Dear KRS families,
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathy Koop
Important Dates
January 15, 2024 - Kindergarten and New First Grade Registration Opened
January 23, 2024 - Enrichment Classes Begin
January 24, 2024 - Magic in You Assembly
February 1, 2024 - March 1, 2024 - Black History Month
February 19, 2024 - Presidents' Day - Schools Closed
February 20, 2024 - In-Service - Staff Only
March 13, 2024 - STEAM Fair 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM KRS Multi-Purpose Room
March 18, 2024 - PTO Meeting at KRS
March 21, 2024 - 4Th Grade Talent Show - KRS Multi-Purpose Room - Time: TBD
March 29, 2024 - Good Friday - Schools Closed
April 1 - 5, 2024 - Spring Break, Schools Closed
April 24, 2024 - Art Show/Reading Night - Art Show 6:00 PM Reading Night - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
April 25, 2024 - Take Your Child To Work Day
April 26, 2024 - International Day
April 27, 2024 - Madison Arbor Day and Clean-Up Day
May 16, 2024 - Spring Concert 6:00 PM MJS Auditorium
June 4, 2024 - District Art Show 6-8 PM St. Elizabeth University
Car Line Reminders
The arrival and dismissal car lines are provided for the benefit of the KRS students and their families. To continue the car line system, we must all do our part to ensure that the car lines run as smoothly as possible. If one person parks or leaves a car, the negative impact is experienced by everyone waiting in the line. PLEASE abide by the following rules while waiting in the car lines at arrival and dismissal:
- Never leave or get out of your car. If you or your child needs assistance, there is at least one person there to help you.
- Have you name card displayed so that it can be easily viewed by the students and adults.
- While in line. put your hazards on so that the Kings Road traffic is aware that you are in the line.
Please share this information with anyone who may transport your child to and from school. Thank you in advance for your much needed cooperation.
Greetings from the STEAM Lab!
Kindergarten is continuing coding. Students are using CodeMonkey, an online platform that teaches real coding languages. Students will learn block-based and text-based coding through an engaging game-like environment. Students begin with single directional arrow codes, and they progress to loops, or a command used to repeat a part of code until the desired process is complete.
First Graders are beginning a unit on Computer Science. They are using code.org; a self-paced program where students stay challenged while learning coding, how the internet works, and digital citizenship and privacy.
Second Graders are building upon their Computer Science knowledge. They are using code.org; a self-paced program where students stay challenged while continuing their coding progress.
Third Graders are continuing their Stop Motion Animation designs on chromebooks. They picked their background and are working on copying and pasting characters, duplicating slides and moving their characters to achieve the animation.
Third graders are also receiving an additional Technology class during the 6 day cycle to continue their education of Chromebook basics and Google usage.
Fourth Graders are continuing creating and coding board games. In teams, students decided on their game concept and the purpose of the game. They answered questions like, what is the player of the game trying to achieve while playing? Who are the characters, what are the obstacles, and what are the commands, or codes, that the player uses to win the game? Using poster board and duct tape, students started to create a grid of their 3-D game. Students will then write lines of codes while they play. At the end of each class, students have a whole-group discussion about their progress, teamwork, and can ask strategy questions of other groups.
Fifth Graders are continuing their Technology unit. Students are creating a personal Coat of Arms crest using the computer program Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a 3D modeling program that uses and combines shapes to create designs. Students work at their own pace, when they complete their crest they will use Tinkercad, as architects do, and create their dream room.
News from Music Teacher Mrs. McEachern
We have been having a lot of fun in music class this month!
Fourth and fifth graders are working hard on achieving white and yellow belts in our "ukulele karate" program, and third graders have learned the notes B, A, and G on their recorders!
First and second graders are learning about the solfege notes, Do, Mi, and Sol and are learning the classic musical story of "Peter and the Wolf".
Kindergarten is enjoying singing along with "Snowman Bobo" and learning fun new songs like "Button Factory" and "Fiddle Dee Dee".
All classes learned the unofficial anthems of the Civil Rights Movement, "This Little Light of Mine" and "We Shall Overcome" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We can't wait to focus our attention on amazing African American singers, songwriters, and musicians during Black History Month in February!
News from the Art Room - Ms. Obermaier
Winter Greetings from the Art Room!
Students have been working hard on their self portraits! I hope adults at home will enjoy
them, this is a difficult task!
Kindergarten created a self portrait based on the book Snowflakes on Our Tongues by
Mike Ornstein.
First Grade is having fun creating a self portrait that includes bubble
gum!
Second grade is creating a mixed media self portrait inspired by several books
including Cannonball by Sacha Cotter.
Third grade created a small detailed “scarf selfie” with mixed media.
Fourth grade had messy fun making marbelized paper for a base for their ancient roman statue self
portrait.
And lastly, fifth grade is working on a multi-step self portrait inspired by one of
my favorite artists, Bisa Butler, from NJ.
Ask your child about the process of creating their self portrait!
News from Media Specialist Mr. Locke
I also began teaching a History of Hip Hop lesson in honor of Black History Month. We read the older elementary picture book When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop, written by Laban Carrick Hill, and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III, which depicts the origins of hip hop in the Bronx in the 1970's. We also studied informational passages about the history of hip hop and answered questions. I plan to incorporate music, videos and other multimedia about hip hop in future lessons, and bring in two turntables to demonstrate "scratching", sampling, loops, mash up mixing and other hip hop techniques. Finally students will apply the these lessons by creating their own hip hop tracks using free chromebook platforms such as Soundtrap.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is coming soon and we are super excited to begin planning for such a fun day for your children. Valentine’s Day will be celebrated in all three elementary schools on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. There will be classroom parties and Valentine’s Day cards.
Valentine’s Day Cards - We request that you adhere to the following guidelines:
No candy of any kind may be distributed with the cards.
The cards must be brought to school no later than Monday, February 12, 2024. This will allow for the cards to be distributed before the special day.
If you elect to participate in the Valentine’s Day Card exchange, it is expected that your child gives a card to every classmate.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is necessary to remind parents of the potentially life threatening danger of food allergies to certain students in our school.
The issue of food allergies can be incredibly serious for many students. Peanut and tree nut products are particularly problematic, but other foods such as dairy, eggs and wheat can also cause students health problems. The extreme end of the spectrum in terms of a health risk is anaphylaxis, when the bodily systems experience a shut down due to exposure to the substance in question.
This danger is particularly acute during holiday celebrations, when consuming goodies is the order of the day. If you are a child whose safety depends upon never consuming the wrong food, a party is a true obstacle course. With certain children, even bodily contact with the wrong substance can be disastrous.
As we approach Valentine’s Day and the holiday parties, please keep the following in mind:
Please refer to the elementary food allergy guidelines for additional information.
Nut products are forbidden in “nut-free classrooms”. Please carefully adhere to classroom guidelines.
Students must consume all goodies within the class during the party. Goody bags and other treats designed to leave the class with the students are forbidden.
Crafts and activities involving nut products are forbidden.
All products should be packaged with the ingredients listed.
If you have any questions pertaining to holiday celebrations, please consult your child’s teacher or the school nurse.
Attendance
Student school attendance is critical for the overall school success of your child. Madison Public Schools District Regulation 5200 - Student Attendance, outlines the many aspects of student attendance including the possible actions for unexcused student absences. In the case of 4 or more cumulative unexcused absences, the school is required to notify the parents. If you need assistance with your child attending school, please contact your child's teacher or the KRS school counselor Mr. Levine.
