R.F. Pettigrew Panther Tracks

May 2024

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PAWS

o Be Positive

o Be Accountable

o Be Wise

o Be Safe

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From the Principal’s Desk

Mr. Kevin Dick

Communication is key in fostering a positive and collaborative school environment. As we navigate the school year together, it's essential to address concerns or incidents that may arise. However, how we approach these situations can make a significant impact on the resolution and overall atmosphere within our school community.

One crucial aspect of effective communication is the way we ask questions when incidents occur. Instead of immediately jumping to conclusions or making accusations, let's encourage a culture of inquiry and open dialogue. Here are a few reasons why asking questions is a more constructive approach:

1. Gathering Facts: Accusations can be based on assumptions or limited information. By asking questions, we create an opportunity to gather all the relevant facts before drawing conclusions. This ensures that decisions and actions are based on a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

2. Promoting Understanding: Questions allow us to seek understanding from all perspectives involved. By engaging in open dialogue, we can gain insight into the motivations, intentions, and emotions of those involved in the incident. This promotes empathy and helps us see the bigger picture.

3. Building Trust: Accusations can create an atmosphere of defensiveness and mistrust. On the other hand, asking questions demonstrates a willingness to listen and understand. This, in turn, builds trust between parents, teachers, and administrators, fostering a collaborative and supportive community.

4. Teaching Problem-Solving: Encouraging questions empowers students to be active participants in problem-solving. When faced with a challenging situation, asking questions helps them think critically, consider alternative perspectives, and contribute to finding solutions.

5. Maintaining a Positive Culture: Accusations can contribute to a negative and tense atmosphere. Asking questions promotes a positive and open culture where everyone feels heard and valued. This sets the tone for respectful communication and collaboration.

As parents, we play a crucial role in shaping the school environment for our children. Let's model effective communication by choosing to ask questions first when incidents occur. Whether it's a concern about a classroom issue or a misunderstanding on the playground, let's work together to create an environment where curiosity and understanding prevail over accusations.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school community a place where everyone feels heard and respected.

Pettigrew School community is so pleased that our Parent Teacher Organization that you all have a part in, has decided to assist the school by funding our 7 Mindsets program and curriculum next year. The previous 3 years have been funded by a teacher-written grant as a result of reading a book that motivated a group of educators to explore a Social-Emotional curriculum that would support our ongoing efforts at prepared great citizens for the school, city and world-wide communities they will be a part of for the rest of their lives. This 4th year of the curriculum and program will truly be a gift to the students, to the teachers who are working with these concepts, and to the community as a whole. We have had terrific responses, and the data shows that we are right on track, and we expect this 4th year of the curriculum will be better even than the 3 years that came before. Thank you, again, PTO!!!!

Fine Arts Feature

Music

Here are some April highlights from the music department:

Kindergarten – Continuing rhythm and introducing beat of silence

Song-“Fiddledeedee”

Game Song-“A Tisket A Tasket”

First Grade – AB form

Notating notes on the music staff

Song-“Little Robin Red Breast” (playing xylophones and glockenspiels to accompany)

Second Grade – Performed their musical, “Welcome to the Jungle” on April 11!

Alley dance

Composer, Edvard Grieg

Third Grade – Treble clef note names

Recorders-learning notes B, A, & G

Fourth Grade – Italian tempo terms (Largo, Andante, Allegro, & Presto)

Staccato and Legato

Song-“Sarasponda” with partner stick game at various tempos

Fifth Grade –African tubano drums (rhythm echoes, Call & Response chant, listening & focus activities, 3-part ensembles, drumming to pop songs)

The school year is winding down! Enjoy the last several days!

~Mrs. Wahl & Mrs. Monlux

Art

In the art rooms this month, we’ll be finishing up our last projects for the year and will be reviewing our elements of art!

Kindergarteners will create art inspired by prehistoric art and review lines/shapes/colors.

1st Graders will create art with geometric forms and review lines/shapes/colors.

2nd Graders will create fiber art and make 3D art.

3rd Graders will use visual textures in their artwork and create art inspired by Aboriginal artists.

4th Graders will create paper mosaics.

5th Graders will use 1-point perspective in their artwork.

We are grateful for the amazing turn out for the Art Show on April 19th. It was great to see so many families here to celebrate art! Have a wonderful summer and keep making art!

-Mrs. Meyer and Ms. Selberg