I hope December finds you happy, healthy, and looking forward to the upcoming holidays.  As we move into this festive season it is good to take time to reflect on our own lives and that of others.  In these economically challenging times there are many families who have lost homes and jobs.  This season will be a difficult one as it may be the first time a family cannot afford to buy special gifts for their children.  If you have a chance to adopt a family or group of children for the holidays I urge you to do so.  The gratification and pure joy of seeing the smiles on the faces of those less fortunate is a treasured lifetime memory.

One of our instructional goals for the rest of the year will be building student vocabulary.  Vocabulary is not just about recognition of a word it’s about knowing what it means, understanding that the words can be written and spoken, and being able to apply the knowledge to the understanding of reading.  A way for you to help with this is to talk with your students using sophisticated language.  Try not to use “baby talk” with your children . . . move into the “big words” – WORDS MATTER!  If words are talked about and modeled during an actual experience (i.e. family vacation, family gatherings, a trip to the grocery store, department store shopping, etc.) then the words will have more meaning.  Across America our students continue to struggle with reading comprehension – raising the awareness of the power of words will help your child with reading.  Ever wonder why a four or five year old can identify, understand, and spell the names of dinosaurs?  The names are very complex but are meaningful to the children because “Dinosaurs are so cool!”  Play with words (road signs, food labels, captions on T.V., etc.) and/or play word games and watch your child’s vocabulary, reading, and writing skills greatly improve.

Neighborhood Watch Needed!  We continue to have students break into the school grounds to destroy our science garden projects.  Over Thanksgiving Break we also had someone (we suspect an adult) cut the lock on one of the back gates.  Does anyone have access to security cameras?  We need your help . . . . The destruction of the student garden/science area (which backs up to back yards and houses along Los Sabalos St.) directly impacts the Sandburg students as it is their projects that are being destroyed.  We have the police in on all three events – please help us watch our campus and report any concerns after school hours directly to SDPD at 858-484-3154.  If you see the vandalism in progress you may call 911.

Attendance Matters!  Every day your child misses school is a day your child falls behind in achieving state standards.  If your child is sick then he/she must stay at home however if you are planning a vacation please do so during the designated time off for schools . . . every moment counts!

 Have a fabulous, marvelous, amazing, unbelievable, fantastic, astounding, and stupendous holiday season!

From my Heart with Sandburg Tiger Pride!

Laurie