ELMORE School News

Dear Elmore School Families,

This week was a whirlwind! I don't think we could have packed more into one week, and somehow we managed to fit everything in. On Tuesday we celebrated our 100th day of school! This is always a fine milestone to commemorate. Wednesday we had our last day at Spruce Peak where everyone went ice skating this week. We ended the week celebrating Valentines Day. Students hung 150 handmade Valentines at the Elmore Post Office, and then exchanged Valentines with one another at the end of the day. I know it was a busy week for parents at home to with the added expectations of projects and Valentines. Thank you for your support on the homefront!

We concluded our writing unit about explanatory writing. We took time this week to share share them with each other as students read their writing to 3 different partners. It's a nice way to conclude a unit as we learn that the purpose of writing is to share our ideas with others.

While we did work on phonics, we did not have have spelling quizzes this week. With so many other events taking place this week, I decided to spend another week on the current phonics lessons before we have quizzes.

I also started reading assessments (know as F & P's) this week. These assessments help to determine what reading level students are currently reading at. It is a running record where things such as accuracy (how many errors), comprehension, fluency, and sometimes speed, are considered. As this can be a very lengthy process ( which takes me away from actually teaching students) I will be doing F&P's with all first graders and any second and third graders who scored below the benchmark on Dibbles (Screener) and STAR.

Some of you may have received a letter from Superintendent Heraty indicating your child is significantly below the benchmark in one or more areas on Dibbles and/or STAR. This letter indicates how we will address these concerns. We will have a chance to have a conversation about your child's reading progress at our next parent teacher conference at the end of March. While your child may not be meeting the benchmark in one or more areas, please know that we also consider the growth your child is making and while meeting the benchmark is a goal, we also want to think positively about the growth your child is making.

On Tuesday we celebrated our 100th day of school! Each student made a project displaying 100 items in a creative way. During the morning students spent time sharing their projects with the class and responding to question and comments about their projects from the class. This is a nice way for students to practice presentation skills. After all the projects where shared students scored their own work using a learning scale (which I also shared with students when I first introduced this assignment, so they would know they goal and expectations). Students were asked to use the learning scale to evaluate their own work. Again, this is a nice way for students to think about their own work and reflect on their efforts. Below you can see a few of the projects students created. We also did some creative writing and some math games and activities involving 100.

When we arrived at Spruce Peak on Wednesday the ice skating rink was still being cleared of the snow that had fallen over night. Rather than waiting around, we took the kids down to the enchanted Forest play area for some time to play on the various climbing structures. Then we headed back up to the rink to skate. Thee was still a layer of snow, but many hands make light work and parent volunteers, Mrs. Bellavance and even some of the students pitched in with shovels to help clear the ice around the outer ring of the ice. Everyone had a great time skating in what was a winter wonderland! This concluded our ski and skate program for the winter. I am amazed by the growth students exhibited over the program (especially on the ice). The skating rink at Spruce Peak is open to the public and it is FREE to use!

When we returned from skating was were surprised to discover the black swallowtail butterfly that was overwintering in its chrysalis has emerged a little prematurely. being the middle of a very cold and snowy winter means we can not release this butterfly. Thankfully we learned that we can feed it a sugar water solution and some ripe fruits. It will likely only live a week or two as this is it's natural life cycle anyway. Typically a butterfly will mate during this 1-2 week period before it dies. obviously this butterfly will not be able to mate, but this is a good opportunity for students to observe the Block swallowtail butterfly and learn more about it.

On Friday we Celebrated Valentine's Day by carrying on one of our favorite and long standing traditions of giving Valentines to all the Post Office box holders. We have been busy over the past two weeks making 150 handmade Valentines. On Friday morning students went across the street to the store with Mrs. Bellavance to hang the Valentines . This is just one of the ways we try to connect with the community, and it is one of our favorite traditions.

I also what to share that last week the Elmore school received a very generous donation from a community member, Karen Autorino. Karen (Ms. A.) volunteers her time to teach art to the students at The Elmore School twice a month, and she is a parent of a former Elmore School student. Last week the School was gifted 16 sets of snowshoes of the school! Next week students will have a chance to use them during PE as Mr. Bressor plans to have an extended class and take the kids over to the state park to snowshoe! I imagine will also have a chance to use them when we resume ECO in March.

Next week is our last week before our February Break. On Tuesday we will be going to The Manor to sing some cheer to the residents there. Then Wednesday we will be making our way to Montpelier to tour the State House and visit the Vermont History Museum. Birdie's Mom and Kaya's Grandpa will be chaperoning this trip.

Thank you to the Hayden family for bringing us Hot Lunch on Monday. Students enjoy chicken tacos and cake for dessert!

There is a permission slip in your Friday Folders for our trip to the Manor. Please return the permission slip on Monday.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a Happy Valentine's Day.

In gratitude,

Diane Nicholls

Announcements:

Library -Monday. Remember to bring your books back!

Tuesday - School Banking

Tuesday - 3rd Grade recorder Lessons

PE Thursday - snowshoeing!

Tuesday, Feb. 17th - trip to The Manor to Sing

Wednesday, Feb. 18th - Field Trip to The State Capital and VT History Museum in Montpelier

Feb. 23 - March 3rd -No School (Winter Break)

March 6th - ECO resumes

March 14th - 2nd trimester ends

March 25th - Annual School Concert at the Elmore Town Hall from 6:30 - 7:00

Thursday March 26th - Early release (12:15pm)

March 27th - No School - family / Teacher conferences.