Families~
1. Conferences are coming up the week of October 29th-November 2nd!!! I have sent final confirmation times out to everyone. PLEASE let me know ASAP if you cannot make the indicated time so we can reschedule.
2. Respect. As a class family this year, we have struggled with our consistency in which we show respect to each other and to teachers. It's been a slow grind and I understand the kiddos are only 8-9 years old. However, as I've told the students 100s of times now, I refuse to lower my high expectations just because they are not being met. I will remain flexible in HOW we meet those expectations. This week has been SOOOOO much better than the previous 2-3 weeks, so I'm optimistic that we've turned a corner. I think the kids have finally realized how much more fun we can have as a class if we just keep operating at a high level.
Please remind your child that you expect them to be giving 100% respect not just to Mr. Buono and their classmates, but also Specials teachers and TAs.
3. X Timed Tests. We are 3 weeks into our timed tests. We've been writing in our planners to study our basic facts, but a lot of our beautifully honest children have reported that isn't happening in every family. Now, some students have been working hard at home doing things like Flashcards, playing a game called Math Magician on the computer, printing of X quizzes from the Math tab of my blog, or finding other games to play with 2 dice with an adult at home. Those students who have made those choices feel sooooooo proud about their progress, which makes them feel confident, which makes learning fun, which turns into them always working hard, which makes them successful not just this year, but for the rest of their lives. Please help them at home with their facts by suggesting ways to study and how you can be a part of their learning.
4. Nightly Activities. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but please keep positive conversations flowing about their learning. Checking/Discussing their planners (vs asking do you have homework) is a great place to start. In addition, we have about 10-12 students who have made AMAZING progress in both Reading and Math, and more importantly just in their attitudes towards learning and now embrace that Achievement Via Individual Determination mindset. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise to know that those are the students who have those conversations with an adult each night, log on to the blog to play Dreambox or MobyMax or even Typing Club, and study for their tests and multiplication facts. If you have been all over this throughout the year, then keep it going! If not, now would be a perfect time to start getting into a new routine :)
5. Students' Activities Outside of School. If your child participates in anything that is important to them outside of school (Sports, musicals, etc.) feel free to share their schedule/date of performance. I've already made it out to several students' activities and I enjoy it so much! Our school days are quite rigorous these days, and any chance I get to show the kids how much I care about them individually, I really try to take advantage of. After all, I started teaching 12 years ago because of how much I believe in and care about children, not because of how much I care about curriculum or the politics of education!!! Your child means so much to me, and I can't remind them of that enough.
Sorry so long, but as always, I appreciate the support from your end! It will help your child on their road to future independent success!
