1739 NE Park Drive Issaquah WA 98029 425-837-7925
Grand Ridge Elementary E-News
February 29, 2008
Principal Corner
Grand Ridge teachers are committed to continually improving the quality of their instruction so that your students are learning each and every day. The Wednesday early release days are valuable collaboration time when teachers plan curriculum, analyze student work, and design instruction that is based on current best practices. This year the Issaquah Schools Foundation’s Calling for Kids campaign focuses on the implementation of Project GLAD training for teachers. After reading the recent Time Magazine article (see below), I am hopeful you will make a donation to this important campaign. Thank you again for your support of teaching and learning at Grand Ridge.
Time Magazine Article Touts Teacher Training
If you’ve been wondering whether teacher training is indeed the best way to boost student achievement, you’ll want to read the February 25th edition of TIME. In it, an article by Stanford professor Linda Darling-Hammond talks about how the highest achieving countries – Finland, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada – have tackled the problem of boosting student achievement. Her findings? Each of these countries has poured resources into teacher training and support. According to Darling-Hammond, they “routinely prepare their teachers more extensively…and give them lots of time for professional learning.” It’s a brief article and is worth taking a look at. Go to How They Do It Abroad – TIME.
District News & Upcoming Events
2008 Kindergarten Registration
If your child will be 5 years old by August 31, 2008, mark your calendar....Kindergarten registration at Grand Ridge will be on March 5th from 1:30pm - 6:00pm and March 6th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Remember to bring a birth certificate, proof of residency (utility bill, lease/rental agreement, or purchase documents.
Important WASL Wednesday Schedule Change
To comply with mandatory state WASL testing requirements, we must change the school day bell schedules for students in all grades at all schools on Wednesday, March 12 and Wednesday, April 16. Click here for the complete modified WASL Wednesday bell schedule.
Health Room News
Just a friendly reminder that it is cold and flu season at Grand Ridge.
Please keep your child home if he/she has any of these symptoms:
Diarrhea-more than one episode in a 24 hour period
Vomiting-within the past 24 hours
Rash-not associated with heat or allergic reactions to medications
Drainage from the eye
Appearance/Behavior-unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, or irritable
Sore Throat-especially if associated with fever or swollen glands
Fever-over 100 degrees F orally. Temperature should remain normal 24 hours before returning to school
Yellow or greenish nasal discharge
The most important thing you can do to prevent illness from spreading is for you and your child to wash your hands often.
The Grizzly Growl:
The Grand Ridge PTSA newsletter, The Grizzly Growl will be published twice monthly on Fridays. To access the newsletter, go to: www.grandridgeptsa.org Click on the "latest Grizzly Growl".
PTSA will offer one last workroom training session this year -- on Tuesday, March 11, at 6:15 PM.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN
StoryBook Theater
Performs musical fairytale adaptations for children ages 3 to 9 and their families. Join us for the next StoryBook production of "3 PIGS" at Renton's Carco Theater on March 1st and 2nd! Tickets only $8. Call 1-877-827-1100 or for more information: http://www.studio-east.org/Info/StoryBook/07-08_Season/3_Pigs/3Pigs_11x17_Poster.pdf
Issaquah Parks & Recreation
Issaquah Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camp Registration—for children ages 3.5 to 14—begins on Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Issaquah Valley Elementary, 555 N.W. Holly St. Go online or call 425-837-3300 for details.
Dates to Remember:
MARCH
4 Art Docent Lesson Share Session, 10 AM–noon,
Blakely Hall
4 “How to Help Our Kids Get on the Right Track with
Communication and Social Skills”, 7-9 PM,
Issaquah Middle School
5 Grizzly Gear orders due
5 Kindergarten Registration, 1:30–6 PM
6 Kindergarten Registration, 4–6 PM
7 “Hats off to Reading” spirit day, wear your best
hat
8 Barnes & Noble Bookfair, 9 AM–11 PM, Pickering
Place Barnes & Noble, Issaquah
9 Daylight Savings Time Begins
11 Workroom training, 6:15 PM, meet in front of the
school office
11 PTSA General Membership Meeting, 7:00 PM, Grand
Ridge Commons; Special guest, Issaquah School
District Superintendent, Dr. Steve Rasmussen
14 Grizzly Growl available on PTSA website
15 Region 2 PTSA Spring Conference, Mount Si High
School
20 Library Volunteer Training Session, 10:30 AM-noon,
Grand Ridge Library
21 NO SCHOOL for students (Learning Improvement Day
for teachers)
25 District Golden Acorn Reception, 7PM, I.H.S.
27 Library Volunteer Training Session, 10:30 AM-noon,
Grand Ridge Library
28 Grizzly Growl available on PTSA website
31 “Resisting Raising Children Who Feel Entitled,”
7-9 PM, Newcastle Elementary