Back To School
Tuesday, August 11
Early Childhood Parent Orientation (Jr. Cubs - K)
* Using Zoom - More information to Come
Wednesday, August 12
Lower School Come and Go Day (Jr. Cubs - 5th)
This is an opportunity to see your classroom and meet the teacher.
* Using Sign Up Genius to sign up for a time - Uniforms are not required.
Wednesday, August 12
Middle/Upper School Half Day - Uniforms required
Thursday, August 13
First Full Day of School
This is the first full day of school for students in grades 1 - 5.
The hours are 7:50 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for grades 1-3 and 7:50 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. for students in grades 4 & 5. *More Carpool Information to Come
Thursday, August 13
Staggered Start for Jr. Cubs - Kindergarten
We will have a staggered schedule beginning on Thursday, August 13. August 13 & 18 Girls only 7:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
August 14 & 17 Boys only 7:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
August 19 first full day for all students Jr. Cubs - K.
Thursday, August 20
Parent Orientation for Grades 1-5 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
*Using Zoom - More Information to Come
Information and questions will be shared and answered by your teacher on the new school year. (Grades 1-5)
• All “Back to School” information can be found under the blue “My USJ” tab on usjbruins.org
• Teachers will email welcome letters to their students on Friday, August 7.
Handbook
Lower School Handbook (2020-2021)
School Supplies
Part-time Jr Cubs Supplies
Jr Cubs Supplies
Part-time Cubs Supplies
Cubs Supplies
JrK Supplies
Kindergarten Supplies
1st Grade Supplies
2nd Grade Supplies
3rd Grade Supplies
4th Grade Supplies
5th Grade Supplies
Lower School Summer Reading
June 10, 2020
Dear Parents,
While our minds are moving to summer’s relaxing days I would like to take this moment to gently remind everyone of the importance of reading over the summer. While we want our students to rest, grow, and explore new things there are ways to support your student's growth particularly in reading through the days of summer. Data indicates that students who do not read over the summer face a significant loss of skills in reading when they return to school. This phenomenon is so predictable in students who do not read it is called the “summer slump.” So how to avoid this issue but honor the vacation time of the children? A key factor in engaging students in reading and ultimately reading success is building intrinsic motivation within a child. How to achieve this is to encourage and support them in reading books of their choosing that are at a "just right level." This "just right level" is a book that your child can read and discuss with you with passion. Your child might love to read non-fiction, comic books, online resources, or discover new series of books; we urge you to support them as they explore these jewels of text. Remember what you believe is a great book might not be what interests your child.
Along with supporting your child as they find texts that interest them there is much more the adults in their lives can do to support and nurture reading skills over the long summer months.
- Be a role model for your child by reading your books, so that students see that you value reading as an enjoyable pastime.
- Set aside a time each day for reading, that can be morning, afternoon, or bedtime. A time that that is protected for the pursuit of reading.
- Read aloud to your child. Reading aloud to students is just as important when they are in upper elementary as when they were younger. Students can access more complex texts when you read as they can immerse themselves in the story rather than worrying about decoding the words.
- Encourage your child to read other forms of literature not just books. They might like to read science or sports magazines or the sports pages of the newspapers.
- Read a book and then watch the movie, this provides a rich opportunity for a discussion on which version of the story you each prefer.
- Choose audiobooks and then discuss the texts with your child.
- Read books together; you read one page, they read another. This shared reading provides an opportunity for your child's understanding of the story to be deeper and more nuanced. Your interest is also a motivator as you are demonstrating the value you place on reading.
(Source pbs.org/parents/, readingrockets.org)
Kindest regards,
Louise Dunn,
Lower School Director
