Newsletters

DATES TO REMEMBER

April

22nd- 4th nine wks interims and Spring Music Program MuHS @ 6:00pm

23rd- Kindergarten Registration

25th- Title I - One Book, One School Night 6:00pm-7:30pm

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher.

Attendance

We know students may miss school for illness, emergencies, or for religious reasons, but we want to see every student in school every day. Regular school attendance is an important factor in student success at Berkeley County Schools.

If a student must miss school, for one or more days, the student must submit an excuse from his/her parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence in order to receive an excused absences.

•In the Know.

We have spring field trips planned. Please be sure to check your child's folder daily to stay informed.

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K - 3 are responsible for providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title I Tip

Retelling

"Asking students to retell a story in their own words encourages them to analyze the content to determine what is important. Teachers can encourage students to go beyond literally recounting the story to drawing their own conclusions about it."

https://www.readnaturally.com/research/5-components-of-reading/comprehension

Kindergarten

Registration

April 23, 2024

Please be sure to register for Kindergarten on our website. Once registered be sure to call the school to schedule a time.

DATES TO REMEMBER

April

15th- no school for PreK

16th- PTO Spirit Night @ Cider Press 11:00am-8:00pm

17th- Earth Day Presentation in kindergarten

18th- Spaghetti Dinner 5:30pm-8:00pm

22nd- 4th nine wks interims and Spring Music Program MuHS @ 6:00pm

23rd- Kindergarten Registration

25th- Title I - One Book, One School Night 6:00pm-7:30pm

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher.

Attendance

If a student must miss school, for one or more days, the student must submit an excuse from his/her parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence in order to receive an excused absences.

•In the Know.

We have spring field trips planned. Please be sure to check your child's folder daily to stay informed.

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K - 3 are responsible for providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title I Tip

Visualize

Encourage students to visualize a story as you read. Students who visualize while reading have better recall than students who do not.

Readers can take advantage of illustrations that are in the text or create their own mental images or drawings when reading text without illustrations.

Kindergarten

Registration

April 23, 2024

Please be sure to register for Kindergarten on our website. Once registered be sure to call the school to schedule a time.

DATES TO REMEMBER

March

29th- no school for students

March 30th~April 5th

SPRING BREAK

April

8th- 2 hr early dismissal (date changed by BCS)

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970

BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher.

In the Know.

Please work diligently to be punctual for school. Students must be present to learn and grow. Our instructional day is 8:15am to 3:15pm.

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K - 3 are responsible for providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

PTO is hosting a spaghetti dinner April 18th. We are still in need of salad dressings, desserts, and baskets to raffle.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Please be sure to check in with your child about their day going beyond, "How was your day?" Below are some suggestions

Where do you play the most at recess?

Did anyone do something nice for you today?

Did you do anything nice for anyone today?

Was it noisy or quiet today during class? Which do you like better?

Title I Tip

More than just books:

Reading doesn't just have to be about books. Words are everywhere! Encourage students to read while out and about; this can be less daunting than sitting down with a book and also address the issue of finding time. Read signs (such as shop sign, not sins then spirater

set a 'reading while out and about" challenge: how many times can you spot a letter or word.

Let's work together to make reading fun.

Kindergarten Registration

April 23, 2024

Please be sure to register for kindergarten on our website. Once registered be sure to call the school to schedule a time.

Dates to Remember

March

21st~ PTO movie night @ 6:00pm showing: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

29th- no school for students

March 30th~April 5th

SPRING BREAK

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970
BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an
unscheduled car rider. It is also
helpfully to send a Seesaw message
to your child’s teacher.

.In the Know.

In the Know.

As the weather gets warmer, please be mindful of student attire.

Students may still need a light jacket, as morning outdoor brain breaks are during cooler weather.

If students wear sandals, be sure they have straps on the back.

Students will still need sneakers for PE and recess.

Please work diligently to be punctual for school. Students must be present to learn and grow. Our instructional day is 8:15am to 3:15pm.

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K - 3 are responsible for providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

Please be sure to check in with your child about their
day going beyond, “How was your day?”

Below are some suggestions

What word did your teacher say the most today?

What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?

What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?

How were you a good friend today?

Title I Tip

Set aside time each evening to read with your child. Students can listen to reading, take turns reading, or read to parents/ guardians.

The more you read the more you'll grow!

Encourage your child to
demonstrate STAR
student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Dates To Remember

March

11th- safety assembly

13th- two hr delay

14th- PTO meeting 6pm

15th- 3rd nine weeks end, report
cards issued

29th- no school for students

March 30th~April 5th

SPRING BREAK

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970
BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an
unscheduled car rider. It is also
helpfully to send a Seesaw message
to your child’s teacher.

.In the Know.

Please stop sending toys to school with students, this includes Pokémon
cards. If you have made arrangements with the classroom teacher, please
follow the teacher’s direction.

Please work diligently to be punctual for school. Students must be
present to learn and grow. Our instructional day is 8:15am to 3:15pm.

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K - 3 are responsible for
providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

Please be sure to check in with your child about their
day going beyond, “How was your day?”

Below are some suggestions

What made you happy today?

Did anything make you sad today?

How did you help somebody today?

How did someone help you today?

Title I Tip

Get involved!

We encourage
parents/guardians to be
involved in after school events.
Our wonderful PTO and staff
plan great hands on activities.
When you are able to, please
join us.

Encourage your child to
demonstrate STAR
student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

DATES TO REMEMBER

March

5th- Spring Picture Day

8th- 3rd nine wks ends

Please stop sending toys to school with students. If your child is an exceptional learner, please check in with your child's teacher to ensure the items sent are approved.

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970

BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher.

In the Know.

ATTENTION PLEASE.

Please work diligently to be punctual for school. Students must be present to learn and grow. Our instructional day is 8:15am to 3:15pm.

This week we are working to be TRUSTWORTHY star students. Please check in with your child to discuss the "challenge" of the week.

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K - 3 are responsible for providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

We are also encouraging students to read. Read Across America Week is March 2-6, 2024. This is a celebration started and created by the National Education Association in 1997. The date, March 2nd, coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss. For this reason, the Read Across America celebration often became tied to Dr. Seuss Day.

Read, read, read!

Please be sure to check in with your child about their day going beyond, "How was your day?"

Below are some suggestions

Tell me about a new word you heard today at school.

If I called your teacher tonight what would she he tell me about you?

Title I Tip

Thank you to those families that have attended our school events. You are making a connection between home and school.

Thank you!

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

February

February_ 26th ~ March 1st Dr. Seuss Week

29th - Read Across America - multicultural event @ 6 - 7:30pm

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

REMINDER per BCS policy, caregivers of students K- 3 are responsible for providing supervision during bus pick up and drop off.

This week we celebrate Dr. Seuss. Each day students are encouraged to participate in optional theme days. Please see the flyer posted on Seesaw.

We are also encouraging students to read. Read Across America Week is March 2-6, 2024. This is a celebration started and

created by the National Education Association in 1997. The date, March 2nd, coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss. For this reason, the Read Across America celebration often became tied to Dr. Seuss Day.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Please be sure to check in with your child about their day going beyond, "How was your day?"

Below are some suggestions

What are you looking forward to at school tomorrow?

Did you get frustrated with anything at school today?

Were you able to finish all of your work today?

"The more that you

READ,

the more things you will

KNOW.

The more that you

LEARN,

the more places you'll

GO.'

- Dr. Seuss

February

16th- 2 hr early dismissal

19th- No School for students

PL &CD Day

20th- PTO planning meeting

@6:30pm

21st- Equity and Inclusion Read

Aloud for ist grade

22nd - Dr. Pittman's Office visits with Kindergarten

AND

Title 1 Math Night 2nd grade

5-6pm

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

Please be sure to check in with your child about their day going beyond, "How was your day?" Below are some suggestions.

Can you show me something you learned today?

What part of school is your favorite?

Tell me the name of 3 kids you sat next to today.

What was the most interesting/funny thing your teacher said today?

What class rules does your teacher say are important?

SMART529 ESSAY CONTEST

The 17th annual SMART529 "When I Grow Up" Essay Contest for children from K-5 is underway through February 23, 2024. Regional winners will win a $500 SMART529 education savings account and a $500 cash prize for their school. A grand prize winner will receive an additional $4,500 in their savings account. Click here to learn more.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Repetition and habit-building are key for getting new information down and achieving a strong grasp of the concepts. When you build in even a small 10-minute window to practice math/reading skills, your child will reap the benefits of consistent practice.

Practice helps with progress.

February

5th~ 3rd nine weeks interims, 100th Day, AND no Pre K

16th- 2 hr early dismissal

19th- No School for students - PL &CD Day

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

We will celebrate the 100th day of school on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Classroom teachers have engaging activities planned.

Please be sure to check in with your child about their day going beyond, "How was your day?" Below are some suggestions.

What was the best thing that happened at school today?

What was the worst thing that happened at school today?

What was the hardest thing you had to do today?

Tell me something that made you laugh today.

SMART529 ESSAY CONTEST

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Read with your child each night.

If your child is struggling with reading, read To them or take turns reading

Also, check in with your child's teacher if you need resources or an update of your child's progress.

February

5th~ 3rd nine weeks interims and 100th Day

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

We will celebrate the 100th day of school on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Please be sure to communicate any issues or concerns with your child's classroom teacher. Seesaw is an awesome communication resource. Teachers work diligently to respond to messages in a timely manner.

SMART529 ESSAY CONTEST

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Bring math into daily life

Build together.

Building together helps students understand one way that numbers come to life in the real world. Challenge your child with building blocks, marshmalpeding droper ski toothpicks, or LEGOs a

Board Games

Test your spatial reasoning over a game of Connect Four, Checkers, or Chess. Each game builds strategic thinking skills.

Connect Four is excellent for young players because the games are quick! Students develop a strong sense of play patterns and can design strategies with each game iteration.
By marking each move on the board in Chess and Checkers, players learn to identify significant actions and relate them to game outcomes. Students connect input and output, sharpen analysis skills, and develop an appreciation for patterns in complex systems.

January

25th- Title I Event with First Grade Families- Polar Animals- 5-6 pm

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

The second nine weeks classroom teachers chose S.T.A.R. students that modeled kindness each day. Thank you to these students that were shared in last week's newsletter. Each student selected is a shining STAR of kindness. These students will enjoy lunch with administration. Thank you to the parents of those students for all you do to help them be successful.

SMART529 ESSAY CONTEST

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Bring math into daily life

As you go about your day, help your child see the math that's all around them: Tell them how fast you're driving on the way to school, Calculate the discount you'll receive on your next larget trip, count out the number of apples you need to buy at the grocery store, while baking, explain how 6 quarter cups is the same amount of flour as a cup and a half — then en joy some cookies!

Relate math back to what your child loves and show the how it's used every day. Math doesn't have to be mysterious or abstract. Instead, use math to race monster trucks or arrange tea parties. Break it down, take away the fear, and watch their interest in math grow.

January

15th- MLK Day -no school

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

The second nine weeks classroom teacher chose S.T.A.R. students that modeled kindness each day. Thank you to the students below for trying their best and being shining STARs of kindness.

Pre K and K

Cole Lupis, Emory Wilt, Bjorn Burris, Sevyn Felder, Taylor Forbes, Madalynn Remsburg, and Kinsli Mckinney

Ist grade

Sehraz Chahal, Memphis Williams, Scott Bushman, Reid Heinrich,

Sharlett Aviles Gonzalez, and Makenna Zollars

2nd grade

Jackson Custer, Elivia Lewis, Maddison Lewis, Aedan Rooney, Luke Carlson, Theodore Budzyn, and Brayden Martin

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Suggestions for Improving in Math

Practice makes progress.

If students are struggling with a particular kind of problem, they can improve by working on solving additional practice problems.

Change Word Problems Up

Some students have a harder time than others with understanding math word problems. Parents can read these problems out loud, or students can even draw the problems out. Hearing the problem or being able to visualize it can give the needed help to improve this math skill.

Apply Math to Real Life

Understanding why and how math is important can give students the motivation they need to keep applying every day math skills. Try to think of real-world examples where math is applied and consider what math concepts students would need to use in these situations.

January

8th- report cards
9th- Classroom Group Photo Day
Mid-Year Testing
11th- Conferences 5:00-7:00pm
15th- MLK Day -no school

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

We have midyear testing taking place next week.

We highly recommend starting each day with a pep talk to boost our young students' confidence. The reason for this is because they may already nervous, stressed, and frustrated, so why not help them gain some confidence before beginning the test? This will help them loosen up and feel better about the test.

Encourage students to take their time. Younger students have a hard time staying still and focusing on one thing, so they may want to hurry through their tests. However, this could cause them not to fully pay attention and give their best answers. It is very important to encourage our young students to take their time but also to not go too slow.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Ways to Improve Reading

Wide Independent Reading - Find books that are "just right" for the student to easily read on his/her own. The five finger rule can be used to find suitable books. The student should read the first page of the book and raise a finger for every word they do not know, if they raise five fingers the book is too difficult. If they raise no fingers it may be too easy and 2-3 fingers would be just right. It will challenge the student at times, but not be overly difficult.
Coached Reading -Select stories that have similarities, such as theme, unique words, large number of sight words, etc. The stories are read Word Reading frettere-ster pent fies ter tim arts, such as off a

spelling list or sight word practice. The student is able to say the word within 3 seconds of seeing the word. Practice may be done on a list or on flashcards. If the student is able to say the word within 3 seconds it is

"known," but if it takes the student more than 3 seconds it is "unknown."

Categorize the words into the "known" and "unknown"

groups. Give the

student 7 "known" words and 3 "unknown" words until word fluency increases. After going through the words, ask the student to say the word in a sentence to add more meaning to each word.

January

1st and 2nd - Winter Break - No school
8th Report Cards
9th - Classroom group photo day/Start of midyear testing
11th - Conferences 5-7pm

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

Encourage Independence

Here are some tools to help your child be more independent:

Don't do everything: It sounds simple, but children will let you do everything. Encourage them to take care of their own space and belongings.

• Let them learn from their mistakes (don't jump in to fix or redo everything) Let it go.

*Use questioning as scaffolding to independent learning. The goal is to gradually, transfer responsibility from the guardian or teacher to the student.

Develop communication that includes language focused on learning This helps students to become more aware of the steps involved in learning, to understand their own individual learning style and helps them share their thinking.

Be consistent.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Reading with children and helping them practice specific reading components can dramatically improve their ability to read. Adults can help children learn to be good readers by practicing these strategies:

Recognizing and using individual sounds to create words, or phonemic awareness. Children need to be taught to hear sounds in words and those words are made up of the smallest parts of sound, or phonemes.

Understanding the relationships between written letters and spoken sounds, or phonics. Children need to be taught the sounds individual printed letters and groups of letters make. Knowing the relationships between letters and sounds helps children to recognize familiar words accurately and automatically, and "decode" new words.

• Developing the ability to read a text accurately and quickly, or reading fluency. Children must learn to read words rapidly and accurately in order to understand what is read. When fluent readers read silently, they recognize words automatically. When fluent readers read aloud, they read effortlessly and with expression. Readers who are weak in fluency read slowly, word by word, tocusing on decoding words instead of comprehending meaning

December

21st 2 Hr Early dismissal
21st End of the 2nd 9 weeks
22nd - Jan 1st Winter Break

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

January 9, 2024 students are completing the midyear testing for iReady.

Strategies for Test Prep

“Preparation is the key to success.”

Do your assignments carefully.

Understanding and remembering information for a test takes time, so developing
good study habits long before the test day is really important.

Get a good night’s sleep the night before your test.

Being well-rested is one of the best things you can do to succeed on test day.
Why should you make sleep a priority? A good night’s sleep will help you think
more clearly during the test. Moreover, excellent sleep habits have been shown
to consolidate memory and improve academic performance.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Like sleeping, eating is an important part of self-care and test taking preparation.
After all, it’s hard to think clearly if your stomach is grumbling. A healthy
breakfast will keep you feeling full without making you feel sluggish.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Celebrations

Unfortunately because of food allergies, we do not permit parents/guardians to send in cupcakes or other food items for birthday celebrations.

For birthdays, students' names are announced over the intercom and students receive a pencil, sticker, and book.

Title 1 Tips

Recognizing and using individual sounds to create words, or phonemic awareness. Children need to be taught to hear sounds in words and those words are made up of the smallest parts of sound, or phonemes.

Understanding the relationships between written letters and spoken sounds, or phonics. Children need to be taught the sounds individual printed letters and groups of letters make. Knowing the relationships between letters and sounds helps children to recognize familiar words accurately and automatically, and "decode" new words.

Developing the ability to read a text accurately and quickly, or reading fluency. Children must learn to read words rapidly and accurately in order to understand what is read. When fluent readers read silently, they recognize words automatically. When fluent readers read aloud, they read effortlessly and with expression. Readers who are weak in fluency read slowly, word by word, focusing on decoding words instead of comprehending meaning

December

11th-No Pre-K
11-15th Santa Shop
14th - 2 Hr Delay, Milk & Cookies with Santa 6-8pm, Hat Day $1
21st 2 Hr Early dismissal
21st End of the 2nd 9 weeks
22nd - Jan 1st Winter Break

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

PTO Drop & Shop Parent's Night Out was a success. Students were very well mannered and enjoyed The Grinch.

WE NEED COOKIES PLEASE

PTO Milk & Cookies with Santa event will be held December 14th. If you are willing to donate cookies for this event (they can be homemade or store-bought), please drop them off to the office by December 13th.This event will include: a visit with Santa (bring your camera), Milk & Cookies in the cafeteria, silent auction, crafts, and games

Santa Shop will be held December 11-15th during the school day. Santa Shop will also be open during the Milk & Cookies event. A flyer was sent home earlier this week. Please contact the classroom teacher with any questions.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Celebrations

Unfortunately because of food allergies, we do not permit parents/guardians to send in cupcakes or other food items for birthday celebrations.

For birthdays, students' names are announced over the intercom and students receive a pencil, sticker, and book.

Title 1 Tips

Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem

Children start developing their sense of self young as they see themselves through their parents' eyes. Your tone of voice, your children. tour words and action as essent affect ther devoing self-esteem more than anything else.

Praising accomplishments, however small, will make them feel proud; letting kids do things independently will make them feel capable and strong.

Choose your words carefully and be compassionate. Let your kids know that everyone makes mistakes and that you still love them, even when you don't love their behavior.

December

5th- Holidays Around the World for pre k and kindergarten students
6th-Fall Make Up Pics
7th- PTO Drop & Shop Movie Night
11th-No Pre-K
11-15th Santa Shop
14th - 2 Hr Delay, Milk & Cookies with Santa 6-8pm, Hat Day $1
21st 2 Hr Early dismissal
21st End of the 2nd 9 weeks
22nd - Jan 1st Winter Break

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

PTO Drop & Shop Parent's Night Out will be held December 7th from 6-8pm. (pickup begins at 7:30pm). The cost is $5 for the first child and $3 for each additional child. RSVP's and money were due by December 1st.

Santa Shop will be held December 11-15th. Anyone interested in volunteering to help students shop during the school day should reach out to Mr. Miller at bjmiller@k12.wv.us. Santa Shop will also be open during the Milk & Cookies event. A flyer was sent home earlier this week. Please contact the classroom teacher with any questions.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Celebrations

Unfortunately because of food allergies, we do not permit parents/guardians to send in cupcakes or other food items for birthday celebrations.

For birthdays, students' names are announced over the intercom and students receive a pencil, sticker, and book.

Title 1 Tips

Guardians get engaged with your child's learning. Family engagement leads to student Success. Research Shows that authentic family engagement is a key factor in long-term student success — including better student attendance, higher graduation rates, and increased student achievement.

Family engagement is working together, understanding different cultures, and focusing on improving children's learning.

Some examples of family engagement are: building personal relationships, respecting others, and mutually understanding one another with families through interactions.

We have a lot of engaging events in December. We encourage you to participate in these events.

December

5th- Holidays Around the World for pre k and kindergarten students
6th-Fall Pics
7th- PTO Drop & Shop Movie Night

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

Please do NOT send in any medication with a student. If your child has medicine that needs to be given at school there are procedures in place to keep our students safe. The medicine must be given to the nurse by a guardian, and the nurse will then communicate the process of giving the medicine at school.

PTO Hat Day is scheduled for Monday, November 27th. Bring $1 and wear a hat. This money will go towards purchasing new playground equipment.

PTO Drop & Shop Parent's Night Out will be held December 7th from 6-8pm. (pickup begins at 7:30pm). The cost is $5 for the first child and $3 for each to additional child. RSVP's and money are Due by December 1st.

• ..

PTO Milk & Cookies with Santa event will be held December 14th. We are looking for donations of cookies. More information will be coming home after Thanksgiving Break.

Santa Shop will be held December 11-15th. More information will be coming home after Thanksgiving Break. Anyone interested in volunteering to help students shop during the school day should reach out to Mr. Miller at bjmiller@k12.wv.us.

Santa Shop will also be open during the Milk & Cookies event.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Celebrations

Unfortunately because of food allergies, we do not permit parents/guardians to send in cupcakes or other food items for birthday celebrations.

For birthdays, students' names are announced over the intercom and students receive a pencil, sticker, and book.

Title 1 Tips

Get Involved - It Matters!

Being involved in your children's education helps them do well in school and improves the quality of our school.

Here are some suggestions on how to get started.

Find the time to get involved - it makes a difference!

Let your child know that school is important. Be sure to ask questions about homework, and set up a quiet place for your child to work.
Read everything that is sent home from school - report cards, homework assignments, school lunch plans, and vacation and bus schedules. Show your child that you are well informed.
Encourage your child to read at home. Visit local libraries or use book mobiles, school libraries, or book fairs and pick out books together. Pick out books for each other to read.

November

13th - No Pre K
16th- Movie Night @ 6pm
-showing Paddington 2-
20th-24th - Thanksgiving Break

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

Please remember that if your child's bus is canceled, it is canceled for the entire day. If your student does not have transportation, your child's absence will be excused.

As the weather becomes colder, please make sure to send your child with a coat, hat, and gloves. Students will go outside as weather permits.

Please label coats with first and last name of student.

If your child has a fever or has vomited, please keep them home. Students must be free of said symptoms for 24hrs before they can return to school.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR student behavior

Show Kindness

Take Responsibility

Act Safely

Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

See links in newsletter

November

7th PTO planning meeting @ 6PM
8th specially scheduled conferences
9th - Parent Teacher Conferences
10th - Veteran's Day - No School
12th - Movie Night @ 6PM showing Paddington 2
13th - No Pre K

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

Please remember that if your child's bus is canceled, it is canceled for the entire day. If your student does not have transportation, your child's absence will be excused.

As the weather becomes colder, please make sure to send your child with a coat, hat, and gloves. Students will go outside as weather permits.

We are in need of parent volunteers for our in school dental clinic examinations on Nov 8th. Please call the school at 304-229-1970 to see how you can help.

If your child has a fever or has vomited, please keep them home.

Students must be free of said symptoms for 24hrs before they can return to school.

We are still collecting food so that we may distribute meals to those families in need during the Thanksgiving season. Please donate to our

"Blessing Boxes" . We will accept donations until November 9th.

Families please sign up by November 3rd to receive a blessing box.

Please speak to your child regularly about school rules and expectations. Check in with your child to discuss their day.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Schedule time to read. By scheduling a time each week to read you are more likely to complete the reading. Choose a quiet space and read, read, and read.

November

8th specially scheduled conferences
9th - Parent Teacher Conferences
10th - Veteran's Day - No School
13th - No Pre K

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the know...

We are in need of parent volunteers for our in school dental clinic examinations on Nov 8th. Please call the school at 304-229-1970 to see how you can help.

If your child has a fever or has vomited, please keep them home.

Students must be free of said symptoms for 24hrs before they can return to school.

We are still collecting food so that we may distribute meals to those families in need during the Thanksgiving season. Please donate to our "Blessing Boxes". We will accept donations until November 9th.

Families please sign up by November 3rd to receive a blessing box.

Each nine weeks our specials teachers are selecting one student from each grade level that has shown exceptional behavior. Great job boys and girls.

Mrs. Alderman - Trey Brown, Kate Roebuck, and Juniper Dingzon

Ms. Boyce- Marcus Moore, Colton Snodderly, and Elivia Lewis

Mr. Brown- Aiden Collins, and Caroline Mullins

Ms. Everhart-Jaxson Dinges, Paislee Orem, and Maddison Lewis

Ms. Jones - Hayes Thomas, Callie Fetty, and Juniper Dingzon

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Read to your child or have your child read to you. Comprehension doesn't need to be complicated. Talking about what is being read makes thinking about what is being read a habit.

Ways to talk about read alouds...

I wonder why...

Why dd they...

What if they...

I like this author because...

My favorite part was

because...

October

23rd- no pre K
23rd-27th- Red Ribbon Week
24th- report cards issued
26th- Trunk or Treat

Car Riders

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher

In the Know

Oct 23rd-27th is Red Ribbon Week. This week students will learn about healthy choices to prevent future drug use.

We are still taking bags of candy for the PTO Trunk or Treat being held on 10/26

All rsvp's and candy donations are due by 10/24. Families must pre-register for this event.

We are in need of parent volunteers for our in school dental clinic examinations on Nov 8th. Please call the school at 304-229-1970 to see how you can help.

As the Thanksgiving season begins, we will be collecting and distributing meals to those families in need. Please check Seesaw and your child's folder for information about our "Blessing Boxes". We will accept donations until November 9th. Families please sign up by November 3rd to receive a blessing box.

If your child has a fever or has vomited, please keep them home. Students must be free of said symptoms for 24hrs before they can return to school.

Please keep your child home and possibly visit a doctor if your child shows the following symptoms: redness in one or both eyes, itchiness in one or both eyes, a discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent their eye or eyes from opening in the morning.

STAR Students First 9 Weeks

For the first nine weeks we focused on the STAR student characteristic of

KINDNESS. The following students are a great example of kindness and were selected by classroom teachers:

Olivia James, Zoe Mathes, Abby Daniels, Sophia Wilson, Marcus Moore, Josue Membreno, Trey Brown, Bentley Miller, Lincoln Larsen, Harper Agnew, Calah Saunders, Willow Hough, Paislee Orem, Kara Dunshee, Adelyn McCaulley, Kyrie Collier, Lorelai Fletcher, Conar Link, Caleb Cooper, Ayden Hall, Evan Anderson, and Holly Childs.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Students are working hard to learn to read. When students read with you at home, these are some strategies to help:

Students should read left to right.
Students can say each sound.
Students can blend the sounds together and read the word.
Students can split the word into syllables.
Students can check to see if what they are reading makes sense.

October

2nd- 16th Cherrydale Fundraiser
17th - 1st 9 weeks ends
19th - 2 hour delay
20th - Fire House on Wheels
23rd - no pre-k
23rd-27th Red Ribbon Week
24th-report cards issued
26th - Trunk or Treat

Car Riders

Please remain in your vehicles when picking up and dropping off students. If you need to help a student buckle, please pull to the rear of the school.

In the Know

We are still taking bags of candy for the PTO Trunk or Treat being held on 10/26. All rsvp's and candy donations are due by 10/24.

Families must pre-register for this event.

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child's teacher.

Please be sure to dress students appropriately for the weather. As we begin wearing jackets, please also label student clothing with first and last names.

Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life.

It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce a drug-free life.

Classroom teachers select students throughout the nine weeks to give a

STAR student shout out

These "shoutouts" are read over the intercom at the end of each day.

At the end of each nine weeks, Ms. Ballard will draw five names from each grade level. Those students will enjoy lunch with Ms. Ballard and a book from the vending machine.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

Title 1 Tips

Non-book Reading

Encourage reading together with your family anywhere and everywhere!

Here are some examples of places and things that have text that you or your child can read out loud and discuss: flyers and bills in the mail, billboards, street signs, store ads, receipts, cereal boxes and other food labels, instruction manuals, words on TV, computer, or tablet

FREE books

http://www.storylineonline.net/

http://www.magickeys.com/books/

https://freekidsbooks.org/

October

2nd- 16th Cherrydale Fundraiser
4th-9th Pavilion Closed for Maintenance
9th - No School fo students
17th - 1st 9 weeks ends
19th - 2 hour delay
23rd - no pre-k
24th-report cards issued
26th - Trunk or Treat

Car Riders

Please remain in your vehicles when picking up and dropping off students. If you need to help a student buckle, please pull to the rear of the school.

In the Know

The Fundraiser is continuing through October 16th. We are at 50% of our goal for sales.

Please make sure that notes are being sent in for absences. They can either send handwritten notes or upload them on the jotform app found at berkeleycountyschools.org.

We are still taking bags of candy for the PTO Trunk or Treat being held on 10/26. All rsvp’s and candy donations are due by 10/24. Families must pre-register for this event.

Please notify the office 304-229-1970 BEFORE 2:45pm if your child is an unscheduled car rider. It is also helpfully to send a Seesaw message to your child’s teacher.

Due to multiple students with food allergies/sensitivities and to follow Berkeley County Schools Nutrition policy, outside food items are not permitted for birthdays. The names of students with birthdays will be read over the intercom during morning announcements. Thank you!!

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

The bus loop in the front of the building is for buses only between the following hours:

8:00am to 9:00am
3:00pm to 4:00pm

Title 1 Tips

Keep plenty of reading materials in your home:

books, magazines, newspapers, and comic books. Children enjoy having a variety of reading materials.

Working on reading comprehension...

Read and reread a piece- Try using shorter articles- read them one day for interesting facts, a second day for good word choice, and a third day for comprehension. By the third day, the big/new words are familiar and one can really understand what is being said. That spacing with time in between is important for retrieval. Trying reading and rereading in various ways- listen to them being read aloud, share the reading with a friend, read them aloud, read them to yourself.

October

2nd- 16th Cherrydale Fundraiser
4th - Fall Pictures
4th-9th Pavilion Closed for Maintenance
9th - No School fo students
17th - 1st 9 weeks ends
19th - 2 hour delay
23rd - no pre-k
24th-report cards issued
26th - Trunk or Treat

Car Riders

Please remain in your vehicles when picking up and dropping off students. If you need to help a student buckle, please pull to the rear of the school.

In the Know

Oct 6th is an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed at 1:15pm. Please make preparations for students to arrive home early.

We have finished up our beginning or the year assessments. Information will be coming on Oct 6th for our kiddos that may need help in reading or math. Please be sure to check your child's folder and read over information that may be sent home.

Tests reflect a portion of a student's abilities. Please be patient as students adjust to classroom strategies to help our growing learners.

Practice makes progress..not perfection.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

The bus loop in the front of the building is for buses only between the following hours:

8:00am to 9:00am
3:00pm to 4:00pm

Title 1 Tips

Check for Understanding

Start the book by making predictions. What do you think will happen in the story?
Ask questions and make comments during the reading process.
After reading a book, have your child tell you the events in the story in the correct order.
What was the problem in this story?
How did the characters feel when....?
Encourage your child to make connections. Does this story remind you of another book you read? An event in your life? A movie?

September

25-29th: Scholastic Bookfair
28th: Scholastic Sidewalk Sale

October

2nd- 16th Cherrydale Fundraiser
4th - Fall Pictures
4th-9th Pavilion Closed for Maintenance

Car Riders

Please remain in your vehicles when picking up and dropping off students. If you need to help a student buckle, please pull to the rear of the school.

In the Know

Scholastic Book Fair is September 25-29th. Please enter the link here to preview some items.

Please Review Recess Expectations with Your Child

Students Can:

Play on all pieces of playground equipment
Play on the blacktop with supervision. Chalk and sports equipment can be used.
Hold hands with their friends
Play tag with a gentley tap
Sit on the ground
Play organized games on the playground and blacktop
Run on the track (on days we are on the track for recess)
Use the restroom

Students Cannot:

Jump off of high pieces of equipment or swings
Push, shove, or wrestle with classs mates
Draw with chalk on the building or sidewalk
Throw mulch
Dig holes in the dirt
Go down the slide head first or on their stomach.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

The bus loop in the front of the building is for buses only between the following hours:

8:00am to 9:00am
3:00pm to 4:00pm

Title 1 Tips

Choose appropriate reading levels for your child. Use the five finger rule. Open the book to any page and ask your child to read. Put up a finger for every time your child does not know a word. If you have to put up more than five fingers before the end of the page, this book is too hard for your child.
Choose books that match your child's likes and interests.

Dates to Remember

September

18th: No Pre-K
18th-22nd: OLWEUS kickoff
25-29th: Scholastic Bookfair
28th: Scholastic Sidewalk Sale

October

2nd- 16th Cherrydale Fundraiser
4th - Fall Pictures

Car Riders

Please remain in your vehicles when picking up and dropping off students. If you need to help a student buckle, please pull to the rear of the school.

In the Know

September 18th-22nd OLWEUS Kickoff

The OLWEUS program is a comprehensive approach that includes schoolwide, classroom, individual, and community components. The program is focused on long-term change that creates a safe and positive school climate. The program's goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems among school children and to improve peer relations at school.

Scholastic Book Fair is September 25-29th. Please enter the link here to preview some items.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE ANNUAL EMERGENCY CARD UPDATE. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IPADS UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETED.

Encourage your child to demonstrate STAR behavior.

Show Kindness
Take Responsibility
Act Safely
Respect Everyone

Attendance is very important. Please be sure that students come to school every day to learn and be more successful.

The bus loop in the front of the building is for buses only between the following hours:

8:00am to 9:00am
3:00pm to 4:00pm

Make Reading A Part of Your Family Time

Family time is so important...Why not make reading a part of this valuable time with your kids? Here are some tips for integrating reading into our daily family activities:

Read bedtime stories
Play a board game
Visit your local library
Read a recipe and cook something yummy together
Create a comfy reading space in your home
Put your child in charge of reading the grocery list at the store

Parent Patriot Press - Week of September 11, 2023

Dates to Remember - September:

September 18: 1st Nine Weeks Interims
September 18-22: OLWEUS Kickoff
September 25-29: Scholastic Book Fair
September 28: Scholastic Sidewalk Sale

Car Riders:

For arrival, students only will exit the car and staff will receive them at door 26.
For dismissal, please pull to door 26 and staff will assist students into the car.

Unscheduled Car Riders:

Please write a note or notify the office by phone before 2:45 p.m.
Be mindful of students walking near the building and driving slowly.

In the know...

Scholastic Book Fair is September 25-29th. Please enter the link here to preview some items.
Please check your child's folder each night for teacher communication and upcoming field trips.
Reminder: You must be a Level II approved chaperone to attend field trips.
Please complete the annual student information form. Students will have limited access to technology until this process is complete.

From the desk of Ms. Charity Ballard, Assistant Principal

cballard@k12.wv.us

Valley View Elementary

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