Abajo se encuentra el boletin en Espanol

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

Defining Education Terms

The ABCs are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to educational abbreviations and acronyms.  Parents, understandably, are often confused by all the terms used by school and teachers.  Here’s a quick look at some of the most common terms:

NCLB (No Child Left behind Act) is the 2001 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  It is a federal law that was designed to improve student performance and make schools, school districts, and states more accountable for students’ success or failure.

AYP (adequate yearly progress) was established under NCLB as the measure that states must use to show that their schools and school districts are effectively working to meet basic state standards for math and reading, as well as for attendance and high school graduation.  Each state has its own system for measuring school progress, often involving statewide testing.

ELL (English-language learners) is a broad term used to describe students who second language is English-that is to say children who are raised in homes where the main language spoken is not English.  ELL is now being used as a term to replace other, more specific, categories, including students with limited English proficiency (LEP), second-language learners (SLL), and English as a Second Language (ESL).  

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) was created to help ensure that children who have special needs. Such as a dyslexia or autism, are able to receive a free public school education that meets their needs.

FAPE (fee appropriate public education) is one of the hallmarks of IDEA-that American children, regardless of their disability, are entitled to a public school education.

IEP (individualized education program) is a personalized educational plan created for students who have been identified as having specific educational disabilities.  An IEP is a team as well as an educational program.  IEP team members include the child’s classroom teacher and special education teacher, the parent(s), a public agency representative, and, in may cases, the student.

RTI (response to intervention) is a multitier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs.  Students’ progress is closely monitored at each stage of intervention to determine the need for another method of instruction and/or intervention in both general and special education.

Many states also have “named” tests and programs to gauge students’ progress.  From Virginia (SOLs) to California (STAR), if you have a child in public school, you’ll hear plenty about your state’s achievement tests, including in which grades they’re given and what subject areas are covered. 

Do you want to know more?  Your school’s counselors can be a great resource for educational information and can be particularly helpful if you believe your child might have special educational needs.  You can ask your child’s teacher or principal.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

Director Needed for Talent Show

Please volunteer to be the Director of Skyblue Mesa’s Talent Show.  If no one volunteers, there will be no More ...

Keywords: SK Newsletter

Abajo se encuentra el boletin en Espanol

 

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

It’s not all just fun and games.  What children do in their down time-when they are not in school or in planned activities - can have a serious impact on their lives and health, both now and in the future.

Whether or not your children are fixated on TV or video games, it’s likely that they spend many hours a week tuned into music, movies, computer games, or television shows.  Here is important information you need to know about the effects of electronic media on your children, and what you can do to lessen the negative impact:

Watch with them.  When your children are watching television shows or movies at home, be sure to be tuned in yourself.

Turn it off.  Limit the amount of time your children spend in front of the TV, and turn off any shows that you believe are promoting violence, sexuality, disrespect for the law, and alcohol or drug use.

Keep it out of their rooms.  Children who have TVs or computer game systems in their rooms spend too many hours tuned out and too few working on activities that build their minds, bodies, and social skills.

Listen in.  When your children talk to each other or to friends, occasionally listen in.  Be aware if they seem to be identifying with characters in games or shows who are not good role models.

Use the rating systems.  There are helpful rating systems on all television shows, music CDs, and video games.  Be aware of what the ratings are and strictly limit your children to those that you feel are appropriate. 

Understand that watching violence breeds violence.  Many studies have shown that children, who watch a lot of violent programming, play violent computer or video games, and play music that glorifies violence.

Don’t give in.  If your children beg for video games, music, DVDs that you feel are inappropriate, ignore their pleas and don’t buy them.  Alert relatives and others who might buy your children gifts that you want to make sure the games and shows your children play and watch are appropriate.

Help them understand real from fantasy.  Some children get lost in the images they see in videos, TV shows, and computer games and want to act out what they are watching.  Sometimes the results can be tragic.  Monitor your children’s behavior.

 

Finally, take the word of the experts in child health-the American Academy of Pediatrics.  It has warned parents that children who watch a lot of television can end up doing more poorly in school, may be more likely to have attention problems, and may have problems with self-control and moral judgment.   

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

Child Abuse Prevention Program

The Saugus Union School District has developed a classroom educational program for Kindergarten, More ...

Keywords: SK Newsletter

Abajo se encuentra el boletin en Espanol

 

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

Raising a child means more than helping him or her grow up healthy and happy. It’s important that, by the time they’re ready to leave home, children have learned to be self-sufficient and responsible. Those kinds of lessons take an entire childhood to learn, but they’re among the most important legacies you can pass on to your children. Here are some ways to start:

Make them Calendar Girls (and Boys). Give your child his or her own calendar. Have children mark when a test or project due, or when a sports or group activity is scheduled. Each child’s calendar should be posted in a visible spot, and get them in the habit of checking it every day.

Keeping Track. As tempting as it is to bail out your children if they forget their lunch or homework or put off an assignment until too late, those mistakes can be excellent tools to teach responsibility.

Helping Others. No matter what your child’s situation in life, there always are others in greater need. Get your child involved in helping those less fortunate by working through community, school, or religious groups that focus on community service.

Pet Smarts. Taking care of the family pet is an excellent way to learn responsibility. Children quickly learn the consequences if they forget to take the dog out, forget to feed the cat, or let a caged pet stay out unattended.

Get to Work.  Assign weekly chores to everyone in the house, rotating them so that, eventually, everyone has a turn at doing the dishes, putting away laundry, and taking out the trash. Divide the jobs by age, with older children doing the harder jobs, and make sure to never list anything as a “girl” job or a “boy” job.

Save for the Future. Financial responsibility is easy to teach if you start when your children are young. From their very first birthday money, teach them to set aside a certain amount for the future.

Consider Matching Funds. If your children are saving for something that’s a big-ticket item, consider setting up a matching fund, where, if they earn the first half, you’ll chip in the second. Even though it sounds like the same concept as saying you’ll split the cost with them, it’s actually more effective to have them demonstrate to you first that they’ve worked and saved enough to pay for their share.

Finally, remember that the only way to teach your children responsibility is to model the behavior yourself. Make sure they know that they can depend on you to follow through on promises. Help them see that you value your contributions to your job, your community, and your family.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

Spell-a-thon

Skyblue Mesa’s Spell-a-thon is

January 23rd. All pledge money is due by February 10th to be eligible for prizes.

New Gate Signs

Please help us keep our gates closed for the safety of our children.

Thank you

 

 

Child Abuse Prevention Program

The Saugus Union School District has developed a classroom educational program for Kindergarten, Fourth Grade and Special Day Class students focusing on personal safety skills.  The presentation will emphasize the protection for children from abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, as well as child neglect and abduction.  Your child’s teacher will teach these mandated classroom lessons from February 2, 2009 – February 27, 2009. 

You are invited to attend a parent meeting where you will be able to preview the materials covered in the classroom presentation.  Please join us at one of the following workshops:

• Wednesday, January 21^st

Rosedell School

27853 Urbandale Ave

Saugus, Ca

297-8860

• Wednesday, January 28^th

Cedarcreek School

27792 Camp Plenty Rd

Canyon Country

298-3251

Parent Volunteer Needed for

             Health Week

A parent is needed to help with Health Week, March 23, 2009.  We need someone to attend meetings that will be held on Thursdays at the District Office at 12:30pm.  Please contact Sandy Howard at 299-2374 if interested.  The first meeting is Thursday, January 29^th.

Helpers Needed for Variety Show

The Variety Show will go on!!!!!!  Date to be announced.  We desperately need   participants to help check-in students, pass out snacks, and monitor students during rehearsal!  If interested, contact

Debbie Heather:

cabosurf@sbcglobal.net

or contact Cathy St. Georges:

skybluemesa_pto@yahoo.com

 

 

 

Dates to Remember

Friday, January 23

   MINIMUM DAY

 

   Grades 1-6/Dismissal/12:26pm

   All Kindergarten / 8:00am-11:20am

 

   Twins Day

 

   Spell-a-thon

 

Monday, January 26

   Site Council Meeting – 4:00pm

 

Friday, January 30

   Student Store – During Lunch

 

Friday, February 13

   NO SCHOOL

   Lincolns’ Birthday

 

Monday, February 16

   NO SCHOOL

   Presidents’ Day

 

Wednesday, February 18

   Gate Parent Meeting/5:30pm-7:00pm

 

Friday, February 20

   MINIMUM DAY

 

   Grades 1-6/Dismissal/12:26pm

   All Kindergarten / 8:00am-11:20am

 

   Donuts for Dad - 7:30am

 

Monday, February 23

   Site Council Meeting – 4:00pm

 

Tuesday, February 24

   McDonald’s Night/4:00pm-8:00pm

 

Monday, March 2

   Kindergarten Round-Up (Registration)

             Old MPR / 8:15am

  

   Kindergarten Regular Schedule

   Grades 3, 4, 5 & 6/Dismissal 2:00pm

                   

   Spring Book Fair

 

Del Escritorio de la Principal

Estimados Padres,

Criar a un niño significa mucho más que sólo ayudarlo a crecer sano y feliz. También es importante que, cuando llegue el momento de abandonar el hogar, los niños hayan aprendido a ser

Autos suficientes y responsables. Aunque estas lecciones requieren el transcurso de toda la niñez para aprenderse, éstas se encuentran entre los principales legados que usted puede dejarle a sus hijos. Las siguientes son algunas sugerencias:

Enséñeles a utilizar el calendario. Déle a sus niños sus propios calendarios, para que los puedan marcar cuando tengan exámenes, fechas para entregar

proyectos, o cuando se celebren deportes o actividades de grupo. El calendario de cada niño debe colocarse en un lugar visible.

Manténgase al tanto. A pesar de lo

tentador que pueda ser el ayudar a su

niño cuando se le olvide el almuerzo,

tarea o cuando procrastine hasta que

sea demasiado tarde para completarlo

a tiempo, recuerde que estos errores

pueden ser excelentes herramientas

para enseñarles a ser responsables. Si

su niño necesita pedir dinero prestado

para el almuerzo, asegúrese de que lo

reembolse con sus ahorros, y si el

proyecto debe estar listo para el día

siguiente, trate de no interferir y

ayudarle.

Ayudar al prójimo. Sea cual sea la situación en que se encuentre su niño, siempre habrá otros niños más

necesitados. Involucre a su hijo en ayudar a aquellos menos afortunados a través de la escuela, trabajos

comunitarios, o grupos religiosos que estén dedicados al servicio comunitario. Demuéstreles que predica con el ejemplo al ser usted misma voluntaria.

Cuidado de mascotas. El cuidar una mascota es una excelente forma de aprender a ser responsable. Los

niños aprenden rápidamente las consecuencias cuando se les olvida sacar al perro, darle de comer al gato, o dejar que una mascota enjaulada este afuera

sin atenderla.

Póngalos a trabajar. Asigne tareas semanales a todos en la casa, haciendo turno para que eventualmente, todos realicen las tareas de lavar platos, doblar y guardar ropa, sacar la basura, etc.

Divida las tares de acuerdo a edad, haciendo que los niños mayores hagan los trabajos más difíciles, y asegúrese de no hacer diferencia en trabajos “para

niñas” o “para niños”.

Ahorre para el Futuro.  La responsabilidad financiera es fácil de enseñar cuando se empieza con los niños desde pequeños. Desde que reciban el primer regalo de dinero para sus cumpleaños, enséñeles que deben guardar algo de dinero para el futuro.

Considere el igualarles los

ahorros. Si sus hijos están ahorrando para un gasto considerable, considere tener un fondo para igualarles lo que ahorren, es decir, si ellos colaboran con la primera mitad, usted les ayuda con

la segunda mitad. Aunque esto pueda parecer el mismo concepto que dividir el costo con ellos, es más efectivo que ellos le demuestren primero que han trabajado y ahorrado lo suficiente para pagar su

parte.

Finalmente, recuerde que la única manera de enseñarles a ser responsables es con su ejemplo. Asegúrese de que sepan que pueden contar con usted

para cumplir con sus promesas. Ayúdeles a ver que usted valora sus contribuciones en su trabajo, comunidad y familia.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

 

Necesitamos un Voluntario para la “Semana de Salud”

 Necesitamos un padre que puede ayudar con la “Semana de Salud,”  el 23 de Marzo, 2009.  Necesitamos que alguien asista a reuniones los Jueves en las Oficinas Escolar de Saugus a las 12:30 p.m.  Por favor, hable con Sandy Howard a 299-2374 si estas interesado.  La primera reunión será Jueves el 29 de Enero,

Programa para Prevenir el Abuso de Niños

El Distrito Escolar Unido de Saugus ha desarrollado un programa educacional para Kindergarten, Cuarto Grado, y Estudiantes en las Clases Especiales enfocándose en capacidad personal de seguridad.  La presentación hará hincapié en la protección de niños que son abusados, incluyendo física y sexual, también que están desentendidos o secuestrados.  La maestro de niño/a será la que enseñe estas clases mandatarias de Febrero 2, 2009 – Febrero 27, 2009. 

 

UD. esta invitado a asistir a la reunión donde  podrá revisar el material que presentaremos en la clase.  Por favor reúnase con nosotros en las próximas reuniones:

• Miércoles, 21 de Enero

Rosedell School

27853 Urbandale Ave

Saugus, Ca

297-8860

• Miércoles, 28 de Enero

Cedarcreek School

27792 Camp Plenty Rd

Canyon Country

298-3251

Skyblue Mesa PTO’s Noche para Padre e Hijo

Noche para Padres e Hijos será el Sábado, 17 de Enero, desde la 6:00pm-8:00pm en:

The Fun Zone

Blacklight Miniature Golf

23460 Cinema Drive

Valencia, Ca 91355

 

Si tienes preguntas o quieres ayudar como voluntario en este evento, por favor llame a Sandy Howard a 299-2374

skybluemesa_pto@yahoo.com.

Fechas para recordar

Viernes, el 23 de Enero

   DIA MINIMO (CORTO)

 

   Grados 1-6/Estudiantes

          Salen/12:26pm

   Todos los estudiantes en Kindergarten / 8:00am-11:20am

 

Lunes, el 26 de Enero

   Reunión de Concilio Escolar

                  4:00pm

 

Viernes, el 13 de Febrero

   NO HAT CLASES

  Cumpleaños de Presidente Lincoln

 

Lunes, 16 de Febrero

   NO HAY CLASES

   Día de los Presidentes

 

Miércoles, el 18 de Febrero

   Reunión para Padres/5:30pm-7:00pm

 

Viernes, el 20 de Febrero

   DIA MINIMO (CORTO)

 

   Grados 1-6/Estudiantes

          salen/12:26pm

   Todos los estudiantes en Kindergarten / 8:00salen11:20am

 

   Pasteles para Padres - 7:30am

 

Lunes, el 23 de Febrero

   Reunión de Concilio Escolar – 4:00pm

 

Lunes, el 2 de  Marzo

   Kindergarten Round-Up (Matriculación para Kindergarten)

              MPR vieja / 8:15am

  

   Kindergarten sigue el horario

                     Regular

   Grados 3, 4, 5 & 6/Estudiantes

                 salen 2:00pm

                   

   Venta de Libros de la Primavera

Martes, el 3 de  Marzo

   Kindergarten Round-Up (Matriculación para Kindergarten)

    

   Kindergarten Sigue el Horario

                    Regular

   Grados 3, 4, 5 & 6/Estudiantes

                 salen 2:00pm

 

Miércoles, el 4 de Marzo

   Kindergarten Round-Up (Matriculación para Kindergarten) 

  

   DIA MINIMO (CORTO)

   Conferencias entre Padres

                  Y Maestros

 

   Kindergarten Sigue el Horario

                   Regular

   Grados 1-6/Estudiantes

              salen/12:26pm

  

Jueves, el 5 de Marzo

   Kindergarten Round-Up (Matriculación para Kindergarten)

  

   NO HAY CLASES

   Conferencias entre Padres

                  Y Maestros

 

 

 

 

Keywords: SK Newsletter