Mustang Memo - April 12, 2024
As part of the EIPS Young Authors' Conference, we were lucky to be selected to host a special talk with renowned author, David A. Robertson at our school today. Our Grade 6 students were able to listen to his talk in person while the event was livestreamed across our school division.
He shared some insights on how to become a better writer with students including the importance of good editing in order to make the story plot, character or theme stand out. He answered questions from students, many related to his fantasy book, The Barren Grounds, which was popular with our Grade 6 students. When asked about his inspiration for writing, Mr. Robertson shared that children and writing for a young audience gives him the drive to continue writing.
We are grateful to be included in such an inspiring discussion about storytelling and the power of writing. Our students were fortunate to see what it looks like to pursue a career as a professional author.
You can watch the book launch video for his Governor General Award winning picture book, On the Trapline, below!
Helene Hewitt & Jay Robertson
Principal & Assistant Principal
You belong here!
Table of Contents
Week At a Glance
Action
- Report Card Viewing - almost there!
Opportunity
- Art Card Fundraiser
- Grill Masters Needed for Pancake Day
- Family Dance - Save the Date
Information
- Counsellor's Corner
- LitBits - Fun with Phonemic Awareness at Home
- Parents Make the Difference
WEEK AT A GLANCE
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| Tuesday |
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| Friday |
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ACTION
Report Cards - Almost There!
Since the last Mustang Memo, the percentage of parents who opened their child's Term 2 report card has jumped to 78%! Woo hoo!
Can we get it to over 80%?
Ideally, we'd love to see 100% of our student report cards being viewed by their parents. If you keep meaning to open up that report card but it didn't work out, it is never too late!
Just go to Parent Portal (the same place you go to pay for field trips) and find the report card there. If you forgot your login or you can't login, phone the front office at 780-467-5557 and we'll help you without judgement!
OPPORTUNITY
Art Card Fundraiser
Have you seen the sample of your child's artwork turned into a greeting card? It should have come home with an order form. It's not too late to order!
You can send in your child's order form and payment to the school up to April 16! We also accept cheques payable to: Davidson Creek Fundraising Society
Seeking Grill Masters for Pancake Day
Are you a pancake master? As part of our DCE tradition, we are having Pancake day on May 31 where we rent some griddles and batter them up for some tasty pancakes.
We are seeking some skilled pancake grill masters to come to the school for the morning to help us to cook enough pancakes for each child at the school. If you don't enjoy grilling, but you still want to help out, we also welcome volunteers to spread butter and syrup onto pancakes.
If you are able to help out, please email Christa Gawron at christa.gawron@eips.ca
Family Dance - Save the Date
Our Student Leadership Club is hard at work planning our next family dance taking place on May 10. The dance will be a sports theme and people are encouraged to dress up like their favourite athlete or their favourite sport. There will be prizes and much fun! Make sure to mark your calendar for this wonderful community event!
INFORMATION
Counsellor's Corner
Home Practice for Reading
Now is the time many families are looking at registering for summer camps and activities for their children. We’ve recently had some families inquiring about local options for reading support during the summer months. Some studies have shown that student’s achievement scores in reading decline by about one month’s worth of school-year learning, on average, over the summer the break. Reading consistently with your child over the summer break is one way to help prevent summer reading loss, but if you’re looking for some additional ways to boost their reading skills over the summer, you may be interested in some of the following options available online and locally.
Low/No Cost Options
- There is a tutoring service called “My Discover Prep” which is supported by the libraries and is totally free! (https://www.mydiscoverprep.com/)
- Nessy Learning has some wonderful free resources available to print and use at home. This website uses science-based approaches to boost children’s reading skills. Free Resources | Nessy
- IXL learning has daily practice activities and games aligned with the Alberta curriculum. Activities are broken down by grade and specific skill targeted. You can access a monthly subscription for a specific subject for $12.95 a month, but you can also access a limited number of games and daily practice each day for free. IXL English Language Arts | Learn English language arts online
Private Tutoring or Subscription Services $$$
- If you are able to cover the cost of one-on-one sessions, the Centre for Literacy is an amazing resource for children diagnosed with learning disabilities or who may be struggling with reading. One on One Support – Centre for Literacy (centre4literacy.com)
- The Reach Learning Centre has recently opened a Sherwood Park branch and offers a variety of supports to families for reading including one-on-one Orton-Gillingham lessons as well as other structured literacy instructional services. https://www.reachlearningcentre.com/studentservices
- Other options include local tutoring services like Kumon, Oxford and Sylvan learning.
- At school, students use an app called Nessy that employs evidence-based practices to boost reading skills. Families can access a free trial of their home-based programs to explore whether the subscription would be worth the investment. Literacy support for dyslexia that follows the Science of Reading | Nessy
Free Programs from the Family Resource Network
We’re excited to share some of the programs that the Family Resource Network has launched for Spring that may greatly benefit families in our school. All programs are completely free! You can register for all programs by going to https://www.strathcona.ca/community-families/parents-children-families/family-resource-network/
No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: For Parents and Caregivers of Children ages 2 - 12 years
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024, 6:30 – 8PM (In Person at FCS)
Kids do not come with instruction manuals. Most parents may feel puzzled by their children's feelings and behaviors at some point in their parenting journey. Join us for a presentation that helps parents understand what's behind children's behaviors and learn how to support children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
You can register here: No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: For Parents and Caregivers of Children ages 2 - 12 years, Thursday, May 2, 2024, 6:30 - 8pm - Family and parenting supports | Strathcona County
Transitioning to Junior High-For parents and caregivers of youth starting Junior High in Fall 2024
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024, 6 – 7PM (ONLINE)
Transitioning from elementary to junior high school is exciting and can be stressful. Learn strategies to support your teenager at this free workshop for parents and caregivers of youth transitioning from grade 6 to 7.
Family Fun Event: International Mud Day (Drop-in): For adults, caregivers and children of all ages
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024, 4 – 6PM (IN PERSON AT Child and Youth Community Center)
Children love getting messy with mud. In addition to being fun, playing with mud helps develop fine motor skills and contributes to the healthy development of the sensory system. Join us for Mud Day, where children and adults alike can create, imagine, and get dirty together. Register Here: Family Fun Event: International Mud Day (Drop-in): For adults, caregivers and children of all ages, Thursday, June 27, 2024, 4 - 6pm - Family and parenting supports | Strathcona County
Madison Bashaw and Kelley Mitchell
DCE Counselling Team
LitBits - Fun with Phonemic Awareness at Home
Have you heard of phonemic awareness? This is the ability to hear the sounds of letters that make up words. Students need phonemic awareness to be able to learn to both read and write!
Here is an great video by literacy consultant, Mrs. Martin-Spady on how you can practice this skill at home, in the car or while doing a shopping trip.
Parents make the difference
Here is this week's article with helpful tips for families:
Demonstrate respect with six strategies
When it comes to teaching kids about respect, the idea isn’t to teach them at all. It’s to show them. When you demonstrate what respect looks like, you’ll go a long way toward helping your child become respectful.
To demonstrate respect:
- Be polite. Say please, thank you and excuse me when talking to your child. Knock before entering your child’s room.
- Be kind—especially when your child messes up. Everyone makes mistakes. Help your child learn from mishaps.
- Be compassionate. Try not to embarrass your child, and avoid telling jokes at your child’s expense.
- Be fair. Don’t pass judgment or punish your child before learning all the facts.
- Be dependable. If you tell your child you’ll do something, do it. And when you can’t do something, be up front about it.
- Be honest. “Little white lies” chip away at the respect your child feels—or doesn’t feel—for you. Kids are always watching what adults do.
Reprinted with permission from the April 2024 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2024 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.