Friday, March 22, 2019

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Patrol News:
Our next patrol meeting will be Thursday, April 18 at lunch in Room 22. All patrollers should bring their lunch.

The AMA annual school safety patrol picnic will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Heritage Park. More details will be coming soon.

Here is the schedule for April/May:

RANCHLANDS SCHOOL PATROL SCHEDULE

April – May 2019

Patrol Meeting: Thursday, April 18 @ lunch 

in Room 22

Monday - Thursday

(Arrive at patrol station)   Apr. 8-12            Apr. 15-19

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10           Team 1               Team  3 

(12:20)   12:25 – 12:40       Team  9             Team 10 

(12:55)   1:00 – 1:15           Team  12            Team 14

(3:45)     3:50 – 4:05           Team 2              Team 4

Friday: only before and after school teams go out.

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10           Team  1             Team 3

(1:15)     1:20 –1:35            Team 2             Team 4

Monday - Thursday

(Arrive at patrol station) Apr. 23-26          Apr. 29-May 3 

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10           Team 5              Team  7  

(12:20)   12:25 – 12:40       Team  13           Team  11  

(12:55)   1:00 – 1:15           Team  16           Team  17

(3:45)     3:50 – 4:05           Team  6              Team 1

Friday: only before and after school teams go out.

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10            Team  5             Team 7

(1:15)     1:20 –1:35             Team  6              Team 1

*Please arrive at the patrol station 5 minutes before you scheduled time in order to be ready.

 Have a wonderful spring break! 

https://www.123rf.com/photo_99192095_stock-vector-cartoon-man-and-woman-with-stop-sign.html

Friday, March 15, 2019

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Learning English as a New Language: Frequently Asked Questions

As a newcomer to Canada and as a parent with a school age child, you may have many questions regarding how the school system will work to support your child in learning English. Once your child is registered in school, the school will begin the process of supporting your child. 

How will my child learn English at school? 

        Assessing Your Child’s English Language 

·      Your child’s teacher will evaluate how well your child uses English at the beginning of the school year. Assessing your child’s English language level is important. It helps your child’s teachers know the best way to teach your child English. 

·      Teachers may use one or more tests when your child arrives at school to help them know your child’s language level. 

·      Many schools use the Alberta K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) Proficiency Benchmarks to help determine a child’s English language level. 
How will my child get extra help in English? 

·      Sometimes your child may get additional help with English from another teacher in the school. 

·      English language learners in junior and senior high school may take additional courses to help them learn concepts and English vocabulary. These courses help them better understand their subjects. 

How long will it take for my child to learn English? 

    • Children may be in school for a few years before they are fluent in English. A child who is fluent will speak, read, and write correctly in English in most situations in school and outside of school. 

    • Children typically do not learn English at the same speed. Some children will learn English quickly while some children will take longer. This is normal. 

    • Also, it is important to understand that language used for talking informally develops quickly. Language used for explaining and discussing topics in school subjects takes longer. 

Did You Know? 

By helping your child maintain his or her home language while learning English, your child learns both languages better. The two languages will strengthen each other. It is okay to speak to your child in your home language. 

How can I help my child learn English? 

·      Participate in events or activities to make learning another language fun. 

·      Encourage your child to share activities with English-speaking children. 

·      Children learn best when their schooling is uninterrupted. Long absences from school will increase the time it takes for your child to learn English. If your child is going to be absent due to an illness or family travel, talk to the teacher.Learn more about your child’s education by visiting 

My Child’s Learning: A Parent Resource 

http://www.mychildslearning.alberta.ca

Friday, March 1, 2019

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Building Vocabulary

The challenge to learn English for an English language student is twofold: they must learn both the language of instruction while learning grade level curriculum at the same time. To add to this, English language students are often also acculturating to a new way of life. The challenge of all three simultaneously requires much encouragement and support at both school and home.

The key to learning any language is to build one’s vocabulary, both everyday words and words specific to different domains. English language learners are constantly exposed to new vocabulary words at school. It takes time and repeated use of these words in a variety of ways and contexts to make them one’s own.  

As a parent of an English language student, you too many be learning English alongside your child. This is a excellent opportunity to work together!  Here are some helpful tips to build vocabulary at home using a vocabulary journal. 

Vocabulary Journal

Have your child create and maintain a vocabulary journal at home to keep track of new words that are introduced in the classroom. You can help with vocabulary acquisition by having your child: 

• Review the words by practicing both the spelling and definition 
• Practice writing sentences or stories with the vocabulary words as they are added
• Use the words to play literacy games such as unscramble the word or charades 
• Draw pictures to go along with the vocabulary words for picture/word association