Growing Readers and Writers
High-frequency words are words that appear most often in printed text. FHES teachers refer to these words as: “snap words” (we want to know them in a snap), “trick words” (they can be tricky, and often don’t follow rules that can be sounded out), “sight words” (we want to know them by sight), “word wall words”, etc. Readers work hard to recognize these words with automaticity, not needing to “sound them out”. Reading research tells us that when these words are instantly recognized, our brains can apply effort to the other words of the text and the short term memory can focus on comprehension of what is going on in the story. There are varying lists for these high-frequency words (e.g. the Dolch List, the Fry List).
Click here to see a list of 109 Power Words! These words have a lot of “power” for beginning readers as they comprise 50% of the words found in children’s texts. The first 13 words represent power little words that make up 25% of the words in children’s texts. Ensuring that your reader knows all of these words can be very beneficial for their reading success!
Zones of Regulation
This month, our students have been learning about the Zones of Regulation, a tool designed to help children understand and manage their emotions in a healthy way. The Zones are categorized into four colors: Blue (low energy emotions like sadness or tiredness), Green (calm, focused energy, and ready to learn), Yellow (heightened energy emotions like stress or excitement), and Red (intense emotions such as strong anger or panic). With the help of a visual chart, students identify their feelings and explore strategies—like deep breathing or using a sensory tool—to regulate and return to the Green Zone. We also use a "meter" visual to show how emotions can shift between zones and how we can bring ourselves back to a balanced state. This program equips students with lifelong skills for self-awareness and emotional regulation. Ask your child about what they’ve learned and their favorite tools for calming or focusing!
The right side of the front door of the building will now be automatically unlocked from 8:00 AM to 8:35 AM. This adjustment eliminates the need for students to ring the bell during these times, especially on colder mornings.
A staff member will still be stationed at the front entrance to greet students and monitor who is entering the building during this period.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we strive to make mornings more convenient while prioritizing safety.
Going Home Plans
Please make sure your child knows their going-home plans before the school day starts.
We understand that going home plans may change during the day. When this happens we can write a note to be delivered to your child. Please be aware that notes are delivered at 2:15 pm, and Wednesdays at 1:10 pm. Please let us know your plans before this time, thank you!
Thank you for setting your child up for success by ensuring they know their going-home plan before the start of the school day.
PTO Meetings
Click on the links below to connect with PTO:
The Next Meeting date will be:
Monday, December 9 at 5:30 pm in the Elementary School Library.
It's ok to bring your students to the meeting.
ATTENDANCE COUNTS
If your child has to miss a day of class, please remember to excuse the absence by emailing jeannarheinberger@sjisd.org or calling 360-378-5209.
It is important that this information, regarding absences, or change of pickup or drop off plans, comes to us from parents and/or primary caregivers not through a friend, grandparent, neighbor etc.
Thank you!
School Parking Area Safety Reminders
School Parking Area Safety Reminders
Please remind your child to stay on the provided path and/or sidewalk while they are walking to school. Younger students benefit from walking with an older sibling or an adult. This is especially true on mornings with reduced visibility.
Please remember, that there is no supervision on school grounds before 8:00 am. Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe!
Friday Harbor Elementary School
Email: roslynbutcher@sjisd.org
Website: sjisd.wednet.edu
Location: 95 Grover Street, Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: 360.378.5209