Building Healthy Communities

This year our school is involved in a program called Building Healthy Com-

munities. It is a school-wide health initiative that gives students opportuni-

ties to make healthy choices. This awesome program uses a school-wide approach that engages

principals, classroom and P.E. teachers, after-school club advisors, other staff members, and

parents to encourage our students to choose healthy foods and be physically active every day!

Building Healthy Communities combines nutrition education with physical activity to make our

school a healthier place to learn.

Our school will receive:

Nutrition education lessons taught by a Healthy School Coordinator in all K-5 classrooms. Each

lesson includes a nutrition activity, physical activity break, and some will include a healthy food

tasting to expose children to nutritious foods that might be new to them. Training and resources

for P.E. teachers and lots of equipment for the gym and playground. Support from United Dairy

Industry of Michigan’s Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative to plan physical activity and healthy eating

events.

Parent Teachers Conferences

Questions to Ask at a School Conference (October 1st & 2nd) · Is my child performing at grade level in basic skills? Above/Below? Math/Reading?

· What are the objectives my child is supposed to attain? How do these objectives lead to the

overall goal for the course/grade?

· What achievement, intelligence, or vocational aptitude tests have been given to my child in

the past year? What do the scores mean? (Be very specific and be sure you understand

completely what the reported scores mean).

· What are my child's strengths and weaknesses in major subject areas?

· What subject does my child enjoy most?

· Can we together go over some examples of my child's class work?

· Does my child need special help in any academic subject?

· Who are my child's friends and how does he or she interact with other children?

· Has my child regularly completed assigned homework?

· Has my child attended class regularly?

· Have you observed any changes in learning progress during the year? Has learning im-

proved or declined during the year?

Educationally,

Dr. Ticheal Jones

A Note From the Principal

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

A Note from

the Principal

1

Important

Dates

2

After School

Chats

2

News from

Ms. Hetzel

3

News from

Mr. Hurd

4

DAVID

ELLIS

ACADEMY

WEST The Buzz From the Eagle’s Nest O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 3 I S S U E 2 1

Were on the Web!

www.deawest.com

P A G E 2

Mission Statement

The educational

family of David Ellis

Academy will

provide a safe and

supportive

environment to

prepare the

children of today to

be the leaders of

tomorrow. We will

promote, nurture,

and encourage

academic mastery

to inspire lifelong learning in a global

society.

Get Involved: Join

the Parent

Support Group

Today!

Important Dates October

Monday, Oct. 6, 2014 First day of school for our PreK (GSRP) students. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 Kindergarten only 3:35-5:00pm – Dance team try outs.

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014 Grades 1& 2 only 3:35-5:00pm – Dance team try outs.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 Grades 3 & 4 only 3:35-5:00pm – Dance team try outs.

October 6-10, 2014 Mobile Dentist.

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014 Karate/Self Defense program begins 4:00-5:45 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 Academy Anti-Bullying March @ 1:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 13, 2014 Columbus Day.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 4th Friday – sDEA T-shirt, jeans & gym shoes.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 Big Breakfast.

November

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014 Daylight savings time ends. Turn your clocks back 1 hour.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 Staff Professional Development. No school for students.

Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 Report cards issued.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 Veteran’s day. ½ day of school. Dismissal @ 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014 ½ day of school. Dismissal @ 11:15 a.m.

Nov. 27-28, 2014 Thanksgiving break. School closed.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

KidZone is

OPEN 11:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1/2 day of school dismissal is at 11:15 a.m.

Parent Teacher Conferences

12:30—3:15 p.m.

From The Desk Of: Ms. Hetzel

P A G E 3 V O L U M E I I S S U E 1

Tips for Parents - School and Teacher Relationships Research shows that one of the most important factors that affect a child's performance in school is parental involve-ment. All too often, parents assume that just sending their children to school and looking at their report cards is enough. Not true! If you want to be involved, if you want to actively participate in the relationship between your child and the school, there are some things you can do to make this relationship positive and productive.

Methods for Parents to Get to Know Their Child's School Better First of all, don't just show up at the school; make an appointment to visit. After you've made an appointment, go to the school; look around, talk to people. As appropriate, call or write to your child's teachers. Talk to other parents about their experiences. Take time to read the school newsletter. It may not always be convenient, but try to attend school functions such as open houses and Parent Support Group meetings. How Parents can Help with their Children's Homework There are things you can do that will help your child do assigned homework and that result in learning, which, after all, is the reason for being in school. Communicate with your child about school. This includes talking to him about his friends, activities, teachers, and as-signments. Show enthusiasm about school and homework. Set realistic goals for your child, and then focus on one at a time. Help your child get organized. Break down assignments into smaller, more manageable parts. Set out needed items (clothes, homework, permission slips, etc.) the night before to avoid last-minute rushing around in the morning. Provide a quiet study corner in your home complete with paper, markers, a ruler, pencils and a dictionary. Never do your child's homework! Check with your child's teacher about correcting homework. Expect, and praise genuine progress and effort. An opinion: don't praise or otherwise reward your child for doing what you and he know is expected. This practice leads you down a slippery slope, often with really bad consequences for you and your child. Be specific when you do praise something. Focus on your child's strengths in school. Build associations between what is taught and what your child already knows and understands. Incorporate concrete materials and examples whenever possible, especially with younger children. Try to help your child learn about the subject in more than one way, using as many senses as possible. Separate your child's school weaknesses from your child. If your child fails a test, that is all the child fails. He or she is not a failure. One more thing: Never do your child's homework!

October is National Anti Bullying Month Please plan to join David Ellis Academy West, Beech Elementary & Redford Ser-vice Learning Academy during our annual Anti-Bullying March. The march will be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 1:45 p.m. All parents & families are encouraged to attend. You don’t want to miss this event!!!

Five Tips to Help Parents Prevent Bullying Parents and guardians are among a school's best allies in bullying prevention:

Talk with and Listen to Your Children Everyday Ask questions about their school

day, including experiences on the way to and from school, lunch, and recess. Ask about

their peers. Children who feel comfortable talking to their parents about these matters be-

fore they are involved in bullying are more likely to get them involved after. Volunteer time at school/school events. Volunteer to coordinate games and activities

that encourage children to interact with peers aside from their best friends. Ask teachers

how you can assist with class projects that foster peer collaboration, etc. outside of

school. Be a Good Example When you get angry at waiters, other drivers or others, model

effective communication techniques. A general rule of thumb, "Any time you speak to

another person in a mean or abusive way, you're teaching your child that bullying is ok." Create Healthy Anti-Bullying Habits Starting as young as possible, coach your chil-

dren on both what not to do (push, tease, and be mean to others) as well as what to do (be

kind, empathize, and take turns). Also coach your child on what to do if someone is mean

to him/her or to another child (get an adult, tell the bully to stop, walk away and ignore

the bully).

Make Sure Your Child Understands Bullying Explicitly

explain what it is and that it's not normal or tolerable for them to

bully, be bullied, or stand by and watch other kids be bullied.

From The Desk Of Mr. Hurd

SAVE THE DATE

The Academy is hosting our annual Autumn Festival on

Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. All

DEA West K-4 students are welcome to participate in

the food, games, candy and fun!

Costumes are not required but will be allowed pro-

vided that they are nonviolent and appropriate.

Masks are permitted but full head coverings are not

allowed. Costumes that reflect the autumn season

are preferred.

The cost for this event is $3.00 or you can donate 3

large bags of candy. More information will be forth

coming about the event!

Autumn Fest