January 27, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

One thing that always strikes me as I walk through the school is the students’ engagement with what they are learning.  One morning last week, I walked into Ms. Naweed’s music class, and students were in groups, quizzing each other on important music terms.  Then, after a while, she led the students in playing their recorders, thus reinforcing and applying their understanding of the concepts.

On another “note,” it is hard to believe that we have reached the half-year milestone for the school year!  How time flies!  We hope that the children continue to read and explore during the student holidays on Friday and Monday, and we’ll see them for the start of the second half of school on Tuesday!  Thanks for all you do to support their learning.

Sincerely, Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

January 21, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

Last week was especially exciting, as we had our “Big Chill.”  Band and chorus students performed for Eagle View students during the day, then again for parents at night.  The evening performance included an intermission (with our hard-working PTA providing snacks) and a display of student art work throughout the first floor.  It was great to see the students perform and for us to enjoy their talents together!

band

intermission

chorus

artwork

January 12, 2010

Dear Eagle View Community,

It has been a busy start to the 2010 year with classrooms all over Eagle View bustling with activity!  In the first picture, new assistant principal Mrs. Liz Bumbrey is listening to a first grader in Mrs. El-Amin’s class.  This presentation was part of a “living museum,” in which guests pressed a sticker on the students hands, activating them to speak on a particular topic.  The topics represented the wide variety of cultures and traditions of our diverse student body. 

In the preschool classroom, students and their parents worked on decorating gingerbread houses.  How sweet!

Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

January 6, 2010

Greetings, and Happy NewYear!  We hope that you and your families enjoyed our longer-than-expected winter holidays!  It is hard to believe that a new year has begun.  Mrs. Edwards and I are very pleased to begin working with our new assistant principal Mrs. Bumbrey.  She began on Monday and is already contributing her many talents toward our wonderful school.  Thank you for making her feel welcome.

As I walked through the school yesterday, I continued to be amazed by the high quality of teacher and student engagement in learning.  In one of many such examples, I visited Mrs. Giardino’s classroom, where she was teaching students about China.  Students were interacting with information in their “interactive notebooks.”  As you may know from an interactive notebook, it is divided into three sections:  1)  RAP (Review and Preview), WOW (Words of Wisdom), and WIO (Work it Out).  The RAP section helps bring students access their background knowledge on a topic so they can make connections to new learning; the WOW section contains the information that students are learning during the lesson; and the WIO section helps students interact with the information as they learn about it. 

In this particular lesson, Mrs. Giardino was teaching the students about China.  For the “Work It Out” (WIO), she had scanned in a map of China to show on the SMART board.  Students were identifying and marking physical features on their maps, both on the SMART board and in their interactive notebooks.  I certainly learned more about China than the Great Wall and the Yangtze River, as I’m sure the students did as well!  ) 

Often when I am priveleged to observe such high quality engagement on the part of students and teachers, I think about how it takes all of us to help them be successful.  Like their teachers, I feel very appreciative that students are supported in their learning by you, their parents.  It is when we all work together that we can best promote student engagement in school.  Together we send a strong message that their success is important to us all.  Thanks for all you do!

December 16, 2009

Dear Eagle View Community,

I am priveleged to observe wonderful examples of teacher instruction and student learning every day at Eagle View.  Yesterday I was in the computer lab and saw Ms. Carmack with a bunch of sixth grade students.  They had been working on developing ideas and hypotheses for solving problems that might benefit others, using components of experimental design.   What a neat way to integrate technology, science, communication, and problem solving!  In the picture, a group of students was explaining their thinking about how to improve wheels on shopping carts so that we won’t injure ourselves.  I also learned a lot about air bags and safety helmets! 

It is hard to believe that the winter holidays start next week!  On behalf of the entire Eagle View Staff, I wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday.  We hope you and your children enjoy a safe, warm, and joyous break from school!  Please encourage your children to continue reading over the break!  Take care,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

December 9, 2009

Greetings.  Last week was bittersweet as we said good-bye to our assistant principal Mrs. Kimberly Willison.  Kimberly has been at Eagle View since the very beginning and has been such an asset to our school.  We wish her well as the new principal of Clearview Elementary School in Herndon.  Fortunately, Mrs. Liz Bumbrey will be our new assistant principal starting in January.  Mrs. Bumbrey comes to us with a lot of administrative and teaching experience, including her current role as assistant principal of Glenkirk Elementary School in Prince William County.  She also has adminstrative and teaching experience in several schools in FCPS, too.  Mrs. Edwards and I are so happy she is joining our team!  In the interim, we are working with retired principal of Deer Park Elementary Mr. Doug Brooks. 

Last night was our December PTA meeting.  One agenda item was thanking our parent volunteers.  If you were unable to come, please know that we are so appreciative of your support!  Parents help our school in many ways and are one of the reasons our school is so wonderful.  If you have never attended a PTA meeting, please come!  It’s a great chance to learn about our school and the many decisions and activities designed to give our children the best education possible.

Take care,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

December 2, 2009

Dear Eagle View School Community,

Today was an especially exciting day at school.  It was the first day for Young Scholars, students who met with very able and labcoat-wearing staff members before school.  In the first picture, Ms. Carmack is passing out a data sheet to a student.  Later on in the morning was a math parent coffee.  Twenty parents attended this event, an interactive session about how children are learning  math at school and how we can help them with math at home.  Participarents used the same thinking “tools” that students use at school.  Thanks to Ms. Visconti, our math specialist/coach, for facilitating this event.   Around lunchtime, a representative from the Rotary Club brought a dictionary for each third grade student to keep at home.  As always, wonderful examples of a deep commitment to working together for our students.   Take care,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

Being Thankful

During the week before the Thanksgiving holiday, there were many activities going on at Eagle View that helped us remember our country’s earlier days and made us feel grateful.  The Thanksgiving feast, attended by many family members and involving much assistance from staff members, was well- planned and -coordinated.  Throughout the school, many students’ writings reflected thankfulness for different people in their lives.  One activity which helped students understand the journey of the Pilgrims was Ms. Kessler’s Mayflower simulation.  Last week out near our bus loop, she was providing first grade students details that help bring their experiences to life.  I hope your families enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday.  Of the many things for which I am thankful, being at Eagle View with your children and our staff is certainly high on my list! 

Patty Granada, Ed.D.

Principal, Eagle View ES

K-2 Family Literacy Night at Eagle View

November 18, 2009

Greetings.  Last Wednesday night was Family Literacy Night for primary grade students and their families.  This was a very enjoyable, informative event for all.  At the beginning, students and families saw a video that showed how to read with children.  Then, there were three sessions for participants to attend with different teachers.  Each one showcased a different aspect of literacy and how to support it at home.  As many parents mentioned to me that evening, “I got a lot out of this.”   If you were not able to come to Family Literacy Night but still would like more information about how you can support your child’s reading skills at home, please feel free to talk with your child’s teacher or our reading specialist Ms. Anthony.  Our staff is truly a team of experts that can help you understand and promote your child’s literacy skills.  Thank you so much for taking the time to enjoy reading with your children.  It makes such a difference for them. 

Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D.

Principal, Eagle View ES

 

Technology at Eagle View

Dear Eagle View School Community,        

One of the many strengths at Eagle View is the application of computer technology.  Technology is used here as an effective planning, teaching, and learning tool.  Classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards, and ”snake cams” are used to project important information on the board.  In the example illustrated, Mrs. Costello is reviewing key vocabulary from a “landforms” unit of study, while students are demonstrating their understanding of the vocabulary on their interactive notebooks.  The daily, frequent use of technology throughout the various learning settings at Eagle View is a joy to behold!  Most importantly, it promotes full student engagement in their learning.

Additionally, Eagle View hosted four visitors from Sweden yesterday!  The visitors were teachers who were recipients of a grant with a focus on studying mathematics education in the United States.  Ms. Visconti, our math specialist, hosted the visitors who observed two primary classrooms in particular, Ms. Wyland’s and Ms. McDonald’s classes.  Many similarities and differences were noted between the Swedish and U.S. teaching practices.  Our visitors left behind a very special flag of Sweden as a remembrance of our time together.

Thanks to the PTA for a great Bingo Night last Friday!  We look forward to seeing K-2 parents tonight for Family Literacy Night, and we hope to see all families on the 18th for our annual Thanksgiving luncheon! 

Patty Granada, Ed.D.

Principal, Eagle View ES     

11.11.09