Wards Creek Elementary School



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St. Johns County School District

Exceptional Student Education Parent Advisory Council Meeting

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Parents, teachers and staff are invited to attend

PLEASE JOIN US!!

Date: February 27, 2014 Time: 6:00-8:00pm Location: St. Johns District Office 40 Orange St.

3rd floor - Auditorium

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Lighting the Way to Leadership!

Wards Creek Elementary 6555 SR 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092 March 2014

Table of Contents

• Principal’s Pen-Page 2

• Mark Your Calendars-Page 3

• 7 Habits Focus- Page 3

• FCAT Testing Schedule-Page 3

• Guidance Corner- Page 4

• Registrar’s News-Page 4

• Extended Day-Page 5

• PTO Update- Page 5

• Food Drive- Page 5

• Gifted Advisory Parent Council-Page 5

• SAC- Page 6

• Related Arts Spotlight-Page 6

• Note from Our ILC-Page 6

• Odyssey-Page 7

• News from the Nurse-Page 8

• Lost and Found-Page 8

• Testing Tips- Page 9

• Platinum Business Partners-Page 10

• Advertisements- Pages 11-17

OUR CORE VALUES

We believe that:

• The Character Counts Pillars of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship are essential qualities to model and instill in our students.

• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People are the foundation for developing leaders.

• All individuals are valuable and can make meaningful contributions.

• A caring and compassionate learning environment will support the needs of the whole child and inspire all to reach their full potential.

• Leaders are life-long learners.

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HAPPY KIDS

1. Be Proactive – I am in charge!

2. Begin with the end in mind – Have a plan!

3. Put first things first – Work first, then play!

4. Think win/win – There’s plenty for all!

5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Listen before you speak!

6. Synergize – Together is better!

7. Sharpen the saw – Balance feels best! BONUS:

8. Find your voice, and inspire others to find theirs – I’m on a mission!

OUR VISION IS TO: Be a school

Where Children Excel by developing strong character and a passion for lifelong learning.

OUR MISSION IS TO: Engage Learners to Excel in Life and Embrace Leadership to Enhance our Local and global society.

Principal’s Pen

Hi Warrior Families,

Shaping and growing students is such an honor and a privilege. There are so many components to building a rich school culture, so we use our Vision statement to guide us – OUR VISION IS TO: Be a school Where Children Excel by developing strong character and a passion for lifelong learning. Character Counts is the foundation upon which we have built our Leader in Me framework. The Character Pillars are the nouns and the 7 Habits are the verbs. We guide our students to be of strong character and take ownership for their thinking, their actions, and their impact on the world. The second part of our vision statement is to help our students develop a passion for lifelong learning. There is such delight is seeing a student grasp a new concept and apply it to a meaningful task. We strive to help our students find their strengths and follow their passion to become all that they desire to be. Learners and Leaders are lighting the way at Wards Creek Elementary!

Standards, curriculum maps, District Formative Assessments, Discovery Ed. Testing, FCAT, IRLA, EOCs, MAGIC, MTSS/RtI plans, 504s, and IEPs are all part of the current educational package. We value our parents and know that our students are most successful when we form strong partnerships with our parents. We share in the same goal – help our students achieve their full potential! To do so, we want you to be familiar with all the components that are in place to support your children. Here’s a quick run-down:

• Standards – we have a blended model, currently using Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and Common Core State Standards. We are moving toward Florida Standards, which will be our state’s version of Common Core, with a few modifications. Ultimately, these standards are the framework for what we teach. (This is the WHAT.)

• Curriculum Maps – our district teams, made up of teachers, administrators, and district staff members take the standards and develop a timeline and course guide for each of the content areas. These maps guide our teachers in the development of their lessons and focus calendars. (This is the WHEN.)

• Assessments – these are used to guide our instruction and measure student growth and proficiency. We gather data from these tools to help us meet the unique needs of all learners. The DFAs are given quarterly to measure how well the students have mastered the quarterly content. DE is administered 3 times a year to show growth across the year. IRLA is an individualized reading assessment to help us determine reading levels and critical skills to address. FCAT is our state’s assessment tool to show learning gains and proficiency. And then there are the many teacher-designed measures. Sometimes it seems that we are over-testing, but data driven instruction is a research-proven approach to propel student achievement.

• Customized support – when students have unique learning needs, we address those through several approaches – MAGIC is our daily intervention block where each student participates in a small group activity designed to re-mediate, enhance, and enrich. Our MTSS/RtI team reviews all students’ data to determine the best course of action for struggling students. 504 plans are in place for students with medical issues that impact their learning. IEPs are written for students whose disabilities require accommodations and additional academic support.

As you can see, there are many components in place to ensure that each student gets what they need to be successful. If you have any concerns about your child, please call the teacher, our Guidance Counselor, Leanne Adolf, or our Instructional Coach, Claire Riddell. We are here to serve!

Thank you for your partnership and support!

Edie Jarrell

FCAT Testing Schedule

|WEEK ONE: Paper Based Administrations |

|Tuesday, April 22, 2014 |

|Grades 3, 4, 5 |Reading – Session 1 |70 minutes |

|Wednesday, April 23, 2014 |

|Grades 3, 4, 5 |Reading – Session 2 |70 minutes |

|Thursday, April 24, 2014 |

|Grades 3, 4 |Math – Session 1 |70 minutes |

|Grade 5 |Science – Session 1 |80 minutes |

|Friday, April 25, 2014 |

|Grades 3, 4 |Math – Session 2 |70 minutes |

|Grade 5 |Science – Session 2 |80 minutes |

|WEEK TWO Computer Based Administrations |

|Monday, April 28, 2014 |

|Grade 5 |Math – Session 1 |70 minutes |

|Tuesday, April 29, 2014 |

|Grade 5 |Math– Session 2 |70 minutes |

|Wednesday, April 30, 2014 |

|Last day for Week One Make-Up Testing |

|Thursday, May 01, 2014 |

|Grade 5 |Math– Session 1 |70 minutes |

|Friday, May 02, 2014 |

|Grade 5 |Math – Session 2 |70 minutes |

|WEEK THREE Computer Based Test Administrations |

|Make-Up Testing |

|Wednesday, May 07, 2014 |

|Last day for Gr 5 Math CBT make-up testing |

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

1 - Odyssey Regional Competition

3 - PTO Board Meeting - 8:30a.m.

5 - Kindergarten Registration

7 - Celebrate the Oreo - wear Black and White

7 - Volunteer Breakfast - 8:30 a.m.

10 - SAC - 6:30p.m.

12-Creekside Track Meet

13 - Chick-Fil-A Night

14 - Planning Day

15-Jr. Gate River Run

17-21 - Spring Break

27 - Report Cards

28 - Crazy Hat Day

29 - Relay for Life

Seven Habits Focus

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Circle of Concern vs.

Circle of No Concern

What are the things in our day that we have complete control over and what are the things that we have no control over? An example of something you can control is your homework. An example of something you can’t control is the weather. In order to be happy, we need to spend most of our time in the Circle of Concern instead of Circle of No Concern.

Guidance Corner

I want to remind 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade parents that FCAT is right around the corner. Testing will take place April 22nd to April 25th. Computer-based testing for 5th grade FCAT math will take place from April 28th to May 7th. District policy states that we have a proctor in each testing room. Proctors for testing can be anyone who is willing to volunteer, and who has been approved through the district to volunteer at Wards Creek Elementary. If you are interested in proctoring, please sign-up using the following link:



Please plan on arriving at Wards Creek Elementary no later than 8:30 and sign in at the front desk. You will then report directly to the classroom you will be proctoring in. Please sign up for a classroom that does not have any "relatives" per the following FCAT guideline:

• Test administrators must NOT administer the FCAT assessment to their family members. In addition, under no circumstances may a student’s parent/guardian be present in a student’s testing room.

FCAT Proctors MUST train with Mrs. Adolf (Guidance Counselor) prior to proctoring the FCAT. This training is brief (approximately 10 minutes) and can be scheduled anytime prior to April 11th. Please e-mail a good date and time that you can meet with Mrs. Adolf at Leanne.Adolf@stjohns.k12.fl.us.

Thanks,

Leanne Adolf

(904)547-8743

P.S. See Page 8 for some AWESOME Test Taking Tips!

NEW WARRIOR REGISTRATION

Early Kindergarten Registration is HERE!

You can sign up for a time by clicking on the link below!

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SPECIAL THANKS!

Sending a HUGE SHOUT OUT to Girl Scout Troop 98 for their generous donations for our family who was victim to a house fire! The items you gave were much needed and the family was over the moon with gratitude!

THANK YOU TROOP 98!

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VPK

At this time, we are full for the 2014-2015 school year. The waiting list for the 2015-2016 school year will open on August 18, 2014.

Please email Christina.King@stjohns.k12.fl.us with any questions.

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It is that time of year to Pre-Register for the Extended Day Enrichment Program!

To receive your discounted rate and to hold your spot for needed care, please register before June 1st.  The pre-registration rate is $50.00 per child. You will save $25.00 per child if you pre-register now. Our care fees this year did not increase! 

Registration fees are

non-refundable!

Please contact Casie Messenger at (904)547-8750 or casie.messenger@st.johns.k12.fl.us for registration information. Registration packets can also be picked up from the front office.

PTO Update

EXTENDED DAY!

Hello Warrior Families!

Wow! Thank you all so much for supporting our Father/Daughter Dance and Mother/Son Magic Show. We had over 550 people at the dance and over 350 at the magic show. Special thanks to Shelby Heinemann for chairing the dance and Ann Gillette for chairing the magic show.

We have one event coming up in March. Chick-Fil-A (St. Augustine) will be hosting a Wards Creek Night for us on the evening of March 13th. If you eat at Chick-Fil-A that evening, WCE will receive a portion of the profits. We know that it is quite a drive, but March 13th is the day that school releases for Spring Break, so what better way to celebrate than with dinner out? Keep an eye out for more information in Tuesday folders.

Finally, did you know that WCE PTO appreciates our teachers and staff once a month? Sometimes we provide lunch, sometimes something fun like a chocolate fountain and sometimes we leave a small token of appreciation such as IMAX tickets. We will be celebrating National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Month later in May, but will you help us show appreciation throughout the year by making sure to encourage our teachers and staff with a word of thanks? Thank you for helping to make WCE not just a school, but a community.

Amy Lasswell

WCE PTO

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Gifted Parent Advisory Council

The Gifted Parent Advisory Council meets four times per year to inform the school district about ways in which we can improve our efforts in serving our gifted students.

The next Gifted Parent Advisory Council~ meeting will take place March 25 from 5:30-6:30pm in the Media Center of Ocean Palms Elementary School.

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The Village Dentist & Orthodontist

425 W. Town Place, Suite 106

St. Augustine, FL 32092

Phone: 904.940.7990

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The Village Dentist & Orthodontist

425 W. Town Place, Suite 106

St. Augustine, FL 32092

Phone: 904.940.7990

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The Village Dentist & Orthodontist

425 W. Town Place, Suite 106

St. Augustine, FL 32092

Phone: 904.940.7990

FOOD DRIVE!

We have an ongoing food drive going on for some of our families here at Wards Creek Elementary. Currently we have 19 identified homeless families. Our goal is to try and send home food and paper goods each week. Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated.

Below is a link of some US children who are also living in poverty.

Please send your donations to the front office. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. King @ 904-547-8737.

SAC Needs Your Help!

We are conducting our annual Needs Assessment Survey for Wards Creek. Our School Advisory Council (SAC) will use your input as a guide to address the needs of our school in the 2014-2015 School Improvement Plan. Please copy and paste this link into your browser:

It should take you to the survey. A link to the survey can also be found on our school's website. Please take a moment to give us your feedback and comments. We appreciate your support!

Related Arts Spotlight:

P.E.

The Creek Side Elementary Track Meet is March 12. Students can sign up at our school until March 5th. After that they will need to sign up at Creek Side High School.

Events

K-1st: 55 meter dash & long jump

2nd-3rd: shot put, 100 meter dash, long jump

4th-5th: 100 meter dash, long jump, shot put, 400 meter dash & 4x100 meter relay

Also, March 15 is the Junior River Run and Wards Creek has 60 participants signed up for the run! Good Luck, Warriors! We’re rooting for you!

Dear Families of Wards Creek Elementary,

As promised, I am continuing our conversation around the Common Core State Standards Anchor Standards for Reading that guide Kindergarten through 12th grade students to become college and career ready. This month we will look at the fourth Anchor Standard:

Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Analyzing vocabulary in context is a powerful strategy for students to help them acquire new words. This standard is asking students do two things. First, students should be able to interpret the meaning of a variety of words in a wide variety of texts. Secondly, students should be able to analyze how an author’s word choice can effect the meaning or tone of the text. For example, in Natalie Babbit’s book Tuck Everlasting she writes:

The sky was a ragged blaze of red and pink and orange, and its double trembled on the surface of the pond like color spilled from a paintbox. The sun was dropping fast now, a soft red sliding egg yolk, and already to the east there was a darkening to purple. Winnie, newly brave with her thoughts of being rescued, climbed boldly into the rowboat. The hard heels of her buttoned boots made a hollow banging sound against its wet boards, loud in the warm and breathless quiet. Across the pond a bullfrog spoke a deep note of warning. Tuck climbed in, too, pushing off, and, settling the oars into their locks, dipped them into the silty bottom in one strong pull. The rowboat slipped from the bank then, silently, and glided out, tall water grasses whispering away from its sides, releasing it.

When you read this text with your child, you may ask, “What words are new to you?” and then question them to interpret the meaning of the unknown words. For example, in this text students may be unsure about the word silty. Instead of having your child look up the word, you may ask them to use the context of the sentence or paragraph to interpret what the word may mean.

To address the second part of the standard, you may have your child analyze the color words used in the paragraph and determine why the author may have used color words to enhance the setting and feelings of the characters in the text. These standards are rigorous and require our students to be critical readers and thinkers. Continue reading with your child and ask them to talk about what they are reading!

All the best,

Claire Riddell

Claire.Riddell@stjohns.k12.fl.us

(904) 547-8747

GREAT JOB ODYSSEY WARRIORS AT REGIONALS ON MARCH 1ST!

News from the Nurse

March brings us closer to summer and closer to the end of flu season! However with the variance in weather we have been experiencing in St John’s County and the level of pollen, allergies and colds abound! Be sure to stay hydrated, please send your children to school with a fresh water bottle every day! Donation Needs: The clinic is in need of a number of things to help keep our students healthy and in school:

• Miniature water bottles

• Simple snacks, such as bags of animal crackers, graham crackers, etc. to help settle upset tummies

• Apple juice and grape juice to help keep intestines moving

• Sandwich sized ZIPLOC bags, and only Ziploc (others don’t stay closed and ice becomes water)

To reiterate St John’s County Schools illness guidelines, listed below are a few of the illnesses and their exclusions from school:

Conjunctivitis (pink eye): This is pink or red eyes with drainage from the eyes – The child will be sent home and may return 24 hours after treatment begins. If your health care provider decides not to treat your child, a note from the MD is required.

Diarrhea: This is frequent, loose or watery stools – The child will be sent home if they look or act ill, have diarrhea with vomiting or diarrhea that is not contained in the toilet.

Fever: This is temperature elevated above 100.0. The student must remain at home for at least 24 hours and can only return after temperature is within normal limits for 24 hours without medication.

Head Lice: This includes any nits. The student is to be returned to school once they are nit free and brought in to the nurse with a parent for clearance to return to school.

Strep Throat: The student may return 24 hours after antibiotics are started and student has no fever for 24 hours without medication.

Vomiting: This includes two or more episodes in the past 24 hours. Student may return to school after vomiting resolves or the healthcare provider has provided a note allowing student to return to school.

If you have any questions about anything, please call me in the clinic at 904-547-8738 or email me at angela.kalem@stjohns.k12.fl.us or stop by between 8am-3pm.

Lost and Found

Has your child misplaced a jacket, lunchbox, or other favorite item? Please encourage your child to check the school lost and found for any missing items. We would also like to request that all jackets and lunchboxes be labeled with student names as this will prevent our lost and found from overflowing and will enable your child’s lost items to be returned all the more quickly. Thank you!

Do you sweat, chew your pencil, and feel butterflies in your stomach as your teacher hands out a test? A lot of people (adults included) get freaked out when it's time to take a test. It's natural to feel some stress about taking tests. In fact, sometimes a little adrenaline (a hormone made by your body during times of excitement or stress) is a good thing to jump-start you.

Here are some tips for taking tests:

• First, be sure you've studied properly. It sounds like a no-brainer, but if you're sure of the information, you'll have less reason to be worried

• Get enough sleep the night before the test. Your memory recall will be much better if you've had enough rest. In a scientific study, people who got enough sleep before taking a math test did better than those who stayed up all night studying.

• Listen closely to any instructions. As the teacher hands out the test, be sure you know what's expected of you.

• Read the test through first. Once you have the test paper in front of you, read over the entire test, checking out how long it is and all the parts that you are expected to complete. This will allow you to estimate how much time you have for each section and ask the teacher any questions. If something seems unclear before you start, don't panic: ask.

• Focus on addressing each question individually. As you take the test, if you don't know an answer, don't obsess over it. Instead, answer the best way you can or skip over the question and come back to it after you've answered other questions.

• Relax. If you're so nervous that you blank out, you might need a mini-break. Of course you can't get up and move around in the middle of a test, but you can wiggle your fingers and toes, take four or five deep breaths, or picture yourself on a beach or some other calm place. As we all know, it can be easy to forget things we know well — like a locker combination. The difference is we know we'll remember our locker combination because we've used it hundreds of times, so we don't panic and the combination number eventually comes back. During a test, if you blank out on something and start to get tense, it suddenly becomes much more difficult to remember.

• Finished already? Although most teachers will let you hand a test in early, it's usually a good idea to spend any extra time checking over your work. You also can add details that you may not have thought you'd have time for. On the other hand, if you have 5 minutes until the bell rings and you're still writing, wind up whatever you're working on without panicking.

These tips should help most people, but some can get serious test-taking terror. If you're one of them, you may need to talk to a parent, teacher, or counselor for help. Good luck!

Test Taking Tips

Platinum Business Partners

The ESE Parent Advisory Council meets twice per year to inform the school district about ways in which we can improve our efforts in serving students with disabilities. For more information contact the ESE office at 904-547-7712.

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