Science Fair!

Our Science Fair was a great success!
Classes and Parents are invited to view the Science Fair Projects at School on Tuesday, February 27.



Several of the "scientists" were invited to submit their projects for review for the opportunity to participate in the regional Science Fair at Union Station in March.















Posted here are pictures of the best projects. While these projects may look impressive, the most impressive part of the projects is found in the science. The best projects were methodologically rigorous. The data were clearly presented. The papers were well-written and easy for the average non-scientist to understand.

Parent Resource Center

Check out the new Parent Resource Center Website!

The KCMSD Parent Resource Center offers services to parents and families. They offer free internet services, free parenting courses, and other family services.

The website offers daily homework tips, too!

http://www.kcmsd.net/parentresource/

Valentine's Dance Cancelled

Sadly, the Valentine's Dance has been canceled.

February Notes

A few notes for the beginning of February:

1. The Valentines Day Store is open during lunch time, in the cafeteria on Tuesday and Wednesday. If your children would like to purchase any Valentines-themed merchandise, send money with them to school.

2. Remember the Parent Power Institute meetings: Tuesday, February 13th at Pioneer College (2700 East 18th) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 17th at Manual Parent Resource Center (1215 Truman Road) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

3. Title I Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 15, at the Norman Center - 6330 Swope Parkway - beginning at 6:30 p.m. Involvement staff, please encourage your parents to attend. Parents, please bring another parent. Please RSVP.

Valentine's Day Dance!

The Caring Communities Steering Committee is hosting a School Valentine's Dance on Friday, February 16, from 6pm to 9pm.

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Free Compact Light Bulbs Save Energy

Residents get efficient light bulbs
through program's partnerships

To further promote its A Million Lights campaign, the City of Kansas City, Mo., is giving residents who live in neighborhoods participating in its Neighborhood Improvement Program free compact, fluorescent light bulbs. Other residents will be able to obtain the free compact, fluorescent light bulbs through the City's Weatherization Program and neighborhood organizations throughout the city.


For more information:
www.kcmo.org

SFA information and tips

Here are some tips on helping your child succeed in reading. These were provided by SFA facilitators at the SFA Overview yesterday.

1. Your child has reading homework every night. She must read for 20 minutes every day. 90% of students who read 20 minutes/night will be able to pass a reading test on their reading level.

2. If your child is in Reading Roots (1st grade reading level), each night he brings home a homework page called "Read and Respond," along with a short book. This homework is designed to be family-centered. Your child has a greater chance for success if you read with him and help him fill out the Read and Respond homework sheet.

3. Set goals with your child. Set goals that are challenging, yet attainable. For example, a reasonable goal for the first week might be for the child to read aloud a certain number of pages in a book. If she accomplishes this goal, you can raise the number of pages for the next week.

The facilitators also provided some information. Maybe some of you are already aware of these things.

1. Each student has the chance to advance each quarter. Because every student is tested every quarter, a child does have the potential to advance and catch up to his grade level.

2. SFA is going to start providing more reading materials for students who have completed the most difficult materials for each course of study. If your student has completed the material for level 1.9 in Roots, you can ask her teacher about additional reading material provided by SFA. The same applies to students who have completed level 5.2 of Wings.

http://successforall.net
sfainfo@successforall.net
1-800-548-4998 ext. 2372

No children's pictures will be posted

Because several parents have expressed concerns about posting pictures of our children on the blog, none will be posted.

There are several reasons for this decision. If you would like further information about this decision, please send me an e-mail: lhacker "at" kcmsd.net.

Thank you for supporting the blog. Please leave comments and let me know what you would like to see on the blog.

Laura Hacker-Wright

SFA Overview at the Parent Resource Center, Jan. 30

An SFA (Success For All) Overview will be held at the Parent Resource Center (in the Manuel building at 1215 E. Truman Rd.) on Tuesday, January 30. There will be two sessions. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For those of you who have to work during the day, there is a session from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The meeting will cover everything you ever wanted to know about the SFA reading program. The SFA reading program was implemented this year. Please bring all your questions about it, and about how you can help improve your child's reading skills to the meeting.



Call the Parent Resource Center to R.S.V.P. and inquire about child care.
816-418-8202 or 816-418-2600 for ESL Support


Check out the SFA website at http://successforall.com