September 21, 2007
From the Principal…
Dear Families,
Well the first month of school is quickly coming to an end! September has really been focused on getting back into routines and making new friendships with classmates and teachers. I see smiling faces in classrooms, in the hallways, and on the playground. It is a joy to spend the day with your children! I am proud to say that I have learned a lot of names already!
Academically, teachers have been completing literacy assessments on all students to find out what skills they have and what students’ reading levels are so teachers can begin focused guided reading groups. We have high expectations for student achievement at LER and will work very hard to meet the needs of every student.
If you ever have a concern about your child, please contact your child’s teacher. We believe that the partnership between school and home is invaluable in promoting, encouraging, and supporting your child’s learning. I especially want to thank the parents who have called or come in to speak with me about concerns, suggestions, and ideas they want to share.
A communication tool that I have been working on recently is our school website. Please be sure to take a peek at it. There is some really good information linked to the district site and some great pictures of staff and students. The LER website is still being worked on…so stay tuned!!
Yours in the service of children,
Mrs. Moody, Principal
Upcoming Events
September
24th: Fall Fundraiser kick-off assembly @ 1:30
25th: Walking School Bus @ 7:55
26th: Maine Harvest Day Lunch
27th: School Assembly @ 8:45 - 9:15
27th: Planning meeting for Octoberfest,6:00 @ LER
28th: School pictures for K-2
October
2nd: Walking School Bus @ 7:55
2nd: PTA meeting, 6:00 @ River View (Please note the new date)
5th: Teacher Workshop Day - no school for students
8th: Columbus Day- no school
9th: Walking School Bus @ 7:55
13th: Octoberfest @ 11:00 - 3:00
14th: Rain date for Octoberfest
16th: Walking School Bus @ 7:55
17th: Early Release Day, students dismissed @ 12:30
23rd: Walking School Bus @ 7:55
30th: Walking School Bus @ 7:55
Early Release Days
Our next Early Release day will be Wednesday, October 17th. Elementary school students are dismissed at 12:30.
Walking School Bus
Our walking school bus takes place every Tuesday at 7:55, weather permitting. Join us at the Common and walk to school together! Parents are always welcome to join us.
GEPTA News
Thanks to all who attended the September meeting of the Gardiner Elementary Parent Teacher Association (GEPTA). We were happy to see the strong turnout of parents and teachers and have started some great planning to support the River View and LER communities this year.
Our first major undertaking is Octoberfest. There will be an Octoberfest planning meeting for anyone interested in helping out on Thursday, September 27 at 6 p.m. in the LER library. All are welcome! Octoberfest will be on Saturday, October 13 from 11-3 at the Gardiner Common. Volunteers are still needed, as well as baked goods and other donations.
Please note a change in the date of our next meeting -- GEPTA will meet next Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. at River View Community school. Meetings will normally be held on the first Tuesday of the month.
Box Tops for Education
LER will be holding monthly Box Top collection contests. Be watching for the scarecrow and pumpkin sheet that will be coming home with your student next week, and be ready to fill each pumpkin with a Box Top for Education symbol worth 10 cents to our school. Students can return their sheets to the collection box in each classroom, and the classroom collecting the most Box Tops each month will win a prize!
Maine Dental Health Out-Reach
Maine Dental Health Out-Reach will be visiting the schools in our district again this year to provide services to eligible students. Please look for the information coming home with your student today and review it carefully.
Maine Schools Celebrate Harvest Day Lunch
On Wednesday, September 26th, LER will join all Maine schools in a Harvest Day Lunch. All of the food served to our students will come from local sources such as West Gardiner Beef, Bailey’s Orchards in Whitefield, and Seaman’s Farm in Litchfield.
Volunteer/Community Service Opportunity
Sue Williamson, our District Math Coordinator, is looking for volunteers to help with photocopying, cutting, laminating, sorting, and other tasks needed to assemble math games for our students. Some of the
work could be done at home. Please call LER at 582-3612 or e-mail swilliamson@msad11.org for more information.
Note from the Office
If you know you will be picking up your child from school, please send in a note or call the office. This way we can have your child ready for pick up at 2:55.
Also, if your child is sick and won’t be in school, please call the office to let us know.
Thank you!
Walking School Bus
Our next walking school bus day will be September 25th at 7:55. Every Tuesday, students may be dropped off at the Common by parents to walk to school with Mrs. Moody, Anthony Anderson (District Health Coordinator), and staff members. Parents are also welcome to join us! It is a great way to start the day!!
Toys and Balls at School
Toys should not be brought to school unless they are “Show and Tell” items. Otherwise, they can be quite a distraction for children and, at times, cause a crisis if they get broken or lost. Students should not bring electronic games and cell phones to school.
Assembly Day
Our first school assembly will be on Thursday, September 27th at 8:45-9:15. Assemblies are a wonderful way of celebrating and enjoying our school community. We welcome classes, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, recognize Star Students of the month, have classroom presentations, and do a movement activity as a whole school. Parents are welcome to join us! Mrs. Smith’s and Mrs. Canning’s classes will be performing at our first assembly.
Thank you, Ginger Shaw!
Ginger has lined our playground and donated soccer nets, soccer balls, and basketballs. The kids are truly enjoying the variety of ball games at recess! Take a look on our website! Ginger, you are great!
Star Students
Each week, we recognize a Star Student from each classroom. Each teacher chooses a student who has demonstrated the character skill of the month. Star students receive a certificate, a special pencil, and has his or her picture taken for our Star Student bulletin board in the lobby. Stop by and check it out!
School Picture Day
Lifetouch will be here to take school pictures on Friday, September 28th for our k-2 students. Pre-K will be photographed at a later date. More information will be coming home with your student soon!
Spare Clothing
It would be helpful for each student to have a complete change of clothing to be kept at school or in his/her backpack. It is sometimes not convenient for parents to bring clothing in if a child spills a snack, falls in a puddle, or needs extra clothing during the school day for any reason.
Helping Reluctant Readers
From the Health and Parenting Experts at KidsHealth.org
Growing with Words
For many kids, reading just doesn’t come easily. Some kids have difficulty connecting letters and their corresponding sounds. Others have yet to discover that special enchanting story that grabs the imagination and shows just how fun reading can be. For all kids, though, being at ease with letters, their sounds, and words is an important foundation for learning throughout life.
Here are a few simple ways to help kids become eager readers:
START WITH YOUR CHILD'S PICKS
Comics or joke books may not be your first choice to cultivate literacy, but they can motivate kids to read.
Don’t worry that these texts may not be substantial enough. They can play important roles in helping kids understand some fundamentals, like how events take place in a sequence and stories are laid out. They also help build vocabulary and show that books can be visually appealing. Once your child becomes comfortable with the experience of reading, you can encourage other literature selections with a variety of challenging content.
READ AND REREAD AND REREAD
Many kids reach for the same books over and over again. That’s OK. Through repetition kids can master the text and eventually sail through it with ease and confidence. Each new reading of the book may also help them understand it just a little better. And that positive experience may inspire them to give new books a try.
READ ALOUD
By reading aloud, you can help build your child’s vocabulary, show that you enjoy reading for fun, and help your child connect sounds with letters on the page. Above all, reading aloud provides together time that you’ll both treasure. And it doesn’t have to end once kids get older. The comfort of a parent’s voice and undivided attention is something kids never outgrow.
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO READ AND WRITE BEYOND THE PAGES
Provide your child with many rewarding chances to read every day. Write notes to your child and leave them on a pillow, in a lunchbox, or in a pocket. Ask friends and relatives to send postcards and letters. Leave magnetic letters and words on the refrigerator, and you may find your child spontaneously creating words, sentences, and stories. On road trips or errands, play word games that strengthen language skills. You might try “I Spy” (“I spy something that starts with an a…”) or games where you pick a category like “food” and then everyone has to name foods that begin with a certain letter. Your child might like reading signs you see while you’re on the road, like those on well-known restaurants.
GET HELP IF YOU'RE WORRIED
If you’re concerned about your child’s ability and willingness to read, don’t wait to get help. Consult with your child’s doctor or teacher. If they share your concern, they may be able to suggest resources to help your child become an eager reader.
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