West Kingston Elementary School

Weekly Newsletter for October 17, 2007
IMPORTANT DATES… Oct 17-18 – NECAP Testing, Gr. 5 Oct 17 – PTO Meeting, 3:15 pm Oct 19 – Autumnfest, 6-8 pm Oct 26 – Hawk-A-Thon Oct 31 – Kdg to Farmer’s Daughter, 12:30-2:30 Oct 31 – Picture Re-Takes Nov. 2 – Student Recognition Assembly (changed from Oct. 26th) PBIS… Our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) team has started implementing the Blue Reward tickets throughout the school. If your child is “caught” doing the right thing, they will be rewarded by a staff member with the blue ticket. Each morning five names will be drawn to be read aloud during morning announcements. These names then go into an envelope for a final weekly drawing on Friday afternoon. The five students drawn then will have an opportunity to choose a prize from the treasure chest in the building. Also, it is important to our staff that you know when your child has done the right thing. Therefore, if your child takes home a blue ticket and you sign it, they then are re-entered into the drawing for another chance to have their name drawn. If there are any questions, please call Ms. Iverson or Mrs. McGrath at the school (360-1130). We are all very proud of our blue ticket students! Way to go! Congratulations to: Emily D., Sam P., Jim B., John H., KiRyang K., Sarah L., Joey H., Sophia D., Tyanna W., Micheal B., Chen M. (twice), Christopher D. (twice), Quiwa S., Scott D., Nathan H., Anamary D., Felipe P., Joshua P. (twice), Andrew D., Jahn P., Alex C., Jordan N., Dennis H., Harry K. (twice) , Haley W., Jacob C., Cheyenne W., Carly B., Stephanie B., Andrew L., Katelyn D., Haylea L., Nathan S., Brayden B., Garrett H., and Chy A. STANDARDIZED REPORT CARDS… Grades K-2 have been using the Standards Based report cards, and this year grades 3-5 will also be using them. The standards based report card will be looking at a student’s progress as they master their Grade Level Expectations. For more information on the Grade Level Expectations, visit http://www.ridoe.net/Instruction/gle.aspx. The grade level expectations are the skills and concepts that students at a given grade must master. Report cards will reflect student progress towards those standards/GLE’s. The level students might obtain are: 4 – Exceeds end of the year standards The student consistently exceeds the standards. 3 – Meets end of the year standards The student meets the standards. 2 – Making adequate progress toward end of the year standards The student is making adequate progress. The student grasps and applies the key concepts and skills for the grade level. 1 – Not making adequate progress/requires help The student is performing below the standards. The student demonstrates limited skills in grasping and applying key concepts and skills for the grade level. You will not see the “traditional” A, B, C grades but rather, numbers that will indicate their current level of proficiency. Most children are just beginning to learn the current grade level GLE’s. If they are making adequate progress towards their GLE’s and have begun to grasp and apply these new skills/concepts, you would expect to see a 2 indicating they are doing fine. If they continue to work at this same rate, they should meet the standards by June. ELEMENTARY MATH WEB PAGE… The elementary math web page has been moved to a new site. The new and revised elementary math web page is located at: http://fc.schools.net/elementarymath/ You will find web sites for: Everyday Math, homework helper, problem solving, math challenges, math facts, vocabulary, math activities, Sudoku, and lots of games. There is a web page for students and a separate one just for parents. The math web page is filled with lots of great sites guaranteed to make it a family favorite! SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS, ETC… This year, through a joint effort of RI School Districts and the RI Broadcasters Assoc., the ways in which you can be made aware of school cancellations, delays and early dismissals is expanded. In addition to our Connect Ed telephone calls and television and radio announcements, you can now sign up to be personally notified by text message on your cell phone, PDA or through an e-mail address. There is no charge for this service, although be sure to review your cell phone company plan for text messaging charges. A registration form is available on the websites of participating radio and television stations. You will be able to select from 2 organizations (school, business, daycare, college/university, and more) to be notified about. Check out your favorite radio or television website for more information. It’s easy, secure and you’ll always be informed. This service is made possible by the RI Broadcasters Assoc. and its member stations of free over the air radio and television stations licensed to the State of Rhode Island. SECURITY… Our security doors are in operation. During school hours, 9 to 3, please press the call button on the wall to the far right of the front doors. You will hear a dial tone, then the door will click. That’s your signal to enter. After school, we will keep the doors on the left open to accommodate after-school activities. The doors will be locked immediately after buses arrive in the morning. If you bring your child after 8:45, you must escort them into the building and sign them in. DO NOT DROP OFF CHILDREN at the sidewalk. There is no supervision outside after buses arrive. Parents, please set a good safety example by using the crosswalk. Do not walk in between buses. PTO NEWS… PTO MEETING TODAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 3:15 IN THE LIBRARY, CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE! Save the Dates!! Autumnfest/Book Fair, Oct 19th Hawk-A-Thon, Oct 26th Don’t forget to mark your calendars for two of our upcoming events, in which we are looking for volunteers to help make them a success. Autumnfest/Book Fair…October 19th A fun-filled night for the whole family with plenty of games, the beloved cake walk and the fall book fair. If you are interested in helping out with this event, please contact Kelly Jarbeau at kpjarbeau@cox.net. It’s Book Fair time and we need your help. Come get excited about books with the kids! Consider helping us out for an hour or two one of the following days/times: * Wed., 10/17 @ 3:05 for set-up in the gym * Thurs. and Fri., 10/18-19, 9:30-2:30 (while classes visit the book fair) * Fri., 10/19, 6-8 pm (during Autumnfest) Interested? Contact Patty Reardon at 789-5111, e-mail jreardon7@cox.net or Dena Gonsalves at 788-3699, e-mail dmggig@cox.net. We look forward to seeing you there! Hawk-A-Thon ….NEXT FRIDAY!!!! Our Hawk-A-Thon, jog/walk-a-thon fundraiser will be held next Friday, October 26th (raindate Nov. 2nd). This is our main fundraiser for the year. It’s a fun, healthy fundraiser! Schedule of class jog times are in the backpack today. Be sure to stop by to cheer on your jogger. PLEDGE SHEETS ARE DUE MONDAY, OCT. 22ND! Please return all pledge sheets to the office by this coming Monday. All students who turn their sheets in by 10/22 will receive a responsibility award for remembering to turn it in on time. Thanks to all who have volunteered already, you will be contacted soon. We are currently trying to assign volunteers to the times that their children are walking/jogging. Please contact Nancy Santucci at nasanta@cox.net with any questions. Box Tops/Milk Caps Just a reminder for those who were busy collecting box tops and Hood milk caps over the summer, please send them in. The deadline for the Hood milk caps is soon approaching. Box Tops can be dropped off all year. Event Photos If anyone has any pictures from any school events that they would like to be considered for the yearbook, please send a hard copy to the school in an envelope addressed to the PTO via backpack, or e-mail pictures to mcromack1@cox.net. Coats for Kids Did your child outgrow their winter gear from last year? If so, we are going to be collecting used CLEAN coats, snow pants, gloves, mittens, boots and new hats to donate. So please go through your stuff and put aside anything you don’t need; this is a great way for the children to get involved in the community and also to recycle! Watch for a flyer in the backpack at the end of the week. Thanks for your support!
· West Kingston Elementary School · 3119 Ministerial Rd · West Kingston RI 02892 · (401) 360-1130 ·

Weekly Newsletter for October 17, 2007

IMPORTANT DATES…

Oct 17-18 – NECAP Testing, Gr. 5
Oct 17 – PTO Meeting, 3:15 pm
Oct 19 – Autumnfest, 6-8 pm
Oct 26 – Hawk-A-Thon
Oct 31 – Kdg to Farmer’s Daughter, 12:30-2:30
Oct 31 – Picture Re-Takes
Nov. 2 – Student Recognition Assembly (changed from Oct. 26th)

PBIS…

Our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) team has started implementing the Blue Reward tickets throughout the school. If your child is “caught” doing the right thing, they will be rewarded by a staff member with the blue ticket. Each morning five names will be drawn to be read aloud during morning announcements. These names then go into an envelope for a final weekly drawing on Friday afternoon. The five students drawn then will have an opportunity to choose a prize from the treasure chest in the building.

Also, it is important to our staff that you know when your child has done the right thing. Therefore, if your child takes home a blue ticket and you sign it, they then are re-entered into the drawing for another chance to have their name drawn. If there are any questions, please call Ms. Iverson or Mrs. McGrath at the school (360-1130). We are all very proud of our blue ticket students! Way to go!

Congratulations to: Emily D., Sam P., Jim B., John H., KiRyang K., Sarah L., Joey H., Sophia D., Tyanna W., Micheal B., Chen M. (twice), Christopher D. (twice), Quiwa S., Scott D., Nathan H., Anamary D., Felipe P., Joshua P. (twice), Andrew D., Jahn P., Alex C., Jordan N., Dennis H., Harry K. (twice) , Haley W., Jacob C., Cheyenne W., Carly B., Stephanie B., Andrew L., Katelyn D., Haylea L., Nathan S., Brayden B., Garrett H., and Chy A.

STANDARDIZED REPORT CARDS…

Grades K-2 have been using the Standards Based report cards, and this year grades 3-5 will also be using
them. The standards based report card will be looking at a student’s progress as they master their Grade Level Expectations. For more information on the Grade Level Expectations, visit http://www.ridoe.net/Instruction/gle.aspx.

The grade level expectations are the skills and concepts that students at a given grade must master. Report cards will reflect student progress towards those standards/GLE’s. The level students might obtain are:

4 – Exceeds end of the year standards
*The student consistently exceeds the standards.

3 – Meets end of the year standards
*The student meets the standards.

2 – Making adequate progress toward end of the year standards
*The student is making adequate progress. The student grasps and applies the key concepts and skills for the grade level.

1 – Not making adequate progress/requires help
*The student is performing below the standards. The student demonstrates limited skills in grasping and applying key concepts and skills for the grade level.

You will not see the “traditional” A, B, C grades but rather, numbers that will indicate their current level of proficiency. Most children are just beginning to learn the current grade level GLE’s.

If they are making adequate progress towards their GLE’s and have begun to grasp and apply these new skills/concepts, you would expect to see a 2 indicating they are doing fine. If they continue to work at this same rate, they should meet the standards by June.

ELEMENTARY MATH WEB PAGE…

The elementary math web page has been moved to a new site. The new and revised elementary math web page is located at: http://fc.schools.net/elementarymath/

You will find web sites for: Everyday Math, homework helper, problem solving, math challenges, math facts, vocabulary, math activities, Sudoku, and lots of games. There is a web page for students and a separate one just for parents. The math web page is filled with lots of great sites guaranteed to make it a family favorite!

SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS, ETC…

This year, through a joint effort of RI School Districts and the RI Broadcasters Assoc., the ways in which you can be made aware of school cancellations, delays and early dismissals is expanded. In addition to our Connect Ed telephone calls and television and radio announcements, you can now sign up to be personally notified by text message on your cell phone, PDA or through an e-mail address. There is no charge for this service, although be sure to review your cell phone company plan for text messaging charges.

A registration form is available on the websites of participating radio and television stations. You will be able to select from 2 organizations (school, business, daycare, college/university, and more) to be notified about. Check out your favorite radio or television website for more information. It’s easy, secure and you’ll always be informed.

This service is made possible by the RI Broadcasters Assoc. and its member stations of free over the air radio and television stations licensed to the State of Rhode Island.

SECURITY…

Our security doors are in operation. During school hours, 9 to 3, please press the call button on the wall to the far right of the front doors. You will hear a dial tone, then the door will click. That’s your signal to enter.

After school, we will keep the doors on the left open to accommodate after-school activities.

The doors will be locked immediately after buses arrive in the morning. If you bring your child after 8:45, you must escort them into the building and sign them in. DO NOT DROP OFF CHILDREN at the sidewalk. There is no supervision outside after buses arrive.

Parents, please set a good safety example by using the crosswalk. Do not walk in between buses.

PTO NEWS…

PTO MEETING TODAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 3:15 IN THE LIBRARY, CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Save the Dates!!

Autumnfest/Book Fair, Oct 19th
Hawk-A-Thon, Oct 26th

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for two of our upcoming events, in which we are looking for volunteers to help make them a success.

Autumnfest/Book Fair…October 19th

A fun-filled night for the whole family with plenty of games, the beloved cake walk and the fall book fair. If you are interested in helping out with this event, please contact Kelly Jarbeau at kpjarbeau@cox.net.

It’s Book Fair time and we need your help.

Come get excited about books with the kids! Consider helping us out for an hour or two one of the following days/times:
* Wed., 10/17 @ 3:05 for set-up in the gym
* Thurs. and Fri., 10/18-19, 9:30-2:30 (while classes visit the book fair)
* Fri., 10/19, 6-8 pm (during Autumnfest)
Interested? Contact Patty Reardon at 789-5111, e-mail jreardon7@cox.net or Dena Gonsalves at 788-3699, e-mail dmggig@cox.net.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Hawk-A-Thon ….NEXT FRIDAY!!!!

Our Hawk-A-Thon, jog/walk-a-thon fundraiser will be held next Friday, October 26th (raindate Nov. 2nd). This is our main fundraiser for the year. It’s a fun, healthy fundraiser! Schedule of class jog times are in the backpack today. Be sure to stop by to cheer on your jogger.

PLEDGE SHEETS ARE DUE MONDAY, OCT. 22ND! Please return all pledge sheets to the office by this coming Monday. All students who turn their sheets in by 10/22 will receive a responsibility award for remembering to turn it in on time.

Thanks to all who have volunteered already, you will be contacted soon. We are currently trying to assign volunteers to the times that their children are walking/jogging.

Please contact Nancy Santucci at nasanta@cox.net with any questions.

Box Tops/Milk Caps

Just a reminder for those who were busy collecting box tops and Hood milk caps over the summer, please send them in. The deadline for the Hood milk caps is soon approaching. Box Tops can be dropped off all year.

Event Photos

If anyone has any pictures from any school events that they would like to be considered for the yearbook, please send a hard copy to the school in an envelope addressed to the PTO via backpack, or e-mail pictures to mcromack1@cox.net.

Coats for Kids

Did your child outgrow their winter gear from last year? If so, we are going to be collecting used CLEAN coats, snow pants, gloves, mittens, boots and new hats to donate. So please go through your stuff and put aside anything you don’t need; this is a great way for the children to get involved in the community and also to recycle! Watch for a flyer in the backpack at the end of the week. Thanks for your support!

· West Kingston Elementary School · 3119 Ministerial Rd · West Kingston RI 02892 · (401) 360-1130 ·