Becoming a Life Long Reader
Growing up, I never considered myself a reader. When I was in school, I read the required books each year. I rarely read for pleasure, and consequently I never had a favorite book or author. In recent years, I began reading nonfiction books on pedagogy and other topics that interested me. I then jumped the aisle over to fiction. I discovered that the more I read, the more I enjoyed reading.
I am fortunate to work with a group of people who share my new found love for reading. Mrs. Saitta started a book club for the faculty in September, 2011. Through the book club we have read and discussed over twenty books. Have I liked them all? No, I did not enjoy Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan. Were there any I thought were masterfully written? Yes, I especially and surprisingly enjoyed We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver.
So, you may ask yourself, “What does this have to do with my child?” Your child needs to read. It is a skill that needs to be developed, just like mathematics. The more your child does it, the better your child will develop the skill. Here is the tricky part; your child needs to read a lot. The research shows that your child will be more inclined to read if the texts are self-selected. Take your child to the library! Go to the bookstore! Your child can download electronic books from the library! We live in a digital age. Many students are creating accounts on Goodreads.com and writing about their reading. In doing so, the students are developing both reading and writing skills. In third grade, we keep a reader’s notebook. The children are writing about their self-selected reading. They are getting recommendation from me as well as their classmates. The third graders are reading a lot. Most children have already read and written about 15 books this school year. So turn off the video games, the computer, and the television and READ!!!
In closing, one of my guilty pleasures in life is the bookstore. Whenever I find time, I love to go in and peruse around. I look at the best sellers and latest recommendations. I head over to the children’s section and check out the numerous chapter and picture books. I also enjoy looking at all the other things that the bookstore has to offer. I can spend hours in a bookstore. Back in the summer of 2011, I remember I had the opportunity to go into Borders, in Farmingdale, on a Saturday morning. I had been in there numerous times, but this time was different. Borders was closing. I had a melancholy feeling as I was walking around. Finally, I made my selection (The Help by Kathryn Stockett) when a flash mob suddenly appeared. They sang “Thank You for Being a Friend”, and I thought isn’t that the perfect way to describe a book and a bookstore.
WELCOME BACK FROM WINTER RECESS! We hope you enjoyed the snows of winter and are looking forward to spring arriving. Please remember to Re-Register before the fee increases to $200 on March 1st.
LAST CHANCE! If you like ice hockey, we have the perfect game for your family! Come join your Trinity friends at a New York Islander ice hockey game on Sunday, March 2nd at 3:00 pm vs the Florida Panthers. Everyone attending the game is invited to go on the ice after the game and take a shot at the goal. Tickets are $33 (Upper Level) and $52 (Lower Level). Orders with payment enclosed (cash or check payable to Trinity Lutheran PTFA) were due February 11. Tickets will be distributed prior to the event. Please note this is not a drop-off event. Everyone attending must have a ticket. For more information contact Karen Mann at 631-553-5619 or at [email protected].
BON APETITE! – Trinity’s very active PTFA is hosting a FOOD FAIR on Friday, February 28th from 7-9 pm in conjunction with the K-8 International Day that day. Families are invited to sample ethnic foods from local eateries. This will be a fun way to sample new foods as well as some old favorites while dining in a family setting with your Trinity friends. The cost is $20 per family. Reservations are required by February 27th. Come join us for food, entertainment and small raffles.
JAZZ BAND will perform at the International Food Fair this Friday, February 28th. Jazz band members should be at school by 6:00 pm Friday evening.
NYSSMA FORMS are due. Vocalists and instrumentalists interested in performing at the NYSSMA Festival on May 5 and 6 must have their forms and checks in by Friday, February 28th.
FUTURE PTFA SPONSORED EVENTS:
- Middle School Career Day – March 11th from 9:30 – 10:45 am
- K-5 Movie Night – with pajamas and vendors – March 14 at 7:00 pm. Origami Owl, Tastefully Simple, Avon ad Pampered Chef will be represented.
- Scholastic Book Fair – week of March 17 during the school day
- Supermarket Wingo family game night – April4, 7-9:00 pm
- Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfast – April 12th
(Details for the above will go home shortly.)
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK:
- Tues., 02/25 Zumba; pick-up 4:00 pm
- Tues., 02/25 Peer Tutoring; pick-up 4:00 pm
- Wed., 02/26 Writing Workshop (grades 1 &2); pick-up 4:00 pm
- Thurs., 02/27 Writing Workshop (grades 3-5); pick-up 4:00 pm
- Thurs., 02/27 FAST Athletics; pick-up 4:00 pm
- Thurs., 02/27 Cherub Choir; pick-up 4:00 pm
SPORTS THIS WEEK:
Basketball:
- Boys Varsity:
Mon., 02/24 Practice; pick-up 4:15 pm
Tues., 02/25 Game vs St. Kellenberg (H); 4:15 pm; pick-up 5:30 pm
Thurs., 02/27 Game vs St. Peter’s(A); 4:00; pick-up 5:30 pm
- Girls Varsity:
Mon., 02/24 Practice; pick-up 5:30 pm
Wed., 02/26 Game vs Grace (H): 4:00; pick-up 5:15 pm
Fri., 02/28 Game vs Kellenberg (A); 4:00; pick-up 5:45 pm
- Boys JV:
Tues., 02/25 Game vs Harbor Country Day School (A); 3:45; pick-up 5:30 pm
Wed., 02/25 Practice; pick-up 4:00 pm
Thurs., 02/27 Game vs East Woods (A); 3:45; pick-up 5:15 pm
- Girls JV:
Tues., 02/25 Practice; pick-up 4:00 pm
Thurs., 02/27 Game vs East Woods (H); 3:45; pick-up 4:45 pm
- Dance: Mon., 02/24 Practice; pick-up 4:30 pm; Wed., 02/26 Game; pick-up 4:00
Fri., 02/28 Perform at International Food Fair 7:00 pm
ASH WEDNESDAY (March 5th) – You are invited to worship with our Trinity family on Wednesday, March 5th, at 7:15 pm, as we begin the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Holy Communion service.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Many thanks to all who purchased candy during the ECC lunch room chocolate sale. We raised $212 from this sale! REMINDER TO ECC PARENTS: March 1st, early re-registration deadline, is fast approaching Please reregister now to avoid the higher fee of $145.00