Dear CES Parents,
This month I thought I would talk about motivation. At the half-way point of the school year people can become complacent and a little sluggish. The Minnesota cold will do that to you. Here are a few things to think about in regards to motivation.
Become your own cheering squad. Others can wish you luck and cheer for you, but only you can truly motivate yourself. You are the only one who can motivate yourself to get up each morning. Try to keep your thought positive and never be afraid to test your limits. Even when things may not be going your way, continue to find ways to stay inspired. Your mind can energize you, keep you focused, and provide you with the discipline you need to reach your goals. Your inner drive will give an extra push when you are feeling tired and encourage you to finish your toughest days. The mind and body need to work together. This balance does not come easy. You must first get to know yourself and make the proper adjustments in your lifestyle that will allow you to stay positive and focused.
I continue to enjoy my role as the principal of CentralElementary School and look forward to a great end of the year. In the weeks to come we will be doing Kindergarten Round-Up, making class lists, and preparing for summer school programs. If you have any questions or concerns my door is always open.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Testing Information for January
We are currently testing all of our students in grades 2-5 with the Star Reader Test before the holiday break.
During the week of January 11, 2009 the elementary will begin retesting all of the students in grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 with the NWEA Tests in reading and math. These results will help us evaluate our progress and it will help us decide what changes, if any, we must do in order for our students to reach their full potential during the 2009-10 school year. In addition, we will test all of our first graders with the NWEA tests.
We will do Dibels Testing during the week of January 18th and 25th. (The Dibels Test checks for - Initial Sounds Fluency, Letter Naming Fluency, Phonemic Segmentation Fluency, Nonsense Word Fluency, Oral Reading Fluency, Retell Fluency, and Word Use Fluency.)
By comparing the results of these tests we should have a good handle on the progress our students are making in reading. We will use this information to adjust the individual needs of our students for the rest of the year.
During the week of January 11, 2009 the elementary will begin retesting all of the students in grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 with the NWEA Tests in reading and math. These results will help us evaluate our progress and it will help us decide what changes, if any, we must do in order for our students to reach their full potential during the 2009-10 school year. In addition, we will test all of our first graders with the NWEA tests.
We will do Dibels Testing during the week of January 18th and 25th. (The Dibels Test checks for - Initial Sounds Fluency, Letter Naming Fluency, Phonemic Segmentation Fluency, Nonsense Word Fluency, Oral Reading Fluency, Retell Fluency, and Word Use Fluency.)
By comparing the results of these tests we should have a good handle on the progress our students are making in reading. We will use this information to adjust the individual needs of our students for the rest of the year.
December 2009, Newsletter
It’s hard to believe that we are on the cusp of the holiday season. Where has the time gone?
I want to start my article by saying thank you. Thank you to all of the parents, staff and community members that played a role in getting the referendum passed. The staff and students are excited to start a new chapter in the Central Elementary School history books. Thank you for showing your support of our schools, students, and staff.
Mid January will signal the end of the second quarter. The half way mark if you will. At the mid-point of the year it is time to take a pulse on students learning. Not only will report cards be coming home, but we will embark on another round of NWEA testing, DIBELS testing and STAR Reading. All designed to help us pin point your child’s needs. I am very anxious to see the data that we collect from our students this time around for many reasons, but one very specific reason. The teachers have been working very hard this year under the direction of Jody Rodine to implement Guided Reading. Guided reading is a strategy that helps students become good readers. The teacher provides support for small groups of readers as they learn to use various reading strategies (context clues, letter and sound relationships, word structure,
and so forth). Although guided reading has been traditionally associated with primary grades it can be modified and used successfully in all grade levels. For example, older students may need to learn new strategies to understand how to read an information book in a way that is going to give them access to the information they are seeking.
Our teachers have been meeting every Wednesday morning at 7:oo AM since the beginning of the year with one goal in mind. Learn how to effectively use Guided Reading in their classrooms. From what I have seen and from what I have been hearing they are doing a great job of using this new tool to take students to new levels.
Be sure to keep your eye open for more information on how your child is doing. Once you know where they are I ask that you ask yourself the same question our teachers ask themselves. What can I do to take them to the next level?
I want to start my article by saying thank you. Thank you to all of the parents, staff and community members that played a role in getting the referendum passed. The staff and students are excited to start a new chapter in the Central Elementary School history books. Thank you for showing your support of our schools, students, and staff.
Mid January will signal the end of the second quarter. The half way mark if you will. At the mid-point of the year it is time to take a pulse on students learning. Not only will report cards be coming home, but we will embark on another round of NWEA testing, DIBELS testing and STAR Reading. All designed to help us pin point your child’s needs. I am very anxious to see the data that we collect from our students this time around for many reasons, but one very specific reason. The teachers have been working very hard this year under the direction of Jody Rodine to implement Guided Reading. Guided reading is a strategy that helps students become good readers. The teacher provides support for small groups of readers as they learn to use various reading strategies (context clues, letter and sound relationships, word structure,
and so forth). Although guided reading has been traditionally associated with primary grades it can be modified and used successfully in all grade levels. For example, older students may need to learn new strategies to understand how to read an information book in a way that is going to give them access to the information they are seeking.
Our teachers have been meeting every Wednesday morning at 7:oo AM since the beginning of the year with one goal in mind. Learn how to effectively use Guided Reading in their classrooms. From what I have seen and from what I have been hearing they are doing a great job of using this new tool to take students to new levels.
Be sure to keep your eye open for more information on how your child is doing. Once you know where they are I ask that you ask yourself the same question our teachers ask themselves. What can I do to take them to the next level?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
End of Day
Dear Central Families,
Somewhere over the course of time we have lost track of time. As schedules sometimes go we got a little lax on our dismissal time. At the start of the school year we were dismissing students at 2:40. This was well ahead of the busses but we needed to line the kids up. Well, as the days went by we had students coming out earlier and earlier, and then it rained. The rain brought about some new ideas and a return to the original dismissal time of 2:50. Just like that we were back on track. I bring this up because if you pick up your child from school you should know they are in class till 2:50 and will not be released before then. I know you will understand and appreciate our effort to squeeze the most learning out of the day that we can. On the flipside, we have students being dropped off well before school starts. This is an issue because we do not have supervision for these students till 7:45. If you need to drop off your child before this time you can arrange a plan with Kids Company. Thanks for your understanding.
Somewhere over the course of time we have lost track of time. As schedules sometimes go we got a little lax on our dismissal time. At the start of the school year we were dismissing students at 2:40. This was well ahead of the busses but we needed to line the kids up. Well, as the days went by we had students coming out earlier and earlier, and then it rained. The rain brought about some new ideas and a return to the original dismissal time of 2:50. Just like that we were back on track. I bring this up because if you pick up your child from school you should know they are in class till 2:50 and will not be released before then. I know you will understand and appreciate our effort to squeeze the most learning out of the day that we can. On the flipside, we have students being dropped off well before school starts. This is an issue because we do not have supervision for these students till 7:45. If you need to drop off your child before this time you can arrange a plan with Kids Company. Thanks for your understanding.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 2, 2009 Raider Gazette 2
Dear Central Families,
We are 19 days into the new school and I am very happy with what I have seen. We have a great bunch of students, wonderful teachers and a very supportive community. Norwood Young America is a great place to be. Over the past few weeks your students have been working hard. Most of them have done DIBELS testing and also NWEA. We use the data from these tests to find out where your child is in comparison to their peers and also the data is used to drive instruction. Teachers strive day in and day out to teach for learning. Data makes this job easier. I am very pleased with their efforts. Have a great fall!
Sincerely,
Andrew L. Wilkins
We are 19 days into the new school and I am very happy with what I have seen. We have a great bunch of students, wonderful teachers and a very supportive community. Norwood Young America is a great place to be. Over the past few weeks your students have been working hard. Most of them have done DIBELS testing and also NWEA. We use the data from these tests to find out where your child is in comparison to their peers and also the data is used to drive instruction. Teachers strive day in and day out to teach for learning. Data makes this job easier. I am very pleased with their efforts. Have a great fall!
Sincerely,
Andrew L. Wilkins
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A New Era Begins
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to Central Elementary School! The entire staff is looking forward with enthusiasm and anticipation to the new school year. We have a wonderful group of caring and dedicated employees who set high expectations for themselves and our students daily. Our district Mission, Vision, and Beliefs guide all that we do to educate our students. We are eager to work with you and your child in providing a meaningful learning experience. We encourage parents to become involved in their child's education. Stop in to visit the classroom and meet your child's teachers.
Your child is receiving a Parent/Student Handbook that contains the policies and procedures of the elementary school. They are a result of a concerted effort on the part of staff and the administration and will be an aid in helping you adjust and become an integral part of the elementary school. Upon reading the handbook, please contact me if you have any questions.
The ultimate goal of education is to help each student become a contributing member of our society. By developing a strong work ethic and accepting responsibility and accountability for their actions, students will prepare themselves for their role in the world of tomorrow. Students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities to help them realize this goal. Remember, your success in school as well as life will be directly proportional to your efforts.
Central Elementary is a wonderful place for students to learn and grow. We have a terrific community of parents and businesses that provide support for all of our activities. As principal, I look forward each day to greeting our students and visiting their classrooms for I know "Focused Teaching and Focused Learning" will occur.
Have a great year!
Welcome to Central Elementary School! The entire staff is looking forward with enthusiasm and anticipation to the new school year. We have a wonderful group of caring and dedicated employees who set high expectations for themselves and our students daily. Our district Mission, Vision, and Beliefs guide all that we do to educate our students. We are eager to work with you and your child in providing a meaningful learning experience. We encourage parents to become involved in their child's education. Stop in to visit the classroom and meet your child's teachers.
Your child is receiving a Parent/Student Handbook that contains the policies and procedures of the elementary school. They are a result of a concerted effort on the part of staff and the administration and will be an aid in helping you adjust and become an integral part of the elementary school. Upon reading the handbook, please contact me if you have any questions.
The ultimate goal of education is to help each student become a contributing member of our society. By developing a strong work ethic and accepting responsibility and accountability for their actions, students will prepare themselves for their role in the world of tomorrow. Students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities to help them realize this goal. Remember, your success in school as well as life will be directly proportional to your efforts.
Central Elementary is a wonderful place for students to learn and grow. We have a terrific community of parents and businesses that provide support for all of our activities. As principal, I look forward each day to greeting our students and visiting their classrooms for I know "Focused Teaching and Focused Learning" will occur.
Have a great year!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thank you!
As most everyone knows by now, I am leaving Chamberlain to return to my home in New Market, MN effective June 30th. I have been offered the position of elementary school principal in Norwood Young America, which is a short drive from my home. I want to thank everyone in Chamberlain for making my time here unforgettable. The relationships that I have developed will last me a lifetime. Thank you.
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