Popcorn Day - TOMORROW, TUESDAY, NOV. 18

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 18, will be Popcorn Day!  Each bag of popcorn costs $0.50.  I have extra money saved from previous family donations in case your child forgets their popcorn money.

If you do not want your child to eat the school's popcorn, please let me know so that I do not order them a bag.  You are welcome to send in your popcorn from home as well.

Thank you in advance!

Schedule for the Week of 11/17 -11/21

Monday (B) - Music & Art
Tuesday (C) - PE
Wednesday (D) - Media Center
Thursday (A) - Music
Friday (B) - Music & Art


This is a gentle reminder that next Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 20 will be half days of school.  There will be NO SCHOOL on those afternoons.  School will be dismissed by 12:05 on these days.

I look forward to seeing everyone at conferences next week!

Teachers Take Pies to the Face for a Good Cause!

Following today's amazing assembly, a local children's theater production of different Cinderella stories around the world, the children of Harlan were treated to something special!

Any child who brought  a food item to be donated to Gleaners Food Bank had a ticket with their name on it submitted for the chance to throw a pie at a teacher! 

The children did an amazing job of collecting food!  The assembly was the perfect way to end the day with a little dessert!

Here is Mr. Kefgen just after a 3rd grader got him right in the face!  What a great throwing arm!

Mystery Reader

Thank you so much to Mrs. BB for joining  us as our Mystery Reader last week!  The children loved your book and were so excited for the special smelly pencil surprise!

If you are interested in becoming a Mystery reader, please use the below link to choose a date that works best for your schedule.  Thank you!

Mystery Reader Sign Up

Strep Throat in Our Grade Level

 SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OAKLAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL

Strep Throat has been reported in your student’s grade level at Harlan School.  The invasion period may be 1-3 days after exposure.

            Observe your child for symptoms during this period.  Keep your child home if he/she shows signs of illness.  Attacks of this disease may vary in severity, some may be very mild.  Either severe or mild cases may have serious complications.  It is usually from mild attacks that the disease spreads because the parent does not recognize the disease and fails to call the physician.

            Cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever and Salmonella (intestinal infections) should be reported to the Health Department immediately.  Children who have recovered from these diseases, except Scarlet Fever, must have clearance through the Department of Health in order to return to school.

Fall Conferences

Hello Room 112 Families!

Fall Conferences are just around the corner!  This year, conferences will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 20.  At this conference we will be discussing your child's progress since the beginning of the year, reviewing work samples and setting "next step" goals.

I look forward to seeing everyone!

Please see the below link to sign up for a 20-minute conference appointment that works best with your schedule. 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4ba4a822a46-fall2

NWEA Parent Letter

Hello Parents-

This Friday your child's September NWEA scores will be sent home. I wanted to share with you a few thoughts regarding these scores to provide you with additional insight into the test, how it is scored, and what it all really means.

Why take the test so early in the school year? We take the test in September to provide the teachers with baseline data. The data allows us to track students progress throughout the course of the school year. The information is one piece that allows me to create strategy groups and next-step plans for the students.

How long should the test take? The most accurate data comes students who spent at least 40 minutes on the test. Students spending less time or significantly less time might have been rushing or not reading the questions before selecting an answer. 

Is there a standard error with NWEA? Yes, there is a standard deviation on 6 points with the test. If your child is within the standard deviation in his/her scores there is no reason to believe it is based on your child's performance but rather the nature of the test. 

What other factors might be affecting my child's performance? Sleep, mood, computer skills, food choices and time of day are huge factors in any standardized test. Taking the test in the afternoon after a child has been working hard all day could drastically change his/her score due to lower stamina. 

Will my child's performance be graded? No. The information collected for NWEA will not affect your child's grade in any way.

Why take the test? The data collected is a helpful indicator of where your child started the school year. It is one of NUMEROUS data points we take. NWEA does not carry any more weight than another baseline point. 

Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you!