Hey There Flynn Families - Not sure how many of you made it to the Calendar 2.0 meeting last Wednesday at BHS, but if you weren't able to attend and you don't get the Free Press, word is that there will be no major changes to the school calendar for 2014-15. Superintendents will be sorting through all the feedback parents provided about the proposed changes.
Not sure if this proposal will resurface, but it did get me thinking... My hunch is that if the District had just asked for input on a proposal without the looming calendar change, most would have just ignored it. Forcing the issue has engaged a lot more families to think about why not all of our students are succeeding at school and what we as a learning community can do to rectify this. I am a firm believer in the "It takes a village" approach to parenting/schooling and I am happy to be having this discussion. It is never too late to share your thoughts on education/Calendar 2.0 and how we can meet all students where they are at. Superintendent Jeanne Collins will always take your comments at jcollins@bsdvt.org.
Walk/Bike/Scooter/Run/Skip to school day this Wednesday!!! Parents and kiddoes, we encourage you to take a people powered approach to school this Wednesday. Volunteers will have a table by the Starr Farm entrance to snap photos of green commuters and give stickers to participants.
BOOKFAIR PASTA
DINNER Come enjoy a
wonderful Pasta Dinner and browse through a terrific selection of books. Top the night off with a yummy treat from the
bake
sale table!! Flyers went home on Friday with more information about what each class is providing for the dinner - if you haven't seen it, take a peek in the backpack...
When: Tuesday, October 22 5:30-7pm
Where: Multipurpose room at Flynn
Why: To have a great time and help
support your school
Who: Everyone!!!!
Suggested Donation: $3/student, $4/adult, 0-3/free, $15/family
HOW TO HELP??- If you are still interested in
donating food, baked goods or time on the day of the event please contact your
room parent or e-mail Flynn School at flynnschoolpto@gmail.com !! Thanks so
much!!!
Can you Help with Bookfair Set/Breakdown??? Corey and Cara are looking for 5 helpers in the afternoon (10/22) to set-up books in the multipurpose room and 5 helpers to pack up books at the end. Come alone or come with kiddo helpers - just say you'll come help!!! If it sweetens the deal, helpers are encouraged to pick a free book as thank you (up to $7 value). See volunteer times below:
Set-up: 3:45-5:00
Breakdown:7:30-8:30(ish)
Contact Corey at cwallace@bsdvt.org to volunteer
Movie Viewing/Discussion As a part of our commitment to National Bullying Prevention Month the Burlington School District presents Bully as
the first event in a series as a party of our educational campaign to foster a safe, inclusive environment for all our students. Stay tuned for more ways to join us as we work to eradicate bullying and harassment in our schools and community!
"Bully is a wrenching, potentially transformative
look at an epidemic of adolescent cruelty and adult
paralysis in the nation's public schools.” -NPR
Questions? Contact Kat:
Phone: 802-363-3716
E-mail: kmontero@bsdvt.org
E-mail: kmontero@bsdvt.org
Snacks! Raffle!
Discussion and plans for action to follow!
Discussion and plans for action to follow!
Burlington High School Cafeteria- October 22, 2013 -6pm
Question: My husband and I are sold on this less is more approach to parenting. We have implemented Family Meetings, replaced praise with encouragement, are trying to foster independence and get real with our expectations. How do I transition between my old style of parenting and my new improved style? Habits are hard to break and I am really struggling.
Answer: The truth is, there is no easy way to break an old habit and replace it with a newer, healthier habit. But there are a few things you can do to make the transition a little more enjoyable for everyone.
Here are my top 3 tips for making the switch from an old habit to a new, more effective one:
- Identify the old habit you want to replace (choose the easiest to break) and the new habit you will replace it with. For example: My old habit is to give my kids to many choices for breakfast and that leads to fights and power struggles. This week my new habit is to give my kids two choices and I will make sure they are food choices I know they will eat. Or, another example might be: My old habit is to nag my kids to get moving in the morning. This week my new habit will be to trust that they can take care of everything on their own if I give them a chance and to wait in the car quietly until it is time to go.
- Focus on that one new habit for no less than 2 weeks. It’s easy to feel bombarded with all the changes you want to make, but take it from me, focusing on one habit and sticking with it will create crazy momentum that will make future changes easier and more enjoyable.
- Track and CELEBRATE your progress and improvement. We live in a world that tells us to buy the new wardrobe AFTER you drop that 60 lbs, by a new car AFTER you get the corner office (you currently work in the mail room), and take that big vacation AFTER you have $200K in your saving account. REALLY? Instead, find an easy way to track your progress on a regular basis (I recommend either daily or ever other day) and then find simple and meaningful ways to celebrate them. This is guaranteed to keep you inspired AND you are modeling for your children that the process is as important as the goal.
Common Core Information for Parents The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. What Elementary School Parents & Guardians Need to Know:
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provide a practical way to prepare children for the challenges of a constantly changing world – by learning step-by-step the real-world skills they need for career and college. Like an orchestra learning a challenging new symphony, bringing these standards to life in our schools will take time and energy, and costs that must be managed over time. These standards are intended to provide all students regardless of geographical location with the same sheet music – that is the clear goals of career and college readiness.
What are the 6 Key Shifts in the Math Standards?
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provide a practical way to prepare children for the challenges of a constantly changing world – by learning step-by-step the real-world skills they need for career and college. Like an orchestra learning a challenging new symphony, bringing these standards to life in our schools will take time and energy, and costs that must be managed over time. These standards are intended to provide all students regardless of geographical location with the same sheet music – that is the clear goals of career and college readiness.
What are the 6 Key Shifts in the Math Standards?
1. Focus: learn more about fewer, key topics
2. Build skills within and across grades
3. Develop speed and accuracy
4. Really know it, Really do it!
5. Use it in the real world
6. Think fast AND solve problems
Will There Be New Tests for the New Standards?
Yes, Vermont is a governing member of the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). The consortium is developing new tests that will measure student progress toward career and college
readiness. The new assessment will be administered in the spring of 2015. You may learn more about the new tests at: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents-students/
How Will the Transition to the Common Core State Standards Impact Communication with
Families?
During the 2012-2013 school year we implemented a new math report card at Kindergarten and Grade 1. This past summer teachers with support from the BSD Curriculum Office and The Vermont Math Institute revised the report card for grades 2-5. This new report card template is part of a pilot and is intended reflect our shift to the Common Core. A new tool for reporting to families is a necessary step as we revise our curriculum and instructional practices. To review the updated report card templates visit: BSD K-5 Report Cards (www.bsdvt.org – select Curriculum Department).
Common Core Resources for Parents:
Council of the Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps: http://www.cgcs.org//site/Default.aspx?PageID=244
National Parent Teachers Association Guides http://pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2583
Video Overview of the Common Core Standards (3 minutes) http://vimeo.com/51933492
| Save the date... |
October 17 - Early Release at 11:30 - Parent Teacher Conferences
October 18 - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
October 22 - Book Fair Dinner 5:30-7
October 31 - Halloween parade to Birchwood Nursing Home - end of day - stay tuned for exact time!
November 2- Flynn Bottle drive at Merola's!
November 3 - Daylight Savings - set those clocks back an hour!
November 7 - PTO meeting
October 22 - Book Fair Dinner 5:30-7
October 31 - Halloween parade to Birchwood Nursing Home - end of day - stay tuned for exact time!
November 2- Flynn Bottle drive at Merola's!
November 3 - Daylight Savings - set those clocks back an hour!
November 7 - PTO meeting
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