Report Cards Come Home TODAY!

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Talking to Your Child about Report Cards

by Terry Farwell

A child’s report card can bring feelings of joy, excitement, and pride; it can also cause concern, frustration, and uncertainty. In either case, the reporting period marks a new beginning to set goals as well as reflect on past work habits, achievements, and hardships. Most important, it is a time for parents to communicate with their children and determine a path for future academic enrichment and social/emotional growth.

Focus on the positive

Regardless of the grades your child brings home, you must first focus on positive aspects of the report. This is not always an easy task. For some parents, this might mean highlighting a strong effort or citizenship grade, or congratulating an academic accomplishment. It could mean praising a perfect attendance record or acknowledging a small improvement shown in a particular area. Starting on a positive note shows your child that you truly care about the accomplishments, not only areas that need improvement.

Ask the right questions

Be careful not to overreact to low grades, or grades you view to be unsatisfactory. Instead, use this time to look at past performance and plan for the future. Talk to your child, asking questions to understand how a particular grade was earned:

  • Was the work too difficult?
  • Could the pace of the class be inappropriate (too fast, so that your child feels “lost,” or too slow, causing your child to feel “bored”)?
  • Does your child complete all homework and ask questions when problems arise?

The answers you receive might indicate a need to review your child’s study habits. Determine whether or not your child is recording all assignments and bringing home all materials necessary to complete them. Does your child have a specific place to study where resources (including someone to answer questions) are available and distractions are minimized? Is your child completing all homework on a nightly basis, or are assignments being turned in late, or not at all? Once you have determined the problem, you can begin to create a solution.

The next step

Creating a plan to maximize future academic success is an important part of every child’s education. Help your child set realistic and attainable goals for the next reporting period. Outline ways in which these goals can be met, as well as rewards and consequences if they are not. Type the “official plan” and post one copy in a prominent household location, another in your child’s binder, and forward another to her teacher. Involving your child gives her ownership and importance in this process; and this makes the report card important not only to you, but also to your child.

As parents, we want the best for our children, but in too many cases this is measured only by the number of As and Bs brought home. Emphasize to your child the importance of doing the very best job that he can. Encourage him to succeed, and measure his progress in realistic terms, letting him know that you care and are available to help. Break tasks into small steps, so that even the youngest child can measure her growth, and the most advanced child can monitor her progress. By reviewing the report card, and developing a plan for the future, you will help your child find the road to success.

Student Giving

The note on the photo explains it all.  Thank you for the care and kindness you show to people less fortunate – not just over the holidays, but all year long!  It is wonderful to be a part of such a generous community.

student giving

Janus Blanket Project – Fifth Grade Community Service

 

blanketsOur fifth grade classes are participating in a 5th grade community service project to help other youths in our Portland area.  We will be making double thick fleece blankets for the Janus Youth Programs in Portland.  Students worked to earn the money to purchase the fleece and made the blankets together with parent volunteers.  Janus Youth Programs will be giving these blankets to homeless 12 – 17 year olds over the holiday season. These children are in great need of some warmth and cheer.

For more information, go to: http://www.janusyout​h.org/programs/homel​ess-youth

Tomorrow, leaders from the Janus Project will be presented with 74 blankets from Hallinan.  Way to go, Fifth Grade!

Caroling with the Hallinan Staff

CarolingWe were happy to set out into a new Hallinan neighborhood to spread holiday cheer with our annual caroling tradition!  It is absolutely a joy to see the surprise and excitement on the student (and parent!) faces.  We love getting out into our neighborhood and letting our families know how special they are to all of us.  Looking forward to next year already!

Geography Bee

Geography Bee

Congratulations to our 10 Contestants in the Hallinan Geography Bee!
Keelie O’Hollaren 4th Mrs. Burdick
Harrison Anders    5th Mrs. Ford
Daragh O’Hare         4th Ms. Favero
Kendall Coyne         4th Mrs. Larson
Dash Kim                 5th Mrs. Lindsey
Roman Siger         4th Mrs. Arnold
Lucas Pollock         4th Mrs. Denney
Andrew Huang         5th Mrs. Ford
Morgan Beilstein 4th Mrs. Pepper
Brooks Dennett         5th Mr. Griest
Winning 2nd place was Kendall Coyne.
Your champion this year was Andrew Huang! He will take the test in January to determine if he qualifies for the State Bee in March. Wish him good luck!
Special thanks to Josh Ernst for coordinating and hosting the Bee.  As always, it was fun and entertaining!

Reminder – Parent/Teacher Conferences in January

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Just a friendly reminder that conferences will be held in January this year – 1/29 & 1/30.  Teachers will put out sign ups after the Winter Break.  The purpose of the conference is to discuss your child’s progress so far this year and set goals for the remaining months.  After reviewing your child’s report card on December 19th, you may want to write a list a questions to bring with you to that conference.  Please do not schedule an appointment prior to that date unless it is urgent in nature.  Our teachers are working to make the conference a valuable and productive face to face meeting.

 

LOSF Update

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Matching Gifts Increase Impact

Did you know that many companies have programs that “match” the charitable contributions made by their employees?

Through corporate gift matching, your employer can multiply your gift to the Foundation, making it go further.

Check with your company’s Human Resources office to see if they offer gift matching. (If they don’t, you may want to ask your company to start one.) If your employer does offer this program, your Human Resources department should provide you with a matching gift form to send to the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation along with your donation.

Click here to see if your company matches employee donations.

Please call the Foundation office at 503-534-2106 if you need assistance with your match gift or to set up a recurring monthly or quarterly donation or contact your school’s Foundation 2014-2015 campaign captain Darcy Reardon, darcylreardon@gmail.com .

LOSF Volunteering

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Can you volunteer to keep teachers in our schools?

Help the Foundation raise $2 million

The Foundation’s Annual Campaign is gearing up and your school captains need the help of volunteers.  School captains are currently recruiting volunteers at their schools to assist to the pledge and donation drive. Foundation volunteers help by reaching out to parents at your child’s school asking them to pledge or donate to the Foundation either by making a phone call or by sending an email.  In addition, volunteers can participate in one of the phonathons held at the district’s central office.  The phonathons will be held Feb. 25 & 26, 2015 and April 21-23, 2015.

 

To sign up or learn more about volunteering contact your school captain: Darcy Reardon darcylreardon@gmail.com .