January has been a busy month and February shows no signs of slowing down.  The students have just finished the 2nd grading period and all report cards should have been received at home.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the main office.
Last Friday every student participated in the Dibels assessment. Dibels is a nationally normed assessment developed by the University of Oregon.  It evaluates students on their reading fluency.  We use this information along with classroom information to design the instruction that will best fit each student.  This information is available for parents to review.  Please contact our office and I would be glad to share the information with you and send a copy of your child’s report home for you to review.
Students in grades 2 – 5 also participated in a math assessment.  This math assessment covers content that is taught during the school year.  The students took a similar assessment at the beginning of the school year and again in January.  This is our first year using the assessment.  Once again, I am available to review your child’s scores and also send a report home with your child.
February brings many celebrations and activities.  In February, we celebrate “Black History Month”.  During the month students from different grade levels will be sharing information about famous African Americans.  The children will be engaged in a variety of activities in the classroom.  It is a celebration of accomplishments, successes and perseverance to overcome great odds.
Also in February we are celebrating Right to Read Week in conjunction with the opening of the Winter Olympics.  Ms. Zofchak and Mrs. Shay have organized a variety of activities for the students to participate in with their class.  The week will kick off with a short assembly and a special guest reader and the week will end with another special guest.  Each classroom will represent a different country and will be following the success of their athletes.
On Tuesday, February 16, Franklin Elementary and the PTO will be hostign a “Kent Schools Coffee Talk”.  The “Coffee Talk” will begin at 6:15 with three short presentations by Mrs. Weitzel, Mrs. Vasbinder and Mrs. Frank.  The Mrs. Weitzel and Mrs. Frank will be sharing the technology that they received through grants from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.  Mrs. Weitzel will demonstrate the use of the Smart Board in her classroom and Mrs. Frank will be sharing her paperless classroom idea.  Each presentation will take about 15 minutes.  The Board Meeting will begin after the “Coffee Talk” at 7:00 in the library.
Please don’t forget that the Valentine’s Day Parties will begin at 2:15.  The teachers will be instructing up until that time.  We are asking parents to remain by the office until 2:15.  Contact your child’s teacher with any questions regarding the classroom party.  Also, please remember to be considerate of the children with food allergies that may be in your child’s classroom.  There are signs located outside the classrooms that have students with food allergies.  The students will also have a sign located on their desk so that the allergy is easily identified.  Thank you again for your cooperation regarding this serious matter.

Visit Mr. Poole's Blog