Rosa Parks Central Community School

Rosa Parks Central Community School
Bilingual Newsletter January/February
Volume 1, Issue 1
Editor: Mrs. Donado
Principal: Ms. Cayce J. Cummins
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Debra Joseph Charles
Assistant Principal: Ms. Kirstin Riddick
Greetings from the Administration
Happy New Year! On behalf of the Rosa Parks Central Community School, we would
like to extend warm greetings as you read our first bilingual newsletter this year.
You will find articles that celebrate the successes of our children, share great ideas
and notify you about upcoming events that especially have an impact on our
bilingual community. At Rosa Parks Central Community School, we believe that all
of our children “will succeed to do or become whatever they believe.” The teachers
who contributed to this newsletter consider each student special and valuable and
they work tirelessly to ensure that your children are provided with excellent learning
opportunities. Thank you for your continued support as parents. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you have any issues or concerns. We are here for you.
Together, for Children,
Contents
Administration Greetings
1
WIDA Test
1
Upcoming Events
1
Kindergarten News
2
Kindergarten News
3
First/Second Grade News
3
First &Third Grade News
4
Student of the Month
5
Community School
6
Ms. Cayce J. Cummins, Principal
Mrs. Joseph-Charles and Ms. Riddick, Assistant Principals
WIDA ACCESS TEST
The WIDA ACCESS test will be given in March to all Bilingual/ESL
students. A more specific testing schedule has not been arranged as of yet. All
Bilingual/ESL students are expected to take this test, so make every effort to
have your child in school during the month of March. If your child will miss
any days in March please inform your child’s teacher so other arrangements
can be made to give them the testing sections they may miss.
ACCESS for ELL is a standards-based English language proficiency
test designed to measure English language learners’ social and academic
proficiency in English. It assesses social and instructional English as well as the
language associated with language arts, mathematics, science and social studies
within the school context.
Upcoming Events
February 2: Ground hog predictions
February 13th: 100th Day of School celebration
February 14th Valentine Day celebration
February (all month) African American Celebration
February 17th: Kick off for Read Across America 2012 (Dr Suess take home
project)
February 20-24: Winter Break
School Newsletter
Grade Level News
Page 2 of 6
Ms. Charris - Bilingual Kindergarten News
January in our
school!
They may
forget what
you said, but
they will
never forget
how you
made them
feel.”
“
– Carl W.
Buechner
Happy New Year to everyone!
Welcome Back! I hope everyone had
a wonderful restful Christmas break.
It is time to get back to learning and
exploring new concepts. During the
month of January, our Bilingual
Kindergarten classroom was able to
explore the real meaning of the New
Year. We investigated the habitats of
animals found in cold climates; and
the effects of the winter season on our
environment. In Social Studies we
examined the contributions Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. had on our
society. Our activities included
research done online, read alouds,
video clips, and many fun hands on
activities. This is an exciting time for
our students. But let’s not forget all
the accomplishments our students
have experienced until now. Please
celebrate them everyday.
Parents, continue to help your
children with their homework and try
and read to them everyday. A love of
school starts from home. Feel free to
visit the classroom and join in on all
the fun!
Ms. Monica Charris and Mrs. Patricia
Farez
School Newsletter
Grade
Level
News
Grade
Level
News
Page 3 of 6
Mrs. Blake - Bilingual Kindergarten News
Happy New Year! February will be a very exciting month for our Bilingual Creole Class!
We will be Exploring Math Word Problems! I will send work home with students; work with the children on
the skill at home.
The problems are expressed in fun ways for example:
Dave had 3 cookies. His mom gave him 2 more cookies. How many cookies does Dave have now?
Our Kindergarten class will also be able to observe, describe and compare different kinds of wood and paper!
We will follow the scientific method in doing this. The cultivating activity will be unique creations using
wood and paper.
I encourage you to read with your children everyday! Here are a few of the books we will be working on in
class, Puppy, Puppy Please; Mice Speak, We Speak, and Snowy Day!
There are books in English and Creole that you can check out to read at home.
Mrs. Pierre-Dort – Bilingual 1st/2nd Grade Class!
A Day to Remember
On January 12, 2012, the first and
second grade bilingual students
remembered what happened in Haiti on
January 12, 2010. We remembered our
families that passed in the disaster. We
watched three short videos: “Waving
Flag” by Young Artist United from
Canada, “Are you listening” by Kirk
Franklin, and “We Are the World”.
The remembrance was moving. Some
of the students burst into tears. The
majority of them lost close relatives in
the disaster. To conclude the activity,
the students were asked to talk about
the way they would like to see their
country Haiti in the future through
“Turn to Partner and Talk” activity.
They had to draw a picture and write
messages of hope. Their beautiful
drawings were posted outside of the
classroom.
School Newsletter
Grade Level News
Page 4 of 6
Ms. Varela’s -1st Grade Bilingual News!
Our classroom is full of lively enthusiastic learners who are making great strides in
their academic growth. We recently learned how to write friendly letters and thank
you letters so students have discovered one of the ways they can communicate with
family and friends across the world! In science, we will be exploring rocks and sand
and discovering where on our earth we can find these materials and what they are
used for. In math, we are learning many different skills such as adding and
subtracting; measuring length using different units; and how to count and find the
value of coins! Soon students will be counting coins to give to the cashier when
shopping with mom and dad! We are becoming more independent and learning how
to think critically about the world around us. Right now in class, we are reading
“Junie B. Jones, First Grade at Last!” What a funny story! We are using reading
strategies to help us understand stories. In evaluating how the author wrote the
story, we discussed that we think the author decided to make Junie B. Jones a very
funny character because she is so silly and says some very funny things. We can
relate to her since she is a first grader just like us! First grade is so much fun and we
are looking forward to continuing this incredible journey.
Mrs. Helen DeRise - 3rd Grade Bilingual News!
Mrs. DeRise’s class has been working on applying Literacy across the Curriculum
through number problems. The problems involved the students writing their own
multiplication problems using “good” leads in their writing pieces.
Please stop by and take a look at the students’ works displayed on the Bulletin Board!
CONGRATULATIONS TO MRS. DERISE’S CLASS
The 3rd Grade Bilingual class won the Math Bowl for their grade level!
3rd place in the 3rd grade Spelling Bee!
School Newsletter
Recognition
Page 5 of 6
Each classroom teacher nominates a student of the month. This is the student that has good
attendance, comes to school in uniform, demonstrates leadership skills and helps his/her fellow
classmates.
The following are the students who have successfully reached this achievement:
Ms. Charris Kindergarten Class:
September:
October:
November:
December:
Stacey Serrano Penate
Aileen Durate
Jorge Amastal
Jhonathan Parra
Ms. Varela’s 1st Grade Class
September:
October:
November:
December:
Estefani Mendez
Alex Morocho
Anthony Constanza
Johnny Guaman
Mrs. Helen DeRise 3rd Grade Class
September:
October:
November:
December:
Brandon Guanman
Miriam Arias
Sandra Garcia
Ericka Romero
School Newsletter
Community Room News
Page 6 of 6
The community school has openings in the Extended Day After School Program for
Students attending Rosa Parks Central Community School.
There is a sliding scale fee according to your school lunch application and we also accept
Programs for Parents.
What Extended Day Offers:
Academic Enrichment
Homework Assistance
NJ PAC Artist in Residence Program
Registered 4-H Club of Essex County
Physical Fitness Classes
Computer Availability
Music Classes
Field Trips
Arts and Crafts
If you are interested please contact: Ms. Larue, Community Room
Additional information:
Starting on January 23rd and every other Monday, The Family Success Center of Orange will offer
assistance with completing Food Stamp Applications and NJ Family Care Applications from 3pm-6pm in
the Community Room of Rosa Parks Central Community School.
Contact: Ms. Julissa Estrella, Parent Liaison
Please come visit and meet our Community School Staff in the Community Room:
Zakkiyyah Sally, Community School Director
Mirna Larue, Extended Day Coordinator
Julissa Estrella, Parent Liaison
Julia Jasper, Academic Liaison
973-677-4000 ext: 1019
We are here to serve you!