December ASH PTA Newsletter (volume 10.3)

{Send material for the newsletter to sarah.averill [at] gmail.com -- deadline is the last day of November. We hope to have the newsletter printed and distributed by the following Tuesday (December 6th) at the latest.}

Message From The Principal

Last month fifth grade teachers Christine Antonio and Tammy Kaleta offered a parent workshop on the Annual Statewide Testing in English Language Arts and Math. This workshop was co-sponsored by the ASH PTA and parents who attended found out that the new state tests are a response to the No Child Left Behind mandate. Under the NCLB mandate, states that receive federal funding for education are required to test all students in grades 3-8 in ELA and Math beginning this January.

The new tests are supposed to be aligned with the New York State learning standards. Test results will determine if a school is making Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB. It becomes confusing to us as educators so we realize that it becomes confusing to parents as well. Accompanying this month's newsletter parents in grades 3-6 will be receiving a copy of the Parent's Guide to the New York State Testing Program - Achieving Excellence in Education. I would like to thank Mary Rose Bates for sending the testing document to our district bulk copy center for duplication. Mrs. Bates is our ASH ELA team leader as well as an Integrated classroom teacher in grades two and three. Kids can't "cram" for these tests. The best way for parents to help is to introduce fun activities and study habits at home that will strengthen your child's abilities in these key subject areas:

Reading, Writing and Listening:

· Have your child explain information from a newspaper or magazine article.

· When watching a television commercial, ask your child to separate fact from fiction.

· Read aloud with your child, alternating paragraphs. This helps motivate your child to complete assignments and helps you monitor progress in reading.

· Help your child get started on a writing assignment by asking relevant questions. This helps a child internalize the questions writers ask themselves when composing a piece.

Mathematics:

· Demonstrate the everyday uses of math. Let your child tally your spending while shopping, calculate the savings on a sale item or help estimate how many gallons of paint you need to cover the living room walls.

· While driving or walking, have your child identify the geometric shape of common items that you see.

· Give your children the chance to help put together a budget for a holiday get together, calculating what you might spend for food, decorations and activities.

I encourage you to attend our monthly PTA meetings and school events. Parents and teachers need to work together to make sure our children get the time, extra help and resources they need to meet more challenging academic standards. On behalf of the entire ASH staff, Ms. Vitillo and I would like to wish you and your families a peaceful Holiday Season and Happy New Year.

Rosalyn D. Wallace

Tutoring at the College of St. Rose

The College of St. Rose, through the Joy S. Emery Educational & Clinical Services Center, offers tutoring in Reading. The schedule runs in accordance with the college semesters approximately 4-8 weeks. The tutoring is done by graduate students; sessions last 60 minutes with 2 sessions scheduled per week. The cost of the tutoring is $50 per semester and is payable the first day/night of class. Parents are required to stay for each tutoring session. To ensure a commitment for each child, two absences will result in a dismissal from the program and fees are forfeited. For further information, contact the college at 337-4914. Applications and information on the program are available at the school office.

AIJK Karate Corner


The American Institute of Japanese Karate is proud to be hosting the Winter Festival/Mayor’s Cup Karate Tournament on Saturday, December 10th. Free admission to all! Come watch and cheer on your friends while they compete in Kata, Kumite & Kobudo. Great fun for the whole family. Food, raffle prizes and much more!

Special thanks to all who help support our bake sale on November 8th. The proceeds raised will go to support our travel team in the upcoming 2006 National Karate Tournament.


Karate Terms for the Month:

Kime = Focus

Kiai = Spirit Shout/Focus of Spiritual Energy

Kamae = Posture (Yoi)

Heisoku dachi = Formal Attention Stance (Yoi)

Zenkutsu dachi = Front Stance

Kokutsu dachi = Back Stance

Kiba dachi = Straddle Stance

Fudo dachi = Fighting Stance

Musubi dachi = Informal Attention Stance (feet in a ‘V’)

Volunteer Opportunities

Parent volunteers needed for a new Parent/Child Book Club

Science Majors Needed--new after school Science club formingContact: gar32@cornell.eduthanks.

Dates to put on your Calendar:

The Family Dance by the Homespun Community Dancers Will be coming to ASH on Feb 10th at 7:00 pm

********Coming in Spring 2006!**********

The first Annual ASH PTA Rummage Sale!

Start saving your donations now!
For information contact Emily Lee
459-8173 or elee3@nycap.rr.com