Parent Requests for Class Placement

I have given a lot of thought to the practice of accepting parent requests for a specific teacher, particularly in K-5. This practice has been in place at ASFL for many years; however, because of many reasons, I will no longer accept parent requests effective with the 2010-2011 school year. I believe that ASFL offers a high-quality curriculum with very competent  and caring teachers. Over the last four years, I have made a concerted effort to get to know my students, parents, and teachers. I have made mental notes of students' personalities, students' individual needs, as well as the teaching styles of teachers. I can honestly say that I know all 428 students. Based on my observations and experiences, I believe that I can make a pretty good decision regarding what is best for the student.

If you have any additional information about your child that I am not aware of, please send me an e-mail. I do want to consider the needs of the entire child; however, please know that I do have your child's best interest in mind. Please do not include in the letter a request for a specific teacher. Thanks for honoring my request.

Intent for 2010-2011 School Year

We are preparing for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. In order to project our enrollment as well as to determine the number of vacancies for each grade level, we need to know your plans for the next school year. If your child will not be attending ASFL next year, please send an e-mail to asflk8@gmail.com. Please place in the subject line: Intent for 2010-2011 School Year. You may also send me a letter or leave a voice message on my phone.  If I do not receive an e-mail, letter, or voice message,  I will assume that you plan to return in August.

Thanks! It's a joy to work with your child each day!

Report Cards

Report cards will be coming home today. Please remind your child to share this information with you. The next progress report will be given out to the students April 14th. We are currently in the last grading period for this school year. There are 45 more days until the end of school. Please continue to encourage your child to work hard!

Spring Fundraiser

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Spring Fundraiser will be coming in on Tuesday, March 30th. It should arrive at the school between 10 and 2 and be sorted and ready for pick up at 3pm (school dismissal). All orders need to be picked up on Tuesday by 4pm. If you would like to help out with the unloading of the truck, just let me know, any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,



Lisa Berry

Standardized Testing Strategies

Below are some testing strategies to help ease your child’s test anxiety and encourage successful testing.
• Encourage your child to have a positive attitude during testing. Engage in positive talk.

• Make sure your child arrives to school on time each morning. Students who arrive after the testing has begun will have to remain in the library and participate in the make –up session on another day. Attendance is crucial. This can determine if we make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) or not. Please, please……..have your child at school on time.

• Make sure your child dresses comfortably. Some testing days will be longer than others. Dress your child in layers in case the testing room is too hot or too cold. I will do everything within my control to make sure the room is comfortable for all of the boys and girls.

• Make sure your child eats a good, balanced breakfast, if you can. PTA will provide a snack for every student.

• Adequate sleep is also necessary for good health. Normal nights of sleep are important while preparing for a test as well as the night before the exam.

• Exercise helps to maintain good health and to release tension. Take your child for a walk the night before the exam.

• Help your child see the test in context. A test is one “snapshot” of the student’s performance on a certain day. Knowing this might help students feel less stress about the test.

• Remember to remind your child to make sure his/her cell phone is turned off and placed in the locker, if applicable. If a cell phone rings during testing, this will be coded as an irregularity. We do not want to jeopardize our AYP status in any way.

Class Pictures

Class pictures will be sent home today. They are absolutely adorable! The cost is $12.00. Please make checks payable to ASFL. If you send cash, please place in a sealed envelope and label "class picture money." All monies are due by April 2, 2010.

Also, please note that Spring pictures will be taken on April 5th. Details are posted in an earlier post.