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Point Roberts Primary School News
November 2006

Principal’s Corner
by Nancy Bakarich

One of the most valuable times during the year is conference week. This is a great opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and learn how they are progressing, what curriculum is being taught, and what is coming up in the next trimester. Conferences are: Thursday, November 16th; Friday, November 17th; Monday November 20th; Tuesday, November 21st; and Wednesday, November 22nd. On these days there is a 12:50 P.M. dismissal. I hope you can all attend your conference to visit with your child’s teacher.

Before, during and after your child’s conference the following could be helpful:

Before the conference:
•Talk with your child: Find out his or her favorite subjects and activities, and ask if there are any concerns he or she would like you to discuss with the teacher.
•Review assignments: Are there some areas where your child really shines and others that might need a little extra work? Discuss both strengths and weaknesses with the teacher.
•Check whether your child should attend: In most cases, the conferences are strictly between the parents and the teachers, so you’ll probably need to make child-care arrangements.
The day of the conference:
•Be on time: The conference schedule is tight and teachers need all parents to be on time. If something comes up, notify the teacher as soon as possible. Try to reschedule, even if it has to be a telephone conference.
•Remember that conferences are brief: A typical parent-teacher conference lasts 15-20 minutes. If you need additional time, ask for a follow-up session.
•Keep an open mind: Some parents get angry when teachers discuss trouble spots. Remember that these conferences are meant to help you understand your child’s school performance. Working together with the teacher will help your child succeed.
•Make plans: Find out what you can do to follow through at home. Decide together what you, your child, and the teacher need to do to help your child succeed.

Afterward:
Tell your child: After the conference, meet with your child and discuss the teacher’s comments. Remember to praise all the things your child is doing well and pass along the teacher’s compliments. If you need to, talk about areas that you and the teacher will be working on to help your child improve.

Follow up: In the days and weeks that follow, let your child’s teacher know that you are following through on what was discussed, and progressing in the classroom.

Remember that schools and teachers welcome parent involvement year-round. Feel free to call and schedule a phone or in-person conference any time you think there’s a need.

I hope the above ideas are helpful. I will be out of the district until after Thanksgiving Break, but please feel free to contact Jan Polen at any time, e-mail is: jpolen@blaine.k12.wa.us
Phone is 360-332-1300/360-945-2223.

Kindergarten,1st and 2nd Grade
by Rita Worth, Teacher

As we said goodbye to summer, our good memories include a record of 25 sunny school days since the beginning of this school year, one rainy day, and a few cloudy ones.
Summer goodbye, summer goodbye.
You may no longer stay
Autumn is on its way
Summer goodbye, Summer goodbye.

Fall brings enthusiasm for learning. The second graders are working hard on math skills and zooming through their paper work. The review of telling time in story problems is challenging. Grade one is getting the numbers to 100 perfected by solving problems asking what is one more or one less than various two digit numbers. The Kindergartners are playing games using counters up to six and working on forming these numbers.

The great out of doors is a joy this time of year. Our trail walks exploring the dry pond, catching the last grasshopper and tramping through the dry leaves are invigorating. P.E. skills are a focus in the Fall with jump ropes, hoops, ribbons, frisbees, and hockey sticks to practice with.

The seasons are full of songs to sing and poems to memorize.
Golden in the garden
Golden in the glen
October’s here again.

Parent’s Corner
by Pauline Beck

Aisha has happily settled into her third year at Point Roberts Primary. Her favorite subject this year is Math! She loves her colorful new textbook. She also enjoys listening to the stories that Mrs. Rita reads to the class. We are certainly privileged to have this wonderful school in our community! Any parents with preschoolers should drop by and visit our friendly class!

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