Take time to smell the…cookies! The holidays have a way of getting out of control and taking on a life of their own. We feel pressure to buy the perfect gift or feel the need to take our kids on the newest holiday outing. Interestingly enough, when I work with the children, I find what they love the most are the simple things; helping to make hot cocoa and popcorn, snuggling up with a good holiday book, sharing space on the couch to watch a holiday TV show as a family, baking special cookies...

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Now that is something to celebrate! Reading to your child is one of the most beneficial activities you can do with your child. Not only does it boost your child’s literacy skills, it also provides some special time to snuggle and enjoy each other’s company! What could be more fun than spending time reading with your child? Research has shown that children who have been read aloud to are more likely to develop a love of reading. This is in addition to the gains in language and literacy...

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HOD- it’s a great place to be! That is because all of us KNOW that it takes a village to raise-and educate!- a child! Here are just a few people who deserve a special HOD HIGH 5! You will see more HIGH 5’s every month. Officer Steve PlymptonFor visiting HOD for our annual Bus Safety and second grade Halloween Safety programs Lieutenant Mike Findlen and the Norfolk Fire DepartmentFor providing our annual Fire Prevention and Safety Programs for all grades Members of the King...

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The Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success! First and second grade students were able to browse and purchase books during their regular library time. Kindergarten students were able to come in with their parents or work with a teacher/assistant to buy a book. The children are enjoying listening to a variety of holiday books. Look for the books coming home in your student’s backpack. A big thank you to all our dependable volunteers who keep the library running smoothly! I could...

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In October there are so many ways that we have imagined what instrument sounds would match the sound of the characters in our holiday songs. We found soft sounds of the maracas match the sound of a flying night creature. The sound of a jingle bell made us think of water moving. The sound of Boomwhackers to imitate the sound of someone knocking on our window. As we use our imagination we have accompanied "sound stories" that compliment our song lyrics for the Halloween themes. Soon...

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The five-week Open Circle Parent Program begins this month. This program is designed for parents whose children are in Kindergarten, First and Second grade to: Familiarize you with the skills your children are learning and practicing in the classroom. Assist you in the use of these skills at home. Help you to adapt and extend these skills into techniques for more effective parenting. We will meet once a week for five weeks starting Tuesday, November 8th. Meetings will be held...

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Many visitors to the H. Olive Day School have enjoyed the beautiful butterfly garden located at the front of the building near the drop off circle. The garden is a memorial in honor of Maddie Savoie, a talented artist and friend to all who knew her. Situated in the garden is a resting bench that was recently decorated with pink and yellow butterflies hand painted by H. O. D.'s own art teacher, Bill Reilly. The butterfly was a favorite theme of Maddie's just as the color scheme reflects her favorites....

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All first and second graders have participated in the Acuity math assessment program. This is a CTB McGraw-Hill product that is being piloted in both schools in Norfolk. Acuity is a web based common assessment tool used to measure the effectiveness of teaching and curriculum. This program provides additional targeted instruction based on the results of the assessments. Acuity allows teachers to get immediate test results so that critical instruction changes occur sooner. Students will participate...

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Here are some FUN ways for kids to stay active & fit! Have fun! Show children how much fun it is to be active!! Run like a gorilla. Walk like a spider. Hop like a bunny. Stretch like a cat. Have family contests: who can jump rope the longest? Wheel barrel races Alphabet Push-Ups Get up early with your children to walk the dog Do jumping jacks together after dinner Take a family walk after dinner Go on a family bike ride through the neighborhood Have fun and get active...

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When your child is struggling with a word, first wait 5-10 seconds to let your child apply the strategies s/he knows. Try not to just give your child the word. Instead, try 2 or 3 of the following prompts: What would make sense here? Tryputting in a word. Use the picture to figure out that word. Look at how that word begins. Try tapping it out. Skip over it and read to the end of the sentence. Now what do you think it is? You read the word earlier on the page. Do you remember it? Find...

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November is a time for counting our blessings. Now, since I’m speaking as a math specialist I mean literally. Meaningful math activities fall naturally around the dinner table. Perhaps you will be sharing a meal with family and friends this month. Invite your child to help determine how many place settings or sets of silverware will be needed for the group. At the grocery store, share your thinking about how many pounds of turkey you will need for the meal. Use the scale to...

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