Words from Walsh November, 2019
Staying connected with Walsh School
Greetings from Principal Martin
Dear Parents/Guardians:
At the end of this month, we will be conducting our Parent/Teacher Conferences. Hopefully, you have already set up your PowerSchool account, and have set your conferences up in PowerPTC. If you need help setting up your account or conferences, please call the office. Before your conference, write down any questions that you may want to cover with your teacher and present those during your conference. Keep in mind we are on a tight schedule, and would like to have every parent meet with the teacher in a timely fashion, to keep things running smoothly. Please stop by if you have any questions that I can help answer for you.
I hope you have time to reflect on your blessings, and celebrate in some way with your family this November. Happy Thanksgiving ~ Teresa Martin
Important Dates in November
Mark Your Calendars
1 - 50th Day of School~Dress 1950 Style or....
1 - Red Ribbon Week ~ Wear your PJs
3 - Daylight Savings - Fall Back 1 Hour
5 - Picture Re-Takes
8 - 1st Trimester Ends
11 - Veterans' Day - No School
15 - Spirit Day - Disney Day
15 - Report Cards Issued
19 - Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm
19-22 Book Fair Preview (Open for Parents During PT Conferences)
20 - Late Night Book Fair (4:00pm-7:00pm)
20 - 1st Grade Musical (see article below for times)
25-26 - Parent Teacher Conferences - No School
27-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday - No School
26 - Classes Resume
Drop off times: no earlier than 8:40 a.m.
Please be prompt for pick-up at 3:30 p.m.
Remember to call the office by 9:00 a.m. if your child will be absent.
Office hours are 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ~ 815-838-7858 www.d92.org
From Puppies to Police ~ Safety First!
As we 'fall back' one hour this month, our attention turns a little stronger on the safety of our students outside. Please take care when moving in our parking lots, at our bus stops, and at the street crossings by the school. Remember that the speed limit in the school zone is 20mph, and the use of cell phones is prohibited. The neighborhood speed limit is 25mph and it would not surprise us if the police department watches a little closer as the season gets a bit darker in order to keep our children safe while playing.
Finally, just a reminder to all our wonderful furry family friends ~ please wait for your favorite child to return home to greet them with kisses, as some of our students aren't as comfortable around dogs as your boy or girl. Wagging tails are always a signal to run and pet you, and you may not want all those hands grabbing at you. Accidents happen, so please stay off the school grounds and wait for your favorite boy or girl at home. Thank you for your help!
A word about the Child Lures Program...
A word about the Child Lures Program…
Have you heard about ERIN’S LAW? On January 24, 2012, Erin’s Law was passed in Illinois, mandating age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in grades pre-K through 12th grade. At Walsh School, we use the Child Lures Prevention Program which was designed by Kenneth Wooden to teach various ways to keep as safe as possible from predators. This is a highly acclaimed, statewide, and research-based program. Walsh has been providing this program for the past ten years. It will be taught to our kindergarteners, and our first graders will get a refresher class from last year. At Walsh, only the introductory lessons are taught. Dr. Jackie Duffy-Hook, our school social worker, will be facilitating the Child Lures Prevention Program in every class. Also, a parent orientation to the program will be given on November 25th during parent-teacher conferences to give our parents an overview of the program. Please watch for a separate flyer. All new Walsh families will also receive a parent guide at their child’s conference.
P.E. News by Mr. Wallace
Kindergarten News
We have been very busy in kindergarten. We have been doing a variety of math activities. The children have been very engaged while learning the following math skills:
· compose and decompose numbers to 5 and 10
· subitize numbers to 10
· build 3-d shapes using 2-d shapes
· build with geometric shapes
· count by 1’s and 10’s to 100
· count 100 objects
· use critical thinking to create patterns
· make estimates of quantities and compare them to determine which has greater or fewer
· identify missing numbers in a sequence
We have been reading some great books. After we read a story, we will practice retelling the story. (What happened in the beginning, middle, and end of the story?) We will answer questions about the story and discuss the meaning of the following vocabulary words: author, illustrator, illustrations, character, setting, fiction and non-fiction. We will begin studying fiction books.
We are also learning how to write. We are learning how to write simple sentences. We have been learning the following punctuation marks: . , ? ! We are starting sentences with a capital letter, leaving spaces between words and ending with a punctuation mark. We have also been learning how to use inventive spelling. Students are using what they know about letters and sounds to spell words. For example, students might write pilo to represent the word pillow.
First Grade News
It is hard to believe that it is already November! Our first graders are really working hard! They are beginning to complete material related to the state standards independently. We are so thankful for your support throughout this first-grade year!
In our Schoolwide Reading Nonfiction Unit of study, we will continue to learn the elements of nonfiction and how nonfiction is different from other genres. We will continue to explore various types of nonfiction texts. We have been studying three types of nonfiction (reference, literary and biography), and students are developing an understanding of various forms, features, and purposes of nonfiction. In addition, our first graders will continue to develop their own narrative and opinion writing pieces.
In math, we will begin Unit 3~Adding, Subtracting, Counting and Comparing. Students are encouraged to master math facts and fact strategies for single-digit addition and subtraction facts. We will use various strategies to help students recognize number combinations, find the sum of two numbers, and compare two numbers to find the difference between them. We will also focus on developing place value, solve addition combinations to 20 and develop an understanding of the difference model of subtraction.
Our "Baggie Book" program is in full swing. The boys and girls seem to enjoy the self-selection of books and, of course, the quality time spent reading with an adult! Your child should be reading these books to you, being that they are at your child's reading level.
This month, we will also be preparing for parent-teacher conferences. Please make sure you sign up for your child’s conference online. Of course, we will also be learning about the first Thanksgiving. It will be a busy, busy month!
Lastly, don't forget about our Fall musical on Wednesday, November 20th. We are excited to see you there!
Junior Firefighters Learn About Fire Safety
Early Childhood and Community Preschool News
The Early Childhood and Community Preschool students enjoyed a fabulous October and are excited about our new month. In November, we will work on community helpers, the letters I, J, and K, and new Bridges math concepts, including counting to 10 and beyond, as well as extending patterns. We will make several Thanksgiving projects and celebrate all those things for which we are thankful. As parent-teacher conferences approach, we are looking forward to sharing all the progress our students are making. Thank you for your continued support at home!
The Reading Corner by Mrs. Price-Senders, First Grade Reading Specialist
How to Inspire Children to Read in a Digital Age
At the heart of all learning is solid literacy – but what if your child doesn’t like to read or doesn’t feel he/she is good at reading?
Some people speculate that the digital world we now find ourselves living in limits the opportunities for children to read as they spend so much time playing games or chatting to friends online. However, technology can lend itself to literacy development if we use it in the right way.
When it comes to reluctant readers, using digital books can make all the difference. They can pique the interest of children who might see books as boring.
Children don’t have to worry about any overwhelmingly wordy double-page spreads, either. With digital books, there are far fewer words to worry about in the immediate future, and the text size can easily be zoomed up. This helps when a child’s eyes aren’t focusing and stops them from scanning the page looking for unknown words that might be long and potentially difficult to decode.
Using technology can really help put the focus on enjoyment, which is key to breaking a cycle of negativity about reading.
It’s crucial that we don’t lose sight that literacy is a forever skill. Reading for pleasure builds empathy, broadens minds and can be hugely inspiring at all ages – it is the gift that keeps on giving. Lancaster, A. (2018, March 29). How to Inspire Children to Read in a Digital Age, Retrieved from https://academytoday.co.uk.
Check out the digital books available at Walsh:
Tumblebooks
User Name: willcounty
Password: books
Book Flix
User Name: willcounty
Password: books
Music News by Mrs. Joanne Moan
What a month of music-making in the Walsh music room!
Early Childhood: The preschool students have been introduced to our movement scarves, and they love them! We also gathered nuts and acorns for the squirrels in a fun game. The students learned a chant about the worm in the apple, and then became the worm in the song! It was fun to wiggle through the apple. Way up high in the apple tree, I saw two eyes looking at me. I reached for an apple, it started to squirm. Oops, I found a wiggly worm! The students enjoyed moving in bubbles as a duck, turtle, and a butterfly. The students practiced the Hokey Pokey and a freeze dance. We will be learning some pumpkin songs for Halloween fun, including “A Spider on the Floor," “Shaky Skeletons” and “5 Little Pumpkins.”
Kindergarten: We are finishing up our study of the farm and farm animals in music. We had to go “Hunt for the Cows” even when we were so hot and tired. Ask your kindergartener to demonstrate the dramatic movement for you. We danced a great “Milk Bucket Boogie” and learned how to slide down the alley. The students met several horses this month, including “My Pony, Macaroni." We listened for the change from high to low in music and were able to identify the sound AND change our movements to match the music. Wow! We also had a chance to work with balloons to practice high and low. We have started some pumpkin songs, like “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater” and “Pass the Pumpkin." The students are excited to try some magical Halloween songs, like “Old Mrs. Witch” and “Halloween Charades.”
1st Grade: The first graders are busy preparing our special musical performance for November! We have also been practicing quarter notes and rests, using the song “The Muffin Man.” The students enjoyed using the music room puppets and helping them sing to each other. We practiced moving like a spider, and playing and singing several spider songs, including: “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Legs and All.” We also played the song, “Big Black Cats” with our drums and glockenspiel. The students began learning about Veterans Day, and the service that Veterans have performed for our country. We learned a wonderful patriotic song, “This Land is Your Land.” We look forward to seeing our 1st-grade families and friends on Wednesday, November 20, for our 1st-grade musical! See the invitation below.
News from the Media Center
The students have been working on creating a digital story through the app Draw and Tell. Students illustrated their story and then recorded "The Five Little Pumpkins." They will begin working on exporting and uploading their story to the Seesaw app.
Look for flyers and information about the Walsh Book Fair coming home soon. The fair will be held during conferences, and students will be able to preview the fair during their school day. A new feature of a digital wallet has been added to the on-line shopping option through Scholastic. Information will be sent home with students.
Art News by Mrs. Deckinga
The 1st-grade classes will be honoring Native American Heritage month with a special project. We'll be learning about the Navajo and the ancient art of Navajo sand painting. The students will be drawing simple Navajo symbols on sandpaper, then use colored sands to add colors and designs.
Making Math Count by Mrs. Romeo
I would like to remind you about using DreamBox at home. A letter was sent home earlier in the year with the passcode k6d6/5ex8. This code is specific to Walsh school students. The DreamBox Learning Math Program is an online Intelligent Adaptive Learning program that helps all students achieve better, faster math proficiency. Your student can access DreamBox Learning from any computer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using this link: https://play.dreambox.com/login/k6d6/5ex8. Students can also access DreamBox on an iPad or computer by simply using the Walsh media center web page. All students have used this program in school and are encouraged to use it at home.