November 2004

Dear Parents,

Have you noticed that all the students sit in groups rather than rows in the classrooms at Eisenhower? This is a research based strategy called “cooperative learning”. Cooperative learning is an approach to accommodate diversity, aid students in the socialization process and promote mastery of academic skills. Group processing in collaborative learning groups improves both achievement and retention of knowledge over time (Yager, Johnson, Johnson & Snider, 1986).

Have you heard about the new math series “Growing with Mathematics”? The district adopted this series last year and the EIS staff is implementing it this year. The series is standard based series with an emphasis on problem-solving. Our teachers are using the series along with other supplemental materials to provide higher-level thinking mathematics instruction to our students.

Questions like the ones above and more have been bouncing around the campus for some time. In order to help inform the parents of the research based strategies and other great things going on at Eisenhower, I am implementing a “School Talk Time” with the principal. Once a month, I will be available for an hour for any parent to come in and “talk”. This month the “School Talk Time” is scheduled for November 17 from 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. In the future months, I will schedule at different times during the day and/or evening to try to accommodate more people. However, please note that this “School Talk Time” will not take the place of scheduling a time to meet with me. I would be happy to make an appointment or try to see you anytime a need arises.

We want to take this time to say “Thank You” to all the parents who were able to attend the parent-teacher conferences. We hope you found these conferences informative and helpful. Together, we can and will make a difference in the lives of our children!