Newest ASA Saints

 In 2018, ASA created a blog post to welcome the newest Saints to ASA! The kids featured are now in Kindergarten and Preschool 4/5! We thought it would be fun to see the newest ASA saints welcomed by current ASA families within the past year:

Please give a warm welcome to the babies of ASA families and the Class of 2036 & Class of 2037!

Bowen Borek

Birthdate: October 4, 2021

Siblings: Bennett Borek (PS3)

CJ Palmer

Birthdate: October 15, 2021

Siblings: Charles Palmer (Toddler) & Molly Palmer (PS5)

Callan Aldrich

Birthdate: April 9, 2022

Siblings: Owen Aldrich (PS3)

Mya & Olivia Ashford

Birthdate: May 3, 2022

Siblings: Jonathan Ashford (PS4)

Leo John Gietzen

Birthdate: May 3, 2022

Son of Upper Campus Principal Joe Gietzen

Karla Rose Rolf

Birthdate: June 19, 2022

Siblings: Dorothy Rolf (PS3)

Noah Steven Page

Birthdate: August 29, 2022

Siblings: Jacob Page (KG) & Isaiah Page (PS5)

Isaac Nance

Birthdate: September 29, 2022

Siblings: Evelyne Nance (PS4)

We have also heard the rumblings in the hallway and among teachers that a handful of other families not listed have recently welcomed a new family member or have one coming! Prayers to all families as they navigate the adventures of a newborn in the house.

1st Grade's Daily Three

Read. Read. Read. As young readers work to grow their reading brains, one thing they must do always stands out. That one thing, you guessed it, readers must READ! Mrs. Schneider’s first graders are working on becoming independent readers by reading. To facilitate this goal, students engage in a daily reading workshop named The Daily 3. This workshop is based on The Daily 5 literacy framework developed by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser.

Each day students engage in 3 literacy activities: Read to Self, Listen to Reading, and Word Work. Read to Self is the first activity the students engage in. This activity starts the second day of school as students begin to build their reading stamina after detailing what Read to Self should look like in the classroom. Once students have built their Read to Self stamina, the next two components (Listen to Reading and Word Work) are introduced.

 During Read to Self students spend time reading around the classroom from the books in their book box. The books students have in their book boxes are self-selected by each student and include books that are just right (with words the student can practice reading) and look books (the student can read the pictures in these books). During this time students practice building their reading accuracy and fluency.

 

When it is time for Word Work students sort and read words based on the current spelling phonics focus. Then students can select one of the word work activities to practice spelling the words in their word study. Finally, Listen to Reading is a time for students to engage with technology. To start the year students spend time using the Lexia Core 5 online reading program. Once the framework is established and well underway, students begin having the opportunity to listen to audiobooks using books on CD and CD players. The students are really excited to use some retro technology when the CD players come out!

First grade is such an exciting time in the educational journey of a child as each child develops more and more reading skills on her/his way to becoming a more fluent reader. Watching the excitement of the first grade readers as they engage in the Daily 3 activities is one of the true joys of learning!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

What exactly is Down Syndrome (DS), well, it is a genetic condition where individuals have 3 copies of chromosome 21 instead of 2. In the United States, it is estimated to be 1 in every 700 live births.

People with DS may have some challenges, but they also have some great abilities! An individual may have problems balancing or speaking. But there have been great strides in making sure any individual with DS gets the help they need to succeed in society.

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is one such organization that is making it possible. By promoting putting children of school age in an inclusive environment, they could grow up to do things like any other child: Drive a car, go to college and have a job. NDSS has been one of the leaders in promoting community awareness and organizations in the community such as schools, health care, social and recreational.

NDSS is a very important and close part of my life. 13 years ago God blessed me (Linda Ostoin, one of the Early Childhood teachers) and my husband with a little girl who just so happens to have down syndrome. I knew God chose me for a reason, not sure what it is at the moment, but I know that I wouldn’t change this for anything!!! It has been challenging at times but I have persevered through it. She is not one to back down from anything. She loves playing hockey, being in the band, singing and has been in many musicals !! Some may be difficult but she never gives up.

I have been running for NDSS as their athlete ambassador. I have participated in many races and raised money for NDSS. This January I will be running my biggest race to date. The Disney Marathon! I have run the Disney Princess-half marathon for about 6yrs. It was time to move on to the big one. If you would like to support this cause, you can do so at https://give.ndss.org/fundraiser/3853441 Wish me luck!

The Carnival Was a Splash!

 Home & School hosted the ASA Back to School Carnival on Saturday, September 24 at the Upper Campus. It was a great day for food, games, prizes, and splashing the principals! 

Yes, you read that correctly. Mr. Gietzen and Mr. Debri took their turns under the new Splash Tower. They were relieved for a time by Mrs. Beckwith, who took a turn too. It was chilly, but they all said it was lots of fun to make the students so happy.

Other popular games included Shoot Some Hoops, Pop Bottle Toss, and Candy Walk. Pop and candy donations from ASA parents made the last two games possible. Thank you! Home & School would also like to thank the numerous parents who volunteered their time and talents on Saturday to make the carnival happen.

New to the carnival this year was the Bike and Scooter Parade! Students came with decorated bikes and scooters and made a couple of laps while being led by Eddie the Eagle! It was great to see the excitement!

 

See you next Fall!