THE TERRACE TIMES

Good afternoon Parents / Caregivers,

Welcome to this edition of the Terrace Times.

Scholastics Lexile Reading
I need your help; if your child is in Years 3 – 6 I want you to encourage them (even push them if you have to) to get involved in the Lexile Reading Program.  It works!!! It is a proven program that will increase your child’s reading ability whilst allowing them to explore new books, new genres and new possibilities.  Not only does it open up our library to the students, it gives them access to thousands upon thousands of online books (both fiction and non-fiction), that students can access via computer, tablet or any smart device.  It gives their reading meaning!!  Also there will be some cool prizes to be won by the students for improving their lexile score (a competition with themselves).  Best of all, it’s free for your child.  Most school’s that run this program charge parents upwards of $15 a year per child; we are paying for your child to participate because we know how good this program is.
Reading is such an important life-skill; it is imperative that students continue to develop their abilities and skill-set, not only through the Primary years, but also into secondary and beyond.
By now, all students in Years 3 to 6 should have been tested in Reading Comprehension through the Scholastics Lexile Reading Test and received a lexile score. With this lexile score students will receive a list of a range of books within our library that they can borrow and e-readers that are at their reading level.  Teachers will also utilise our bank of iPads to give students greater opportunity to read.  As a staff we are challenging students to achieve higher lexiles and will be rewarding their achievement.
As I said in the last newsletter, we ask you to continue to encourage your child to read every night … either to you (out loud) or to themselves.  We ask you to encourage your child to beat their last score, and in doing so, improve in their reading ability.  Together we will help our students achieve.

Classroom Placements for 2019
If there are any special circumstances relating to your child’s learning that you would like us to consider for their placement in 2019, please put it in writing addressed to me by 3pm, Friday 23  November.
Please only base requests on educational requirements. Whilst all parent requests submitted by this date will be given serious consideration, they will unfortunately not all be automatically accommodated. Please note, late written requests will not be accepted.

Come Chat With Me
On Tuesday 13 November I would like to meet with you in the library to partake in a Q&A session.  I want to give you the opportunity to come and ask the questions about the School’s Policy and Procedures and our decision making processes that you have been dying to ask.  The session will run from 5pm to 6:30pm and tea and coffee will be available.  All are welcome to come and ask questions or just listen to other’s questions as well … obviously, you don’t have to stay for the full 90 minutes either.  I will try and answer most questions straight away, but I’m also not afraid to tell you I don’t know the answer and will get back to you.  So if you have a burning question you’d like to ask, come and see me on the 13th!!

Have a great week,

Stuart Blackwood
Principal