Connecting Waters Charter School

January 2003

Sherri Nelson

Happy New Year!

I remember when I was teaching my children at home that right about now I would experience BURNOUT. Is this true for you or did you have a restful vacation and you are ready to meet all challenges? I hope that you are rested and refreshed. But in case you’re not and you spent time teaching things that you didn’t quite have enough time to complete when school was in session, I want you to know that you are not alone. Many parents experience the same feeling of burnout. When I felt this way I would read a few chapters in Homeschool Burnout by Raymond S. Moore, Ed.D. & Dorothy N. Moore, M.A. After reading some of this book I became less uptight and could easily make it through the rest of the school year. I believe that it’s all about our attitude and you know our children feed off of us when it comes to attitude. If I am calm and relaxed about something my children are calm and relaxed but if I am uptight they are also. It’s important to be encouraged and assured that you are on the right track.

Your Es has so much experience and she/he can give you techniques and ideas to help you in educating your student(s). Your ES is available for you! We also have great classes planned for the second semester at the Manteca and Modesto Learning Centers. Many of these classes will help fill in some of the gaps that you are concerned about. I would encourage you to enroll your students in not only in high interest classes that will interest your students but classes that will help them to achieve success on the standardized tests. Several of the courses are taught by credentialed teachers who have different techniques to help your student(s). If you haven’t already done so you should sign up for the parent listserve by emailing msilva@ieminc.org and stating that you would like to be added to Connecting Waters parent listserve!

Testing is right around the corner! We are looking forward to having 100% participation. Your Es and our assessment department will provide you with the times, dates, and locations of the STAR test. Please mark your calendar; the writing test will be March 18^th for grades 4 & 7. The STAR Multiple Choice test will be given the week of April 7^th.

Our mission is to: Empower a community of parents, students, and teachers to create learning opportunities which will develop accountable, responsible, and contributing members of society who are independent, life-long learners.

Our staff hopes that you have a wonderful and happy new year!