High Five

Students were thrilled to see snow flakes at dismissal time today! We've had such a mild winter, it was a welcomed sight. Last year, the snowbanks behind the building were so big children could slide down them.  The view from the teacher's lunch room was priceless. It's a beautiful sight to see eighty children climbing on mounds of snow, making snowmen and building forts together.

The "high five recess rule" goes into effect when snow is on the ground.   Please make sure your child brings in the five requirements to play in the snow: 1- coat, 2- hat, 3- snow pants, 4- boots, and 5- mittens/gloves.

Brownies in the Kitchen

Mrs. Linda Vienneau, Kitchen Manager and former girl scout, gave Brownie Troop 63140 a special behind the scenes tour of the Sweetsir kitchen. The girls wore hair nets and gloves while discussing healthy food choices. They said their favorite things to see were the jumbo cooking utensils and funny looking potatoes Mrs. Vienneau had set aside to show them.

I love math!! It is my third favorite subject.

I received this letter from a second grade student.

Students' Fact Power Off the Chart!!

Sweetsir Students exceeded expectations by logging in so much time practicing math facts, they went off the chart!  As you can see from the graph on display in the cafeteria, each first and second grade class had substantial participation.  The second graders in Ms. Hitchcock's class logged in the most time.  Ms. Rowley's students came in second and showed the most overall class participation.  The picture below was take during the final week of  'Math Fact Power Hours', when Ms. Rowley's class earned a special visit from the 'Fact Triangles'.

To celebrate their efforts to master math facts, there will be several school-wide theme days.  On Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2nd, all students and staff members may come to school dressed as a favorite book character.  The following week there will be a 'Pajama Day'.

Ms. Rowley's class with Fact Triangles (Ms. Joyce and Ms. Grimes)

Thank you to Margaret Grimes, Title One math teacher, for helping organize this initiative to encourage practice of math facts.  Sweetsir teacher have already noticed an improvement in many students 'fact automaticity.'  The ability to quickly add and subtract numbers is essential for later academic success.  It is important students continue to practice facts at both school and home. As they move on to the Donaghue School, this should also include practice of multiplication and division facts.  Students were given passwords earlier in the year for the Everyday Math website which features games that align with our math curriculum.  It does not matter whether students use fact triangles, traditional flashcards, website games or other methods as long as they feel a sense of achievement.  Children will be more motivated to learn if they find it fun and rewarding.

Joy in a Box

A mailbox was placed in the school lobby for 'Kindness Week'.  A few days later it was overflowing with letters of appreciation written by students.  They were addressed to all different staff members including bus drivers, custodians, office staff and previous teachers.  I am not sure which was more heartwarming, seeing the expressions on the faces of children as they mailed them, or the joy they brought when read.                                                                                                          

So many of the letters I received were truly precious, it was impossible to choose a favorite.  I selected these two to share because I loved seeing how they chose to draw me.

A student who transferred to Sweetsir in the middle of last year gave me this picture with a letter stating, 'You filled my bucket since I met you.'  I remember trying to offer him some words of encouragement when he arrived on his first day looking scared and anxious.  It touched my heart to see that he remembered it too.                  

2012-2013 Kindergarten & Preschool Registration

Walk-in registration for kindergarten is held during the month of March.  Please help spread the word!  This early enrollment is essential for planning class sizes.  Packets can be picked up in the school office and should be returned by March 30th.  Preschool enrollment is also underway, call the school for more information or visit the posting on the district webpage:http://www.prsd.org

Internet Safety Lesson

Ms. Sarah Angell, our School Counselor, visits k-2 classrooms every other week to provide guidance related lessons on topics such as friendship skills, conflict resolution, bullying prevention and personal safety.  She uses the Second Step Program, which is the curriculum used throughout the district, along with other resources.  Ms. Angell is currently teaching first and second graders about internet safety using a BrainpopJr video.  Brainpop is a website featuring these characters in short animated videos on a multitude of educational topics.  Many teachers use the clips as an activator to introduce lesson topics.  Although most of the site requires a subscription, there are a number of free videos worth viewing with your children.
BrainpopJr is geared for grades k-2 and the adjoining site, Brainpop, is more for grades 3-5.  I've embedded the 'free movie of the week' on the side bar of this blog.  Below is the link to the BrainpopJr movie on Internet Safety:
http://www.brainpopjr.com/artsandtechnology/technology/internetsafety/