Ten Book Challenge
Over the
weekend you will be receiving in the mail a report for your child comparing
their growth in reading level from October to January. We will be reviewing the
report with your child here at school, but it would also be beneficial to
review their progress as a family. If your child hasn’t grown as a reader it is
likely because they have not developed the stamina, practice and exposure to a
variety of texts. We continue to stress
the importance of reading outside of the school day. You can remind your
children that the 10 Book Challenge is still in progress. If your child hasn’t
read five books, don’t fret! February break should provide a great window of
time to get started.
I read an interesting article in the New York Times this week which reviewed that changes to the SAT
that are just around the corner. The gist of the article is that the new test
will have longer and harder reading passages and more difficult vocabulary,
especially in the math sections. This type of test simply can’t be crammed for
as an 11th and 12th grader. Students will do best-not
just on the SAT (that may not be the road for all students)-but in life in
general if they simply have steady exposure to a variety of reading materials
over time.
Want some
suggestions for February Break? Try these:
The Batboy by Mike Lupica – Lupica is one of the finest sport’s writers of all time, and his
fiction writing is just as thrilling. This is a New York Times Bestseller.
Son by Lois Lowry – Written in Lowry’s
typical powerful and simple style, Son
brings to closure the journey of the characters we initially met in The Giver.
The Boys of Winter by Wayne Coffey – I am old enough to
remember the Miracle on Ice of the 1980 Olympic Games. This book recounts the
story of the stunning US victory during the peak of the Cold War.
The Sports Gene by David Epstein – A senior writer
for Sports Illustrated looks at how
elite athletes are born or made.
I will look
forward to welcoming our students back to school on February 22nd!
Have a wonderful break!
We Celebrate
Learning!
Beth
Follow us on
Twitter @Camillusmiddle
New York State Testing
Many of you
may have read that New York State has made some positive changes to the Common Core assessments in ELA
and mathematics that will be administered this April. Of note, the tests will
now be untimed. This means that any student who is working productively to
complete any portion of the test may have all the time they need to finish.
There will also be fewer questions and reading passages.
I want all families to
know that we believe all students are prepared to take these assessments. Our
daily instruction and units of student are aligned to the Common Core Learning
Standards and thus we have no need for “test prep” or additional work to ready
our students. We rely on the excellent teaching and learning that we commit
ourselves to each and every day. Please feel free to contact me should you have
any questions at 672-3159.
Grades 3-8 ELA April 5-6-7
Grades 3-8 Mathematics April
13-14-15
Yearbook Order Deadline!
This is
the last call for yearbooks. Please click the Balfour icon which will take you
to the ordering page.
Should
you have any further questions or have trouble ordering please contact Dale
Keida at dkeida@westgenesee.org or
by calling the main office at (315) 672-3159. Yearbooks are $28. They can also
be personalized with your child’s name for $33. The deadline for ordering is
February 26, 2016.
Kindergarten Registration
Dates: February 1- March 4
Process starts by making an appointment:
Important Dates
March 2 – PTO Meeting at East Hill Elementary School 6:00 p.m.
March 9 – 25 week Progress Reports available
for viewing on Schooltool
March 11 – 3:3 Basketball Tournament for
grades 7/8 - 2:15-4:15 p.m.
March 18 – St. Patrick’s Day Dance/Open
Gym-grades 6-7-8-6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
