It hardly seems only four months since we began our school year, but time has flown by as we approach our winter break. A few important details are worth sharing as we wrap up this semester.
 

Jingle Bell Jog: First out of the gate is the Jingle Bell Jog. This McNear tradition will continue this year with a few changes. We will be holding the event on our blacktop at 8:00 in morning this Friday, December 18, 2009. Students and family members are welcome to join in for a morning jog, trot, or brisk walk. There is no need to show up with bells on, because we will provide shoe bells for all those participating. There will also be hot chocolate provided for all those participating. We hope to see everyone there bright and early.
 

New Employees: We recently lost two employees. Andrew Korf, our much beloved computer lab coordinator, recently took a job in Marin. Although we can't blame him for taking a job with more hours and money, we certainly will miss him. Last week was also our first week without lunch supervisor Wendy Barton. She has been an incredible asset to McNear School as a parent and as a lunch supervisor. We will all miss her and Audrey, and we wish them luck at their new school. We hope to fill both these positions quickly. The application window closes on Friday, and we expect to have someone hired before the end of January.
 

Vacations: Vacations are usually wonderful for everyone. It is a chance to spend time together, hopefully we relax and unwind from some of life's pressures. Unfortunately, it can also be a time of lost progress for students. Continuing the thread of learning through the winter break could be a huge benefit for your child. My son tried to explain to me yesterday that "No one should read on weekends or vacations." But really, that is a perfect time. When else can they do these things without the other pressures of school, schedules, sports, and whatever else keeps them busy? I find it difficult to remember reading and math during breaks, but a big gift you can give your child over winter break is consistency in reading and math. Teachers have been working furiously to build these skills. Keep the momentum moving forward by reading with your child or encouraging them to read for 20 minutes each day. Ten minutes practice on math facts every day will also go a long way.
 

I hope all families enjoy the Winter Break and any holidays they might celebrate. May we all come back rested, refreshed, and ready for the second half of the year. We have wonderful things ahead of us, and I am excited to continue our work together as we shape and grow McNear into the school we want it to be.
 

Onward,

Jason
 

Poetry Celebration Week will be March 1st through 5th , culminating once again with a Family Potluck and Poetry Slam on Friday evening, March 5th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the multi. Time will pass quickly once we return from winter break, so be on the lookout for the Poetry Slam Audition Forms to come home in January.
 

Students in grades 1 through 6 wishing to perform in the Slam are encouraged to peruse some poetry books over winter break to get a jump on selecting a poem to memorize and recite for the Slam. Students may also choose to recite a poem of their own creation.
 

Keep in mind that our school library has a generous and interesting selection of poetry books. Students are welcome to come take a look. (Shhhh… Parents may also wish to review the library’s selection for holiday gift ideas. Stop by for recommendations from Mrs. Bussey.)
 

Note from Mrs. Bussey: Students are required to memorize poems for the Slam, as the process of memorization has many benefits. Aside from providing a genuine sense of accomplishment, memorization exercises the brain in a way often neglected.

 

Looking for adventure in your life? Interested in seeing new and amazing sights? Perhaps lunch supervision is the special something that has been missing. We are looking for a select few individuals interested in occasional substitute work during lunchtime. If you would like the golden opportunity of helping with lunch supervision please let us know at the front office.

 

The Garden Committee will meet Friday, December 18, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. in Room 5. We will be finalizing our plans for a garden program this spring and setting action steps for the year. Please join us if you can.
 

All classroom volunteers are required to have a current TB test on file. TB tests are good for 4 years. Letters will be sent out to parents who signed up to be classroom volunteers and who do not yet have TB tests on file. TB clinics are held monthly at the District Office for free TB tests; the next clinic will be on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at 200 Douglas Street. You must return to have your test read on Friday, January 22, 2010, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. If you have not yet had a TB test, please stop by the office to pick up the necessary paperwork and plan on attending this next clinic.

 

Anytime you come on campus, either to work in a classroom or pick up your child early, you MUST sign in/out in the office. If you are going to be working in the classroom, we need to have you sign in and wear a Volunteer/Visitor nametag. Our students know to look for nametags on adults who are on campus; they know that any adult wearing a nametag has signed in at the office and that they are a “safe” visitor. If you are picking up your child from class early, again, be sure to come to the office and do not go directly to the class; we will have you sign out your child, and we will call the classroom to have your child meet you in the office. Thank you!
 

 

Friday, December 18, 2009

8:00 a.m.

Join us on Friday, December 18th for the Jingle Bell Jog. All participants will receive a jingle bell for their running shoes and a treat of hot chocolate! Please wear something festive for our Jingle Bell Jog! (Due to the anticipated high student participation in this fun activity, we encourage parental participation also!!)
 

Happy Fitness,

Mr. Sutter
 

 

As outlined in the Petaluma City Schools’ Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Plan, the process of identification will begin with the administration of the Raven Progressive Matrices the week of February 1, 2010. Signed parent permission is required for students in grades 3-6 to participate in the Raven assessment. Permission slips are available in your school office.
 

The administration of the Raven Progressive Matrices is the first step in the process for GATE identification. Students are qualified through a committee process that analyzes multiple criteria, including standardized test scores (the 2010 California Standards Tests), teacher and parent observations and anecdotes, the student profile, and the results from the Raven Progressive Matrices.
 

An important part of the identification process is the Parent/Guardian Packet. Parents interested in proceeding with the GATE identification process for their student are encouraged to pick up the Parent/Guardian packet, available in your school office beginning Monday, February 1, 2010. All completed packets are to be received in your school office no later than 3:30 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2010.
 

Scoring of the Raven assessment and review of the parent/guardian and teacher narrative information will take place in May. The 2010 California State Tests (CSTs) results are factored into the committee’s recommendation for GATE identification. Parents will be notified by mail, as soon as the CST scores are received by the district, and a final recommendation has been made. We anticipate final notification will be made by early August, 2010.
 

If you have any questions about the GATE identification process or want to request a parent/guardian packet, please contact your school principal or GATE liaison.
 

 

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

November: Bennett Adams, Aylin Ayala-Gallardo, Braden Baker, Isabelle Barnes, Lizzie Bies, Paulina Binsfeld-Debus, Colin Birkenstock, Zack Borloz, Dominic Butts, Gabe Carhart, Honey Charlton, Stephen Cook, Triniti Cresse, Sydney Davis, Violet Deardorff, Daniel DeCarli, Emily DeCarli, Zoe Decker, Arianna DeLucca, Ren Demsher, Josh Dunbar, Bailey Dyson, Juliet Emerson-Colvin, Hayden Fogelman, Austin Frank, Audrey Fross, Garrett Gehring, Aiden Gilmore, James Glockner, Ernie Gonzalez, Phoebe Goulden, Jacob Graf, Katie Gross, Andres Guerrero Morales, Noe Hernandez, Bradley Hogin, Anja Hultquist, Emmy Jackson, Ryley Kirsch, Portia Lipsie, Austin Longerbeam, Hudson Marlatt, Peter Marzo, Juliette Mattox, Bobby Mulligan, Gavin Newell, Joe Pardini, Casey Pectol, Diego Pereira, Lauren Poehlmann, Gray Quinn, Luis Ramirez Benito, Karla Rubio, Matt Salazar, Alex Sanchez- Rubalcava, Jaden Schrock, Nate Schuster, Luke Smith, Morgan Smith, Jonathan Smithwick, Kapena Spring, Wayne Taufa, Erik Toussaint, Michelle Valencia, Isabella Villareal, Brady Wade, Reilly Williams, Tony Wilson, Lynsee Witham.
 

 

 

Hard to believe the winter break is upon us, if you pay no attention to the cold, that is. In spite of the weather, recess has been bustling. More 4-square games are popping up. It has been interesting to watch the kids groups themselves in a game where they can compete with even skill levels and be successful. Not necessarily with their friends either.
 

I have been working with our 3rd grade students on being good role models to the lower grades. There is a tendency toward leadership so we are focusing that in a positive direction. They have been given the responsibilities of choosing fair teams, refereeing, and problem-solving whichever game they play. I check-in and assist when I need to but I really am trying to let them take the lead.
 

Yard supervisors tell me they are hearing many “I messages” and greater communication among the students. Often an adult isn’t involved. It does my heart good to know that they are using very real skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.
 

I haven’t been picking up sweaters and coats on the playground lately, which is as unusual as the weather.
 

So I close by wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season. See you in the New Year.