From the desk of Cherie Swader
January 28, 2008
Dear DES Family and Friends,
Our teachers participated in a wonderful workshop on Differentiated Instruction, during the county-wide in-service on Monday, Jan. 21st. We are making a concentrated effort to address the instructional needs of all students by focusing on learning styles, classroom management, collaborative team planning, and formative assessment. Our curriculum is based on nine week benchmarks which are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards. This provides an instructional framework that is both horizontally and vertically aligned, ensuring fewer gaps in the learning process. We are proud of the progress that our teachers and students are making in this fundamental instructional practice.
Just as we encourage our children to practice their sports skills, it is imperative that we (parents) promote the practice of academic skills - reading, writing, and math skills are essential to academic progress and can be integrated into your families daily routine.
Writing prompts:
- Make weekly grocery lists using the newspaper insert.
- Daily journals (what was good/bad about the day)
- Appreciation/thank you notes
- Write about vacation plans
- After reading a story - write a new ending to the story
- Provide colorful paper, markers, stickers and other items that will make writing fun.
Reading incentives:
- Provide a varied selection of reading materials.
- Model reading by reading with and to your children (you read one page- your child reads one page).
- Discuss what you have read and how characters, plots, and/or endings might change the story.
The DES school library has teamed with the Dade County Public Library to identify student reading levels (Lexile Scores). Books are color-coded to match the reading level of students. This is a great resource for teachers, parents, and students.
Math skills: Basic math skills are essential.
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
Students should be able to complete these math skills in their heads (mental math) - but it takes practice. These skills can be practiced in the car, waiting for appointments, between ballgames, almost anywhere. Take advantage of what is often wasted time.
BE PROACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION. ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN - IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS.
IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK:
- DES BOOK FAIR - WE NEED ADULT VOLUNTEERS
- JUMP ROPE FOR HEART - STUDENT ACTIVITY TO BENEFIT AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION - DEDICATED TO STEVE RUFF - FORMER DES PRINCIPAL.
- PTO FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST - 6:00 PM IN THE "OLD CAFETERIA."
We welcome everyone at DES, but please check into the front office and get a name tag before you enter the hallway. DO NOT GO TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM IN THE AFTERNOON TO PICK HIM OR HER UP - PLEASE WAIT EITHER IN THE CAFETERIA CAR-LINE OR IN THE FRONT LOBBY AREA. WE ARE HAVING TOO MUCH CONFUSION AND DISTRACTION IN THE HALLWAY IN THE AFTERNOONS. TEACHERS NEED FOR STUDENTS TO BE ON TASK UNTIL THE BELL RINGS. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER.
Cherie Swader
Principal
Dade Elementary School
"Hand In Hand - We Learn Together"
