TERRA NOVA TESTING
Terra Nova testing, our national standardized testing, will take place March 9th-13th. Basically, the reason for the testing is:
• To identify and examine areas of strength and weakness in the performance of students
• To provide a basis for reports to parents and students
• To inform teachers of the needs of their students. This helps in working toward increasing student achievement and closing achievement gaps.

TERRA NOVA TESTING- NEXT WEEK
Terra Nova testing, our national standardized testing, will take place March 8th-12TH. A few testing tips are
The Night Before Testing-:
• Go to bed on time.
• Put a few number 2 pencils in your backpack.
• Solve family/friends problems before the testing date.
• Talk to your parents about any concerns you might have about the test.
The Morning of Testing-
• Start your day as you always do.
• Eat a good breakfast.
• Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school.
• THINK POSITIVELY!
Remember it’s okay not to know everything. Unlike class tests, these tests have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge at a grade level about your current grade.

Look for information to be coming home soon from your child's teacher for information about spring conferences.

APRIL 1ST IS THE USA CENSUS DAY.
Every ten (10) years the Census Bureau counts the entire population. Being counted in the census is important in every community, no matter where you live. Census Day is important for our Sheffield/Sheffield Lake School District as state and federal funding is based on our population. Please be sure to participate and be counted when asked. Thank you!!!

TENNYSON YEAR BOOKS
It’s time to order your 2009-2010 Tennyson yearbook. Look for order forms to come home today.

TWO HOUR DELAY
Although very rarely used in the Sheffield/ Sheffield Lake School District, we would like to remind you of the possibility of the school using a two-hour delay. If that should happen, our schedule would shift forward two hours. Our school doors would open at 10:30. If your child is picked up by a bus at 8:00, he/she would then be picked up at 10:00. There would be no morning Latchkey. Please note, with a 2 hour delay, breakfast will not be served that day. If you have any questions, please call the school office (949-4237). Thank you.

We have over 100,000 book titles with our Accelerated Reader program. If you are wondering if your child's book is an AR book, please check this website:
http://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx

SAFETY SKILLS REMINDER
We’ve noticed two safety skills that some of our students need more reinforcement at home. The first skill is knowing their phone numbers. It’s surprising how many students do not know their home (or cell) phone number. The other skill is knowing how to tie their shoes. Tying those shoes can be very difficult, so please take a few minutes to reinforce that skill at home. Thank you for helping

Websites
http://math.com
http://scholastic.com - Options for all Ages
http://mathplayground.com
http://edheads.com - Weather, Machines, Human Body
http://Funbrain.com - Fun games and Activities for students
http://pbskids.com
http://www.storybookonline.net
http://www.mrnussbaum.com - For grades 1-8, games for students
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/
http://www.iKnowThat.com
http://www.bbcschools.co.uk/schools/ - Curriculum -based activities
http://www.ohiorc.org - Mathematics, Science and Language Arts
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/ - For parents or teachers of gifted students, Talent search, Online classes
http://www.sitesforteachers.com/index.html - Free reproducibles in every subject, Activities for the classroom
http://www.exploratorium.edu
http://www.ednews.org - Commentaries, reports, news about education
http://www.thinkfinity.org
http://www.primarysourcelearning.org/index.shtml
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu - lessons, documents, stories of our past.

Parent Web Resources.pdf

SCHOOL FEES
Our school fees this year are $50.00 for both 2nd and 3rd grade. These fees are for workbooks and consumable items your child uses this year. The fees may be paid by cash, check or money orders. Please make checks out to Tennyson Elementary. If you have any questions call the office at 949-4237. (Repeat from above, but we feel it’s important for you to know- There is a new state law. If your child is on free lunches, you do not owe school fees. However, you do need to fill out a school fee waiver form. Please pick them up in the office.) Thank you!

This year we do have slightly different school hours. They are:
8:25- Breakfast is served. Students having breakfast may enter the building.
8:30- All students may enter the building.
8:45- Classes begin
11:35-12:35- Lunch/Recess
1:40-2:30- Grade 2 Connect Time
2:30-3:20- Grade 3 Connect Time
3:25- Students dismissed

This year we have seven early release days. Make sure you mark the following days on your calendar:
September 30, 2009
October 21, 2009
November 11, 2009
January 13, 2010
February 10, 2010
March 3, 2010
May 12, 2010

Language Arts and Reading
This past year and this coming school year Sheffield/ Sheffield Lake schools have been looking at new reading programs. By using our Language Arts Academic Content Standards adopted by the Ohio State Board of Education and our Board of Education, we have been using current research to find a program which will help your children reach their fullest potential. What does this mean? It means that next year students within a grade level may be using different workbooks than another class. It means they may be reading different books or having different spelling words than other students in the class. We are trying to differentiate instruction to ensure we are reaching all students at their level. We are trying to “pitch the ball where all students can hit it”! It means we are helping your child be better prepared to meet the world outside. Plus, it means, if you have any questions, please give the school a call. Many thanks.

DON’T FORGET….RICHELIEU IS A ONE WAY STREET
Richelieu Avenue (which runs east and west in front of Tennyson Elementary) is a one way street from 8:00-9:00 and again from 3:00-4:00 p.m. This traffic pattern is difficult to recognize from the signage, so please be aware when you are picking up your children.

Don’t forget to apply/reapply for your free and reduced lunches. If you were approved last year, you still need to fill out the paper work this year and reapply.  Thank you!