SOUTHVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal’s Comments March 2017
March Dates: 3: Leadership Day at Southview 6: Culver’s Day 9: Second Trimester Ends 9: Spirit Day– PJ Day 10: No School for Students: Staff Devel -opment Day 14: PTO Meeting 7 p.m./ Carnival Planning 8 p.m. 17: Report Cards Sent Home 23: Grade 4 Music Con cert: 7 p.m. 24: Grade 4 and 5– Human Growth/ Development 27-31 Spring Break– NO SCHOOL Early April Dates: 3: Culver’s Day 6: Grade 1 Music Concert 1:45 p.m. 6: Spring Picture Day 11: PTO Meeting, 7 p.m. /Carnival Planning, 8 p.m. 13: Secretary Appreciation Day 13: Last Day of HOWL Classes 14: Popcorn Day
It has been another great, productive month here at Southview! It was great to see many of you at bingo night, music concerts, conferences, and at the Book Fair! Remember, every time you attend school functions, volunteer, and/or help your child with school work, you are sending a message to your child that you value education. Your children are watching you, and your actions speak louder than words. We are soon concluding the second trimester of school. I hope you join me in marveling at your child’s progress thus far this school year. One way that parents can help children is by carefully choosing words that are used when they praise them. Every word parents say and action they perform sends a message to their children. These words and actions tell children how to think about themselves. Research shows that children who are successful in school receive more praise about their efforts than their accomplishments. Research also suggests that parents should think twice about praising children for being “smart” or “talented,” because this may foster a fixed mindset. Children with a growth mindset believe that with effort and persistence they can learn and achieve in school. A growth mindset will better equip them to persevere and pick themselves up when things do not go their way. As a parent, consider your own beliefs on this topic. Do you have a growth mindset? Do you believe that with effort, persistence, and motivation your children can achieve their goals? Dr. Carol Dweck and educational research states: Parents should not shield their children from challenges, mistakes, and struggles. Instead, parents should teach children to love challenges. They can say things like, “This is hard. What fun!” or “This is too easy. It’s no fun.” They should teach children to embrace mistakes; “Oooh, here’s an interesting mistake. What should we do next?” And they should teach them to love effort; “That was a fantastic struggle. You really stuck to it and made great progress,” or “This will take a lot of effort - boy, will it be fun.” A growth mindset takes time and practice, but it is well worth it when you see the difference that it makes in children.
Sincerely,
Christine Heilman Principal, Southview Elementary
SOUTHVIEW
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Southview Leadership Day Southview office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need to contact the school nurse, Gina Singer, please call 952-4318794.
Today we had a special opportunity to highlight our school and students during Leadership Day. Community members from businesses, organizations, and schools were invited to see our student leaders in action. We highlighted each grade level’s leadership work in a variety of ways. We had student greeters welcoming our guests, student ushers highlighting things in the main hallway, students presenting display boards of leadership activities, students part of our leadership assembly, and students performing. Our Student Lighthouse Team also provided tours of our building which highlighted something special from each grade level. We are so proud of all of our student leaders at Southview. They are doing amazing things!
Please Send a Note for Transportation Exceptions: To help avoid confusion and to help provide a safe commute from school, parents are asked to send a note or call the school if their child is to go home from school in any other way than their normal means of transportation. Also, written notification must be provided if a student is to go to a location other than the identified end of the day location.
Sleep… It does a body good! I have come across some interesting research about children and sleep that I’d like to
share with you. Did you know that children 5-6 years of age need an average of 11-12 hours of sleep in a twenty-four hour period? (Mary Sheedy Kurcinka) According to the Hammond Learning Center, school-age children should get 9-11 hours of sleep a night. If you haven’t read Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s book Sleepless in America, I urge you to read it. Here are a few of her tips for bedtime: Regular routine each night (brushing teeth, books, songs, and stories.) No TV or computer in the bedroom. Limit screen time to 30-60 minutes a day -- avoid screen time in the evening before bed. Take time to connect with your child as he/she falls asleep – a calm child falls asleep more easily and stays asleep better. Bedtime should be about the same time 7 days a week (No more than an hour difference on the weekends). Research has demonstrated that children who get more sleep have higher grades, perform better on reasoning skills, and have higher reading scores. These same students also get along with others better, have better attention and focus, and get sick less frequently. Hopefully, your child is getting enough sleep each night. The research points out that it makes an enormous difference.
Daycare Forms
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Parents of students using daycare are reminded to complete a new daycare form for the 2017-18 school year if their child will be transported to or from school from an address other than the child’s home address. Forms must be resubmitted each year even if there will not be a change for the next year. Children attending the SAC program must also complete a daycare form. The form is available online or you can pick one up at the school office. Parents of children who will no longer need bussing to a daycare facility should call the district transportation department at 651-423-7636 to inform them of the change .
Planning for Next Year The time of year has come to start planning for the next school year. It hardly seems possible! One important piece of our planning for the next school year is the determination of class lists. The teachers work long and hard to prepare balanced class lists. Your child’s teacher knows your child well and will work hard to place your child where he/she will be the most successful. For parents who believe that their child may have specific needs that the school staff may not be aware of, student input forms will be available in the school office and will be due back to the office by Friday, April 14. If you are moving or will not be attending Southview next year, please let us know right away!
Phone Calls: The office receives many calls from parents asking if someone was trying to call them because the school phone number appears on their caller I.D. Unless a message is left on your phone, please do not call the school because the office will not know where to direct your call. If a call from school is important enough to require a return call, the staff member will leave a message or try to reach you at another number from your child’s emergency contact information. It is very important that you keep the school informed of any changes in your contact information.
Absence Reminder: If your child is going to be tardy or absent from school, please leave a message to notify us of his/her absence. The number to call is 952-431 -8375. When leaving your message, please give the following information:
Name of student Name of your child’s teacher Reason for absence or tardy
District 196 School Board Officers and Directors: Jackie Magnuson, Chairperson Gary L. Huusko, Vice Chairperson Joel Albright, Clerk Bob Schutte, Treasurer Art Coulson, Director Sachin Isaacs, Director Mike Roseen, Director
MCA Testing for Grades 3-5 In late March through April and May, students in third, fourth and fifth grade will take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) tests in reading and in math. Fifth grade students will also take the Minnesota Comprehensive Science test in April. Students do not pass or fail the MCA tests. They are among the many assessments our district uses to measure the progress of individual students. Math The math test will be taken on the computer and will include questions involving shape, space and measurement, number sense, chance and data handling. Each class will have 2 sessions in the computer lab during the testing window. Reading The reading test will be taken on the computer and is made up of multiple-choice questions that test skills in comprehension, interpretation and evaluation. Each class will have 3 sessions in the computer lab during the testing window. Science The science MCA will be a computer-delivered, web-based test with the capacity to deliver innovative science assessment items to students. The test is given in one sitting in the computer lab to one fifth grade classroom at a time. Individual results on MCA tests will be shared with parents as soon as they are available. For more information about the MCA tests, you may check out the state web site at http://education.state.mn.us. In order to prepare and have the best experience, students should:
Be at school on the scheduled testing dates. Make ups will be given if possible. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test Have a nutritious breakfast the morning of the test.