Brooks' Bulletin
Se pte mb e r
20 13
Back to School!
week.
On behalf of the entire
staff, I would like to extend a special welcome to
all of the students who
are new to Isaac Fox this
year, whether from another school in the district or from another district. The kids have come
to school eager and ready
to learn, willing to make
new friends and become
involved with activities.
The learning process just
keeps marching forward.
You sent them with positive attitudes, and we
couldn’t have asked for a
better group of kids.
Thank you so much; you
have helped us do our job
more effectively.
New Staff Members
We’re also happy to welcome back former students, too!
All of the students did a
wonderful job coping with
the heat that greeted us
as we returned to school.
We made sure that students remained hydrated
and circulated through
our cool areas. We had a
lot of popsicles that
helped, too. Some were
from generous parents,
and the district also
dropped some off!
We also want to thank all
of the parents and relatives who attended the
two Curriculum Nights
that were held that first
We are very pleased to
welcome Mrs. Mitchell,
our new fifth grade
teacher, Mrs. Ladenburger, our new fifth
grade teacher who is coteaching with Mr. Spicer
in the Demonstration
Technology Classroom, and
Ms. Boden, our new speech
teacher. Mrs. Ladenburger came to us from
Spencer Loomis.
MAP Testing
Fourth graders will be
asked to volunteer in January.
S e p t e mb e r 2 0 1 3
Student Assistance Program News
Barbara Belke, the Student Assistance Program
Coordinator at LZHS, has
shared some tips for parents.
According to The Partnership for a Drug Free
America, “Parents have
more influence over their
child than friends, music,
TV, and Internet and celebrities,” There’s no better time than the present
to talk to our kids. Conversations should not be a
Safety Patrol
one time thing, but continFifth graders should have
uous. Here are their tips
turned in their safety
to Help your child stay
patrol slips by now if
safe
they’re planning to participate in this program. Mrs.  Talk and listen regularly
Randazzo and Mrs. Hintermeister have been very  Avoid interrupting
helpful copying materials
 Take advantage of
and scheduling students.
blocks of time; drivThe students currently
ing, meals, etc.
working were members of
 Be careful not to
safety patrol last year.
criticize; describe a
On Thursday, Sept. 12 the
better way
LZPD will be on site to
help us do a new/
 Be directly involved in
refresher training for
your child’s everyday
these students. We apworld
preciate their assistance.
 Set limits
All 2-5 grade students are
currently taking the MAP
test. This self-adaptive
test in reading and mathematics is given during the
LMC period. Results will
be sent home in late October.
D a t e s t o R e me m b e r
September 11– Picture Day
September 12– Safety Patrol Training
September 13– PTO Back To School
Event, 5:30-8:30 PM
September 17– Early Release, 12:50
PM
Sept. 18– PTO Meeting, 9:00 AM, IF
Cafeteria
September 24-26– IF Book Fair, Gym
September 27– Institute Day, NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Page 2
Mealtime Magic
Mealtime is a great time for your
family to talk and enjoy each other’s
company. Make the most of mealtime
with this M-E-A-L approachMake the atmosphere pleasant. Focus
on the positive-try not to bring up
criticism or complaints.
Entertain each other. Examples: Tell
jokes. Make up a story and ask each
person to add a line.
Always give everyone a turn to talk.
Try asking a different question each
week. Examples: “What’s your alltime favorite book?” “What’s the
funniest thing that happened today?”
Loosen up. Think of ways to make
mealtime an adventure. Examples:
Spread a blanket on the floor and
have an indoor picnic. Have a
backward dinner—start with dessert!
Make Attendance a Priority
Let your kids know that unless
they’re sick they must go to school.
Try to schedule routine dentist and
doctor appointments after school
hours. If possible, take family
vacations during school breaks. Tip:
Give your own awards for perfect
attendance each month. Try a “Job
Well Done” certificate or a coupon
good for a night of bowling or a
movie.
Questions to Use When Reading
With Your Child

What did you notice about how
the writer told the story?

What did the writer do to interest you in the story?

What was the writer’s purpose in
writing the book?

What did the writer do to make
(characters, topic, plot, setting)
interesting?

Who are the most important
characters and the least?

What were three of the most
important ideas in this informational text?
were “Caught being good!” Our goal is
that everyone will get a certificate by
the end of the year.
Retirement
It is with a multitude of emotions that
I inform you that at the end of this
year I will be retiring from District
95. Leaving Isaac Fox is difficult, but
I feel the time is right for me. I
sincerely love our staff, students, and
families. I feel that we have a common
goal of excellence and that has been
met through the efforts of a
dedicated and knowledgeable group of
teachers and the support of our
families. Together we have created an
unusually effective and close learning
community.
These are just a few ways to begin
book discussions. I encourage you to
either read the same book with your
child or separately and then begin a
discussion.
I know that we will have a wonderful
year together this year and Isaac Fox
students will experience great success
and fulfillment-academically and
emotionally.
If you have a younger child who is
just learning to read, please read to
them every night. Once they begin
reading, you can read to them and
listen to them every night. When you
are listening to them read, you should
think about what he/she does when
they make an error.
I have always been aware of your
personal support, your hard work, your
never-ending commitment and your
constant focus on that which is best
for kids. Isaac Fox is and will always
be a significant, positive piece of my
life and I will always carry it with me.
I hope that you find these ideas/
suggestions helpful.
Let’s have a great year together!
Sincerely,
Jill Brooks,
Principal
Super Foxes
Every adult at Isaac Fox is looking to
recognize students for outstanding
behavior-being a Super Fox! I created
certificates that are handed out and
will be brought home. We’ll be taking
monthly photos for our Super Fox
board and announcing students who