February Newsletter 2013

        

Dear Parents,

Last week we had a reward day SNOW/White OUT, some have asked why?

SWPBIS Positive Behavior Intervention & Support is a program to promote and maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence. We have school-wide strategies for helping all students achieve important social and learning goals. We know that when good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning. As part of the PBIS program, we have established several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school. We explicitly teach those expectations to the students and reward them frequently with positive notes and rewards for their great behavior. The expectation for all student behavior is clear throughout our building, cafeteria, gymnasium, and classrooms, etc. You should be able to ask your student, “What are the rules in your school?” “How do you follow those rules?” “What happens when a teacher sees you following the rules?”  Ask your child if he/she has received a Mustang’s Shine Ticket? How did it make them feel to be recognized?
Our school rules are simple:

· Make Responsible Choices
· Maintain the Right to Learn
· Show respect to all
*These rules now hang in many areas of our building for reminders. On your next visit, look for them! ☺
We apply consistent consequences and positive reinforcement for all students. By detailing every expected behavior and teaching in a positive way, we provide a common language for everyone in our building, including students, teachers, front office staff and our paraprofessionals.
We believe that by helping students practice good behavior, we will build a school community where all students have an environment where they respect themselves and others, and feel safe daily to learn, and enjoy their elementary school experience!  

Reading:  Last week we had a guest speaker coming from Deer Flats Wildlife to talk about animal habitat and camouflage.  Students have been learning about various land and sea creatures and the four things that all animals need to survive. Ask your child what those four important things are? Our next reading theme will be Courage and Bravery after the President’s Day break. Students will be reading fiction and nonfiction accounts of children like themselves, who find bravery in different situations. These stories reflect feelings and experiences that students can relate to, such as having anxiety about a test, being concerned that he/she is not as brave as a friend, and deciding to do the right thing without realizing that is shows real courage.  Our comprehensive focus will include making connections, summarizing, asking questions, sequencing and exploring cause and effect.

Math: This month we will conclude our unit on subtraction with and without regrouping.  Our next unit will be money, and time. I will be sending some practice sheets so that you can see what we are working on and provide at home support if needed.  By no means are these sheets to be busy work, if your child has mastered the practice side, they may try the enrichment side for a challenge. Some students will need extra help at home.

Science: This month we will begin our Weather Unit. At the completion of the unit each student will have a pocket folder to bring home with evidence of their learning.  As a second grade team the teachers have each selected a section to teach and we will rotate as guest teachers through each classroom. We also have a special guest coming from a local weather satellite station to share how weather is tracked and predicted. We have certainly had a roller coaster of weather this winter so the students will have a lot of prior knowledge to draw on for conversation!

Character: Honesty is our virtue of the month.  I hope to teach my students that being honest is being open and trustworthy. It is admitting mistakes even when you know you might disappoint someone.  Honesty is important because it builds trust. “I am honest I can be trusted to keep my word. I admit my mistakes and I tell the truth” (affirmation statement)

In closing, I’d like to share how much I care about each and every child in my class. You have trusted me with your precious children.  I believe in helping my students master the virtues within them.  Some of the most important lessons students receive in school go beyond academics.  I like to think of the Virtues as the content of a student’s character, and teachable moments as the “lesson plans” for shaping those virtues.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hebdberg