PATRIOT NEWS
October
Highlights
October 1
PTO Board
Meeting
October 2
4th – 6th grades
Choir and
Orchestra
Assembly 2:00
October 6
Music Parent
Meeting 5:30
Library
October 8
Teton Meeting
@2:45October 9
Picture Retakes
October 9
Picture Retakes
October 15 – 16
Fall Recess
October 27
End of First Term
October 29
Halloween
Parade 9 am and
Class parties at
1:30 pm
October 30
No School
calendar of events
September 30, 2015
A note from Mrs. Swan:
Dear Parents—
Thank you to all of you who made appointments to attend
Parent-Teacher Conferences. I realize not everyone could get
appointments and/or the time slots that work best for your
family. I apologize for this. Please email your child’s teacher
and make an appointment to meet with them. They are happy
to meet with you. The feedback on the “appointment format” I
am receiving from parents and teachers is very positive. The
school is quiet and calm. The conferences are personal and
private. Teachers are prepared for you to meet with them.
Nobody feels rushed. Both parents’ and teachers’ time feels
respected. Parking is easier. Teachers get to refuel and eat
dinner—which helps them with these long days. The Book Fair
has a nice, steady flow of people too. There are a lot of
benefits.
While the “appointment format” worked well for many parents, I
also realize that some parents prefer the “Open GYM format”
because you can drop in anytime. I understand that the
flexibility is a real plus-especially if you have several children
and/or children in Jr. high and high school as well. I understand
that sometimes your work schedule changes and your original
appointment time might not work after all, then what? The
Open GYM, however, is much more chaotic and noisy, and the
wait to see a teacher can be more than 30 minutes—even
longer in some cases. I am trying to find a hybrid of these two
formats that will work. I do recognize that change for some
people is difficult; having a new principal change things is not
always thrilling. But there are other ways to do things that still
work. Please keep an open mind as I listen to ALL parents’
concerns—
either about the noise, distraction, and lack of privacy of the gym or the fact that sometimes you
cannot get appointments at the times you need and some of you need the flexibility the gym format
provides. I hear you.
There are some adjustments that can be made to help parents get what works best for their families. I
am working on a few different options. We look forward to your feedback about PTCs on our Fall
Survey, which will be out in a few weeks. Several options will be presented for parents to vote on and
provide feedback. I really appreciate your patience while we try and find the best way to serve our
parents and make the conferences about your children the most meaningful and helpful for you and
for the teachers. I know that everyone’s time is valuable.
Choir and Orchestra Assembly and Parent Meeting for scholars in grades 4-6: We are having
an assembly on Friday, October 2 from 2:00-2:30 in the GYM for scholars in grades 4—6. The
assembly will explain the exciting opportunities we have this year for participation in Choir or
Orchestra! The Parent Information Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 6th at 5:30 P.M. in
the Library. We are thrilled to have Missy Stauffer and Hannah Orrock here to serve our students in
these ways! Please join us!
October’s Patriot Trait of the Month is KINDNESS. Kindness looks like patience with others, using
nice words, giving someone the benefit of the doubt, withholding judgment, withholding criticism,and
not gossiping. Start sharing, smiling, giving someone a compliment, all forms of courtesy, providing a
favor or doing a kind act, or showing affection toward another. Please talk to your children about what
kindness is and how it is related to being respectful. We have talked a lot in September about how to
be respectful. Kindness is a great way to show respect.
Have a fabulous week.
Mrs. Swan
Engaging Readers
THE BOOK FAIR TODAY!
Each week, we will share some information, inspiration, or tips on how to help your children ENGAGE
in reading!
The book fair, which is underway in the library, provides you with a perfect opportunity to help your
child select quality books to read and enjoy. What makes a “quality” book? Quality books are
interesting. They have beautiful illustrations and pictures; they contain robust vocabulary.
When you go to the book fair, treat your child to a book that they’re highly interested in reading.
Research proves that children can learn from a book that is above their reading level IF they are
interested in its topic and therefore, willing to read it – tirelessly. Most often children are interested in
topics that are addressed in informational books (nature, animals, science, cooking, etc.) Build a library
of informational books and you’ll have a house full of captivated readers. Also, look for books—both
informational and narrative-- that have beautiful illustrations and vivid pictures. Such artwork enhances
the text and enlivens a child’s imagination and extends their concentration. Finally, take a good look at
books that contain rich language and high-level vocabulary. Words that rhyme, repeat and make a child
laugh are fun to read. Words that are new and contain deep meaning introduce children to new concepts
and expand their vocabulary.
Provide your child with a foundation for reading success by helping them select quality books at the book
fair.
Keep reading!
Michelle Roderick. M.Ed.
Reading Specialist/Title I Director
Wasatch Peak Academy
Announcements:
Informational Meeting held on Thursday, October 8th
2:45 in gym.
October 14th
Patriot Day
October 29th
HALLOWEEN PARADE 9:00 AM AND
CLASS PARTIES 1:30 PM
WEAR YOUR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL
CASUAL DRESS DAY
Hello Wonderful WPA Parents,
This year we have the great opportunity of offering an after school Orchestra Class and Choir
on Wednesdays. The Orchestra class will be violin, viola, cello, and Bass. There have been
many proven benefits to learning a musical skill. Come to our Parent meeting and find out more
about the classes offered.
When: Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Where: In the Library at Wasatch Peak Academy
(come to the Library Door)
This meeting is for Parents and students of those interested or curious about joining the
Orchestra Class or Choir. The Orchestra Class is for any 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, from
beginners who have never played to those who have had a bit more experience. The Choir is for
any 5th and 6th graders who love to sing or want to learn to sing.
Orchestra will be held after school in the Gym on Wednesdays. Mrs. Melissa (Missy) Stauffer
is the instructor for this class. The Orchestra Class is ongoing all year. There is a $30 fee per
semester per student. You will be required to obtain your own instrument, materials, and
equipment. A flier will be sent home with information on what is need for the Orchestra Class
as well as information at this meeting.
Choir will be held on Wednesdays after school in the Library. Ms. Hannah Orrock is the
instructor of the Choir. This too will be an ongoing program all year as well.
At the Parent Meeting we will discuss what the Orchestra Class and Choir are about, what is
needed for these classes, and what the expectations are for the students. There will also be a rep.
from Summerhays Music there, they will have instrument, equipment, and other materials that
you can rent or purchase. They will be doing some incentives, and discount deals for those who
attend the meeting.
Any questions please contact: Mrs. Stauffer (801)726-1842
\
EN LA CLASE
DE
ESPAŃOL
Wasatch
Peak
Academy
Esta semana en la clase de Esp ańol…
Every month, WPA scholars will focus on a central theme, vocabulary list, cultural
experience and music activity. Although all students will be learning the same concepts as
a school, the material will be taught more in depth, the higher the grade.
For example, if the central theme for the month was Animals, student in first grade would
be expected to learn 10 animals in Spanish and maybe learn a song. A student in 5th grade
would be expected to know 20 animals and write sentences for them. While a student in
6th grade, could be asked to present a short skit in Spanish about animals.
Septiembre:
Central Theme: El Salon de Clase
Vocabulary: La mesa, la silla, el pupitre, el pizarron, el lapiz, la luz, la maestra, el reloj, el
basurero, el papel, el libro, la puerta, la clase, el escritorio
Cultural: Central American Independence Day is September 15. Learn how they celebrate
it. Also, Mexico’s Independence Day is September 16. Learn about “El Grito de Dolores”.
Music: Learn Dias de la Semana & Seǹor Silencio. Learn how to dance Merengue!
Octubre:
Central Theme: Halloween & Dia de los Muertos
Vocabulary:
La arańa, el fantasma, el dulce, la momia, el murcielago, la bruja, el monstruo, la calabaza,
el disfraz, el vampiro,
Cultural: How is Halloween similar or different to El Dia de los Muertos?
Music: Los Monstruos de Halloween
PARENTS: Encourage your child to practice their vocabulary, conversation, sing you a
Spanish song, or tell you what they learned about in Spanish class.