February, 2009

Dear Chain Lake Families,

Save the Date for Family Reading Fun!

Join us for a exciting and informative celebration of reading on Thursday, February 26th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. We will be serving a treat of a slice of pizza and a piece of birthday cake in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. There will be fun reading activities for everyone and we will also be sharing important information about our new reading curriculum titled Reading Street, and about ways that we can partner with you to help your child become an even better reader. Come dressed as your favorite Dr. Seuss character! We hope to see you there!

Kindergarten Parent Information Night

Kindergarten Registration is right around the corner. We will be having kindergarten registration at all of our elementary schools on Tuesday, March 3rd starting at 6:30 p.m. If you have incoming kindergarten students or know of neighbors who have incoming kindergarteners, please spread the word about this important informational event. Bring your immunizations records and birth certificate for copying and you will be able to register that evening. There will also be information and registration occurring for our All Day Kindergarten program next year for Chain Lake families.

Math Extravaganza

Chain Lake students are working at home and at school to create many imaginative math projects in preparation for a celebration of mathematical thinking which will take place on Friday, February 20. Classrooms plan to display their projects around the school and then visit each other’s classrooms to see all of the great ways that students have found to represent mathematical thinking. Be sure to ask your child to tell you about our math celebration!

Reading Tips for Parents

• Ask your child questions about what they hear and read every day.
  Let them see you read every day.
  
• Read to children or have them read to you every day.
  Have your child read words or letters on labels, packages, signs, and other every day items.
  
• Have books around the home and a quiet reading time every day. The school or public library is a great resource for books to read.
  
• Make connections to reading
  
  • Text-to-self connections are made between what you are reading and your own life.
    
  • Text-to-text connections are made between what you are reading and a different text.
    
  • Text-to-world connections are made between what you are reading and bigger events of the world.
    

Thank you for your continued support of our great students and faculty. I welcome your questions, concerns, compliments and ideas.

Working together with you,
Linda Martin Ed.D.,
Principal

Neighborhood elementary school attendance areas

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

VISION
At Chain Lake Elementary School we value people, celebrate learning, and strengthen lives.

MISSION
The mission of our school community is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that promotes life-long learning. As a community of learners, we strive to empower individuals with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in a changing and diverse world.

BELIEFS
We believe that school should be a positive, memorable experience.

• Safe, Fun, Challenging, Motivating, Inspiring, Supportive, Preparatory

We believe that students should exhibit and apply essential skills.

• Fundamental, Academics, Resourcefulness, Communication, Problem Solving, Technological Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking

We believe that the community of learners should be contributing citizens.

• Responsible, Respectful, Empatheti, Confident, Honest, Empowered

Adopted 9/12/01