FES Points of P.R.I.D.E. Newsletter

I hope you and your families are staying warm this weekend! I expect many will be staying cozy in front of the woodstove with hot chocolate, enjoying board games, and watching family movies. I wish you warmth and happiness this weekend!

Assessment week #2 is now over, and the students did their very best! I know you will be proud of their efforts. If your child has scored below the 40th percentile on the NWEA in either mathematics or reading, I will conduct additional assessments to determine what supports we can put in place to help them reach their full potential. If you have any questions about your child's academic growth, please reach out to the classroom teacher. Thank you for being such important partners in your child's learning!

On the subject of reading growth, teachers have received their first batch of Scholastic book magazines! Students have been excitedly waiting for these book selections, and it makes me so happy to see their joy of reading! The ordering process is now available online, and once an order is placed, we will send it into the company. There may be a timeline they follow and a delay in shipping until there has been opportunity to have multiple families participate. Please know there is no obligation to purchase books. However, with any order, the class earns points to purchase free books for the classroom. This is only an opportunity to purchase books that may peak your child's interest to engage your child in more reading. We know that research says, the more you read, the better you get. Highlighted for you, is some additional data to show you this is true and the impact it makes over time for your child. As a reading specialist, I would love to see all children reading every night (hint, hint).

Thank you for your support of the students, staff and all of us at FES.

Warmest regards,

Kathie

• Next Week's Special: PE / Wellness with Mr. LeGraw
• 1/29 Harris Center Visits with 2nd 3rd and 4th grades
• 1/30 P.R.I.D.E. Meeting / Community Lunch starting at 11:30am (K-1 Class presents!)
• 2/2-2/6 Special of the week is Art with Mr. Melle
• Coming soon! March Read-a-thon information and more events happening soon!

This week, we have been solving math problems by identifying what is being asked. First Grade has been working more independently on this skill. In Reading, we have been focusing on comprehension skills such as making connections, predictions, and questioning. In Science, we are continuing to work on how the sun affects our shadows. Some students used recycled items at free choice time to make homes for critters from the classroom. In Writing, we are honing our informational skills in preparation for the Points of P.R.I.D.E Assembly next Friday.

Wow! The students really rocked their learning world this week!

We have been working hard to become efficient learners and experts in center rotations. Assessment week was tiring for the students, but wonderful. They all completed the assessments to the best of their abilities and have earned a testing party! Please stay tuned for an email with some guidance questions for you, families, so that we can make a choice how we want to celebrate our learning zones!

Another fun event that happened to help break up the testing was a visit with our friend Ms. Kara from the Harris Center for Conservation Education. We learned about animals and their winter activity! She shared multiple examples of twigs and other nature items that showed how we know animals were visiting our surroundings. Next time, we will venture outside to explore our FES backyard for similar patterns and evidence. Thank you, Ms. Kara!

This week, students have been working on their final drafts of their weather essays. Third graders have been working on different strategies to figure out division problems, such as using their multiplication facts to help them, or breaking up the divisors and dividends. Fourth graders have been working on identifying common mistakes when subtracting numbers in the hundred thousands place so they are able to double check their work. In the poetry unit, students have been reading the poem, "Casey at the Bat." They also wrote their own poem inspired by a time that something didn't go according to plan.

Kindergarten and 1st grade loved singing about Winter and sharing their favorite Winter activities. A highlight of the week was "ice skating" to music using paper plates. The metallophone was a new and exciting addition to their music lessons and everyone took turns playing while we sang "Winter is Here".

The 1/2 class reviewed some previous knowledge about instruments and rhythm. The Sledding Song was a fun activity for acting out a musical story and playing several different instruments together.

3rd and 4th grade spent most of the week reviewing rhythm and note names on the music staff. They are getting ready to play recorder in the spring!

As the winter months approach, we anticipate an increase in seasonal illnesses, including colds, flu and stomach viruses. By working together, we can minimize the spread of illness and help all of our students, staff, and community thrive this winter.

Stay home if: Your child has a fever of 100.0°F (37.8°C) or higher. Return to school when: Your child has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use

of fever-reducing medication (e.g., Tylenol or Motrin). Please do not administer fever-reducing medication before school and send your child in. As soon as the medicine wears off, the fever will likely return, and your child will have exposed others to their illness.

Other reasons to keep your child home: In addition to a fever, please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after these symptoms have resolved: Vomiting or diarrhea

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school healthy.

Lindsay Pino, R.N. (School Nurse)

For medical diagnosis, consult your child’s primary care provider.