Ms. Lowe's Newsletter
February 21st 2014
Upcoming Events
March 5th- CiCi’s Pizza Night 4:30-8:00 PM
March 7th- NO SCHOOL- Professional Development Day
March 10th- PTA meeting 7:00 pm
March 11th- All Pro Dads 7:00 am
March 17th-March 21st- SPRING BREAK
A Note from Ms. Hess
Next week (2/24-2/28) is our Pennies for Patients campaign and spirit week! Each day next week, we will be collecting coins and dollars to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Wear the following in celebration of the week…
Monday (2/24)- Support your favorite sports team & Bring Pennies
Tuesday (2/25)- Dress in your favorite western attire & Bring nickels
Wednesday (2/26)- Wear your favorite pajamas & bring dimes
Thursday (2/27)- Dress like your favorite superhero & bring quarters
Friday (2/28)- Show your POD support (blue pod- wear blue, red pod- wear red, yellow pod- wear yellow) & bring dollars
The class that brings in the most money will win a lunch provided by Olive Garden!!!! Yummy!!!
There are papers in your child’s Friday Folder that help explain the program and the spirit week. If your child brings in money, please try to count it ahead of time and include the amount with the money which will help with counting at school. Every little bit helps out this amazing program! J
Next Week's Calendar
Monday, Feb. 24—(Day 3: Music)
Tuesday, Feb. 25—(Day 4: PE)
Wednesday, Feb. 26—(Day 1: Art)
Thursday, Feb. 27—(Day 2: LMC)
Friday, Feb. 28—(Day 3: Music)
Spelling Test
Math
We have courageously entered into the world of comparing fractions, percentages and decimals!! Students were able to see how each would be equivalent and how this knowledge will carry them into real life!
We also worked on adding and subtracting decimals! As a class we watched some of the Olympic games and witnessed that a mere .001 could separate a team from silver to gold. There was a lot of excitement and energy learning this new skill in a fun situation!
Since the games will be on for a day or so, challenge your child to add race heats, or subtract losses! This is great and easy practice!! Plus, who doesn't love a challenge!
English
We have continued working on our westward expansion research papers. Students have discussed the thinking behind good note taking. And how to internalize information so that they can become excellent writers.
We discussed the elements of folk tales (tall tales) using books on John Henry and Mike Fink. Students identified character traits of each hero and used those traits to craft opinion essays. They also created illustrations of themselves as tall tale characters.
Social Studies
We have continued our exploration into Westward Expansion. We also learned about Davy Crockett and his involvement with the Texas-Mexican War.
We also discussed the gold rush and how the industrial revolution began to change the lives of the early American settlers.
Science
The students created a hypothesis and then thought of different ways they would be able to test their theories. There were some exceptional ideas flying around the room. We also watched a short Bill Nye video to explain that the scientific method is all around them.
Bring Your Own Device Policy At Liberty Oaks Elementary
At Liberty Oaks we are excited about integrating technology into the learning environment. As a team we met to outline some technology guidelines and procedures should your student want to bring in technology devices from home. It is not required to bring technology from home, but many students want the ability to do so.
1. Students in grades 1-5 may bring in a tablet, iPad, eReaders, iPod, etc. to read on during appropriate times as directed by the classroom teacher. Please ensure devices are clearly labeled with the student’s name.
2. If material, apps, etc. are inappropriate for school use, it must be removed before the device is allowed to be brought from home. (This would include apps, books, pictures, and/or music).
3. Students will be responsible for their device during the school day. Students will have a designated area to keep their device and use only during designated times as directed by the classroom teacher. The school will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or broken devices during the day.
4. Students will receive one warning regarding inappropriate use of device. Parents will be notified of the warning. If after one warning, another incident of inappropriate use occurs, the classroom teacher will notify the parents of the student’s ineligibility to bring their personal device to school for the remainder of the school year.