Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Now it is back to business and we are moving here at Gibbs! During the month of January we are very busy. Please take a look at the different assessments going on in the building this month!

January 11-February 11 - Primary Reading Assessments (k-2) are given to each student individually by their teachers.

January 18- February 11 - Measures of Academic Progress in Reading (Map-R) is given to students in grades 3-5 electronically on the computer. I will be proctoring these assessments with teachers.

January 18 - Highly Gifted Center Testing- if you filled out an application for your third grade he/she will be tested on this date as part of the application process.

We are excited to get the winter data back on our students to see how much they have progressed this year!

Reading this Month -
During the month of January there are many different things to read about! January is home of many different observances you might not know about.

January -
National Braille Literacy Month - You could read and learn about Braille and do an study on Hellen Keller!
National Hot Tea Month - You could curl up with your favorite hot tea and book and read with your child!
Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday - Read all about his life and dream with different books like, My Brother Martin written by his sister!

There are so many wonderful opportunities for reading leanrning during the month of January. I hope you take some time to enjoy it!

This month I look forward to starting our Ruth Rales Reading program after school each Thursday. Fifth grade students are going to be tutoring some of our second grade students one-on-one after school building their reading skills, confidence, and leadership. I am so excited to be working with these students!

Take time to appreciate the weather (stay in and read when it's too cold) and remember when you have a questions you can, LOOK IN A BOOK!

My warmest wishes for you and your family,
Mrs. Del Balzo