The Crosby Chronicle
Weekly Newsletter ~ November 2-6, 2020
GREETINGS FROM PRINCIPAL FERGUSON!
Hello Crosby Families,
Thank you all for showing your school spirit last week! It was fun to see all of the students and staff who participated in our "Virtual Spirit Week." Each day was a different theme, and it has been so nice to see the many photos that have been sent to me. I have included some of the photos in this newsletter.
I would like to remind all families that we have student desks and chairs available if you feel this would help your child with remote learning at home. We just ask that you allow 24 hour notice for the pick up at the school. Please call the school to be sure the desk and chair are ready in the front office area before you come to pick them up.
In this newsletter, you will see the updates from our Special Area Teachers. They have been working hard with all of our Crosby Kids in the first quarter. These updates will keep you informed about what your child has been learning in their grade level for Music, Art, Physical Education, Library, and Technology.
We are so very proud of our students for the amazing things they have been doing in the first quarter of school. It is exciting to see all the many things they will accomplish in the second quarter.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ferguson
NO SCHOOL ~ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020
NO INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS ~ Friday, November 6, 2020
Spirit Week Fun!
Monday - Pajama Day
Tuesday - Sports Team Day
Wednesday - Crazy Hair/Hat Day
Thursday - Mask/Costume Day
Friday - Black and Gold Day
SPECIAL AREA CLASSES ~ FIRST QUARTER UPDATES
MUSIC ~ Ms. Schmitt & Mr. Kibbler
In kindergarten music classes, we started the remote school year by introducing the students to what the Music Room at Crosby looks like through a Virtual Music Room Tour video. Students then began exploring different instruments including maracas, rhythm sticks, tambourines, and cowbells. This has been done through learning about different farm animals in a “Goin’ to the Farm” unit. Each animal has a different instrument from above associated with it. The animals we have learned so far in the first quarter are the duck, hen, lamb, and cow. This unit is designed to reinforce animal names, sounds, and spelling through different songs and movement activities.
In our first, second, and third grade music classes, we started the year by introducing the students to what the music room looks like and how to use our Google Classroom. After that we began our unit on “Found Sounds.” One of the students’ favorite activities in music class is playing instruments. We thought it would be fun for each student to find/make their own instruments at home. They did a fantastic job of discovering and inventing new instruments with household items. All of our resource videos can be found in their Music Google Classroom.
The students recently started a unit on composing. We began by discussing how composers use art to influence their music, and how artists use music to influence their art. The students have started exploring the Chrome Music Lab online and have been composing their own music. We’re excited to continue our lessons on composing into the second quarter. Make sure to periodically check the Music Google Classroom for missing assignments in the “classwork” tab.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION ~ Mr. Chupich, Mr. Motz, & Mr. Arndt
Welcome to our Physical Education update. We have enjoyed the time spent with our students in the remote setting this first quarter, and look forward to continuing our learning during the second quarter. Throughout the first quarter, our students have participated in activities geared toward movement, fitness and sport related skills to help them stay active in this new setting of learning away from school. Please remember it is important for the students to have their screens on with video so they are visible during Physical Education class. With the students' video on we are able to help students perform movements correctly to promote safe exercising and to avoid injury. This also allows us to assess their active participation in the PE learning process.
During the first quarter the students have had the opportunity to engage in the virtual classroom activities via our Google classroom along with virtual sport and fitness related skills we have taught during live instruction on ZOOM. If your student is still not signed up for the Physical Education Google Classroom please click here: https://classroom.google.com/c/MTI2NjcwMDg3MzI1?cjc=nv4ybfw.
With sports starting back up at the beginning of the school year we took the time to teach some sport related skills that can still be done outside while the weather cooperates. Students have learned and reviewed throwing and catching skills, football basics, and locomotors, or body control movements such as jumping and hopping. Moving forward into the second quarter, students will continue working on fitness, soccer skills, and other sport related skills and activities.
ART ~ Ms. Vongkorad & Ms. Bryant
Throughout the first quarter, Crosby’s Amazing Artists have accomplished so much!
With the appropriate amount of rigor given their age, each grade has been: building their attention to detail by using a variety of linework (as well as some shape and color); pushing their creative-thinking as we’ve had to adapt to our limited art supplies; learning how to use FlipGrid to submit quick videos that highlight the work we create during art as well as the artwork we finish after class!
More specifically, our kindergarten and first grade artists have been expressing certain feelings and emotions within their “Thinking of You” cards, “Gratitude (still life)” drawings, and “Egghead Expression” illustrations! We have also pushed our creativity when we explored using different materials to build a sculpture during our “3D Exploration” day. These young artists have especially been putting their linework and attention to detail to the test with their “Fish Loops!” drawings.
Our second and third grade artists have been testing their tech-skills by navigating our Art Google Classroom on their own as well.
During our second quarter, we will take the skills we’ve revisited and refined during the first quarter to focus more on the following art elements: line, texture, form, and space. We will continue to use any drawing materials we have available to us (colored pencils, pencils, markers, crayons, pens, dry erase markers, dry erase boards, paper, cardboard, etc.) as well as any 3D materials we may have (PlayDoh, cardboard, scrap paper, legos, blocks, etc.). We will also continue to build their creative-problem solving skills so that they can make artwork anywhere and out of anything they have around them!
It is critical that we are all comfortable with the way we submit our artwork as we have such a short amount of time together during the week -- especially because our artists may want extra time to complete their work.
Please visit, and make sure your artist has joined Ms. Bryant or Ms. Vongkorad’s Art Google Classrooms (found within a “Specials” topic in your homeroom teacher’s Google Classroom). It is important that all of our artists are turning their artwork in under the topic: “FlipGrid Links!” found in our Art Google Classrooms. FlipGrid will help us further assess our students during our second quarter.
Lastly, our Art Department recognizes how important it is to take care of our minds and overall wellbeing during this challenging time. The beautiful thing about art is how it can help us accomplish so many different goals in so many different ways!
This year, we aim to use art not only as a way of challenging ourselves and our thinking, but also as a way to express or calm ourselves down when our emotions are heightened.
We also want to encourage families to find the time to connect with each other via art.
Within our Art Google Classrooms, we have a variety of art projects under the “Art from Home Bingo Chart” topic to encourage families to make time to create together. Please feel free to use and adapt these projects at your leisure! As always, please reach out with any further questions or for any guidance.
Happy Creating!
Love, Ms. Bryant & Ms. Vongkorad
LIBRARY SKILLS & TECHNOLOGY ~ Ms. Garza & Mrs. Filip
Library ~ Ms. Garza
Our kindergarteners learned about several things this quarter. We learned what a library is and what we do in a library. We learned about how we take care of our library books, and what the expectations are in the library. Kindergarteners learned about books that are real and make believe, and that books will fall into one of those two categories. The students viewed various online resources, and they found out how they can access them from home to continue learning. In the second quarter, our kindergarteners will begin learning about different types of fiction genres, and they will see examples of each. They will also learn about more online resources that they can access from home to get E-books and other reading materials.
Our first graders have learned many different skills this quarter. We learned about book care and library expectations. We also learned about how books that tell us about real things are called nonfiction books, and books about make believe things are called fiction books.
First grade students learned about the parts of a book, along with authors, and illustrators, and what they contribute to the books we read. Lastly, we learned how to access various online resources and websites from home to continue learning.
In the next quarter, the first graders will begin to learn about fiction genres and their characteristics. They will learn about finding reading preferences, how books are different, and how they can find different types of books within the library. They will learn more about internet safety, and begin to learn about story elements.
Our second and third graders have been learning about library orientation and expectations. We also discussed book care and how libraries function. The students learned about how books are divided into two groups: fiction and nonfiction, and we learned the characteristics of these types of books. We learned that books have call numbers, and these call numbers help us find books within the library. We discussed how each number represents a subject or topic. Our second and third grade students now know how to search for books, and what types of books each call number represents.
Technology ~ Mrs. Filip
In the first quarter, all of our students have been able to access many short videos to help them become more familiar with their Chromebooks. These videos have shown all Crosby students things from: how to use their email correctly, take pictures, access research sites, utilize Crosby Student Resources, and find some really interesting art websites.
During the second quarter, technology videos will further student learning by teaching key terms and vocabulary, as well as, showing students proper hand placement for typing, click and drag and keyboard shortcuts to make life a little easier.
PCL Corner ~ Our Parent Community Liaison ~ Mrs. Vania DeAlmeida
SAVE THE DATES!!!
Thursday November 5th, 6:30 p.m. the Parent Community Liaisons will be welcoming Dr. Ferney Ramirez Facebook Live workshops in Spanish for parents.
- Teach parents positive parenting guidelines and motivational techniques to help their children develop social and intellectual skills that make them leaders and owners of their decisions.
- Offer efficient psycho-pedagogical tools for parents to help their children to be successful in school and thus lead them, little by little, to make the best decision of their lives: POST SECONDARY SCHOOL.
- Offer training in effective empowerment and persuasion techniques so that they help their children develop self- confidence and thus face the problem of bullying, criticism, rejection and isolation...Typical situations that occur in the school environment.
Thursday November 12, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Comité Asesor De Padres Bilingües (BPAC)
- Para construir una comunidad integrada dentro de programas de idiomas y las escuelas.
- Apoyar a nuestro Distrito Escolar asistiendo a eventos para mejorar la educación de nuestros hijos.
- Asegurarnos que los fondos destinados al Programa Bilingüe se estén utilizando correctamente.
THE SOCIAL BUZZ ~ MS. LORENA VILLAGOMEZ
Hi Crosby Families!
For the next few weeks we will be dedicating this section to resources for families in need! We will include information about food drives, holiday assistance, and other resources that we have access to within the Harvard Community.
I wanted to take the time to introduce a very useful tool McHenry County has for its residents, Dial 2-1-1. The Dial 2-1-1 number was created by the United Way of Greater McHenry County as a response to the needs of the community.
When you call this number it will ask for your zip code (60033) and ask if you would like help in Spanish or English. You will then be assisted by a trained person who can help you get referrals to places that can help your needs. Referrals include food pantries, shelters, rent/ utility assistance programs, clinics, mental health specialists, among others.
This line can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it will be answered by a live individual. If dialing 2-1-1 does not work, then you can access the line by calling their alternative number (888) 865-9903 or by going to their website. https://www.navigateresources.net/path/
I hope this tool will help you navigate through the many services offered here in our county.
Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about anything or if you want help locating any services. You can email me at lvillagomez@cusd50.org or call
(815) 943-6125 ext. 2561.
Best regards,
Ms. Villagomez
School Social Worker
WEDNESDAYS ~ ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING
IMPORTANT DATES ~
November 3 - No School - Election Day
November 6 - No School for Students - Staff Development
November 11 - Veteran's Day
November 11 - Early Dismissal 1:00 /Staff Development
November 18 - School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm
November 25 - Early Dismissal
November 26 & 27 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
RICHARD D. CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal - Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson kferguson@cusd50.org
Asst. Principal - Mr. Paul Brass pbrass@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Mr. Brandon Barry bbarry@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Ms. Lorena Villagomez lvillagomez@cusd50.org
Parent Community Liaison - Mrs. Vania DeAlmeida vdealmeida@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Kortni Spaulding kspaulding@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Allison Altmann aaltmann@cusd50.org
Email: kferguson@cusd50.org
Website: https://www.cusd50.org/crosby/
Location: 401 Hereley Drive, Harvard, IL, USA
Phone: 815-943-6125