Cardinal Communicator
September Newsletter Memorial School
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Good attendance is so important. And right now, the attendance at Memorial is not good. Did you know that students who are chronically absent or tardy from school often read below grade level and struggle to understand math concepts? Children who are absent even a day or two, every few weeks often fall behind their peers. A student who is considered chronically absent from school, misses 10% of the school year or 18 days. At this time, teachers will call 696-KIDS to report educational neglect.
Please don't let this happen. Some students report they are late because their parents overslept. This is not setting a good example. Please make sure you are up on time so your children are up on time and can be on time for school. We will have weekly rewards for students who have no absences and no tardies. As a school community we must spead the word that attendance is important!
When do absences become a problem:
Chronic absenteeism-18 or more days
Warning Signs-10-17 days
Satisfactory-9 or fewer absences for the entire school year
We ask that you don't let your child stay home unless he or she is truly sick. Please keep in mind that complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. If your child seems anxious about coming to school please contact your child's teacher via email for some tips and advice.
As a parent myself, I fully understand how hectic and busy our lives are. I also understand how difficult it is to raise a child and there are situations where your child may not be able to attend school. As an educator and a parent, I know the best thing you can do for your child is to ensure they have the very best education and that means they must attend school regularly. Get to School! You can Make It!
Love Mrs. Dinkins
MR. NEAL'S PBIS PUBLICATION
This past week, we celebrated our first PBIS Event, The Game Truck and Spa Bus, for students who earned 18 Memorial bucks.
For the month of October, the incentive is Popcorn and a Movie! Scholars need to earn 19 Memorial bucks! They can also spend their Memorial dollars in the store on different items! Scholars earn their Memorial bucks by displaying respect, and responsibility, and being ready to learn in their classrooms, hallways, bathroom, cafeteria, outside areas, buses, offices or clinics, computer labs, or atarrival and dismissal.
Families, you can support this initiative by discussing positive behaviors and what respect looks like and sounds like with your child/children.
HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH HOMEWORK
Greetings Families,
Helping your child with homework can be a daunting task sometimes, especially if you do not remember how to answer certain questions, solve math problems, etc... The link below offers 10 free homework help websites that may assist you and your child in understanding a particular skill.
In addition, we have started our after-school programs. We have our Encore Clubs (Art, Music, and Physical Education Grades 5 - 8 from 2:05-2:55) and (After School All Stars) which serves Grades K - 8 students from 2:05 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. If you are interested in information to sign your child up for one of these programs, please email your child's teacher, administration, or our Say Yes Family Support Specialist. We will get a form for your child to bring home!
I look forward to collaborating with you through your child's educational journey this year!
Mrs. Wadsworth
PRE-K NEWS
Reading:
We are working on identifying our first name. We are reading books about school and All About Me!
Math:
We are counting to 20 daily. We are learning to identify different numerals while doing our calendar.
Science/Social Studies:
We are observing the world around us daily. We looked for spider webs outside and acorns in our Science center.
We are talking about different animals. We are learning how to get along with our friends. We are learning about our school rules and enjoying our classroom centers.
We had a visit from our first community partner on September 12th, the Cleveland Fire Department!
~Mrs. Watkins, Miss Daniels, and Mrs. Maderka
MRS. GERDING'S NEWS
Reading: We are working on writing our first name. We also learned the name and the sound of letters a, t, s using multisensory phonics program Richards Reads/Sammy and the Magical Reading Chest.
Math: We are learning to identify different numerals (0, 1, 2, 3), count 1-10.
SEL: We are learning about emotions.
Social Studies/Science: We are talking about different animals, and how to sort them by different categories. We are also learning colors.
Many thanks to the families for sending the school supplies and visiting our classroom during the open house.
Student of the month of September: Lauren Henderson
MRS. RODGERS NEWS
Students and teachers have been very busy with benchmark assessments. We are continuing to review and catch up on our letter sounds - especially short and long vowels - as well as decoding strategies and addition and subtraction within 20. Please continue to support students by reading with them everyday. Read, write, ask questions, have conversations, tell stories, make connections, play games, sing songs, and read some more!
Happy International Day of Peace (9/21) and Happy Fall (9/23)!
MRS. GUZIK'S NEWS
We have been very busy working on our beginning of the year assessments for reading and math. I have been conferencing with students about their goals and helping them create an action plan in order to meet those goals.
Reading - I have sent books home based on each child’s present instructional reading level so they may read 15-30 minutes every day for homework (depending on their stamina). I am challenging them to read 100 books this school year and will be having an end of the year celebration for those who rise to the challenge.
Math - The focus in math has been on making connections between repeated addition and multiplication. Some of the strategies we have used include building arrays, creating equal groups, using a tape diagram and skipping on a number line (counting on and counting by).
I was happy to see so many families at Open House and the Father’s Walk. Looking forward to a great school year! Please reach out with any questions/concerns: sheila.guzik@clevelandmetroschools.org
MRS. AHRENS CLASS
Our Fabulous First Graders have been working hard on short a words, learning new vocabulary, and reading every day! We have also been working on addition facts and solving math problems. Please make sure to read each night with your student and complete the reading log in the homework packet!
MRS. BLUFFESTONE'S NEWS
The first and second grade have begun to use a new phonics and literacy program this year. Our phonics program is called Heggerty Bridge to Reading. You will see a family letter come home every Monday. This tells you what we are working on and skills that you can do at home to help your scholar as we work on the same skills at school. Side 2 is the reading passage that we will work on for the week. Please practice reading this each night. Our new literacy program is Into Reading. Bothe the first and second grade are learning about what it means to be a good citizen and we can affect others by being a good citizen. We are answering this through rich text and classroom discussions.
MS. BRUDY'S NEWS
In Math, the first graders have been learning all about number bonds and how to show the various number sentences for a given sum. So far, we’ve worked our way up to the number 6. The second graders have been also working with number bonds as a way to add and subtract within 20. In Social Studies, both grades have been learning how to read and answer questions about a calendar.
MRS. PETRO'S NEWS
In the 4th grade we have been working hard learning our new reading and math series, Into Math and Into Reading. In math we are working on place value to the hundred thousands 100,000 using place value charts and number lines. In reading we are learning about figurative language and the author's purpose for writing the text they write. There are 31, 4th graders working hard to earn compliments in the halls, at lunch and in our special classes. They have earned 33 compliments so far this year. Keep it up 4th grade! Thank you families for the great attendance so far this year! Some exciting news is coming soon!
MS. CROCKER'S NEWS
Hi 5th grade parents.
It was so great to see you at Open House. I am excited to work with you and your 5th grade child this school year.
We have been working very hard on our behaviors, attitude, and desire to learn. School is a place to feel safe, so we have been working on our Social and Emotional Learning as well as our academics.
Please help your child study their multiplication facts daily by using flash cards and just calling out a multiplication fact in the car, at home, or even in the grocery store - ex. 7x3, 6x9, etc. In math we are working on place value, exponents, and multiplying one digit numbers.
If you have any questions, please reach out.
Thanks.
MRS. PARKS NEWS
Hello All,
In 5th grade, we are focusing on Social Emotional Learning. We don’t want the students to believe their only alternative is to call someone hateful names or fight. They will be adults soon enough and they need to learn how to resolve issues through communication.
Our new reading series is called Into Reading. It’s a great series and it is challenging. This series is going to help our students achieve, if they put forth the effort. Is there a day you can pop-in to my classroom to see what your child is doing that would be great. I know it’s not easy, you can always send a representative.
In Social Studies, we are doing social emotional lessons and our topic this quarter is Geography.
Students of the Month September:
Amari Swanson- Amari is a caring individual that wants to help her classmates, attends school regularly, and does her homework consistently.
LeDale Davenport- LeDale never disappoints. He is responsible and I see him as a leader.
Happy Birthday to the Amazing June, July, August, and September Students
Finally, please contact me about anything. I'm here to support you and the child.
216-235-4595
MS. HOLTON'S NEWS
Welcome to a new and exciting year here at Memorial School. I am delighted to be looping with my fifth graders from last year. We have a lot planned for this year in 6th Grade. Currently, In Reading, we are Analyzing Informational texts and students are able to connect with the stories, characters, and authors who they relate to. In Math, we are working with Finding and Applying Unit Rates. In Science, we are working on Scientific Knowledge, and in Social Studies, we are working on What is in the Western Hemisphere?
Please have your child in school and on time daily.
Homework is given Monday-Thursday in Reading, Math, and Spelling.
I look forward to working with you this year. Remember that when the teacher, parent , and child all work together, the child will be a more successful student.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 216-838-0850 or email me at Kenethia.Holton@Clevelandmetroschools.org and I will contact you within 24 hours.
MS. RICHARDSON'S NEWS
6th grade-Analyzing informational text development
7th grade-Analyzing how particular elements of a story or drama interact
8th-Analyzing literary text development
We are enjoying reading short stories from our Into Literature. This units focus is, What are the ways you can make yourself heard?, Does technology improve or control our lives? What can blur the lines between what’s real and what’s not? Students have completed their fall NWEA assessments. We look forward to all students working hard to show growth as well as meet cut scores.
MRS. VALEK'S NEWS
Welcome 7th and 8th grade students and parents to Language Arts. We begin every day with a journal topic and a 5 minute reader. Journals are graded every Friday. Into Literature is our textbook. Students will be reading stories and completing activities in their Into Literature textbooks. Nightly Homework will include completion of Into Literature activities, Grammar Workbook, and Lexia Minutes. Please feel free to contact me at RUTH.VALEK@clevelandmetroschools.org or 216-838-0852.
MRS. BALDASSAR'S NEWS
Hello! I have attached the links to the Room 218 newsletters for August and September.
MR. STOLPH'S NEWS
This month all classes are working on state standards. Once we cover all standards we will review them over and over till the OST test in May 2024. Students have homework 5 days a week including the weekends. Students have a quiz every Friday. Tutoring available at lunch daily.
MRS. HOPKINS ART NEWS
Welcome Back everyone!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
We have already started to create some really amazing artwork in Art Class!
Students in PreK - Kdg. have learned the 3 primary colors; red, yellow, and blue. We have made red apples and designs with paint. We will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and learn a Hispanic folktale.
Students in grades 1 & 2 learned the primary and secondary colors. We painted ladybugs with 2 primary colors so we could create a new color!
Students in grades 3 & 4 learned about the color wheel. We are finishing up autumn leaf paintings using both warm and cool colors.
Students in grades 5 & 6 learned about the color wheel and color relations. We created a color wheel eye painting. We are almost done!
Students in grades 7 & 8 learned about the 7 elements of art. They have been working on a large leaf shape that is divided into 7 sections, each section representing an element of art. They are really looking good!!
I will hold on to some art projects and set them aside for our spring art show.
Students in after-school art club are working on autumn tree paintings and adding drawings in their sketchbooks!
MR. LOWTHER'S NEWS
Students in grades Pk-3 doing various types of exercises and locomotor skills along with different ways to move. Students in 4-8 are involved in a fitness unit and various games that they are working on their cardio stamina.
MRS. SKEABECK'S NEWS
Thank you to all of the families who came out to our Open House! It was so great to see you!! :)
Here is what we are working on:
PreK-1: Students are finishing their “Hello” Song. They are also working finding their steady beat!
Grades 2-3: Students are learning how to identify the title, composer and time signature of a piece of music. Grade 2 just started to learn “Sing” by Joe Raposo and grade 3 is starting “Rockin’ Robin”.
Grades 4-6: Students are learning to identify the title, composer, time signature and key signature of a song. They are also beginning to learn “Sir Duke” (4th grade) and “De Colores” (grades 5-6).
Grades 7-8: Students have been learning about the elements of MUSIC.