"Being Involved" is Easier Than You May Think

It is hard, with so many demands on our time, to be involved in our children's school lives. But, demonstrating that you value education and place a high priority on school will make a lasting impact on your child. How can you "be involved" in a way that fits your busy lifestyle? Here's some thoughts:

• Read. Every. Day. Set aside 20 minutes to read to your child and/or have them read to you. Would you send your child to their dance recital or baseball game without having gone to practice first? Of course not...nor should we expect kids to be proficient readers without practicing reading on their own. You can be involved by setting this priority in your family.
• Sign up for Class DoJo or SeeSaw, if your child's teacher offers it. You'll be involved  by knowing what is happening in your child's classroom and can interact with teachers through these convenient apps.
• Attend a Kutztown Elementary School Parents' Club meeting. This group of parents work to provide all our students and families with wonderful experiences: field trips, special breakfasts, family events, equipment for our school, and more. Be involved  by attending a meeting once a month or agree to organize an activity! Our next meeting is November 12 at 7:00 in the KES library.
• Participate in Parent-Teacher conferences. Coming at the end of November, be involved  in this opportunity to learn more about your child's experience at school. Sign-up information will be sent home soon.
• Volunteer.  Be involved  in reading to your child's class, helping in our library, assisting with a special project...looking for opportunities to volunteer? Ask your child's teacher or reach out to me at dbarnes@kasd.org!

Whether you have lots of free time or hardly any, you can see the opportunities for involvement are many. Please consider these options and get involved! 

Trust is Our Character Trait this Month

At KES this month, we are focusing on the Character Trait, TRUST. The resources below may help you talk about this trait with your child at home.

   

Back to School 2019

Our students are off to a great start! Students have "caught the reading wave" by participating in our summer read-alouds and have their names on our bulletin board in the main hallway. First grade students have experienced literacy by writing in the garden and third graders shared in a "book tasting" where they read short snippets of books to decide if it is a book they want to put on their reading wish list. Our community of readers is thriving!

Bulletin board in our front hallway displays the names of students
who "caught the reading wave" over the summer.

First graders write about what they observe in the garden.

                                    

Third graders participating in a "book tasting." 

April is National Poetry Month

It’s National Poetry Month!

I’ve seen some terrific work by student poets around our school! So often for adults, poetry feels intimidating and out of reach. Your children are eager poets, though, as the photos below demonstrate. Try your hand at it! Families can write poetry, too!

We find ourselves in month number four.

It’s time to share poems we adore.

Not sure what to pick?

Perhaps a limerick?

Here’s some resources you’ll like, I’m sure.

https://www.weareteachers.com/50-must-share-poems-for-elementary-school/        https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/poems-kids        https://studentreasures.com/blog/imaginative-ideas-for-how-to-teach-poetry-to-elementary-students/

 

Remember, no school this Friday, April 19 or Monday, April 22. 

Enjoy your spring break!