Words from Walsh February, 2021
Staying connected with Walsh School
Greetings from Principal Martin
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I am so proud of our students in their attempts to stay safe at school. They really have done a great job of using their airplane or Frankenstein arms to socially distance; you may have noticed that I gave them a social distancing spirit stick for their effort. I see masks every day, and it is rare that a student comes to school having forgotten his or her mask. Way to go, friends...keep up the good work!
At this time of the year, I like to remind parents of some arrival and dismissal safety measures; it's good practice to review them. Continue to stay vigilant in following the drop-off pattern in the North Street parking lot. Stay alert when moving in the line, and follow the instructions of our aides. During pick up times, it is especially important to keep your children right with you as you cross parking lots, as cars are on the move during this time. If you ever have concerns about our procedures, please feel free to call me. Also in the vein of safety, I'd like to remind our parents to please wear masks and socially distance at the pick-up doors. This helps to keep everyone safe at dismissal.
On February 11th, we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with parties hosted by classroom teachers. Exchanged valentines will be sent home in a sealed envelope or baggie for you to open at your discretion. February 12th will mark our 100th day of school. This is a fun-filled day with many counting games and surprises.
Finally, I want to give a huge shoutout to our teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, custodians, nurse, kitchen staff, and everyone else at Walsh for their continued dedication toward keeping our students safe, healthy and happy. So much goes on behind the scenes, and I want to recognize and thank the staff for their efforts; they are an amazing bunch of people!
We will have a day off this month and some fun spirit days, so please make sure to check our calendar for all our special days and times.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
~ Mrs. Teresa Martin, Principal/Walsh School
Important Dates in February
Mark Your Calendars
11 - Supply Pick-Up (Remote Only)
11 - Valentine's Day Parties (planned and hosted by the classroom teacher)
12 - 100th Day of School
12 - Spirit Day - Dress Old/100th Creative Day/Red or Pink for Valentine's Day
14 - Valentine's Day
15 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day
16 - Board of Education Meeting/District (7:00 pm)
25 - Supply Pick-Up (Remote Only)
26 - Spirit Day - Crazy Hair Day
26 - 2nd Trimester Ends
March 1 - No School (Casimir Pulaski Day)
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
The Great Kindness Challenge at Walsh School
********************2020/2021 YEARBOOK*********************
Don't Forget to Order Your Yearbook!
All yearbooks must be ordered online by March 1, 2021.
Please use this school code when ordering: 12828521
Click here to order your yearbook YBPAY.LIFETOUCH.COM
We do not anticipate having any extra books, so make sure you reserve your copy today. Walsh, Reed and Ludwig schools share the same yearbook. Oak Prairie has a separate book.
A Note from the Nurse
The season you either love — or love to hate — is in full swing. Whether you’re out and about with your family braving the elements, or getting cozy at home, dress appropriately for cold weather. Please help your child choose warm, comfortable clothing for school each day, including socks. Make sure they are wearing a coat and a hat, and please don't forget the gloves, too, so they can go out for recess when the temperature allows. Even in cool weather, they need the exercise and fresh air, so bundle up and let's get outside.
I would like to thank all of our Walsh Parents for your cooperation and understanding during this time. If your child is ill and demonstrating any Covid symptom listed on your yellow ticket, you must keep them home to quarantine. If they are asked to quarantine, please go to the district website to report their symptoms. Your child may return to school after either getting a Covid test or seeing your pediatrician for an alternative diagnosis. The students have been terrific at social distancing and keeping their masks on.
P.E. News by Mr. Wallace
We Arrr SO Excited to be Back in School!
FastBridge Benchmarking
Our students will be taking the FASTBridge Winter Benchmark assessments in reading and math over the course of the next two weeks. Benchmark testing is used to set baseline achievement data and measure progress toward academic standards and goals. This is an opportunity for teachers to collect information on student performance and compare it to other students in the grade level and nation. We use this information to help teachers plan for instruction across the class and grade level, as well as to help identify students needing additional support or enrichment. Please feel free to call my office if you have any questions.
Kindergarten News
February is here and the kindergarteners are showing others how kind and caring they are in the month of love!
This month we will practice blending, segmenting and spelling consonant-vowel-consonant words. Students will also learn to distinguish between long and short vowel sounds. Additionally, we will continue exploring nonfiction books and books of the winter season.
In math our focus will be on adding, subtracting, measuring and working on teen numbers. Students will practice creating and solving addition and subtraction equations. They will measure objects using non-standard units, such as Unifix cubes and popsicle sticks. Students will also spend time deepening their understanding of teen numbers.
Please continue to set time aside for your child to read and practice sight words every day.
The kindergarteners are continuing to work so hard. We are so proud of the progress that they have made!!
Have a happy Valentine's Day!
First Grade News
February is jam packed with fun in first grade, and we have plenty to keep us busy! We can’t wait to see if the groundhog predicts an early spring or six more weeks of winter. We’ll learn about leaders, past and present, celebrate black history and our 100th day of school!
In our Fundations curriculum, we’ll continue to work on digraphs, blends and glued sounds. We’re moving on to blending and segmenting up to five sounds in a closed syllable, learning all about vowel teams, suffixes ‘–ing’ and ‘-ed’, and the tricky silent ‘e’. Please continue to refer to the Fundations ‘cheat sheets’ that come home when a new unit begins.
During our Schoolwide reading and writing time, we’re continuing in our nonfiction unit of study. We’re learning all about what nonfiction has to offer and digging into some award-winning nonfiction books. Our writing will shift to narrative and opinion writing structures.
In our Bridges curriculum, we’ll continue to focus on addition and subtraction to 20 and develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts to 10. Students will learn how to write and solve equations that involve unknowns in all positions, and determine whether addition and subtraction equations are true or false.
We might have had a rough start to the year, but our first graders are making some amazing progress!
Loving In-Person Learning!
Early Childhood News
The Early Childhood classes are planning a fabulous February. In addition to our Bridges Math and Fundations Phonics Programs, we will spend time working on the very special aspects of Valentine's Day, including the importance of sharing and being kind to our family and friends. We will discuss the work presidents do with posters and pictures. The month will end with a unit on dental care, using a huge set of teeth that we practice brushing and flossing. A very special "Happy Valentine's Day" to all of our Walsh friends!
Music Notes by Mrs. Moan
What a month of music-making at Walsh! Happy New Year!
Thank you for supporting the Walsh music program. ☺
Kindergarten: The kindergarteners are growing so quickly! During January, we practiced “Pease Porridge Hot”, a song that allows the students to practice the rhythm of the words while clapping. We also practiced playing the rhythm in the song, “Hear the Instruments”. We have been practicing our four different voice qualities: singing, speaking, whispering and shouting voices. We watched the conductor and changed our voices to follow the directions. We had so much fun acting out the story, “The Snowy Day” and followed Peter as he played outside in the snow. The kindergarteners have also practiced songs about the alphabet. We shaped our bodies into letters, and explored letters with curves and lines. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom was a great story about letters, too! But, I think our favorite song was “Alphabet Soup”. Your children put the silliest things into our alphabet soup! ☺ In February, we will begin some passing and balancing with our beanbags! We will continue to practice our musical opposites too.
1st Grade: Whew! In January, the first graders practiced melodic direction, especially using two notes, so and mi. We sang about snowflakes using so and mi and added some beautiful chime tree sounds to represent snowflakes. We also played the part of the teddy bear in the song, “Teddy Bear”. Students enjoyed composing new lyrics to the song! Did you know the teddy bear really likes to drive a car?! ☺ We explored movement in the song, “What Shall We Do When We All Go Out?”. The students could choose what season and what activity to pantomime. The first graders really enjoyed learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask your child to perform “Sing About Martin” for you. We brainstormed ways to be peaceful, loving and kind, not only on MLK, Jr.’s birthday, but the whole year through. At the end of the month, we will become cats and mice in the song, “The Old Gray Cat”. In February, we will practice making word chains, and begin improvising on our “desk drum”.
Art News by Mrs. Deckinga
The first grade students recently learned about Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky - the "father of abstract painting". We'll be creating an abstract watercolor painting inspired by Kandinsky's use of line, geometric, and organic shapes. Students are also encouraged to visit Pop's restaurant in Lockport. The restaurant is decorated with over a dozen Kandinsky prints!