Wildcat Weekly Update
August 19 - 23
Greetings Hereford Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to continue our school year with our shared theme, "Learning is Our Passport to Success." Every day counts in the learning journey, and we are committed to ensuring that your child has the best possible experience in the classroom.
The Importance of Daily Attendance
One of the most important factors in your child’s success is consistent attendance. School starts promptly at 8:00 AM, and we ask that your child arrive on time each day, ready to learn. A smooth start to the day allows your child to be fully engaged in their learning from the moment the bell rings. In addition, dismissal begins at 2:30 PM, and we kindly remind you that there are no checkouts after 1:45 PM to ensure a calm and organized transition to the end of the day.
While we understand that illness happens, it is important that students attend school daily when they are well. Every day in the classroom is an opportunity for growth and learning, and we want to ensure your child doesn't miss out on valuable instruction.
Assessments Starting Monday
We will begin our beginning-of-the-year assessments on Monday, and we want all of our students to feel prepared and confident. These assessments are an important tool to help us understand your child’s academic starting point so that we can tailor instruction to meet their individual needs.
Here are a few tips to help your child do their best on test days:
- Get a good night’s sleep. Make sure your child goes to bed early to be well-rested for the next day.
- Eat a healthy breakfast. A nutritious meal in the morning can help with focus and concentration during testing.
- Arrive on time. Being punctual will ensure your child starts their day calmly and can settle into their routine.
- Encourage a positive mindset. Remind your child that these assessments are simply a way to show what they’ve learned and where they can grow.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We are committed to working together to make this year a successful one for your child.
Kindly,
Principal Williams
Hello Hereford Families,
As we begin a new school year, I will be sharing some tips to help your reader be more successful by practicing their reading skills in fun and engaging ways. Here are a few activities that you can do to develop your child’s Phonological Awareness.
Phonological Awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of sentences and words. The activity below includes phonological awareness practice.
"I Spy" Rhyming Words
Practice rhyming words with this simple “I spy” game at home, on a walk, or at the grocery store.
For example, if you’re in the bathroom you can say, “I spy something white that rhymes with rope." (soap)
On a walk outside, you can say, "I spy something green that rhymes with pass." (grass)
Clap It! Slap It! Count It!
Counting syllables is an important skill that beginning readers need to master. One way to practice this skill would be to say a word with one or more syllables (ex. ta-ble = 2 syllables, com-pu-ter = 3 syllables) and then ask your student to first, "Clap" the syllables, then "Slap" the syllables on their leg and finally "Count" the syllables using their fingers.
For example, when you say "microwave" your student would first "clap" each syllable (3), then "slap" each syllable on their leg and lastly, "count" each syllable using their fingers.
Stephanie Tomes, EdS, NBCT
ARI Reading Specialist
Hello Hereford Families,
Thinking about our SEL affirmation…I am my best self, I can make healthy choices, I can grow and change by learning. Sometimes being our best self requires observing, understanding ourselves, our family, and seeking additional help if we notice something is different. I want to shed light on some common misconceptions surrounding mental health such as…
Misconception: People with mental health issues can just “snap out of it” or “get over it”.
Education: Mental health issues are not something that people can just get over.
Mental Health- our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
As you look over the information below, I want you to think…when we are physically hurt, sick, or break a bone we go to the doctor for help. When we strive to be our best self, we must take care of our whole body including our mind and emotions. We teach our scholars there are no dumb questions and someone is always willing to help, but you must first use your voice and advocate for yourself.
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness” -Brene Brown
Behavior Support Specialist
Ms. B
Sonnie Hereford Family,
Welcome back to another important week of classes.
We have been off to a good start with attendance this year. It has been a joy to see students learning a lot all around the building in these last weeks. We are looking out for classrooms who have everyone present on the same day. Those days add up to something wonderful. I also want to thank those parents who have made sure that the front office has their student’s doctor or parent excuses the day their student returns to school after being absent.
Each day that scholars are present adds up to their success this year. The best part of good attendance is the real life benefits they gain by being where they get excellent preparation for their future. Let’s ace attendance and ace life!
Mandisa Thornton, School Attendance Officer
Your child needs your help to succeed in school. Parent involvement matters.
When parents take an active role, their children are more likely to:
- attend school regularly
- get good grades
- graduate and go on to higher education
Every parent can make a difference.
It doesn't matter how much time you have or how well you did in school. Simply showing your child that you care about school can help improve his or her motivation and attitude.
My upcoming meeting
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting -
When - Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 1:00 PM
Where - Hereford Elementary Library
Responsibilities of the Parent Advisory Committee
1. Review and update the School-Parent Compact.
2. Review and update the Parent Involvement Plan for the school.
3. Decide how the 1% set-aside is to be spent for the upcoming school year.
4. Participate in the reviewing of the schools Continuous Improvement Plan.
5. Give input/ideas on how to improve parent involvement in our school.
Hope to see you there!
Ann Elkins
Parent Coordinator
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope this message finds you well and that your school year has started off on a positive note. As we step into the second week of school, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you and share some important reminders to help ensure a successful and fulfilling year for our students.
To Our Parents:
Rest and Routine: Please ensure that your child is getting adequate rest each night. A good night's sleep is crucial for concentration, mood, and overall well-being. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can greatly benefit their ability to engage and succeed in their daily activities.
Preparedness: Help your child stay organized and prepared for school by checking that they have completed their homework and have all necessary materials ready for the day. A well-prepared student is more confident and ready to take on new challenges.
Respect and Behavior: Encourage your child to show respect towards their teachers and fellow students. A respectful and positive attitude not only enhances their learning environment but also fosters better relationships within the school community.
To Our Students:
Engagement: Keep up the great work in your classes and stay engaged with your lessons. Remember, each day is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Organization: Make sure to bring all the supplies and materials you need for your classes. Staying organized helps you manage your time better and makes it easier to complete assignments.
Respect: Always be kind and respectful to your teachers and peers. Respect is key to creating a supportive and positive school atmosphere.
We are excited to begin classroom lessons next week, where we will focus on social-emotional skills, effective communication, and strategies to support your overall well-being. I look forward to working with each of you to make this school year a memorable and successful one.
Should you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make this a wonderful year for our students.
Warm regards,
Mr. Reginald Johnson & J. Jewel Thorne
School Counselors
Please see the attached Mental Health Opt-In Counseling forms.
