As yet another school year begins, I am excited to be here at Byrd. The Byrd Staff has been working steadily to get their rooms and lessons ready.
We are happy to be back and to see all the students!

Parents, as the school year begins:

1. Contact your student’s teacher if you have questions or concerns about your student. Call for an appointment or email.

2. Emphasize to your child that you and the teachers work together as a team to help ensure his or her academic success.

3. Share information with teachers that may help them to better understand your child, his or her likes and dislikes, unusual home circumstances that may be causing stress, or if your child takes medication that might affect schoolwork.

4. Talk with your children about their classes. Get their assessment of how they are doing, strengths and weaknesses, amount of time actually spent on homework, and where they think they can do better.

5. If your child is having a problem in a particular subject area, do not wait until a regularly scheduled conference to address it. Educators say that the sooner you discuss your concerns with the teacher, the better for your child.

6.A regular routine at home can help students be at their best when they come to school. Meals, homework time and place and bedtime should all be part of that routine.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your student. You may contact me through the school office (556-5380) or email me ().

Below is the schedule for the SOL Testing dates for all students in grades 3-5. Please note that these tests are untimed however, not unlimited.  Students must complete the test during the regular school day.
Please help your child be ready for these tests by offering positive encouragement and explaining to him/her the importance of doing his/her best.  Please try to assure that your child has a good night’s sleep, eats a good breakfast, and arrives at school on time.  Please note that students arriving late will not be allowed to go to the classroom.  They will remain in the office until after the testing session and will be responsible for taking the test during the make-up session.
Please remember to not schedule any activities in which your child will need to be absent, arrive at school late, or leave school early during the testing days.
Thanks for your support and cooperation.

SOL Test Schedule
Non-Writing 2011
5/10 (Tuesday) 5 Reading
5/11 (Wednesday) 4 Reading
5/12 (Thursday) 3 Reading
5/13 (Friday) 3 Reading
5/16 (Monday) 5 Math
5/17 (Tuesday) 4 Math
5/18 (Wednesday) 3 Math
5/19 (Thursday) 5 Science
5/20 (Friday) 3 Science
5/23 (Monday) 5 Social Studies
5/24 (Tuesday) 4 Social Studies
5/25 (Wednesday) 3 Social Studies
5/26 (Thursday) makeup

TIME:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
DATES:  Wednesdays March 9th, 16th, 23rd , 30th
LOCATION:  Goochland Public Schools Specialty Center, 3140 River Road West (on Route 6 between Goochland Elementary School and the Goochland County Administration Building).
CONTACT: Goochland Office on Youth at 556-5875 to register at least 24 hours prior to the first class.
Goochland County offers the Love & Logic parent education program on an
on-going basis throughout the community.  The program is designed as an
interactive series of 4 sessions.

The workshop helps parents to provide a nurturing environment which
encourages children to make healthy choices.  It is based on a win-win
approach to parenting that teaches young people how to be responsible.
The youth wins by learning how to effectively solve their own problems
and by gaining confidence in their ability to make good choices.  The
parent wins by learning how to establish healthy controls and set limits
without getting into power struggles with their child.

The Love & Logic program is free.  A resource manual
will be provided, in addition to fun, fellowship, and helpful
information for parents of children of all ages.

Dear Parents of Grade 5 Students:

Your child will be taking the Grade 5 Writing SOL test in March.  There are two components to this test - Multiple Choice, and Writing Prompt (Essay).  Tuesday, March 8th will be our day for students to take the Multiple-Choice, and Thursday, March 10th will be the Writing Prompt.  Please be sure to mark your calendars, and make every effort to schedule appointments for your child accordingly.  Thank you for your help in making this a positive testing experience for your child, and feel free to email me with any questions or concerns!

SOL Writing Test will be the week of March 7, 2011.
Please try to avoid making appointments during the school day for your fifth grade student that week, if possible.  Thank you.