August 28 - September 1

FYI...

MAPS testing will take place on Tuesday, 8/29 and Thursday, 8/31.  Please see that your child is well rested and has a healthy breakfast and lunch both days.

Reducing Test Taking Anxiety

Test anxiety is when a student excessively worries about doing well on a test. This can become a major hindrance on test performance and cause extreme nervousness and memory lapses among other symptoms. The following are tips on reducing test-taking anxiety that we share with students, but you can share with your child as well.  

• Being well prepared for the test is the best way to reduce test-taking anxiety.

• Try to maintain a positive attitude while preparing for the test and during the test.

• Exercising for a few days before the test will help reduce stress.

• Get a good night's sleep before the test.

• Show up to school on time so you won't have to worry about being late.

• Stay relaxed, if you begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly to relax and then get back to work.

• Read the directions slowly and carefully.

• If you don't understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher to explain it to you.

• Skim through the test so that you have a good idea how to pace yourself.

• Do the simple questions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.

• Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own test.

• If you don't know an answer to a question skip it for the time being (come back to it later if you have time), and remember that you don't have to always get every question right to do well on the test.

• Focus on the question at hand. Don't let your mind wander to other things.

If your child is still experiencing extreme test anxiety after following these tips, seek help from your child's teacher or school social worker.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Hoping that everyone had a wonderful summer! We are happy to be coming back and are ready for a great year. Welcome back returning students and welcome to those who are new with us at Prairieview this year. Mrs. Krasnodebski will be working in 4th Grade Resource. Students will see her throughout the fourth-grade area!

We welcome back our students with two assistants in 4th grade.  Mrs. Micek will continue sharing her instructional talents and knowledge in 4th grade.  She is a certified special education teacher.  We are also happy to have Mrs. Bryant continue  working with our team this year.  She has a variety of educational experiences to add to our team the whole day through.  How lucky we are to have such a talented, caring women as a part of our team!

Our first week included "Getting to Know You" activities, team building and learning classroom procedures. The students and teachers have been getting to know each other, sharing some laughs and working hard.

Mrs. Krasnodebski's teaching is based on the premise that all students can learn, despite any obstacles in their path. For that reason, our students receive instruction and support both in the general education classroom and in the resource room. Your child will receive an educational program that encompasses the goals and instructional strategies outlined in his/her Individualized Education Program (IEP). We will work very hard to help your child complete all of his/her goals and objectives. If you have any questions regarding your child's academic performance, please do not hesitate to make contact.

The resource room is a classroom like any other. In order to function, it must have rules and policies that ensure fair treatment for teachers and students alike.

We are all looking forward to working with your child and helping him/her to achieve at his/her full potential. Mrs. Krasnodebski will discuss your child's academic history with his/her classroom teachers in preparation for the upcoming year. The parent-teacher relationship is vital to your child's success in school. By working together, we can help your child have a very fulfilling learning experience.

Fourth-grade students will take MAP tests during the week of 8/28. The Reading portion of the test is scheduled for Tuesday, 8/29 and the Math portion will take place on Thursday, 8/30. Our motto for MAP testing is "Don't stress...just do your best!" 

Please be sure to mark your calendar for Curriculum Night, which is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th from 6:30 to 8:00. You will have an opportunity to visit our classroom, and to meet your child's math teacher. There will also be a presentation regarding the district "Learning Never Stops" technology initiative.

Mrs. Krasnodebski may be reached during school hours at (630) 783-5097. You may leave a voice mail message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. She may also be reached at the respective e-mail address: jkrasno@ccsd66.org . She can respond more quickly when sent an email. Throughout the year, she will communicate with the home through notes in the assignment notebook, blog, telephone calls, progress reports, school newsletters and report cards. She will also be available for parent-teacher conferences, as they are needed.

Once again, welcome back! The 2017-2018 school year is going to be a great experience for your child! Thank you in advance for your support and commitment throughout the year.

Mrs. Krasnodebski and Spakausky's Math Class: 

We will have our first day of math on Monday. Our first module is Models for Multiplication and Division. The students will learn how to interpret products of whole numbers using number lines, ratio tables, and rectangular arrays.  There will be nightly homework assignments.