Volume 8
January 11, 2010 Inside This Issue:
Principal’s Message Once each month, the School Site Council (SSC) meets in the library from 3:15 to 5:00. Of the many things discussed, the school plan is on the top of the list. Every year, the SSC passes the school plan which sets our path at McNear. The SSC and the McNear staff worked hard to develop the current plan. Everyone should know that the plan focuses on three specific areas: student literacy, improvement in math, and building the McNear community. I wanted to share some specific ways that families can help support these areas at home. Although these suggestions won't be anything new, they are always worth saying again. Literacy is up first. To improve in literacy, students need to read. If you have a young child ask them to read to you every night. Help them with difficult words, and practice being patient. If your child is a little older, make sure they take time to read something challenging. Enthusiasm is often the key. Take them to the library and pick out a book together. Consider reading with them and taking turns reading pages out loud. Whatever it takes, get your child to read. The other side of the learning equation is math skills. We are working with the students every day on learning new concepts. However, a common barrier for most kids in learning new math is not having basic skills under their belts. It is tough for a 4th grader to learn long division when they are still working on multiplication or subtraction facts. This needs to be mastered at home. Students should practice their math facts daily so they are automatic. Buy some flash cards or make them yourself. Practice math facts in the car or while playing catch. However you do it, this will be a gift to your child that lasts a lifetime. Finally, the McNear community needs to continue to draw together ever more closely. We will be planning events to help make this happen. Keep an eye out for them, and book your calendar. Don't let the opportunity pass. Introduce yourself to families you don’t yet know. Help everyone feel welcome. It is our commitment to the learning community that makes McNear more than just the building where our students go to school. We all need to participate. Life gets very busy. I know our family struggles in making time to read every night. Practicing math facts isn't glamorous and easily gets shifted to the back burner. And I don't know anyone that is looking for something else to add to their calendar. But as we considered this plan, the SSC tried to identify the three most important things we could do to help make McNear students more successful. Your support of these things will not only directly help your children, but it will build up the entire system. As we work together at school and at home on common goals, our children will benefit both academically and socially.
Onward,
Jason
Falcon Feathers - December The following students have earned Falcon Feathers in December. Great job! December: Ellison Asch, Jacob Breeden, Triniti Cresse, Gabe Carhart, Hannah Cordeiro, Bailey Dyson, Trinity D’Aiello, Nicholas Dooley, Audrey Fross, Fusi Fifita, Andres Guerrero Morales, Jackson Garner, Kaden Hunt, Ella Leno, Danny Marzo, Hudson Marlatt-Halroyd, Lauren Poehlmann, Jacob Rollstin, Ruby Selvig, Morgan Smith, Ben Tatum
Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible Thank you for helping to make our school a happy and safe place
A Note From Janis Phillips, Student Advisor Happy New Year! Hard to believe that 2010 is here. I remember as a kid thinking that 2010 was sooooo far away. Being greeted on Tuesday with all the hugs and smiles was a great way to start the new year. We are working on finishing up our posters in the upper grades. You should be seeing them in the halls next week. Each class chose one of the “Big 3” school rules, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. Each student in the class then came up with an example to add to the poster. They are turning out great! We are also learning a new game, handball. It is a high energy, fast moving game that allows people in the line to get in quickly and often. So far it is a hit with the fourth grade. I’m sure the other classes will enjoy it as well. Hope you all had as fabulous a 2 weeks as I did and if I haven’t seen you yet, welcome back. Janis Phillips, Student Advisor
Dine and Donate The next Dine and Donate for McNear School will be held at Pinky’s Pizza on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. It will be from 4:30-9:30 p.m., dine in or take out. Pinky’s will give our school a 25% donation from food sales only. Please look for your flyer to come home soon, and mark your calendar for a delicious dinner at Pinky’s on Tuesday, 1/19/10.
eScrip Update! Let’s start 2010 off right, by helping our school to earn money by shopping for everyday purchases. If you need any help activating the following FREE benefits, please call or email Jennifer today: 782-0599 or jjmattox@sbcglobal.net. 1. Go to www.escrip.com and register your Safeway Club Card, Macy’s card, credit/debit cards AND check out the online mall. Don’t forget to register your business credit card and ask Grandparents to join in! 2. If you have a Target REDCard, make sure McNear is listed as your beneficiary. 3. If you shop at Lucky Supermarket, pick up your free “SHARES” card in the office and scan when you check-out. 4. If you shop at Raley’s, pick up your free “Quality of Life” card in the office and activate the card at www.raleys.com. Scan at check-out.
Special Education Parent Support McNear Elementary School will be offering the following meeting times for parents whose children are currently receiving special educational services from RSP, Speech & Language, Behavioral Aides, or Special Day Class. School staff will provide expertise and time will be given to supportive conversation.
December 14
January 11
February 22
March 15
April 12
May 10
All meetings will be from 5-6 pm in Room 1. Topics for discussion will include: Homework & academic support Building confidence and self esteem Encouraging friendships and social learning Positive discipline And more! For more information contact Nicole Renae, Guidance Counselor Phone: 707-249-3134 CHILD CARE MAY BE AVAILABLE, DEPENDING ON NUMBERS. PLEASE CALL NICOLE RENAE AT (707)249-3134 ASAP IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING AND WILL REQUIRE CHILD CARE TO ATTEND.
POETRY CELEBRATION WEEK IS COMING… MARCH 1st- 5th Save the date! McNear’s 4th Annual Potluck and Poetry Slam will be Friday evening, March 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the multi. To participate in the Poetry Slam, students and a parent must complete the attached Audition Form and return it to school office by Friday, February 5th, no exceptions. Extra forms are available in the office. Auditions will be held February 11th and 12th during lunch recesses. During Poetry Week, we will once again be offering poetry writing workshops at the lunch recesses. We would love to have more parent volunteers to assist students in the workshops. Please call Lyn at 765-9394 if you can help. No poetry writing experience necessary. FLOWERS
By Madeline Abramson
Age 8 (February, 2009)
Flowers make me happy
And sometimes change my feelings.
Sometimes sad and angry.
Blue is sad.
Yellow is happy.
Red is angry.
Purple is scared.
Green is nervous. BUTTERFLY FLOWER
By Emma Weiand
Age 6 (February, 2009)
Butterfly flower.
Butterfly flower, what does a butterfly flower do?
It flies around like a bird and then whatever jumps up, it eats.
It is as big as a medium circle.
Sometimes it gets taken by a hawk. BOOKS
By Stephen Cook
Age 7 (February, 2009)
Books are fun and graceful.
Books are fun to learn from.
I like books and so do you.
Books are fun to read from. DAISIES
By Carson Gary
Age 8 (February, 2009)
Daisies are colorful.
Daisies shine in the sun light.
Daisies smell yellow-full. DIAMOND
By Cassie Cosmos
Age 9 (February, 2009)
Diamond shine bright please
Show me the light bright
come close
Do not let it go please. WEB OF THE SPIDER
By Katie King
Age 11 (February, 2009)
Web of the spider
Don’t go inside
All the flies do
It is a wild ride
Every once in a while
The web dies
Spider makes a new one
Hoping flies get inside TREES
By Zoe Decker
Age 9 (February, 2009)
Trees are beautiful, wonderful creatures.
Brown, green, strong.
When all together,
form a forest,
reaching toward the sky.
McNear Poetry Week 2010 - Poetry Slam Audition Poetry Week is coming right up! We’ll celebrate poetry all week here at McNear School. Don’t miss our fourth annual potluck supper and Poetry Slam on Friday, March 5. Supper is at 6:00 p.m. and the Slam begins at 7:00 p.m. If you child wishes to audition for the poetry slam, please complete the permission form below and return it to the school office by Friday, February 5, 2010. Children in grades 1 - 6 may participate. Poems can be original or published. Poems need not be memorized for the audition, but must be memorized for a student to participate in the poetry slam. Any student wishing to participate must have selected the poem they wish to recite by the date of the audition, February 11 and 12. We’re sorry, but no late sign-ups will be accepted. Poetry Slam Permission Slip Student ____________________________________________ Teacher ____________________________________________ Title of Poem (if already selected) _________________________ My child has my permission to audition for the fourth annual McNear School Poetry Slam and is able to attend the Slam on Friday evening, March 5, 2010. Parent Signature _____________________________________ Date Best Phone Number _______________________________ We rely on volunteers to run this program - please sign up if you can: ____Potluck set-up (Friday, 3/5/10 - 5:00 p.m.) ____Poetry Workshop helper (lunchtime recess, March 1-5 ____Data entry for McNear Poetry Journal (do this at home) ____Costco shopper (reimbursement provided, deliver to Slam by Friday, 3/5/10 - 5:00 p.m.)
Upcoming Dates: - Jan. 11 - Kindergarten Registration for the 2010-2011 school year begins
- Jan. 11, 5:00-6:00 p.m. - Special Education Parent Meeting, Room 1
- Jan. 14, 3:15-5:00 p.m. - SSC Meeting
- Jan. 14, 6:40-7:45 p.m. - GATE Meeting
- Jan. 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- Jan. 19, 4:30-9:30 p.m. - Dine and Donate at Pinky’s Pizza (Flyer to follow)
- Jan. 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m. - TB Test, Redwood Room, District Office
- Jan 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m. - TB Test Reading, Redwood Room, District Office
- Feb. 5 - Poetry Slam Permission Slip Due to Office
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