Raptor Report
Reasonable Effort = Considerable Success
Red Earth Creek School Newsletter
November 2012
This Issue
Outstanding Teacher Nominations P.1
Message from Superintendent P.2
Remembrance Day P.3
Message From Miss Friesen P. 4
RECS Happenings P.3
Upcoming Events P.5
We are now ONLINE!
Want to know exactly what is going
on at RECS weekly? Check out our
new website at:
www.redearthcreekschool.weebly.com
Nominate an Outstanding Teacher or Principal!
Follow us on Twitter!
Are you a student that would like to formally recognize a teacher that is making a difference in
your life or are you a parent whose son or daughter has excelled under the guidance of an
outstanding teacher? Are you a staff member that is being guided by the exceptional leadership of your principal or are you inspired by the passion and dedication of a fellow colleague?
Peace River School Division is filled with outstanding, passionate and committed teachers and
principals, let's celebrate their valuable contributions to student learning and success. Nomi-
Red Earth Creek
School also has a Twitter account!
You can get the latest updates about
school events, and happenings by
following @redearthschool.
nate one today!
Students, parents, staff and community members are invited to show their appreciation by
nominating an outstanding teacher or principal for an Excellence in Teaching Award. The
deadline for nomination is February 2013 and nomination forms can be found on the Alberta
Education website.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards Program recognizes the innovative and outstanding teaching that takes place everyday in
classrooms across Alberta. This program provides Albertans with a
wonderful opportunity to celebrate
the many contributions
teachers
to
and
principals
make
student
learning.
“Like” our Facebook Page!
Red Earth Creek School also has
a Facebook page! Check us out
to stay up to date with the latest
events!
PARENTS ARE PERFECT
By Jordan Bosomworth
Message from Superintendent
PARENTS MATTER!
Research shows that children experience higher levels of success when
their parents are involved in their school and education. We realize
that what it means for parents or guardians to be involved in their
child’s school and education looks different depending on many factors. That is why we focused an online discussion last spring on parental involvement. We asked:
From November 13-16 the students and faculty at RECS with
help from PRSD held a parents matter week. To show parents
that they matter to us and to make them feel special. PRSD
helped us a lot with this great occasion.
We made cards to give out at parent teacher interviews or to
mail. We wrote on the cards why parents matter to us. Also
grade 6-12 shoveled driveways on November 15. Earlier that
day when they dropped their kids off at school parents were
treated with coffee and muffins.
We thank all the awesome parents in the world who are loving
and caring to their children! THANK YOU!!!
“How can parents be involved in student success?”
A total of 424 students, parents, staff and community members went
online and shared ways that parents/guardians can positively impact
student success. Students said that they appreciated the contributions
of their parents/guardians whether providing a healthy breakfast,
helping with homework and the overall love and support their parents/guardians provide. In response to their input PRSD has declared
November 13 – 16 PARENTS MATTER Week. All schools in the division will be hosting various events and activities that provide ways for
students to show their appreciation to their parents for their involvement.
In response to the online discussion we learned many things and are
moving forward based on input. Marks are now available online for
students from grades 7-12 through a secure program called HOMELOGIC. We are working with School Councils to develop a communication plan and conversations surrounding parental involvement are
continuing throughout the division. More information can be found
on our STUDENT SUCCESS link at www.prsd.ab.ca.
Parents Matter to Us
By Sianna Gray
The students at Red Earth
Creek School had their first
annual Parents Matter Week.
The teachers had bought a
couple plates of donuts and
Danishes. WE had made
coffee and hot chocolate for
the parents to have when they
came to drop their kids off in the morning. We also shovelled
driveway on grassy way in residential. The grades 6-12 went on
this adventurous event.
Students really do appreciate parental/guardian support in their education whether that be helping with homework, reading at home,
communication with their teachers or attendance at school events.
Your involvement makes a difference and we truly appreciate the
important work you do and hope that you are able to participate in
PARENTS MATTER Week at your school on November 13 – 16th.
For parents week Peace River School Division #10 made cards
to give to the parents, and in the cards kids were allowed to
write 1-2 sentences about their parent’s maybe to say ThankYou, and also maybe to tell them why they love them. The
cards will be either given to the parents at Parent Teacher
Interviews or mailed.
Paul Bennett
Superintendent of Schools
Peace River School Division No. 10
We would like to say Thank- You to the parents, and the students for the participation that they did.. We hope you can
join us for future events.
Remembrance Day Ceremony Held At RECS!
By: Sianna Gray
On Friday November 9 2012, the students of Red Earth Creek School put together the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. Community members and
students were allowed to come. We started the ceremony at 10:55 and had the
open standing and the introduction of the ceremony, and then at 11:00 am we
had the 2 minutes of silence. We also had students perform poems. They were
really good.
We had a really good outcome this year, the RCMP came in their uniforms we
had some parents and community members, also we had a veteran come to
support our ceremony. His name was Ron Sahlin We were very thankful that
he could join us again for this wonderful ceremony.
Thank you to all that came out and we hope you can join us again for future
events happening at the Red Earth Creek School.
Any questions about future events please contact: 1-780-649-3898
Remembrance Day
By Megan Freeman Lavoie
On Friday November 9th at 11:00 am at Red Earth Creek School there was a
Remembrance Day celebration. After the RCMP marched in students, staff,
parents, Dollie Anderson and veteran Ron Sahlin had 2 minutes of silence after
listening to the last post. Miss. Friesen welcomed everyone, Dollie Anderson
said a speech, grades 1-5 sang a song and grade 6-8 read a poem. After everybody sat down we listened to the song “God Save the Queen”.
To get ready for this big celebration we made posters, we practiced our songs
and poems. Kindergarten colored wreaths with Mrs. Skinner. Grades 1-12 made
posters that they could color or leave black and white. These posters are being
entered into a poster contest. Students also had the option to enter a poem or
essay. To me Remembrance Day means remembering the men who fought or
died for us, tears, moments of silence, poems and songs.
REMEMBRANCE DAY ROCKS
By: Jordan Bosomworth
RECS held a Remembrance Day ceremony on November 9 at 11 AM to remember and honour the people who fought in the war for our freedom. The
R.C.M.P. came, and even a veteran from the war came. The ceremony was held
in the GYM.
I really liked that a real veteran came and that everyone in the gym showed
respect and honour by listening and taking 2 minutes of silence. There was also
a poster/poem making contest. Every grade except kindergarten made a poster
or a poem. Instead of making posters kindergarten coloured wreaths .They had
a choice between black and white posters or colour. We also listened to the
Last Post and God Save the Queen.
We had Dollie form the M.D. speak and the grade 1-5 read a poem called This
Little Poppy and the grades 1-6 read a poem called Why Wear a Poppy? In the
end the ceremony was one to remember!
Skating
The students have been busy skating
on Friday’s from 2-3pm. Parents are
welcome to come to the rink and
snap some pictures!
Upcoming skating dates are:
November 30
December 7, 14, 28
Message From Miss Friesen
Picture Day
Wow! What a busy month! Once again
Picture was cancelled on Wednesday
November 21 due to vehicle
difficulties with the photographers.
We have rescheduled to Monday
December 10. We look forward to
seeing everyone look great!
RECS is trucking along with many events and
activities planned. A major first for us this
year is our participation in the Peace River
School Division No. 10’s Parents Matter
week.
Research shows time and time again that
Recognition Assembly
parents are a valuable and essential element to the learning success of students at
On Friday November 16 we had out
monthly assembly to recognize students who are working hard in
school! Some of the awards were
given out for respect, getting homework done on time, paying attention
in class and helping out. Congratulations to all of the students who won
an award and good luck to everyone
for next month!
school. Parents get their children ready for
school in the morning, make sure they have
had a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast. Parents read stories to their kids and
model the value of education in their child.
At RECS our parents do more than that. We
also have a great group of parents who
come each month to the School Council
Meetings.
At our last School Council meeting we reviewed the Annual School Results Report
and School Plan. We discussed ways we
Red Earth Creek
can continue to help our school do even
better. The parents have asked for our
Red Earth Creek School Students and Staff:
next discussion to surround how to help
children with their work at home. Hope to
see you there! (December 6th—7PM).
Miss Jenn Friesen
Principal, RECS
It is what it is. It will become what you
make it.
1. Place a high value on social and academic success.
2. Strive for a safe teaching and learning environment.
3. Foster partnerships with all.
Upcoming Events
Christmas Concert & Supper
Join us on December 20 at 7:00PM for our annual Christmas Concert.—all are welcome!
Drama Club
Head over to the Community Hall on December 10th for a Community Supper and the Outreach / RECS Partnered Production of Pete the Pint-Sized Pirate starring many RECS students.
Toy Bingo
December 13th—6:30PM at the RECS School Gym. Bingo Cards will be $1 each and a concession will be run by the RECS Graduation Committee. What a fun way to do your Christmas
Holiday Break
There will be no school from December 22-January 6. Please have a wonderful and safe
www.mathletics.ca
holiday!
Red Earth Creek School
http://www.cyber-safety.com
Bag 6000
Red Earth Creek, AB T0G 1X0
780.649.3898 ph
780.649.3860 fax
www.redearthcreekschool.weebly.com
The Five Essential Elements of Reading
Reading is a very important part of learning in all subject areas at school and is vital for success in our world. However, reading is not a natural skill for children to
learn and must be taught systematically and with intention. To learn to read well, children need to know how to recognize and pronounce words (decoding), what
words mean (vocabulary), and how to understand the meaning of a group of words or connected text (comprehension). To build these foundations of reading, instruction should include the Five Essential Elements of reading as listed by the National Reading Panel in 2000. These five elements include:
1. Phonemic awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Vocabulary
5. Comprehension
Peace River School Division is focusing on improving reading skills at all grade levels by incorporating specific elements of reading instruction.Over the next few
months this newsletter will take a look at each of these 5 essential reading elements in terms of what the are; why they are important; what this might look like in
school and what are some things that be done out of school to help reading achievement. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher for further information on
reading instruction and how to support reading at home.
What is Phonemic Awareness?
Phonemic awareness is literally ‘sound’ awareness. It is understanding that words are made up of sounds and being able to hear, recognize, and manipulate the individual sounds that make up a word. Phonemic awareness is the ability to distinguish and recognize the sound structure of language. For example the word ‘puppy’ is
made up of the sounds /p/ /u/ /p/ /ee/ or the word ‘shape’ is made up the sounds /sh/ /ay/ /p/. At this point students do not necessarily make a connection between
sounds and letters.
Children vary greatly in their natural ability to hear the sounds within words. Some have a definite natural weakness. Research has shown that children with poor
phonemic awareness struggle with reading and spelling. This in no way is related to intelligence. In fact, many highly intelligent children have phonological weakness
that leads to reading difficulty. In addition, tendency for natural phonologic weakness may be an inherited trait as it appears to run in families.
Why is Phonemic Awareness Important?
Phonemic awareness is important because it is critical to reading and spelling success. A child’s phonemic awareness is a powerful predictor of the likelihood of reading and spelling success. Although many children have phonemic awareness developed by grade three, those children who cannot distinguish and manipulate the
sounds within spoken words have difficulty recognizing and learning the necessary letter =sound relationships (phonics) that is critical to reading and spelling success.
Phonemic instruction could occur right through to grade 12 where it is incorporated into vocabulary study.
The Benefits of Phonemic Awareness Instruction!
Although some children and adults have a definite natural phonological weakness, the good news is that phonemic awareness (PA) can be taught and learned. We
can directly teach children how to hear, recognize and manipulate sounds within words and that the intentional development of PA skills has a positive effect on
reading and spelling success. Phonemic awareness lays the foundation for breaking the reading code.
Below are some specific tasks that are taught in classrooms to develop phonemic awareness skills. These would be done orally without print in front of the child.
You may want to try some of these at home.
1. How many words do you hear in this sentence?
2. How many syllables are in the word “wig”? Summer? Metamorphous?
3. Which word rhymes with hold?
4. If you take the “s” off of smile what word will you have?
5. Which word does not belong: apology, technology, cumulus?
6. Which words rhyme: bat, ball, cat
7. What is this word: hap//ee//nis
8. How many sounds do you hear in: teacher?
9. If you change the “ I” to an “a” what is the word: Tickle
10. What is the first sound in chocolate?
11. What sound is the same in…fiber, photograph, fact?
Remember that you are your child’s teacher at home and by encouraging your child to
read you are actually creating a strong foundation for their future academic success!