I'd like to dedicate this newsletter to Dr. King and to all the "upstanders" from the past and the present and those on the playground!
Last week was a great week to come back to! It was so good to see everyone and I am happy to report that as a class, I saw some great growth in their academic and social attitudes! Everyone persevered through our NWEA Reading and Language Tests with great growth mindset spirit and stamina! I loved how respectful they were to each other, with early finishers in golden silence so that slower-paced test takers could focus and do their best!
NWEA Math Test on Wednesday!
Speaking of NWEA...we have one more test this Wednesday at 10:30 am. This will be NWEA Math. Please make sure your child is well-rested, breakfasted, and has a healthy snack. They may also work in Front Row Math to keep those math brains warmed up!
People Who Make A Difference Unit is in full swing!
This past week, we wrapped up learning about the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a model to our own research! We began reading and taking notes on our chosen Difference Maker; some of us have gotten to writing the first draft of our speech, and after revising, editing, and publishing, will be paired with peer memorization coaches! We are excited to represent our Difference Maker at our 2nd Grade Living Museum Showcase on Wednesday, February 7th from 9:00 - 9:45 am in the 2nd Grade Neighborhood.
Here's how you as a parent can support your student:
1. Make sure your 2nd grade researcher has a biography text or online source for their Difference Maker (let me know if you need help with this or have any questions).
2. Ask him/her how far along they are in their research process and how they are doing. Check in regularly.
3. Provide a costume for them to dress up in to represent their Difference Maker. They will be wearing them to school in lieu of their uniform on Wednesday, February 7th.
4. While they will be writing, publishing, and memorizing their speeches at school, practice at home as well to help keep tummy butterflies at bay.
5. Please do not hesitate to email me if I can help in any way! Thank you for your support!
Progress Reports in blue folders this Friday!
Be on the look out for 2nd Trimester progress reports. Please review, sign, and return one copy. Keep the other for your records. Thank you!
School-wide News:
GATE Testing: Spring 2018 GATE testing referral forms for students currently enrolled in grades 1st - 8th will be accepted from January 8, 2018 - February 2, 2018. Click HERE for the parent referral form. Click HERE for the WCS 2017-2018 GATE Testing Timeline and click Click HERE for a GATE overview flyer.
AS Live Student Sign Up: The winter session of After-School LIVE starts Monday, January 22nd! Please Click HEREto fill out the interest form for your Explorer. Sign-ups run until Tuesday, January 16 at 8:00pm. Email Allison Chavez with any questions [email protected].
Communications Change: We received feedback in the Parent Survey about communications from WCS, so we have made a couple of updates. Starting this week, we will send an email and a text message instead of a phone call. The text message will have the link to our weekly newsletter, and a link to a voice recording for those who prefer to hear the weekly newsletter rather than read it. The voice recording will contain the same information that the newsletter has, but in auditory form, like a weekly radio broadcast. So if you process information visually, read our newsletter, however, if you are more of an auditory learner, listen to the recording. Thank you for giving us feedback to improve our communication. Click HERE to update your text message preferences.
My Princess and Me Dance: The 6th annual My Princess & Me Dance is on February 3rd from 6pm to 8pm. Dads, grandpas, uncles, friends and father-figures are invited to escort their princess (ages 4-13) to this community favorite. The evening includes dancing, dessert, photos and many unforgettable memories. Purchase tickets and learn more by Clicking HERE. This incredible community event isn’t possible without volunteers. Please Click HERE to help make it a success. Thank you!
That's all for now!
I leave you with a couple of insightful quotes from the great Dr. King:
"Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective."
Christmas sermon, Atlanta, Georgia, 1967.
"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits."
Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964
Have a great weekend and week!
Mrs. A