Superintendent's Message

Good afternoon Parents,

Tomorrow is the beginning of Fall Break for all students. That means no school for students from October 14th to 18th, and the school offices will also be closed during this time. Schools will resume on October 21st. We have seen tremendous growth in our students since the beginning of the school year. Even though school is not in session, please continue to work with your child's reading and writing.  Below are some effect strategies for each grade span. 

Grades TK-2:

1. Read Together Daily: Set aside a specific time each day for reading together. Choose a mix of picture books and simple chapter books that interest your child.
2. Phonics and Word Games: To make learning fun, use games like Scrabble, Boggle, or online phonics games. Focus on blending sounds and recognizing sight words.
3. Storytelling: Encourage your child to create their own stories. Use prompts or pictures to spark their imagination and help them illustrate their stories.
4. Label Household Items: Help your child learn words by labeling common household items. This reinforces word recognition in a fun way.
5. Create a Reading Corner: Designate a cozy space for reading, complete with comfortable seating and good lighting, to foster a love for books.

Grades 3-5:

1. Book Club: Start a small book club with friends or family. Discuss themes, characters, and plot developments to deepen understanding.
2. Writing Prompts: Provide creative writing prompts or challenges. Please encourage them to write short stories, poems, or comic strips. 
3. Journaling: Encourage daily journaling to express thoughts and feelings. This practice enhances writing skills and self-reflection.
4. Research Projects: Assign fun research topics that interest your child. Help them organize and present their findings creatively (posters, slideshows).
5. Discuss Books: After reading, discuss the book's themes, characters, and lessons. Ask open-ended questions to promote critical thinking.

Grades 6-8: 

1. Diverse Reading Materials: Encourage reading a variety of genres (fiction, non-fiction, poetry) to broaden their perspective and interests. 2
2. Writing Workshops: Set up informal writing workshops at home. Provide constructive feedback and share writing tips to improve their skills.
3. 3. Connect with Real-World Writing: Encourage them to write letters, emails, or blog posts. Discuss the importance of effective communication in everyday life.
4. Book-to-Movie Comparisons: After reading a book, watch its film adaptation together. Discuss the differences and similarities, focusing on narrative techniques.
5. Encourage Critical Analysis: Teach them to analyze texts by identifying themes, character development, and the author's purpose. This skill will be invaluable in high school and beyond.

Implementing these strategies can create a supportive and enriching environment that fosters a love for reading and writing.

Measure D:

We received feedback that we need to better communicate with parents what Measure D is and how the funds will be used if it passes in November. The District's webpage has a Measure D link explaining what Measure D is about and other supporting documents. Also on that page is an FAQ document that will help explain Measure D and some of the projects listed by school sites.  If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 530-268-2800.

Have an extraordinary Fall Break! 

Rusty S. Clark
Superintendent