The Chameleon Connection: RISE

Demonstrating how to do the hoola hoop relay for the SOL Relays last week!!! Good job, Grade 3 and 4 teachers!!!

Our 2nd grade students had a great time at Great Country Farms last week!!

Please call our main office at 540-662-3575 if these items belong to your child. We recommend labeling your child's clothing for easy retrieval.

Chameleons RISE: Raising Intentionality Strengthening Expectations for students, teachers, administration, and families.

Week: 39: 5/13/24-5/17/24

Dear GQES Families,

Hope you had a good weekend! Thank you for supporting your child's teacher last week for TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!!!

We are continuing to test our grade 3 and 4 students for SOL's this week. Here are Testing Tips for Parents:

1. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest the night before the test.

2. On the morning of the test, your child needs to get up in plenty of time so he/she won't feel rushed.

3. Feed your child a good breakfast. Research shows that children do better on tests if they have had a good breakfast.

4. Do as much as you can to make your child feel comfortable. Try not to say things to make him/her feel more nervous.

5. Reassure your child that no matter the outcome of the test you will still love him/her. Encourage them to simply do their best.

6. Stay active in your child's education throughout the school year.

7. When the scores are sent to you, talk to your child's teacher and/or principal. This will help you to understand the scores more clearly.

8. Give your child praise even if he or she didn't do well on the test.

More suggestions: Working with Students who are anxious about testing – For Parents

1. Try not to put too much pressure on the student. Reinforce that as long as they worked hard in preparation and did their absolute best you will be proud of them.

2. Have the child visualize success. Encourage them to rehearse what it will feel like to get a good score on the test.

3. Work with them to focus on breathing. Stress is often caused by insufficient oxygen to the brain. Work with the student to take time before the test begins to take a number of deep, cleansing breaths, exhaling slowly. Focusing on breathing by taking some time when stress levels rise helps to focus the mind during testing.

4. Encourage your child to review the night before the test, but avoid cramming. Cramming is rarely if ever effective. A longer, more systematic schedule of short reviews will prepare the student better.

5. Try to use positive language when talking about expectations of the test. Do not overinflate the student’s expectations but also try to avoid negative wording (e.g. replace “you are going to fail this test if you don’t study” with “if you don’t study you aren’t going to pass this test.”)

6. Plan for a fun outing or treat for your child after the test has been completed.

7. Keep a positive attitude about testing in general around your child and emphasize

   their ability to demonstrate what they have learned rather than the consequences of not passing

A few upcoming dates include:

• 5/14/24: SOL Testing for grade 4
• 5/16/24: SOL Testing for grades 3 and 4
• 5/20/24-5/24/24: Make Up SOL Testing will occur for any student missing an SOL, as it is a mandatory requirement at the local, state, and federal level
• 5/23/24: Annual Chameleons Got Talent Show at JHHS Patsy Cline Auditorium: 5:00-6:30 pm
• 5/30/24: Last Day of School: early dismissal at 11:15am

• 6/10/24-6/27/24: WPS District-wide Elementary Summer School 8:00-1:00.
  

If you have questions or concerns, always feel free to contact us at 540-662-3575. Thank you for partnering with us to help your child thrive!

Sincerely,

Joanie Hovatter

Principal, Garland R. Quarles Elementary School

(540) 662-3575 (Phone)

(540) 662-8449 (Fax)

See Good Information

Ms. Williamson helped a teammate with the beach ball relay last week for our first ever SOL Pep Rally! Well done!!!

Every parent can help every child when they must take the state mandated Standards of Learning tests by providing a good night's rest, reassuring the child they will do their best, giving them a good breakfast, and being supportive of their work! We have been in school for nearly 40 weeks. Our students are ready and can do well!!!

How Can You Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests?

1. Optimize brain power. ...
2. Encourage good study habits and challenge critical-thinking skills. ...
3. Know what to expect. ...
4. Look at your child's past performance. ...
5. Provide practice opportunities. ...
6. Relax and remain positive.

Do you have a child who will be 4 or 5 by September 30? Everything you need to know about registration is on our registration website: bit.ly/WPSregistration2024

-Registration and eligibility events start soon! Physicals and vaccinations will be offered as listed on the registration website.

-You must bring your required documents, including birth certificate, TWO proofs of residency, physical exam, immunization record, and income verification for PreK only

-We will be using a new system for online registration and an email address is required to register

We can't wait to welcome your student and family to Winchester Public Schools!

Please be aware that RAS will be offering extended Aftercare on Thursday, May 30th beginning at the 11:15am early dismissal until our regular out time of 6pm.

We will be sending out an announcement to all RAS families and we will post a flyer on our checkout table.

• Keep Your Child Healthy and in School Handout from Attendance Works: English, Spanish;

• From J. Buckley:

  • COVID-19 Parent Flyer - English, COVID-19 Parent Flyer - Spanish; VDH has updated their guidance for schools on the K-12 Education and Child Care - Coronavirus (virginia.gov)webpage.

    "An individual can return to work in 24 hours IF their symptoms are improving and they are fever free without fever reducing medication."

  
  

  • Keep Your Child Healthy and in School Handout from Attendance Works: English, Spanish;
  • From our WPS Public Relations Officer: https://www.smore.com/n/re6ph
  • Planning ahead: Save the Date flyer in English and Spanish for the Readiness Fair!

  
  

  From M. McCampbell-Lien:

  • Now that the museum is installed and other aspects are being finalized, we can't wait to welcome you to the Douglas School Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m. Families are welcome. Feel free to share!
  • Free Online Tutoring with Varsity Tutors: WPS students in grades 1-12 can now use Varsity Tutors at NO COST! Features include 24/7 On-Demand Tutor Chat; Live Group Classes in Academics, SAT & ACT Test Prep, Career Readiness and Celebrity-Led StarCourse Classes; On-Demand Essay Review and Practice Tests & Personalized Learning Plans. To access Varsity Tutors, simply log into Classlink, select “Varsity Tutors” and enter the Varsity Tutors portal. Students can explore the Learning Lab and search for activities and support they want to use.Instructions & Info: https://bit.ly/ALLINWIN

  • Preschool Eligibility Night

    We know our March Pre-K eligibility days were BUSY, so we are offering an additional night with extra staff to ensure all of our families are able to get registered if eligible. Preschool Eligibility Night will be Wednesday, May 8 from 3-7 p.m. at the Douglas School (598 N Kent St). We would love to meet your student; bring them and receive a free children’s book! *Please review the Registration Website for everything you need to know: bit.ly/WPSregistration2024 *

  
  

Information:

From Ms. Jennifer Buckley, Director of Student Services

• COVID-19 Parent Flyer - English,
• COVID-19 Parent Flyer - Spanish;

• From Ms. Maggie McCampbell Lien, PR for the division
• : Opt-In to School Texts

• Info: Not receiving school-related text messages? You must OPT-IN to receive messages. Text "Subscribe" to 67587. You should receive confirmation that you are registered. Don't forget to ensure all of your contact information is correct at your student's school, too!

  
  

ELA (Reading) and Math Supports for Parents to Help Students