Learn to read and read to learn

 “It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” ~Oscar Wilde

When one thinks of education often the first thing that comes to mind is learning to read, as well it should.  Reading is the springboard for all other learning. I vividly remember my mother bucking the system and trying to teach me to read before I went to kindergarten.  She was (still is) a voracious reader and wanted me to be the same.  Luckily for her, I took to reading right away.  The same could not be said for my younger sister.  It took her much longer to develop her reading skills, but in the end she did.  The point I’m trying to make is that some children develop the skills for reading right away and others take a bit longer. Rest assured, at Eagle Ridge Academy we understand reading skills develop at different speeds and are always teaching children at their level of development and understanding.

Last year, we introduced the STEP Assessment for reading.  It has been invaluable for teachers in gaining concrete data about student reading skills.  All of this data is then used in the classroom to guide instruction.  It is also given to you as parents, so you know what particular skills your children may need extra support in at home and what level of books they should be reading.  It is especially helpful in showing growth (or lack thereof) in overall reading.  We are starting our first round of STEP Assessments next week in the Lower School for students in kindergarten through third grade (and 4^th graders who did not reach STEP 12 last year).  The results of these STEP Assessments will be shared with parents at Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 14^th and 15^th.  More information about conferences will be available in the coming weeks.  Please sign up for a conference to continue working as a team with your child’s teacher in their educational process.

If your child rides the bus, you know we have a new transportation company this year.  The bus drivers are strictly enforcing rules of behavior on the bus, which we appreciate.  Our students have to learn the Pillars apply in all aspects of their lives, not just in the classroom.  I have seen an inordinate amount of bus behavior forms so far this year.  Due to this, I ask that you please talk to your children about their behavior on the bus.  Teachers have reviewed bus behavior in the classroom already this year.  If I receive an incident report from the bus driver the following process applies:

1^st report- Send home incident form to parents and talk to student

2^nd report- Send home incident form and suspension from the bus for 3-5 days

3^rd report- Contact parents and suspension from bus for up to 10 days

4^th report- Student will be expelled from the bus for the remainder of the school year

You can read the complete transportation policy at this link. ERA Transportation Policy

Please assist Eagle Ridge Academy in ensuring a safe bus ride to and from school for every student.

Aquila has flown to Mrs. Rickard’s classroom for next week.  Lilly Miller from her class earned it by showing good citizenship and integrity in the hallway with younger kindergarten students.

I hope to see you at Rockin’ the Ridge tomorrow at Eagle Ridge Academy.  It looks to be a beautiful day for this wonderful community building event!

Have a fantastic week!

Mrs. Baier