Back To School
Tuesday, August 7
Parent Orientation for Infants-Kindergarten
5:30 – 6:15 pm Early Childhood Parent Orientation
Wednesday, August 8
Come and Go Day for Jr. Cubs-5th
Boys are asked to come from 9:00 – 10:00 am. Girls are asked to come from 10:30 – 11:30 am. This is an opportunity to see your classroom and meet the teacher.
Thursday, August 9
First Day for Grades 1-5
This is the first full day of school for students in grades 1 - 5.
The hours are 7:50 – 2:30 for grades 1-3 and 7:50 – 2:40 for students in grades 4 & 5.
Thursday, August 9
Staggered Start for Jr. Cubs - Kindergarten
We will have a staggered schedule beginning on Thursday, August 9.
August 9 & 13 Boys only 7:50 – 2:20pm.
August 10 & 14 Girls only 7:50 – 2:20pm.
August 15 first full day for all students Jr. Cubs - K.
Thursday, August 16
Parent Orientation for Grades 1-5
5:30 – 6:15 pm Parents will go directly to their children’s classroom where information and questions will be shared and answered by your teacher on the new school year. (Grades 1-5)
School Supplies
Junior Cubs Part-time
Junior Cubs
Cubs Part-time
Cubs
Jr. Kindergarten
Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
Lower School Summer Reading
We know the value of time spent reading and that numerous studies have shown that the best way for students to become better readers is to read! We are also very familiar with the idea of summer setback when students regress in their reading skills over the summer. Many times students return to school in the fall and are far below their spring reading levels. This is most likely because students are simply not spending time reading over the summer.
All of our students have different interests when it comes to what they like to read. Some students will enjoy reading non-fiction books and accumulating more information on a subject they are passionate about, some like to get lost in fantasy books either in a traditional model or in graphic novels, and some will read and apply their reading for specific purposes such as directions for a recipe or directions for assembling a toy. However, if they are not interested in the text in their hand, they will not engage in the process of reading.
Because we know that student interests are all so different, this summer, we will not be assigning specific books. We expect all of our students to read for at least twenty minutes every day. A reading log has been provided by your teacher so that children can keep track of their reading.
Download Reading Log
Look what 20 minutes a day can do! Students who read 20 minutes a day will have read for over 1,500 minutes over the summer, which significantly increases their reading skills and instills a passion and love for reading.
So how can we support our students over the summer?
Visit your local library! Or come to our USJ Library on Wednesdays. Help your child find “just right books.” These are books that are of high interest to your child and are not beyond their reading level. You can use the five finger test to determine if the book is too difficult for your child. Open the book to a page with many words. Have your child begin reading the text. Hold up a finger for each word he/she does not know. If you have 4 or 5 fingers up, the text may be too difficult for your child to read independently. Feel free to still check out the book! It just may be a book you want to read with your child.
Or check out this site scholastic.com go to “Reading Level System” click on “Guided Reading” and choose the level your child’s teacher shared with you. This will provide you with numerous choices of books of each level. You can also put a subject or author in the search bar to find more specific topics. Of course, the most important way to choose a book is to choose one that interests your child. Additionally, the following link highlights books that are available in a series which many students particularly enjoy as they see their favorite characters develop new story lines.
Download Series Books Guide
Don’t forget the value of reading aloud! Read to your child. When you read to your child, he/she hears the rhythm of language. Be sure to read with expression! Changing your voice for the different characters in the story and increasing volume for exciting parts are only a few ways to make reading interesting.
We know that families are busy over the summer vacation, and that on some days, it may be harder to get a book into your child's hands. However, by establishing routines such as reading at bedtime or early in the morning, students can continue to grow as readers all summer long.
When students return to school in August, they will share their reading logs with their teachers and be ready to talk to their classmates about some of the books they have read over the summer.
