Putnam County Primary School Feb. 16th Newsletter
by Ed Schmidt
Putnam Country Primary News
Issue 10 Volume 3 February 16, 2012
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MissionStatement Putnam County Primary School will provide a climate and a curriculum that allows children to develop skills in order to become life-long learners and productive contributors to society.
Putnam County Schools-- Where all students will learn and succeed and all means ALL |
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Sometimes it is difficult as parents to understand why a child may not want to go to school. Dr. Judy Willis reports in the July 2010 issue of "Psychology Today" that a child who shows negativity towards school probably has a healthy brain that's trying to protect him from a stressful and sometimes threatening environment. When a child shows negativity towards attending school, it is important that parents take the time to listen to their child’s concerns, worries, gripes, and fears. Then, help the child work out a coping strategy.
Ask your child why she doesn't want to go to school. Make sure you ask during a time that you can devote your attention to her answer, so that she feels you value what she has to say. Avoid downplaying your child’s feelings. Remember, this is how your child feels.
Troubleshoot ways to help him solve the problem. For example, if other kids pick on him, encourage him to tell his teacher or the principal. If you have an older child who is being picked on, tell him to avoid associating with those being mean to him and ignore their behavior. If he complains that school seems too hard or too boring, make an appointment to talk with the teacher. If he complains of loneliness, find a way to get him involved in some extracurricular activities or allow him to invite someone he'd like to have as a friend over to your house. If he doesn't like his teacher, schedule a conference with the teacher to determine what that is all about.
Ask your child about experiences at school. Find ways to connect what she learns at school to her past or future experiences. Enrich what she learns at school. For example, if your child learns about the solar system at school, do some star gazing at night and talk about constellations and planets. Focus on the positive aspects of school and learning. This can help make learning more meaningful for her and help her appreciate school more.
Reassure your child during bouts of relationship problems, anxiety, or nervousness over testing/other
academic challenges he may face. Spend time talking about working through his feelings and using them to his advantage. Encourage relationships that make your child happy, and assist your child in developing ways to cope with the academic challenges.
Most importantly make yourself available to your child so he will feel comfortable talking to you about his feelings. If you feel like you are at a loss at what to do, call your child’s teacher for additional help or support.
All research indicates that a student’s academic achievement is directly related to the amount of time spent in school. It is imperative that every effort be made to have your child in school each day on time.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. LeRette, Principal
Preschool Screenings
Putnam County Primary School, in cooperation with LEASE, will be hosting preschool screenings on Wednesday, February 22nd, Monday, April 23rd and Wednesday, April 25th at Putnam County Primary School in Granville.
Putnam County Primary Schoolscreens students entering preschool to identify and serve the neediest children. The screening instruments and activities measure each child’s development in the areas of vocabulary, visual-motor integration, language and speech development, English proficiency, fine and gross motor skills, social skills, and cognitive development.
Children may be screened by LEASE at locations other than Putnam County and request the screening results be shared with Putnam County to determine eligibility. Fall enrollment for the next school year is determined after the April screenings. If children are being screened at a location other than Putnam County Primary School, make sure the school has the child’s screening results by May 1st. Remember, the school asks that screening results be within six months of the preschool placement date.
All parents/guardians needing an appointment for a screening should call Mrs. Janice Hoffman at
815-882-2800 option 1.
Preschool Spring Pictures
April Casey from IFocus2 Studios will be taking preschool class pictures on Monday, March 19th at 9am and 1pm.
These will be group pictures, and each class will have its own picture. Pictures will cost $8 for a 5x7 or $12 for an 8x10. An order form will be sent home closer to the picture date.
Daddy/Daughter Dance
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 7:00PM TO 9:00PM
PUTNAM COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
All preschool through 5th grade girls currently enrolled in Putnam County School District #535 and their fathers or father figures are invited to attend a Daddy-Daughter Dance sponsored by the Hennepin Business Association.
The cost to attend the dance is $10.00 per couple; additional siblings enrolled in preschool through 5th grade are free. Price includes dancing to the sounds of a DJ, drinks and snacks, and a picture to remember the event.
Tickets will be sold at the door prior to the dance. Because the dance is a formal dance, dads are asked to wear dress pants, shirts, and ties; girls are asked to wear dresses.
Moms are invited to attend the dance at 8:45pm to take pictures before the evening ends.
For more information about this event, please call Eric Ciucci at 815-925-7974 or Kristal LeRette at 815-882-2800 Option 1.
The Pledge of Allegiance on the Radio
Parents and Students of Putnam County Primary School,
Hi there! My name is Jon Shap from 99-3 WAJK. You may hear me on you way to work or school every weekday morning on your radio. I recently made a trip to your school and recorded all of the Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd grade classes reciting 'The Pledge of Allegiance.” All of the children sounded great and were well behaved, and were very excited to learn that they were going to be 'Radio Stars!'
We try our best at 99-3 WAJK to air a different class from a different school every week. Below is the broadcast schedule for Putnam County:
Week Starting Class
February 13th Mrs. Downey – K
March 5th Mrs. Bush – K
March 26th Mrs. Holmbeck - 1st
April 16th Mrs. Berger - 2nd
May 7th Mrs. Ringenberg - 2nd
May 29th Mrs. Alleman – K
June 18th Mrs. Sobkowiak - 1st
July 9th Mrs. Vacca - 1st
July 16th Mrs. Ladage - 2nd
The Pledge air's at a different time each morning to try and accommodate as many people with having an opportunity to hear it. The Air times are as follows:
Monday: 8:56
Tuesday 7:56
Wednesday: 6:56
Thursday: 8:56
Friday: 7:56
The air time is approximate, but should air within a few minutes of the listed time.
Thanks again for letting me come to your school and record your classes!! If you would like an mp3 copy for yourself, feel free to send me an e-mail.
SHAP – Morning Show Host
99.3 WAJK-FM
shap@993wajk.com
993wajk.com
Child Identification Program
On Thursday, February 9th, the Masons of Illinois hosted a Child Identification Program at Putnam County Primary School. The purpose of the program was to provide families with identification kits to use in the case of a lost child. The identification kit included: A color photo; a recorded interview to help law enforcement personnel and media capture the speech patterns, personal characteristics, and mannerisms of a child; a DNA sample taken through a saliva cheek swab; and fingerprints. The materials were generated in the identification process and became the sole property of the child’s parent or legal guardian. No copies were made or retained on file by the Illinois Masons.
The entire program and kit were FREE. The local Masonic Lodges sponsored the event.
A special thank you to the Masonic Lodge for sponsoring this event!
Yearbook
Putnam County Primary School will be publishing a yearbook again this year. The yearbook will be a record of the many student activities occurring at Putnam County Primary School in preschool through 2nd grade during the 2011-2012 school year. April Casey from i Focus 2 Productions will be assisting us with the yearbook.
If you are interested in purchasing a yearbook, please fill out the form that was sent home and return it to school. All forms and money are due Friday, March 2nd.
Dates to Remember
- Friday, February 17th No School Teacher Institute Day
- Monday, February 20th No School Presidents’ Day
- Tuesday, February 21st School Board Meeting PCPS 6:30pm
- Friday, March 2nd End of 3rd Nine Weeks
- Monday, March 5th No School Casimir Pulaski Day
- Tuesday, March 6th Market Day Delivery PCHS 4pm
- Tuesday, March 13th Parents’ Club meeting 6pm
- Monday, March 19th School Board Meeting PCPS 6:30pm
- Thursday, March 22nd 4pm-8pm and Friday, March 23rd 8am-Noon Parent/Teacher Conferences
