Archives

Latest Page
7 March 2005
14 February 2005
7 February 2005
18 January 2005
10 January 2005
3 January 2005
15 November 2004
8 November 2004
1 November 2004
27 September 2004
20 September 2004
13 September 2004
7 September 2004
23 August 2004

Weekly Notes from the Principal's Desk. . .

March 14, 2005

• Parent Teacher Conferences are next week, March 21-24. These are minimum days with 11:30 AM dismissal for students. If you have not already signed up for a time, please come in to the School Office or call Miss Rossi as soon as possible to schedule your conference. The following are some suggestions for getting the most out of the parent-teacher conference from Helping Your Child Succeed in Elementary School by The MASTER Teacher®:
  • Be there, and be on time. The conference is one of the few occasions during the school year when you get to meet face to face with the teacher and chart your child's success. This may be one of the most important things you do for your child this school year. Also, because the teacher has to meet with a lot of parents, and the conferences are usually on a tight schedule, being punctual or even early will maximize your discussion time. If you need more time than is allowed during the conference, you may make an appointment for an additional meeting at a later date.
  • Ask questions. While the teacher will have topics she would like to discuss, don't be afraid to ask questions and make sure your concerns are addressed. Be sure to ask about the learning goals and expectations the teacher has for your child-as well as what observations the teacher has made and whether there have been any surprises with your child's performance or behavior.
  • Discuss specific strengths and weaknesses. By getting details about what your child is doing well in the classroom, you are in a better position to offer praise and reinforce those strengths at home. By getting a good feel for the areas in which your child needs to improve, you can better help your child rise above learning challenges. Find out what topics or tasks your child struggles with, what sorts of things he or she is reluctant to do and, most importantly, what specific strategies you can try at home to help.
  • Avoid being defensive. During the conference, the teacher may bring up obstacles that need to be overcome, ranging from behavior to motivation to topics or assignments your child struggles with. Please remember that, like you, the teacher's primary aim is your child's well-being and improvement, and by raising concerns, the teacher isn't trying to criticize. Rather, she is simply seeking your help to find a solution.
  • Find out what you can do at home. By working with the teacher to come up with activities and strategies you can do at home with your child, you will reinforce the learning that is happening in the classroom and have a great impact on your child's performance. Keep in mind that the teacher may not offer suggestions if you don't ask.
  • Ask for contact information. The parent conference shouldn't be the only time during the year that you talk to your child's teacher. Teachers welcome parent involvement. (Our school's Mission Statement and Philosophy both refer to the importance of parents and families in the education of the students.) Before the conference is over, discuss with the teacher the best way to contact her to keep in touch with her regarding your child's progress. And remember, you don't have to wait for a problem to arise to discuss your child's education.
  Be prepared. Your child will want to hear all about the conference. Be positive and specific. Begin by talking about all the good things that were discussed, and follow up by talking about what needs to be done to improve. Use this discussion to praise your child's accomplishments in school and offer encouragement for future efforts.

• 5th Grade basketball is underway. Boys will play at 4:15 PM on Tuesday, March 15, and girls will play at 5:15 PM on Friday, March 18, both against Gateway and at the Kerr-McGee Center.

• If your child signed up to try out for Junior Olympics, please make sure he or she comes to school each day with the proper shoes. We anticipate that our tryouts will be completed before our Easter Break. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Paula Welsh at 375-1685.

• Please join us this Friday for Mass (8:15 AM) and Stations of the Cross (1:30 PM).

• We hope to see you this Friday for the Fish Fry hosted by the Middle School. This will be the last Fish Fry of the Lenten season.

Fri., March 18                  Mass, 8:15 AM
                        
                                Stations of the Cross, 1:30 PM
                        
                                Fish Fry, 5 PM - 7 PM


Mon.-Fri., March 21-24          Parent - Teacher Conferences, 11:30 AM dismissals
                        
                        
Fri., March 25                  NO SCHOOL, Good Friday
                        
                        
Mon.-Fri., March 28-Apr. 1      NO SCHOOL, Easter Break