MAY
2008

Read all about it!

Last Newsletter:
    Here it is!  This is the last newsletter of the year!  Thank you to everyone for their continued support of North Elementary.

Tips for Readers:
    Here is information you can find from the Parent Institute:  Research shows this is probably the most important thing you can do to encourage your child's reading success.  Here are some tips to read before reading aloud to your child:

• Begin to read to your child as soon as possible - no matter how young.
• Try to set aside time every day for reading aloud.  You can start with just 10 minutes a day
• Remember that the art of listening is an acquired one.  It must be taught and cultivated gradually.
• Vary the length and subject matter of your reading.
• Don't read stories you don't enjoy yourself.
• Don't be surprised if you child interrupts with a lot of questions.  Answer his questions right away.  
• Don't confuse quantity with quality.  Your child will remember 10 minutes of reading together far longer than he'll remember two hours of television.  

Fifth Grade Recognition
    Thursday, May 15, is North Elementary School's annual Fifth Grade Recognition Night.  The program begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Multi Purpose Room.  

Awards Day and Picnic
    The North School Awards Day and Picnic will be held on June 2, 2008.  Report card day is June 4, 2008.  

Lunches:
    We now have three lunch choices on our menu.  As a reminder, please note that the cafeteria must call lunch numbers in by 9:00.

Box Tops:
    Thank you for your continued support by collecting Box Tops for Education and Campbell Soup Labels.  The money helps to fund special projects such as Red Ribbon Week.  Attached you will find a flyer regarding the Box Tops for Education program.  It includes a list of products which carry the box tops.  We hope you will continue to save them and return them to school.  

Raise a Reader:
    One of the greatest educational gifts you can give your child is a love of reading.  Research shows that children who read just 30 minutes a day do better in school.  Reading out loud or taking turns reading out loud helps make reading fun.  You can also help by having lots of books and magazines around, visiting the library and talking about what you read.  

Bully Prevention:
    At North Elementary, we are making every effort to put a stop to bullying.  North Elementary recently joined together with The Prairie Center of Springfield to participate in a grant geared toward bully prevention.  Our first meeting among teachers and support personnel from The Prairie Center begins December 5.  We are very committed to putting an end to bullying and, we're hopeful this grant will give us support and wonderful resources as we tackle this problem that is facing all schools across the nation.  Look for future newsletters outlining strategies regarding this.
    
 
Safety Procedures:
There will be some changes in safety procedures for visiting the school this year.  All kindergarten through fifth grade parents must enter at the office door and check in at the office.  Unless prior arrangements have been made with the teacher, parents will not be allowed to visit the rooms with the students.  Those parents who wish to volunteer must also make arrangements with the teacher or principal for the days and times you are expected in the building.  We appreciate all the time you devote to the students, but we want to maintain a safe and secure environment for all of the students. 

We appreciate your understanding about these changes as we want to maintain the safest environment we can to educate your child(ren).  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Looking Ahead:

May 5-9  Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7      SIP Day - Dismiss @ 11:35 a.m.
May 15    5th Grade Recognition
May 22    Track Meet
May 26    Memorial Day - No School               
June 2  -   Awards Day and Picnic
June 4  -   Report Card Day