Lions Parent Newsletter October

We are diving deep into our Indiana Academic Standards! School and classroom expectations have been set, procedures have been practiced, and we have set goals. Let's keep stepping one foot in front of the other and making great choices.

Want to keep up with school events and things happening in classrooms?

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What's new from the district? Check out Peachjar for flyers and community information!

Kindergarteners are working hard learning how to build a classroom community where we respect each other and follow the school protocols. We are continuing our science learning about the life cycle of chickens and now ducks. How to play and share with our friends while using the classroom tools in a learning manner and how letters make sounds and those sounds when put together become words. We have also learned how to take a sentence and break it down into how many words we have spoken and then how many syllables are in a word and then what letter and sound is in each syllable. Wow! That is a lot of learning.

First grade has been learning about how habits of character help us to do our work. We have been working hard on collaboration and perseverance. We began our unit on story problems in math.

Second grade has been reviewing procedures and working on becoming experts. We started our Project Lead the Way kit, Properties of Matter, and the students have enjoyed doing the hands-on science activities. In math, we have been working on comparing data with bar and picture graphs.

Our third graders have been working hard reviewing key math skills such as addition, subtraction, and rounding. In reading, we’ve been exploring the challenges that children around the world face in gaining access to learning resources like books.

We also have some upcoming checkpoints that will help us see how students are progressing and whether they are on track for spring testing. Attendance plays an important role in student success—when children miss school, they miss valuable instruction and learning opportunities. Thank you for helping your child be here each day!

Fourth Grade has been busy learning about animal defense mechanisms. Each child was put in an “expert animal group” to research an animal and then write an informative piece about that animal. In math, we are learning different techniques for multiplying two and three different numbers. Each child in fourth grade is working hard on developing good work habits.

We went to Washington Park to help clean up after a long summer of visitors. Prior to that we have been learning how littering/garbage affects the environment/water life. We collected five pounds of trash! We are discussing Human rights with our EL story Esperanza Rising and comparing character reactions. Keep working on your math facts fluency!

Sixth grade has been busy learning across all subjects!

In math we recently wrapped up our unit on dividing fractions and are now working with decimals—adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. At the same time, we continue to spiral back to essential math skills to stay sharp.

For ELA, students are finishing Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and preparing for their painted essay. We’re also enjoying our grade-level read-aloud, Ghost by Jason Reynolds.

Our focus in science has been Ecology, where we explored abiotic and biotic factors and learned the difference between habitats and niches.

In social studies, we’ve studied current events, remembered 9/11, and celebrated Constitution Day. A highlight was creating our own laws—unsurprisingly, “no homework” was a popular one!

Nearly every day we participate in crew, where we learn more about each other and strengthen our class bond. Students also meet weekly with our counselor, Mrs. Glowski, for SEL lessons and life skills.

Sixth grade is off to a great start, and we’re excited for what’s ahead!

Students have started the year with focus and determination, reviewing key skills and making steady progress daily. We are focusing on each student's unique strengths while supporting areas of need. Day by day we are getting stronger and more confident!

Art Class

Students are working to finish up their units on color theory in the art room. If you are connected to Artsonia, check out your students’ artwork! Soon we will start a unit on shape and form. 4th, 5th, and 6th graders will do a clay project where they create a form. The lower grades will work on exploring how to use shapes in art using a variety of supplies.

Gym Class

We’ve spent the last few weeks doing activities that help us get better at specific movements that we use for different sports, like throwing, catching, kicking, and dribbling.

We’ve started doing some group team games.

Please refer to the MCAS Student/Parent handbook pages 5-7 for detailed information pertaining to our attendance policy.

The Indiana Department of Education considers any student not in school for 95% of the year to be excessively absent.

To stay within the state guidelines a student must be present for 170 out of 180 school days. Students missing more than 10 days in an academic year are considered to have excessive absences.

What is Simple Discipline?

Simple Discipline is a Behavior Management Systems allow school administrators to track student behavior over time, and complete necessary forms and communicate with parents in a timely manner.

See pages 22-27 in the MCAS Student/Parent Handbook for Code of Conduct information.

Positive referral - staff can enter a positive referral to share the kind and great things students are doing with families and administrators.

Minor Infraction - Items in violation of school code of conduct and/or classroom expectations that are often handled by the classroom teacher.

Discipline Incident - Items in violation of the school code of conduct that is forwarded to an administrator for review.

Please make sure your email is up to date in Powerschool so you can receive behavioral correspondance!

Mrs. Glowski has been coming into all the classrooms working on goals with our students. Discussing good study habits, organization, how to be a good student, what motivates them and problem solving in the upper grades. In K-2, we have been discussing what we are already good at and what we are still learning and practicing. Never give up, it’s okay to make mistakes.

Breakfast is served until 8:45 am.

Find the lunch menu here!

Please let the school know if your child has any allergies.

Sharing of any outside food is not allowed.

It is a part of our School Boards Wellness policy.

Only single serve bag of chips and candy are allowed.

Please contact Mrs. Reid if you have any questions or concerns.

Hello Lake Hills Family, with everyone in full swing of the school year now, please remember to make sure your children are all up to date on immunizations. The exclusion letters were sent out and the exclusion date is creeping up. That date is October 1st. Please call me with an appointment date if it is going to fall after that. We are just trying to keep everyone as safe as we possibly can. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me.

The Parent Group is planning a Trick or Treat Event on October 28 from 5-6:30pm.

Parent help is NEEDED can call Mrs Rowley 219-873-2105

Next meeting Tuesday, October 21@ 4:00.

Here is the schedule for the remaining games. If there are rescheduled games, an announcement will be made.

Friday, Oct. 10 @Springfield

Tuesday, Oct. 28 @Knapp

Tuesday, Nov. 4 vs. Joy (Game is played at Knapp)

• School starts at 8:45.
• Dismissal at 3:00. All early dismissal requests must be made before 2:30 to ensure we have enough time to notify staff.
• Elementary School Dress Code - No slides or sandals are allowed for safety reasons.

Lake Hills Elementary School

Principal: Mrs. Tara Stachowiak

Main Office: Mrs. Aldora Rowley

Website: https://lakehills.educatemc.net/
Location: 201 Ferguson Rd. Michigcan City, IN 46360
Phone: (219) 873-2105
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeHillsElementary