Sprague School
A Magical Twist on Storytelling
Second-grade teachers Rachel Chiesa and Jessica Spurrier drew excitement from their students who created their own fairy tales with a beginning, middle, and end that spliced in conflict and resolution through the help of prompts created by Sprague Technology Coach Simon Vasey using MagicSchool, as seen in this video of students creating fairy tales.
The activity supports the school's newest reading program, Amplify, which may use story-driven adventures, mini-games, and authentic texts to keep students motivated and practicing essential skills.
In this Issue
- Conference Registration Reminder
- Picture Retake Reminder
- Reading Tips for Home
- Coffee with the Principal
- School Board Election
- Oct. 8: Teacher Conference Email Sent
- Oct. 9: Principal's Coffee
- Oct. 12: No School, Indigenous Peoples' Day Holiday
- Oct. 13: Teacher Conference Scheduling Opens
- Oct. 15: Late Arrival Day
- Oct. 21: Picture Retake Day
Conference Scheduling Opens
Our Fall Remote Conferences are coming soon! All appointments will be scheduled virtually via the Meet the Teacher platform.
- Conference scheduling opens at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Read the e-notice that went out about remote and in person conferences.
Picture Retake Reminder
For students who were absent on picture day or students who wish to have their picture retaken, picture retake day will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Please fill out this participation form so the school knows your child is having their picture taken.
Weekly Roar Reading Tips
- Read Between the Lines. Learning to infer, or “read between the lines” is one key to good reading comprehension. Consider these tips for helping your youngster make inferences.
- Describe the Setting. Pick a book, and read a few sentences to your child (without them looking). Leave out words that name the setting. Example: “Sand Stretched in all directions….A cactus dotted the landscape.” Can they infer where the story is set? If they aren't sure, give a hint. (Where do you see lots of sand and a cactus or cacti?)
- Look for Lessons. Fables are great for reading between the lines. Read one by Aesop, and help your youngster figure out the lesson. For instance, The Tortoise and the Hare teaches that even if you’re slow, you can win if you just keep going. Have your child point out parts that are used to make an inference. (“The tortoise never stopped, and he took one good step after another.”)
- Use Prompts. Questions that start with, “Why do you think...?” or “How do you know…?” can encourage your youngster to infer. You might ask why they think a character behaved the way he did or how he knows it’s going to snow. Together look for clues in the book that may help them answer the questions.
Provided by your Reading Specialists Liz Richter, Suzy Park, and Tina Abrego.
REMINDERS
Coffee with the Principal
A "Coffee with Parents" meeting with Principal Julia Pemberton is an excellent opportunity for parents to engage in open dialogue about their children's education and school community. It is also a chance for parents to voice their ideas and feedback. Finally, it is a relaxed setting to continue to build school community relationships. If you are interested in joining us Friday, Oct. 9, at 10:00 a.m, please complete this Google Form so we can prepare for any topics you would like us to discuss.
School Board Election
Three full term seats (2027-2031) and one unexpired term seat (2027-2029) on our seven-member Board of Education will be filled at the April 6, 2027 elections. Candidates may circulate petitions now. For more information, please read the e-notice that was sent out.
Community
SHS Dance Clinic
SHS is offering a Youth Patriettes Clinic for grades K-5! This clinic series is designed to introduce dancers to the technique, skills, and spirit of the Stevenson High School Patriettes through instruction from Stevenson dancers and coaches. Throughout the clinics, dancers will learn a variety of dance styles and a short routine that they will have the opportunity to perform at the Stevenson Dance Competition on Saturday, Dec. 12. Clinic starts 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, and meets four times. Register through the SHS Youth Patriettes website.
FAN Invites Parents to Author Discussion
The Family Action Network at SHS is hosting author Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., in conversation with Nicholas Epley, Ph.D., at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at SHS. The evening will include opportunities for conversation and questions about Duckworth’s new book, Situated, an exploration of how the situations and environments around us shape who we become and what we are able to achieve.
Laura B. Sprague School
- Julia Pemberton, Principal
- Jennifer Arroyo, Assistant Principal
- 847-945-6686
- Ls_attendance@d103.org