My resolution is to post at least once a week from now until the end of the school year. I think that is one I should be able to keep. I hope everyone had a relaxing break an is now ready for the start of a great year. I know all of our students were busy visiting the local library over break so they could stay on top of their reading skills. Now that we are getting back into the groove please let me remind you of some instructional key points and dates that are important in the upcoming month. First, please don't be surprised if your child shows a little bit of regression coming back from the holiday. We all know you guys were very busy traveling and playing with new toys so there might not have been as much time for reading. Please make sure to get back on track with a structured homework time and read for at least 10-20 mintues every night. You may want to model reading out loud to your child until he/she gets back into the groove of reading independently. Second, perhaps take this "New Year" time to possibly start a book club with your child or a few of their friends. It can be completely informal meeting at the library to talk or having a chat and chew a someone's house. Having that time to discuss books with your child would be a great opportunity to accelerate them. If you are interested in having your own book club I would be happy to help you plan! Just email me or call the school. Finally, we are getting ready for our next testing window to open up. Our m-class testing for students starts January 11th and runs through February 5th. During this time all students in grades K-2 will be indivudually tested by their reading teacher to document the growth they have made since the beginning of the year. For grades 3-4 Map-R (computer testing) will begin on January 26th. Each homeroom class will come to the computer lab to take a reading test on the computer. Students took all of these assessments in the fall and will have them again in the spring so they are very familiar with them. You can see why it is so important to get back into the groove quickly. We also have testing for third graders that applied to the Highly Gifted Center happening next Tuesday January 12th. Please make sure your child comes to school well rested and ready to go each day so they are ready to perform at their highest capacity! I know time is really going to fly now so please stay in communication with your child's homeroom teacher or me with any concerns you have about reading. We are always here to help and offer support.
Have a great day!
Mrs. Del Balzo
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