October 2015

McCord

Mustang

News

Dear McCord School Families,

It’s amazing to think we already have one month of school com-pleted. We are very appreciative of our families’ support espe-cially when it comes to following our arrival and dismissal pro-cedures. I want to thank everyone for helping us to get off to an incredibly smooth start this school year. I have enjoyed getting to meet all of you and your children! We thank everyone who was able to attend our back to school night and PFC meeting. We had a great turnout at both events and it is wonderful to begin a new year with great communication and a community get together! At our back to school night I am sure you heard your child’s teacher share all about what your child will be learning, what a typical day looks like, and what the best way to contact your child’s teacher is throughout the year. The home-school connection is very important and we always welcome the opportunity to discuss your child.

Please make sure you sign up for Parent/Teacher conferences if you have not done so already. Teachers have been working with each other as a grade level team on analyzing the scores of the local assessments that were just completed in math and read-ing. Teachers are planning the best program to meet our stu-dent’s learning needs. Time has been set aside for teachers to look at instructional supports available within the classroom and answering the questions, “How will we respond if our stu-dents have not met their goals? What will we do if students al-ready know the information?” As we analyze test results and make plans for increased student achievement we will be shar-ing with you what we are targeting and what we can do together to maximize student learning. The staff at McCord School are committed to excellence and strive to help each child reach their maximum potential. We look forward to seeing you at school soon. Happy Fall!

Educationally Yours,

Dr. N. Robinson

October

Dates to Remember

2 Spirit Wear

7 Pre-School

Screenings at

Maddock School

for 3—5 yr olds

9 School Picture Day—

dress up for

pictures

–NO JEANS-

use your prepaid

order form to pay

on picture day

12 Columbus Day

No School

13 Fire Department

Assembly

Fire Prevention

Month

14 Parent Curriculum

Night

LJHS 7—8 pm

16 Spirit Wear

21 Half Day

Early Dismissal

11:15 am

22 D.A.R.E. starts

24 Fall into Fitness Fair

5 k at LJHS

0am—1 pm

25 Red Ribbon &

Spirit Week

28 Report Cards sent

home with

students

30 Halloween Costume

Parade and Party

12:45 pm

The Primary Side (Grades KThe Primary Side (Grades KThe Primary Side (Grades KThe Primary Side (Grades K————2) of McCord School LOVES 2) of McCord School LOVES 2) of McCord School LOVES 2) of McCord School LOVES the start of the school year! Please talk to us about the start of the school year! Please talk to us about the start of the school year! Please talk to us about the start of the school year! Please talk to us about what we love the most. These are just a few of our fa-what we love the most. These are just a few of our fa-what we love the most. These are just a few of our fa-what we love the most. These are just a few of our fa-vorite things:vorite things:vorite things:vorite things:

Mrs. Allen’s Kindergarten Class Room 108 loves:

Smelly Markers Learning about our new friends’ and their names Dr. Jean’s songs and stories Our Classroom Jobs Our “Teacher Turns”

Mrs. Allen loves her new “batch” of “smart cookies” and her new IPad.

The students in Ms. Horan's Kindergarten Room 106 have a few favorite things so far at the beginning of the school year! The class loved voting for a name for our literacy puppet. The winning name was Grady. The stu-dent’s favorite part of the morning is to listen to all of the things Grady has to tell. Another favorite thing the students are enjoying is getting to know each other and meeting new friends through centers and small group learning activities and of course recess!

Room 107 loves their puppy puppet named Happy because he makes us laugh! We also love listening to stories on the rug together, and we loving see our old friends and meeting new friends and our new teacher, Mrs. Burt.

Our Favorite things in Mrs. Wedster’s First Grade Room 109:

The Ned Show yo-yos Painting recess Lunch gym Reading listening to books on tapes Dr. Jean Banana Song

Some of our favorite things in Mrs. Cerny’s Class Room 103:

- Learning to use technology: learning how to log in, navigating the iPads, and using spelling city.

- Measuring and graphing how many pumpkins tall we are.

- Building hundreds charts.

These are some of our favorite things in Room 105:

Mrs. Novak’s favorite things are:

teaching about place value in math.

having a student teacher, Ms. Cepeda, working in her classroom.

Ms. Cepeda’s favorite thing ‘s are:

helping the students learn to read.

teaching about visualizing.

The second graders favorite things are:

practicing for guided reading centers by Listening to Reading and Reading to Someone.

using the computers to go on Xtramath and take AR tests.

Mrs. Kalousek,

Room 104, says:

“I like to see the smiling

faces on my 2nd graders

each and every morning.

We have quickly learned

in 2nd grade that every

day is a new day with

new and exciting things

to learn. The 2nd graders

really like having the

chance to pick their own

books from the library

and, borrow books from

Mrs. Kalousek’s library

as well. They like to

practice Reading to Self

and Reading to Someone

Else. These two im-

portant Reading skills

help us build confidence

and become strong

Readers!!”

The Intermediate Side (Grades 3—6) of McCord School

We’re getting back into the swing of things at school and have a

lot going on in the intermediate classrooms. The students are

now accustom to their new teachers, classmates, and classroom

procedures. Now the focus is shifting to more in-depth lessons,

projects, and activities.

One procedure we would like to address is homework

completion. All students should be writing their homework

down every night in the assignment book supplied by the dis-

trict. This helps to ensure that students bring home the neces-

sary materials and complete the required assignments for the

following school day. Homework is important to your child’s

academic success. In the intermediate grades homework is of-

ten a reinforcement of skills taught in class that day. Sitting

down with your child and monitoring their homework will help

give you an insight into both the classroom curriculum and your

child’s strengths and weaknesses. Having the assignments writ-

ten down also gives a checklist for students and parents to re-

view to make sure each task is fully completed. Together we can

encourage students to take ownership of their learning and

avoid consequences such as lunch detention of the loss of a spe-

cial incentive.

We would also like to encourage parents to have their students practice basic math facts. No grade level is “too old”

for this skill. Students across the intermediate grade levels en-counter math concepts that require prior knowledge of basic

math facts on a daily basis. Students are able to understand/

compute the new skill more easily if they have a solid founda-tion to build upon. There are many ways for parents to address

this task at home and to help your child be a more successful mathematician. There are apps for tablets, websites with

games, or even flashcards that could give your child that extra boost in recalling basic math facts. Every little bit of practice

helps.

VISIT THE

DISTRICT

WEBSITE FOR

A WEALTH OF

INFORMATION

AND

RESOURCES

www.bsd111.org

District News

District Events

McCord School

News and Events

Resources

PowerSchool

Calendars

Epay (pay for

school meals

and more)

Mrs. Cummins

Social Work

This year McCord students

are again encouraged to

show their Character Traits

each day with our

Superhero Character Cards

program. In September

students who were “caught”

being respectful earned a

teacher’s signature on their

card, which helped them to

earn extra recess time on

the last day of the month.

Responsibility is the Char-

acter Trait we will be

working on throughout the

month of October.

Responsibility can be

thought of as a duty.

As a student you have

many duties at school.

• You are responsible for

your work and assign-

ments,

• You are responsible to

take care of your be-

longings,

• You may be responsi-

ble for a certain class-

room job, and

• You are always respon-

sible for your behavior.

Ms. Swan/Physical EducationMs. Swan/Physical EducationMs. Swan/Physical EducationMs. Swan/Physical Education

October will be the beginning of out FITNESSFITNESSFITNESSFITNESS unit which includes: Agility Agility Agility Agility

Ladder, Resistance Balls, Balance Boards and Stability Balls.Ladder, Resistance Balls, Balance Boards and Stability Balls.Ladder, Resistance Balls, Balance Boards and Stability Balls.Ladder, Resistance Balls, Balance Boards and Stability Balls. At the conclu-

sion, of the fitness unit will be FitnessGramFitnessGramFitnessGramFitnessGram – a program involving 5 tests:

PACER, Back Saver Sit and Reach, CurlPACER, Back Saver Sit and Reach, CurlPACER, Back Saver Sit and Reach, CurlPACER, Back Saver Sit and Reach, Curl----Ups, and Trunk Lift.Ups, and Trunk Lift.Ups, and Trunk Lift.Ups, and Trunk Lift. Fit-

nessGram® is the most widely used youth physical fitness assessment, educa-

tion and reporting tool in the world. Based on Healthy Fitness Zone® Stand-Healthy Fitness Zone® Stand-Healthy Fitness Zone® Stand-Healthy Fitness Zone® Stand-

ardsardsardsards, created by the FitnessGram Scientific Advisory Board, FitnessGram

uses criterion-based standards, carefully established for each age and gender.

People come in all shapes and sizes, but everyone can benefit from regular

physical activity and healthy levels of physical fitness. FitnessGram evaluates

the five components of health-related fitness: Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Aerobic Capacity, Muscular

Strength, Muscular Endurance, Flexibility, and Body Composition.Strength, Muscular Endurance, Flexibility, and Body Composition.Strength, Muscular Endurance, Flexibility, and Body Composition.Strength, Muscular Endurance, Flexibility, and Body Composition.

FitnessGram uses scientifically determined standards that are based on how

fit children should be for good health. Most children can achieve the health-

related fitness standards if they perform sufficient amounts of physical activity

on a regular basis. The standards are set specifically for boys and girls and

take into account changes with age.

The FitnessGram assessment is based not on athletic ability, but levels of

fitness needed for good overall health. No matter what your children grow

up to become, they will live happier, more productive lives if they are healthy

--and physical fitness is vital to overall health. FitnessGram provides valid and

reliable information about your child's level of fitness. The FitnessGram test

(and report) includes a number of different assessments since health-related

fitness has multiple components. Some children may score high on muscular

strength but need to improve their aerobic capacity score. By having a com-

plete report, you (and your child) will know more about their overall level

fitness and how it can be improved. (www.fitnessgram.net)

Mrs. Arvetis/Literacy

Fall into a Good Book this Month! October will be a busy month for students in Lit-

eracy. Students will continue to examine works in fiction and improve reading

skills using various reading strategies. Every grade level will be analyzing story ele-

ments- character, setting, plot, and theme. During our Literacy time, we will contin-

ue working in the computer lab. Our focus for this month is learning how to navigate

websites and type using correct finger placement on home row. My website can be

accessed from any computer and contains lots of links for typing and reading prac-

tice. From the district home page, bsd111.org, click on SCHOOLS, then select FRY or

McCord, on the left under the Quick Links heading, select TEACHER WEBSITES,

and select ARVETIS. I encourage students in grades 3-6 to practice typing every

day. Don’t forget to read every single day for at least 20 minutes. A fun way to incor-

porate our learning this month is to carve or paint a pumpkin that represents a char-

acter or setting from a favorite story. Thank you for all of your encouragement and

support!!!

"Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks." — Dr.

Seuss

Mrs. Hollandsworth/ Speech/Language Pathologist

Hello Burbank School District 111 ! My name is Cynthia Hollandsworth. I'm the Speech and

Language Pathologist servicing students at McCord School for this 2015-16 school year. I

am at McCord School every Wednesday and Thursday.

I've been a Speech Language Pathologist for 33 years and I still enjoy my occupation :)

Helping children become effective communicators to achieve maximum school success

has been my professional goal.

I'm married, and a mother of 2 children and 5 grandchildren (and still counting). My son

served in the United States Coast Guard and is currently an EMT/firefighter in Overland

Park, Kansas. My daughter graduated from St. Xavier University and is a Labor and Deliv-

ery Nurse at Northwestern Prentice Women's Hospital.

The McCord staff and students have welcomed me with open arms. I consider it my privi-

lege to be part of such a bright and wonderful team of educators. I have an "open door"

policy and encourage parents to contact me at any time with questions regarding their

child's communication. Go Mustangs !

Ms.Curtin/ArtMs.Curtin/ArtMs.Curtin/ArtMs.Curtin/Art Happy October! It was great meeting everyone at Happy October! It was great meeting everyone at Happy October! It was great meeting everyone at Happy October! It was great meeting everyone at open house. For those of you I did not get to open house. For those of you I did not get to open house. For those of you I did not get to open house. For those of you I did not get to meet, my name is Ms. Curtin and I'm the new meet, my name is Ms. Curtin and I'm the new meet, my name is Ms. Curtin and I'm the new meet, my name is Ms. Curtin and I'm the new art teacher for McCord and Tobin schools. I'm art teacher for McCord and Tobin schools. I'm art teacher for McCord and Tobin schools. I'm art teacher for McCord and Tobin schools. I'm very excited to join District 111 and look for-very excited to join District 111 and look for-very excited to join District 111 and look for-very excited to join District 111 and look for-ward to working with your studentward to working with your studentward to working with your studentward to working with your student this year!this year!this year!this year! This month in art, students are continuing This month in art, students are continuing This month in art, students are continuing This month in art, students are continuing their units while also working on creating post-their units while also working on creating post-their units while also working on creating post-their units while also working on creating post-ers for the Oktober Pumpkin Fest at Toyota ers for the Oktober Pumpkin Fest at Toyota ers for the Oktober Pumpkin Fest at Toyota ers for the Oktober Pumpkin Fest at Toyota Park. Recycled Art Club also begins this week Park. Recycled Art Club also begins this week Park. Recycled Art Club also begins this week Park. Recycled Art Club also begins this week and 3 different sessions will run through De-and 3 different sessions will run through De-and 3 different sessions will run through De-and 3 different sessions will run through De-cember. We'll be occasionally requiring certain cember. We'll be occasionally requiring certain cember. We'll be occasionally requiring certain cember. We'll be occasionally requiring certain recyclables for our projects so keep your ears recyclables for our projects so keep your ears recyclables for our projects so keep your ears recyclables for our projects so keep your ears open for opportunities to help us out! open for opportunities to help us out! open for opportunities to help us out! open for opportunities to help us out! We also use a lot of paint in art class, but do not have a full set We also use a lot of paint in art class, but do not have a full set We also use a lot of paint in art class, but do not have a full set We also use a lot of paint in art class, but do not have a full set of smocks. If you're able to donate an old tof smocks. If you're able to donate an old tof smocks. If you're able to donate an old tof smocks. If you're able to donate an old t----shirt for your child shirt for your child shirt for your child shirt for your child to use during art class, that would be a huge help! Students to use during art class, that would be a huge help! Students to use during art class, that would be a huge help! Students to use during art class, that would be a huge help! Students can bring labeled tcan bring labeled tcan bring labeled tcan bring labeled t----shirts to class and they will be kept in a shirts to class and they will be kept in a shirts to class and they will be kept in a shirts to class and they will be kept in a bin for their use during art.bin for their use during art.bin for their use during art.bin for their use during art.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

McCord

Spirit Wear

3

4 5 6 7

Pre-School Screen-

ings at Maddock

School 8:30 -2:30

call 708-598-0515

8 9 School Pictures

Dress up for

pictures

—no jeans

10

11 FIRE

PREVENTION

MONTH

12

Columbus Day

NO SCHOOL

13 FIRE

DEPARTMENT

ASSEMBLY

Reavis Readers

visit and read to

our students

14

Parent

Curriculum

Night LJHS

7pm-8pm

15 16

McCord

Spirit Wear

17

18 19 20 21 1st Quarter ends

Early

Dismissal

11:15 am

22 23 2410 am—1 pm

Fall into Fitness

Wellness Fair &

5K at LJHS

25

&

Spirit

Week

26 27 28

Report Cards

go home with

students

B.O. E. Mtg.

7pm Admin Bld

29 30

Hallowwen Cos-

tume Parade and

Party

31

October 2015

On Spirit Wear Days (the 1st & 3rd Friday of the month) the students may wear their

McCord Spirit Wear Shirt/Sweatshirt with their school pants, no jeans. Jean Days

will be announced by Dr. Robinson as a special reward or incentive for the students.