March 2010
Principal’s Note
I am glad that Spring is right around the corner! I have always loved living in Ohio and having the appropriate weather for all four seasons, but I must admit that I was happy to have a few of those 40 degree days that we had last week. Our students are happy to be outside for recess, when it is 20 degrees or higher, to get a chance to play with all of their friends. With the changing of the seasons brings Spring testing.
Testing time is always a stressful time for our students. In the very near future, our students will be required by the State of Ohio to participate in Terra Nova and In View tests and Ohio Achievement Assessments. The Terra Nova and In View tests will begin for our 2nd and 5th graders the week of March 15th. The Ohio Achievement Assessments for our 3rd through 5th graders the week of April 19th. These tests may seem far off for adults, but is right around the corner when we are reviewing our teaching standards here at Kinder. You can help our 3rd through 5th graders prepare for the Ohio Achievement Assessments by helping them to review on a regular basis.
If you wish to review questions with your 3rd through 5th graders at home or at the public library, you are more than welcome! Simply go to the Ohio Department of Education website at www.ode.state.oh.us/Under the “Testing” portion (upper right hand corner), go to “Practice Tests.” Please don’t forget that all Kinder 4th and 5th grade students can also go to www.studyisland.com to get practice as well. Students only need to have their passwords with them to gain access to the site.
The best things you can give children, next to good habits, are good memories. - Sydney J. Harris
Keys to Success During Ohio Achievement Assessments
Don’t skip breakfast! Make sure to eat a nutritional breakfast every morning.
Don’t skip meals! Eating 3 well-balanced meals each day helps all of your body systems.
Drink plenty of water! Water helps your brain! Drinking plenty of water helps the synapses in your brain work more quickly.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night!
Help your students review. Ask to see what they reviewed that day in school and help them to be more prepared.
Remind students to check their work. Most students find that they have plenty of time to finish the test and have time to review all answers. Reminding them to check their work may help them to find careless errors.
Listen to your child. Often, simply listening to children will help alleviate some of the stress that they are going through.
Attendance. Make sure your child arrives to school on time everyday.
Plan a fun activity for the family to do the Friday after the tests.
District News
The Miamisburg City School District is seeking input from members of its school community for suggestions of names for its newest school building. The new school building is located on Wood Road. This new facility will house 450 students in grades K-5. The completion of this building will help ease the overcrowding problem in elementary buildings across the district.
Community members interested in submitting a nomination must prepare a two-paragraph statement containing biographical and historical data and reasons justifying their school name choice. Submissions should be sent to: Miamisburg City Schools, 540 E. Park Ave., Miamisburg, OH 45342, attn: Elementary School Naming Committee. All submissions are due no later than March 12. Submissions may be emailed to Communication Officer Jennifer Jones at jjones@miamisburg.k12.oh.us.
Important Dates for March
3/4—1st grade to Victoria
3/4—5th grade DARE program Begins
3/9—5th grade to Starbase
3/9—PTO Meeting @ 6:00 P.M.
3/15—3/19 Terra Nova and In View Testing for 2nd and 5th grade
3/16—5th to Starbase
3/17—Chic Fil A class of the week
3/18—Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M.
3/18—Skating Party @ Romar
3/23—5th to Starbase
3/23—Book Fair Night
3/25—End of 3rd Nine Weeks
3/26—No School
ODE website for OAA practice tests: www.ode.state.oh.us
Practice makes perfect!
Clothing Need
We are in need of some gently used clothing to keep on hand for emergencies! If you happen to have a pair of elastic waist pants/sweatpants in sizes 6 – 12 – boys or girls – we could use them at Kinder! Also t-shirts sizes 6 – 12. We are not in need of many. However, there are times when we are unable to reach a parent for an immediate need of a shirt or pants for a student. Thank you!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2010-11 – will be held the week of April 12 – 16th. Registration will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and on Thursday, 9:30 – 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Information needed for Kindergarten registration is available on the District website and is also posted on the doors at Kinder. Please come to registration with all needed documents in hand!
2010-2011 School Year
It is hard to believe that we are already planning for next school year! In our pre-planning stages, Kinder will be moving toward “paperless” communication. Early in the school year, you will be sent a paper requesting your e-mail address for the Kinder Office to send you “normal” communications via the internet. There will be an option of continuing to receive news through paper format if necessary. More detail to come in future newsletters.
Fun Fitness Fact
You would need to drink a quart of milk every day for three to four months to drink as much blood as your heart pumps in one hour.
Kinder PTO News
Kinder’s PTO News—Next Meeting March 9th @ 6:00 P.M.
Our recent Parent Night with Kettering Medical Center was a large success! Our families in attendance got many healthy tips on eating as well as exercise plans for our children!
Our March meeting topics will include: planning for future teacher events and planning for our April carnival. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please attend our next meeting so that PTO can continue to run the school carnival that our students love!
If you still require a Kroger’s rechargeable gift card that earns Kinder PTO 4% of your sales, please stop in the office or call Mrs. Blum at 859-6266.
Secretary Space—Mrs. Saunders
FEES – Please don’t forget to send in payment for your child’s school fees. If you feel you may qualify for a waiver, contact the Kinder office.
Be sure to check your child’s folder or bookbag daily for items of importance which may be sent home from school. Also, reading the monthly Newsletter and keeping it handy is a good way to keep informed of upcoming important dates at Kinder!
YEARBOOKS
Yearbook sales have begun and forms have were sent home with students. If you plan to order, complete the bottom envelope portion of the form, enclose payment, and return it to school with your child. DEADLINE FOR ORDERS IS MARCH 12th. No extras will be ordered by Kinder.
Student Council News
Recently, all of our Student Council Members participated in Random Acts of Kindness Week. Each member was responsible to performing a random act for someone else. These acts will be shared at our next meeting.
We are in the process of planning for Teacher Appreciation Week! All ideas will be discussed at our next meeting on Thursday, March 11th.
Pennies for Patients—Our recent penny drive raised almost $500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Thanks to all of our students for helping to support such a great cause! Unfortunately, we did not win our competition with Bear Elementary School.
Kinder Vision: To ensure a safe, nurturing community dedicated to educate, motivate and challenge lifelong learners.
