october '13 aces flyer
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
Principal Message Dear University Avenue ACES Families, In an attempt to reduce paper waste all future newsletters will be sent to families via e-‐mails or on our website. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of this newsletter please let the office know and we will be happy to accommodate you. This year we will be reinforcing the school district’s core character values by having a word of the month. October’s word is responsibility. These character traits are taught and celebrated at our monthly all-‐school meetings as a way to recognize all the great choices our students are making. Ask your child about the new “ACES Award” and how they can earn one. After a month of school students are hard at work exploring subjects and learning new things. As your child arrives home after school, take some time for an after school chat. Studies show when parents take an interest in what their children are learning, children will have an interest in learning.
• Set some time aside each day to go through their papers. • Look over their work together and make specific comments about something they have done.
• Have your child talk through math problems or a science experiment to share what they have learned. They should be very proud of the work they are doing in school!
On a final note, I would like to thank all the families for their continued support and patience on the implementation of the new security system. We have received nothing but positive feedback from the community on the new system. I look forward to a great school year. Your Principal, Dr. Anissa Cravens
This document will be provided in an alternate format within three days of receipt of request. Contact main office (763) 506-4500.
A.C.E.S. FLYER Vol. 3 Issue 1 October 2013 Principal Dr. Anissa Cravens
FALL CELEBRATION At University we want ALL students to be able to participate in school celebrations, parties, and events. As a school we have fun on Oct. 31 but not with parties or dressing up.
This year Crunch (the Timberwolves mascot) will be here on Oct. 31st in the afternoon to kick-‐off our November reading incentive program “Slam Dunk a Good Book”.
The PTO will also be hosting a dance the evening of Friday, Oct. 25 from 6-‐8 pm. They will have a DJ and snacks; costume attire is permitted and encouraged.
Parent-‐Teacher Conferences
Thank you for such an outstanding turn out at this fall’s parent-‐teacher conferences. By attending conferences you support your child’s education and strengthen the bond with our school. Parent involvement is an important factor for academic achievement; thank you for making conferences a priority.
Also, a BIG thank you to the PTO and University Community for providing food and snacks for the teachers during the three evenings of conferences; it was very much appreciated by ALL staff.
New Report Cards All elementary schools in our school district will begin using new report cards this year. I believe families will like them because they will provide a more complete picture of students’ work. The goal is to provide more meaningful information that families can use as partners with teachers to support their children’s learning. The new report card will provide more precise information about how well your child is meeting the district benchmarks that are designed to measure the Minnesota Academic Standards that define what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. Report cards will include marks for specific skills, such as “applies phonics and word reading skills” and “understands meaning and uses of fractions.” Teachers will give separate marks for learning habits, such as “demonstrates organizational skills” and “works well with others.” Teachers will mark only the specific standards that were studied each trimester so there will be times when some standards have no marks. Instead of the familiar E, S, N, P grades, teachers will give number grades ranging from 1 (below benchmark) to 4 (exceeds standard). If you have questions, please call your child’s classroom teacher or the office at 763-‐506-‐4500.
Automated Attendance This year our school will begin using an automated phoning system to notify parents and guardians when their children have been absent from school. You will get a call ONLY IF we did not receive a call reporting your child’s absence. Calls will be made late morning/late afternoon. If you receive a call from the automated system, please call the school as soon as possible to report the reason for your child’s absence. These automated absence calls use the same system we have been using for a number of years to report a low balance in your child’s lunch account. Please welcome the following new staff to University Nathan Elliott is our Instructional Coach at University Avenue. His main responsibility is to facilitate professional development for teachers within the building. This includes curriculum training and supporting teachers in their classrooms. Kate Watson is our new Curriculum Integrator at University Avenue. All Specialty Schools have integrators; Kate is VERY excited to move from her role as a first grade teacher for the last ten years into the one who will support the students and staff in their learning and integration of the Aerospace, Children’s Engineering, and Science Magnet theme. Diedre Bloemers is our new Administrative Intern. As an Administrative Intern Diedre’s primary role is to support students, staff, families, and the Principal. Diedre comes to us with several years of teaching and social work experience. She is excited to be part of the University Avenue ACES community. Mary Jane Kronberg is our new secretary in the office. She has taken over for Wendy McDonald who moved to another building in the district as a part-‐time secretary.
Parent Night for Internet Safety Mark your calendar for an informational night on Internet Safety, Cyber bullying and Social Media on Tuesday, November 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Educational Service Center in Anoka (2727 Ferry Street). This presentation will be by middle school staff, and our elementary parents are invited -‐ especially our intermediate grades, due to the level of technology savvy that our 4th and 5th graders already display. Families will learn important tips and strategies for keeping children safe in today’s digital world. Students are also welcome to attend.