Meredith Hill Messenger
Volume 6, Issue 9	http://www.fwps.org/meredith		March 2001

Dear Parents,

The time frame between March 5 and March 29 has been designated as this year's testing window for third and sixth grade ITBS testing. During this period other district assessments will also be taking place at other grade levels. The tests are spread out over several testing sessions to enhance student's performance by avoiding testing fatigue.

Parents can help their children prepare adequately for tests by doing several of the following things to provide support and help create a positive test-taking experience:
· Avoid conflict at home during weeks of the tests.
· See that your child gets a full night's sleep every night during the testing window.
· Make sure that your child eats a good breakfast on days of the tests.
· Make sure your child is in school during the testing sessions.
· Get your child up early enough to arrive at school on time without rushing.
· Have your child dress in something he/she likes so that he/she feels confident and comfortable.
· Be positive when you send your child to school. Acknowledge that the tests are difficult, but encourage your child to do his or her best.
· Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions by the teacher and to ask questions about those directions that are not clear.

Using these strategies will go a long way in helping your student reducing the anxieties that are always associated with taking standardized tests. Thank you for all you do to help our Meredith Hill students maximize their efforts.

Mike Lewis, Meredith Hill testing Coordinator
Mark Your Calendar

MARCH

2 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration
2 - Gentlemen Jugglers Assembly, 2:30 p.m.
5 - P.T.A. T-shirt sale begins
6 - Track Practice begins (Tuesdays or Thursdays)
8 - Cookie Day
8 - 1st/2nd Grade Concert, 7:00 p.m.
8 - 1st/2nd Grade Assembly, 1:45-2:30 p.m.
9 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice Day
12 - NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences
12 - 6th Graders to Camp Waskowitz
13 - No School for Preschool & Kindergarten -
Parent/Teacher Conferences
13 - Jump Rope for Heart, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
15 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Olympia
15 - Preschool Registration, 10:00-3:00 p.m.
15 - 6th Graders return from Camp Waskowitz
16 - No School for 6th Grade - Parent Conferences
22 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Olympia
22 - Cookie Day
22 - P.T.A. General Mtg., 7:00 p.m.
23 - Report cards home
24 - Practice Track Meet at Federal Way Memorial
Stadium, 8:30 a.m.
29 - P.T.A. Skating Party, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
30 - Read & Lead Ends

Snow Make-up Day

As was designated in this year's calendar, our snow make-up day for the day we missed as a result of the snow on Friday, February 16, 2001 will be Friday, May 25, 2001.

Literacy Celebration

March 1st is the kick-off for the 2nd annual Federal Way Community Literacy Celebration. The month-long series of events strives to unite the community about the importance of reading, using the theme "Open-Books Open Minds."

Schools, PTA's, businesses, libraries and other community organizations will sponsor events including school and library activities, storytimes, workshops for Spanish, Russian and Korean languages, and a young author's conference.

Federal Way Public Schools is one of many partners collaborating on the month long literacy celebration, including Capitol One, Books for Kids, King County Library, Barnes and Noble and Sea Tac Mall.

For more information on times, dates, and location of activities, check the Federal Way Mirror and the FWSD website (http://www.fwsd,wednet.edu/) beginning March 1.

Retention

We want to remind you that it is District policy that any student in the regular education program who receives less than an O (Kindergarten), an S (Grades 1-2), or a C- (Grades 3-6) on their Report Card in Reading, must be considered for retention at their current grade level. Teachers will be making conference appointments very soon to meet with the parents of those students. If you have concerns about your student's progress in reading, please contact your child's teacher.

Thank You Volunteers

In the short month of February we still had 261 volunteer hours put in by our wonderful volunteers. You are appreciated!

The Value of Play

If you stop by our preschool classroom, you will see our students engaging in "play" activities. I feel that play is a crucial part of a preschool program. Play lays the foundation for a child's future learning.

Children are learning through play! Research has shown that the most developmentally appropriate method of learning for young children is through play. Children are learning about life and their world around them. They are also learning readiness skills like counting, creating patterns, and shape recognition. They are learning to take turns and work together in a variety of settings. They are learning how to solve problems and develop social skills. They are learning to express themselves and working on becoming good communicators. Children grow physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally through play.

If you are interested in visiting with some fun and exciting learning going on, come in and join us sometime.

Registration for the 2001/02 community based Preschool will begin on Thursday, March 15th between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Mrs. Prater
Preschool Teacher

Parent Conferences

Monday, March 13 is our spring conference day. Teachers will be inviting some families to meet with them depending on children and their needs. If you would like to meet with your child's teacher, please contact them directly.

Preschool and Kindergarten will be extending their conferences to Tuesday, March 13th, so that we may accommodate the needs of families from all six classes. There will be no school on Monday and Tuesday, March 12th and 13th for Preschool and Kindergarten students.