Dear Parent/Guardian:

Anderson Elementary School is about to take part in a special, communitywide shared reading event. Every family will receive a copy of the same book – Almost Super by Marion Jensen – and will be asked to read it together at home over the next few weeks. I am personally asking you to make the time so that your family can participate in this special activity.

Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader, and it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. With this program, we aim to build a Community of Readers at our school.

Your child will receive a copy of Almost Super following a special schoolwide assembly on Monday introducing the program and the book. Students will hear the first chapter at the assembly. Inside the front cover of the book, you will find a reading schedule so that you can keep up at home. Generally, you will be asked to read about 15 minutes each night.

In school, your child will be invited to answer daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive listening. You will soon find that your child will take pride in knowing and anticipating the details of the story. In class, students will explore the book through activities and discussion. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so that your child can be included. Throughout the month, everyone will be talking about Almost Super!

This is a novel program in that children of all grade levels will all be listening to the same book. Reading professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child's own reading level. We also believe that you can and should continue reading chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. We have selected a title that can be followed and understood and enjoyed by younger students but will still captivate and stimulate older children.

I know that you’ll enjoy this special reading time with your children. I hope to talk with both you and your student sometime in the days to come about Rafter and Benny Bailey and their family of superheroes. “When a whole school reads a book, there's a lot to talk about.” With your help, we can build a Community of Readers at our school. Please save the date for our One School, One Book Family Event on Thursday, March 19th from 6:00-7:30 pm!

Nate Jarot, Principal

Dear District 303 families,

When we asked parents to tell us what kind of programming they wanted as part of our Parent University series, many asked us to produce videos that can be watched in the comfort of their own homes and on their own schedules. In that same survey, parents requested information about how Project Lead the Way has enhanced student learning in classrooms from kindergarten through high school. As stories of underage vaping continue to permeate the news, parents are also looking for strategies they can use to begin conversations with their children about the dangers.

The District 303 Video Vault has two new videos – one about Project Lead the Way and the other one about vaping. We hope that the Project Lead the Way video gives you some questions to ask your child about the skills he or she has learned in PLTW. We also encourage you to watch the video about vaping with your children and talk to them about the health risks and dangers associated with it.