Recently Dawn Snellenberger, Assistant Administrator, was given a note from two girls in 3rd grade (see above). She was able to meet with them the next day when they requested the purchase of two yoga balls for their classroom. Just this year two yoga balls were purchased by the PTFA to be added to the 5th grade classroom to help students focus their attention better during the day. The girls thought the yoga balls might help in their classroom, too. After discussing the matter with Mrs. Snyder (and gaining additional funding through our PTFA’s Teacher Enrichment Fund) two more yoga balls and four wiggle cushions were purchased for our classrooms. We’re excited to see our students taking such an interest in their learning environments!
PTFA Shoe Drive
GOING ON NOW!
Do you have gently used shoes, sneakers, or boots taking up room in your closet? Would you like to clean out your closet and support a great cause in the process? Our PTFA (Parent, Teachers & Friends Association) is collecting donations for their latest fundraiser, and all proceeds will count toward the cost of renovating the preschool playground in the back of the elementary building. They have set a goal of collecting 2,500 pairs of shoes, but they need your help to accomplish this large task! Please also consider asking family, friends and neighbors for their donations, too. For questions about shoe drop-off or pick-up, please contact coordinator Dayna Duffy at 860-847-0127.
Students Working for Change
5
THE LION'S ROAR
FEBRUARY 2019
Over six years ago, CCS updated its elementary and middle school language arts program. With encouragement and training from Kristin Bateson, a former 4th grade teacher who was familiar with the significant benefits of the program, CCS adopted the current, comprehensive reading program titled Foundations & Frameworks (F&F). This required a significant investment of both resources and time, as each reading teacher is required to spend two weeks in the summer learning the program and its unique approach to teaching reading comprehension.
Foundations & Frameworks was developed by co-authors Kevin D. Washburn, Ed.D. and Cheryl M. Blackmon, Ed.D and uses research-based strategies within an instructional framework which enables the best practices of reading instruction. In fact, the National Reading Panel identified five major elements of excellent reading instruction, and F&F encompasses them all: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.
Over the coming months, we will focus on one of the characteristics of the F&F reading program each month, and we will highlight the benefits we have seen for our students.
FOUNDATIONS AND FRAMEWORKS