FHES August-September Newsletter 2011

8/3/2019 FHES August-September Newsletter 2011

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Principals Corner

Important Dates:August 15 ~

FHES Office OpensAugust 22 ~

Class lists postedAugust 30 ~

Open House~2pmAugust 31 ~

First Day of SchoolSeptember 5 ~

Labor Day ~ No School

Curriculum Nights5,6 Thursday, September 8th

K,1,2 Tuesday, September 13th3,4 Thursday, September 15th

EagleSightings

Friday Harbor

Elementary

Monthly Newsletter

95 Grover StreetFriday Harbor, WA

98250

Our new school year is upon us. Starting a new school year

gives us the opportunity to make new plans, set new goals and

implement fresh ideas.

I believe that in order for all students to be successful we must

continually monitor success through various engaging learn-

ing opportunities at school and at home. The collaborative ef-

fort between FHES highly effective educators, committed par-

ents, and involved community members will ensure that our

children are well prepared to meet any challenge the future

may hold.

I want to invite you to join us as we SOAR to excellence this

2011-2012 school year while we embrace the richness, culture,

and uniqueness that each of us brings. Lets pull together and

celebrate the unity that makes FHES a wonderful place to

learn, grow, and achieve! Join us at our Open House Tuesday,

August 30th, 2:00pm.

Connie Martin


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Ill meet you at the Fair!!

TheSanJuanIslandFai

rbeginsAugust17th.

IhearthattheFairisq

uiteaneventand

servesasacommunityg

atheringplacefor

friendsandfamily. Plea

sestopbytheSan

JuanIslandDistrictBoo

thortheFHESPTA

piebooth.Iwouldenjoy

meetingyou!

ConnieMartin

Iwillbethereonthefo

llowingdates:

DistrictBooth:

Thursday,August18th

5-7pm

SaturdayAugust20th3

-5pm

SaturdayAugust20th

5-7pmBBQ

Camp Eagle

Rock!...ROCKS!!Camp Eagle Rock has provided a fun summer program

for children of the Friday Harbor Community. This camp

promotes self-esteem, increases learning skills and pro-

vides the opportunity for youth to develop a variety of life-long interests.

Children have participated in arts, crafts, games, sports, music, field trips,

creative play and swimming over the summer months. Camp Eagle Rock

was held in FHES and is coordinated by Island Rec~San Juan Island Parkand Recreation District. Thanks Eagle Rock for giving our children a safe

place to learn and play!! Look for their new after school program (STAR) fo

FHES Students...Coming Soon to FHES!!!


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Helping to create a better future

for our youth is my lifes passion and commitment. I love being

involved in a process so critical to the well-being of people. I

have been fortunate in my many years as an educator that I have

enjoyed every bit of it ,and I am extremely excited to continue

my journey at FHES. I bring with me 25 years of experience at

both the elementary and middle school levels. Ive been a class-

room teacher, PE specialist, reading specialist, and assistant prin-

cipal. I am married and have two adult children of my own. I love

spending time with my family and my dog Apollo. I enjoy

kayaking, boating, hiking and of course learning! ~Connie

NewStaff

Introduction

s

Connie Martin ~Principal

My experiences as a consultant and profes-sor in sport psychology led to my interest inbecoming an elementary school teacher. I

have worked in elementary education forfour years; two as an instructional aide and

two as a first grade teacher. I passionatelybelieve in implementing life skills in theclassroom and guiding students in their aca-demic and life pursuits. In my second yearat FHES, I look forward to working withstudents as the Math Specialist for grades K-4. Children can be successful in math when

they believe in their abilities, build on their

strengths, challenge themselves, see it as apart of their everyday experiences, and mostimportantlyhave fun! Believe and you

can achieve!

~Dianeiane Heller ~Math Specialist


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I graduated from WashingtonState University withmy bachelor'sdegree in elementary edu-cation and an endorsement in early childhood development. I

later earned my master's degree in education. After college, Itaught Language Arts, Social Studies and Reading in Bellevue

for five years. I worked at a very challenging alternative middle

school and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I took some timeoff from teaching when I had my children. My kids are now in

school, and I am thrilled to be back in the classroom.

When we moved to the island two years ago I started substituteteaching at the elementary school. Last year I was the Reading

and First Steps Math specialist. I worked with small groups of

students in 1st through 4th grade. I absolutely loved working

with the staff and students of FHES. I am very excited to beteaching first grade in the fall. I hope to create a classroom en-

vironment that fosters a love of learning and engages every stu-dent. ~Kristy

NewStaff

Introductio

nsKristy Raichlen ~

First Grade Teacher

I have taught English Language Learners in a vari-ety of settings over the past fifteen years for stu-dents of all ages! I have enjoyed each of my experi-ences and am enthusiastically looking forward to

joining the wonderfully talented Friday HarborElementary School staff.

I enjoy the variety of backgrounds and experiencesthat ELL students and their families bring to theschool. There is much that I can learn from my stu-dents!

My commitment to each and every one of my stu-

dents and their education is strong. It is my goal tosupport and motivate my students to enjoy learningas they strive to achieve academic success whileimproving their English language skills.

~ BetsyBetsy Ridwan ~

ELL Specialist


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Dealing with Back to School Jitters ~Going from long, lazy summer days back to the rigors of a classroom can be a bumpy road for your children.

It's normal for them to experience a range of emotions about returning to school. Though each child responds

to going back to school differently, you can take steps to address jitters and make the transition time smooth-

er. Could one of these issues be causing your child's fears?

Life Changes ~ Starting at a new school can present an especially daunting challenge. Similarly, if your chil-dren recently have experienced an upheaval at home, such as moving or divorce, they may be especially sus-

ceptible to feeling stressed about returning to school. If this is the case, asking open-ended questions can give

them the space to gure out their own feelings. If they express a specic worry, you might say something

like, "What makes you feel that way?" and see where the conversation leads.

Academic Challenges ~ A new grade brings new challenges. Perhaps your child will be expected to do home-work or write a research paper for the rst time. With fears of not measuring up academically, the best de-

fense is a good offense. Getting organized and establishing reassuring routines can go a long way to making a

child feel competent. Rumors of a particularly hard teacher may fuel fearing or disliking a new teacher. Do

help your child to keep in mind that one person's dreaded teacher can be another kid's favorite. While it's

okay for your children to express their dislike of a teacher, they should be expected to remain respectful. You

can encourage your children to be open-minded and to approach it as an opportunity to help them to learn

how to deal with a person they nd difcult. Listen to their issues and plan to attend parent-teacher night to

get your own take on the situation.

Social Worries ~ A new class roster can mean adjusting without friends who have provided a social base inprevious years. Try to present this as an opportunity for your children to widen their group of friends, rather

than a tragic loss of familiar faces. If possible, set up a play date before school starts so that your child will

have a new friend to look for on the rst day. Establish time for your child to catch up with old friends too.

A new school or classroom may spark concerns about nding friends at all. An outside class or hobby such asballet or a sport can provide a conversation starter and the opportunity to meet kids outside your child's usual

circles. Talking to your children about other challenging situations that they have successfully navigated also

boosts self-esteem.

Getting Help ~ Most back-to-school anxiety is anticipatory. If the level and type of anxiety seems a markeddeparture from your child's usual behavior and lasts well past the beginning of the school year, consider seek-

ing outside help. Start by talking with your childs teacher. Next, a school counselor or psychologist can pro-

vide valuable tips and resources. Anxiety disorders do affect children and are often overlooked because such

children do not tend to act out.

Be Supportive ~ It is normal for every child to react to going back to school in his/her own way. This canmake it tempting to apply your own experience to your child's life. Although harkening back can provide in-

sight, remember that your child is not you. Be calm and matter of fact. Listen and provide reassurance, but try

not to heighten anxiety with old memories and good intentions.

In the end, the most important tool you can use is to know your own child. Observe the situation, but also try

to keep it all in perspective. For most kids, back-to-school jitters will melt away as easily as summer slips into

fall.

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/dealing-with-back-to-school-jitters/


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Join me at my

Principal's CafBlog

http://principalscafe.blogspot.com/

District Looking for Parent Volunteers:

The San Juan Island School District has announced two volunteer oppor-

tunities for parents and community members. The first opportunity is to

serve on the Superintendents Advisory Committee. The committee

meets quarterly at a time convenient to the majority of the members to

discuss challenges and opportunities in the district with the Superinten-

dent. This is a continuation of the existing committee which met during

the 2010-2011 school year. The second opportunity is to join a facility

advisory committee to study, review, and make recommendations aboutdistrict buildings and grounds. The facility committee will be new this

year. Anyone needing additional information is invited to call Maude

Cumming at 378-4133.

FHES Needs You!

The PTA is making plans for the 2011/2012

school year and we need your help!

Please consider lending your time andtalent to enhance our students educa-

tional experience. There are many op-

tions available in a wide variety of are-

as. If you would like to help, please

contact Meghan Hoffman or Roxanne

Angel or contact the school and indicate

your areas of interest.

Thank you for your support!

Documents

FHES August-September Newsletter 2011