Eagle Sightings March
Holly Wehner, Principal
Dear Eagle Families and Caregivers,
March is our month of Cooperation. I will be visiting all classes and we will discuss how cooperation is working together to reach shared goals. Cooperation is happening in all classes throughout the school each day. There are partners, small groups, and whole classes working together toward shared goals. This time of year it is exciting to see how classroom expectations and norms have supported students in this. As I visit, I see students talking, asking questions to deepen their understanding, and supporting one another in their S.O.A.R. behaviors.
It is so nice to see flowers coming up and some blue sky and sunshine here and there! Hopefully, soon we can say goodbye for the year to the frost and cold temperatures! The rest of the year always seems to go so fast from here, but we are dedicated to filling each day with learning. At this point in the year, teachers are making plans for instruction that continues to be engaging, challenging, and fun! We are so proud of the growth students have made academically and social- emotionally. We look forward to seeing the progress that happens in the next few months!
On Wednesday I presented a FHES Showcase at the school board meeting. I was excited to share a video of some of our students reading their own writing pieces. We wanted the school board to know a bit more about what is happening at our school since they are always working so hard to support us. It was fun to show off authors of all ages and their variety of types of writing! If you haven’t asked your child in a while, ask them about their most recent writing piece. I am sure they will be proud to tell you about it!
The last thing I’d like to remind everyone about is safety before and after school. Please be sure to drive through the parking lot/school driveway very slowly and keep an eye out for children who are walking (no texting etc). Also, please remind students to stick to the sidewalks and paths when walking to school. We want all to arrive safe and ready to learn!
Thank you,
Holly Wehner
➡️➡️➡️➡️➡️Electronic Devices at School⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️
Please remind your child/ren about the following school policies:
- Personal electronic devices are not to be used at school. If a CELL PHONE OR SMARTWATCH is brought to school for afterschool use it must remain in the student’s backpack until the end of the school day.
- No texting or calling during school hours from student devices.
- All communication to or from home must go through the school office.
Growing Readers and Writers
Throughout FHES, our K-5 writers are working to improve their writing skills. This includes writing in various genres (fiction and nonfiction) and learning about structure (sentences, paragraphs, leads, transitions, etc.), elaboration, craft, conventions (spelling, punctuation, etc.), and more! Click here to see a video of some of our writers’ published work (i.e. final drafts). Here’s an overview of what’s going on at each grade level:
Kindergarten - Kindergarten writers are currently working on, Writing for Readers: Writing Readable True Stories. This unit introduces students to narrative writing, highlighting the importance of telling and writing true stories.
1st Grade - First-grade writers have finished their first nonfiction writing unit, focusing on How-To books, and are beginning their next unit of Nonfiction Chapter Books. In this unit, students will identify topics they know all about and will use their teaching voice and expertise to write facts, draw diagrams, illustrate covers, and so much more!
2nd Grade - Second-grade writers are in Unit 3, Writing About Reading, looking closely at the books they love and then writing about them to persuade others to read the book too. Students are learning to state clear opinions and support their ideas with evidence. This is a powerful and exciting writing skill that will be used again and again!
3rd Grade - Third-grader writers are revisiting informational writing over the next few weeks as they research a selected important person to write a biography about. They are in the rough draft phase right now and will create a large poster about some very important figures in society. They’ve teamed up with Mr. Lobue (art) to create portraits of each chosen person and will line the hallways with their finished products in a few short weeks! By the end of March, third graders will transition to opinion writing. Ask your 3rd grader who they are researching!
4th Grade - Fourth-grade writers just completed their Literacy Unit and wrote five-paragraph Literary Essays. They are moving into their writing about history unit. They are researching Washington State history and will write a second book, a Westward Expansion Book! They have studied informational texts and will include many elements in their books: a table of contents, maps, diagrams, timelines, and much more. The students feel very confident in their writing abilities at this point in the year and are furiously writing daily.
5th Grade - Fifth-grade writers are busy reading to launch a research project into debatable issues. They will write a letter to Mrs. Wehner about whether or not it is possible to have another day of chocolate milk for lunch. They are also researching the British Colonies in the United States that serve as the foundation for our nation. They are researching each region and its proprietors to grasp the individuality of each colony and the reasons people settled into the 13 Colonies. Using their reading and writing strategies for research, they will begin to build their own colonies and follow a historical storyline to make the learning their own.
News From the Title I Team
This month we wanted to share some resources with you to help you understand where your child is as a reader, as well as ways you can support reading growth at home.
One way to look at reading development is in these five phases {Ehri (2005)}:
https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-101/how-children-learn-read/typical-reading-development
Tips for Working with Your Child at Home
Below is an excellent guide which provides several ways you can support reading development at home:
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/practiceguide/wwc_fr_tips_022118.pdf
Using decodable texts is another great way to support your child as a beginning reader. In a decodable text, students will find that most of the words are words they can sound out. What should you look for when choosing a decodable text?
“In alignment with the science of reading research, phonics instruction must follow a defined scope and sequence with ample review and repetition. Each skill is explicitly introduced and applied in ways that get students thinking and talking about how words work.”
-Wiley Blevins, Ed.M
Literacy Expert
Many new decodable books are being written that include a good story line, so that students can also work on developing comprehension, as well as a multicultural representation of characters, so that all students can identify with the text.
Other great webinars and newsletters can be found under the resources section of Whole Phonics: https://whole-phonics.com/pages/resources. If you like brain science and want to understand how we learn to read, check out this one:
How the Brain Learns to Read - Prof. Stanislas Dehaene
San Juan Public Library has Decodable Books!
Did you know that our public library has been adding decodable readers to their book selection for kids? I was thrilled to see that they even have our Whole Phonics decodable books available. Check out their decodable books section next time you visit the library.
Changes
Fei Cooper, our beloved Title I educator will be leaving the Title I classroom for the next 12 weeks while she completes her student teaching experience with Mrs. Warin. We will miss Ms. Fei and her wonderful ways of connecting with students, but at the same time, we are grateful and excited to welcome back Noel Harley to FHES. As you may know, Ms. Harley retired last spring. We are thrilled to have her back. What you may not know is that she spent her first three years at FHES as a Title I paraeducator.
I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact me at darleneclark@sjisd.org
Happy Reading!
Kindergarten Round-Up
Do you have a child who will be five on or before August 31, 2024?
It's almost time to register for kindergarten!
Please stop by Friday Harbor Elementary on:
Thursday, March 21st From 9:00 am-11:00 am and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm.
You are welcome to sit in the cafeteria to fill out your packet. Please bring your child's birth certificate and immunization record with you. If you have any questions; assistance will be available. Or Call 360-370-7301.
▪️March 2024▪️
Friday, March 8: Community Reading Night! 6-7 pm in the FHES Library
Monday, March 11-Friday, March 15: Book Fair
Times for fair: Monday and Tuesday 2:45-6 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:10-6
Wednesday, March 13: 11:10 am Dismissal-Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 14: 11:10 am Dismissal-Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, March 15: 11:10 am Dismissal-Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 21: Kindergarten Registration 9:00 am-11:00 am and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Wednesday, March 27: Class Pictures
Friday, March 29: Popcorn Day!
Parent Teacher conferences will take place March 13, 14 and 15
Watch for communication from your child's teacher to sign up for a time to meet.
Scholastic Book Fair
Get Ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to FHES!
Set up your ewallet here
The Book Fair will take place from March 11-March 15 in the FHES Library.
Times for fair:
Monday and Tuesday 2:45 pm -6 pm
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:10 am-6 pm
Staff Highlights!
Upcoming PTO Events
Community Reading Night
Friday, March 8, 6-7:00 pm at FHES Library
Book Fair
Set up your ewallet here
March 11-March 15 in the FHES Library.
Times for fair:
Monday and Tuesday 2:45-6
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:10-6
Talent Show
Please note that the Talent Show has been postponed to next year.
Food For Thought Program
- The salad bar is open every day at lunch, with fresh salad greens, Caesar salad, fruit, and vegetables.
- A vegetarian option is available upon request.
- Breakfast is served every morning starting at 8 am-8:15 am. If your child would like breakfast, please have them come through the front doors upon arrival.
*Please check your student's food account balance*
Your help is needed to keep our program running! Due to State Auditor Mandate, please maintain a POSITIVE lunch balance at all times. We have made this more manageable by providing online credit card payment and account maintenance though Skyward Family and Student Access. You can opt in for low balance email notifications as well as make instant online payments. Of course, payments can also be made in the school office with cash or check before lunch.
ATTENDANCE COUNTS
A reminder that the first bell rings at 8:15, please help your student start the day off right by starting the day on time with their class. If your student is going to be gone for the day please call the office at 360-378-5209 or email Jeanna at jeannarheinberger@sjisd.org to excuse your student's absence. Please remember that there is no adult supervision before 8 am.
Thank you!
*Canceled* Zoom lunch with Mrs. Wehner
Join FHES principal over Zoom for a chat or a listen.
Bring your questions, concerns, gratitude, and thoughts.
Community Connections
Wondering about local groups and businesses that offer youth activities and/or support? San Juan Island School District has them posted on our Community Partners page.
Friday Harbor Elementary School
Email: roslynbutcher@sjisd.org
Website: sjisd.wednet.edu
Location: 95 Grover Street, Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: 360.378.5209
San Juan Island School District Commitment to Non-discrimination
San Juan Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The San Juan Island School District offers classes in many career and technical education program areas such as Culinary Arts, Career Prep, STEM, and Computer Science under its open admissions policy. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact CTE Directors, Liz Varvaro, elizabethvarvaro@sjisd.org, PO Box 458, FH, WA, (360) 378-4133. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.
The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Faith Knight, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Title IX Officer
PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-4133
Becky Bell, Special Services Director, 504 Officer, ADA Coordinator, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator
PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-4133
Fred Woods, Superintendent, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator
PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-7905