Moreau Heights Principal Newsletter
February 2019
Contact Information
Email: suzanna.haugen@jcschools.us
Website: www.jcschools.us
Location: 1410 Hough Park Road, Jefferson City, MO, United States
Phone: (573)659-3180
Twitter: @JCMH_tweets
Message from the Principal
Charger Families,
We have had a GREAT start to 2019! I hope you are hearing this from your student.
There are several changes that have contributed to the positive changes in our school:
- Breakfast in the Classroom
- Change in lunch/recess change
- Consistency with staff expectations for common settings
- Student growth and trust in staff
We have also put a focus on the positive things happening for our students. Ask your child about the positive office referrals! It has been awesome to celebrate the great things for our students!
Thank you for your continued support for your student, our teachers, and our school!
Sue Haugen, Principal
Follow us on Twitter at @JCMH_tweets
Calendar of Events
February 4-8 - Counselor Appreciation Week
Tuesday, February 5
*Mid-terms go home
Thursday, February 7
*Family Literacy Night 5:30--7:30
Tuesday, February 12
*Early Dismissal, students released at 1:15 pm
Thursday, February 14
*Valentine exchange
Monday, February 18
*No School - President's Day
Thursday, February 21
*PTO Talent Show 6:00-7:30 pm
Thursday, March 7
*Parent event focus on trauma 6:00-7:30 pm - Josh Varner speaker
Friday, March 8
*End of 3rd quarter
PTO Events and Activities
Valentine exchanges will take place in classrooms on February 14th. Teachers will be sending home class lists or numbers for valentine prep at home. Teachers will schedule the time for valentine exchange in their classrooms. Classes will enjoy this day and exchange as a classroom family, with no additional treats or activities.
Grade level teachers will be inviting families to join them for a reading or writing celebration before the end of the year to have you participate in the great learning happening for our students!
PTO Meeting: Talent Show!
Mark your calendar for our Talent Show on Thursday, Feb. 21. Be on the lookout for sign up information soon!
Family Literacy Night
February 7th 5:30 - 7:30 pm
- Free Dinner provided 5:30 - 6:00 in cafeteria
- Literacy Night Activities 6:00 - 7:30 (readers, crafts, activities)
- Reader's Theater 6:00 - 7:30 in gym
Activities for ALL ages! Free book for all children!
How Can You Make An Impact?
Want to get involved in our MOMS program for Moms or other family role models? Please complete the information from to get the process started. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpRsoKxTw3njhXHo1CxFh02B9udEFqaqdLzUkl1QY94E18hA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Once we get you information we will send you a form for a background check, then let you get started making a positive impact by being personally involved in our school.
Mark Your Calendar-Trauma, Impact for Children, Impact for Families
We will have 2 sessions to work for your schedule -
March 7 - 6:00-7:00 pm
March 15 - 11:30-12:30
Meal provided for each session!
Music with Musselman
Hello MH Parents,
This month will focus on a few different areas. Most grades are headed to the end of their instruments of the orchestra section. We work on naming instruments by sight and sound. If you want to watch some of the videos we’ve been viewing, check out the instruments of the orchestra page on my website!
https://www.jcschools.us/Page/15374
Two other items on our agenda are featuring prominent African American musicians and composers and basic music composition. Kindergarten and first use animal sounds to create eight beat phrases. 2nd-5th have 16 beat rhythmic compositions using body percussion as well as varying levels of melodic composition using xylophones/glockenspiels.
4th and 5th grade can expect information about recorders in the next couple of weeks. Don’t forget grades k-5 to save the day for the Ice Cream Social/Art Show/Spring Sing on April 18.
Warmest regards,
Matt Musselman
Music
Mrs. Boyd's Art Update
January 2019 Newsletter Attached: Parents can find more information in the January Art Room newsletter. Check it out via the embedded link above.
The following is a quick update of the skills that students are studying currently.
Spills and Stains Happen: Please be aware that art can be very messy. Although we do wear paint shirts when art supplies can stain clothing, paint shirts do not prevent all spills on clothing. Please be careful with what your child wears on art class days. Specifically, 4th and 5th grade are using Acrylic Paint, which is permanent if it dries on clothing. I also insist that they do not wear coats in the art room as I don’t want to see accidents happen on these important clothing items.
K-2: Literacy Night Art Display, 5:30-7 p.m. February 7
There will be an art display of Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade work for Literacy Night.
Kindergarten: We read “The Wind Blew” by Pat Hutchins. Students painted a picture of a windy sky. Then, we read “The Mitten” by Jan Brett and created mittens by tracing the students’ hands, coloring patterns on the mittens, and collaging the mittens to the background.
First Grade: Way back in December, first grade painted backgrounds from mixing blue and magenta to make violet, and adding white to make a tint. I had this grand plan that they would create snowmen collages on them, but set them aside until later. Then, after deciding to create shaving cream snowmen like Kindergarten, I went a different direction with the violet background. We read “The Last Polar Bear” by Jean Craighead. The students drew, cut and pasted polar bears to the background. You will be so thrilled to see your children’s beautiful polar bear drawings.
Second Grade: We read “Tacky the Penguin” by Helen Lester. Then they mixed magenta and blue to make violet adding white to make a tint. Then the students created a collage of a penguin floating on an iceberg, and got to dress their penguin in any fashion they wanted. We have some incredibly beautiful and creative penguins for parents to see.
Upper Elementary
3rd Grade: Third grade just finished their Winter Color Wheels, and are beginning Patterned Hearts. In Patterned Hearts, we are using repeated lines and shapes to create both invented textures and overall pattern using an oil pastel resist technique, which is much like crayon resist. I love integrating material science into art. The oil from the pastel resists the water in water-based paint. I love the surprised expression, when students see what happens when you paint colors over white pastel on white paper. Suddenly the white lines show up and they are amazed at the magic (or science) of the project.
4th Grade: We have studied the Element of Art of Value and the Principals of Design of Pattern, and Radial Balance. Using these elements and principals of art, we will be creating a Radial Design on a Chinet Plate. We will use this plate as a loom for a radial weaving. These will be displayed in the Spring Art Show.
5th Grade: We studied the Elements of Art of Color and Value. We will use these elements later in the year with a drawing based on the art of Vincent VanGogh. 5th Grade Students have been working diligently on their Kachinas. Most have finished construction and are priming the sculptures with gesso. One class has begun to paint their Kachinas.
Focus on Parenting - Gaining Respect Requires Setting Limits
Disrespectful behavior (eye-rolling, arguing, defiance, lying, etc.) is often a form of limit testing, which is a young person’s way of asking this important question: “Do you love me enough to provide the caring boundaries required to keep me safe from myself?” When limits over respect are inconsistent or weak, disrespectful behavior increases. The child’s self-concept suffers, and they lack the modeling required to learn how to set limits with their peers.
The ability to say “no” to peers starts with experiencing “no” from one’s parents.
Those familiar with Love and Logic know limits are most effectively provided when we describe what we are willing to do or allow, rather than trying to tell others how they should behave. Describing our own actions provides an enforceable limit. Dictating the actions of another does not.
“Treat me with respect!” is unenforceable.
“I’m happy to do the extra things I do for you when I feel respected” is enforceable.
Is it okay for a parent or educator to calmly and consistently provide perks only when they feel respected? Absolutely! In fact, it’s essential. While our children certainly won’t thank us in the short term, we can be assured that doing so provides the type of limits and security they need.
A Love and Logic mom recently described how she began the process of gaining her thirteen-year-old son’s respect:
Son: “It’s time for you to take me to practice. Why are you just sitting there?”
Mom: “Oh, this is so sad. It’s just really hard for me to want to do the extra things I do for you when I keep hearing how dumb you think I am.”
Son: “I was just kidding! Why do you make such a big deal out of everything? It’s time to go.”
Mom: “Maybe by next week at this time, I’ll feel better about taking you. I sure hope so.”
She held firm and experienced the predictable onslaught of arguing, pouting, and guilt-trips.
“Over the past few months,” she reflected, “I see him becoming a lot calmer and more respectful. I think he’s realizing that I care enough about myself to expect respect. It’s really improved our relationship!”
Attendance Matters!
- Having students at school by 8:10
- Scheduling appointments around school hours (8:15 - 3:15) when possible
- Making on time arrival at school a priority by having a morning routine
- Seeing that students are getting to bed at a reasonable time and are allowed a restful night of sleep
Thank you for your help by letting your child know that school is important to you!