Volume 11
February 22, 2010
Inside This Issue:
Principal’s Message Have you noticed? There's a buzz around McNear about math facts. Math facts are nothing new, but we've been approaching them a little differently this year. Not only have we have focused on them as a staff with more intensity, but we have also considered new ways to share student progress with parents along the way. It has been an involved process, but we have made significant progress. This year our staff put some effort into determining math facts standards for students at each grade level. We started by asking ourselves, "What should sixth grade students be able to demonstrate in math facts as they leave McNear?" From there we worked backwards to determine what is needed at each grade level to get us to our sixth grade goal. We ended up with targets at each grade level which we can measure throughout the year. Here is how it breaks down:
| Grade | Target | | K | Read and write numbers through 30. | | 1 | 33 addition and subtraction math facts on numbers 0-10 in 4 minutes.
33 addition and subtraction math facts on numbers 0-20 in 12 minutes. | | 2 | 45 addition and subtraction facts on numbers 0-20 in 5 minutes. | | 3 | 90 out of 100 addition and subtraction facts on numbers 0-20 in 5 minutes.
90 out of 100 multiplication and division facts in 8 minutes. | | 4 | 90 out of 100 addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts in 5 minutes. | | 5 | 90 out or 100 addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts in 4 minutes. | | 6 | 90 out of 100 addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts in 3 minutes. | Figuring out these target levels helps us work together as a staff, but we also realized we need to share this information with parents. In order to help you know how your child is doing, every classroom will be sending home a report of these math facts in the next two weeks. These reports will give you a good idea of where your child is in relation to the grade-level standard and what you need to do to help them. Teachers will highlight areas of concern so that you can continue to support your child in mastering math facts.
Perhaps you are wondering, "What's the big deal with math facts?" The truth is that math starts to ramp up quickly as students move through the grades. When they are faced with long division or lowest common denominators, students must have these math facts securely under their belt. New concepts are tough enough without having to wrestle with basic facts as well.
The other piece of this equation is that we need your help in developing these skills. Mastering math facts takes time and practice. There is not enough time for classroom teachers to give some students the practice they need; it needs to be supported at home. Ten minutes of flash cards each night will make a world of difference. I notice with my children that it is the consistency that makes the difference. Fit this practice into car rides, a bed-time ritual, dinner conversation, or some other time. Just make sure to fit it in. We are always say that we can't educate children alone, and we mean it. We need to work together. As we do, we will see confidence in our students that we never thought possible.
McNear’s Teaching Garden It is almost SPRING and time to start thinking about getting out in our beautiful Life Sciences Garden! Starting March 1, we are launching our garden program with a new garden coordinator, Tina Schumikowski, and garden teachers Jane McMaster and Ingrid Tuchband. Tina has led the very successful garden program at Valley Vista, and will bring her expertise and energy to get our program off the ground this year. This new program will get students in the garden on a weekly basis, with lessons designed to reinforce academic standards in the areas of science, math, language arts while having fun gardening and cooking! To ensure the Teaching Garden’s sustainability, the new framework addresses learning standards, skill sets, responsibilities, and nutritional concepts appropriate for each grade level. Classes will be divided into three groups which will cycle through each of these skills/lessons throughout a 10 week period this spring so all students will participate in a similar educational experience. The groups will focus each week in the areas of science, stewardship, and cooking and nutrition. In order to kick off this new program successfully on March 1, we need your help! We will depend on volunteers to help run the small groups of students (from 6-10). We will provide an organized activity list and instructions for gardening tasks or cooking/serving, and provide a recipe with all ingredients and tools laid out to ease the process. Look for a sign up form in each 1st through 5th grade classroom next week, as the success of this program will depend on two volunteers per classroom for this 10 week period. Donations of supplies are also needed to support the lesson. The following are needed by February 26, and can be brought to the office: wheat flour, corn meal, sugar, quinoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic, fresh ginger, parmesan cheese, black beans (canned or dry), pepper and cinnamon. The following cooking items are also needed: large and small bowls (metal ones preferred), colanders for cleaning produce, several cooking spoons/flippers, an electric frying pan, garlic press, kitchen towels, and medium sized cutting boards. If there are any questions, please email Tina Schumikowski at schumikowski@comcast.net.
West Side Relays Looking for a fun and active opportunity to promote physical fitness and good sportsmanship at McNear? We are in need of a volunteer(s) to oversee training and organizing 5th and 6th grade students for West Side Relays (being held on Tuesday, May 11th this year). Duties would include: - attending an organizational meeting on February 23 at 7:30 PM at the high school;
- teaching proper track and field techniques in short and long distance running, long jump, high jump, baton relays, shot put and discus throws with assistance of McNear upper grade teachers during the school day;
- deciding student relay teams and individual events;
- running after school practices 1or 2 times a week during the month of April, first week of May; and
- organizing 1 or 2 practice sessions on the high school field during the school day (dates to be determined).
The focus is always good sportsmanship and fun! If you are interested, please contact the office at 778-4752. Thank you!
Conference Week Next week, March 1-5, is conference week, and the end of the 2nd trimester. Early dismissal will occur (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - Grades 1-3, 1:30 p.m.; Grades 4-6, 1:40 p.m. Wednesday dismissal will be regular Wednesday dismissal time, Grades 1-3, 12:35 p.m.; Grades 4-6, 12:40 p.m.). Conferences will not be held for all students; you will be contacted by your child’s teacher if he/she feels the need for a conference, and you may contact your child’s teacher if you feel the need for a conference.
Get Ready to Celebrate Poetry! Next week is McNear’s Fourth Annual Poetry Celebration Week. What’s happening?? Take a look!! - Poetry writing workshops at lunch recess in the library Tuesday and Thursday, March 2nd and 4th. Students, come by and create your own original poem!
Workshops will be lead by m a rasmussen, a local poet who has lived in Petaluma for the past 8 years. Poems may be included in this year’s McNear Poetry Journal and may also be submitted for inclusion in the2010 Young American Poetry Digest, a national poetry journal. - Poems displayed all around campus – keep your eyes peeled!
- Family Potluck and Poetry Slam:
Friday night, March 5th
Potluck 5:30 p.m. in the breezeway
Poetry Slam 6:50 p.m. in the multi
Potluck Assignments (thank you!):
If your last name begins with
A through E – DESSERT
F through L – SALAD
M through Q – SIDE DISH
R through Z – MAIN DISH
* please bring your own serving utensil
Our challenge this year is: PIES! Take your best shot - cherry, apple, Boston Crème, or you name it!
La Semana de la Poesia esta llegando! Celebraremos la poesia toda la semana aqui en McNear. No falte nuestro Tercer Poetry Slam anual y cena (pot luck). El cía el viernes, 5 de marzo. Comeremos a las 5:30 y la poesia conensará a las 6:50. Por favor traen un alimento para compartir con nostros. Cada estudiante debe estar acompañdo con un padre.
How We Play With Balls on the Playground at McNear School Kicking games (soccer, kickball, etc.) can be played by the track and on the grass ONLY. The blacktop area surrounded by classrooms is a kick-free zone. Rubber or bouncy balls are never to be kicked. Only soccer balls, kick balls and footballs can be kicked in the designated areas. If a ball gets away from a game and comes to you: Slow Down. Stop and Look. Slow down. Stop the ball and look for the person to whom it belongs. If you kick a ball you will lose the privilege to play with a ball. You will not be allowed to join another game that uses a ball, either. Each time it happens, the length of time without a ball gets longer, and your teacher will be told as well. This has been set up as a way to keep all students at McNear safe and to make sure that all students can enjoy their recess time. 
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. All meetings will be from 5-6 in Room 1. NEXT MEETING FEB 22 (you do not have to have attended prior meetings) - February 22
- March 15
- April 12
- May 10
Topics for discussion will include: - Homework & academic support
- Building confidence & self esteem
- Encouraging friendships & social learning
- Positive discipline
- And more!
Childcare 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. For more information contact Nicole Renae, Guidance Counselor. Phone: (707) 249-3134.
It’s Dine and Donate Time Again!! Please join us on
Wednesday, February 24th, at
Café Giostra (1390 No. McDowell Blvd., 664-9441) This is for Lunch, Dinner and Take-Out Please present this flyer to ensure that McNear receives a 20% donation on food sales. Enjoy some really great food and a night off from cooking!!
Upcoming Dates: - Kindergarten Registration for the 2010-2011 school year continues
- Feb. 22, 5:00-6:00 pm - Special Education Parent Meeting, Room 1
- Feb. 22, 6:00 pm - ELAC Meeting
- Feb. 23, 3:00-3:50 pm - 6th Grade Parent Meeting re: Graduation Party
- Feb. 23, 6:00 pm - Board of Education Meeting, 200 Douglas Street
- Feb. 24 - Dine & Donate at Café Giostra, (1390 No. McDowell Blvd.) - Lunch, Dinner and Take-Out
- March 1-5 - Conference Week, EARLY DISMISSAL Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. (Grades 1-3, 1:30 pm; Grades 4-6, 1:40 pm), Regular Wed. Dismissal (Grades 1-3, 12:35 pm; Grades 4-6, 12:40 pm)
- March 5 - End of 2nd Trimester
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