January 1 Announcements

Happy New Year.  We finished 2013 in grand fashion with lots of great improvement in our learning and excellent parent involvement.  Before we know it, the semester will end on January 17.  Wow!

Parent Night - Tuesday, January 14 from 6:00 - 7:30

All parents are invited to see the great things the kids have done in their music, art, science and social studies specials classes and meet with their child's homeroom teacher to learn what students will be learning in the spring semester.  3rd and 4th grade parents will learn important information about the STAAR test and what students will need to do to pass the tests.  More information will come out next week.

What do Reading Levels Mean?

By the end of the semester, I want to show you where students should be at this time of the year in respect to their reading level.  Before you look at the table below, please know that reading growth differs from child to child.  The most important thing we must consider in reference to reading is that growth is just as important as the reading level.  If your child is below level, the question that must be asked is whether or not your child is making growth each six weeks.

Grade Level	2nd 6 Weeks Reading Level Range	Growth from previous 6 Weeks if reading level is below level
K	0 - 1
1st	6-8	Students should make 3-4 levels growth
2nd	18-20	Students should make 1-2 levels growth
3rd	23-24	Students should make 1-2 levels growth
4th	27-28	Students should make 1-2 levels growth

* Special Note - 30 is the highest reading level possible.

How can parents help their child improve in their reading?

• PK - 1st grade 
• Work with your child to help them know their letters, the sounds that they make, and be able to identify them quickly wherever you are. (grocery store, signs, cereal boxes, etc.)
• Students should practice reading every day for 10-20 minutes.
• Sight words are taught every day.  Ask your child's teacher for a list of sight-words.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary in regular conversation.  Vocabulary exposure is  key component to improving reading.
• Encourage your child to write.  Writing reinforces reading and vice-versa.
• 2nd - 4th grade
• Students should practice reading every day for 15-30 minutes.
• Spelling words are taught every week.  Ask your child's teacher for a list of spelling words.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary in regular conversation with your child.  Vocabulary exposure is a key component to improving reading.
• Encourage your child to write.  Writing reinforces reading and vice-versa.

Upcoming Events

Date	Event	Information
Mon, Jan 6	School  Resumes
Thu, Jan 9	Buckeye Book Club	Ms. Hooton, Mrs. Henry, and Ms. Scott’s classes, boys only, will meet in the Library from 4:00-5:15.
	College Day Progress Reports	Wear your college attire. Progress reports will be sent home.
Tue, Jan 14	Benchmark Week Parent Night	All students will be taking benchmark tests We will have a parent night from 6:00 - 7:30.
Thu, Jan 16	Early Release	Students will be released at 12:30 on this day.  Staff will work a full day.
	College Day	Wear your college attire.
Fri, Jan 17	Early Release	Students will be released at 12:30 on this day.  Staff will work a full day.
Mon, Jan 20	Martin Luther King Day	No School for students and staff
Tue, Jan 21	School Resumes	All students and staff will return to school.