S O N I A

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EL NOTICIERO O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6

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C I L D R E S S U P D A Y S :

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M I S M A T C H E D C L O T H -

I N G

O C T 1 1 — F A V O R I T E

S P O R T / J E R S E Y D A Y

O C T 1 2 — S W E A T S /

S W E A T S H I R T D A Y

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F O R H E A R T H E A L T H

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P I C T U R E R E T A K E S

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P A R E N T / T E A C H E R

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T U E S , O C T 1 8 3 : 3 0 -

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7 : 0 0

N O S C H O O L

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D R E S S U P D A Y —

L O B O P R I D E

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F A L L C L A S S R O O M

A C T I V I T E S

O C T 2 8 A T 1 : 4 5

Gree�ngs Sonia Sotomayor Families!

I am extremely proud of our students, staff, and families for their hard work over the

past nine years. Together we have built a solid founda�on that has lead us to earning a

School Performance Index (SPI) ranking of Exemplary Status as measured by the Smart-

er Balance Assessment (SBA). The SPI is calculated based upon our 3rd, 4th, and 5th

grade student’s performance in math and English language arts as well as student

a.endance. The SBA is administered in English only, but that didn’t hinder our students

from out-performing their peers across the state of South Dakota.

We have put into place many effec�ve interven�on programs to assist students who

may need addi�onal support. We have a half-�me Literacy In Ac�on (LIA) teacher who

works with kindergarten through 2nd grade students in furthering their skills in English

reading and wri�ng, we have a Spanish speaking special educa�on teacher and educa-

�onal assistant who are able to provide services to students both in languages, SI Reads

brings in numerous volunteers who spend 15-20 minutes one-on-one with a student

working on reading skills in English, our 4th and 5th grade teachers provide interven-

�ons in reading and math to students while their own students are in English Language

Arts, and the Tail Wagging Tutors visit our school once a week to listen to our students

prac�ce their reading.

Dreambox has been a very effec�ve resource for students to prac�ce their math skills.

Last year we had students who increased mastery in math content standards by two

grade levels! Each of our students has access at home and at school to this valuable

online resource.

September was dubbed as A.endance Awareness Month by the SD Department of Ed-

uca�on. Being in school on �me each day has a huge impact on a students’ academic

success, especially in an immersion program. We would like to congratulate the 388

students who had perfect a.endance during the first month of school! It is vital that

every student be in school every day, all day. This is a state and local ini�a�ve as you

will read more about in Superintendent Maher’s column on the next page. Please make

every effort to assist us in increasing our daily a.endance rate.

Together we can con�nue to assist our Spanish Immersion Program to grow and excel!

Every day I am excited and proud to come to work and be a part of this wonderful

school community! Sra. Tracy Vik

A�endance Ma�ers – Every Student. Every Day.

By Dr. Brian Maher, Superintendent

The alarm clock rings. It’s another Monday and your body doesn’t want to move. You don’t want to go to work or

school. We’ve all been there – deba�ng the risk and reward of boldly facing a new day. While pulling the covers back over our

head would be easy, nothing worth working for is ever easy.

The Sioux Falls School District hopes a new a.endance campaign will be the li.le voice in the heads of parents and stu-

dents that says, “Go to school. If you’re not there, you will be missed!” In an effort to improve student achievement and increase

gradua�on rates, the District is launching the “A.endance Ma.ers” campaign to raise awareness about the importance of every

student being in school every day.

The District considers ten or more absences in a school year to be excessive. Yet, it’s not uncommon for a long list of

students to accumulate ten or more absences in the first semester. Na�onal sta�s�cs are even more startling. According to the

U.S. Department of Educa�on, an es�mated 5 to 7.5 million US students miss nearly a month of school each year. That’s 30 days.

Missed school days mean missed opportuni�es for students to stay on track with academic and social expecta�ons.

Star�ng in elementary school, students fall behind and the domino effect that can lead to becoming a high school dropout begins.

This is informa�on that should really ma.er to all of us because one day, soon these students will be the adult employees in our

workforce. Students who don’t show up to school grow into adults who don’t show up to work.

School a.endance is cri�cally important to student success. As parents, students and community leaders, the

“A.endance Ma.ers” campaign reminds of us of the responsibili�es we all share if we wish to ensure student success. I hope

parents will join me in encouraging students to be in school, on �me, every day. Their classmates, friends, and their teachers truly

will miss them if they’re not present.

Remember – nothing worth working for is ever easy. A�endance really does ma�er!

SAVE THE DATE

Project Warm-Up

Saturday, December 10th

11:00am—4:00pm

Sonia Sotomayor Elementary

www.ProjectWarmUp.org

Library Maker Spaces

We would appreciate your help! We would like to add some items to our library

maker spaces. Items may be brought in to the school office. We are looking for the

following:

• Toilet paper roll tubes

• Paper towel roll tubes

• Mailing cylinders

• Empty oatmeal containers

• Empty cereal boxes

Counselors Corner: Mrs. Biggar

The leaves are falling, football games are being played (the Vikings are looking fantas�c!) We are now well into this school year

and some students are more mo�vated then others in terms of geBng things done and staying focused. If you are looking for

ways to inspire your student the link to the following ar�cle may help!

h.p://www.empoweringparents.com/ar�cle/unmo�vated-child-6-ways-to-get-your-child-going/

What we are working on in our classroom’s with our Counselor: At school some conflict or disagreement is normal and oGen happens when children get together.

However, hurIul words, gestures, or physical contact are unacceptable ways to deal with

conflict and disagreement at school. We want our kids to feel confident enough to handle their own small problems. Our goal

is to teach students several posi�ve ways to deal with some difficult situa�ons that may arise. To do this, we prac�ce Kelso’s

choices with our counselor, Mrs. Biggar, and ask students who have minor problems to try at least two of the following ideas:

Our older students, 4th

and 5th

graders are working with the 2nd

Step Program.

2nd

Step teaches skills in the following four areas:

Skills for learning

Empathy: Students learn to iden�fy and understand their own and others’ feelings. Students also

learn how to take another’s perspec�ve and how to show compassion.

Emo$on Management: Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong

feelings, such as anxiety or anger.

Problem Solving: Students learn a process for solving problems with others in a posi�ve way.

Wellness Council Fun!

Wellness Council would like to encourage all staff and students to participate

in the dress up days to kickoff our Wellness Week next week!

Wellness Themes for the week of October 10-14

Monday--Mismatch and Colorful Clothing

Tuesday--Favorite Sport Day/Jersey Day--dress up like your favorite sport (ex. golfer, basketball player, soccer (no cleats) or wear your favorite profes-sional, college or local jersey!

Wednesday--Sweats and Sweatshirts/Comfy Clothes

Thursday--Wear Red (Heart Health)

Friday--Hat Day--wear your favorite hat

Please remember that all attire/clothing must be school appropriate!

Also, please watch for details coming soon regarding a Family Fitness Night in

December!

Second graders from Senora Graning’s classroom working on STEM

projects building community in their classroom.

5th grade students in Sra. Miranda’s classroom work together to solve com-

plex problems!

SCIENCE:�Students�in�502�designed�and�created�a�model��in�groups�to�explain�matter�and�particles��

Tail Wagging Tutors,

Kasey & Kayle

4th Grade Students and teachers learn American flag etiquette from

members of the VFW and Auxillary.