Reading Challenge
Reading is a good indicator of success for students. Reading consists of several parts including phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Most students in 3rd -5th are usually working on vocabulary and comprehension. Some may work on fluency which impacts comprehension.
Students in Kindergarten –Second grade are working on all sections of reading. You already learned last month that our students in K-2nd must learn over 800 words by the end of 2nd grade. In an effort to support this learning during our “down time”, we have word walls in the hall. Please review these with your students. We will be holding challenges for every student in K-2 on Fridays. As they master more words, we will post their targets. So get to reading the halls with your children as you enter our school or wait for breakfast.
KLRU Reading Class for Parents
KLRU offered a series of three Literacy classes for parents of young children. They will be every Friday in December from 8-9:30 am in the cafeteria. There will be great ideas on how to help your child become a better reader. Parents will use ipads and other devices to see new ways to help support reading. Lots of books will be given to participating parents and other great materials. Please join us this Friday to begin!!
Tamalada has changed! — Welcome Cultural Festival!
Every tradition evolves as communities grow and change. Our Tamalada has evolved into our Cultural Festival. A Tamalada, while building community, is a lot of volunteer hours. Our PTA has developed a new idea to celebrate the making of tamales that will include our students as well as adults. We will have cultural tables to give our community opportunities to learn about cultures around the world that comprise our school community. In addition, we will have a tamale making booth for all family members to make a tamale. Instructions will be given each participant to steam their “edible creation” at home. If your family would like to host a cultural table or help with the tamale table, please see Vanessa Heisler, our wonderful Counselor who is organizing the cultural tables. We will also have entertainment between11-12:30.So plan to join us on Saturday, December 14th from 10-1 in our Cafeteria.
Science Fair
January 23, 2014 will be our annual Science Fair. All students are invited to participate. Students in grades 3rd-5are strongly encouraged to participate. The students receiving the highest points will represent THES at the Regional Science Fair. We will recognize class participation for PK, Kindergarten, and First grade classes. Tonya Penney, the THES Science Fair coordinator, held a Science Fair Parent night in November. If you have any questions, please call the main office.
Mid-Year Assessments
Third through fifth grade students will have their mid year assessments. These will be our student’s first practice in a testing situation. Students will have four hours to complete the math and science assessments and three hours to complete the reading and writing assessments. Teachers will share the results in January with the report cards.
Plant Donations in our Peace Garden
The family of Susan Williamson, creator of the THES Young Writers’ Workshop, passed away last month. In lieu of flowers, her family asked for donations of plants for the Travis Heights Peace Garden. These donations were planted Nov.30th by a team of volunteers. Please come visit the Peace Garden and view the new plants. We are thankful to Susan’s family for continuing her legacy through this gesture.
December /January Dates
12-14 10-1 Cultual Festival
12-20–1-6 Student Holiday
12-19 4-5:30 Thunderboard Meeting
1-9 & 1-10 Awards Assembly
1-16 Thunderboard & PTA Meeting
1-23 Science Fair Day