ANNOUNCEMENTS

GRADE LEVEL PARENT MEETINGS – Ms. Giles, Head of School, will begin meeting with parents by grade level on Monday, January 28, according to the following schedule. All meetings will take place from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. in the Library. This is an opportunity for an informal exchange of ideas and information, and we look forward to seeing you there!

ü      Nursery/Pre-Kindergarten - Monday, January 28,    

ü      Kindergarten, Tuesday, January 29

ü      Grade 1, Wednesday, January 30

ü      Grade 2, Thursday, January 31

ü      Grade 3, Friday, February 1        

ü      Grade 4, Monday, February 4

ü      Grade 5, Tuesday, February 5

ü      Grade 6, Wednesday, February 6

ü      Grade 7, Thursday, February 7

ü      Grade 8, Friday, February 8

ü      Grades 9 and 10, Monday, February 11

ü      Grades 11 and 12, Tuesday, February 12

100th DAY OF SCHOOL AGENDA The Lower Elementary (grades Nursery, Pre-Kinder, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2) will be celebrating the 100th Day of School this coming Wednesday, January 30th. Our younger Nursery and Pre-Kinder students have an array of activities planned within their classrooms. Grades K-2 will participate in joint activities with the following schedule: 7:55-8:00 Tape colored wristband on students’ wrists (for multi-grade grouping). 8:00- 8:10a.m. Meet in the cement area that is between 1st and 2nd grade. Divide students into groups. Each teacher will take their group back to their room and begin their activity. 8:10 – 8:30 a.m. First Center 8:30 Students return to their homerooms. 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. Classes, snack and recess as normal. 10:10 -11:35 Centers:                                       K Lego Building,                                       1-A Grain Art,                                       1-B Headbands,                                       2-A Bingo,                                       2-B Scavenger Hunt 11:35-11:45 Students return to homerooms and pack–up. Early dismissal this day!

DISCOVERY SCHOOL DRAMA PRESENTS: SHAKESPEARE CAN FIX THAT! a comedy by Mr. Fenn. Opening night – Friday, March 1st, 7:00 pm. Saturday matinee on March 2nd, 1:00pm. Two college student janitors are stuck in a therapy group meeting and one of them, a reader of Shakespeare, ends up being the facilitator because the real group leader is running late.  The therapy group is a room full nuts: one believes she is a CIA operative, another makes bodily noises, then there’s the hypochondriac and the narcoleptic, and the sarcastic girl, and finally, the one who cries over everything.  Of course, a comedy wouldn’t be complete without an exploding toilet. Tickets: Prime (1st 5 rows) – 120, adult, 80, student. General – 100, adult, 70 stu. Back (cement steps) – 80 adult, 50 student.

SECOND MAP TESTING SESSION 

AT DISCOVERY SCHOOL 

We begin our second MAP testing session this week at Discovery School. Because the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments are unique, it's important that both students and parents have an understanding of the testing process. Schools use MAP results to assist them in making the best instructional desicions for their students.

There are a few things that parents can do to help our students get ready for the MAP assessments. When a student has to take the MAP, parents can do the following to help them get the best scores possible.

v     Get them to school on time. These assessments are given on a schedule, and to get the most accurate assessment of their learning levels, students need to be there for all parts of the test.

v     Make sure they have breakfast. It can be very hard for students to concentrate when they are hungry. Students need the energy that comes from a balanced breakfast every day.

v     A good night’s sleep is a key component for getting a good education on any day. When it is time for the MAP test, it is doubly important because students have to sit and read for extended periods of times without much interaction with teachers and students.

v     Encourage students about their tests and their ability to do well on it. It is important that they do the best they can on the tests, but their score doesn't define them as a student.

As MAP testing weeks go on, it is very important that students remain calm and are prepared for their daily dose of testing. Teachers will continue to walk their students through their daily tasks. School teachers and administrators will wait for the results and plan the next year's curriculum once the results are in. It is important that all students participate in the testing sesson and do the best they can. If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher or a school administrator. 

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

On Friday, January 18 there will be an all school assembly to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s who did much to elevate the status of African Americans and who progressed the state of minority rights in the United States. Because he is such a monumentally prominent figure in American history, children in the school learn something about him and his contributions to history. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated his birthday on January 15, a day that was declared a federal holiday in 1983 and first celebrated in 1986. It is observed on the third Monday in January.

 

Here are some interesting facts about Dr. King’s life. You may also want to watch the short video with your child(ren) to learn more about his life.

Graduation - Martin Luther King Jr. graduated from high school at the age of 15, fully three years before he was expected to. He also received the title of valedictorian of the class.

 

Profession - Before and during his time as a civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist preacher at a small church in Montgomery, Alabama.

 

Techniques - Martin Luther King Jr. stated several times as a civil rights activist that many of his techniques for protest were derived from his idol, Mahatma Gandhi.

 

Criminal Record - During his time as a pastor and activist, Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested a total of 20 times and was reportedly beaten at least four of those times.

 

Awards - Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was the first African American to receive that award.

Books - Martin Luther King Jr. wrote more than 10 books, four of which were best sellers --- "Stride Toward Freedom" (1958), "Why We Can't Wait" (1963), "Where Do We Go From Here?: Chaos or Community" (1967) and "The Trumpet of Conscience" (1968).

 

Assassination - Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by a white supremacist by the name of James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968, on the balcony of his room in a motel near the center of Memphis.

 

 

 

RESOLUTIONS

 New Year is the perfect time to look back into the past and make plans for the future. This New Year help your child make New Year's Resolutions and encourage them to follow them all through the year. Here are some ideas you may want to consider while talking about resolutions with your child:

New Year's Resolutions for Preschoolers

• I will brush my teeth twice a day
• I will wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
• I will clean up my toys.

New Year's Resolutions for School Age Kids

• I will do my homework in time.
• I will go to bed on time.
• I will drink milk and water, and limit sodas.
• I'll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet or to strangers.
• I'll be nice to other kids. I'll be friendly to kids who need friends - like someone who is shy, or is new to my school
• I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
• I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors
• I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I'm playing sports.
• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (skipping rope, dancing or horse riding) that I like and do it at least three times a week!

New Year's Parenting Resolutions

Here are some New Year's Parenting resolutions for Moms and Dads who want to be a more effective parent in the coming year.

I will be a Good Role Model for my Child... Parents have profound influence on the way their children grow up. This New Year give up your bad habits like procrastinating, smoking, etc and be a role model for your children.

I will make efforts to Understand my Child... Instead of complaining over your child's tantrums and unhealthy habits try and understand why he or she is behaving in that peculiar manner. This will help you understand and resolve the issue in a much better manner. This not so easy goal can be achieved by spending quality time and being patient with child.

I will Teach my Child to Eat Healthy...  Encourage your child to develop healthier eating habits which includes consuming fruits, milk and vegetables and giving up junk food. Of course, you need to practice this before you preach.

I will encourage my Child to take Regular Physical Activity...  Obesity in children is rising because of their sedentary lifestyles. It is extremely important to make your children realize the benefits of regular physical activity. Enrolling them in the sports class of their choice will be a good idea.

I will Reward My Child for His Good Behavior...  For the proper personality development of your child, it is important to praise and reward his achievements and good behavior. Besides, it is also important to show a calm and patient behavior when your child misbehaves or is in trouble. This helps him become a cool and level-headed person. 

Taken from http://www.happywink.org/newyearfestival/new-years-resolutions-for-kids.html