Principal's Message ~ March 1, 2019

Principal's Message ~ March 1, 2019

Upcoming Calendar Events

March 4 – NO SCHOOL - District Holiday

March 7 – EARLY RELEASE DAY for Parent/Teacher conferences - Half-day kindergarten releases at regular time; Full-day kindergarten and structured classrooms release @ 2 PM; Blended AM hours 8:45–10:45; Blended PM hours 12:00–2:00 

March 8 – NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher conferences


Access Your Student's Report Card Online Today

Your student's report card is available for you to access online today. If you need assistance, please CLICK HERE for instructions to view your student's report card, to switch between your children's report cards, and more. 

To help you better understand your child's report card, see MORE INFO on the typical progression of standards-based scores for standards included on report cards, including standards that repeat in more than one trimester. 


Collaborative Conferences are for Family and Child!

Did you sign up yet?  More information at the bottom of this message (previous blog content section).

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHILD'S COLLABORATIVE CONFERENCE!

Before or after your child's conference there are some parent learning opportunities you may wish to take advantage of.  As your child will be attending and leading his/her conference,  we will have babysitting on site if you choose to join the parent workshops.  There will be two topics alternating throughout the evening.

Collaborative Conferences are for Family and Child!


Internet Safety

By now you are likely aware of an Internet safety concern that has surfaced called Momo.

The “Momo Challenge/Game” begins with the recipient receiving a notification or watching a video which includes an image of a scary face/statue. The recipient is urged to perform potentially dangerous acts through intimidation techniques.

There is an attached flyer put out by the National Online Safety Institute regarding this challenge.

This is a good reminder that all of us need to remember the importance of internet safety. No filter is 100% effective. Today we are addressing Momo, however tomorrow it may be something else. Being responsible and diligent regarding best practices around the use of technology is a practice that all can benefit from. Common Sense Media is a great resource for any human being that uses the internet. There is a link to Common Sense Media also included below.

National Online Safety Flyer

Common Sense Media


PTO News

Today is the last day to order a yearbook if you would like one. Check out our blog for more information on opportunities to help with conference meals and pizza bingo, plus school supply kit sales start today, don't forget to order yours before the deadline. 

Click here to read the PTO blog to keep up with all of our fun PTO school events and opportunities for your child!


Warm regards,

Jenny Smith, Principal

Follow me on Twitter @JennySwanSmith

Jenny Smith


The following is repeat information from last week's blog, but still current.  You can skip this if you already reviewed last week's message.


Parent Communication about Spring Conferences - For Family & Child!

Spring Conferences are coming on Thursday, March 7th from 5pm-8:30pm and Friday, March 8th from 10am-1: 30pm. 

Spring Conferences are Collaborative Conferences!  

Collaborative conferences means that your child will be leading the conference.  The purpose of collaborative conferences is for educators, students and families to discuss, reflect and celebrate student work, and for families to experience school through their child's eyes.  Students have been working hard to prepare for the conference, and we are excited for you to learn about your child’s progress directly from your child!

Teachers will be available in the room as guides and will be available to answer student questions or elaborate on a point a student is making, but we ask that all participants respect that this is the student’s opportunity to lead the conference by sharing progress and reflections about their own learning.  

Please read below to learn specific information about how collaborative conferences will be structured for each grade-level.  

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

Grades EC & K

Families will sign-up for a 15-minute collaborative conference. Grades EC-2 collaborative conferences will be structured with one student in the classroom at a time with the classroom teacher as the guide and the student as the leader of the conference.  

What is the Role of Families during Collaborative Conferences?

  • Provide reinforcement, encouragement and praise

  • Listen and ask questions

  • Help students look realistically at quality of work

  • Facilitate student’s self-reflection and goal setting

  • Be a partner in learning

  • See school through their student’s eyes

Questions Families Can Ask During the Collaborative Conference

  • What is your favorite piece of work? Why?

  • Describe your favorite activities or subjects.

  • What experiences at school do you find the most exciting?

  • Are there experiences that frustrate you, if so why?

  • What goals have you set for yourself for this spring?

  • How can I help you at home?