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Teacher To Parent l{ewsletter
December 201 1
Don't Flibernate
One of my fondest memories as a kid
was
going
outside to
play in the
snorvv. I couid make snow forts and
have epic snowball fiehts with the
neighborhood kids. Snowmen with
carrot noses, coal buttons, and
fiannel scarves made a
great
audience. Sleddins. Oh, sledding was
the best! A
group
of friends and I
could walk to the
park
and sied until
our noses were red and our toes
white. When we were rione, steaming
hot cocoa would warm us up.
Now days it is hard to get kids to
go
outside and
play.
In the age of
technology, most
youngsters
wouid
rather
get
the controliers out or
stare at the computer screen all day.
The troubie with this is that
you
cannot burn calories or improve your
cardiovascuiar health by moving
your
thumbs. In case
you
are still
wondering, the answer is,
"No.
Video
games
do not improve eye hand
coordination". Some kids seem to
think that this is true and use it
against our
"feeble"
adulr, minds to
get
more videogame iime. The fact
of tne rnatter is that adolescents
need to be aciive so that their bociies
can
grow anci matui-e in a heaitht*
wa],. W'ith childhood obesit-rr rates on
the rise, ] urge parent"s to encourage
your
iiid.s ro
get
outsicie and be
a:tii'.; ::'s oa:: c:
'leirq
a i:id;
Like a Bear, Get Out and Enjoy the Air
By Scott Millbrobk
The NFL is campaigning against
chiidhood obesity with their "PIay 60"
organization. Their message is to get
up and
get
active for at least 60
minutes a day. It is wonderful to have
professional piayers
supporting such
a
great
cause because kids look up to
these athletes. For more information
and ideas for ways to live a more
active lifestyle check out
http
:
//urlvu,. nf lru s h. c o r-r-r/p 1 a
],
6 0/. This
website offers lots of information
about the benefits of exercise.
With the icy
grip
of winter fast
approaching, think back to when
you
rrere
young,
and try to recall some of
your favorite outdoor activities.
Flease remember, I am not sarring to
spend all da1, outside in the coid, but
I'm not saying stay inside the heated
house and
play
videogames all day
either. Try to develop a system that
regulates the amount of videogame
time as well as outdoor activity. A
baiance of the two will
promote
a fun,
healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle. So the
next time there is a snow day or even
the next Saturclay with no plans, get
outsirie and
piai'.
it's a wonderful
f oo'i in r-
r v vr:-r- !
--_ 5l-
E-,
,{,<,1'2,
4-,/r-r/ .'
ffft'
Z
Mixing School and Faith
By Jaimee Dorian
Whenever you see schools in the news for violence oi'bad behavior, you often hear people
say,
'that's
what happens when you take God out of the equation' or something to that effect.
I think this becomes rhetoric and even more of a catch phrase in election years. But, as we
approach this hoiiday season, l'd like you to consider that school and faiih can be blended in
ways that meet the needs of all involved and still fall within the limits of the law that separates
school and siate.
Let's talk about prayer in schoois. There are many people who believe it is not allowed. This
simply is not true. Many will
joke
that as long as there are tests, there will be prayer in
schools. Truthfully, as long as there are people who pray, there will be prayer in schools. lt is
true that we cannot teach prayer in public schools or require it, but that does not mean it is not
happening. I am sure that my students do not notice a quick bow of my head when faced with
a difiicult task or even the time I take to say thanks when a student achieves something that
we have worked long and hard on. Prayer happens.
When prayer happens lightening doesn't strike the school. The day goes on. The person
praying just goes about the day, like he or she would whether in the school building or not.
We don't ieach prayer or about God, as that is not the place of the pubiic school, but we don't
close the door and refuse to let him enter. ln pubiic schools we accept everyone. Our doors
are closed to no one. including God,
i:::
Winter Break Bucket List
By Heather Toomey
Make your Winter Break a fun and exciting
time for you chiidl Here is a buctriet list to
keep those rvinter davs entefiainingl
Make gingerbreacj men
Decoi'ate sugar cookies
Read The Night Before Christmas
Feed reindeer
Loo[< ai holiclay iights
/Vatch favorite hoiiiav movies
Go sl<ating
Deco:'aie the hoiica\/ rree as a famiiv
Build a snow man
Make reindeer food
Go sleciciing
Make hot chocoiate with marshmallows
\iisit Sania
Be Santa's
'Secrel
Eir",es
Buiic a snow foi't
Reading Strategies and Recomrnended Books for Kids
By Jill W erner
The holidays are
just
around the corner and parents often find themselves asking,
"l
want
to get my kids books for the holidays, but what should I get?" Here are some
recommended books according to grade level and some sirategies for reading with your
child(ren).
Some strategies for reading at home with your child include:
-l(eep ii fun! This is not meant to be frustrating for your child or you.
-Take turns reading pages and discussing what you read.
-Try acting it out. How would this character sound? How might this character move?
-Make this a special time for your child and you, but expect this to be an everyday event.
-Read it againl You may get tired of it, but this is extremely helpful for your child's
comprehension and fluency!
The books mentioned below are recommended books based on whai kids iike at this
age/grade level. Your chiid may or may not be able to read these texts indepencientiy.
Transitional Ki nderEarten/Ki ndergarten
. Books by Jan Brett, such as The Mitten, The First Doq, and Umbrella
n Norman tsridwell's
"Clifford"
books
n The Verv l{unqrv Caterpillar by
Fp16
Carle
'
Ciick, Clack, Moo Cows that Tvoe by Doreen Cronin
. Books by P.D. Eastman
-
Are You Mv Mother? and Go Doq. Go!
. Brown Bear, Brown Bear', \A/hat Do You See? By Bill Martin, Jr.
. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Busl By Mo Willems
First Grade
.
Jr4iss Nelson is [Viissinq b.ir Harry Aliard
. "The Berenstain Bear" books by Sian ancl Jan Berenstain
"Afihur" books by Marc Brown
Any book by Tomie dePaola
. Mem Fo>r
-
licala Lcu. iiatiie ano tne
io;1.
anc l'liahi ltloises
o
Gaii Gibbons
(lliustraied
ncn-ficticn Door.s on a variei-v of icpics)
c Chrvsanthemun'1. Liliv's Puipie
piastro
Purse. and Vtlembs;i1, \(i sr'od ct, l'ievin
;-ieni<es
Second Grade
.
David Adler (lllustrated non-fiction books, typically biographies) &
"Cam
Jansen Series"
"The
Magic Schoolbus" books by Joanna Cole
"The
Kids of the Polk Street School" Series by Patricia Reilly Giff (Chapter books)
"l
Spy" books by Jean Marzollo
l-ove Yod Forever, Thomas' Snowsuit, and Stephanie's Ponvta'il by Robert Munsch
"The Magic Treehouse" series by Mary Pope Osborne
.
Audrey Wood
-
Heckedv-Peq, Kino Bidoood's in the Bathtub. and The Nappinq House
Third Grade
.
Judy Blume
-
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothinq, Superfudqe, and Double Fudqe
. "Ramona"
series by Beverly Cleary
Any book by Roald Dahl (especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factorv!)
Gary Paulsen
-
"World
of Adventure" series
"Captain
Underpants" series by Dav Pilkey
Louis Sachar
-
"Wayside
Schoo[" series and "Marvin Redpost" series
The Stinkv Cheeseman and Other Fairlv Stupid Taies, The True Storv of the Three
Little Piqs bv A. Wolf, and Squids will be Squids: Fresh Morals for Beastiv Fables by
Jon Scieszka
. "The Boxcar Children" series by Gertrude Warner
Fourth Grade
.
Babbitt, Natalie - Search For Delicious, Kneeknock Rise, Tuck Everlastino
.
Matt Christopher sports books
The School Storv. Frindle, and The Landrir News by Andrew Clements
James Howe
-
Bunnicula, The Celerv Stalks at Midniqht, and Howlidav lnn
Shel Silverstein various poetry books and The Givinq Tree
Jerry Scinelii
-
[Vianiac IMcGee and Fourtir Grade P,ats
"l
ittie House on the Pi^airie" series by Laura lngalls Wiider
=or
chiidrerr tn gi'a.des 5 anci up. inr using a searcn engine anC t\rping in
"R.ecomnrenoeo'
Dccl:s
i:'
c:aoa
'
What is Lacrosse?
By Georgina Hill
Lacrosse is an extremely versatile game enjoyed by both girls and boys. lt teaches
handieye coordination similar to tennis and baseball. What is great about it is that it can
be played anywhere-on grass, blacktop, or in the gym. Lacrosse is a Native American
game and the oldest sport in North America.
Potterville students have taken an interest in this sporl with the heip of Mrs. Snook's
Service Learning class. Last spring, this class designed a bracelet making business and
spent the profits to purchase Lacrosse equipment for the PE Department. They
manufactured and advertised the homemade maroon and gold bracelets that sold for
$4.00 a piece to students of the district & community members. This "business like"
experience proved to be successful in many ways. We are proud of them for making a
positive difference.
Who are nny legislatons?
Have you wanted to contact your legislators regarding the laws that are affecting our
schools? I encourage you to wriie and/or email your elected officiais. They need to hear
how you feel. lf you live in the 48876 zip code, these are your legislators and their contact
information. lf you live outside of the 48876 zip code, you can find your legislators'
information at http ://www. ieg isiatu re. m i.
qov
Deb Shaughnessy
N-1090 House Office Building
P.C. Box 30014
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Phone: (517) 373-0853
Emaii: DebShauohnessv@house. mi.oov
Rick Jones
915 Farnum Building
P.C. Box 30036
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Phone:
(517)
373-3447
Fmaii: SenRJones@senaie. michican.oov
Thinking About Grades
By Jackie J Fellows
Each year I hear more and more of our
students saying, "l
have to get an
"A"
in this
class or l'm in big trouble". l've even heard
the students in my college courses making
similar statemenis to the professors.
lt is as
if by stating this to the teacher they are
expecting him/her to comply and hand over
the
"A" just
because they "have
to have it". I
have very mixed feelings about this.
On one hand, I am pleased
that students
and parents understand the value of good
grades. However, on the other hand, I am
frustrated that they seem to have forgotten
what these grades stand for. Many have
also forgotten that a student's educational
progress
can be measured in more ways
than with
just
a letter grade.
ln standard grading practice an
"A"
is
equivalent to
"superior performance".
A "C"
is equivalent to "average performance".
ln
my mind that means that most students
should be receiving "C's"
not "A's"
since
very few students (or people in general
are
"superior").
Please understand that by saying this I am
not suggesting that parents
should not
encourage their students to do their very
best. What I am saying is that we all,
parents, teachers, and students, need to
understand the student's abilities well
enough to determine when a student is
doing
"his/her
best". No one can do better
than
"their
best" and the fact is that for
many students
"their
best" is average not
superior.
The National PTA, on their web site
http:/iwvwv'.ota.org. lists ien research-baseC
v/ays tnat parenrs
can neip their stucients
get the most from their education. One of
the tips listed is to,
"Set
high, but realisiic
expectations for your
child". The PTA goes
on to state that
"setting
unrealistic
expectations for your children can actually
hinder their drive to perform
well and can
lead to depression, anxiety, and a lack of
self esteem and confidence. The key to
success is to foster a love of learning by
keeping children challenged academically
and setting realistic goals for their learning
level".
Education writer Alfie Kohn agrees. When
writing about the pressure
of getting good
grades he says, "When
students are
focused on getting good grades
three
things tend to happen: their interest in what
they are learning declines, the quality
of
their thinking drops, and they tend to prefer
the easiest possible
task". He goes on to
say that the pressure
to get "A's"
is causing
a flaw in the educational system, stating,
"We
shoLtld be worried that too many kids
think the point
of school is to get A's".
It is my hope that in the future we will
remember the true purposes
of education.
We will come to understand that a letter
grade is not the only way to
judge
a
student's progress.
Please continue to
support and encourage your students, but
remember that they are only capable of
doing
"their
best" no matter to what grade
that may equate.
*N!]IW!:]!iN
Potterville Education
Association
President: Holly VanSickle
vansicha@pps.k1 2.m i.us
Newsletter editor: Jackie J Fellows
fellowi i@pps. k1 2. m i. us
Important Dates
December 5: High School Band and Choir Concert
@
7:00
pM
December 8: Middle School Band Concert @ 7:00 PM
December 10: Santa Breakfast
December 12: School Board meeting
@
6:00 PM
December 13: Second Grade Chrlstmas Concert
@
7:00
pM
December 19-Januarv 2: Christmas Break
January 3: Classes resume
Januarv 12: PTA Meeting
@
6:30 PM
Januarv 16: No School
Januarv 20: End of Semester: Half Day
http:
/ /
s cnc.pps.kL2.mi.us
lndividualized Education Plans (lEPs)
By Jaimee Dorian
Over the last school year, we have switched to a more electronic version of the lndividualized
Education Plan (lEP). Fi'om an educator's standpoint, it was a bit overwhelming, but it never
occurred to me that it could seem that way to our Special Education families as well. The
same elements are in the new lEPs but they look very different.
You should see your child's present level of achievement broken down by subject area in the
portion of the IEP known as the PLAAFP. This allows us to outline your child's strengths,
weaknesses, specifics of how the disability will impact that subject atea, and the resulting
needs. This arta of the IEP helps us determine what the student's goals and objectives will be
for the year. These needs also help the special education staff and the IEP team work
together to determine the accommodations and modifications that your child may need to be
successful in the classroom setting which has been determined to be his or her least
restrictive environment. (Least restrictive environment refers to the classroom environment
that your child can be successful in with the least amount of special education support)
There are sections for services such as speech or occupational therapy. These services are
typically provided
outside the classroom by staff from our intermediate school district. They
should be listed with a range of time and frequency.
There is another section that would include any of the accommodations or modifications
determined to be needed for success in the classroom. These should be listed with conditions
for usage. For example, if a student has a specific learning disability (SLD) in reading, his or
her accommodation may be to have tests read aloud in any classroom setting. This would
entitle the student to have all tests read. The IEP is a legal document so this accommodation
is a legal right of the student in all classroom settings.
I have been on both sides of the Special Education table, as a teacher and as a parent. The
amount of paperurrork
and
jargon
can be overwhelming, but we have to work as a team to
make sure that our students and families understand the purpose
of the IEP and its
implementation. Although technology and forms change, student's right to have thein needs
met stays the same. The IEP is the legal document that outlines this, Please make sure to let
any of the special education staff know of any
questions
that you have with the new IEP forms
or the implemeniation of se'vices That's what we'i-e here for.
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