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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 2016)
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon READING: Programs are effective in helping students Continued from page 8 work together to implement an individualized reading intervention. Grade-level instructors meet together monthly with the specialist team and moni- tor both the effectiveness of the teaching and how the stu- dents are growing. “The whole staff works together to plan and deliver instruction in the most effec- tive way to our students,” Jensen says. The Schulers recently moved to Sisters last October. Their son has struggled with reading and math, and they struggled to work with the staff and administration within their previous district. “School can be frustrat- ing as a parent,” says Jeff Schuler, the father of a fourth- grader at Sisters Elementary School. “Everything revolves around reading — even math with story problems. If your child’s reading skills are not at the level they need to be, then their math skills will suf- fer, even if they are confident in math. “With a ‘gray area’ child, we are looking for support,” says Schuler. “The first time we sat down with Ms. Parsons and Mr. Warburton we knew this was a personal and caring community that was invested in our child. At our last dis- trict, when we would go to a meeting with teachers and other staff we felt like we were part of a grand jury. My wife and I would come home almost in tears. We never saw the kind of compassion (we see at SES) and we were never given the tools to help our son be successful. “The elementary school has a personal touch. We only have one child — a teacher has a whole classroom. Our son’s teachers take time with him and show compassion, and together they make it through thick and thin. He has been getting better and better every week, and we don’t get anxiety for parent-teacher conferences. Regardless of how he is doing, we know there will be a game-plan and follow-through.” There was recently a meeting for Title I-eligible students and parents. The specialized instruction pro- vides several ways for par- ents to become great partners in their children’s education. Tips shared for parents at that meeting included making time to share books, taking turns to read, what to do when your child gets stuck, avoid- ing blame and even using technology through apps and other sources. “We encourage parents and students to read every night,” says Jensen. “Promote where your child’s interest is — find a series that hooks readers, utilize the library and e-readers. Whatever moti- vates your child, find books, magazines or articles about it and talk about the subject when you can. Simple tools like that will help develop a great reader.” The Sisters Elementary School, through the Parent Teacher Community, hosted a reading night in January for the entire school and several families attended. Tools like utilizing the local library and online resources were dis- cussed. Many of these items shared tips and tricks about motivating young readers and enhancing and encouraging reading skills at home. “We are very proactive parents,” says Schuler. “But there has to be effective sup- port on both sides. Sisters School District, in the last three months, has been a joy 9 to interact with. If I had to live in a tent for my son to attend this district, I would do it.” Volunteers are utilized to lead groups and assist with the reading team. Community members are welcome to volunteer for the program. All interested people need to be screened by the Sisters School District and train with Stephanie Jensen. For more information or to volunteer with the program, contact Jensen at stephanie.jensen@ sisters.k12.or.us. Library offers resources for parents By erin Borla Correspondent Paige Bentley-Flannery, the local librarian for the Deschutes Public Library System, spoke at the recent SPTC reading night and shared some of the features of the library. If families have never had a chance to be inside the Sisters Library, Bentley- Flannery encourages them to stop in, spend some time in the children’s room or even ask for a tour. “Ask a librarian for a favorite book or a silly animal information book,” says Bentley-Flannery. “Librarians LOVE recom- mending and sharing their favorite books. There are new books in all the time — families should stop in and take a look! You can even check books out with your library card, that’s free, and take books home for three weeks!” The Sisters Library has children and family pro- grams on Saturdays as well as Storytime! held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and a pajama party every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. “My dream for families in Sisters is to have more of them in the library,” says Bentley-Flannery. “Having them interact in the Early Learning Space together, reading together and check- ing out books together. We want families to make the library a fun and engaging place to visit on a regular basis.” The Sisters Library is located at 110 N. Cedar St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday. Families are also encouraged to check out their online resources at www.DeschutesLibrary.org.
