Ms. Rosato-Lopes, Assistant PrincipalFresh Pond Academy English Language Arts

Home and School Connection Tips for Reading

2008-10-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

Falling for Reading ~ Cozy fall evenings are perfect for curling up with a book. As the cooler weather and shorter days bring your child inside earlier, take advantage of the time to get him hooked on reading.
Story Hour ~ Read aloud to your children. Try choosing a book that’s slightly harder than one he can read on his own. The more complex plots and bigger words will stretch his comprehension skills and vocabulary. Plus, getting a sneak peek at what older kids are reading is a real motivator.
A Family Habit: Promote regular reading with a “What We’re Reading” bulletin board. Provide sticky notes, and have each family member post a note to let everyone know what’s on his reading list. When others are reading, your child will want to read also!
Note: Guarantee your child a steady supply of fresh reading material by taking him to the library often.

Families that Play Together
How can your buy family find ways to spend time together? Here are a few suggestions:

Celebrate each new season: you might toast pumpkin seeds and sip warm apple when autumn begins. Hide acorns and walnuts around your living room, and have your children pretend to be squirrels and search for them.
Get fit together: Walk or bike with your children to school. Find an indoor pool and enjoy a “Saturday morning swim." Rent a video to learn hip-hop or swing dancing.

- Adapted from Home & School Connection 10/08

Halloween Safety Tips

2008-10-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Children should go out during daylight hours unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Do not allow children to eat any candy until you are able to properly inspect it.
Have your child carry a flashlight, glow stick or put reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
Older children who are able to go “trick or treating” in a group should be advised to plan a safe route with parents and set a specific time for their return home.
Instruct your children not to cut through back alleys or fields and to stay in well-lighted areas.
Instruct your children to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car.
For small children, place an emergency identification information tag discreetly inside their clothing in case they become separated from the group.
Discuss with your children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
Clear your yard and sidewalk of obstacles or decorations that are difficult to see in the dark.

Setting goals

2008-09-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote to consider as we begin our first quarter:

Beginning with the end in mind is like reading a recipe before you start baking cookies. It's knowing what you want to accomplish (your goal) and figuring out how to get there (your plan).

What are your goals this year?

Our First Units

2008-09-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Our first units for the year are as follows:

6th grade: Response to Literature Genre Study
7th grade: Gary Soto Author Study
8th grade: Walter Dean Myers Author Study

The 7th and 8th grade SP classes are completing different units:

7th grade: Water Dean Myers Author Study
8th grade: John Steinbeck Author Study

Homework Hints for Parents

2008-09-08T07:17:00.001-07:00

Assume that your children will have homework or studying every night.
As much as possible, establish routines for completing assignments. This may include setting a certain time and finding a quiet place to work.
Assist your children in gathering supplies that will be useful for completing homework. Store the items in a box or bin so that they are always available during homework time. You may want to include: pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, glue sticks, a ruler, scissors, markers, sticky notes, colored paper, etc.
Don’t do your children’s homework or them. Help them to learn how to do it themselves. If your child is having difficulty, work through some examples together.
If you are not present during homework time, reinforce the idea that homework is important by asking to see your children’s work when you get home.
Praise your children for doing well and trying their best.
Contact the teacher if your child does not understand an assignment or is having difficulty. You may call, write, or email your child’s teacher to discuss your concerns.
Help your children to organize their assignments by recording due dates on calendars or in their planners. This teaches the importance of planning and responsibility, which are important life skills.
Keep a portfolio of your children’s best work or favorite pieces.
Remember, your children’s teachers share your goal -- to help your children succeed.

Welcome to the New School Year

2008-09-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

The willingess to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs. - Joan Didion

Dear Parents and Students,

As a smaller learning community within I.S. 93, the Fresh Pond Academy is committed to promoting high standards and expectations while providing every student with opportunities and challenges to reach his or her academic potential.In the tradition of the I.S.93 family, we will continue to foster a safe, supportive, and respectful school environment. Our goal is to provide exciting and meaningful experiences that will give our students the tools they need to become life-long learners.We look forward to a wonderful school year.

Sincerely,

Theresa Rosato-Lopes
Assistant Principal (IA)

Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

2008-02-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

How do you review your child’s progress in just a few minutes?
Here are a few tips:

Take notes.
Jot down your concerns about your child along with questions about the curriculum. Take your notes with you as a reminder.
Be on time.Teachers usually have a tight schedule for conferences. If you arrive on time, you will get the most out of your visit.
Stay calm. If there are problems, focus on ways to work with the teacher to find solutions. Children benefit when parents and teachers are on the same page.
Plan the next step. Discuss how you will follow up on the issues that are raised. You might exchange e-mail addresses, note best times to talk, or schedule another meeting.

Remember, we all want the best for your child!

Our Second Units

2007-11-21T05:41:00.001-08:00

Our second units of study have begun:

6th grade: Persuasive Essay
7th grade: All About Nonfiction
8th grade: Journalistic Feature Article

We are focusing on nonfiction to prepare for the upcoming ELA assessments.

Our Second Units

2007-11-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

Our second units of study have begun:

6th grade: Persuasive Essay
7th grade: All About Nonfiction
8th grade: Journalistic Feature Article

We are focusing on nonfiction to prepare for the upcoming ELA assessments.

ELA Update

2007-10-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Our Literacy Coaches for this school year are:

6th Grade: Ms. Oliveri
7th Grade: Ms. Rizzo
8th Grade: Mr. Dechongkit

Our first units of study are as follows:

6th Grade: Memoir & Katherine Paterson
7th Grade: Gary Soto
7th Grade SP: Walter Dean Myers
8th Grade: Walter Dean Myers
8th Grade SP: John Steinbeck

Welcome

2007-10-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

It is a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. - W. Somerset Maugham

Dear Parents and Students,

As a smaller learning community within I.S. 93, the Fresh Pond Academy is committed to promoting high standards and expectations while providing every student with opportunities and challenges to reach his or her academic potential. In the tradition of the I.S.93 family, we will continue to foster a safe, supportive, and respectful school environment. Our goal is to provide exciting and meaningful experiences that will give our students the tools they need to become life-long learners. We look forward to a wonderful school year.

Sincerely,
Theresa Rosato-Lopes Assistant Principal (IA)

Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

2007-10-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

How do you review your child’s progress in just a few minutes?

Here are a few tips:

Take notes.
Jot down your concerns about your child along with questions about the curriculum. Take your notes with you as a reminder.
Be on Time.Teachers usually have a tight schedule for conferences. If you arrive on time, you will get the most out of your visit.
Stay calm. If there are problems, focus on ways to work with the teacher to find solutions. Children benefit when parents and teachers are on the same page.
Plan the next step.Discuss how you will follow up on the issues that are raised. You might exchange e-mail addresses, note best times to talk, or schedule another meeting.

Remember, we all want the best for your child!

Welcome Message

2006-09-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.

Dear Parents and Students,

As a smaller learning community within I.S. 93, the Fresh Pond Academy is committed to promoting high standards and expectations while providing every student with opportunities and challenges to reach his or her academic potential.

In the tradition of the I.S.93 family, we will continue to foster a safe, supportive, and respectful school environment. Our goal is to provide exciting and meaningful experiences that will give our students the tools they need to become life-long learners.

We look forward to a wonderful school year.

Sincerely,

Theresa Rosato-Lopes
Assistant Principal (IA)

Homework Hints for Parents

2006-09-09T15:01:00.000-07:00

Assume that your children will have homework or studying every night.
As much as possible, establish routines for completing assignments. This may include setting a certain time and finding a quiet place to work.
Assist your children in gathering supplies that will be useful for completing homework. Store the items in a box or bin so that they are always available during homework time. You may want to include: pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, glue sticks, a ruler, scissors, markers, sticky notes, colored paper, etc.
Don’t do your children’s homework or them. Help them to learn how to do it themselves. If your child is having difficulty, work through some examples together.
If you are not present during homework time, reinforce the idea that homework is important by asking to see your children’s work when you get home.
Praise your children for doing well and trying their best.
Contact the teacher if your child does not understand an assignment or is having difficulty. You may call, write, or email your child’s teacher to discuss your concerns.
Help your children to organize their assignments by recording due dates on calendars or in their planners. This teaches the importance of planning and responsibility, which are important life skills.
Keep a portfolio of your children’s best work or favorite pieces.
Remember, your children’s teachers share your goal -- to help your children succeed.

Thank You

2006-09-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

To the students in my 6th period assembly,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome you gave me during my first assembly as your assistant principal. I am so glad to be sharing this year with all of you. Let’s work really hard to make each other proud. Together, we can make this a spectacular year!