Please keep these important events in mind for next week: 

• Thursday, Oct 3, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a meeting for 5th grade parents to discuss the Back-to-Back program;
• Also next week, we will have our first lock-down drill. Teachers will be notified in advance and students will be prepared. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please contact me.

I have to say it's been a very good three weeks for everyone at Normandale.

In August, our teachers committed to ensuring our students "make or exceed growth targets." And this week, all students in grades 3-5 have completed the first measure of those growth targets: MAP assessments in reading and math. Our students' scores will be available in late October and I'll notify you ASAP when you can view them in Schoolview.

Our meeting with Valley View teachers went well and here are a few things they shared about our students when they move from our school to a middle school: 

• "Frenchies" are less and less motivated to speak French in middle school which is understandable since our students move from immersion in 5th grade to simply extension in 6th grade.
• Our students, however, go to middle school very prepared to speak French with a high degree of confidence.
• There is a need to motivate students to perfect their oral skills with richer vocabulary, consistent application of grammar principles, and less mixing of English and French.

All in all, the meeting with Valley View teaching staff went well and they continue to be strong supporters of our program.

As always, my door is open to you,

Gerry Lukaska

952-848-4199