Parent Teacher conferences are upon us. For some of us, this is brand-new, and for others, it is old hat. Conferences are unique because at no other time do teachers prepare as comprehensively to discuss the progress of students and to plan the path for the rest of the year. This is an opportunity that should not be missed. Below are ten steps recommended by the National PTA to ensuring a good conference.

TEN STEPS to a GOOD PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE:

For some families, this conference will also be a first look at the new standards-based report card that we are piloting. Many McNear teachers have volunteered to pilot them in the first of this two-year cycle. This report card is designed to give you more and better information about how your child is progressing towards meeting grade-level standards. The report card will tell you how your child performs in meeting the standards with a score of 1-4 on each standard. The report card also provides information on your child’s work habits and effort. At the start of the year, it would be considered typical for a child to receive mostly 2’s and some 3’s, as they have not yet been exposed to the majority of the standards. This is very different from a report card that indicates an A through F grade. You will know what your child has learned based on the grade-level standards and how hard he or she is working. You will learn which big ideas and concepts your child has learned and also what work still needs to be done to make sure your child is ready for the next grade level.This time of year holds a one of a kind opportunity. This is our chance to check in with where we are, plan together the goals for the year, and rock that plan so your child has an excellent year of growth and development. We need to take advantage of this time to work together, and as we do, our students will succeed. 

Onward,

Jason

 

The following students earned Falcon Feathers in October. Great job!!

October: Samantha Andrews, Sarah Aronow, Sherienne Arikat, Ellison Asch, Ethan Asch, Aylin Ayala-Gallardo, Ella Bisbee, Audrey Borloz, Jacob Breeden, Jada Byrne, Celt Carr, Cassie Cosmos, Triniti Cresse, Karla Cruz, Violet Deardorff, Zoe Decker, Thomas DeJong, Dante DeLucca, Tuptim Dhanasunthorn, Payton Draper, Josh Dunbar, Bailey Dyson, Dillon Ewing, Liam Fox, Austin Frank, Bianca Furger, Kim Garcia, Aiden Gilmore, Madi Gibson, Dominic Gipson, Miguel Gonzalez, Maya Greenberg, Katie Gross, Neila Gross, Carson Guite, Riley Hammack, Audrey Hecker, Madelyn Hecker, Emma Hegenbert, Grace Hegenbert, Miles Herndon, Gabby Hudson, Anja Hultquist, Taylor Iacopi, Kaylee Ielmorini, David Iversen, Dylan Johnson, Andrew Kirby, Isabella Lakatos, Ella Leno, Paul Leoni, Sophia Licata, Nora Lindsay, Austin Longerbeam, Gina Maddalena, Sophia Marziano, Juliete Mattox, Jorge Mendoza, Fiona Mulligan, Bobby Mulligan, Gavin Newell, Shane O’Hare, Rocco Palmini, Lauren Poehlmann, Penny Reynolds, Gianna Ricci, Liam Richardson, Jacob Rollstin, Paola Salgado, Luis Sanchez-Rabalcava, Alex Sanchez-Rabalcava, Jaden Schrock, Morgan Smith, Wally Stearns, Wayne Taufa, Erik Toussaint, Maya Tuchband, William Tucker, Alberto Valdez-Hernandez, Michelle Valencia, Angelo Valim, Jakob Weber, Emma Weiand, Kaleigh Weiand, Charlie Weitzenberg, Alaina Williams, Reilly Williams, Taylor Winterhalder, Lucas Wupio, Mackenzie Wupio, Mario Zarco, Lucas Zedek 
 

Do YOU grocery shop at the Lucky market?

Did you know McNear Elementary COULD earn 3% of your purchases every time you shop at NO additional cost to you?

How do you do this? EASY! Visit the school office and ask for a Lucky Supermarket SHARES Card. Swipe that card during check-out and your purchases will automatically be credited to our school! Thank you so much for supporting this valuable program!

Jennifer Mattox, Scrip Coordinator
 

Two classrooms, Mrs. Martin’s and Ms. Turko’s (along with art from many other schools), have wonderful art work on display at the District Office, from art lessons provided by Art Docents. Be sure to stop by and take a look!
 

A sincere, heartfelt THAK YOU to all who have donated Kleenex and copy paper to McNear! We are so appreciative of the generous donations we have received, both from individuals and from businesses. Thank you!
 

Using the power of running and being active, girls learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, goal-setting, conflict resolution and healthy decision making. Beginning January 2010, young girls can participate in an exciting, new running program at McNear Elementary School. Girls on the Run® (GOTR) is a fun after-school program for 3rd to 5th grade girls that meets two times per week for 12 weeks. At the end of the program, all girls participate in a non-competitive 5k (3.1 mile) run/walk event as a final personal challenge for the season. Many girls unable to run one lap at the beginning of the program are prepared for the season finale at the end. With sweat, tears, smiles and many proud moments, the girls endure more than they ever imagined possible providing them with confidence and self esteem when faced with challenges growing up.

No running experience is necessary! Come see what over 150,000 girls across the country have experienced.

To apply, visit www.gotrsonomacounty.org and select McNear Elementary School by the Application Deadline.

Online registration is hosted by Jill B. Nimble, LLC. Since group size is limited to 15 girls, it will be handled on a first come first serve basis to ensure equal participation.

For more information about the program, visit www.gotrsonomacounty.org, or contact Coach Tammy Renstrom at 415-713-1185, email renstromfamily@comcast.net, or Coach Marci Davis at 415-297-2459, email Marcelladavis846@gmail.com.
 

There have been some great new things happening on the playground. As you know, last month’s focus for Falcon Feathers was “Encouraging and Supportive Language” with a major focus on respect. WOW! Everyone has embraced the idea and I am hearing such great things like, “nice try, good job, it’s ok, you’ll get back in the game.” It’s fantastic! 
Problem-solving has become easier as well. With a focus on the “I message”, I am having to participate less then I normally would. I can stand and offer support without being as involved in the situation. We ultimately want all students to feel confident in managing their friendship issues. I am proud of everyone for working hard at communicating with their friends in a clear and compassionate manner.
A review for you as parents, an I message sounds like this: “I feel_________, when you__________.” An apology to an I message sounds like this: “I’m sorry for___________________. I will not do it again. Do you need anything?” Any reinforcing of this by you at home will only empower them more.
 

Thank you to all the teachers, parents and 5th and 6th graders for all your hard work during the Harvest Carnival. We had a wonderful turnout and everyone seem to enjoy themselves. Thank you to ELAC for a wonderful job on the food. A special thank you to Angela Lowery, Diane Deardorff and Jennifer Dunbar for their creative and hard work on the Raffle Baskets. Great job! I would also like to thank Scott Baker and Florence Padron for their hard work on the Haunted House - that was a great success, and enjoyed by all! Finally, I would like to thank Marlene Hecker for helping me chair the event. We raised $5,000 for the school PTA! Thank you for all of your support - the carnival was a huge success!

Antoinette Butts, Harvest Carnival Chair
 

We have another Dine & Donate coming up on Wednesday, November 18, at Chinatown, from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. A flyer will go home next week, and we are also posting them on our website. You need to bring a flyer with you in order to participate in this fundraiser. Chinatown will donate 15% of the proceeds to McNear School - plus, you don’t need to cook dinner on Wednesday, 11/18/09!!