our anti-drug curriculum.
Anti-Bullying Program
Mrs. Miller our school social worker has begun meeting with the classes. She is using a new program called “Second Steps”. This program is one part of how we meet our requirements for our anti-bullying curriculum.
Photo Day
This year our school photo day is October 28th.
Book Fair
Nov. 1st through Nov. 3rd
Evening hours on Nov. 1st and 2nd will be 3:00 to 7:00
Evening hours on Nov. 3rd will be 3:00 to 5:30
PTO Meeting
November 7th at 6:30 PM
Music Program
November 16th at 6:30 for Kindergarten and 2nd grade
Spell Bowl
November 17th at North Daviess Elementary
No School
Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23, 24, 25
Christmas Break last day of school Dec. 22nd return to school Jan. 3rd.
Third Grade IREAD 3 Test ***EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for parents or 3rd graders***
I think most third grade students and parents know about this test by now. In a nutshell, if a third grade student does not pass the IREAD 3 test this Spring, they will be retained in third grade for the next school year. No school can teach a student to read if the parents don't help. Please be sure that you are reading with your child at home. Do you know your child's reading level? The assessment we gave our 3rd graders earlier this year showed that 50% of them were reading on level. Obviously that means that 50% of them were not on level. We only have until March to get them on level. We are working very hard. Parents and family members please do your part to help.
Extremely important information
Every child no matter what their age needs to read for 20 minutes every evening. For those in Kindergarten and 1st grade the parent can read to the child. Talk to your child about what was read.
It would be helpful if students practiced math facts at home for 10 minutes. Flashcards are inexpensive or could be made at home.
Successful students do the following:
1. Get plenty of exercise
2. Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables
3. Sleep at least 10 hours every night
4. Don't miss school and aren't tardy for school
Lunch accounts and Textbook fees
Remember that you can update phone numbers, pay textbook fees, make a deposit in your child's lunch account, check the lunch account balance, check grades, check attendance, check discipline, and many other things all on-line and in the leisure of your own home. Please keep your child's Harmony username and password in a secure place. That same username and password will work all the way through their senior year in high school.
We have many families who still owe textbook rental. Please take care of that bill as soon as possible. You can pay on-line if you like or pay in our office.
A word about phone calls
We generally do not allow students to call home unless there is an emergency. Please do not call and give us non-emergency messages to relay.
Please plan ahead.
Do not call to change the way your child goes home. That becomes very confusing and it is difficult to relay messages correctly. Make sure your child knows how they are going home or send a note to the teacher if there is a change.
Attendance calls
Good attendance is important. Please remember to call our office to report your child absent. If you don't call, we have to call you. Someone will be in the office by 7:30 AM to answer calls.
Cell phones
If you child has a cell phone at school and it is out of a pocket, rings during class, disrupts the school day, it will be confiscated and a parent will have to come to the office to retrieve the phone.
Honor Roll
With the completion of the first grading period we were able to recognize our outstanding students. The staff and I were extremely happy to have over ninety students in grades 4th through 6th who earned recognition on either the Honor Roll or the High Honor Roll.
Perfect Attendance
North Elementary had over two hundred students who had perfect attendance during the first grading period. This is a very good indication that the parents of our students value education and want their children to learn and grow as much as possible. Good job parents! Thank you!
Security
Don't forget that our doors are locked once the students arrive. If you come to the school you will have to push the button by the front door so we can see who you are.
Birthday Balloons etc.
We cannot allow the delivery of balloons, dolls, etc. during the school day. Those should be delivered at home.
Birthday treats
We cannot give students birthday treats that are homemade. We cannot give students snacks that are unhealthy. If you must bring a treat please use our recommended snacks list. That list is on our school website or you can pick it up in the office.
Fall Fundraiser
Our school fundraiser was very successful. Thank you for your support. We expect the items to be delivered soon. We will let you know a day or two ahead so you can prepare for getting these items home in a safe manner.
Appropriate Clothing
Please be sure that your students are wearing tennis/athletic shoes to school. They must wear them for PE and recess. Sandals or flip flops are not appropriate for school.
It is getting colder
We will go outside for recess unless the air temperature or the windchill is below 32 degrees. Please be sure that your children are prepared to spend 20 to 25 minutes outside in the cooler weather by sending jackets, coats, hats, gloves, etc. It is a good idea to write their name in those items because they often get lost and we often have many unclaimed items.
Media Club
Our Media Club is made up of 5th and 6th graders. They have begun to meet and are working on projects after school.
Just Say No Club
Our Just Say No Club was in the Homecoming parade and had their monthly meeting in October. They had a guest speaker from the Daviess County Sheriff's Dept. speaking and sharing about crime scene investigation. 3rd through 6th grade students participate in the Just Say No Club.
Enrollment
As of Oct. 24th there are 414 students enrolled at North Elementary.
Basketball
Our 5th and 6th grade girls' basketball teams have been working hard and have represented North Elementary very well.
The 5th and 6th grade boys' basketball teams have started practice and will begin playing games soon.
Cheerleaders
The cheerleaders have been cheering at the girls' games and will do the same for the six boys' games. The cheerleaders have also done a nice job and represented North well. Nice job cheerleaders.
Reading Incentives
Reading incentives for grades 1st through 6th have begun. Students who take an Accelerated Reader quiz and score 85% or better have their name placed in a grade level drawing. The Student Council and the PTO are currently giving coupons for the upcoming Book Fair to the lucky winners.
North T-shirts
The Student Council will conduct a fundraiser in November. They will offer Hatchet and North Elementary shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. Please consider supporting our students by participating in this fundraiser. The shirts would make excellent Christmas gifts.
90 Minute Reading Block
This year our schools are implementing the 90 Minute Reading Block strategy for our Reading curriculum. This strategy is being used to focus our attention on Reading. During the 90 minutes interruptions are limited. Students will be working cooperatively at literacy centers. Teachers will be working with small groups.
The teachers have been working very diligently to implement these changes into their classroom curriculum.
Red Ribbon Week
North Elementary will have several activities in observance of Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 24th through Oct. 28th as part of our anti-drug curriculum.
Anti-Bullying Program
Mrs. Miller our school social worker has begun meeting with the classes. She is using a new program called “Second Steps”. This program is one part of how we meet our requirements for our anti-bullying curriculum.
Photo Day
This year our school photo day is October 28th.
Book Fair
Nov. 1st through Nov. 3rd
Evening hours on Nov. 1st and 2nd will be 3:00 to 7:00
Evening hours on Nov. 3rd will be 3:00 to 5:30
PTO Meeting
November 7th at 6:30 PM
Music Program
November 16th at 6:30 for Kindergarten and 2nd grade
Spell Bowl
November 17th at North Daviess Elementary
No School
Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23, 24, 25
Christmas Break last day of school Dec. 22nd return to school Jan. 3rd.