From the Principal
We’re off to a great start for 2008 - 2009! It is great to see everyone’s smiling faces back in the building!
Students are back and working hard after their winter break. This next tri-mester is especially important for new learning and a time to move all students to the next level of performance. We will be assessing students to know their next steps for learning. As a family, you can support your child by providing reading time, math fact practice and listening to your student share about science in the classroom. We know that modeling reading and sharing an interest in reading is the most significant way to improve academic achievement. You might consider setting a goal in your home to read together for 20 minutes each evening. This commitment will have a lasting impact on your child and it will reinforce the importance of reading with the whole family.
Dry Creek staff and teachers are focusing heavily on math this year. The new curriculum has had positive impacts thus far on student learning. It’s important for children to see the connection of math in everyday life activities. Have your child help purchase items at the store and figure out the cost to buy items, sales tax cost, and change in return. Another great activity is to have your child help in the kitchen when using fractions to measure a recipe list. Plus, it’s fun family time!
No child sails through his or her entire school life without experiencing some rough waters. Consider these thoughts recently published in the Elementary School Principals magazine:
- Start with the teacher. The best first step is to call your child’s teacher and set up a phone conference to discuss the problem.
- Don’t be afraid. Many of us feel nervous or worry that raising issues with the school will “hurt” your child in the classroom. Leaving problems unresolved can create more problems, and at Dry Creek the adults want to work with you to solve concerns.
- Think positively and get the facts from both sides. A positive attitude makes it easier for everyone to calmly discuss the issues and find solutions. Don’t put off calling, hoping the problem will resolve itself. Getting the perspective of both sides of an issue often results in a collaborative solution that saves time and anxiety.
Working together we can make the best of each school year for you and your child!
Warmly,
Kate Wenzl, Principal