A Message from a Grateful Parent! Story #6: Be the Turning Point............In Someone's Life

A Message to the Teacher:

I was just grading my son, Miles', last homeschool work as he heads toward graduation, and our beginning steps there at CVHS came to mind!  I thought you might be encouraged to know that we've kept homeschooling after our move, and he is doing quite well!  Many thanks to you and your program for getting us started on our journey! Also, both his brothers are still homeschooled, as well as their sister (adopted from Korea, and now 8yrs. old).  We have fond memories of our beginning with you, and send our love...

Sincerely,
A Grateful Parent

Sandi Swanson – Thanks for sharing!

Roosevelt Elementary School's Read-A-Thon Celebration

Check out these great pictures 

from Roosevelt's Read-A-Thon Assembly

Central Valley Home School - February 2014

Coming Events

February 28 - Civil War Experience @ Mooney Grove Park

March 13 or 14 - Peach Blossom Festival

March 27 - Charlotte's Web @ California Theatre Center

Peach Blossom Festival

The purpose of the Peach Blossom Festival is to expose children to oral interpretation and allow them to have a positive experience at Fresno State.  The children that attend are from all areas of the Central Valley.  Students memorize and perform a poem/oral reading in front of designated judges (CSU Speech Students).  

SHARES Cards

Thanks to all who have been using SHARES cards at Sav-Mart. 

Check out the recommendation written by Jessica Wilhite, mom of Preston (Gr. 2) and Noah (Gr. 1).

Since my boys have been interested in learning how to type better, I found this website: www.typingweb.com. It's a free online typing tutor & keyboarding tutorial for kids of all ages. The cool part about it is, it tracks your progress, accuracy, how many words per minute & so on. My boys have really enjoyed it so far. I signed up under the Teachers Portal & created a login for each of my boys. That way when they are ready to have their computer time for typing, they login to their own account so it keeps track of each child & continues from where they left off previously. This program has really taught my older two how to properly place their hands in the correct position & learn to type without removing their hands from the keyboard. They have done several practice rounds already & they are doing so well. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who is interested. 

Reagan Elementary School - February 2014

Winter Sports at Reagan

The winter season of sports has begun at Reagan as our boys basketball teams, coached by Coach Chavez and Coach Rodriguez, and our girls team, coached by Coach Sutton, have been playing against schools in Selma.  The teams are having a great time and learning how to play fundamental basketball.

Pastries with Parents

On Friday, April 4, Reagan's PTO will be holding its first annual "Pastries with Parents" event.  Look for more information in March.

Upcoming Dates

February 7 - Basketball at Jackson
February 10 - Lincoln's Birthday - No School
February 14 - 4th Grade to the Philharmonic
February 17 - President's Day - No School
February 21 - Basketball at Selma
February 21 - 5th Grade Flag Day Assembly

Lincoln Elementary School - February 2014

Dates to Remember

            Feb 10^th-

Lincoln’s Day-NO SCHOOL

     Feb 17^th-President’s Day-NO SCHOOL

             Feb 20^th-Parent Club Meeting 8:30 rm 23

             February 27^th -Box Tops due 

     Feb 28^th-Jog-a-thon

     Congratulations to third grade teacher, Mrs. Barbara McPherson, who was chosen to be Kingsburg Elementary Teacher of the Year!  She was also selected by the Kingsburg District Chamber of Commerce to be Educator of the Year.  

Our annual Jog-a-Thon is almost here!

    We are all very excited about this fun event that promotes exercise and helps the school as well!  Students have been getting fit and having fun practicing jogging at school.   Round and round the playground they go during break and P.E. periods with their teachers, gearing up for the big event.  I commend them for their enthusiasm! This very worthy fundraiser, which will take place on Feb 28th, will pay for field trips, assemblies, trophies, extra supplies and play equipment, and other important items for our students.  

Washington Elementary School - February 2014

Spell-A-Thon Results

The Spell-A-Thon raised $7,694.47.  There were 155 students recognized for obtaining a 100% score on the spelling test.  The Spell-A-Thon Assembly was a huge success!

Valentine's Day

All classes will enjoy students exchanging Valentine cards.  It is fun to watch as they use their new reading skills to read the cards.

President Washington and President Lincoln

Students will learn about the former presidents who have their birthdays in the month of February.  Then students will choose one president to write about.  

TK Parent Information Night - February 24, 6:00 p.m.

Washington will host a TK Information Night in the cafeteria.  

Scholastic Book Fair - February 24-28

Stop by the Washington School Scholastic Book Fair to pick up great books for those special children in your life.

Character Counts Assembly February 28th

The Character Counts Assembly is put on by our staff members.  The assembly defines the six pillars of character through a series of short skits that involve students.  The kids love seeing their teachers and staff members in costume as they engage their minds with the meaning of character.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration begins March 3rd.  Packets are available from preschool providers or in the Washington office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wow, Has Education Changed!

Family Focus: Kindergarteners Pushing the Limits

KSEE24 News, First 5 Fresno County and Carina Corral continue their Family Focus series with a look at how advanced kindergarteners are these days.

Gone are the kindergarten days of learning colors, reading time and milk and cookies. Kinders here at Washington School in Kingsburg are pushing the limits.

"When I first started teaching kindergarten we were excited if they could come in, sit down and listen to a story and left knowing all their letters and sounds a few words," said kindergarten teacher Leigh Ann Spitzer. 

That was 26 years ago. Since then, the bar has been raised and a lot more is expected of kindergarten.

By the time they leave this classroom, they need to know 50-75 sight words, such as 'the,' 'on,' 'it,' read and write, addition and subtraction and even some science. On this day, they made a crystallized snowflake. "Borax and water, hot water," Kindergartener Quinn described how they made the snowflake. 

Subjects such as algebraic math and science is stressing the importance of students coming into kindergarten already knowing the basics.

"What is nice for them to know when they come to kindergarten is how to sit and how to listen. They don't have to know the letters and sounds when they come in, but it does give them a step up," said Spitzer. 

     

They can learn classroom structure, letters and sounds in preschool, but if preschool is not an option you can still work with kids at home.

"It's very important. Just taking them to the library and encouraging them to read," said Linda Palm who volunteers once a week in her grand-daughter's kindergarten classroom so she knows how to help outside the classroom. 

    

It's all about giving these kids the best chance for success in kindergarten and beyond.

"Hopefully kindergarten will be a great, exciting experience so they'll feel successful when they start first grade," said Spitzer.

Parents who don't have access to preschool should consider FIRM Literacy program in Fresno that offers a free, 12-week program for kids aged 0-5.