march 2018 mark twain monitor - fraser public schools · 2018-03-05 · the mark twain monitor...

the

Mark Twain Monitor Laura Woods, Principal

M A R C H 2 0 1 8

From the Principal’s Desk In the past few weeks, the issue of school safety has been brought to the forefront once again by the tragic events in Florida. Our district, like most others, continues to look at safety procedures in our schools, looking for areas of improvement to keep our schools as safe as possible. This is a good time to review of few of our most important safety procedures here at Mark Twain that help us to keep all children safe. Please take a minute to look these over so that you are partnering with us to keep Mark Twain a safe learning environment for all of our students. Parking Lot

• Please follow all parking lot safety guidelines. We’ve improved the lot a great deal this year; let’s continue to follow safety protocols to keep children safe in the parking lot. This includes staying off of your phones during drop-off and pick-up to ensure your full attention is on the children. This also includes moving SLOWLY through the parking lot at all times.

Adults En ter ing th e Bui lding

• Parents, visitors, and guests should ONLY enter Mark Twain through our front entrance. You must then wait to get buzzed in to the office, and you should NEVER walk past the desk and head into the building for any reason without permission and a visitor badge. (Remember, to volunteer in a classroom or on a field trip, you must have an up-to-date background check on file. Those are re-checked quarterly.)

• At dismissal time, you may NOT enter the building through any of the other doors where we dismiss students to go to a classroom or talk to a staff member. You must ALWAYS check in through the front office, and you must have a pre-scheduled appointment to meet with any staff member. This is how we keep tabs on who is in the building and when. It is for the protection of all of our Twain children, and we need everyone to follow this procedure.

• Likewise, you must never walk through the building without a badge or unaccompanied by Twain staff when school children are present. (This includes during Latch Key time.) Remember, we cannot allow students/ parents into classrooms after 4pm to get forgotten items. We have moved our Lost & Found to the Front office to make it easier for parents to get to it.

Other Reminders

• Please remind your children to never prop outside school doors open for any reason. Likewise, remind them to never open outer school doors if someone were to knock on them when they’re in the hallway. We have signs on all of our doors reminding students of this as well.

• Please talk to your children about the seriousness of their words. We need all students to understand that their words have consequences and that phrases like “I’m going to kill you!” have to be investigated as potentially serious threats.

We appreciate your support on these items as we continue to evaluate our safety protocols. I always tell students that our number one job is to keep them safe, and we take that very seriously. We know that children who feel safe are in the best position to be successful learners, and we are working very hard every day to create a safe, effective learning environment for all of our Mark Twain Comets. Looking forward to a great March! Mrs. Laura Woods Principal

THE MARK TWAIN MONITOR MARCH 2018

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Spring conferences are somewhat different from those in the fall. Not all parents’ are scheduled during spring conferences. However, any parent wishing to speak with a teacher is encouraged to do so. You will soon receive a conference questionnaire from your child’s teacher. Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 15 in the afternoon and evening. Students will attend school during the morning. They will be dismissed at 12:00 noon. Students will have school on Friday, March 16.

Important Dates to Remember

Spring Conferences

March 8/9 - Half Day – 12:00 noon dismissal

March 15 - Half Day – 12:00 noon dismissal

March 21-22 - Kindergarten Assessment testing

March 29 - Spring Pictures

March 30-April 8 - No School – Easter/Spring

Spring Book Fair Mark Twain will be holding a spring book fair to celebrate March Reading Month. The

Scholastic Paws for Books fair will be March 12th- 16th. The book fair will be open: March 12th – March 15th 8:30 am – 3:45 pm. March 15th (evening) from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm March 16th 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. If you wish to shop online, the online book fair will be March 5th – 17th http://www.scholastic.com/bf/marktwain2017

February Student of the Month

Morgan Sadik

Brooklyn Phillips

Robert Blehm

Sage Fobare

Anisten Bochenek

Amelia Rubley

Alanah Kamara

Brady Conser

Sebastian Jenkins

Alexander Koehler

Madison Bursott

Connor Sikorski

Casey Savoie

Fadi Alawabdeh

Joseph Oluwole

Zoey Klamo


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March is Reading Month! Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant

difference in helping children develop into good readers and writers. Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful

impact on children’s literacy and learning.

SPRING INTO READING

ü Invite a child to read with you every day. ü When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you

read. This will help the child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word he or she says is the word he or she sees.

ü Read a child’s favorite book over and over again ü Read many stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat. Invite the

child to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as he or she reads along with you. ü Discuss new words. For example, “This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in

a palace. ü Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the story. ü Read from a variety of children’s books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and

information books.

Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Children who can’t read well, can’t learn. Help make a difference for a child.

In celebration of March is Reading Month; Mark Twain has many exciting events planned. Our theme this year is “Hit a Home Run With a Good Book”. Beginning Thursday, March 1st, all students will be asked to set aside an allotted amount of time each day to relax and read. Your child may read silently, aloud or have you read to them. GOAL: Grades KDG – 2nd: Read 15 minutes per day. Grades 3rd – 6th: Read 30 minutes per day.

Please return ONE READING SLIP PER WEEK to your child’s teacher with the child’s

name and parent signature on Mondays, March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. Each student that

reaches their monthly goal will be rewarded with a free ticket to a baseball game at Jimmy

John’s Field on a Ribbi’s Rad Readers Reading Program game date.

Use the fun filled activity calendar on page 7 to keep track of your minutes. HAPPY READING!!! Mrs. Khoury, Media Technician


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INK JET & LASER CARTRIDGES

Don’t forget to bring in those used ink jet and laser cartridges – we are recycling them and will purchase new ink cartridges with money received. There is a box in the Media Center – just place cartridges in a plastic bag and send it in with your student.

LOST AND FOUND

If your child is missing anything, please come by and check out our Lost and Found in the Main Office. There are coats, hats, gloves, lunch boxes, etc. Anything that is still here at Spring break will be given to a charity.

The parents club would like to thank all the parents who volunteered at the Daddy Daughter Dance and donated the delicious treats. The dance was a success because of your time and effort.

Upcoming Parent Club Events:

Chuck E. Cheese Night –March 8

MTPC meeting–March 13

Great Skate–March 15

Bingo Night–March 21

Ram’s Horn Dinner Night–March 22

Has your income change d re ce ntly? If s o you can fill out a ne w fre e /re duce d me al application at any time . Pleas e go to www.lunchapp.com.

KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENTS

Mark Twain will host a Kindergarten Assessment on Wednesday, March 21st and Thursday, March 22nd from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. You can go online at http://bit.ly/TwainTest2018 and signup for your child to take the assessment.

All registrations will take place at the Fraser Administrative Building at 33466 Garfield, Fraser MI 48026. You may go online at https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/enroll to fill out the registration form in advance.

We ask that you bring the printed registration packet, 3 pieces of proof of residency, including mortgage papers, rental or lease agreement, utility bill with your name and address, birth certificate, and immunization record in order to register your child. Vision and hearing screening results are also necessary before kindergarten begins in the fall.

If you are unable to make this assessment date or need help scheduling your child’s assessment please call the school office at 586-439-6900.

Spring Picture Day

Spring Picture Day has been scheduled for Thursday, March 29, 2018.


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Mark Twain R.O.C.K.S Each day here at Mark Twain we have almost 400 students who come through our cafeteria at lunchtime. Have you ever eaten with 50 first graders? It is quite an experience.

As a school we have decided to focus on proper etiquette and behavior during our lunch period to help our students enjoy their eating experience more.

Along with the Cafeteria, we are also going to revisit recess rules. With the warmer weather approaching, our students are going to be able to enjoy the

fresh air again so we felt this would be a perfect time. Please take a moment and read over the R.O.C.K.S. expectations with your children. Together we can make Mark Twain the best that it can be!!

On the Playground • Have equipment ready

• Listen for whistle

• Enter and Exit quietly

• Keep hands, feet, and objects to self

• Use equipment properly

• Stay within playground boundaries

• Share equipment

• Include everyone

• Use appropriate language

• Follow adult directions without comment

• Keep body dry

• Bring equipment back in the building after use

• Own your actions

In the Lunchroom • Use quiet signal

• Put Lunch in basket

• Have ticket ready

• Enter and Exit quietly

• Avoid running, touching, pushing

• Avoid throwing food or drinks

• Chew with mouth closed

• Use indoor voice

• Use appropriate language

• Follow directions the first time given

• Clean up your area when you are done

• Put all garbage in trash cans

• Clean up spills


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1. Children enjoy it.

2. It develops a desire to read in children.

3. It increases children’s understanding of our language.

4. It helps children learn to read and improve their reading.

5. It develops vocabulary and comprehension abilities.

6. It enhances imagination and helps children become aware of themselves and others.

7. It is a great conversation starter.

8. It increases their knowledge of the world, literature, and themselves.

9. It allows children to hear stories that are above their reading level that they are able to understand and enjoy.

10. It is a shared experience that brings families together.

10 Reasons to Read Aloud to Your Children

Congratulations to the students whom their teacher has selected, for being recognized by the Roseville Optimist Club for their outstanding contributions in a positive way to their school and community:

1st grade – Neveah Hess and James Shields

2nd grade – Amelia Rubley and Nathan Zielkowski

3rd grade – Alanah Kamara and Nicholas Ruhlman

4th grade – Alex Nash and Ashlee Williams

5th grade – Donovan Stukes and Jamie Klein

6th grade – Casey Savoie and Nebuchadnezzar Horton

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself:

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you

meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect

only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you

are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater

achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every

living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you

have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

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March Reading Activity Calendar Theme: Hit a Home Run With a Good Book

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Slip into a

good book. Wear your favorite slippers

2 Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. Read a Dr. Seuss book

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4 5 Reading slip due for week 1

6 Team Spirit Reading Day. Wear your favorite team shirt.

7 Sock it to me reading day. Wear your crazy socks.

8 Read my hat day. Wear a hat for everyone to read.

9 Wear your Twain gear or school colors.

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13 Cozy up with a good book. Wear your PJs.

14Readers are great leaders. Dress for the job you would like to have.

15 Wear green for St. Patrick’s day.


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20 Reading is no sweat. Wear your favorite sweats.

21 All star read. Wear your favorite sport’s team clothes.

22 Reading gives you superpowers. Dress like your favorite super hero.


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27 I love my books. Dress in red or pink.

28 Read to your pets. Bring a stuffed animal. / Crazy hair day.

29 Picture day/Dress up.

30 No School.

31 All students that meet the goal will win a ticket to a baseball game at Jimmy John’s Field.

The goal is for all K-2 students to read 15 minutes a day and grade 3-6 to read 30 minutes a day. (Week 1 is a short week) Reading slips are available in the Main Office if needed.

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Twain Happenings

Chess Club

100th day puzzles

Restaurant reviews

Sled dogs visit Twain

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THU

March 8

Half Day - 12 noon dismissal Chuck E. Cheese Night 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

FRI March 9 Half Day - 12 noon dismissal TUE March 13 MTPC 7:00 p.m. Media Center THU

March 15

Half Day - 12 noon dismissal Parent/Teacher Conf. afternoon and evening Great Skate 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WED

March 21

Kindergarten Assessments Bingo Night 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Gym

THU

March 22

Kindergarten Assessments Ram’s Horn Dinner Night 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

SAT March 24 Science Olympiad THU March 29 Spring Pictures FRI-SUN March 30 – April 8 Easter/Spring Break TUE April 10 MTPC 7:00 p.m. Media Center WED April 11 Great Skate 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. MON April 23 6th grade camp begins TUE April 24 Spring Concert 7:00 p.m. FHS grades 1-3 THU April 26 Early Release 1:30 p.m. dismissal

Calendar of Events


®

Home&SchoolWorking Together for School Success CONNECTIONMarch 2018

© 2018 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

Being respectful is one way your youngster can build strong relationships with teachers, classmates, and family members. Here are tips for helping her understand and show respect.

Imagine your powers!If your child were

a respect “superhero,” what would her super-powers be? Let her draw a picture of herself in this role. She might be carrying a backpack full of supplies for writing thank-you notes. Or perhaps she’ll be wearing a bracelet with a “grab-ber” that picks up litter to show respect for the environment.

Roll for respectHave your youngster number a sheet

of paper 1–6. Beside each number, she could list a person (custodian, bus driver, neighbor). Take turns rolling a die and naming a way to show respect for that person. If 2 is for bus driver, she

School eventsShow your child that

his school is important by asking about and attending events. Encour-age him to post notices about plays, award ceremonies, or talent shows on a family bulletin board. You could also put them into your electronic calendar and turn on notifications to remind you.

Musical vocabularyEnjoying music with your youngster can help her vocabulary grow. Try introducing her to your favorite songs from when you were growing up, and have her share music she likes. Together, listen for new words, and discuss their meanings.

More than half of all smokers took their first puff by age 14, so

it’s not too early to talk to your child about smoking. And with e-cigarette use on the rise, he may think they’re a safe alternative. Explain that most e-cigarettes still contain nicotine, which is addictive.

Worth quoting“We grow great by dreams.” Woodrow Wilson

Q: What do you get when you cross a rooster and a giraffe?

A: An ani-mal that can wake people on the top floor of a building.

Be “super” respectful SHORT NOTES

DID YOUKNOW?

JUST FOR FUN

Break for learning During spring break, inspire your

child to enjoy learning adventures out-side the classroom. Consider these ideas.

● Live coverage. Let your youngster practice writing and speaking by pretending to be a news reporter covering your family’s spring break. He might write about activities like playing with cousins or making his favorite meal with you. At the end of the week, invite him to read his “broadcast” to the family.

● Spot the state. Print out a United States map online, or have your child draw one, and take it in the car. Everyone calls out license plates they see from different states, and your youngster finds and colors each state on his map. How many states will he locate by the end of spring break?♥

might say, “Follow bus rules.” That dem-onstrates respect for the job he does.

Write a poemSuggest that your child write the

word RESPECT down the left side of a sheet of paper. She can make an acrostic poem by writing a way to show respect that begins with each letter in the word. Examples: “Really listen when others speak” for R, “Everyone’s equal—treat them that way” for E.♥

Mark Twain Elementary SchoolMrs. Laura Woods, Principal

© 2018 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

To provide busy parents with practical ideas that promote school success, parent involvement,

and more effective parenting.Resources for Educators,

a division of CCH Incorporated128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630

800-394-5052 • [email protected]

ISSN 1540-5621

O U R P U R P O S E

Home & School CONNECTION® March 2018 • Page 2

My fifth grader, Sadie, likes to

watch videos on a kid-friendly website. I worried that she might come across something inappropriate, so I looked at the site’s help page.

Luckily, I found several safety features. I marked Sadie’s account private and disabled the “comment” option. And I changed her search settings so mature content will be less likely to pop up.

I explained to Sadie that the changes would help keep her safe from strangers and away from videos that may upset or confuse her. But since I know settings aren’t foolproof, I told her to come to me if she sees anything that bothers her. I

also reminded her not to upload anything without my permission

and to never post personal information.

I still keep an eye on Sadie’s internet use, but I feel like she’s better protected now. Plus, she’s learning good habits for the future.♥

Protecting your child online

Ready for standardized tests

Springtime is state test time for many students. Encourage your child to do his best with this advice.

Be strategic. Suggest that your youngster use strategies that increase his chances of getting the right answer. If he has to answer multiple-choice questions about a passage, he could read the questions first so he knows what to look for in the text. For fill-in-the-blank items, he might read the sentence with each possible answer to see which one makes the most sense.

Plan before writing. Your child will do better on a short answer or essay section if he takes time to plan what he will write. This may be as simple as listing his main points on scrap paper. Then, he can write about each

point in a separate paragraph in his essay. Or he might create

an outline. His essay will be more organized, and he’ll be more likely to include all the important information.

Idea: Tell your youngster to stay calm and confident. Remind him that he has been preparing for the test simply by going to school and completing his work.♥

Build sibling bonds Q: I’d like my kids to be close, but they bicker a lot. How can I help them have a better relationship?

A: It’s common for siblings to squabble. What’s important is that they form a connection that helps them enjoy each other (at least sometimes) and handle disagreements.

Try giving them tasks that require them to rely on each other. For instance, one might wash dishes and the other dry them, and then they could put them away together. Also, encourage them to spend time doing something they both enjoy, like hitting baseballs or playing with toy dinosaurs.

Finally, use their disagreements to build their conflict-resolution skills. When they argue, let them take turns setting a timer for 1 minute and explaining their side to the other. If they can’t come up with a solution, suggest they take a break by going into separate rooms. They can try again when they’ve both calmed down and had a chance to think.♥

Grammar detectiveUsing proper grammar, spelling, and

punctuation will help your youngster write clearly and effectively. Practice together with these activities:

● Write a funny sentence that contains errors. Exam-ple: “can you talk to kan-garoos.” Let your child read it and correct your mistakes (cap-italize the C in can, put a question mark at the end). Then, she could write a sentence with errors for you to fix.

● Together, cut out words and punctua-tion marks from newspaper or magazine headlines. Put them in a bag, and have your youngster pull out one at a time until she can form a sentence using cor-rect grammar and punctuation.♥

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march 2018 mark twain monitor - fraser public schools · 2018-03-05 · the mark twain monitor...

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