Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends,
I hope everyone is staying dry and warm on this drippy dreary chilly Thursday! Despite it being a short week here at the Nest, we packed in a lot of learning, connection, and joy. Already our Eagles have been demonstrating our monthly SEL theme of gratitude as I heard and saw them expressing their thankfulness in classes, the hallways, in the cafeteria, and other spaces in our building. You might consider asking your child(ren) what are some ways they have showed gratitude not only here at Elm but in other spheres of their lives as well.
A quick reminder that the weather is getting chillier each day and we will go out to recess in most weather conditions unless it is dangerous. Please help your child(ren) remember to bring/wear their cold weather gear to school each day. If you are in need of support in purchasing cold weather gear for your child(ren) please reach out to Jessica Simpson, Sarah Iandoli, or myself.
In this week's News from the Nest you will find information about:
- Upcoming Dates/Events: November
- New Elm Street School Event: Winter Maker's Market
- Essentialist Newsletter: Physical Education
- What is Fact Fluency?
- Multicultural Family Potluck
- School Council: Still Need 1-2 Family Representatives
- November Counselor Newsletter
- November PAC News
I hope everyone has some opportunities to rest and reflect over this long weekend. See you back in school on Monday!
Jen
Upcoming Dates/Events: November
- 11/1 Native American Heritage Month begins, All Saints Day
11/1 November Monthly Assembly (students and staff only)
11/1-2 Day of the Dead
11/3 School Photo Make-up Day
11/7 Election Day
11/10 No School
11/11 Veterans Day
11/12 Diwali
11/15 6:00p Elm Multicultural Family Potluck
11/16 6:45p School Committee Meeting
11/22 Early Release Day
11/23-24 No School
Winter Maker's Market
We welcome all art, stickers, soaps, candles, perler bead creations, wire and beaded jewelry, pillows, friendship bracelets, and whatever craft you would like to produce and sell. Set your own prices, work individually or with a friend, and most of all HAVE FUN!
We will share more information and details on how to reserve your "seller's booth" in an upcoming separate email. Start planning your ideas now!
What is Fact Fluency?
You may have heard at your Family/Educator conference that your child(ren)’s fact fluency is a strength or maybe it is an area for growth. But what exactly is fact fluency? In days past, fact fluency was taking home a set of flash cards and practicing them until they were memorized. There was not a lot of conceptual understanding behind those facts; it was just practice until you knew them. Unfortunately, that did not work for all students, especially those that might process information in a different way or struggle with working memory.
Building fact fluency today is based on conceptual understanding and concept development so students can apply strategies to solve facts, therefore giving them a stronger foundation for future learning. There is a specific sequence to learning the facts (and it’s not just 1-10) as certain facts build on other facts learned in all operations. Have you heard of the doubles +/- 1 for addition and subtraction or the double, double, double strategy for multiplying by 2s, 4s, and 8s? These are just two of the many strategies students learn to help them become more fluent with their facts and therefore more efficient mathematicians. Listed below are the fact fluency expectations for each grade level. The links take you to a document that describes the specific strategies for that operation in the order they are taught. When supporting your student at home, using this common language will help them in their journey towards mastering fact fluency.
Our Family Math Site has a special section for families devoted to Fact Fluency as well as a page for students with resources for fun practice.
End of School Year Fact Fluency Expectations:
Kindergarten: Fluently add & subtract within 5
Grade 1: Fluently add & subtract within 10
Grade 2: Fluently add & subtract within 20
Grade 3: Fluently multiply all products up to 10x10 and related division facts
Grade 4: Fluently multiply all products up to 12x12 and related division facts
Grade 5: Keep practicing all facts for fluency!
Multicultural Family Potluck
It is time to celebrate the Elm Street School Community!
Join us on Wednesday November 15th from 6:30 - 8:00p in the Elm Street School Cafetorium for our annual Elm Street School Multicultural Family Potluck.
Participate in this special event by cooking a family dish, providing an educational experience/game, or demonstrating a particular custom. Or just come and join the fun!
To RSVP to the event please click here.
All families are invited to share about your family traditions and heritage as we gather together to strengthen our community. We are looking for students and adult caregivers alike to share in dance, food, and special traditions. Please sign up here to contribute to the celebration and keep this annual Elm Street School tradition going strong!
Skip a night of cooking dinner! Come and celebrate together with Food, Culture, and Music!
* Contact Ellen DeGirolamo ellendeeg@gmail.com or Principal Buller for more information or with additional questions
Nest Connections
Email: jbuller@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/ess
Location: 415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: 508.660.7374