POMEROY SCHOOL DISTRICT #110

PARENT NEWSLETTER

 

Volume 11

Number 4

November 2009

Kim Spacek

Superintendent/

Elementary Principal

kspacek@psd.wednet.edu

 

Doug LaMunyan

Jr./Sr. High Principal

dlamunyan@psd.wednet.edu

 

Mailing Address:

PO Box 950

Pomeroy  WA  99347

 

Website:

www.psd.wednet.edu

 

Skyward Family Access

http://family.pomeroy.wa-k12.net

 

Partnership for Learning:  WASL Resource Center

http://www.wasl2006.com

 

Washington State Board of Education

http://www.sbe.wa.gov

 

SuperintendentÕs Message . . .

The flu season is upon us.  Are you ready?  Well, that statement is one that we hear every year.  And, the question is rather silly!  Pomeroy has been in the middle of the flu season since mid-September.

The administration, and building secretaries, and health district would like to thank parents for their effort in battling the H1N1 virus.  We are not Òout of the woodsÓ yet.  However, continual awareness and communication with school officials will help students stay healthy.  Inside there is information concerning the vaccine for the H1N1 virus.

Personal hygiene is important in battling any flu.  I was in the primary wing of the elementary school observing a class the other day.  A student exited the bathroom and washed their hands before returning to their desk.  This is an excellent example of how the flu can be kept in check with good healthy habits developed throughout life.

The district also has an emergency preparedness plan if an epidemic breaks out, that will be implemented.  Fortunately, communication and cooperation have prevented an emergency plan from being called into action.

Great news!  The School Nurse Corps Coordinator from the regional Educational Service District dropped by for a visit.  His comment was complimentary.  He said the plans put in place a few years ago have prepared the district for a variety of emergencies.  Communication has been a big part of this process and he felt the district had done a good job of communicating with parents.

                                                                                                                                                                                

Single Servings

Keep portable snacks handy – and hold your food budget down by buying items in bulk and making your own single-serve bags.  Check portion sizes on nutrition labels of cereal, baked crackers, or nuts, and fill zipper bags with one serving each.  Then, you child can grab a nutritious snack quickly.

Source:  Resources for Educators

 

Elementary News

Parent Involvement:  Pomeroy Parent-Teacher Fellowship

e-Principal Notes . . .

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up in November.  The elementary school continues its tradition of meeting with parents of all students.  We believe this conference is one of the most important home-school connections of the year.  Here are three tips to a great conversation:

Tip #1 – Focus on Student Learning – As a parent, find out what your child should be learning.  Ask questions that draw out information beyond general terminology.  For example, if you are told your child is having difficulty with ÒsightÓ words, it is okay to ask what that term means if you donÕt know.

Tip #2 – Inquire about Home Activities – Whether your child is making excellent progress or poor progress, there is always something that can be done at home to help your child learn.  Again, ask questions on what types of ways you can assist as parents.  You may be surprised as a simple discussion while driving to the valley may be enough to spark student interest in a subject.

Tip #3 – Keep It All in Perspective – We all want success for every child.  Children have strong subjects and weak subjects.  Learning is continuous.  There is short-term learning and learning that will occur in the future.  Working toward the future is important as it sends a message to the child that persistence pays off.

Teachers work hard to provide the learning environment needed for student growth.  They appreciate the support from parents.  The biggest benefactor from this partnership is our students!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Set Aside ÔParent-KidÕ Time Every Day to Stay Connected as a Family

Make a commitment to carve out a little time that is Òparent-kidÓ time each day.  If you have more than one child, look for time alone with each.  Think about your day.  If you child catches the school bus, turn that short walk to the bus stop into your regular time together.  Could you spend a little extra time as you tuck each child into bed?  Could you have a Òtea partyÓ with your child after school?  Invite one child at a time to help you prepare dinner.  You can chat while you chop the lettuce.

These small chunks of time, when youÕre relaxed and have no agenda will become important.  They may be the time when your child opens up and tells you whatÕs really going on in his or her life.

Source:  Parents Make the Difference!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

H1N1 Vaccine Information

Garfield County Health District and Pomeroy Medical Clinic have H1N1 vaccine, both flumist and injectable.

Quantities are limited, but it is expected that more vaccine will be available in the weeks to come.

High risk groups are the current priority for vaccination.  They are:

á       Healthcare and emergency medical services workers.

á       Pregnant women

á       People who live with or care for children younger than  6 months old.

á       Children from 6 months through 18 years old.

Contact the Health District @ 843-3412 or the Medical Clinic @ 843-1491 for vaccinations.

The H1N1 vaccinations are free.

Junior-Senior High News

Parent Involvement:  Pomeroy Booster Club

2007 School of Distinction                                                                                                                                                                                    A Navigation 101 School

2007 U.S. News & World Report – Bronze Medal High School

Principal Notes . . .

Last month I stated the following: Pomeroy Jr/Sr High School, through a grant, has purchased access for all parents and students to access the WOIS Career Information System. Anyone can access this system at any time at www.wois.org with the following site key which is: fau884  .  This system is excellent at answering questions about careers and how a student would achieve whatever career they choose.  Please visit the site and provide us feedback about the usefulness of this website.  Please note the site key has changed.  Please visit the site; it is most impressive when it comes to career research.  I apologize for the inaccurate information.  The site key changes annually and we will keep you updated.

The end of the 1st quarter of grading is October 30th.  Students need to get geared up for the 2nd quarter of grading to begin.  Health concerns are all around us and multiple students have missed school due to illness.  Please remember it is the studentÕs responsiblity to make up work missed.  Teachers are available before and after school for additional help when needed.  The holidays are coming up which is a big distraction academically, so it is important for students to get their grades up early and maintain them.

I am going to print this in every newsletter until this spring.  The school board is going to run a bond in February to remodel the school.  The dollar value has not been set yet, but I want to invite all community members at any time to come and tour our school to determine for yourself the need for this bond.  Please come see what our school looks like in and out before making a determination of yes or no.  Come by any time and I assure you we will take the time to show you around.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Homework Time

Nathan likes to start homework right after school.  Elsie prefers to relax first.  Luis listens to soft music when he studies, while Bella needs silence.

Which homework routine is best?  TheyÕre all fine!  With help from their parents, these students have discovered what works for them.  Use these strategies to help your child find a winning homework routine.

When and where?

Try planning a regular time each day when family members do quiet activities.  YouÕll help your youngster focus by limiting distractions.  For example, he or she can do homework in the kitchen after school while you pay bills or cook.  Or everyone can read in the living room at night while she works in her room.

Take a break!

Schedule short periods of work to fit your childÕs attention span.  If she has an hour of homework, he or she can do 30 minutes and then take a break (shoot hoops, have a healthy snack) before finishing up.  Tip:  Have him or her keep track of time—and stay on task—and stay on task—by setting an alarm clock to signal his or her break.

First things First

Before he or she starts, help your youngster put his or her assignments in order.  Have you noticed he or she gets more done when he or she can complete his or her math worksheet, then practice spelling words and, finally, study science.  Idea:  Suggest that he or she rank homework from hardest to easiest and tackle the more complicated homework first.

Source:  Resources for Educators

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

From a Student Leader. . .

By Jordan Koller, A.S.B. Treasurer

Dear Parents and community members, as our vice president stated in the last letter, this have been a great year.  All of our fall sports teams have done well.  Although struggling at times, they always push through.  The cross country team had done well, always running as fast and as hard as they can.  By the time this gets to you they will have run in their district meet.  This week the football team goes to Waitsburg and next week they travel up to Oakesdale.  The team has had a fairly good year so far battling hard in every game.  The volleyball team has done very well this year battling through all obstacles.  This week Garfield-Palouse comes here to play and next week the girls travel down to Dayton for the district tournament.  Be sure to cheer on all athletes.

Here on the last week of October we have Halloween.  The ASB is putting on a Halloween Party from 4:30 to 7:00 PM on October 31st.  We have advertised this throughout most of the town and hope to have a big crowd.  There will be a maze and a haunted house with plenty of games and food.

The start of November means the end of fall sports and the beginning of winter sports be sure to cheer on all athletes in their sports.  We thank everyone for your support in everything the student body does.  It is highly appreciated.