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SHARK Bytes ISSUE
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WINTER
Principal: Mr. Giovannoni Asst. Principal: Ms. Dwyer
COMPUTERS . . . By Robert Giovannoni
2011
who assisted various law enforcement agencies in the arrest of these predatory adults. Another area where I have concern is the matter of Facebook. Social networking using a variety of electronic devices is one of the current trends in interpersonal relations. Daily I see students who, upon leaving school at the end of the day, pull out a cell phone. Yes, many are calling home; but many are also calling their friends whom they just left walking in a different direction. Facebook is a different issue. By their own standards, Facebook does not want members under the age of thirteen [13]. The kind of information that can and often is shared is, in my opinion, inappropriate for younger children – such as our students. Yet I hear with increasing frequency that our students are engaging in Facebook chatter. Frankly, I feel they are too young to be allowed this level of freedom. However, this obviously is a parental choice. I just ask that you take all necessary precautions.
AND COMMON SENSE
I am sure that most of you are aware by this point of the situation that took place in a neighboring high school district last week. A young man created a great deal of commotion when he established a web site that ranked some of his classmates on attributes that had nothing to do with schooling. As I write this, various punishments are being considered – including expulsion. For some time, I have been thinking about sending some information home regarding the use of computers. They are such an everyday part of most of our lives that sometimes we take them – and their safe use – for granted. Their value to society cannot be overstated. Neither can the value of automobiles. However, we know that cars, too, can be abused: by careless drivers, by drunken drivers, by inexperienced drivers, and so on. My concerns in writing this, of course, deal with the inappropriate uses of computers, even when this is not intentional. Several years ago, NBC television had an eye – opening series entitled, “To Catch a Predator.” It depicted adults who went online to meet minors using false names and self-descriptions. The “minors” in these cases were adults
Mark your calendars...
February
We, the staff and parents, are the adults. It is our obligation to insure the safety our students and children. No students may use computers here at school without an adult present that monitors what they are doing. Let me suggest that this would be a wise investment of time and interest for computer use at home as well. We also employ a wide variety of filtering mechanisms here to prevent students from accessing inappropriate sites. Such filtering is also available for home computers if you don’t already have something in place. The safety of our children has to be our shared and paramount concern. 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 28 - ISAT TESTING -February 28 - March 4
March
18 - Half Day 11:00 dismissal
7 - Casimir Pulaski Day - No School
21 - Presidents’ Day - No School
25 - End of 3rd Quarter
23 - Mid-Term
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Math series offers students most up to date curriculum By: Erin Dwyer
A great deal of time and effort has been placed on strengthening math instruction throughout the district. This year we began the implementation of our new math series, MathConnects. This new curriculum offers the most up to date curriculum in the area of mathematics. It offers the teachers a wide range of resources to teach the various skill sets for a specific grade level. As we continue to learn the various components the new curriculum has to offer, we constantly look at ways to bring new ideas in to the daily
WHAT’S
New AT
FIEL
ON! S N E V E T D-S
EdLine is Here! By: Erin Dwyer
In an effort to keep parents more informed of their child’s academic performance, we began utilizing EdLine at the start of second quarter. Each student was set up with an account. With this program, parents are able to view their child’s most current grades on a weekly basis. Parents can also view the dates of tests and quizzes for their child’s classes. This semester we will be adding the ability for parents to view daily homework assignments. We are very excited to be able to utilize this program, as we feel it is of utmost importance that a parent can stay current with their child’s performance. If you have misplaced your activation code please contact Erin Dwyer via email at edwyer@forestparkschools.org. She will be able to email you information to activate an account, and you will be able to view your child’s information.
math instruction occurring within the school. We have already seen a great deal of growth in our students here at Field-Stevenson while utilizing the new curriculum. In addition to the new math curriculum, the district has brought in a math consultant to work with our teachers on effectively teaching mathematics to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners. Mrs. Jennie Winters will spend six days observing, modeling, and working with teachers to ensure the math curriculum meets the needs of our students here at FieldStevenson. Mrs. Winters comes to us with a wide-range of knowledge in the area of mathematics. We are happy to have her here and look forward to working with her throughout the rest of the year.
National Elementary Honor Society
By Cheryl Bussert
Beginning third quarter, Field-Stevenson School will become a chaptered member of the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS). The purpose of this chapter shall be to recognize students for their outstanding academic achievement and personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills within the students. Children from fourth and fifth grade will be identified based on their grades from the last four quarters, using the same criteria that are used for Honor Roll selection. Those students meeting the eligibility requirements will need to complete an application and obtain two letters of recommendation from teachers, past and present, (excluding members of the Board and administrators) or community members. A committee of teachers will review the information provided, and with input from the staff will determine who is invited to join the chapter. The NEHS Chapter adviser for Field-Stevenson is Mrs. Susan Bogdan. Also serving on the Board are Mr. Dudlo and Mrs. Bussert. After students have been selected, there will be an induction ceremony. Meetings will be held, leaders will be identified and yearly activities will be planned, including a service project. Those students who meet the initial eligibility requirements will receive their invitations and applications on January 28.
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SCOTY Award Winner
This year Field-Stevenson is proud to recognize, Miles Guillen, as our latest inductee for the “School Citizen of the Year” award, sponsored by West 40. He was chosen for this accolade because he demonstrates many of the characteristics that all students should strive to attain, including dedication, respect, and integrity. Since kindergarten at Betsy Ross, Miles has performed very well academically and has repeatedly received Honor Roll status through his years in the district. In relation, he is a current member of the Challenge, Latin, and band programs. Outside of school, Miles has participated in local sport’s programs including basketball and junior football. He recognizes the goal of a team victory over personal achievements, and he is looked upon as a leader both on the field and off. If that’s not enough, Miles successfully juggles his own schedule while making time for others. He helps his dad with the family business in town, is a positive role model at home for his younger brother, and works with his mom as they support individuals with special needs at Oak-Leyden Developmental Services. Field-Stevenson and the community would like to congratulate Miles on achieving this honor. We look forward to watching him grow and support all of his future endeavors.
PBIS SCHOOL-WIDE CELEBRATION By Ellen Wehrle On Jan. 28th all students at Field-Stevenson School celebrated another successful quarter practicing their Positive Behaviors. The day started out with an Honors Assembly which included a raffle. Shark Bites were drawn from each grade and students received various prizes if their Shark Bite was chosen. In the afternoon an all-school Game Day was held. Students could choose from 11 different activities. These activities were Kitchen Chemistry, Musical Instruments, Indoor Sports, NOK Hockey Tournament, Craft Rooms, Board Games, Art Project, Computer Games, Dance Moves, and Play the Wii. Two sessions were held so that students could experience two different activities. These activities were led by the entire Field-Stevenson staff. If this year’s celebration is anything like last year’s, the students give it an A+ rating.
Pig Racing, Duct Tape, and a Money Machine are part of a celebration for a successful PTO fundraiser
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2nd Quarter Honor Roll
3rd Grade Mrs. Boucek Stephanie Black Keegan Brown Julia Filimowicz Michael Giddens Brien Jourige Aaron Love Samuel Marino Olivia Remington Fiona Satterfield Heather Shortall Julianna Sklenar Joshua Womack Mrs. Randazzo, Mrs. Thompson Bryant Boyd Marcus Brown Carlos Craveiro August Duwell Teresa Godinez Leron Maddi Micah ONeal Jesus Quinonez Czarina Waldo Mrs. Schreiner Adedoyin Aderele Samuel Bonilla Carla Conner Akayhla Dixon Mohammed Elshareif Robi Jackson Vaughn JordanWhiting Austin Lennartz Raechel Lopez Ayanna Necklace Taylr Shipp Sonny Valdezer
4th Grade
5th Grade
Mrs. Uhlman Mary Barnett Eric Elem Maura Flanagan Nayeli Garcia Jackson Grzelak Faith Johnson Christopher Mistrata Isabel Mostacero Fiona OConnor Allen Serrano Penelope Strauss Jacob White
Mr. Becker Elena Buenrostro Essence Chambers DeAundre DeLaGarza Margaret Flanagan Lucas Frazee Gerardo Garcia Miles Guillen Damena Jackson Davion Jones Olivia Mallett
Mrs. Perry Reyna Carrera Juan Casillas Anthony Cuevas Alexander Garcia Jacob Garza Myahna HudginsJenkins Moha Khan Alexis Magallanes Mayumi Pascual Kalen Rhodes Madison Rostello Wendy Sackey-Adoo Kylie Sawyer Ms. Petrey Mikala Ballard Bryanna Barker Timothy Browder Perry Cowan Yessica Garcia Linda Gashi Camari Hawkins Sumeja Hodzic Deontay Johnson Julio Luna-Pina Iyanna Morris Johnnie Rodgers Xavier Skinner
Mr. McElligott Evelyn Carrera Erin Casey Maeve Evitt Taylar Jones Rebekkah Montanez Lelia Rodgers-Young Elizabeth Rojas Charlie Valdez Mrs. Bogdan Anaya Boyd Jamaiya Brown Lorena Carrera Clayton Davis Mia Evitt Maria Garcia Daniel Miceli Karly Puente Aidan Remington Karina Shelwood Hannah Steger Zianna Turek
STUDENTS OF THE QUARTER 3rd Grade Mrs. Boucek
Brien Jourige Mrs. Randazzo/Mrs. Thompson
August Duwell Mrs. Schreiner
Samantha Apraham 4th Grade Mrs. Perry
Alexis Magallanes Ms. Petrey
Kai Ali
Mrs. Uhlmann
Penelope Strauss  5th Grade Mr. Becker
DeAundre DeLaGarza Mrs. Bogdan
Lorena Carrera Mr. McElligott
Ranen Maddi
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