T.I.S. Digital Backpack

March 28, 2016

FROM THE PRINICPAL’S OFFICE:

Recess Equipment

Recess equipment is provided by the school each day for

student use during recess. We ask that children not bring

their own equipment to school for use during recess. The

reason for this request is that in order to minimize recess

injuries, we carefully purchase equipment, such as soccer

balls, that are generally softer in nature than typical soccer

balls. In addition, balls are often lost or inadvertently

kicked over the fence each day during recess and due to the

heavily wooded area behind the recess fence we are unable

to retrieve lost equipment.

Unified Arts Update for March 2016

Art ~ Health ~ Library ~ Music ~ Physical Education ~

Technology

Mrs. Bezzina - Art

Third graders: Third graders are finishing Repousse’ relief sculptures.

They have been stretching their foil designs and many classes are adding

texture. We watched a short video from Old Sturbridge Village to see

how they create lanterns that are sold in the gift shop. The children were

able to see the man punch holes in the metal to create a stippled design

to let light pass through. Our designs are stippled too but they are only

indented and not pierced. See the sample pictures and watch the video

yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRmTX9gVcE8

Fourth graders: We are studying architecture and recently learned

about the Parthenon. The students looked at photos of the temple in

Greece as well as Tennessee. The original Greek temple to Athena is in

ruins and far away but the replica in Nashville, Tennessee is complete

and even has a statue of Athena inside.

Fifth graders: We studied Edgar Degas’s figure titled Little

Dancer Aged Fourteen to understand sculpture in the round.

(We also looked at Degas’ portraits in 4th grade.) Fifth graders

are almost done building their recycled animal sculptures.

Students should view their animals from every direction when

they are building to ensure they look good from every angle.

Soon we will apply plaster gauze to strengthen them and create

good painting surfaces. Any student who does not have a

smock should bring a large old shirt to school. Everyone is

required to wear a smock when painting; gauzing is optional.

Mrs. Logsdon – Health/Physical Education

Third grade Health: Following the nutrition unit, third

graders are learning about the digestive system. We

will learn about the stages of digestion beginning with

the teeth. Then, each student will create a model of

the digestive system.

Fourth grade Health: Fourth graders just finished reviewing

hygiene. Topics included, washing, wearing clean clothes and oral

hygiene. Fourth grade students have also had the opportunity to

work in small groups to sort out foods that are good and bad for your

teeth using manipulatives. Next, fourth graders will begin first aid.

5th Grade Health / Fitness: The Tolland Education Foundation awarded

the 5th grade Life Long Health/ Fitness Program

with a grant for $6000.00!!! This money will be

used to purchase equipment and manipulatives

related to different aspects of fitness. The focus of

this class is to provide opportunities for each

student to challenge themselves physically, open

opportunities for students to engage in a fitness

activity they can continue to do for a lifetime and, of course, have fun!

Exercise should be fun to help intrinsically motivate children (and

adults). The supplies that will be purchased with the money from the

TEF grant will be essential to help provide differentiation within each

task and to appropriately challenge every student and make fitness fun.

Mrs. Hill – Library

Third grade: All third graders are working on a Google slide project in library based on informational writing done in the

classroom. They are also incorporating their knowledge of text features into their slides. When the Google slides are complete, students will present them to their classmates.

Fourth grade: The note taking skills unit will be wrapping up

with application of those skills being used for an animal report.

Students will apply those note taking skills and turn them into

multimedia posters, which they will then present to the class.

Fifth grade: Fifth grade students are

finishing up their review and practice of

using both print and online versions of

dictionaries, thesauri, atlases, and

encyclopedias. Next will be a review of

library skills, including the Dewey

Decimal System. Yes, even in 21st

Century Learning skills lessons,

knowledge of this 150 year old system is

still relevant! Almost all school and public

libraries in the United States and hundreds of countries abroad continue

to use this amazing mathematical system.

Mrs. Baker - Music/Chorus ** DONATE RECORDERS! **

The TIS Music Department is still taking donations of any gently

used recorders. There will be a collection bin outside room 136, Ms.

Baker’s music room. Thank you for your donations!

Grade 3 general music: The third graders are reviewing triplet rhythms and

folk songs in triple meter. They are doing very well at learning their third grade

vocabulary. Ask your third grader to perform the Vocab Rap for you. The

students are very excited that we are starting recorders. Any student who did

not purchase a recorder from the school needs to bring in their recorder from

home for the rest of the school year. Children who did purchase recorders will

be receiving them within the next week. The composer of the month for April

will be George Gershwin.

Music Times Three: The students have been working on many songs that

they will be performing at their April concert. Date change: Wednesday,

April 27 at 7:00 at TIS in the gymnasium.

Grade 4 general music: The fourth graders are

being introduced to number counting. They are

studying the continent of Asia. This will include

one lesson each on the music of Russia, Japan,

China, Thailand, Pakistan, and India. They will

sing songs, dance, and play games and musical

instruments of these countries. The composer of

the month for April will be George

Gershwin.Grade 5 general music: The fifth

graders are completing their pentatonic

compositions. The students are learning to tune the ukuleles using a digital

tuner. They will be learning their first three chords, beginning strumming and

their first songs on their ukuleles during April. The composer of the month for

April will be George Gershwin.

Grade 5 Chorus: The fifth grade chorus is working on partner songs, and 2,

3, and 4 part songs. They are learning music based on Broadway musicals, fun

food, and popular music. Date change: The concert will be on Thursday,

May 12 at 7:00 at TIS in the all-purpose room.

Mrs. Marchesani – Band/Chorus

Grade 4 Chorus: Chorus members are preparing new songs for future PBIS assemblies and the May 19th Spring Concert. Our newest song is

titled “Soldiers’ Joy” and it is a medley of three traditional folk songs. Our future audiences are sure to name those tunes and recognize “Old

Joe Clark”, “Sail Away Ladies” and “Soldiers’ Joy”! Grade 4 and Grade 5 Band:

The 5th grade Band performed during the 4th graders lunch wave on Thursday March 10th. This was our way of

celebrating the “Mix It Up Lunch Day” component of the Start With Hello Program.

Grade 4 and 5 Band Concert Information: The 4th grade Band will present a Spring Concert

combined with the 4th grade Chorus on Thursday evening, May 19th at Tolland Middle School. Band and Chorus members should arrive at TMS no later than 6:30 p.m. and the Concert begins at

7:00 p.m. Friends of Tolland Music will assist in hosting a reception in the cafeteria immediately following the concert.

The 5th Grade Band Step-Up Concert with the 6th Grade TMS Band is scheduled for Friday, April 1, 2016, 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. at TMS. 5th Grade

students report to room 120 (near the auditorium) at TMS no later than 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., students who have purchased a ticket to the “Funtastic Friday Night Bash” head to the cafeteria. From 7:00 to 7:30

p.m., parents are invited to stay in the auditorium to talk to Miss Titus and Mrs. Marchesani about the band program. Students who are not

attending the “Funtastic Friday Night Bash” may depart with parents or are welcome to stay with their parents for the meeting.

The 5th grade Band Spring Concert is scheduled for Tuesday evening, May 17th at TMS. Band members should arrive at TMS no later than 6:30

p.m. and the Concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Friends of Tolland Music will assist in hosting a reception in the cafeteria immediately following the concert.

There will be lots of great music happening this Spring so please save the dates! Plan to bring your family and friends to cheer on these three

performing ensembles!

Mr. Downing – Physical Education

Third grade: Students will begin the fitness unit. The goal

is to improve physical fitness while having fun.

Fourth grade: Students will be starting a throwing unit.

During the unit, the critical elements associated with the

overhand throw will be reviewed and the students will

practice the overhand throw using a variety of throwing

activities and games.

Fifth grade: Students will be starting a basketball unit.

Throughout the unit, the students will play a variety of

games to reinforce the basic basketball skills dribbling,

passing, and shooting.

Mrs. Kirk - Technology Integration

During technology integration, students have been and will continue to

prepare for the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) test.

While this test provides information on student progress, it also affords

students the opportunity to continue to work and learn using digital

media. Students must learn how and when to access tools, as well as

how to integrate paper and pencil resources to solve problems and take

notes in order to process information presented on the computer screen.

These 21st Century skills help prepare students for College and Career

choices, while learning to work with technology to support, enhance, and

enrich the academic process.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March

30 HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS

April

1 GRADE 5 STEP-UP CONCERT, 6-7 PM AT TMS

FOLLOWED BY THE FUNTASTIC FRIDAY NIGHT BASH!

4 PTO @ TIS, 7 PM

5 MUSIC TIMES THREE CONCERT RESCHEDULED TO

APRIL 27TH!! SEE DETAILS BELOW

11-15 NO SCHOOL

20 COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPALS

22 EARTH DAY

27 EARLY RELEASE (1:20) FOR STUDENTS

28 GRADE 4 TO MYSTIC

29 BEACH DAY!!!

GRADE 4 NEWS Snow Creature

Winners

by Lilly

The final tallies are in

and the snow creature

winners have been

determined. The overall

school winner is… Mr.

McCarthy’s 5th grade

class! They used a

creative mix of humor

and today’s technology

to construct a text

stream, using the three

circles as emojis.

Their text conversation

talked about how they

were going to win... and

they were right! In

second place: Mrs.

Bockus’s 4th grade class.

Their theme was one of

the most popular

movies, Star Wars the

Force Awakens. Using

the circles as beloved

droids BB-8 and R2D2,

they featured the scene

in which the droids

project the map that

leads to Luke Skywalker.

The third place winner:

Mrs. Williams’ 3rd grade

class. They created yet

another text-based

snow creature using the

circles as emojis, but

their class made it so

that they were teasing

our principals about

when they were finally

going to kiss the pig (our

reward from the fall

book fair for raising so

much money).

Also a congratulations

to 4th and 5th place

winners, Mrs. Arner and

Ms. Clayton’s classes.

Mrs. Arner’s class based

their creature on the

wet floor guy, but

turned him into an icy

floor snowman

complete with caution

tape and bright cones.

Ms. Clayton’s class

created a scene from

Harry Potter’s platform

9 ¾. They even included

half of a shopping cart

disappearing through

the brick wall! Next

time you’re at TIS, walk

through the halls and

feel the creative energy

that the snow creatures

bring to our school.

Keyboarding

Racetrack

by Anna

Typing is fun if you can watch yourself move on a racetrack according on how fast you type. Outside of the keyboarding lab Mrs. White has put up a huge racetrack. The teachers and students each have a car. Their car moves up depending on how fast you type. To type faster everyone irks on Typing Training. There are still

many people that haven’t qualified for the race yet. Right now Erica Miller is in the lead for students with 63 WPM. She is even beating some of the teachers! There are so many cars on the racetrack and they are typing to move forward. I think that this typing racetrack is an awesome idea because you can watch how fast your friends type and even how fast your teacher types!

Cider Mill Road Race T-shirt Design

Contest

By Caroline

The Cider Mill Road Race T-shirt Design Contest is back! All students from kindergarten to eighth grade will have the opportunity to enter a design to be featured on the Cider Mill Road Race T-shirt!

The race will be held in

fall of 2016. Some ideas

for your entry would be

things like paths with

runners, fall colored

trees, or an idea of your

own. The design must

have only three colors

including black, but not

white, and be on a piece

of 8” x 10” copier paper

held in the vertical

position. Do not use

pencil, just ink. Also,

you must put your

name, your school’s

name, your phone

number, your teacher’s

name, and your grade

on the back, or else you

will be disqualified! The

design is due by April 1,

so get going!

Hungry Hungry Hippos

Last Friday the fourth

grade held one of our

most fun grade level

assemblies. The

assembly is a human

version of the game

Hungry Hungry Hippos

played in the cafeteria.

During our version of

the game, a student lays

on a small rolling cart

holding a basket and a

classmate pushes them

to the center of the

cafeteria floor. Awaiting

the student at the center

of the cafeteria floor is a

bunch of balls.

The student’s job is to

reach out, and grab as

many balls as they can

using the basket.

The game is organized by

Miss Clayton & Mrs. Koss.

Grade 5 & 6 Band

“Step Up” Concert

&

“Funtastic Friday Night Bash”

Return slip to: Marchesani/ Titus

Performance Date: Friday, April 1 Performance Location: Tolland Middle School Auditorium Arrive: 6:00 p.m.

Grade 5 band members report room 120 with Mrs. Marchesani Grade 6 band members report to the band room with Miss Titus

Attire: wear your casual “Funtastic Friday Night Bash” clothes

Schedule:

6:00 p.m. Students arrive to warm up

6:15–7:00 p.m. Students take the stage & play music.

7:00 p.m. Students who have purchased a ticket to the “Funtastic Friday

Night Bash” head to the cafe.

7:00-7:30 p.m. Parents are invited to stay in auditorium to talk to Miss Titus

and Mrs. Marchesani about the band program. Students, who are not

attending “Funtastic Friday Night Bash” may depart with parents or are

welcome to stay with their parents for the meeting.

If your child needs special accommodations to participate in this activity,

please contact Miss Titus (860) 614-0183 or Mrs. Marchesani at (860) 870-

6885 ext. 226

Grade 6 Band Class Description:

Students who join our amazing sixth grade instrumental program will

have a large band rehearsal every other day. Small same instrument group

lessons meet before school once each week at 7:30 a.m. for 30 minutes.

The Sixth Grade Band will perform a winter concert, Friday Fun Night and

spring concert. This class is available to students who have been members

of the 4th & 5th grade band program and have completed the “red book”

Standard of Excellence, Book 1 by Bruce Pearson; or have permission of the

instructor. This is a class where we create, perform and respond to music

by playing an instrument. It is one of the best ways to improve brain

power. We choose excellence. We sound great.

Grade 5 “Step-Up” Concert Set List:

Grade 5:

Star Spangled Banner (TBD)

Page 21 Regal March

Grade 5 & 6 Combined:

Page 21 Montego Bay

This Old Dude

Page 30 Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke (1674? - 1707)

Grade 6 and advanced 5th grade musicians:

Page 38 Rockin’ Rondeau based on a theme by Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682-1738)

Grade 6:

Cabo Rico

Rock Island Express

Attention: New Concert Date for Music Times Three

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Music Times Three Parents

In order for our students to be performance ready, the Music Times

Three Concert has been changed to Wednesday, April 27, 2016.

It will be held in the Tolland Intermediate School Gymnasium.

Students are asked to arrive to room 136 by 6:45.

The concert will start promptly at 7:00 and will end approximately at

7:45.

Students need to dress their best.

Thank you for your understanding.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our Spring Concert!

Thank you, Ms. Judith Baker

Concert Date for Grade Five Chorus

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Grade 5 Chorus Parents

The Grade 5 Chorus Concert has been changed to Thursday, May 12,

2016.

It will be held in the Tolland Intermediate School All Purpose Room.

Students are asked to arrive to room 136 by 6:40.

The concert will start promptly at 7:00 and will end approximately at

8:00.

Students need to dress their best.

There will be a reception immediately following the concert.

Thank you for your understanding.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our Spring Concert!

Thank you, Ms. Judith Baker

Fundraisers never tasted so good! Tolland Elementary PTO and Camille’s Pizza are teaming up for the most delicious

fundraiser ever! On Sunday April 3rd, from 12-9pm, Camille’s Pizza will donate a portion

of the proceeds from all eat-in AND take out orders to the Tolland Elementary PTO! Enjoy

the amazing selection of wood-fired pizzas, salads, appetizers and drinks while helping to

support our schools. Buon appetito!

Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza 12pm - 9pm Sunday 4/3 Located at 23 E Fieldstone Commons in Tolland

2016 Cider Mill Road Race T-shirt Design Contest !!

CONTEST RULES

GOAL: To have a Tolland school child design the T-shirt for our 16th race!

ELIGIBILITY: Any K-8th grade student may submit a design for a chance to have art work chosen and display on the t-shirt.

I. Design Requirements

A. Design must:

1. Be 8" x 10", Vertical on white copier paper, equivalents can be used.

2. Use materials in color or black (felt tip markers, pen and ink) No more than 3 colors including black. (no shading/no pencil)

3. Include the theme title "Cider Mill Road Race 5k & Family Fun Run”

4. Do not use replicas of copyrighted or registered characters or logos.

5. Be reproducible.

B. Each design submitted must show legibly on the back:

1. Student's name

2. School name

3. Student phone number

4. Teacher's name & grade

II. Contest Procedures

A. Each student is allowed to submit one (1) design.

B. One (1) BGP design/student, one (1) TIS design/student and one (1) TMS design/student semi-finalist winners of Contests will be entered in as finalists. One (1) student will have their art work chosen as the t-shirt design and the other runner ups will be given a free entry to the race of their choice (5k, 1 mile or fun run).

III. Dates and Deadlines

A. Deadline to submit t-shirt design to school art teachers is 4/1/16.

B. The winner will be announced by 4/29/16.

IV. Rights and Awards

A. All entries become the property of the Cider Mill Road Race Committee and will not be returned.

B. The decision of all judges will be final. The contest will be judged by the Cider Mill Road Race Committee.

C. If you have any questions please ask your art teachers (they may be available to help you after school on this contest) or call the Director at (860)-872-6787 Kelly Pabilonia

Or email me at kellypabilonia@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Kelly Pabilonia (Director)

TOLLAND PROJECT GRADUATION

UPCOMING BOTTLE DRIVES

SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH** & SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH

DROP OFF TIMES: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

BIRCH GROVE PRIMARY, 147 RHODES ROAD, TOLLAND, CT

(COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND HELP APPRECIATED

FROM ADULTS 8:00AM – 3:00 PM – give an hour, two or whatever you can)

**NEW THIS YEAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR SPRING & FALL (SEPT) BOTTLE DRIVES –

COLLECTION OF USED CLOTHING, SHOES, SPORTS APPAREL – UNIFORMS/CLEATS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF TOLLAND PROJECT GRADUATION!

READ TO THE RINK 2015-16 Presented by ProHealth Physicians and Healthy Me

Dear Teachers, Principals and Parents: The Hartford Wolf Pack would like to introduce the 2015-16 Read to the Rink Reading Program presented by Pro Health Physicians and Healthy Me! Read to the Rink is an incentive-driven program designed to promote the importance of literacy and stimulate the interest in reading amongst elementary and middle school students in Connecticut. Students who successfully complete the program will be rewarded with Hartford Wolf Pack hockey tickets! Each student that completes the program will get a complimentary ticket to a select home Wolf Pack game in the Spring. In order to get your free ticket to a Hartford Wolf Pack game each student in grades K-8th will be expected to read five (5) books. Once the student has completed their assignment, they are eligible for their free ticket voucher. To each school will be provided a promo code to use when ordering your tickets. The Read to the Rink program can be completed in conjunction with any existing reading program or reading requirements at home or in the classroom. Parents/Guardians and faculty will have an opportunity to purchase tickets at a discounted rate ($15 per ticket). Each paricipating school will get a visit from “Sonar” the team mascot and a Wolf Pack player (upon availability) to promote the progam. Feel free to contact me with any questions concerning our Read to the Rink Reading Program at 860-541-4728 or frank_berrian@comcastspectacor.com. Sincerely, Frank Berrian Game Presentation/Community Relations Manager Hartford Wolf Pack Hockey Frank_berrian@comcastspectacor.com 860-541-4728

Spring 2016 RECREATION Soccer Registration has

started

Registration for Spring Recreation soccer has begun.

Registration will CLOSE on 3/31/2016

Any player eligible to play U5 – U14 recreation level is invited to

participate.

Check out our Registration Tab for information on registering.

If you have any questions, please direct them to Laura Krementowski, TSC Registrar at

ljkrementowski@yahoo.com

Please visit our website www.tollandsoccer.com to

register

The End