The Tiger Times Grandview Elementary Newsletter: October, 2012 Edition In This Issue ISTEP Scores 7 Keys to Reading Comprehension Texts from Transportation Dimon and Daniel signing the school-wide anti-bullying pledge. Holiday Assistance Weather Delays ISTEP Passing Scores us as we strive to ensure all students learn and Closings ISTEP is a standardized assessment at high levels. Lunch Payments – taken by all 3rd-6th grade students in Online Indiana. The test is taken each spring We are committed to continuous Lost and Found and measures student proficiency improvement and have a plan in place to Staying Connected levels according to Indiana state ensure we experience high levels of standards. success this school year. We will: 1) Collaborate to increase the Last year‟s results in English/language effectiveness of instruction, 2) Provide arts (ELA) followed the upward trend targeted instruction in ELA and math, and we have seen over the last three years, 3) Increase communication of learning while results in math scores in spring goals and targets with families while 2012 were nearly identical to those in developing a system that allows students 2011. to track their progress toward those goals. Upcoming Events The rising passing rates in ELA are a ISTEP is just one way we measure our good indicator that these improved student success. We will continue to October 12: Fall Break passing rates can also be achieved in consider a variety of sources and data October 15-19: Safe math. points as we work together to ensure your Schools Week We have a lot of hard work ahead of child learns at high levels. October 18: Skate Night 2009-2012 ELA and Math ISTEP Passing Percentages October 19: Report Cards Sent Home in 80 Backpacks 75 October 23: Picture 70 Re-takes October 25: Family 65 Math Game Night ELA 60 November 1: PTO Meeting 55 50 2009 2010 2011 2012 Grandview Elementary School www.grandview.mccsc.edu @GrandviewTigers (812)825-3009 7 Keys to Reading Comprehension Being able to read the words is just one skill your child needs to become a great reader. He/she also needs to be able to understand what the story is about. This is called reading comprehension. Help your child develop these skills when reading together at home. Here are some ideas you can try. To become a better reader, your child needs to: 1. Create mental images. Help him/her imagine pictures, smells, tastes, sounds, and feelings as he reads. 2. Use background knowledge. Help him/her make connections between what he/she is reading and Madison and Carlos enjoying a book together. what he/she already knows or has experienced. 3. Ask questions. Help him/her to clarify meaning, make predictions, and focus on what‟s important by asking questions before, during, and after reading a story. 4. Make inferences. Help him/her use what he might already know about a subject to make predictions, find answers to questions, and draw conclusions about the story. 5. Determine the most important ideas or themes. Help him/her identify key ideas and distinguish Texts From Transportation between important and unimportant information. 6. Synthesize information. This is closely linked with Did you know you can receive text alerts from the #5. Help him/her to determine the overall MCCSC transportation department? You can sign up meaning and significance of the story or text. for this service by visiting www.mccsc.edu, clicking on 7. Use „fix-up‟ strategies. Read next month‟s “Programs,” clicking on “Transportation,” and clicking newsletter for more information regarding these on “Late Bus/Schedule Change Info.” strategies. Holiday Assistance If you are in need of holiday assistance this year, please contact the Salvation Army during the times listed below. Gifts are available for children ages newborn-14. Oct. 29 -- Nov. 2 9 am – 4 pm(closed noon-1 pm each day) Evening hours on Thursday Nov 1st 4-6 pm Nov. 9 9 am – 4 pm(closed noon-1 pm) Holiday Assistance Applications Bring Picture ID, proof of Monroe Co. residency, Birth Cert. or Insurance Cards for each member in household and Proof of Household Income for Oct. 2012 Grandview teachers working together to set learning goals for the first quarter. We will be reviewing the student outcomes related to these goals at our next faculty meeting. Grandview Elementary School www.grandview.mccsc.edu @GrandviewTigers (812)825-3009 Ms. Wojcik working with Jeremy during TIGER Time. Weather Closings and Delays The safety and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority during Dimon and Daniel sign the school-wide anti-bullying pledge. inclement weather. MCCSC staff members travel city and county roads prior to making any announcement regarding delays or closings. Law enforcement, street and highway departments are consulted depending on the conditions. We will do our best to make any closing or delay announcement prior to 5:15 am, however that cannot be guaranteed. Normally decisions will be made in the early morning hours. Please do not call school personnel or radio stations, as this ties up busy phone lines and delays the process. Decisions will be announced through the media (see listing below), on the MCCSC website (http://www.mccsc.net/) and on the main MCCSC phone line, 330-7700. *Please note that if there is a delay, school will begin at 10:35 a.m., Monday- Friday. Media Listing: WTTS92.3/WGCL1370 WQKC/WXKU WHCC 105.1 or B97 WVNI-FM, Spirit 95 WFIU 103.7/ 95.1/ 106.1/ 100.7 KORN 100.3/QMIX 107.3 WCBK-FM 102.3 WBWB-WTTV4 WFHB91.3 WISH TV- Channel 8 WKKG/WCSI/WNVI/Oldies 104/Y106 WRTV-TV, Channel 6 WCLS97.7 WTHR-TV, Channel 13 Oldies 105 WQRK/WBIW/WQRJ WXIN-FOX 59 Lexona creating a WAVE ***Ready Set Grow and School Age Care will attend at their regularly tutorial using the iPad. scheduled time in the case of a DELAY. Programs will NOT be in session if school is CANCELLED.*** Make Lunch Payments On-Line It is possible to make breakfast and lunch payments on-line. Simply go to the MCCSC food services website by going to www.mccsc.edu, clicking on “Programs” and then on “Food Services.” There is even an iPhone app called “My Payments Plus” that can help you keep up to date on your child‟s lunch account. Grandview Elementary School www.grandview.mccsc.edu @GrandviewTigers (812)825-3009 In the photo on the left, Timmy is sharpening his math skills using Khan Academy, an online video tutorial site. This site is effective, engaging, and FREE. You can access this site at home by visiting the following web address: http://www.khanacademy.org/ Lost and Found Due to growing community concerns about bed bugs, we have decided to take preventative steps. In attempt to prevent any future issues, lost and found items will be put in the dryer each morning for 30 minutes. Each Monday, all unclaimed items will be disposed of. Please consider writing your student‟s name in all jackets, hats, gloves, etc. This simple step will reduce the likelihood of the items ending up in the lost and found or trash. Join us at Grandview for Family Game Night on: Staying Connected October 25 Stay up to date on everything going on at Grandview by joining March 27 the Grandview Parent Email List. You may sign up by visiting the following website: April 11 www.mccsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/grapto You can view teacher websites, Shining Star photos, important documents (including this newsletter), and upcoming events on the Grandview Website. The site is updated regularly and can serve as an important resource for your family. For those families using Twitter, @GrandviewTigers Grandview Elementary School www.grandview.mccsc.edu @GrandviewTigers (812)825-3009 .