It is unbelievable that this is the last post of the 2008-09 school year! I'd like to thank the entire Kerby Community for all that you've done to make it a successful, engaging, fun-filled school year for all our students. This year, parents, grandparents, older brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and community members have spent approximately 3,751 hours volunteering to help make the experiences students receive at Kerby the best they possibly can be.
I sincerely hope that each of you have a relaxing, safe and fun-filled summer!!
See everyone in September!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Looking Ahead...
Kerby teachers and I will soon be making plans for classroom assignments for the 2009-10 school year. We will work as grade level teams to assign students to a particular classroom group. Our teachers have worked with your children throughout the school year and have gained valuable insight regarding the social, academic, and emotional needs of your children. We will consider the following factors as we prepare classroom assignments for the next school year:
Academic abilities
Cluster groupings
Gender balance
Student personality and interaction
Student behavior
Class size
Social mixture
Individual learning styles (auditory, visual, hands on)
Students benefiting from being together or separated
Student social/emotional needs
Information provided from parents on the student information form.
Our main objective is to produce the most positive classroom environment that enables students to achieve their greatest potential!
At this time of the year we are trying to firm up our Kerby enrollment so we can plan for the number of sections in each grade level and the number of teachers we will need to teach these students. With this in mind, we really need your help. If you plan on moving before the start of the school year, it is very important that you let us know by calling the Kerby Office.
You can help us out by approaching neighborhood parents, whose children may be of kindergarten age or first grade and new neighbors who may move in over the summer. Please have them give us a call or contact the Office of Residency and Enrollment at 313-432-3083.
Academic abilities
Cluster groupings
Gender balance
Student personality and interaction
Student behavior
Class size
Social mixture
Individual learning styles (auditory, visual, hands on)
Students benefiting from being together or separated
Student social/emotional needs
Information provided from parents on the student information form.
Our main objective is to produce the most positive classroom environment that enables students to achieve their greatest potential!
At this time of the year we are trying to firm up our Kerby enrollment so we can plan for the number of sections in each grade level and the number of teachers we will need to teach these students. With this in mind, we really need your help. If you plan on moving before the start of the school year, it is very important that you let us know by calling the Kerby Office.
You can help us out by approaching neighborhood parents, whose children may be of kindergarten age or first grade and new neighbors who may move in over the summer. Please have them give us a call or contact the Office of Residency and Enrollment at 313-432-3083.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What a Wonderful Community!
Throughout the years I have learned many things, but there is one thing that has been reinforced daily— the Kerby community is committed to its children and is willing to give freely of its time, energy and talents to make sure that our students continue to thrive. This commitment is evident as this year’s Kerby Auction, ‘Dream Big… The World Awaits’ is about to become a reality. An event like this takes hours and hours of time, collaboration, and commitment by everyone involved. The Kerby family is filled with generous, caring, talented individuals that are willing to work together to make a difference in the lives of children. My thanks to our community members who donated services and products to further help our cause– our children! Finally, I’d like to thank all of you for attending or contributing to the evening in any way. I know if I made a list, it would be never ending.
There is no doubt that the Kerby community works together! It is your generous support that will ensure that our students will step into the future complete with the tools necessary for success. I am once again reminded of the following quote:
‘Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’
~ Margaret Mead~
Your vision for excellence and willingness to partner with us will make our dreams a reality. Thank you for your participation in this extraordinary event!
There is no doubt that the Kerby community works together! It is your generous support that will ensure that our students will step into the future complete with the tools necessary for success. I am once again reminded of the following quote:
‘Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’
~ Margaret Mead~
Your vision for excellence and willingness to partner with us will make our dreams a reality. Thank you for your participation in this extraordinary event!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
March is Reading Month!
It’s hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner, but after the amount of snow and cold, windy days we’ve had, I know the warming winds of Spring will be a welcome change! As we begin to celebrate March is Reading Month, I thought I’d share 25 ways to Promote Reading in Your Family:
Spend 30 minutes a day reading to your child
Keep reading materials visible and available in your house
Talk about the story as you read
Give books as gifts
Have a family reading time. DEAR– Drop Everything And Read
Sing songs, say nursery rhymes and poems together
Read environmental print with your child– food labels, signs, posters etc.
Follow a recipe with your child
Exchange refrigerator messages with your child
Make reading together a happy time
Take your child to the Library once a week
Encourage your child to write and make books
Establish a routine time for daily reading
Read favorite books over and over again
Encourage your child to ask questions about the story
Take books and tapes in the car. Read while traveling and waiting for extracurricular activities to begin
Make lists together
Talk about the pictures in the books
Make cards and send them to family and friends
Look at the book cover. Encourage your child to make predications about the book
Let your child see you reading for enjoyment
Make a writing box for your child. Select a special place for writing
Read the mail with your child
Talk about the story after reading it. Encourage your child to retell the story.
Read, Read, Read, Read, and then Read some more!!
Over the next few weeks at Kerby, we will have a “Read In”, “Assembly with Author Lisa Wheeler”, “Get Caught Reading” and time to “Read Together”. Next time you are in the building be sure to take a look at the “How do We Read at Kerby” bulletin board across from the gym. Many thanks to Anne Maurer, Kerby’s Media Specialist, for all of the time and effort she has put in organizing these special activities.
Spend 30 minutes a day reading to your child
Keep reading materials visible and available in your house
Talk about the story as you read
Give books as gifts
Have a family reading time. DEAR– Drop Everything And Read
Sing songs, say nursery rhymes and poems together
Read environmental print with your child– food labels, signs, posters etc.
Follow a recipe with your child
Exchange refrigerator messages with your child
Make reading together a happy time
Take your child to the Library once a week
Encourage your child to write and make books
Establish a routine time for daily reading
Read favorite books over and over again
Encourage your child to ask questions about the story
Take books and tapes in the car. Read while traveling and waiting for extracurricular activities to begin
Make lists together
Talk about the pictures in the books
Make cards and send them to family and friends
Look at the book cover. Encourage your child to make predications about the book
Let your child see you reading for enjoyment
Make a writing box for your child. Select a special place for writing
Read the mail with your child
Talk about the story after reading it. Encourage your child to retell the story.
Read, Read, Read, Read, and then Read some more!!
Over the next few weeks at Kerby, we will have a “Read In”, “Assembly with Author Lisa Wheeler”, “Get Caught Reading” and time to “Read Together”. Next time you are in the building be sure to take a look at the “How do We Read at Kerby” bulletin board across from the gym. Many thanks to Anne Maurer, Kerby’s Media Specialist, for all of the time and effort she has put in organizing these special activities.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Where has the time gone?
Wow, Tuesday, February 10th is the 100th day of school! It seems like yesterday that the students were showing off their new school supplies and talking about the fun at the park or the places they traveled to on their summer vacations. This would be a great time for you to review the goals your child has set with their teachers and make a plan to accomplish them between now and June. Our students do such a great job each day that it is important to take the time to celebrate their hard work and remind them that we are in this together. Looking ahead to March, spring conferences will be held on March 12th and 19th. Parents will once again sign up for their conference times. The sheets will be available outside the office from February 23rd thru March 3rd.
Just a reminder that starting this month, we ask that you visit: http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/gpkerby/icalsw/calendar.asp?cal=em to view the online Kerby School Calendar since we are no longer sending home a hard copy.
On February 23rd we will offer a “Be A Pal” lunch table for students. This table is specifically for students with allergies and one of their 'pals' that bring a “nut free” lunch from home. Please help us by reminding your child to never to share food, eating utensils, food containers or water bottles with other students. Thanks for helping us keep Kerby a safe and healthy place to eat!
Just a reminder that starting this month, we ask that you visit: http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/gpkerby/icalsw/calendar.asp?cal=em to view the online Kerby School Calendar since we are no longer sending home a hard copy.
On February 23rd we will offer a “Be A Pal” lunch table for students. This table is specifically for students with allergies and one of their 'pals' that bring a “nut free” lunch from home. Please help us by reminding your child to never to share food, eating utensils, food containers or water bottles with other students. Thanks for helping us keep Kerby a safe and healthy place to eat!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A New Beginning!!
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe, restful, fun-filled Holiday season. It was great to see the smiles on the boys and girls faces and hear the laughter fill the hallways and classrooms as they shared their vacation memories with one another. Their energy and enthusiasm are truly contagious and are shining examples of why our school is the wonderful place it is. I truly look forward to the months ahead as we continue to work together to develop the skills that allow our students to be successful.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Working Together and A Time to Give Thanks!
Our annual Thanksgiving Sing is Friday, November 21st at 2:45 in the gym. The doors will open to parents and other family members at 2:30. As I’ve said many times before this is a wonderful way to start the holiday season and is one more example of the many things we have to be thankful for!
Parent-Teacher Conferences will follow a somewhat new schedule this school year. In addition to the afternoon and evening sessions, we have added a morning session. The purpose for this is two-fold: to provide an opportunity for those parents to attend for whom a morning session works best and to better balance the number of instructional days between the AM and PM Kindergarten sections. To accomplish this, the traditional number of afternoon sessions has been reduced and a morning session has been added.
Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade will not be involved in the fall conferences. 4th and 5th grade students will be involved in the conferences in most instances, but the amount of their involvement is determined by the individual teacher to best meet their goals for the conferences. Teachers also try to provide some time with the parent to speak privately without the student present. The difficulty lies in the schedule - we only have about 20 minutes per conference allotted due to the number of conferences that each teacher must accommodate in the 4 sessions. We truly appreciate your cooperation with being on time and respecting the time that the teacher has available for your child's conference. If you feel that you need more time to meet with the teacher following the conference, please schedule an additional meeting with him/her at a mutually convenient time. Our goal is to meet your needs for information about your child as well as to work with you in meeting your child's educational needs. We know that this can only be accomplished through open and frequent communication.
The schedule for the November Parent-Teacher Conferences is:
• Thurs., Nov. 6 AM School Only P-T Conferences 12:30-3:30 & 5:00-8:00
• Thurs., Nov. 13 PM School Only P-T Conferences 8:30-11:30 & 5:00-8:00
Setting goals truly does motivate children to do their best! Maybe they want to improve their grades, or perhaps they want to be the President of Student Council. Helping kids set goals is the first step to achieving their dreams. Here are some tips:
• Be specific: Saying, “I want to earn good grades” won’t get the job done. Help them be specific, “I will review spelling words 15 minutes every day.”
• Think high: The higher the goal, the higher the performance. There are limits of course. Help your child set realistic, achievable goals.
• Write them down: The difference between a dream and a goal is the written word. Post them where they will see them often!
• Review goals regularly: Help your child get into the habit of looking over their goals each day. Remembering that they have set a goal of passing the next math test with a “B” will make it easier to tackle their math first.
We look forward to meeting with you for the mutual benefit of your child. Please leave younger siblings home so that you can devote your full attention to your child's conference. Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to help your child become the best that they can be!
Parent-Teacher Conferences will follow a somewhat new schedule this school year. In addition to the afternoon and evening sessions, we have added a morning session. The purpose for this is two-fold: to provide an opportunity for those parents to attend for whom a morning session works best and to better balance the number of instructional days between the AM and PM Kindergarten sections. To accomplish this, the traditional number of afternoon sessions has been reduced and a morning session has been added.
Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade will not be involved in the fall conferences. 4th and 5th grade students will be involved in the conferences in most instances, but the amount of their involvement is determined by the individual teacher to best meet their goals for the conferences. Teachers also try to provide some time with the parent to speak privately without the student present. The difficulty lies in the schedule - we only have about 20 minutes per conference allotted due to the number of conferences that each teacher must accommodate in the 4 sessions. We truly appreciate your cooperation with being on time and respecting the time that the teacher has available for your child's conference. If you feel that you need more time to meet with the teacher following the conference, please schedule an additional meeting with him/her at a mutually convenient time. Our goal is to meet your needs for information about your child as well as to work with you in meeting your child's educational needs. We know that this can only be accomplished through open and frequent communication.
The schedule for the November Parent-Teacher Conferences is:
• Thurs., Nov. 6 AM School Only P-T Conferences 12:30-3:30 & 5:00-8:00
• Thurs., Nov. 13 PM School Only P-T Conferences 8:30-11:30 & 5:00-8:00
Setting goals truly does motivate children to do their best! Maybe they want to improve their grades, or perhaps they want to be the President of Student Council. Helping kids set goals is the first step to achieving their dreams. Here are some tips:
• Be specific: Saying, “I want to earn good grades” won’t get the job done. Help them be specific, “I will review spelling words 15 minutes every day.”
• Think high: The higher the goal, the higher the performance. There are limits of course. Help your child set realistic, achievable goals.
• Write them down: The difference between a dream and a goal is the written word. Post them where they will see them often!
• Review goals regularly: Help your child get into the habit of looking over their goals each day. Remembering that they have set a goal of passing the next math test with a “B” will make it easier to tackle their math first.
We look forward to meeting with you for the mutual benefit of your child. Please leave younger siblings home so that you can devote your full attention to your child's conference. Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to help your child become the best that they can be!
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