Cougar Connection

November 1, 2024

Volume 2, Issue 10

November 11: Veteran's Day. No School

November 13: Schoolwide Blacktop Assembly @8:30 a.m.

November 20: Student Council Meeting @8:00 a.m.

November 20: Report Card Portal opens

November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

The Sonday System Essentials phonics program is used in all 2nd-5th grade classrooms. The Sonday System is based on the Orton-Gillingham Approach to teaching students how to read and spell. This program provides in-depth instruction about the structure of the English language, which helps students unlock the reading code.

The curriculum includes Phonemic Awareness, Direct and Explicit Phonics, Spelling, Fluency, and Vocabulary. The Sonday System is informed by the Science of Reading, a large body of scientifically based research about how kids learn to read and how to assess and help students who struggle with reading and writing.

Each lesson contains the following activities:

1. Read Sounds is a review of the sounds that have already been taught, so students can give the correct answers quickly. This sets a positive tone at the start of the lesson and makes the responses automatic, which is important for reading fluency.
2. Spell Sounds requires students to write the sounds they hear. This reinforces multiple spellings of sounds and rules about what spellings appear in what part of a word though multisensory practice (seeing/hearing/feeling).
3. Read Words includes reading words, phrases, and sentences.
4. Spell Words gives students a chance to use everything they know while writing words and sentences that focus on the sounds and rules most recently taught. The information provided by this step can be used by teachers to inform future lessons and demonstrate effective learning.
5. Introduce New Material requires that students see the letters, hear the sound, repeat the sound aloud, trace or write the letter(s), and then read and spell words that use the new sound and/or rule.
6. A Mastery Check given after every fifth lesson (every tenth lesson in Grade 5) tells teachers which sounds or concepts are solid and which ones need further reinforcement, and which students need additional time to master the material.

To further support your child's learning, here are a few suggestions of things you can do at home:

• Listen to your child read daily. Notice how they have progressed in their skills!
• Boost comprehension by asking open-ended questions about stories, such as, "Why do you think they did that?"
• Reread familiar books, since repetition is necessary to secure new skills.
• Read aloud to your child, and most importantly, spread the joy of reading!

If you are interested in learning more about Sonday or providing more learning opportunities at home, please access the "Parent Empowerment Kits" linked below. Please know these are not required for you to use.

We are looking for enthusiastic parents to join our "Playground Pals" team! Playground Pals help create a fun, inclusive, and active play environment by interacting with students and joining in on games such as basketball, four square, and tetherball. Volunteer hours are from 10:00-11:00 and 12:00-1:10. All interested parents must be approved as volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on our school community—come join the fun!

Contact Principal Angelo if interested.

NASA's Office of STEM Engagment, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture forest Services, arrange to fly five species of tree seeds aboard Artemis 1 as part of a national education initiative.

The seeds spent more than 4 weeks in space and travelled thousands of miles beyond the Moon before returning to Earth.

The City of Livermore was a lucky recipient of one of those trees and a tree naming contest was held. Mrs. Rad's fifth graders submitted the winning name...Luna! They were invited to attend the planting of the sapling where they met the Mayor and received a Certificate of Recognition. Congratulations!

Just a quick reminder to please be mindful and respectful of designated parking spaces, even if you’re just stopping for a few minutes. Some families have purchased these spots, and it’s important to keep them available for those who need them. Thank you so much for your cooperation and understanding!

We understand that family vacations and time away from school can sometimes be unavoidable. While we recognize the value of these experiences, we also want to stress that independent study, though a helpful alternative, will never fully replace the in-depth learning, social interaction, and hands-on experiences that take place within the classroom.

Our teachers work hard to provide enriching activities and assignments for students who are unable to attend, but these cannot replicate the collaborative environment and daily engagement that are central to classroom learning. However, we are committed to supporting your child in staying connected to their academic progress during their time away and will provide the necessary resources to help bridge the gap.

We encourage you to schedule vacations during school breaks whenever possible and to consider how time away might impact your child’s learning.

In order to receive approval for an Independent Study Agreement (ISA) the following four criteria must be met:

1. The ISA is not during the first or last 10 days of instruction for the school year.
2. The ISA is for a time period no more than 15 days.
3. The ISA does not exceed 15 days of short term ISA study for the student for this school year.
4. The ISA was signed and submitted to the school office at least 10 instructional days before the requested start date.

Breakfast and lunch are free to all students!

Breakfast will be served in the MPR from 8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Supervision is provided. Students will enter campus through the parking lot gate and proceed directly to the MPR.

All students have the option to eat a school lunch complete with entree, fruit or vegetable, and a milk. Students may purchase additional meals if they choose. Visit the Child Nutrition Services page for more information.

Website: livermoreschools.org/smith
Location: 391 Ontario Drive, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925.606.4750