Port Barre Elementary School

Say "hello" to Messaging in the SLP Schools app! Our same app now keeps you informed across your child's classes. Look for your personalized invite after May 5th. Download for Android https://aptg.co/ddXmVt Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/D9hB1Y

Treat mistakes as steps toward learning To succeed in school, students must develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. But as they learn to solve problems independently, they are sure to make mistakes. Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to learn, rather than as failures. When your student makes an error, discuss it. Talk about ways your child can avoid it in the future. Emphasize that people get smarter when they learn from mistakes. https://tpitip.com/?15dd17376

Demonstrate values in action When it comes to teaching character and values, your example is the most powerful teacher of all. Ask yourself, "If my child could watch my behavior all day, what lessons would it teach?" Set high standards for your own behavior as well as your child's. Talk with your child often about the values that are important to you. Some families make values a point of family pride. "In our family, we tell the truth." https://tpitip.com/?15dc17376

Offer the right kind of support during study time Being involved when your child does assignments doesn't mean answering the questions or doing the work. That prevents your child from learning to do it. Instead, make sure your student understands the assignment. Have your child read the directions to you. Then ask, "Can you explain them in your own words?" At the end of each study session, review your child's completed work. This sends the message that you think it is important. https://tpitip.com/?15db17376

📢 Important Testing Schedule! 📚✏️ 4th grade LEAP testing will take place from Tuesday, April 29 - Tuesday, May 6. 🕒 Reminder: It is crucial that all students are at school on time for testing. 👍 Let's make sure the students are prepared and ready to do their best!

A little competition can help children learn Some students avoid competing with others. But competition can teach kids to handle conflict, work cooperatively and overcome challenges. For positive competitive experiences, encourage activities that build your child's self-confidence. Let your student choose among several activities, but make it clear you expect your child to stick to the choice for at least a few months. Then, praise your child's efforts, no matter the outcome. https://tpitip.com/?15da17376

Please check out this week's newsletter for important information. https://secure.smore.com/n/hc7by Read more about: - LEAP for 4th grade begins Tuesday, April 29. Please encourage students to get a good night's rest, eat breakfast at home or school, keep a positive mindset, and do their best on this assessment. Attendance is very important for testing. Please have your child arrive on time each day. - Great Job to 2nd Grade for making the 95% attendance goal for the week of April 14 - 17. Please assist us in reaching our attendance goal by ensuring your child attends school daily.

🌟 Staff Appreciation Week is quickly approaching - just a few weeks away! 🌟 We will be celebrating our amazing staff May 12–16 and we need your help to make it extra special! 🙌💙 Let us come together to show our incredible team how much we value all the love, energy, and dedication they pour into our students every single day. Whether it’s a kind note, a small treat, or a thoughtful gesture — every little bit counts and means the world! If you own a business or know of a business that would like to donate to our staff for this upcoming appreciation week, please have them contact the school. We’d love to partner with our community to make this celebration unforgettable! Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!

Use your child's imagination to encourage writing Many kids think of writing as work. But they love storytelling. Encourage your child to write by providing story starters that make writing fun. You might have your child imagine interviewing a famous book character. What questions would your student ask? What answers might the character give? Or, the next time your child asks, "What if …," say "Write down what you think might happen." The wilder your child's imagination, the better the story. https://tpitip.com/?15dZ17376

Help your child learn how to get smarter Studies show that people who believe in the value of hard work can face challenges, learn from them, and get smarter. When your child hits a learning obstacle, say things like, "I know you can do it. What else could you try?" Point out the effects of effort: "If you work on your project every day, you're sure to be proud of the result." Praise persistence, too: "You didn't give up until you figured it out! Your effort is making you smarter." https://tpitip.com/?15dY17376

Enrich your family time with four R's To create a family life that will support your child's efforts in school, keep four R's in mind: Routines, Rules, Responsibilities and Rituals. Routines make things go more smoothly by helping kids know what's coming next. Rules let them know where the boundaries are. Responsibilities teach them to care for themselves and others. And family rituals, such as a Friday pizza night, bring everyone closer. https://tpitip.com/?15dX17376

Studying can be a group effort Sometimes, studying in a group can be more effective than studying alone. To help set up a study group before a test, have your child find three or four friends who want to work together. At group meetings, the students can list key facts, then quiz one another. They can also discuss long-answer questions they think might be on the test. Then, each child can provide an answer to one or two at the next meeting. https://tpitip.com/?15dW17376

Be patient and firm when your child tests limits All kids need limits, and most of them will test those limits. When your child challenges the rules, stop and listen. Hear your child out. Then, respond briefly with your decision: "I understand that your friends watch that show and then do their assignments, but you know our family rule: Schoolwork comes first." When your child does the right thing, offer a positive consequence: "You stuck to your study schedule all week. Let's celebrate with a special treat." https://tpitip.com/?15dV17376

Support your student when learning is a struggle If your child has difficulty learning, you may worry about the effects on your child's self-image. Explain that everyone struggles to learn things at times. You might share examples from your own life. Be honest but optimistic about learning issues your child may have, and praise and develop your student's strengths. Then, work with the teacher and the school to find ways to support and motivate your child. https://tpitip.com/?15dU17376

Some screen activities can be a positive thing Here are a few ways you can use the internet and other digital media to promote learning: You and your child can "visit" exciting world destinations. You can help your child find videos, apps and websites that show how to make things, and work on projects together. Or, look for sites that introduce new ideas, and then discuss them. You can even strengthen family ties by going online to explore your heritage together. https://tpitip.com/?15dT17376

Show your child what listening looks like Research shows that in order to retain what they hear, students need to focus their attention, then review important information. Be a listening role model for your child. For example, encourage your student to talk about the school day. Then, show you are paying attention by making eye contact and listening patiently. Restate the important points your child makes to confirm your understanding. https://tpitip.com/?15dS17376

Don't let perfectionism interfere with learning Children who spend all their time trying to be perfect may actually end up hurting their ability to learn. Show that you value who your child is, not what your child does. Help your student decide what work is important and what isn't (researching the report is; coloring the cover for hours probably isn't). Encourage your child to take appropriate risks, and make it clear that it's OK to make mistakes. https://tpitip.com/?15dR17376

Kindergarten students were able to investigate the life cycle of a butterfly! They watched as the caterpillars became a chrysalis and finally a butterfly!

Please come out and support!

Kindergarten had a blast on their Easter egg hunt!