From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

Have you ever wondered why one child can study with the stereo blasting and still get A’s, while even the rustling of a turning newspaper page distracts another one?

Have you noticed that one child can take verbal directions in an instant and follow them exactly, while another needs to have everything written down or explained in detail?

Differences like these in children have nothing to do with intelligence.  They have everything to do with learning styles.  Discovering and understanding your child’s personal learning style can help you structure a home environment that will maximize your child’s abilities.

Researchers and educators have defined leaning styles as the way in which an individual student learns most efficiently, and they have shown that when lesson presentation and study skills are geared to a student’s learning style, more learning takes place in a shorter time. 

How Does Your Child Learn Best?

If your child has always loved to sit still and listen to stories, chances are he or she is an auditory learner, who can probably understand and remember material better if it is verbalized.

The visual learner, on the other hand, needs to see something written down or illustrated in order to remember it. 

If your child has to touch everything in sight, take it apart, and see how it works, then chances are he or she is a kinesthetic/tactile learner, a hands-on learner who needs to personally experience things, and not just read or hear about them from others.

How Can You Help?

Here are some ways that you can help a child with an identified learning style:

• Discuss your child’s learning style with the teacher.
• Experiment with different types of study techniques to see which ones are most effective with your child.
• Recognize that you and your child may have entirely different learning styles. 
• Help your child understand and capitalize on a given learning style.
• If a child thrives on hands-on activities and creative projects, try to build suitable learning opportunities into the family schedule. 
• Celebrate your children’s strengths.
  

Construction Update:  We are on schedule.  Concrete pouring will continue over the next couple of weeks.  They are almost ready to pour the slab.  Wiring has been reinstalled to our library and computer lab.  They are both up and running.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

In an attempt to continuously remind parents and students about specific safety and security procedures, the District wants me to include the following information in our weekly newsletter:

 

"Campus Supervisors have been assigned to all schools throughout the district. These individuals are responsible for the direct supervision of students during recess, lunch and student-arrival times. Campus supervision begins a minimum of fifteen minutes prior to the start of school. The District does not provide formal supervision of students after school, on weekends or holidays. For safety reasons, students should not arrive at school before the established times, nor should they remain on campus after school dismissal unless they are enrolled in our Childcare program or participating in after-school enrichment provided. Members of the general public should not be on school grounds during off-hours."

Keith Karzin

Director of Safety and Risk Management

Saugus Union School District

 

Congratulations to all fourth, fifth and sixth grade students who participated in the Daily News Spelling Bee. Our first place winner is Chase White, 6^th grade in Ms. King’s class. Our second place winner, who will represent Skyblue, is Emily MacDonald, 4^th grade in Ms. Schnepp’s class. Runner up is Kelvin Sonbalee, 5^th grade in Mrs. Oculam’s
class. Emily will compete at Skirball Cultural Center on March 10^th.   We will be rooting for you Emily!

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

Do your children have time to play every day?  To just hang out?  Or are their lives - and yours – ruled by their after-school and weekend activity schedules?  According to a recent study, American children are increasingly losing out on playtime as their parents schedule more and more activities for them.

Beware of Burnout

• How are their grades?

Children can be so busy with after-school and weekend activities that they don’t have enough time to do their homework or study.  A hectic schedule also means that children aren’t getting enough sleep, leaving them drowsy and unable to pay attention in class. 

• How are their moods?

Kids, like adults, can develop a short fuse when they’re stressed.  Having time to “veg out” can sometimes be more important then yet another dancing lesson or scout meeting.

• Are they really interested?

Make sure that your children are involved in activities that interest them, and not necessarily because they interest you.

Be Selective

• Keep activities to a minimum.

An activity that meets once or twice a week is ideal for elementary school children.

• Go with the seasons. 
• Give your children variety by encouraging them to try different activities for a month or two at a time.  Take advantage of the seasons with activities like soccer in the fall, and an art class in the winter.
  

• Avoid “over-competitive” coaches and teachers.

The goal of recreational and other out-of-school activities is to help children learn and have fun, and not to pressure them to excel.  When signing up your kids for after-school and summer activities, look for coaches and teachers who remember that they are children, and not “small adults.”

Make “Down Time” Count

• Give them a break.

Make sure there’s some time in your child’s day that’s totally unscheduled, when they can unwind, play, or pursue whatever interests them.

• Don’t let them just sit.

It’s great to let children relax, but don’t go too far the other way by letting them become TV couch potatoes or computer geeks.

(“Report to Parents,” by National Association of Elementary School Principals)

 

Construction update:  We will begin steel installation this week.  There will be a large crane on the construction site.  This should not disrupt any of our activities.  The construction project is on schedule and moving smoothly.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

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