Preparing Your Child for School - Talk to your child about school. Tell them about positive experiences you remember from your first days of school. Talk to them about what they will learn in school. Never use school as a threat, such as, “You can’t go to school today because you are bad.” Parents and schools should be perceived as people and places that show unconditional love. If the teacher sends a nice letter welcoming children to the classroom, share this letter with your children. They will probably want to read it over and over. Read to your child on a regular basis and let your child “read” to you. Explain that in school the teachers will read to them and they there will be so many good books at school for them to read. If you see a few tears when you are leaving the classroom, don’t worry. The tears disappear once Mom or Dad leave. A few tears may return if you meet your children after school, but be assured; that most tears disappear almost the minute parents are out of sight. School personnel will identify children who continue to display anxiety about coming to school and who may need extra help in dealing with those anxieties. The vast majority of children experience no difficulties with coming to school. They are looking forward to being part of a school population and the new adventures and experiences this milestone brings. They will enjoy reading and learning and will express that joy. Keep in close touch with your child’s teachers. School is an ongoing partnership between teachers and parents. You should continue to reinforce positive feelings about school by talking with your child about learning and achievement. Model this advice by showing them that you are still learning, too.
We would like to congratulate our new 5th grade Peer Mediators! They are:
Etezaz Ahsan
Sean DeMauro
Jessica Lin
Lauren Quinn
WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a way to settle differences caused by misunderstandings, name-calling, gossip, teasing and arguing. A neutral mediator helps students in the 4th, 5th, or 6th grade who are in conflict to talk about the problem and cooperatively work out their differences in a way that satisfies both parties. Mediation is a win-win process.
WHO ARE THE MEDIATORS?
The mediators are students who were selected by their peers and teachers, who have completed a training program in mediation techniques.
A school counselor is present during the peer mediation session, but does not participate.
WHAT IS THEIR JOB?
Mediators help the students involved in a conflict understand each other’s point of view so that they can solve their problems themselves. Mediators do not decide who is wrong, but they are there to help the disputants find creative and workable solutions to their conflicts and disagreements.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM?
To provide a positive process for solving student conflicts in the school community.
To teach our students a practical life skill that will enable them to responsibly and constructively solve their own problems.
Congratulations again to our new Peer Mediators!
Due to the lack of space in the lunch room this year, we regret to inform you that we will not be continuing the “Lunch Buddy Program” for the 2010-11 school year.
Signs of School Problems: “I didn’t know my child was having a problem in school!” states a frustrated mother after receiving a phone call from her child’s teacher. This scene is replayed a number of times in different homes throughout the school year. In many of these instances the child has given advance warnings that the parents have not seen.
Often there are observable signs that are indicators when a child is having trouble in school. These signs are easy to detect because a child has a hard time hiding his/her feelings. Parents need to be aware of these signs of trouble and act accordingly. Some of the warning signs are as follows:
PHYSICAL
- Headaches and stomachaches during and after school
- Sleeping habits are disrupted. Either insomnia, sleeping late, or difficulty waking up
- Frequent illness that causes the child to miss school
MANAGEMENT
- Wastes time while doing homework
- Watches too much television
- Not starting or finishing school work at home
VOICE COMPLAINTS
- “I can’t concentrate”
- “I’m being bothered by noise”
- “Other students are bothering me”
- “I can’t do my work”
FRUSTRATION
- Slamming doors
- Spending too much time on homework
- Starting an assignment over and over
- Getting into fights
- Deteriorating self image
What can a parent do? Get help early and develop a good relationship with the teacher. Don’t be afraid to talk to your child. Set up a time to meet with your child’s teacher to see if the problem can be solved. Keep options open to seek help from the school counselor, nurse, and principal. Everyone in the school family can help. When you see a problem, take immediate action. The sooner you act the better chance you and your child will have to solve the problem.
For security purposes we require that you report immediately to the school office upon entering the school building. If you have to come to school to transport your child to the doctor’s office, home, etc., you must sign your child out in the front office. We will contact your child’s teacher and have them sent to the office.
Additionally, visitors ARE NOT to wander the hallways looking for classrooms and attempting to see/meet teachers. If you need to be in the building for FSA purposes or as a Visitor, we will provide you with an “ID badge.” All of these procedures are for your child’s safety……..Thank You!
Notice to WALKERS: We recently received a letter from the Galloway Township Chief of Police. He has asked us to remind all students to use School Crossing Guard Posts when walking to school. Students should wait at the post for the Crossing Guard to assist them in crossing the street.
Once again, the Reeds Road Elementary School is proud to take part in a variety of community activities and projects. This year we will continue with Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Through Public Education). This year our school will be involved in a Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive, Jump Rope for Heart, Giving Tree, and Kids Helping Kids. As parents, you can help us by reinforcing the value of “Altruism”.
Friday, October 17th wrapped up the final day of mock elections sponsored by the Atlantic City Press. Each student gathered in our polling place to register his or her vote online. Prior to the “actual” vote, classroom teachers engaged students in age appropriate discussions about the election process. Our gifted and talented students “worked” the polling station and conducted an exit poll. We will have to wait to see if the results from the exit poll match the outcome of our school-wide election, as well as see if they match the results of the actual election for the White House in November.
The entire process was very exciting for the children. Hopefully, the efforts of our entire staff will be long lasting for our children who developed a deeper understanding of the importance of exercising our right to vote. Our hope is that our students will always remember the importance of exercising this great right to participate in the democratic process when they are of age to vote. Votes will be tallied for local participating schools, including Reeds Road, and the results will be shared with the students once they are shared with us!
