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

Friday, February 22, 2019

 

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Our second round of Try Something New is off to an exciting start! I am fortunate enough to be part of Mrs. Wickland's loom knitting group! My grandmother and mother both knitted; however I never learned this beautiful form of art and crafting. I am learning along with the students and it has been both joyful and challenging. One of the most important things I have learned is that knitting speaks to all languages. Knitting is done all over the world, with the earliest knitting believed to have been in Egypt in the 11th Century, and in that sense, it very much connects us. The skills required to knit, the enjoyment and satisfaction of learning a new stitch, and the trials and tribulations of completing a project, are felt in every culture. Teaching someone to knit does not require a specific language; all one needs to do is show the steps and they will learn. It does not matter what language one speaks, they will understand you. 

Friday, February 15, 2019

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Patroller News

This month, the AMA School Safety Patrol Program has a special incentive! Details are as follows:

February’s patroller incentive is a Valentine contest! This contest gives patrollers the opportunity to share their feedback with the AMA SSPP and the chance to win a $50 gift card! 

Contest details:

• Each patroller can only enter the contest once.
• You can complete the questionnaire online or in print (if you need a hard copy, please see me)
• All entries must be received by: February 28, 2019.
• Two prize draws will be held on March 4, 2019. 
• There will be one city and one rural school patroller winner.

Online entry form: https://goo.gl/forms/94pNUM0fPSNBkd2y2

Good luck to all of our patrollers!

**Our next patrol meeting is Thursday, February 21 during the lunch hour in Room 22. All patrollers should bring their lunch! See you there!

Here is the schedule for March/April:

RANCHLANDS SCHOOL PATROL SCHEDULE

March-April 2019

Monday - Thursday

(Arrive at patrol station)   Mar. 4-8            Mar. 11-15

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10           Team 2               Team  4 

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

(12:55)   1:00 – 1:15           Team  13            Team 19

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

Friday: only before and after school teams go out.

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10           Team  2             Team 4

(1:15)     1:20 –1:35           Team 1             Team 3

Monday - Thursday

(Arrive at patrol station) Mar. 18-21          Apr. 1-5

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10           Team 6              Team  1  

(12:20)   12:25 – 12:40       Team  18           Team  11  

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

(3:45)     3:50 – 4:05           Team  5              Team 7

Friday: only before and after school teams go out.

(8:50)     8:55 – 9:10            Team  6             Team 1

(1:15)     1:20 –1:35             Team  5              Team 7

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

Enjoy Family Day and see you on Tuesday, February 19!

Friday, February 8, 2019

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Homework Tips for Parents of English Language Learners

Homework is important for students and their academic success, but helping your child with homework can be difficult — especially if you are still learning English.

Below are some ways to help you make homework easier for everyone. Your involvement in your child's learning is important to their success, no matter what language you are using.

Develop a Homework Routine

Help your child get organized 

Make sure your child supplies has homework supplies such as: 

             -pencils

             -pens

             -writing paper

            -a dictionary/thesaurus

Get into a routine

Set a regular time for homework every day and look for a homework area with good light. 

Limit distractions

Turn off electronic devices and the TV during homework time.

Talking About Homework

Ask your child about their homework each day. Even if you do not understand the assignment or do not speak English, you can still check to see that it is finished. 

Talk with your child about what they are learning in your home language and ask them to explain new concepts and vocabulary to make sure they understand them. 

Extra Help

Use the library for books and computers

The school and public libraries are great places for homework help, books, reference resources, and computer/Internet access. 

Learn about your school's after-school programs

Ask your child's teacher if any programs are available at your school.

Talk with your child's teacher

Find out what the teacher's homework expectations are. If your child has a problem completing or understanding homework, call or e-mail the teacher to talk about the issue. Request an interpreter if necessary to communicate with your child's teacher.

Friday, February 1, 2019

Hello Ranchlands School Community!

Keeping the Home Language Alive

A few weeks ago I blogged about the importance of keeping the home language alive. Here are some important reasons as outlined by the CBE:

Why?

-Your child will develop stronger English skills if you continue to use and develop your home language.
-Your home language will help your child to learn. When a child knows about things in the home language, he or she will learn about things in the second language more easily.
-Your home language supports your child’s sense of identity.
-Knowing the home language helps children to communicate easily within the family and the community.

Here are some ways to help keep the home language at home:

How?

-Talk to your children in the language you know best.
-Talk more about current events and issues.
-Go to formal and informal home language community events.
-Go to religious, family, or cultural events in the home language.
-Enroll your child in heritage or international language programs. (e.g. Southern Alberta Heritage --Language Association: 403-233-7998)
-Show support for heritage or international language programs by visiting classes and developing relationships with teachers.
-Talk about why it is important to keep first language growing at home.
-Visit the public library and sign out resources in your first language.

The Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Public Library will be holding an evening information session(s) with more on this topic on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Specifics on the location and time are given below. All parents and caregivers are invited to attend.