Reading Report by Marilyn Nepps

Our first Reading Is Fundamental (R.I.F.) book distribution will be held on November 27^th and 28^th. The theme, Fishing for a Good Book, will focus on helping students select a book that is appropriate for them. Tips for selecting books will be shared on the morning news on WBRK-TV. A large cut-out fish, on a hook, will hang on each classroom door. It will be covered with smaller cut-out fish on which students will write the title of a book that they would recommend to others.

Health Office by Betsy Smith

Preliminary screening (height, weight, vision and hearing) of all grades is completed. Those students failing vision or hearing will be rescreened this month. BMI calculations are being completed on grades K – 3 and formal charting done on the paper files. Computer documentation is started on Skyward for yearly screening assessments, physicals and dental examinations. A formal health conditions alert list was generated, updated and distributed to all specialists.

Wellness Wednesday this month will concentrate on our wonderful organ, the skin and the Great American Smokeout. First grade enjoyed the bus/pedestrian safety presentation which I scheduled through the Department of Health. My newsletter reflects our Wellness Wednesday presentations and reminds delinquent parents to send/turn in their dental and physical forms. School dental examination requests will be sent out this month for screening scheduled on Friday, January 11, 2008.I will recertify our nursing staff in CPR and First Aid on November 19^th.

Physical Fitness by Nancy Kodish

In Physical Education class, students will begin working on their upper body strength in preparation for the pull-up test.  The pull-up test is part of the President's Council on Physical Fitness Test. 

Students in Kindergarten, first and second grades will be working with manipulatives.  They will be exercising with scarves, scooters, bean bags, hoops, and the parachute.  Third and fourth graders will finish soccer and hockey respectively and will be working on ball skills in preparation for basketball.

Counselor’s Corner by Sue Pronchik

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching fall conferences. I am completing the first session of guidance lesson in grades 1-4. I have worked with students on identifying their strengths and practicing positive thoughts and actions at school and home; identifying feelings and working on appropriate methods to handle anger; differentiating between tattling and reporting; handling conflict in positive ways; recognizing the roles of a bully, a target and bystanders and role playing a variety of situations in dealing with the various roles. These are difficult skills to put into place and students are encouraged to practice and share the learned strategies with their families.

Testing, observations and reports for Child Study/ Evaluation Report data collection continue to flow in and individual counseling for multiple students continue.  We hosted Jedli-Bully Free Program on October 25^th. This program incorporated magic and music to reinforce conflict resolution skills taught in guidance classes. I am currently setting up lessons on “Safe and Healthy Touches” –offered by Victim Services in Norristown. I am working with St. James’ Church and the Rotary Club to assist various families during the holiday season and coordinating a school philanthropy project with our pro-social committee.

Media Center by Jean Novis

During library classes in the month of December, Brooke’s primary classes will be involved in various books and writing activities centered on seasonal themes. The intermediate classes will continue to work on completing their computer search tests. They will also be doing more in-depth research in the encyclopedias and almanacs, both print and electronic.

So many Brooke parents take the time to work with their children by encouraging them to develop a love of reading. As a result, students are becoming very responsible Media Center users. Brooke students are enthusiastic about participating in the Media Center’s various reading clubs at all grade levels and they are great about returning their books in a timely manner. Last month’s circulation totaled over 3,000 books, magazines and audio-visual materials which indicates another very busy month for the Media Center.