Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

Reading Is The Key To Learning
There is nothing more important to your child’s future than reading. He or she will need to read well in order to excel in all other subjects in school, follow written instructions, learn from books, study, take tests, fill out a job application, pass a driving test or write a job report. That’s why it is so important that reading begin at home. Take these suggestions:

If you are the parent of a grade-schooler: Make reading a normal part of your life at home. Make regular trips with your child to the public library so that he or she can pick out new books to read. Be sure to have your child’s eyesight and hearing checked every year. Just as important, stay in touch with your child’s teacher and ask questions:

• Are children at your child’s school evaluated in kindergarten
• Is a school library of books available to students?
• Is students’ work corrected and returned to them?

If you are the parent of a middle-schooler: Allow your child to pick the books he or she wishes to read. Occasionally, read the same book your child is reading, whether or not it is one you would choose to read. This will give you an opportunity to communicate by comparing notes and sharing opinions, insights and interpretations.

Control the amount of TV and the types of shows that your child watches. TV is a passive activity that doesn't allow your child to participate or think.
Instead, set an example for your child by having books at home and spending quiet time reading. And give your child a quiet, well-lit place to read and study.
It's also very important to find out from your child's teacher the level on which your child is reading.

Check in with your child's teachers and guidance counselors to see if they see any problems. And keep an eye on your child's written homework. Ask the teacher, also, how reading is taught in the classroom and what you as a parent can do at home to support your child's reading progress.

If you are the parent of a high-schooler: Continue to make reading a priority. Your teen will enter a labor force where good reading and writing skills are essential. Be sure you know your child’s reading score on Maryland’s tenth-grade standardized test. Check in with your child’s teachers and school counselors to see if they see any problems. And keep an eye on your child’s written homework. Most important, stay involved with your child’s reading and with his or her schoolwork. Reading is your child’s key to learning, and parents are the key to both!

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There have been many traffic issues during arrival and dismissal which have jeopardized the safety of the students and staff at William S. James Elementary School. In order to make the campus a safe place for all, a traffic committee was established last year. The committee was and currently is comprised of administrators, parent representatives, staff members, and Board of Education supervisors. The committee determined that a revision of how car riders assemble on and off our campus was needed.

After consulting with a representative from Harford County Public School Transportation and Security offices, there are now two arrival and dismissal options. Your child will now be considered a bus rider or a walker. Dropping off and picking up students on campus during arrival and dismissal will no longer be permitted by car. This means that both sides of the parking lot will be blocked off from 8:50-9:30 and 3:50-4:20. Students who were normally car riders are now considered walkers since they will need to walk on and off our school grounds. This means parents or guardians will need to park off of school grounds and walk children to school and to the car. Please remember that all students must cross the street in a crosswalk. (This is unless your child takes the bus.)

Mrs. Kim Spence

Please note: WSJES will not use email addresses registered here for purposes other than to notify of Roar updates.