w elementary school w.e e.xpect s.uccess november …

WATERFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL W.E E.XPECT S.UCCESS NOVEMBER 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov. 6 Moveable Monday Nov. 13 Report Cards Sent Home Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day Assembly, 9:00 am Nov. 15 PTO Movie Night, 6:00 pm Nov. 18 PTO Board Meeting, 2:45 pm Nov. 18-22 American Education Week Autumn Book Fair

• Monday, November 18, 2013 Bring Your Parent to School Day 4th Grade: 8:00am – 10:00am or 1:00pm – 2:30pm

• Tuesday, November 19, 2013

“Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” 5th grade: 10:30AM classroom, • Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Native American Mask Making 2nd grade: Mrs. Wolford 1:00-2:00

• Thursday, November 21, 2013

Map-making Activity 1st grade: 1:15-2:15 pm Music Share Session: Grades K-5; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Book Fair: 5:00 – 7:30 pm

• Friday, November 22, 2013 “Sharing Thanksgiving - Past and Present” Kindergarten: 8:30 – 9:15 am

• Friday, November 22, 2013

“Reenactment of the First Thanksgiving” 3rd grade: 12:30 – 2:15 pm

Nov. 25 Student of the Week Luncheon Nov. 27-29 Thanksgiving Holiday

Is it really time to change our clocks? It seems like yesterday we were basking in the sun at the Waterford Fair. The upcoming days are jam-packed with activity as we lead up to the holidays, including American Education Week and our fall book fair We hope that you will take time out of your busy schedules to join us in a variety of educational activities that celebrate the excitement of learning.

WARMER JACKETS, RUSTLING LEAVES AND CIDER…

We loved our field trip to

the Waterford

Fair!

15513 Loyalty Road Waterford, VA 20197 http://cmsweb2.lcps.org/waterford/site/default.asp

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK…

KUDOS TO YOU! **Thank you very much for your generous donations of non-perishable items for the “Make A Difference Day Food Drive. Due to your generosity, we were able to send several boxes to Volunteer Loudoun on behalf of the Waterford community. **We also want to extend thanks to all of our parents who have signed up for the Target red cards and identified our school to receive the bonus cash back. This summer or PTO was able to receive a check from Target for $1075.39. Our school also earned $100.28 from Box Tops. Please sign up for the rewards cards as our school greatly benefits. Additional details are available on our school’s website.

American Education Week We will be celebrating American Education Week during the week of November 18 – 22, 2013. We will have several events for you to participate in with your children. You are also invited to have lunch with your child(ren) during this week as well. Please visit our website for the lunch form to confirm that you will be eating with us in the cafeteria.

SECURITY

As you already know from either visiting our school or from the message sent by the central office, all visitors, no matter the frequency of their visit, will be asked to produce a valid ID prior to entering the building. All exterior doors will remained locked while school is in session and all interior classroom doors will have the lock mechanism engaged. Instructions for visitor access will be posted for English and Spanish speakers and will be installed at all schools.

As begun in December 2012, we continue to increase our focus on monitoring building access and strengthening safety precautions. We are asking parents to assist us by ensuring that each visitor rings the buzzer on the Aiphone to gain access to the building. We are also asking parents to refrain from propping the doors open to carry loads back and forth to cars and to be prepared to show ID when asked.

We are asking all parents to stop and sign in the office when visiting our school. Students who are tardy are to be brought into the building by parents not only to verify their attendance, but also to certify that the children arrive in the building safely. This is not only the most cautious thing to do, but it is also LCPS policy. Please refrain from leaving children at the kiss-n-go area after the second bell when there is not a staff member present.

If you bring your child to school in the morning and like to walk to the classroom, please be sure to obtain a visitor pass first. But the best way to do to start your child’s day is to allow him/her to meet the teacher in the cafeteria in the morning. Our little ones feel quite a sense of accomplishment by being able to begin the day with their classmates.

We ask for your patience in advance as we continue to ensure the safety of our students.

Veteran’s Day Program: We will be hosting a special Veteran’s Day program on Monday, November 11th. Please make plans to join us if you or a family member is a veteran. We would love to the opportunity to honor all of the veterans of the Waterford community.


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In the Reading sample on the right, you will notice that on the old assessment (administered in the spring 2012 and earlier), students are asked to select one response to complete the sequence of the flow chart, essentially to recall. On the new assessment (administered in spring of 2013) students are required to evaluate each response and compare and contrast.

To enhance deeper learning we seek to foster an environment that questions and engages students to question and apply knowledge gained throughout their daily activities. As you review work with your children, in addition to working to recall facts and events, ask them to create deeper meaning by applying the same information to a different context. Ask them to judge an event and offer an alternate solution or ending. In spelling, ask them to continue the pattern under study to identify new words. Ask them to compare and contrast characters in the book that they reading, or infer how they think a character may react based on the details of the story. By exploring new ways of thinking, we can share the excitement of learning together.

CRITICAL THINKING Our aim as educators and parents is for our students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers and life-long learners. We want to enable students to apply skills taught in a variety of contexts. We want our learners to be able to communicate their thinking and justify their choices. We want them to make connections to real life events and tackle complex tasks, in addition to being able to solve equations and recall information. It has always been our goal for our students to achieve at a high level. In the past few years, you have seen student work and assessments that require our students to reason and explain their thinking by defending their responses or explaining why a response is incorrect. Additionally, the state of Virginia has also increased the rigor in assessments that are administered to students each spring. A reading and math example are included for your information.

In the Math example, the same expectations exist to take students beyond basic problem solving. Students must use be able to apply the skills taught to solve a problem. This may be seen as a word problem vs. an application problem where the same mathematical concepts are being taught, but one requires students to think more critically and to reason more meaningfully.

New Old

New Old

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AROUND THE SCHOOL

SHOWCASE OF THE MONTH

Spooky nocturnal creatures invaded the Showcase for the month of October. Bats and spiders are just a few of the animals that third grade is studying in their units on scientific observation, habitats and adaptation.

Living a Century Ago

Both fifth grade classes participated in the Living History Exhibit at the Second Street School during the Waterford Fair. It was both an honor and exciting to play the part of an actual student from the 1880s!

Phillips Farm Nature Walk

Mary L. Aubrey C. Chase P. Henry D. Jackson A.

Luke J. Madelyn S. Sophia W. Paige W.

Joey C. Stephanie W. Brandon H. Kristina A. Daphne B.

Birthday Wishes to these November Babies:

On Friday, October 18, first and second grade students took a walking field trip to the Phillips Farm Nature Trail, located behind the Mill in the Village of Waterford. Led by Charlie Beach, Waterford parent and Waterford Foundation volunteer, the

children looked for evidence of seasonal changes and different aspects of animal habitats. The weather was chilly, but a wonderful time was had by all!

A Visit from Engine #5

Oh boy, what can be more exciting than a visit with firemen? Kindergarten, first and second grade were surprised when members from Hamilton’s Fire and Rescue arrived at Waterford. Students learned all sorts of safety tips and even practiced “crawling to escape a smoky building.” Then it was outside to see the ambulance and climb into the hose truck. Finally, students received a red fireman’s hat as they prepared to dismiss. Wow, what a way to cap the day!


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LIBRARY LINKS NEWS FROM THE WATERFORD ELEMENTARY LIBRARY

Birthday Books If you are interested in donating a book to celebrate your child’s birthday please send a new hardback book to the library with a note stating your child’s name and birth date. A bookplate will be placed inside the book and will be made available for all students to check out. If you need any book suggestions, please do not hesitate to email us. Volunteers The library staff is in need of a few helpers during family/community night, Wednesday, November 20. If you are interested in assisting for a period of 45 minutes, between 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm, please email us or give us a call at 540-751-2460.

If you have any questions or need clarification, please do not hesitate to email either Cynthia Montague, Substitute Librarian ([email protected]) or Michele Almon, Library Assistant ([email protected]) Thank you again for all of your support.

In October we learned about… • Kindergarten - parts of a book, non-fiction

sequencing, and VA Readers’ Choice selections • 1st Grade - fiction vs. non-fiction, fiction book

organization, information on a title page , and VA Reader’s Choice selections

• 2nd Grade – fiction book organization (ABC order), locating fiction books by call number, identifying fiction vs. non-fiction, and using the online catalog to locate books, and VA Readers’ Choice selections

• 3rd Grade – locating fiction and non-fiction books by call number, locating words in a dictionary, identifying the sections of a non-fiction book, and VA Readers’ Choice selections

• 4th & 5th Grade – identifying author’s purpose, internet domain suffixes, literary genres, locating non-fiction books using the Dewey Decimal System, and VA Readers’ Choice selections

Book Fair The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Waterford Elementary during American Education Week, November 18 – 22. Please look for a flyer that will be coming home in the next couple of weeks. Your child will have two scheduled visits to the event during the week; once to preview, and once to purchase. We look forward to seeing many Waterford residents at the fair on family/community night, Wednesday, November 20, from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

GREETINGS FROM GUIDANCE! We are off to a fantastic start this year! In the month of September, students participated in classroom lessons focusing on being courteous, which makes everyone feel welcome and respected here at Waterford. In October, lessons focused on student dependability to promote school success and personal safety. By using those words at home, you can help students make good choices both in and out of school.

Lunch enrichment groups are underway and new groups will begin approximately every 5 weeks. If you or your child has requested a group, you will receive information, including a permission slip, before the lunch group begins.

*** As we approach the holidays, our generosity of spirit often leads us to think of others. If you would like further information regarding how you can participate in donating your time and resources, or know someone who might enjoy participating in the holiday meal, you may wish to contact Thanksgiving Together, http://www.thanksgivingtogether.org/ This local organization provides a NO COST meal to those in need or who are alone for Thanksgiving.

Students of the Week The following students were honored during the month of

October: First Grade Cohen C. Aubrey C. Joshua D. Second Grade Aiden B. Skye K. Benjamin B. .

Third Grade Kevin B. Ava F. Max T. Clay A. Fourth Grade Andrew P. Amber P. Amanda L. Cassidy S.

Fifth Grade Pierce K. Miki C, Colby C. Katie Ann I. Joey C.

Spooky October Work- Cursive Skeletons and Phases of the Moon

4th Grade


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http://www.thanksgivingtogether.org/


PARENT RESOURCE CENTER Loudoun County Public Schools Parent Resource Center November 2013 Event Schedule *Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at the LCPS Administrative Building 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, 20148 Events will be cancelled when schools are closed or after school activities cancelled. Autism Series: Promoting Positive Mealtimes Topics include common causes, sensory issues, and behavior strategies. Thursday, November 7 from 9-11 am (morning) Social Media and Your Child on the Autism Spectrum or with a Developmental Disability Topics include how technology impacts social and emotional development, dangers of the internet and social media, cyber bullying, and video gaming. Thursday November 7 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Brunch Bunch at Paxton Campus An opportunity for us to get together, discover resources and answer questions. We will have the coffee ready, bring your own treats. No registration necessary. Wed, Nov 13 from 10-11:30 am *Note Location: Paxton Campus, Ally Advocacy Center Bldg. at 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg, 20176 Call 571-252-2185 to register or go to www.lcps.org/prc. The workshop titles are linked to the event flyers and registration If due to a disability, you need assistance or an interpreter, call 571-252-2185 7 days before an event. If, due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to

participate meaningfully in any meeting, activity, etc. associated with the school, please contact Dr. R. Anderson, Principal of Waterford Elementary School at 540-751-2460 at least 5 working days prior to the activity. Thank You.

Calendar for the 2014-2015 School Year The proposed calendar is to be adopted at the board’s November 12th meeting. It should be noted that Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) cannot open before Labor Day in 2014 under state law. If you wish to comment on the calendar, you may e-mail the School Board at [email protected]. Following is the proposed school calendar: September 2: First Day of School October 13: Holiday (Columbus Day) October 31: End of the Grading Period November 3-4: Student Holidays (Planning/Records/Conference Days) November 26-28: Holiday (Thanksgiving Break) December 22-January 2: Winter Break (Classes Resume January 5) January 19: Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) January 23: End of Grading Period January 26: Moveable Student Holiday*(Planning/Records/Conference Day) February 16: Holiday (Presidents’ Day) March 27: End of Grading Period March 30-April 3: Holiday (Spring Break) April 6: Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Day) May 25: Holiday (Memorial Day) June 16: Last Day of School/End of Grading Period

PARENTING CLASSES

Loudoun County Nurturing Parenting Program offers a variety of parenting courses. In these classes parents learn about: child/adolescent development, strategies for increasing their child’s self-esteem, effective methods to address problem behaviors, and ways to promote positive family interactions.

A new class, “Parenting Strategies for the Pre-Teen/Adolescent,” will begin, January 16, 2014. It will meet Thursday evenings, from 6:00-7:30 for six weeks. Classes are free and children/teens are encouraged to attend with their parents to participate in age-appropriate activities. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to request an application, please call 703.771.3973, ext. 27, or email: [email protected]


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mailto:[email protected]

w elementary school w.e e.xpect s.uccess november …

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