January Tidbits

Hello Parents,

We will have our Winter Illuminate FastBridge Screener and iReady Diagnostic assessments for Reading and Math this month. Talk with your children about the importance of taking their time and listening to directions. These assessments give teachers and parents valuable insight on how students are performing, areas of strength and areas of need. Here are a few more tidbits from the Department of Education for the month of January:

1. Make a winter-weather plan 
   Have an advance plan for snow days or sick days. Can another family member or neighbor care for your kids while you work? Make sure you have a safety kit in case of power outages; have your children help assemble it so they get a lesson in emergency preparation, too. Get more tips at ready.gov.
2. Be a meteorologist 
   Winter months are a great time to introduce budding minds to the science behind weather patterns and how to predict them. You'll find plenty of weather resources for kids in the “ Earth Sciences” section of free.ed.gov.
3. Dream big 
   Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 16 by encouraging your kids to complete the sentence “I have a dream that…,” and then e-mail, tweet, or post on Facebook their own hopes for the future.
   
    

WSE January Activities

Jan 6	Students and Teachers Return
Jan 8	Report Cards Issued
Jan 10	College and Career Day Parent Meeting (8:00)
Jan 14	Kindergarten Open House
Jan 15	Club Pictures
Jan 15	Bridge to 1st Grade
Jan 17	Honors Program KK -5th 1/2 Day Theme: Superhero Day
Jan 20	MLK Jr Day No School
Jan 21	TNReady Practice Test Week
Jan 28	Science Fair
Jan 30	Parent Data Night/ Family STEAM Night
Jan 31	Math Hall of Fame, Science Bowl, WordSmith

December Tidbits from TN Dept of ED

1. Get ready for flu season 
   Remind your children about washing hands frequently—particularly when kids get home from school, sports, and other activities. Pay attention to school websites and newsletters for alerts about flu or other illness outbreaks. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (cdc.gov) for up-to-date information and the latest prevention advice. And be sure your family gets flu shots.
2. Help end bullying 
   Take the time to talk with your children about bullying behavior. Before you begin the conversation, go to pta.org/bullying and stopbullying.gov to learn what you can do as a parent to instill an attitude of acceptance in your children and get help with bullying behavior if your family needs it.
3. Remember the teacher 
   A simple holiday token is nice if you can swing it. Teachers particularly appreciate cards from their students, and gift cards for their favorite book, crafts, or office-supply stores. Teachers often replenish classroom supplies out of their own pay, so gift cards help cut the cost.
4. Practice cyber safety 
   If your children will be spending more time online during the winter break, or if they get a new laptop or smartphone as a gift, be sure to review family rules and online behavior. 

https://www.ed.gov/parents/countdown-success

November Tidbits

1. Review that report card 
   Pay careful attention to all report cards, but particularly the first one. You want to get help for any problem areas before your child falls too far behind. Ask your child's teacher how grades are determined and for suggestions on how your student can improve. Review grades and the teacher's comments with your child—always starting with something she's/he's doing well, then pointing out areas that need attention, and ending with something positive again.
2. Encourage creativity 
   Urge your children to enter the National PTA Reflections arts contest. They can submit works of art in six categories: visual arts (such as painting, drawing, or collage), literature, musical composition, photography, film production, and dance choreography. This year's theme is “Diversity Means…” Contact your local PTA for additional details or go to pta.org.
3. Make over your meals 
   November is National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Month, so think carefully about what your kids are eating at home and in school. For more healthy eating and lunch-packing tips, go to pta.org/goodchoices and choosemyplate.gov/kids.
4. Be a good citizen 
   Your child will be learning about good citizenship and they'll be thrilled to go with you when you cast your ballot on November 8. Go to free.ed.gov to learn more about how government works.
5. Give thanks 
   This month's Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect time to talk with your children about all the freedoms the United States has to offer its citizens. Help your children explore what life was like here during the first Thanksgiving at the Library of Congress website: loc.gov/families. 
   
   Checkout the following website for more information!
   
   www.ed.gov/parents/countdown-success

Remember to have your child read independently, to/with someone, or have someone read to them at least 20 minutes a day!

1. Fuel up 
   Children who eat a healthy breakfast each day have more energy available for learning. Try simple, protein-loaded options like homemade scrambled-egg-and-cheese breakfast burritos, waffles smeared with nut butter, or yogurt-and-fruit smoothies.
2. Become a class volunteer
   You'll develop a closer relationship with the teacher and volunteer in the classroom, usually without having to commit a ton of time. Class parents organize other parent volunteers for parties and events, may help the teacher create a newsletter, or might document the school year in photos. Ask the teacher what his or her specific needs will likely be this year.
3. Connect with your kids' teachers  
   Attending school meetings should be a priority for all parents and guardians. This is your chance to see how things are going with your children and to partner with their teachers on improving performance. Ask: “What could we be doing at home to practice what they're learning?” National PTA has created grade by-grade Parent Guides that can be a resource for what to discuss at conferences. Find out more at pta.org/parentsguide.
4. Seek extra help 
   Does it seem your child is going to have trouble keeping up? Ask the teacher about school-provided tutoring programs and resources to help reinforce his or her learning outside of class.
   
   
   See US Dept Of Education Countdown to Success for more information

WSE October Calendar of Events

Oct 4	College and Career Day
Oct 4	Side-by-Side Concert 12:00
Oct 11	Beta Club Induction
Oct 11	End of the Nine Weeks 1/2 Day Theme: Farm/Western Day
Oct 14-18	Fall Break No School
Oct 21-25	Red Ribbon Week
Oct 24	Read for the Record
Oct 24	Parent Data Night 5:00 pm
Oct 24	Literacy Night 6:00 pm
Oct 25	Math Hall of Fame. Wordsmith and Science Bowl
Oct 25	Honors Programs KK-5 8:30 am
Oct 27	Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30 pm
Oct 30	Report Cards Issued
Oct 30	Walk-a-thon Pep Ralley

Donuts with Dad