June Update Newsletter

Lochearn Elementary June, 2011 “When parents and schools work together, they make an unbeatable team.” “Learning Toge t her W e E xce l ” 2011-2012 Lochearn Staff Kindergarten (K1/K2) - Ms. Bargholz Kindergarten (K3/K4) - Mrs. vanTol Grade 1 - Mr. Keough Grade 1 - Mr. Seely Grade 1 - Mrs. Soppit Grade 2 - Mrs. Carbino Grade 2 - Mrs. Sinclair / Mrs. Spencer Grade 2 - Mrs. Nichol (Miss Stzym) Grade 3 - Mr. Armitage Grade 3 - Mr. Foote Grade 3 - Mrs. Kalev Grade 4 - Mrs. Barrett Grade 4 - Mrs. Davies Grade 4 - Ms. Henderson Grade 5 - Mrs. Milford / Mrs. Wedman Grade 5 - Mrs. von Hollen / Mr. Milford Gym - Mr. Milford / Mrs. von Hollen Classroom Updates for 2011-2012 We will have three Grade Four classes next year and no split class. We will have two Grade Five classes. The current Grade Four classes will be “looping” to Grade Five. In other words, they will stay w ith their classmates from this year to further their learning together in Grade Five. There is substantial research on the benefits of “looping” and we have taken the opportunit y with these two classes to loop. Here are some sites to understand why we decided to “loop” this year’s Grade Four classes to Grade Five. http://www.openeducation.net/2008/01/06/looping-in- education-time-to-make-it-a-fundamental-practice/ http://ozpk.tripod.com/00loop http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/ic/looping/ looping.pdf If you have any questions, please come and talk with me at the office. Sharpen the Saw/Identity Day, Monday! Dear Parents, It’s hard to believe that the school year is at its end. I am reminded of a quote about endings and beginnings: “Though we generally thin k of the word "end" as a conclusion, we should keep in mind it comes from the Greek word anti, which means "before." While we might think we're concluding the school year, we are really — much more importantly —setting students, and ourselves, up for what comes next” (Unknown Author). There is no question that Lochearn School is a great school community and our logo: “Learning Together, We Excel” exemplifies the energy, enthusiasm and commitment that you see at Lochearn! Our School Goal: “Facilitating a Culture of Engaged Learning” This past year we focused on 21st Century Skills and incorporati ng technology into our daily learning. Students engaged in Smart Learning strategies and Inquiry Based Learning (Galileo) and we saw students go deeper and deeper with their critical thinking skills and their learning. Snapshots of the Smart and Galileo Learning are evident as we saw Kindergarten student s watching in w onder baby chicks being hatched; Grade One students building towers to the ceiling, Grade Two’s exploring different sizes, shapes and kinds of boats; Grade Three’s creating their own song called “Something Beautiful;” Grade Four’s developing a toy for the “Mattel Toy Company” and witnessed in excitement objects being propelled through the air with a simple machine; and the Grade Five’s as archeologists and anthropologist s excavating the “land” and uncovering artifacts. Students were engaged in their learning and next year we will be going even deeper with our school goal of “Facilitating a Culture of Engaged Learning” to increase student achievement. On behalf of all of the Lochearn School Staff we wish all of our families a very happy, relaxing and safe summer. To the families of our Grade Five students, we wish you all the very best. To everyone else, we’ll see you in September!

June Update Newsletter

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