Alderwood Elementary School

Alderwood Elementary
November 2011
Message from the Principal
At the beginning of each year, our staff engages in setting goals for the year. We
spend time analyzing our actions and their impact from the previous year, and
then make plans for the coming year. I wanted to highlight some of the improvements we made last year on the state’s MSP assessment because we made some
incredible gains!:
 +31.3% of 3rd grader meeting standard on reading, from 34.8% to 66.1%
+16.5% of 3rd graders passing reading at level 4 (accelerated), from 17.4%
to 33.9%
+18.7% of 4th graders meeting standard on reading, from 34.8% to 53.5%
+13.7% of 5th graders meeting standard in reading from 61.7% to 75.8%
+13.4% of 5th graders passing reading at level 4 (accelerated), from 34% to
47.4%
+21.4% of 3rd graders meeting standard in math, from26.1% to 47.5%
+29.7% of our 4th graders meeting standard in math, from 26.1% to 55.8%
+39.5% of 5th graders meeting standard in math, from 28.9% to 68.4%
ê-26% of students not meeting standard in reading
êOur 5th grade students performed better than the state and the district in both
math and reading!
I am proud of our progress and our improvements. We have an amazing teaching
staff and we look forward to building upon this success this year!
Mensaje de Asistente de la Directora
¡Nuestros estudiantes demonstraron progreso en sus examenes! Al principio de
cada año nuestro personal de Alderwood escribe metas para todo el año.
Dedicamos tiempo analizando nuestras acciónes, los resultados de nuestro trabajo y hacemos planes para este año. Con mucho gusto quiero informales sobre
un aspecto notable que son los resultados de nuestro trabajo con sus hijos/hijas.
¡Aqui estan los resultados del progreso academico en los examenes MSP administrados a los grados 3-5 con unas ganancias increíbles!:
↑+31.3% del grado 3 alcanzaron su meta de standard en lectura de 34.8%
hasta 66.1%
↑ +16.5% del grado 3 pasaron su meta de standard en lectura de 17.4% hasta
33.9%
↑ +18.7% del grado 4 alcanzaron su meta de stardard en lectura de 34.8% hasta
53.5%
↑ +13.7% del grado 5 alcanzaron su meta de standard en lectura de 61.7%
hasta 75.8%
↑ +13.4% del grado 5 pasaron su meta de standard en lectura de 34% hasta
47.4%
↑ +2l.4% del grado 3 alcanzaron su meta de standard en matematicas 26.1% to
47.5%
↑ +29.7% del grado 4 alcanzaron su meta de standard en matematicas 26.1% to
55.8%
↑ +39.5% del grado 5 alcazaron su meta de starndard en matematicas 28.9% to
64.4%
↑-26% de los estudiantes no alcanzaron su meta de standard en lectura
⟣N
¡ uestros estudiantes del grado 5 progresaron mejor que el estado de
Washington y el districto de Bellingham en matematicas & lectura!
Estamos muy orgujos por el progreso y el mejoramiento. Tenemos un equipo de
maestros que son extaordinarios y esperamos continuar construyendo sobre el
exito de este año!
Josie Estrada, Principal’s Assistant
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Nov. 1 Student Picture Re-takes
If your child was absent on picture day, or
you just want a re-do, this is your chance!
El dia 1 de noviembre Vamos a tomar
fotos de los estudiantes que estuvieron
ausentes y deos que desean volver tomar otra
foto
Nov. 1 ELL Family Night
6:30
Hope to see you there!
El dia 1 de noviembre Reunion de ELL
Vengan a informarse a las 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 Early Release
1:15
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Veteran’s Day Assembly
9:30
El 2 de noviembre. es Salida Temprano
la 1:15 p.m. debido a las conferencias
entre los padres y maestros
Nov. 6
Daylight Saving Time Ends, turn clock back
one hour!
El 6 de noviembre cambien los relojes, una
hora para atras.
Nov. 9 Early Release
1:15
El 9 de noviembre es el Dia de LoVeteanos,
tendremos una asamblea a las 9:30 a.m.
El 9 de noviembre es Salida Temprano
Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day, No School
El noviembre 11 Dia de los Veteranos, la
Escuela estara cerrada, no habran clases.
Nov. 14-18 Book Fair
Del 14-18 de noviembre Feria de Libros
Nov. 16 Early Release
1:15
El 16 de noviembre es Salida Temprano
PTA Meeting
7:00
Join us!
Reunion de padres de la PTA los
esperamos a la 1;15 p.m.
Nov. 23 Early Release
1:15
El 23 de noviembre es dia de Salida Temprano
Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday, No
School
Del 24-25 de noviembre no habra
classes por ser el Dia de dar Gracias.
Nov. 30 Early Release
1:15
Parent/Teacher Conferences
El 30 de noviembre es dia de Salida Temprano
Page 2
Alderwood Elementary Newsletter
As the weather changes...
It’s hard to believe it is already November! As it begins to get colder, I’d like to remind parents to send
the students to school with winter coats, hats, and
gloves so they can stay warm at recess. Please make
sure your name is on all your child’s belongings.
As we approach the winter season, there is always a
possibility of having the weather affect our school
schedule. The best way to find out if school schedules
are changed is to make sure your School Messenger
phone number and contacts are updated. Our district will send out automatic phone calls, text messages and emails if school is delayed are cancelled. Do
not call the bus garage, as they need their
phone lines open. If school is cancelled, no
one will be at school to answer the phone
You can also always call 676-6400 to hear
a recorded message, or visit
VETERAN’S DAY ASSEMBLY
You’re Invited!
COME HONOR OUR VETERANS
November 9, 2011
9:30 to 10:00 am
Alderwood Gym
This assembly is for ALL Alderwood students, families, and local veterans!
After School Chats
“What’s in your backpack?” Greet your child with this questions, and you’ll discover a lot about what they do in class.
Set aside time each day to go through their papers. Try
to do it first thing after school when their day is fresh in
their minds.
Look over your child’s work together. Help them feel
proud by making a specific comment about something
they have done. For instance, if she shows you’re a picture she drew in art class, you might say, “The gray sky
and big waves look just like our rainy day at the beach.”
Have your child talk through math problems or science
experiments to show you what they have learned. They
might explain how they find the perimeter of a triangle or
why ants dig tunnels, for example.
VETERAN’S DAY: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
This year, Alderwood will be celebrating our American Veterans on November
9 at a school-wide assembly. We would like to use this assembly to recognize
Veterans that are right here in our school community!
If someone in your family is a Veteran and you would like to recognize
them, please send us a picture along with the following information:
Name, relationship to student (mother, father, uncle, grandpa, etc), student’s
name, and the branch of armed service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines).
Please return the bricks sent home with your students with the name and
branch of the veteran in your family. We will be building a brick wall for Veteran’s who have bravely served! Extra bricks available available in the office.
IMPORTANT UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!
PARENT PICK-UP: You may have noticed that the Sheriff’s Office has been patrolling on a regular basis
during our dismissal time to insure our students are safe. To avoid getting a ticket and to help us keep
safety a priority, please make sure you are following traffic laws and our school’s
procedures:
Your car should never be stopped in the road blocking traffic.
Do not park the wrong direction on the road.
The front of our school is for loading only, not parking.
The speed limit in the school zone is 20 mph.
Line up IN CARS along the shoulder in front of the building, and then along the side of the field.
Please DO NOT get out of your car if you are in the pick up line along the side of the road, as it
causes a traffic jam.
Please do not park across the street to pick up your students. There is so much traffic at the end
of the day that it is not safe to have pedestrians crossing the street in front of our school.
Do not park in handicapped parking spaces unless authorized to do so.
Thank you all for your cooperation!
Alderwood Elementary Newsletter
Page 3
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
With the weather getting colder and the holidays drawing near, many families look to their community for extra
help getting through what can be a difficult season. At Alderwood, our Family Information volunteer is available
to help you find helpful resources for your family!
SALVATION ARMY THANKSGIVING AND HOLIDAYS ASSISTANCE:
Applications for Low Income Food Baskets & Gift Assistance will be taken at the Salvation Army! The
office is located at 2912 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham, WA and is open Mon - Sat, Nov. 8-13 from 9am-3pm.
This program provides gifts for children ages 0-14, and you MUST know their interests and sizes of clothing!
Waiting times can be very long! Bring picture ID, a Social Security Card or Medical Card, last three months income verification, two pieces of address verification, and ID for all other members of your household!
For more information about this great program, please call 360-733-1410.
HOW TO HAVE A GREAT PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE
Parent conferences began in October and will continue on Nov. 2 and Nov. 30. This is opportunity to both
give and receive a lot of valuable information about your children, but time constraints and nervousness
can get in the way! Be sure not to miss your conference, here are some hints that can help you make the
BE ON TIME! If you need to reschedule, just let us know.
WRITE DOWN QUESTIONS, and bring them with you!
COME TOGETHER. If possible, all parents/guardians
should attend!
TAKE NOTES, and practice suggested home activities!
SPEAK UP! Let us know if there are any changes at
home that might have implications at school.
SHARE STRENGTHS. You know your child best, and we
want to build on their strengths and abilities!
RELAX AND HAVE A GREAT CONFERENCE!!!
THE NURSE’S CORNER: WINTER WEATHER
It’s that time of year when we bundle up against the wind and rain, but it’s not too cold outside. We get wet, we
get overheated, and oh my! We tend to toss our outer layers aside when we get home. Part of staying healthy
this winter is keeping everything clean...this is a reminder to wash those sweatshirts and coats!
SNACKS!
LEARNING CENTER: Math Whizz!
FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES GRANT:
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all students in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the
school day. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack
options!
Did you know your student can use
the Math Whizz tutorial at home?
The goal of the FFVP is to:
Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices.
Expand the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
students’ experience.
Increase students’ fruit and vegetable consumption.
Make a difference in students’ diets to impact
their present and future health.
Math Whizz is a math tutorial program that students
use in their classroom. They are able to use this program at home if they have access to a computer with
an internet connection. Students have individual logins to use the program to practice basic skills and concepts at home.
The website is: www.whizz.com
Using Math Whizz regularly has been shown to significantly improve children’s math ability. After the tutoring lessons there are games and activities that your
student can do for fun. There is also a parent section
on the site with more information for you. For more
information, contact your child’s teacher, or Mrs.
Stephens, math support teacher.
Alderwood Elementary Newsletter
Page 4
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are so proud of our Students of the Month, who
have been chosen by their teachers for cooperating
with their teachers, their classmates, and their friends!
Coming home this week you will receive a
letter requesting updated contact information. Please fill out and return to the office
as soon as possible. Thank you!!
Alderwood Elementary
3400 Hollywood Ave
Bellingham, Wa 98225
360-676-6404
http://alderwood.bsdnet.wednet.edu/
If you have a disability and
need this publication in an
alternate format, please
contact the school office.
Mission Statement
Alderwood Elementary works in partnership with
parents and our community to embrace our diversity and to empower students to become lifelong
learners. Through collaborative and personalized
instruction, we ensure all students reach high standards of intellectual and social development to become productive citizens of a global community.