February Newsletter 2016 Upcoming Events Principal’S Corner  2/22-2/26: Scholastic Book Fair, 7:15-7:45 A.M

Piedmont Valley Elementary Stallion News

February Newsletter 2016 Upcoming Events Principal’s Corner  2/22-2/26: Scholastic Book Fair, 7:15-7:45 a.m. & 2:30- Dear Parents, 3:00 p.m. (daily). Tuesday and Thursday during conferences. Follow the I am happy to see all of our students getting back into the swing of signs upstairs! school after the nice relaxing Christmas Vacation. The students  2/23:Parent/Teacher seem to be adjusting to the school schedule and we are off to an Conferences 4 - 7 p.m. exciting start to the winter months of the school year. We have a number of events scheduled for the month of February that you  2/25:Parent/Teacher should all be aware of. Conferences 4 - 7 p.m. On January 29th, the PTA will be hosting Bingo Night. Pizza will  2/23: PVE S.O.M. Assembly be served at 5:30 PM and Bingo will follow at 6:15. This will be a @ 1:30 p.m. fun filled evening for the whole family. I think it will be a GREAT  3/15:Kindergarten Screening, time and as always the best PTA in the state of South Dakota will 11:00 AM - 6:00 p.m. do a wonderful job of hosting this event. We are very fortunate to have a high class, energetic PTA like we have!  3/16:Kindergarten Screening, 7:00 AM - 2:00 p.m. In addition, I would like to remind all of you of the Parent / Teacher

Conferences that will be hosted on February 23rd and 25th. Both  3/18: Spring Concert 3-6 nights of conferences will run from 4:00-7:00 PM. This is a great grade at 9:00 a.m. & 12:45 opportunity for parents to communicate with our dedicated staff in p.m. (6th grade band will order to see how your child is doing in school. I look forward to perform at 8:00 a.m.) seeing all of you in our classrooms and hallways on these two nights. Concert March 18, 2016 I hope the upcoming months of the school year find all of you well 6th Band - 8:00 and as always if you would like to visit give me a call. 6th Grade - 8:15 5th Grade - 8:45 Ethan 4th Grade - 9:15 3rd Grade - 9:45

6th Grade - 12:45-1:10 5th Grade - 1:05-1:35 4th Grade - 1:35-2:00 3rd Grade - 2:00-2:25

Alternative date: March 24 News from Third Grade Current Happenings in 3rd features and providing and home working evidence from the text when together. Grade answering questions. Students

Our 3rd grade students at have provided input and shared Piedmont Valley Elementary have some of their favorite stories We look forward to seeing they have read thus far: The been working very hard in math. you at conferences! Some things we have touched on Boxcar Children Series, Little have been multiplication and House Series, Magic division, measuring perimeter and Treehouse Series, Series of area, and have discovering the Unfortunate Events, The characteristics of triangles and Boxtrolls, and Weird but True. quadrilaterals. We are now into a On February 26th, students will unit on fractions. Students have be participating in a reading been investigating the meaning of challenge, Read Quest! From fractions and the ways fractions Coast to Coast. This challenge can be represented. Although this encourages students to join can be a difficult concept, together to read and enjoy students are enjoying solving books. There will be more math problems that make sense information to follow. to them. Please continue Congratulations to the practicing math facts and playing students who have received math games with your students. awards for student of the Playing these games and month. The character trait for practicing facts definitely helps February is Courtesy. As a 3rd students gain math skills as well grade team, we have set high as clarifies some of the concepts standards for the students not being addressed. only academically, but also Writing has become more socially. It is very important for rigorous this year as we have students to do the best they been introducing a new can and be a person of good curriculum. We began the year character in the process. writing narrative stories and have Parents, we challenge now switched gears into you to ask yourselves: “Does informational writing. The goal of my child read fluently and with this unit is to have students select comprehension? Does my child a topic they feel they are an know addition, subtraction and “expert” at and create a book. multiplication facts accurately? During this unit, students will do Does my child work diligently research to strengthen their on these things at home?” If expertise. Although this has been you can answer a resounding a very thought-provoking and time “YES” to these questions then consuming process, students you can have confidence that have flourished as writers. your child will be ready for the In reading, students have next level of learning. As a been experiencing close reading team, we all want children to skills, literature circles, using text grow and find success. Success happens with school Happy Birthday!

February: Talia Backes, Zoie Berglund, Kylie Bird, Zachary Bone , Anya Brady, Hannah Brandner, Madelynn Bult, Kelsy Costello, Chloe DePew, Haleigh Frasier, Kara French, Katelyn Hamm, Carson Hautala, Layton Hawk Wing, Bonnie Hawley, Alasen Jacobs, Spencer Jones, Lauren Krambeck, Kaylee Langstraat, Gavin Ligtenberg, Kayson Mendoza, Rose Miles, Jersey Moore, Darren Neiger, Carley Novotny, Kaytlynn Nunez, Allison Ogden, Rheanna Page, Isaiah Ratzsch, Justin Ruland, Tiana Rust, Irelyn Salisbury, Ashlee Schrempp, Hailey Scott, Connor Sheehan, Mae Soyland, Juliette Spotten, Lilly Sweeney, Jacinta Thompson, Syler VanHout, Owen Volk, Keyton Webb, Ronan Wheaton, Morgan White, Anthony Whiting, Tori Williamson, Andrew Zimmerman

“ The Character School Reach trait for The Meade School District track which phone numbers contact the office. Since this has acquired a program are not being reached. is an automated system, it February is that allows us to may appear that there is a communicate with our You may not be receiving live person receiving the call the calls if: “Courtesy” families. The program is if it starts with “Hi” or “Hello.” called School Reach. This 1. Your phone number Change your message to Graciousness, program is a telephone has changed and you begin “You have reached…” system that provides us have not notified the or “This is…” Politeness, with a tool to notify you of school. special events, school We feel that the automated system will help us to keep Consideration, cancellations, and other 2. Your message on your relevant information. answering service you posted on important events. Good Manners, begins with “Hi” or At this time, we have “Hello.” launched phone calls to Appreciation.” homes and cell phones. If you have changed your

The system allows us to phone numbers, please

School Board Policies File: EBC alter selected bus routes, television stations or dismiss school early KOTA, KEVN, and EMERGENCY when hazardous weather KNBN. If school is PROCEDURES or other emergencies closed during the day threaten the health or and buses cannot run, The superintendent shall be safety of students and parents are responsible r e s p o n s i b l e f o r personnel. Parents will for making implementing appropriate be informed of these arrangements for their emergency procedures for actions on radio stations children. preparedness in case of fire, KBHB, KRCS, KTOQ, LEGAL REFS.: ARSD civil emergency and natural KIMM, KGGG, KFXS, 24:03:03:03 disaster. KOUT, KKLS, KKMK, The superintendent may KDDX, KZZI, KSQY, close the District schools, and KDSJ, and on News from Nurses

A New Year means Setting New Goals!

1. Define the Word “Goal”: Make sure students know what the word “goal” means. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word goal as “something that you are trying to do or achieve.”

2. Teach the Importance of Setting Goals: Once students know the meaning of the word “goal,” now it’s time to teach them the importance of setting a goal. To help you do this, read the following to your students: Setting a goal will:  Improve your confidence.  Help you make better decisions.  Give you motivation in life.

3. Set Realistic Goals: Help your students set small, achievable goals that can be achieved quickly. Then, once they grasp this concept, you can have them set more goals. Have students focus on which goals are most important

4. Help Improve Unrealistic Goals: Some students may dream big, maybe too big, and you know that this goal will be unachievable. Instead of telling the student that they cannot do it, help them refine their goal into something you know they will be able to achieve.

5. Develop a Step-by-Step Method to Achieving the Goal: Once students have set their goals, it’s time to develop a step-by-step method to achieving this goal.

6. Visually Create Your Goal: A visual reminder is a great way to help students physically see what their goal is. 7. Keep in Mind the Time Factor: Make sure students set a timeline to achieve their goal.

8. Have a Monthly Conference: Each month, have a conference with each student to see how their goals are developing.

9. Set Up a Reward: The reward may be achieving the goal in itself, but for some goals a little something extra will make achieving that goal even better.

10. Celebrate Once a Goal is Achieved: Hooray! You have achieved your goal! Now it’s time to celebrate!

NPEF will be doing a Vision Screening At Piedmont Valley Elementary February 4 and At Sturgis Elementary School February 11th. ALL 1st, 3rd, and 5th Graders will be tested. The Dental Bus will be at Piedmont Valley Elementary February 8-12

District Mission

“To Build Knowledge and Skills for Success Today and Tomorrow”

Our Vision: "Meade School District will work in conjunction with its community to provide excellent academics and co -curricular activities that develop life-long learners and productive citizens.”

CONTACTS Piedmont Valley Elementary Ginger Johnson Don’t Forget! 605.787.5295 phone Family Services Worker 605.787.5954 fax  Your child must be up to date on his/her immunizations before www.meade.k12.sd.us Barb Wagner starting school! Mr. Ethan Dschaak Food Service Principal  School starts at 7:40 AM for 3-6 Julie Dobler grade Kelli Wilson Nurse  School starts at 7:50 AM for K-2 Cara Wise grade Piedmont Valley Elementary Administrative Assistants  Call the office if your child is going to be absent from school 787 Julie Nelson -5295 Kellie Thomas Counselors

Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development By: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers these age-appropriate ways that parents can engage their young children to help develop speech and language abilities. Birth to 2 Years

• Encourage your baby to make vowel-like and consonant-vowel sounds such as "ma," "da," and "ba." • Reinforce attempts by maintaining eye contact, responding with speech, and imitating vocalizations using different patterns and emphasis. For example, raise the pitch of your voice to indicate a question.

Imitate your baby's laughter and facial expressions.

• Teach your baby to imitate your actions, including clapping you hands, throwing kisses, and playing finger games such as pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo, and the itsy-bitsy-spider. • Talk as you bathe, feed, and dress your baby. Talk about what you are doing, where you are going, what you will do when you arrive, and who and what you will see. • Identify colors. • Count items. • Use gestures such as waving goodbye to help convey meaning. • Introduce animal sounds to associate a sound with a specific meaning: "The doggie says woof-woof." • Acknowledge the attempt to communicate. • Expand on single words your baby uses: "Here is Mama. Mama loves you. Where is baby? Here is baby."

Read to your child. Sometimes "reading" is simply describing the pictures in a book without following the written words. Choose books that are sturdy and have large colorful pictures that are not too detailed. Ask your child, "What's this?" and encourage naming and pointing to familiar objects in the book. 2 to 4 Years

• Use good speech that is clear and simple for your child to model.

Repeat what your child says indicating that you understand. Build and expand on what was said. "Want juice? I have juice. I have apple juice. Do you want apple juice?"

• Use baby talk only if needed to convey the message and when accompanied by the adult word. "It is time for din-din. We will have dinner now." • Make a scrapbook of favorite or familiar things by cutting out pictures. Group them into categories, such as things to ride on, things to eat, things for dessert, fruits, things to play with. Create silly pictures by mixing and matching pictures. Glue a picture of a dog behind the wheel of a car. Talk about what is wrong with the picture and ways to "fix" it. Count items pictured in the book. • Help your child understand and ask questions. Play the yes-no game. Ask questions such as "Are you a boy?" "Are you Marty?" "Can a pig fly?" Encourage your child to make up questions and try to fool you. • Ask questions that require a choice. "Do you want an apple or an orange?" "Do you want to wear your red or blue shirt?" • Expand vocabulary. Name body parts, and identify what you do with them. "This is my nose. I can smell flowers, brownies, popcorn, and soap." • Sing simple songs and recite nursery rhymes to show the rhythm and pattern of speech. • Place familiar objects in a container. Have your child remove the object and tell you what it is called and how to use it. "This is my ball. I bounce it. I play with it." • Use photographs of familiar people and places, and retell what happened or make up a new story. 4 to 6 Years

• When your child starts a conversation, give your full attention whenever possible. • Make sure that you have your child's attention before you speak. • Acknowledge, encourage, and praise all attempts to speak. Show that you understand the word or phrase by fulfilling the request, if appropriate. • Pause after speaking. This gives your child a chance to continue the conversation. Continue to build vocabulary. Introduce a new word and offer its definition, or use it in a context that is easily understood. This may be done in an exaggerated, humorous manner. "I think I will drive the vehicle to the store. I am too tired to walk." • Talk about spatial relationships (first, middle, and last; right and left) and opposites (up and down; on and off). • Offer a description or clues, and have your child identify what you are describing: "We use it to sweep the floor" (a broom). "It is cold, sweet, and good for dessert. I like strawberry" (ice cream).

Work on forming and explaining categories. Identify the thing that does not belong in a group of similar objects: "A shoe does not belong with an apple and an orange because you can't eat it; it is not round; it is not a fruit."Help your child follow two- and three-step directions: "Go to your room, and bring me your book."

• Encourage your child to give directions. Follow his or her directions as he or she explains how to build a tower of blocks. • Play games with your child such as "house." Exchange roles in the family, with you pretending to be the child. Talk about the different rooms and furnishings in the house. • The television also can serve as a valuable tool. Talk about what the child is watching. Have him or her guess what might happen next. Talk about the characters. Are they happy or sad? Ask your child to tell you what has happened in the story. Act out a scene together, and make up a different ending. • Take advantage of daily activities. For example, while in the kitchen, encourage your child to name the utensils needed. Discuss the foods on the menu, their color, texture, and taste. Where does the food come from? Which foods do you like? Which do you dislike? Who will clean up? Emphasize the use of prepositions by asking him or her to put the napkin on the table, in your lap, or under the spoon. Identify who the napkin belongs to: "It is my napkin." "It is Daddy's." "It is John's." • While shopping for groceries, discuss what you will buy, how many you need, and what you will make. Discuss the size (large or small), shape (long, round, square), and weight (heavy or light) of the packages.

Reprinted with permission from Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development (2008). Available from the website of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Parent-Stim-Activities.htm. All rights reserved.