Sparks
is a Maryland Green School!!| Sparks Elementary School |
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A 2005 No Child Left Behind
Blue Ribbon Winner
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Sparks Sharks are Always Moving Forward! |
| Sparks Elementary School |
|
A 2005 No Child Left Behind
Blue Ribbon Winner
|
|
|
Sparks Sharks are Always Moving Forward! |
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, September 15 Volunteer Training, 7pm
Thursday, September 17 Room Parent Meeting, 3pm
Friday, September 18 SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY!!!
Tuesday, September 22 School Improvement Team Meeting, 3:45pm,
Conference Room
Thursday, September 24 Ms. Todd & Mrs. Ludwig’s Classes Visit Oregon Ridge
Central Area Educational Advisory Council, “Social
Networking” (Twittering, Blogging, Facebook, etc.),
Dulaney High, 7pm
Friday, September 25 SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY!!!
Mrs. Maltese & Ms. Spangler’s Classes Visit Oregon Ridge
New Parent Party, 6:30pm, Home of the Traynor’s
September 14, 2009
LOOKING AHEAD
SPARKS SCHOOL’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
AND
SPARKS ELEMENTARY’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY AT OUR NEW LOCATION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
10AM-1PM
If you know anyone that has memorabilia they could share on that day please have them call Stephanie Chaney at 410-472-1045 ext. 421.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A GREAT BEGINNING…
Our first two weeks of school have been very successful! It was a pleasure to have so many of our parents join us at Back to School Night. Thanks to the many people who expressed their appreciation for the informative presentations shared at the general meeting and by individual grade level and area teachers. Thank you, also, to the 130+ parents/grandparents that have already attended volunteer training. Please remember that you must attend training annually to volunteer in Baltimore County Public Schools. We look forward to seeing many more parents for training on Tuesday evening, September 15, at 7pm.
Don’t forget to reserve Saturday, October 3rd, for Sparks’ Anniversary Celebration! It promises to be a very special day as we visit the past, present, and future of Sparks (Elementary) School!
PLEASE RETURN ALL FORMS!!!
We know that you are asked to complete and return a myriad of forms the first week of school, but we really do need to have them all sent back to school. If you haven’t already done so, please return all forms to your child’s homeroom teacher ASAP! Thank you!
PICKING YOUR CHILD UP FOR EARLY DISMISSAL?
PLEASE, if you know that you will be picking your child up early for school for a doctor’s appointment, etc., send a note into your child’s homeroom teacher in the morning. Included in the note should be your child’s first and last name, their teacher’s name, the date and time of the early dismissal, and your clear signature. Only emergencies should be called into the office! With 555 students to get home safely and correctly on a daily basis, we truly need everyone’s assistance!!! Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.
Sparks Counseling News for September 2009
Mrs. Laura Hudson, Counselor
Dear Parents, 
As a school counselor, I can tell you that the question most frequently asked by parents is, “How can I help my child become self-confident?” The answer is; Self-confidence can’t be given to you. Self-confidence has to be earned. How can self-confidence be earned? You have already taken the first step by placing your child in a safe environment; encouraging them to be responsible, independent, and to ask for help when needed. I know that many parents feel a bit concerned that their new student, returning student, or kindergartener might be fearful, timid, unsure as to what to do during the opening of the school year but I have observed more confident students walking to their classrooms and asking for assistance when needed!
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” This fall, you have given your child the courage to trust, to be responsible, to advocate for themselves, and have helped them to take on a difficult task independently. This has been a great school opening at Sparks Elementary!
Sparklingly,
Mrs. Laura Hudson
4 Way Test (Values Program)…
Sparks makes “Getting Caught” a good thing to do!
Anyone at Sparks can catch someone following the 4 Way Test.
Just remember; of the things we think, say, and do… (To ask yourself)
Is it the TRUTH (or honest)?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and better friendships?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
*If the answer to the question is “yes’ you can “get caught”!
Sparks will have our first 4 Way Test drawing this year on Thursday, September 24th. During morning announcements, I will ask teachers to:
- Shake up their 4 Way Test Box.
- Select a “Got Caught” slip.
Send that student with their slip to the counselor’s office for a photo and a prize. Students can win more than once so keep on following the 4 Way Test. (Photos are posted each month of the winners along with their good deed.)
I am currently visiting each classroom (K to 5th) to:
- Talk about the role of the school counselor.
- Review the counseling services and programs at Sparks.
- Discuss when and how to use the counseling services at Sparks.
New Student Orientation…
I met with all of our new students in grades 1 through 5 during the first week of school.
This year, Sparks greeted 100 kindergarteners and 41 students in grades 1st through 5th.
Welcome to Sparks Elementary!
Active Parenting Classes are starting …
Everyone will agree that being a parent can be a difficult yet rewarding job! If you are looking for ways to encourage your child(ren), take an Active Parenting Class. It is an excellent resource! Classes for parents of elementary children begin at:
- Warren Elementary on 9/16 from 9:30 to 12 noon. Call Debbie Eberling 410 666-8376
- Carroll Manor on 9/15 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Call Cindy Rupert 410 887 3455
- For teens/ Ridgely Middle on 9/16 from 6:30- 9:00 PM. Call Claire Greenhouse 410 308 1263
The 14th Annual Sparks Pep Rally was held on Friday, September 4th…
The first assembly at Sparks this fall focused on the importance of being a RESPONSIBLE student and citizen. Being Responsible means… Following through on promises made and jobs you must do without reminders. Everyone had a great time as Sparks celebrities entertained with a Quiz show, and power points on Making Responsible Choices, as well as 12 Easy Steps to Being Responsible for Homework (see attached).
12 Easy Steps to Being RESPONSIBLE for Your Homework…
At the Pep Rally, Queen Eti Quette (A.K. A. Laura Hudson) with the help of Dorsey E, prepared a power point to illustrate how easy it is to begin each day as a successful student!
Those 12 Easy Steps include:
1. Copy your assignment into your planner, ASAP.
2. Remember to pack up needed materials at the end of the day.
3. Take homework materials with you when you leave for the day.
4. When you arrive home, go to your homework station prepared to work.
(Have extra pencils, a dictionary, ruler, markers, etc. handy.)
5. Remove all papers to be signed or given to your parents.
(Place them in a pile or basket each day.)
6. Read directions carefully before you start assignments.
7. Begin to work. If you have a problem, ask for help.
8. Have your parents look over your completed assignments.
9. Pack up your assignments. Remember any materials needed for the next day. (Tennis shoes, library books, pp forms, etc.)
10. Place your backpack in the same location each day.
11. Each morning, bring your back pack to school.
12. In school, be sure to turn in your assignments.
The 12 Steps are illustrated and posted in the hallway across from the counselor’s office.
