Family Newsletter, Friday, April 26, 2024
Dear Goodwater Families
I hope this note finds you and your family well.
We have completed the annual STAAR assessment in English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies this week. I would like to thank our staff and families for all of the assistance provided to support our students during this annual event. Student results for our assessments will be available to schools in mid-June.
This week our primary students have worked on projects relating to the Red Poppy Festival float. Please join us on Saturday, April 27th at 9:00 am to support the students. We appreciate families walking in the parade with our float and passing out information regarding Goodwater to the people watching the parade. I do want to thank our PTO for the hard work preparing the float.
The 2024-2025 school calendar is available on our website. I would like to thank everyone involved in collecting feedback from staff regarding
Kindest Regards
Dr. Bruce
Montessori Lesson
Ms. Franz, Mulberry Community, shared this with her community and it is too good not to share.
Spoken Language
Maria Montessori believed that spoken language is an integral part of a child’s development and should be nurtured in the primary community. She emphasized the importance of providing a rich and stimulating language environment where children can freely express themselves and engage in conversations with their peers and teachers. Montessori believed that through purposeful activities and interactions, children can develop their oral language skills and lay a strong foundation for their future literacy and communication abilities.
Activities and Interactions
There are many spoken language activities and interactions where children can develop their oral language skills, including:
- Conversations with adults and peers
- Storytelling and story retelling
- Singing and rhyming activities
- Dramatic play and role-playing
- Show and tell activities
- Circle time activities
- Vocabulary-building activities.
Spoken Language at Home
Here are some ways to reinforce spoken language at home:
- Have conversations with your child: Engage in conversations with your child about their day, interests, and activities. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings and actively listen to them.
- Read books aloud: Reading books aloud to your child is a great way to expose them to new words and ideas. Encourage them to ask questions and make connections to their own experiences.
- Play language games: Play games that promote language development such as “I Spy,” “Simon Says,” or “20 Questions.” These games encourage children to use and expand their vocabulary.
- Sing songs and rhymes: Singing songs and reciting rhymes helps children develop their phonemic awareness and language skills. Encourage your child to sing along and perform actions to the songs.
- Provide opportunities for imaginative play: Imaginative play helps children develop their language skills by providing them with opportunities to create stories and scenarios using their own words and ideas.
- Encourage storytelling: Encourage your child to tell stories using their own words and ideas. Ask them to describe characters, settings, and events in their stories.
- Use open-ended questions: Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to think and use their language skills. For example, instead of asking “Did you have a good day?” ask “What was your favorite part of your day?”
Returning Registration Information
The returning student registration packets were emailed out to the primary parent/guardian email address that we have on file for your student(s) on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The email comes from Harris Solutions/HROS and says On Behalf Of Goodwater Montessori School (please check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox). If you answered Yes on the intent to return form or emailed me directly that your student will be returning, you will receive the registration forms for your student. If you replied no or did not reply to any correspondence with our office regarding your child returning next year, your student’s spot was not saved and you did not receive the returning student registration packet. Completing the forms within 3 days will secure your child’s spot for the next school year. If you have any questions, please contact me at registrar@goodwatermontessori.org. I hope your family has a great weekend! ~ KIM
Assessment Information
| Assessment Schedule | ||
| Grades | Date(s) | Subject |
| 3 – 8 | May 2 | STAAR Math |
| 3 – 8 | May 3 | Math make-ups |
| K – 8 | May 7 – 17 | MAP EOY |
| K | May 1 – 22 | TXKEA Dyslexia Screener |
| 1 & 2 | May 14 – 22 | TPRI |
STAAR Resources for Families:
- What families should know about STAAR: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/staar-2023-parent-one-pager-english.pdf
- For STAAR information, practice/released tests, Family Portal: https://www.texasassessment.gov/families.html
- Assessed curriculum and blueprints: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/testing/staar/staar-resources
- STAAR Writing ASE Misconceptions and Facts.pdf – This document provides information about the Automatic Scoring Engine that will be used to score all constructed response items.
Red Poppy Festival
WE ARE NUMBER 16 IN THE LINE-UP!
Paint Night Information
Summer Information
SUMMER CAMP BY MS. KATY IN THE ORCHARD!
MON – THURS 8:30 am – 12:30 pm in June and July
Goodwater PTO News
Join us in celebrating our incredible teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, from May 6th to May 10th, 2024! Show your support and gratitude by signing up to participate in our special activities designed to honor our dedicated staff. Together, let’s shower them with love and appreciation for all they do!
Also, don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a difference in our school community by joining the Goodwater PTO board! If you’re interested in becoming a part of our team, fill out the form to express your interest, and the nominations committee will reach out to you during the first week of May. Your involvement is vital in shaping the future of our school!
Upcoming Important Dates
| Poppy Parade | April 27th 10am sharp |
| STAAR Math Grades 3 – 8 | May 2nd |
| STAAR Math Make-ups Grades 3 – 8 | May 3rd |
| Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) | May 7th-16th |
| 3rd-5th Grade Field Trip @ Garey Park | May 10th |
| Paint Night w/ Ms. Lisa & Ms. Raye | May 15th 6-7:30 |
| 3rd Grade Moving up Ceremony | May 16th |
| 5th Grade Moving up Ceremony @4:30-5:30 | May 16th |
| Kindergarten Graduation | May 21st |
| 8th Grade Graduation | May 22nd |
| Last Day of School | May 23rd |
Eggs for Sale
Purchase eggs at https://givebutter.com/8T5yOJ
Our Goodwater Chickens are producing over 40 eggs a day and we are ready to sell them by the dozen! These organically farm-raised chickens are delicious as they are nutritious! The cost is $6 per dozen or $15 for three dozen.
Soon we will harvest Veggies! Stay tuned for an update here for purchasing our organically grown vegetables in the next few weeks.
Wall Art
Have a wonderful weekend!
~GMS