MEADOWLARK NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2018
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Families,
Thank you to those of you that filled out the School Climate Survey this year. The information received is very valuable in our efforts to make improvements and to also celebrate our many successes. One reoccurring comment from parents was the concern about students not having enough homework. There were a few references to Meadowlark having a No-Homework Policy.
I wanted to provide you with Meadowlark's stance on homework. As a staff, we have spent significant time reading articles and applying our educational expertise in creating a philosophy about how we want to approach the topic of homework. We do NOT have a No Homework Policy but we do have a philosophy through which we make homework decisions. Here is what our philosophy states....
I have read two books specifically around the topic of homework and would highly recommend them as a great read for those that want to learn more. The books are:
The Homework Myth, Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn
The Case Against Homework, How Homework is Hurting Children and What Parents Can Do About It by Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish.
Thank you for your support and I would be happy to visit with you further about this somewhat controversial topic.
Dana Matheny,
Principal
MARCH CALENDAR
March 1
- Book Swap Week (2/26 - 3/2)
- Book Fair Begins
- 8:00 - 9:00 am - Book Fair Teacher Preview
- 4:00 - 7:00 pm - Spring Open House/Book Fair/Art Show
March 2
- FFF Popcorn and Free Time (submitted 5+ labels)
- Dr. Seuss Birthday - Read Across America
- 7:45 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:45 am - All Star Pep Rally
- 3:45 pm - Monart Drawing Class
March 5
- 3:45 pm - STUCO Meeting
March 6
- 3:45 pm - Milers Running Club
- 3:45 pm - Spanish Immersion Club @ Meadowlark
March 9
- 7:45 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:45 am - All Star Pep Rally & Character Assembly (Citizenship)
- 2:00 pm - Kindergarten Donuts with Daddy
- 3:00 pm - Circle of Friends Meeting
- 3:45 pm - Monart Drawing Class
March 11
- Daylight Saving Time Starts (spring forward 1 hour)
March 12
- 1:15 pm - 5th Grade Students Visit ACMS
March13
- 3:45 pm - Milers Running Club
- 3:45 pm - Spanish Immersion Club @ Meadowlark
- 6:30 pm - PTO Meeting
March 14
- 9:30 am - 1st Grade Field Trip to Exploration Place
- 11:25 am - Staff Vs. Students Basketball Game
March 15
- 3rd Quarter Reading Incentives Due
- Picture Day - Casual Individual & Group Picture
- 10:15 am - Resource Students Swim at YMCA
- 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Family Bingo Night at Meadowlark
March 16
- NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning Day
March 19 - 23
- NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
March 26
- Roller Skating During P.E. Begins (2nd-5th Grade Only)
- 11:30 am - March Birthday Lunch with Mrs. Matheny
March 27
- 3:45 pm - Milers Running Club
- 3:45 pm - Spanish Immersion Club @ Meadowlark
- 6:30 pm pm - Kindergarten Roundup
March 29
- Box Top Pick Up
March 30
- Report Cards Sent Home
- 7:45 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:45 am - All Star Pep Rally
- 3:45 pm - Monart Drawing Class
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR STAFF
3 - Tammy Clarkson (Counselor)
9 - Rachael Hoopes (5th Grade Teacher)
13 - Sarah Boline (4th Grade Teacher)
Dear Parents and Families,
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at: http://www.scholastic.com/bf/meadowlarkelemsch2. Our Online Fair is available from 2/24/18 to 3/9/18.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Mrs. Pfaff
100TH DAY AT SCHOOL
BAKING BREAD FOR GOOD
A few weeks ago the students of Meadowlark learned how to bake bread for the people in need. Only fourth and fifth graders were aloud to partake in this event. The first thing that our principal thought about was how much money the activity was going to cost, but the nice people from “King Arthur” flour company said it was free and donated the supplies listed for baking bread. They included a dough scraper, whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, a bag and a tie for the bread, red star yeast, and a recipe booklet. The students were asked to go home over a period of time, and bake two loaves of bread, one to keep and one to donate to people in need. One student from each grade was asked to help demonstrate the making of the bread. Once the students grabbed the supplies for making the bread, they were put in a small tote bag to take home. The woman who taught the students how to make bread, informed us that the bread will take about three and a half hours to make, so the students will have to pick a time that will work in the parent’s schedule. The best part was when we saw the bread rise because of the yeast, and the instructor poked the dough like it was slime!!! Meadowlark can’t wait to do more fun activities like this one!
By: Goldie, Chandler, and Savannah
VALENTINE BOX DECORATING CONTEST
Third grade classes participated in a Valentine Box decorating contest. All students created their Valentine box at home. On Wednesday, February 14th, the children brought their box to school and placed it on one of the following categories to be judged: prettiest, most unique, most creative, most colorful, funniest and neatest. All third graders voted for each category. As a result of their votes, there were two winners (one from each classroom) for each category. There were many unique and creative boxes. It was a sweet success!
LEVI'S COFFEE SHOP
Levi and Mrs. Alfers started a coffee business this year called Levi’s Coffee Shop. Levi picks up coffee orders on Friday afternoons and delivers on Monday mornings. He uses the Keurig coffee maker in the teacher’s lounge to make the coffee. In Levi’s own words, “We sort the coffee and put it in the hole and push a button. Then we put a lid on the coffee cup when it’s ready.”
We started the business with just two offerings, a light roast and a dark roast coffee, but have expanded to include cocoa and tea as well. We had a cookie and coffee special during the month of December.
Levi’s Coffee Shop only costs 50 cents per order which pays for all the supplies. We do not keep any of the money, except we are planning on doing a fun activity at the end of the year to celebrate the success of the coffee business.
Teachers love it when Levi delivers their orders with a big smile on his face and even a complimentary hug. Levi says the most fun thing about his coffee shop is that he makes people happy.
I love the growth that I have seen in Levi throughout the year and how confident he is now. My most proud moments are when he high fives me and says, “We are doing awesome!” or when he knocks on the doors and yells, “It’s the coffee guy!” His excitement is contagious!
Levi’s Coffee Shop has become quite the hit at Meadowlark Elementary and eCademy. We have about 15 regular customers who order coffee each week. It keeps us very busy and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Mrs. Alfers
ART NEWS
We have been busy creating artwork and we are proud to present the first ever student choice art show! Some may be wondering why the artwork looks so different this year. Since October, we have switched to the TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) model.
In this philosophy, the student is the artist and has been given full freedom to create and THINK like an artist! At Meadowlark, we are focused on creating artists, not just creating a product. The students are being held to a high standard of envisioning, reflecting, developing craft, expressing, observing and stretching and exploring in a manner that is authentic and meaningful to the artist.
When you see their artwork come home, ask questions and seek clarification. They represent the child’s ideas around identity, creativity, life and fun.
ART SHOW
Date: Thursday, March 1
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
10 WEEK SPRING ART CLASS ON THURSDAYS
March 8, 15, 29
April 5, 12, 19, 26
Mary 3, 10 17
Time: 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm - Students will come straight to the Art Room after school. A nut-free snack will be provided.
Cost: $100 - Please plan to attend all sessions unless communicated with Mr. Russo.
Themes and mediums: printmaking, nature, weaving and canvas painting.
Mrs. Russo
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS MEETING
P.E. NEWS
ANDOVER K-9 VISIT
Officers Hayden and Farris visited our third graders and brought along their fellow K-9, Officer Thor. Officer Thor lives and works with Officer Farris. They both work for the Andover Police Department. The students learned how Officer Thor helps detain criminals, uses his sense of smell to find drugs, lost items, and humans. All third graders read about Aero and Officer Mike prior to the visit. They were able to make text to real world connections. What a great way to learn! After the presentation, the children were allowed to pet Officer Thor. Everyone enjoyed the visit!
ALL-STAR CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Friday, March 2 - Character Education Assembly - Fairness
Friday, April 13 - Character Education Assembly - Citizenship
These students were all recognized for showing the Character Trait
CARING.
TURN YOUR GROCERY RECEIPTS INTO CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL!
Earn even more cash to help Meadowlark get what it needs through the Box Tops for Education Bonus App. Turn your everyday receipts into cash for our school. It's free and as easy as 1-2-3. Here's how it works:
BUY
SCAN
EARN
New Features
Now with new and improved geolocations it's easier to find Box Tops offers at stores near you! PLUS, the latest Bonus App updates enable you to:
Edit the school you're supporting
Track your school's earnings progress
See your school's Clip Board
Try it for yourself! You can earn Bonus Box Tops in the Box Tops Bonus App in combination with the on-pack Box Tops clip and any other coupon, discount, store program or promotion.
DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY!
Amber Kear
Jessica Cicora
Mrs. Zarich's 1st Grade class collected the most Box Tops for the month of January!
DILLON'S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM
Dillon's makes fundraising easy---all you have to do is shop at Dillon's and swipe your Plus Shopper's Card! Go to Dillons.com and sign in or create an account to enroll. This enrollment does not have to be updated every year. Once signed in, select your Community Rewards under your Account Settings. Search for Meadowlark to earn extra $$$ for our school!
We currently have 66 households signed up! They shopped at Dillon's between 7.1.2017 and 9.30.2017. Meadowlark received a check for $716.43!
SHOPAROO
Every photo of a grocery receipt earns money for our school! Free to download, free to use. Nothing to buy or sell. Help us raise thousands of dollars a year!
- Download the Free Shoparoo App in the App Store & Play Store http://www.shoparoo.com/
- Select Meadowlark
- Take pictures of Receipts!
- Watch Meadowlark earn money!
PEACHJAR
Peachjar is simple and fun to use. Once signed up you'll start to receive emails with flyers in them!
You never have to log in and you can easily to manage your account preferences. Login information is sent to you. You will regularly receive emails with the latest flyers. They can also be viewed on the Meadowlark website. Simply look for the Peachjar logo! If you aren't receiving emails, create an account.
2017-2018 DISTRICT CALENDAR
Meadowlark Elementary School
Email: harveyr@usd385.org
Website: http://meadowlark.usd385.org/
Location: 1411 N Main St, Andover, KS, United States
Phone: 316-218-4630
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meadowlarkelementary