Dear KRS families
Something new! - Beginning with this newsletter, a Kings Road School staff member will be featured every week. This week, reading specialist Mrs. Joanne Sims is highlighted. We thank her for her dedication and for all that she does for the students, her colleagues, and families at Kings Road School.
November 4, 5, and 6, are 12:45 PM early dismissal days for parent/teacher conferences.
Please remember to have your child read every day this weekend! Have a fantastic weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathy Koop
Celebrating Madison Junior School
On Saturday, October 26, 2024, it was my privilege to attend the Centennial Celebration at the Madison Junior School. What a wonderful day to celebrate a fantastic school! Speakers included Superintendent Shanley, Principal Perrone, Mayor Conley, Madison Junior School students, and Senator Bucco. Items from a time capsule were displayed, and past and present MJS faculty and staff were in attendance. Congratulations to the Madison Junior School!
News from the Art Room
Happy Fall from the KRS Art Room!
Kindergarten: We read the book Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg. Each student was challenged to use their imagination to turn an oops into a beautiful drawing.
First Grade: We are learning about the Element of Art LINE. Students are using LINE to create their very own turtle drawing. Check out the Scratch Garden Lines song, they love it!
Second Grade and Third Grade: Students will be exploring art from different countries in second and third grade. We made our own passports for art class! Second grade is visiting Haiti, and third graders are visiting Brazil. More information to come….
Fourth Grade: Students are exploring The Great Wave of Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai. They will also be adding a Japanese Kanji symbol to their artwork.
Fifth Grade: Mr. Letchinger’s class is creating art based on the theme of Fantasy Creatures, while Mrs. Nicolette’s class will be creating multimedia artwork based on the beautiful illustrations of the book Windows.
Library, Intervention, Curriculum Open House During Conferences
Library Update!
We are so excited to announce that library classes have begun for grades K-5! Alongside their teachers, students have been diving into Halloween-themed texts while participating in interactive read-alouds. In grades K-2, children have practiced identifying the characters and setting in our stories. We identified that settings can change throughout the book. We also practiced our retelling skills after the read aloud.
Meanwhile, grades 3-5 have been focusing on understanding characters’ wants and the obstacles they face, laying the groundwork for retelling more complex narratives. Students across all grade levels have enjoyed checking out books! We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the parent volunteers who helped us organize and beautify the Library Media Centers. The students are truly enjoying the benefits of this mutual effort!
Intervention
Letters communicating basic skills and gifted and talented have been distributed on 11/1.
Curriculum Open House at Parent Teacher Conferences
Stop in the libraries to preview the district's literacy curriculum materials. Materials will be on display along with videos of the materials in action. Mr. Paradisio, Mrs. Calafati, Mrs. Mahon will be available to answer questions.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are on November 4, 5, and 6. The most productive conferences are when both the teacher and parent(s) focus their conversations about the child's academic, social, and emotional growth and ways that they may support your child's achievement together. Over the years as a principal, teacher, and parent the following tips are what I learned are important for a successful parent/teacher conference.
- Prepare questions in advance.
- Ask about how you may support and extend your child's learning at home. (homework, activities, reading, math practice, writing)
- Discuss your child's strengths and challenges.
- Share information about your child. (interests, concerns, life events)
- Review your child's work.
- Review your child's assessment data.
- Talk about your child's emotional and social needs.
The articles below are informative and contain common themes for successful parent/teacher conferences.
https://www.care.com/c/20-questions-to-ask-during-a-parent-teacher-c/
https://ptaourchildren.org/five-ways-to-prepare-for-parent-teacher-conferences/
KRS Parent Book Club
Join us for engaging conversation about the book The Anxious Generation by, Jonathan Haidt. The KRS Parent Book Club will meet 3 times throughout the school year to provide book club participants with opportunities to share thoughts and ideas about the book. To participate, all you need to do is complete this form no later than November 1, 2024 and obtain a copy of the book. If you need any assistance acquiring the book, please contact Dr. Koop. Any participants, will receive additional information during the week of November 4, 2024.
