June 16, 2010

Dear Families,

With weather warming up and pools opening up, summer appears to be in full swing!  Nonetheless, the students are doing an excellent job remaining focused on learning while they are in school. 

One thing we have to look forward to next year is our EV garden.  On Monday afternoon, several staff members volunteered their time to get it started.  It’s a small plot of land near our preschool playground.  Come by and take a look sometime!

Last week, our chorus and band students gave a fantastic performance for students and families; last night was also a wonderful strings concert.  These events are a special reminder of the limitless potential of our children!  What a talented group of students!

Sincerely, Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

June 2, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

As I wandered outside this afternoon, what a sight for my eyes to behold–fifth graders “Graphing Fitness!”  They were engrossed in completing a variety of physical activities, such as shooting hoops and running laps; then they recorded their results in order to show them in graph format.  Just one of the many ways the Eagle View staff keeps students “on their toes.”  🙂  We hope you enjoyed the 3-day weekend.  Until June 24th, we remain committed to providing high-quality learning experiences for all.  Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

May 25, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

In a quick walk-through of classrooms today, I observed wonderful math instruction.  In Ms. Ghanaim’s third grade classroom, she and Ms. Visconti the math specialist were helping students as they used decimal squares to play a game.  Decimal squares and base ten blocks are excellent for promoting student understanding of concepts such as number sense, decimals, and fractions.  Then, in first grade, students in Ms. El-Amin’s class were trying to put containers in order in terms of how much they could hold.  In Mr. Campet’s class, students were comparing gallons and cups.

These classrooms reflected many excellent instructional techniques, such as the following:  use of manipulatives, real-world contexts, problem solving, and technology.  As we continue to explore ways to promote math thinking in our students, we find that everyday problems throughout our world are related to math.  Jon Scieszka’s book MATH CURSE has entertaining examples of this.  Just as children should read every day, they should be immersed in meaningful math problems, too. 

As the children enjoy the upcoming three-day weekend, hopefully they will be doing some reading and math, too!  :o)

Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

May 20, 2010

Dear Families,

Last week, a special visitor came to our library to spend time with our primary students.  Her name was Janet Stoeke, author and illustrator of 24 children’s books.  Together with each group of students, she asked questions so that they could develop their own group stories with a beginning, middle, and end.  For each part of their stories, she drew pictures that correlated with their ideas.  She also shared about the many steps she takes in pursuit of creating the best drawings to match her stories.  One attached picture here shows the thinking that goes into one page of one book.  It was really neat to learn about an author’s life and work–a great way to stimulate the students’ imaginations!

Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

May 12, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

Last night was another special night at Eagle View.  At our PTA meeting, plans to begin a learning garden on our grounds were discussed and voted on–something that eventually would enrich our students’ learning as well as our community.

After the PTA meeting, dozens of Eagle View parents had the great fortune of hearing a presentation by Ms. Cooner and Ms. Waddell, FCPS behavior specialists.  They helped us learn so many strategies for targeting when children’s behavior can be prevented, pre-corrected, and predicted.  Simple things like structuring their routines and spaces and breaking down directions into small chunks were helpful–but there was much, much more than that!   The presentation slides in their entirety will be posted on our web site by the end of the day tomorrow.

Parents of students in Grades 3-6:  SOL testing begins next week.  The dates have been posted.  Please know when your child will be testing and ensure that (s)he is well-rested and in school on time for each testing day!

Thanks for your support, and enjoy the rest of the week.  Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

May 9, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

What a sight it was to see the colorful entrance to Eagle View this week!  Thanks to the PTA and volunteers for bringing the children out to create original displays of appreciation for our hard-working teachers.  Thanks for all that you have done to make them feel appreciated in special ways this week.

When I think about teacher appreciation, I am reminded of the important partnership that exists between parents and teachers so that children’s limitless potential can be developed.  When I think of that partnership, one poem in particular comes to mind that I wanted to share with you.   <author unknown>

UNITY

I dreamed I stood in a studio

And watch two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young child’s mind

And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher, the tool he used

Were books and music and art.

One a parent with a guiding hand,

And a gentle loving heart.

Day after day the teacher toiled,

With touch that was deft and sure,

While the parent labored by his side,

And polished and smoothed it over.

And when at last their task was done,

They were proud of what they had wrought.

For the things they had molded into the child

Could neither be sold nor bought.

And each agreed he would have failed

If he had worked alone.

For behind the parent stood the school,

And behind the teacher the home.

I am sure I speak for all Eagle View staff when I say:  We appreciate your support in this very important work of educating children.  Thank you.

April 28, 2010

Dear Families,

A huge thanks to the PTA and school staff for a wonderful International Night.  Smells of food from all over the world wafted through the cafeteria, while many neat cultural events and activities were conducted in the cafeteria.  It was a wonderful showcase of the rich diversity we have here at Eagle View.  Thanks for coming to another school community event!

On another note…The Human Relations committee (staff and parents)has been working hard to develop a survey for our families to complete.  We are really interested in your thoughts and ideas about how we can develop more community at our school.  You may have received a separate survey in the mail about our school a month or two ago.  That was for my own professional reasons.  This upcoming survey–which will go home on May 12–is important for the HR committee to make decisions about our school’s progress.  We are shooting for 100% participation and appreciate your participation. 

As we close an exciting April, we look forward to an equally exciting May!  I can’t wait for the basketball game on Friday, May 7!  Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

April 16, 2010

Dear Families,

There has been much excitement at Eagle View lately!  On Wednesday morning, the 2-6th graders were fortunate to have an assembly with Adam Caskey, meteorologist from Channel 7.  He gave the students entertaining and important information about what his job is like, the skills needed (like math), and behind-the-scenes information about the news station.  Students returned to their classrooms after visiting the Storm Chaser, which was parked out front.

Later in the afternoon, Superintendent Dr. Dale visited Eagle View along with Cluster VII Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Burke.  They went to a fifth grade class where Ms. Natale and Ms. Visconti were teaching a math lesson, then down to first grade where the students had a phenomenal museum about America.  We are sure that first grade parents are very proud of the work their children did for that museum.

Then, last night was Math Night for grades K-2.  (Grades 3-6 will be next Thursday night.)  Over a hundred parents and children came to the cafeteria where math specialist Ms. Visconti informed them about how students are learning math; then, families went to grade-level classrooms where the teachers provided more information about how they are teaching math and how parents can support them at home.  Parents were engaged and made great students!

We look forward to seeing you at International Night tonight.  Have a good weekend.

Sincerely, Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

April 7, 2010

Dear Eagle View Families,

Creativity is always alive and well at Eagle View!  In one photo, students in Ms. Stirling’s 2nd grade class were learning about stamps as a segue to a project that the second grade students are doing with a postal system.  It promises to be a lot of fun!  Then, visits to art classes were enlightening, as students worked on making colonial houses and still life paintings. 

Student creativity will be on display this Thursday night during the SCA Talent Show.  Prepare to be dazzled by the enormous talent of our children! 

It has been enjoyable to see the children return to school this week.  We are looking forward to ending the year STRONG!

Sincerely, Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal

March 23, 2010

As I walked around the school yesterday, I especially enjoyed visits to third grade classrooms.  They were studying rocks and minerals.  Working together as scientists, they were conducting various tests to learn more about their properties.   In the pictures, students in Ms. Brownridge’s class are conducting a “scratch” test to determine their hardness.

It is hard to believe that we are already approaching spring break!  We hope you and your families enjoy a relaxing and safe holiday from school.  Sincerely,

Patty Granada, Ed.D., Principal