Dear KRS Families/Guardians,
Next week is parent/teacher conference week and a shorter school week. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, are early dismissal days at 12:45 PM. On Thursday and Friday, schools are closed for the NJEA convention. We are looking forward to seeing you at your conference next week.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Kathy Koop
Important Dates
November 6 - 8, 2023 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 12:45 PM Dismissal Day/Book Fair KRS Multi-Purpose Room
November 7, 2023 - Election Day Check your voter registration here.
November 9 and 10, 2023 - Schools Closed - NJEA Convention
November 11, 2023 - Veterans Day
November 13, 2023 - Kindness Day
November 16, 2023 - PTO Meeting - KRS Multi-Purpose Room 6:00 PM
November 22, 2023 - Thanksgiving Recess - Early Dismissal 12:45 PM
November 23 & 24, 2023 - Thanksgiving Recess - Schools Closed
December 14, 2023 - 1:30 PM Winter Concert - For Families of Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Students
December 19, 2023 - KRS Sing-A-Longs. (K-2 9:30) (3-5 10:15) KRS Multi-Purpose Room
December 22, 2023 - Winter Recess - Early Dismissal 12:45 PM
December 25 - 29, 2023 - Winter Recess - Schools Closed
PTO Meeting - November 16, 2023 - 6 PM - KRS Multi-Purpose Room - Learn more about the referendum!
Please attend the PTO meeting on November 16, 2023 at 6 PM in the KRS multi-purpose room. A featured guest speaker will present information about the referendum. PTO meetings are always full of a tremendous amount of information, dialogue, and fun!
Veterans Day - By Mr. Levine
Saturday, November 11, 2023 is Veterans Day. Kings Road School will be honoring Veterans Day with an assembly on Tuesday, November 14th. We are proud to have one of Madison’s newest residents and NFL US Army Fellow, Major Bill Leasure as our featured speaker. Major Leasure has had a long and distinguished career in the military and currently works as a liaison between the National Football League and the military.
Next Week - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are on November 6, 7, and 8. 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 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 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://onevoice.pta.org/7-tips-for-your-most-effective-parent-teacher-conference-yet/
Book Recommendation - Hidden Potential - by Adam Grant
As a graduate student at University of Pennsylvania, I would often look for Adam Grant (A Wharton professor) while making my way across the campus. I never found him, but I still remain a big fan. Adam Grant's latest book Hidden Potential includes information about how learning potential may be impacted by educational methods and experiences. I highly recommend this book and as always I enjoy the way Adam Grant challenges my thinking with research and new ideas. I am looking forward to participating in a Hidden Potential book study with with some of the KRS teachers.
Reading at Home - Critical to Reading Development and Enjoyment
Please make sure that your child is reading or is exposed to reading every day! Children reading and being read to are critical pieces in the development of lifelong readers. While a bit dated, this article How to Raise a Reader! is an excellent article that was featured in the New York Times. If you need assistance in selecting appropriate books for your child, ask at your child's teacher at your parent/teacher conference. Our new media specialist Mr. Locke, is available to assist at lockea@madisonnjps.org.
Math Facts Must Be Practiced!
At the elementary level, we utilize the Math in Focus program for mathematics instruction. Information about the Math in Focus program can be found on the Madison Public Schools website at this link. The math curriculum as well as other elementary curricula can be accessed within individual grade level documents at this link.
Math fluency (math facts knowledge) is an essential piece of mathematics instruction for student learning. Within the Math in Focus program information on the Madison website, are resources to assist your children with math fact fluency. Improving math fact fluency at school and at home, will provide your child with a strong fluency baseline to build upon as their math learning becomes more complex throughout the years.
Student Council Service Project
The 5th Grade Student Council will be conducting its first service project of the year. They will be collecting, sorting, and delivering donated cans of dog and cat food to St. Hubert's Animal Shelter in Madison. Starting on Monday, October 23rd, all KRS students are encouraged to bring in canned dog and cat food. The canned food drive will officially end on November 15th. Canned dog and cat food can be dropped off at the bins in each hallway and/or given to any faculty member.
