Reading and Writing at the School
The teaching of reading, writing, and spelling has become a hot topic in the State recently; therefore, I feel it is an appropriate topic for this month's newsletter. During the late 1980s discussion was taking place that students were learning to read but they were not becoming "readers". Research tells us that the more you practice a skill the better you will become at the task. In response to this need the state developed a new framework in 1987 for language arts that emphasized the integration of reading, writing, and speaking through literature based reading instead of a more controlled vocabulary basal approach.
The primary teachers I have had the pleasure of working with discovered that the literature based approach had its limitations when not integrated with a systematic approach to skills instruction. At Foothill Ranch School we have taken the best of both approaches to language arts instruction and teach reading using a balanced program, which incorporates literature and skills based instruction, to give each student the most comprehensive language arts program available.
Phonics plays a major role in kindergarten, first, and second grades. We know that understanding the sounds that make up words is not only the first step in learning to read but forms the basic understanding of spelling structure for this important writing skill. Through real literature, comprehension becomes the center of the early readers experience. Writing and speaking are introduced early and students learn editing and grammar rules to perfect their writing skills throughout the elementary grades.
We support both the accelerated learner and the remedial student with enrichment activities and remedial services via the Language Arts Assistance Program, LAAP. The rich technology our school is so fortunate to have plays an active role in early literacy through the Apple Early Language Program developed by Apple Computer.
Beginning in kindergarten students work with programs designed to enhance and support what they are learning in the classroom. The Accelerated Reader program allows students to enhance their reading ability by encouraging them to read for pleasure daily. If you have any questions regarding the language arts program here at Foothill Ranch School, please call and make an appointment with your child's teacher or with the principal.
MRS. KAY'S LIBRARY NOTES
Ready, set, S-T-R-E-T-C-H those reading muscles! There are more wonderful changes in the library this fall. New books and magazines are arriving as we work to fill in the holes, but we still have a long way to go. You can help us grow again this year through the annual Book Fair and the Birthday Book Club. If you buy books at the Reading Rhinoceros Book Store on Alicia in Mission Viejo, mention Foothill Ranch Elementary School and ten percent of your purchase amount will be given to our school as credit toward purchasing books! We are continuing the Accelerated Reading program. Tell your readers to look for the red or yellow dots on the book spines. We need volunteers to work; in the Library, especially on Mondays and Fridays, at the Fall Book Fair, and with our Accelerated Reader program in the classroom. If you can help, please call Mrs. Kay or Mrs. Quon, 470-4885. This year's Fall Book Fair will be held November 5-12.
BEES ON CAMPUS
We are experiencing our annual bee problem at lunch. We solicited the help of Vector Control and they suggested bee catchers. Please send water or milk instead of sweet drinks, and encourage your child to keep their food wrapped until ready to eat.
LUNCH WITH THE PRINCIPAL
First through sixth grade students are busy collecting "Cool Cat" and "Bobcat" slips for being good helpers and good citizens around school and in class. At the end of each month teachers will pick one slip from their collection and that student will have lunch with the principal, provided by one of the fast food vendors in Foothill Ranch.
HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
BioAcoustical Engineering Corporation will provide mandated vision and hearing screening at Foothill Ranch on Thursday, October 17.
VISION: K-3-6 & Special Education
HEARING: K-2-5 & Special Education
In addition, they will rescreen students who did not follow up on last year's referral. Remind your child to bring his/her glasses on screening day. Students who do not pass the first screening will be retested along with makeup tests on Nov. 4. Referrals will be mailed to parents following the retesting.
THANK YOU
We extend a big thank you to Jay Bryant, a Foothill Ranch parent, for helping set up the new computers this year, and for continuing to update the Foothill Ranch Elementary School Home Page.
Thank you to all parents for getting the reams of paper work back from the first day packet. All this information is very important. A big thanks to all who have been helping collate all of these reams of returned paper work.
A special thanks to our "handbook helpers" - Barbara Leitch and Diane Forster for coordianating this effort and all their helpers: Trisha Mayer, Peggy Harker, Nancy Kirkpatrick, Chris Whitaker and Corey Leitch. Thank you also to all who offered their assistance.
SCHOOL MEALS
At Saddleback Valley Unified School District Nutrition Department, we are concerned that children who should receive free or reduced price meals are not receiving those meals. You can ensure that your child receives the opportunity to qualify for those free or reduced price meals by completing an application and returning it to your child's school or the food service office. If you have any questions, please call the Food Service office at 830-4030.
