GRE Family Gazette
April 7, 2019
Dear GRE Families,
It was a great week at GRE that ended with Eagle's Nests and Party Wagon! That always makes for a fun Friday. In last week's newsletter, I introduced our Race to the Finish campaign. As we look forward to the final weeks of school, we will be celebrating students when they demonstrate the following characteristics:
Giving my best effort on all I do
Being respectful, responsible and safe
Using kind words and taking care of each other
Making myself proud
When students demonstrate one of these characteristics, they are given a ticket. Once they earn five tickets they sign the wall outside my office and enter a raffle for prizes. If we can get 300 signatures by the end of the school year, every student can get a chance to dunk a staff member! It can be so tricky at the end of the year as the weather turns nicer and extra curricular events are in season that we hope this will be a fun way to keep students focused on learning until the end of the year!
Here's to a great week full of fun, friends and learning!
Kate Thoma
Principal, General Rosecrans Elementary
Need some help with the special schedule? See below:
Monday 4/8- C Day
Tuesday 4/9-D Day
Wednesday 4/10- A Day
Thursday 4/11- B Day
Friday 4/12- C Day
A Few Important Reminders:
1. This event will be held at BWMS on April 11th starting at 6:30 pm. This event is free and all are welcome! Screenagers is a documentary that focuses on the habits that children develop by using their mobile devices. Throughout the film, families are seen dealing with the consequences (often serious) related to excessive screen time or screen time without boundaries. The film focuses on the connection between mental health and how much tech time can impact a child’s development. This documentary also highlights the benefits of finding the balance of screen time and screen- free time and offers some solutions for parents. For a sneak peak of this film, click here. I hope to see you there!
To RSVP for this event, click herehttps://impactflow.com/event/presented-by-big-walnut-local-schools-10294
2. Purple Up Big Walnut! April is the month of the military child. This year we will be honoring this day on Friday, April 12th. Let's see that purple Big Walnut!
3. Are you looking for a way that you can make a positive impact in Big Walnut Schools? The district is in high need of substitute custodians and bus drivers. If interested, please visit the job postings at www.bwls.net/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx.
Training will be provided to all substitutes - potential drivers will receive all training necessary to meet licensing requirements for drivers. If you have any questions, please contact Ron McClure at 740-965-8967.
Specials Spotlight: Music with Mrs. Wood
Kindergarten:
Students are exploring their voices through movement activities, singing games, props,
and instruments. This month, students will be learning a new folk dance called “Seven
Jumps”.
Music Playlist:
Ask your child to sing or chant: 5 Little Bunnies, Sleeping Bunnies, The Winds Blew
East
1st Grade:
Have you ever wanted to see what a typical first grade music class is like? Then you
won’t want to miss out on our first grade music informances happening April 15th and
April 17th . An informance is an opportunity for students to showcase their musical skills
in an informal way while also allowing me to inform you about what students are
learning in music. Invitations were sent home prior to spring break about specific dates
and times for each individual class. Please contact me at deannewood@bwls.net if you
have any questions. We look forward to seeing you April 15th and April 17th !
Music Playlist: Che Che Kule, Five Little Sausages, John the Rabbit
2nd Grade:
Students just began their rhythm unit in triple meter where they are chanting and
decoding songs and patterns where the rhythms are organized into groups of three.
They are continuing to learn about ostinatos, chord roots, and how to perform in a two
part round.
Music Playlist:
Ask your student to sing: Hi Ho the Rattlin’ Bog, Mona La, Weather Person
3rd Grade:
Congratulations to our third graders who did a wonderful job on their recorder
performance! Well done students! Although we are finished with our concert, students
will still need to bring their recorders and red folders to music in preparation for our jazz
unit. Throughout this unit, students will learn about improvisation, the twelve bar blues,
and how to play jazzy rhythms. Students also just began reading the story, “Follow the
Drinking Gourd”, which is about an African American slave song that was used to teach
slaves about the Underground Railroad.
Music Playlist:
Ask your student to sing or play: Follow the Drinking Gourd, and Shades of Blue
4th Grade:
Students are in the process of singing and decoding new notes and rhythms in triple
meter. Students are learning to play “Best Day of My Life”, “Three Little Birds”, and
basic strumming patterns on ukulele.
Music Playlist:
Ask your student to sing or play: Best Day of My Life, Three Little Birds
Important Dates
April
April 9 Box Tops Due; PTO meeting at 6:30
April 9 & 10 3rd and 4th Grade Ohio State Test-English Language Arts
April 11 District Showing of Screenagers
April 12 Kindergarten Field Trip & Purple Up! to support Military Families
April 15 & 17 1st Grade Music Informances
April 16 & 17 3rd and 4th Grade Ohio State Test-Mathematics
April 19 No School
April 22 No School
April 25 Art Show
Kate Thoma
Email: katethoma@bwls.net
Website: www.bwls.net
Location: 301 South Miller Drive, Sunbury, OH, USA
Phone: 740-965-8900
Facebook: facebook.com/GREeagles
Twitter: @GREeagles