 |
 |
|
BROOKFIELD NEWS Dear Students, Parents/Guardians: Isn't it amazing how quickly we have completed the first term? This school year has started off so well! The students have adjusted into the routine of studying, doing homework, memorizing declamations, and reading for the monthly book report. Thank you parents for your diligence in having your child prepared for school the following day by making sure homework is completed and by reinforcing the necessary skills at home of reading out loud and practicing math flash cards. It makes a HUGE difference when there is the reinforcement at home. It is extremely important that all students practice math flash cards daily at home. By the end of pre first, students should know their addition and subtraction facts to 10. By the end of first grade students should have mastery of addition and subtraction facts to 18. By the end of second grade, students should have mastery of multiplication facts. By the end of third grade their division facts. Until the students have complete mastery, they should be practicing math facts at home, every day for at least 10 minutes. It is essential for all the students to have math facts memorized well so that concepts and computation can be done with ease. Thank you parents for supporting of your child! Each term students (first grade and up) are able to earn an award certificate and a congratulatory pencil for consistent daily preparation (no unprepareds). We want to encourage all students to keep up their great efforts in completing all their homework and being ready for class with all their materials. Every six weeks we begin a new term; therefore all students begin with a fresh start each term. We have enough award materials for each student to be a recipient each term. Therefore, all students try your very best! Pre first students are not included, as it would be difficult for them to understand, at this age and with their particular learning needs how some classmates would receive the award and others do not. Now that the first term's report cards are completed, we want to emphasize to parents the importance of communicating to your child's teacher whenever you may have a question or concern about your child's progress: academically, socially, or emotionally. It is important to make sure the lines of communication are open so we are aware, at school, of anything that might affect your child's progress. Please make sure to contact the teacher or me whenever there is something that would help us work with your child so that the learning experience can be optimized. Brookfield School is on the web! Up to date newsletters, school schedules, calendar, rules, etc are available via the Internet at www.brookfieldschoolonline.com. Thank you Mr. Branscombe for making Brookfield's news accessible on the Internet. As you can tell, Brookfield's curriculum is rigorous, yet achievable, for our bright, talented students. Please, do try to plan vacations during the regular holidays. It is difficult for the student to "catch up" should vacation days preclude your child from being at school. Although work can be made up, it is not the same as when the student is present at school to hear the information from the teacher and to participate in classroom discussions. Thank you for your understanding. We want each child to get the best possible education, and having the student present at school definitely helps the process. There is a vacation that Brookfield students could participate in which would be a great experience! As you know, Brookfield's choir has been invited to represent the State of California in Canterbury, England. Due to Brookfield's talented students, under the direction of Mr. & Mrs. Clinger, Brookfield was one of six choirs in the United States invited to sing at the cathedral in England. What an honor! More information will be forthcoming from Mr. & Mrs. Clinger. We started the school year off with a terrific assembly, "Math, Science and Sound" by Mr. Phil Tulga. The students learned how math and science are an integral part of music. Students learned to estimate the distance of thunderstorms, to measure sound volume and frequency using static electricity; to learn how sound waves travel in the air, on strings, and over light; predicted how sound echoes in the Grand Canyon and participated in an interactive musical selection from Peru. It was great to have the students be participants in the assembly and, as usual, our students were a great audience. They listened attentively and retained a lot of the information! Throughout the year, our students will be discussing MegaSkills, which are traits (such as responsibility, perseverance, initiative, teamwork, focus, etc) that lead to successful personal, social, and professional lives. The book, MegaSkills, by Dorothy Rich was originally written for parents to have discussions and do activities at home with children. Educators adapted the MegaSkills for use in schools. At Brookfield, our teachers had training three years ago to utilize the MegaSkills within the curriculum. Each week, all the students hear a statement about a MegaSkill trait and how it might pertain to them at school, at home, or in the community. A teacher might discuss a MegaSkill trait and how it pertains to a character in literature, social studies, etc. This first term, our students are focusing on the MegaSkill Caring. The following are some thoughts written by some of our third grade students: Caring is one of our MegaSkills at Brookfield. Caring
is showing concern for someone. You should never call people names
because if you do, you are being disrespectful. If you see someone
being disrespectful, tell him nicely to stop it. If they don't stop,
tell a teacher. I care by helping my friends. That is what I have
to say about caring. Being a caring person is very important at our school.
To care, you have to show it, not tell you care. Caring is important
because it shows that you don't want anything bad to happen to that
person. Caring can make a difference in many places. I care about
every one I know. That is why I care. Caring is an important MegaSkill. Being a caring person
means you must treat others, as you want to be treated. Being productive
shows that you care, too. You can be a caring person by not teasing,
name-calling, or pushing and shoving other people. You can show
that you care if a teacher asks you to do something and you do it.
You can also show you care if someone gets hurt or injured and you
help them. That's how you can be a caring person at Brookfield.
To be a caring person you have to show that you care
about what your actions are and how you speak. One of the main rules
is treat others, as you would like to be treated. One other rule
I think is important is keep your hands and your feet away from
others. There are tons of rules at Brookfield, but I'm not going
to tell them all. All the rules are great to follow and all the
rules are for everyone, even the teachers. I care about people,
pets, and any kind of animal you can name! Whatever animal you name,
I'll care! One day you'll fine me, Mrs. Bee, as a vet! Go Haley!
Go Haley! Caring in an important part of life. Caring is important
because you want to make people feel good. You would want to treat
others, as you would want to be treated. You will make friends a
lot faster by caring about people. If no one cared, everybody in
the world would be very mean. That's why caring is so important.
Our middle grade students had the opportunity to run
for Student Council. We have an impressive youth group! Even though
only one person is elected for a position, all of our candidates
are winners for their great efforts. Each candidate campaigned by
making posters, flyers, preparing and delivering a speech before
their peers. Congratulations to the following students for doing
a great job running for an office: Katherine, Taylor, Emani, Kate,
and Matt. The Student Council Officers for the first semester are:
7th Grade President - Sonja, 7th Grade Vice President - Arima, 6th
Grade President - Kevin, 6th Grade Vice President - Laureny. During the summer, our Brookfield students kept getting awards. Kelsey, 4th grader, placed third at the California State Fair for her turkey diorama that she had made the previous year in 3rd. grade. Congratulations Kelsey! It was a treat to see a Brookfield student's entry at Cal Expo. Suresh kept up with his tennis tournaments during
the summer. Doug Atkinson, Suresh's coach said that in late August,
it was Suresh who won the deciding match in the State Championship
Katie Rose was featured in the Land Park News. Her poem, which she had written in Mrs. Johnson's fifth grade class, was selected as one of the top ten in her grade level in a poetry contest. Katie Rose won a $50 savings bond and a copy of the poetry anthology. Terrific Katie Rose! Katie Rose, along with eight other Brookfield students have their poems in the Spring 2002 A Celebration of Young Poets Book for Grades 4, 5, 6. We are so proud that Brookfield has so many students' winning entries. Congratulations to Sadie, Katherine, Emani, Kate, Lauren, Lauren, Maura, and Jonathan. It is difficult to think of the winter months when we have had such a long heat spell this last summer. However, soon winter will be upon us and the Nutcracker Ballet is a tradition during the season. Katie Rose will be a Party Child in the Sacramento Nutcracker Ballet. She will be performing December 18 - 22. We know you will do a great job performing Katie Rose. We are always interested in the activities of our students. Please send a note to the office about your child's extracurricular honors so we can share the news with our Brookfield community. Dates to Remember: Wednesday, October 23- Wednesday, October 23 - Sunday, October 27 - Friday, November 15 - Wednesday-Friday, November 20 - 22 Wednesday-Friday, November 27 - 29 High School Open Houses Sunday, October 13- Sunday, October 13- Sunday, October 20- Sunday, October 27-
The Brookfield School Computer Lab Students and Staff © Brookfield School All Rights Reserved
|
Term
Newsletters 
Congratulations
officers for being in the Fall 2002 Student Council! 
Competition
against a Boys 12 team from Southern California. The competition,
held at UCLA, had boys and girls from around the state competing
in the Gar Glenny Cup for the state title. Suresh is considered
one of the best 10 - year old players in Northern California. Some
day, we may be able to watch Suresh compete at the US Open or other
pro events. Keep up the great work Suresh!