Elementary Newsletter 11/11

November 2011 SPARTAN SCOOP

A Note from the Principal..... by Lisa Miller THANK YOU for attending Parent-Teacher Conferences in late October. We appreciate the chance to talk with you about your child’s progress. Your involvement and support is a key component in your child’s academic success. Feel free to contact your child teacher(s) when you have questions anytime during the year. Our fourth and fifth grade Spartan Senators wrapped up their first VERY SUCCESSFUL service project. Thank you very much to all the elementary students who donated their change! Over $600.00 was raised for the National Down Syndrome Society! Spartan Senators weighed the money collected, and were amazed that $600 in change weighs over 70 pounds! The Spartan Senators also provide valuable service to our school, including these Friday jobs: giving announcements, cleaning screens in the computer lab, delivering mail to teachers, and helping Mrs. Day serve customers at the School Store. The end of the first trimester is coming up on Friday, November 11 and elementary report cards will be coming home on Tuesday, November 22nd. Note that we DO NOT HAVE SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, OR FRIDAY of Thanksgiving Week. We wish your family a very Happy Thanksgiving, and blessings all year long! DATES TO REMEMBER……. November 3 5:00 pm Dr. Scott McLeod meets at the H.S. IMC with Community Members 7:00 pm Dr. Scott McLeod meets at the H.S. IMC with PTA November 4 “Wizard of Oz” matinee (H.S. Aud.) November 7 1:30 pm & 7:00 pm 1st & 4th Grade Music Concert (H.S. Aud) November 11 End of 1st Trimester November 14 2 Hour Late Start November 18 8:30 am – K-2 Hearing Screenings November 22 Report Cards go home November 23-25 NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break November 28 2 Hour Late Start November 29 2nd & 3rd Grades to Gallagher-Bluedorn

GRUNDY CENTER ELEMENTARY

903 9th Street Grundy Center, IA 50638

319-825-5461

LISA MILLER,

PRINCIPAL [email protected]

MARY HINDERHOFER, COUNSELOR

[email protected]

TIM BURBRIDGE, AT-RISK COORDINATOR [email protected]

DORINDA NEDERHOFF, ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT [email protected]

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK……. November is here and so is the end of the first trimester! The time has gone quickly and much has happened this fall. We are proud of all of our Spartans both in the classroom and on the fields/floors/stage! Congratulations to our Girls Cross Country Team for placing 12th at the State Meet on October 29! This is their best finish in history. We are proud of you! We are also proud of our GC Football Team for making the playoffs! Best wishes to our Volleyball Team as they continue the road to the State Tournament as well! Please come support our incredible thespians as they perform “The Wizard of Oz” on Friday, November 4 and Sunday, November 6. It is sure to be MAGICAL! The 1st & 4th Graders will also be presenting “I’ve Got That Autumn-ish Feelin” on November 7, and the Middle School will have their vocal concert on November 8. The band will once again host the NICL Band Festival on November 15, too! The auditorium will be alive with music this month! Our Fall MAP scores indicate we are still above the national and state norms, but we did see the same “summer dip”. Our spring scores are always very strong, and then the fall scores decrease. This continues to be a concern because teachers and students then have to spend time reviewing past material instead of moving on to new learning. There is a good chance you will hear conversation about making changes in our school calendar in the near future. The Governor has unveiled his “Blue Print for Educational Reform”, and now school leaders are looking for ways to help improve student learning. Taking a full 12 weeks off over the summer is hindering learning for many of our students, and test scores make this pretty clear. My prediction is that we will have a 6-7 week summer break and spread the other 5-6 weeks out between the trimesters—making longer fall, winter, and spring breaks. We currently have 180 days of school each year, and I do not foresee that changing. As new ideas are shared regarding the Reform Plans, I will keep you posted! On a financial note, I am excited to share that our official certified enrollment is up 27.2 students! The .2 comes from partial weighting for our students that are home schooled but dual enrolled to participate in some academic or extra-curricular activities. This certified enrollment count is what generates our funding for the 2012-2013 school year. Grundy Center is a wonderful community in which to live and raise a family, and that word must be spreading! It is a GREAT time to be a Spartan! Mrs. Murra

SPARTAN SCOOP PAGE 2


TREE-MENDOUS TREES! By Mrs. Johnson The kindergartners have been busy studying All About Trees during this first trimester. We have had our “hands on science” through the use of FOSS Kits containing many manipulatives and experiments. Through this study, the children have observed trees on our playground by taking nature walks, collected leaves for observation, and have heard many non-fiction stories about trees. The students have labeled the four parts of a tree, how a tree changes through the seasons, and studied the silhouettes and outlines of trees and leaves. We have enjoyed watching the changes the fall season brings!

Pebbles, Sand, and Silt The First Graders are enjoying many discoveries and new experiences while studying these earth materials. Here are a few of the First Graders hard at work exploring their rocks:

Pebbles

Sand

Silt


ELEMENTARY CHEER CLINIC On Friday, October 21, the Grundy Center Football Cheerleaders held a cheer clinic for the elementary students. The students were divided into two groups by age with some in the multipurpose room and others in the gym. Over 96 young Spartans showed up to learn cheers, leaps and kicks. Later that night the young cheerleaders got to show off what they had learned when they cheered at the football game between Grundy Center and GMG. It was obvious to all that the Spartans have a lot of spirit!

Third Grade Science

Mrs. Blohm’s third grade class just recently finished using the FOSS Human Body Module. The students had been investigating the basic structural systems of his or her own body, which include the skeleton, joints, and muscles, and the ways these systems work to provide movement and coordination.

Mrs. Geiter’s class just recently finished

studying the FOSS Water Cycle Module. The students studied some interesting things about water as they investigated its properties. By the end of the unit, students began to appreciate how important this unique earth material is.


Walk to School Update

International Walk to School Day was a great success at Grundy Center

Elementary School. 197 students (60% ) walked to school on October 7th. The

results from this day were very exciting and hopefully will help create new habits for

many of our students who will make this become a part of their daily choice to live better.

Special recognition must be given to the Sager kids, (Kristen, Collin, Brennen,

along with their 8th grade brother Nelson) who walked to school all the way from Holland.

Upon arriving at school these students participated in the school wide 1/2 mile walk and

then had PE later in the day. What an active day and what an example of a healthy, active

lifestyle for all of us to follow!

Thanks to all the parents who either walked their students to school or encouraged

their child to walk to school so they could join in with students from across the world on

International Walk to School Day. Thanks for investing in your child’s Health!

BULLYING ASSEMBLY….. On October 13th, the Elementary school was visited by ventriloquist Kevin Horner. Mr. Horner’s message to the students was, “We need to speak out against bullying.” He used many magical tricks and ventriloquism to drive home the point that sometimes we need to speak for those who can’t. We learned that, together, we can end bullying in Grundy Center.


NEWS FROM THE ART ROOM By: Mrs. Leverton

Kindergarten has been busy working on a crayon and watercolor resistance piece. ”My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss was first read to the students. Kindergarten then talked about the meaning of the story and how feelings were discussed in the story. Students then drew a variety of sun shapes, sunrays and gave each sun face a different expression. Students then traced these shapes with black marker and colored the sun shapes with crayons. The last step was for students to paint the background using blue watercolor paint. Kindergarten was able to see what happens when watercolor and crayon meet. 1st graders have just finished their “crazy quilt” piece. Students learned what crazy quilts are, what they look like, and saw several examples of this type of quilt. 1st graders then created their own paper crazy quilt section incorporating a variety of patterns and designs. They used markers and crayons to fill in their drawing. 1st graders will be starting a new lesson shortly. Students will be making a collage self-portrait. 2nd graders are working on a piece that involves their initials, patterns, and designs. Students first drew their initials large on a sheet of white paper and have started to draw different patterns and designs in and around their initials. They will be using markers to fill in their work. 3rd graders are just starting a new lesson. Students will be making a collage piece that is similar in style to a checkerboard arrangement. Students will be creating an abstract shape drawn on pink, yellow, or green pieces of paper. Students will create that shape 6 times and arrange and glue all the pieces on a sheet of black paper. 4th graders are working on a project that involves lines, texture, and a contour drawing. Students have drawn the contour (outline) of an insect or an animal shape on a piece of white paper and are currently working on drawing a variety of lines and textures within that contour drawing. 5th graders are working on a new art lesson that deals with the ideas of warm and cool colors. Students are to first draw the outline of their hand, wrist, and a portion of their arm on a sheet of white paper. Students will then draw a series of circles starting in the middle of the hand shape continuing until they reach the edge of the paper. 5th graders will then color the portions of the circles that go through the hand, wrist, and arm shapes using warm colors. Students will then color the background using the cool colors.

IMC NEWS……. By Deb Hoop October has been a busy month in the IMC. The Book Fair was a huge success. Thank you for all your support of the Book Fair and all the support you give to the IMC throughout the year. This month I have started reading chapter books to first graders. They are excited to listen to longer books and can hardly wait for the next section of the book. I try to stop reading at an exciting part and always start with a review of what happened so far in the book.

SECOND GRADE CINQUAIN POEMS The second graders wrote cinquain poems about a season, a sport, or Halloween. There are 5 lines in each poem. The structure is: Line 1 – one word Line 2 – two words that describe the title Line 3 – three action words Line 4 – four words that describe a feeling Line 5 – one word Here are their poems. Enjoy! Soccer Play hard Run, jump, kick We play as teams Games By Levi B. Halloween Is scary Walking running asking Happy excited scary candy Halloween By Trent G.

Halloween Halloween Fun Acting, running, hiding I feel happy Cookie By Gabrielle P. Halloween Chuck E. Cheese Play games and run Excited and happy Halloween By Zach C. Halloween It’s spooky Wear a costume It’s a happy time Fun By Jasmine K. Football Make goals Working, running, thinking Excited making a touchdown Grundy By Carter J. Soccer Moving fast Blocking running kicking

I feel happy playing Grundy By Cade W. Soccer I am fast Running, guarding, kicking You feel happy in soccer Sweet By Sloan K. Halloween Scary, cool Dressing up cool You walk to houses Candy By Dylan V. Football Throw tackle Run sprint jog I am happy playing football Fun By Bailey R. Fall Colors falling Playing walking running Scary Fall By Anna M.


Music Concert November 7! By Mrs. Bev Dirks

“I’ve Got an Autumn-ish Feelin’” will be presented by students in first and fourth grades, on Monday, November 7th, in the High School Auditorium. A first grader recently came to me after class and said, “I really, really like our concert songs, Mrs. Sing!” We are sure that you will, too! We will be singing about all the high points of the autumn season from the beautiful color to patriotic events, as well. There will be a matinee at 1:30 p.m. on November 7th, open to parents and grandparents that would like to come. The only students in attendance at the matinee this year will be the grade levels performing. The evening performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. Students in first grade should meet their teachers in the high school commons to line up by 6:45 p.m, and fourth graders will meet their teachers in the upper east pod of the auditorium by 6:50 p.m. First grade parents will want to save a seat for their child after they are finished singing. Students are encouraged to wear fall colors of gold, orange, purple, green, brown and red, to carry out the theme; jeans are fine to wear.

Halloween Get candy Walk talk knocking I am really happy Candy Brayden S. Soccer Soccer fun Runnning scoring kicking Scoring is fun – Yeah! Team By Lainy T. Halloween Get Candy Walking eating talking I’m happy on Halloween Fun! By Autum C. Soccer Team fun Running kicking scoring I am really excited Goalie By Cole R. Fall Leaves and Fun Jumping Raking Rolling I feel very happy Home By Cassie C. Football You run Run throw tackle I feel really happy Nevada By Donny P. Dogs Bark love Jump run sleep Sad happy mad calm Cute By Brooke L.

Halloween Costume candy Walking talking trick-or-treating Scared excited happy good Dress Up Ella B. Fall Leaves fall Football rake soccer Good chilly happy excited Leaves By Dayne Z. Halloween Awesome fun Tricking eating running Happy scared full sad Spooky By Lexi S. Soccer Cleats soccerball Score goals run Happy cool awesome great Shin guards By Reece G. Halloween Costume candy Walk give knock Scared happy excited spooky Fun By Sam B. Football Game sport Run play catch Happy good excited hurt Fun By Cole L. Family Parents children Play travel sleep Happy cool funny awesome Fun By Jadyn S.

Fall Leaves fall Jump in leaves Happy calm excited okay Halloween By Shae B. Cousins Funny cool Jump fast moving Happy excited awesome weird Nice Paiton W. Snowmobiling Gas tracks Speed moving lining Scared happy calm fun Snow By Connor K. Space Solar System Orbit shine Like space Find By Gabe M. Halloween Costumes candy Trick-or-treating, dress up, talking Excited, Happy, Boo Trick-or-Treating By Eli L. Sports! Fun sports Run, play, throw Fun smile happy excited Sports! By Ethan S. Christmas Snow Beautiful Snowman Happy By Bailey N.


Football Sport Fun Enjoy the sport You will like it Discover By Ashton M. Halloween Halloween Is funny You get to go Trick-or-treating By Dylan O. Fall Fall Pretty Fall is Fun and I like fall By Jessica S. Halloween Pirates, spiders Trick-or-treat, walk, eat Happy lucky excited Costumes By Alex B. Halloween Pumpkins. Pizza. Eating with family Excited to play games Halloween By Ariel C. Cheerleading Pom Poms, uniform Cheering, twisting, jumping We have school spirit Stunts By Maggie T. and Taylor S. Cheerleading Cheers, chants Kicking, doing actions We like to cheer Splits By Allison B. and Theone T.

Football Fun Cool Catching, throwing, kicking We show team spirit Defense By Jeffrey H. Winter Cold, icy Snowing blowing windy I like to snowboard Snow pants By Bryce G. Winter Cold, icy Snowing blowing windy I like to sled Boots By Camerin K. Halloween Fun, Spooky Wear a costume It makes me happy Halloween By Caden D. Halloween Dark, happy Trick or treating I like getting candy Halloween By Marrah K. Fall Colorful, fun Leaves are falling Halloween is in fall Halloween By Logan K. Halloween Scary, spooky We get candy It makes me happy Witch By Emma B.

Running Cross Country Jogging passing racing We like to run Track By Aaron B. and Soren C. House Haunted, spooky Hiding, scaring, tricking It scares people lots Skeletons By Jayden B. Football Fun, awesome Running, catching, kicking I think it’s cool! Players By Dexter W. Halloween Scary witches Riding on brooms With their pointy noses Halloween By Isabella D. Halloween Big monsters Yelling, screaming, growling It has ten eyes Halloween By Paige S.


Fourth Grade Character Presentations By the Fourth Graders During October, the fourth graders all had to become someone who made the world a better place. They chose a person and researched information on that person using expository text and Internet sites. They created a report in first person to educate the class about themselves. The week of October 17th, they started presenting their reports to their classmates dressed as their character. They will be using a rubric to evaluate their presentations on speaking and presentation skills. They will also be wearing their costumes during the parade through the school on October 31st. Here are a few comments from some of the students on what they liked about this project. Lauren W. – It was fun bringing your character to life. Molli - I liked bringing props to use with mine. Jenna – It was hard work finding your information. Brayden – I had fun getting my costume stuff. Kyah – I liked finding pictures for my poster. Matt – I like working on the computer. Cameron – I liked making my costume. Hunter – I liked searching for my information. Lily – It was fun making my poster. Jack – It was fun using my imagination and figuring out how I could make my report better. Alex – I liked looking up the information. Lauren D. – It was fun finding information. Andrew – I liked learning about the person and then teaching what I had

learned to the rest of the class. Amanda – I liked learning about my person. Austin – I liked watching the other people present. Megan – I loved doing my poster. Lauren B- I liked getting the costumes all ready, typing the report, and seeing all my classmates having fun giving their presentation. Emerson- I liked seeing everyone in their costumes. Logan- I liked seeing who people were, finding information, and making the posters. Sean- I learned new things about people. Jensen- I liked looking at what people looked like and finding all of the information. Parker- I liked getting to dress up and have fun. Adam- I liked discovering things about people we didn’t know and taking the time to do good. Elle- I liked when people asked me questions. Leslie- I liked to practice because we will have to speak in a big group in college. Tristan- I liked when we got to type because it helped us with our typing.



SPARTAN SCOOP Page 11 of 12 Friendship Day By Fifth Grade

Do you know what behavior would make someone a good friend? On Friendship Day the fifth graders had a chance to let their classmates know exactly what their appreciated about their classmates. Here are a few of the comments that were made to fellow classmates. Wouldn’t you be proud to have any of them said about you?

• I like that you compliment everyone. • I love that you make stuff that is awesome, just like you. • You are a very nice friend because you care about everyone. • You are a good friend because you never put me down. • You’re sensitive (in a good way). • You can always put a smile on someone’s face. • You always cheer people on by saying, “You can do it,” and stuff like that. • You are a great helper and work hard while having fun. • You listen and have very, very, very good manners. • I admire that you always try your hardest. • You share your love for animals. • I like the way you compliment me. • You are helpful when I am stuck on a problem. • You are awesome for liking bugs, and I like you for who you are. • You have a great mind that is always in motion and thinking all the time. • I admire your sense of humor, and it’s great to have you as a neighbor. • I like it when you think outside the box. • You comfort me when I’m sad. • You are a good friend. You listen very well in class and would beat me if it was a contest. • You always stand up for me and make me smile. • You are honest. • You are funny, respectful, caring and people can count on you. • You always work on everything to improve, and you are very nice. • You spread sunshine wherever you go. • You help others by offering ways they could do things to get better. • You have great encouragements. • I love how you always make me feel good inside. • You are carefree, caring and always have a lot of energy. • You are carefree, caring and always have a lot of energy. • You are very peaceful, which makes it nice to be around you. • You are especially kind to everyone, you are smart and a good friend. • You make me smile and laugh. You are very upbeat and positive. • You push me to my very best. • You let me be your partner, and it meant a lot to me. • I love the way you always try your best. • You always ask, “How are you doing?” and you are so kind about it. • You can work with anyone that you have to work with. • You cheer on your team in p.e. • You have a great sense of humor, and you aren’t afraid to laugh at yourself. • You are funny and you stay positive. • You are kind to everyone, and you are amazing at everything you do. • You will be there if anyone is sad at recess or needs a friend. • I like that you never give up. • You always try to get involved in everything. • You are my best friend. • You always try very hard. If you don’t get it, you try again.

Grundy Center Elementary

Notes From the Nurse: What should we do to prepare for this flu season? Flu seasons are unpredictable and the timing, severity, and length of the season depends on many factors, including what influenza viruses are spreading and whether they match the viruses in the vaccine. Flu activity most commonly peaks in January or February, but can begin as early as October and continue as late as May.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these preventative measures:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.

• Clean surfaces and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact such as doorknobs, phones, keyboards, etc.

• Stay home if you or your child is sick for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at home means that they keep their viruses to themselves rather than sharing them with others.

• Get vaccinated against the flu. CDC recommends a yearly flu shot for everyone 6 months of age and older. The flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.

903 9th St. Grundy Center, IA 50638 Phone: 319-825-5461 Fax: 319-825-6817

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Elementary Newsletter 11/11