Elm Road Express March 2019
"Putting Dreams into Flight"
From the Desk of Dr. Soto Kile
I would like to thank Mrs. Elliott and the participants in Circle the State. They had a wonderful performance at Goshen College last week. We are proud of the way in which all of the students represented Elm Road School. Thank you to the many parents for their support and the many hours Mrs. Elliott spent preparing for this great performance.
I would also like to thank our families for the additional support during iLearn/iREAD testing sessions. Early bed times, proper nutrition, and evening schedules that aren’t too full really assist students during testing time. It is important that all students arrive on time to school during the testing. Students will not be permitted to enter the classroom areas once testing has started. Please do not arrive late or schedule appointments during our testing window.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming P.T.O meeting on March 11th at 6:00 pm. We have several upcoming events to discuss such as the Silver Mile and the Running is Elementary meet. The next few months will prove to be fun-filled and exciting! Please join us as we begin planning for our many end of the year programs.
Young Author's Conference
Young Authors' Conference is coming up on Sat., March 9.
Click the following link for more information.
https://www.phmschools.org/news/feb-2019/2019-young-authors-conference-registration-now-open
Next Gen Day
Next Gen day is an event that takes place during the Robotics competition at the high school. Kids from ages 5-13, accompanied by an adult, can come to Penn High School on March 9th and have some hands on experience with coding, robotics, and other fun activities. It starts at 11. Families can enter through Door D at Penn High School.
Next Gen Day is taking place on the same day as Young Author's Conference. However, they are at different times! Hopefully students will be able to attend the Young Author's Conference in the morning, Then you can simply walk across the street, grab a lunch, and come join us at Next Gen Day!
If you've never attended Next Gen Day, consider joining us this year. It's such a special event! It is open to the community, so bring your family and friends with you and spread the word!
Office Notes
Car Riders
Please follow the car rider procedures so everyone stays SAFE. Enter the parking lot from the south only and do not go around any buses paused in the road (at any time they will be turning into the lot). Stay in the line that is going around the lot to the sidewalk area.. Your children should enter and exit only on curbside!! No exceptions. Watch the attendants for any other instructions. Remind your children that it is important to walk to and from their cars. Safety is important for everyone.Important Dates
March 1 - Crazy Hair Day
March 7 - Grissom Instrument Selection Night
March 9 - Young Author's ConferenceMarch 9 - Next Gen Day 11am-2pm
March 10 - Daylight Savings Time Starts
March 11 - PTO Meeting 6:00 pm
March 18 - 2nd Grade to the Planetarium 9:10-10:20
March 23 - Family Snite Day for 2nd
March 18-29 - iREAD Testing 3rd Grade
March 25 - End of the 3rd Grading Period
March 29 - Spring Pictures
April 1-5 - Spring Break
Student of the Month
Congratulations to the following
“Eagles” for their wonderful
“SOAR” behavior
Barnes: Raylee Workman & Sam Mwawasi
Miller: Claire Vigil & Jonathan Shorey
Portolese: Rupak Kaur & Jordan Ruta
Renz: Avery Coffin & Lincoln Caston
Bush: Lauren Miller & Eli Neuenschwander
Hinton: Tripp Demske, Noah Oduro & June Schmidt
Taylor: Natalie Haab, Ella Ryckeart, & Benjamin Kang
Clark: Annalee Patzschke, Melina Perri & Seth Hayden
Garton: McKenzie Ray & Jacob Reed
Richard: KelbySchrock & Wolfgang Bowlds-Hurtle
Tornquist: Kinley Johnson & Kolton Evans
Anderson: Pari Pelia & Tim Onghetich
Myers: Pree Killelea & Eva Nissley
Pillow: Logan Skelton & Hope Harter
Cook: Jacob Pennington & Joshua Sobieralski
Fisher: Emilia Ducret & Rylee Souers
Keough: Aiden Kennedy & Kevin DeRoeck
Newcomer: Emily Signorino & Reece Hudnall
Freeman: Seth Werntz & Landen Neighbour
Kertai: Halen Doughty & Colden Hernandez
Mellor: Haylie Evans & Gavin Belzowski
Shreiner: Keanen Erickson & Ryann Smith
Don't forget to pick up your Student of the Month sign from the office Feb 27 or 28Th. They need to be returned by 3/27/19.
We are Elm Road Eagles
Website: elmroad.phmschools.org
Location: 59400 Elm Road, Mishawaka, IN, USA
Phone: (574)259-3743
Twitter: @ElmroadES
Test Taking Tips
Testing Anxiety
With March comes ISTEP+ testing. For some students, ISTEP+ comes with anxiety. One of the best ways to combat testing anxiety is to be prepared:
1. Get a full night’s sleep before the test.
2. Eat a good breakfast in the morning.
3. Be on time to school.
4. Wear comfortable clothes.
5. Be prepared with necessary supplies.
If test anxiety occurs during the test:
1. Engage in deep breathing: Breathe in deeply through the nose counting slowly to three. Hold the breath momentarily then exhale counting to four. Repeat until you feel calmer.
2. Squeeze your hands together; close your eyes and rub your forehead; then rub your legs. Repeat this sequence five times.
3. Engage in positive self-talk. Instead of saying “I’m going to fail this test,” say “I can do this!”
Practicing these at home in a calm environment will help your child be able to use these strategies during the test if they are needed.
NAEP (4th Grade only) March 6th
iREAD (On-line 3rd Grade only) March 18-29
iLEARN(On-line 3rd-5th Grade) April 22-May 17
Student Council
Student Council will be hosting a spirit day on Friday, March 1 and collecting quarters for the PHM Silver Mile. The theme of the day is Crazy Hair day. Student can pay 25 cents to have crazy hair.
Daylight Savings Time Begins March 10th
Youth Service Bureau
Reminder that it’s tax time! Families in St. Joseph County may qualify for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). This program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide FREE basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Call 2-1-1 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment.
As always, if you have any concerns, don't hesitate to give me a call at 259-3743.
Mrs. Shell
Spring Thank-a-Teacher Program
Library Lines
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! We celebrate his birthday each year on March 2nd. You can find Dr. Seuss books in our library, the Public Library, at every book store and even some grocery stores!
“UNLESS someone like you / cares a whole awful lot, / nothing is going to get better. / It’s not.” Through the art and poetry of his books, Seuss encourages us to think creatively, participate in society, and do what we can to make it better. Please encourage your children to read, read, read!
We look forward to seeing all of our students that signed up to attend the Young Author’s Conference on March 9. It’s always a really fun and interesting morning.
Thank you to our many Library Volunteers – you make Elm Road School a great place to be!
Mrs. Linda Knapp
574-259-3743
Mrs. Creighton's Reading Corner
Dear Elm Road Families,
I am pleased to announce that Elm Road is participating in the South Bend Cubs, Stu and Swoop’s Reading Challenge. The Elm Road game night will be on May 24th.
The reading challenge will begin during the first week of March and it will continue for the entire month. In order to receive incentive prizes, students will be required to complete grade level reading goal requirements.
Students that complete the March reading goal will receive a complimentary ticket to the game on May 24th. Families will be offered the opportunity to purchase tickets for other family members to attend the game as well.
We had a great turn out last year for our game night. Let’s break that record this year. Go Eagles! Read, read, read!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have.
Mrs. Donna Creighton
Title I Teacher/Reading Specialist
Greetings from Elm Road Music Room
Grades 1-3 will be studying Ludwig van Beethoven this month. Here's a little more of what each grade is working on:
1st: Steady beat activities on instruments.
2nd: Continue Do Re Mi unit and sixteenth notes.
3rd: Instrument ensemble pieces and syncopation.
4th and 5th: We are preparing for our program! The program is Tuesday, April 16th. Please make sure your student turns in their permission slip so they are eligible for a part. Practice videos are posted on my site and at home practice is expected so that we can have a wonderful program!
Mrs. Nakayama
sites.google.com/phm.k12.in.us/elmroadmusicclass
What's Happening in PE
During the month of February we have been busy in our gym with rope jumping, the heart course and running the pacer test. Next we will be reviewing the basics of dribbling, passing, and shooting for basketball. The classes will play a variety of lead-up games and drills to enhance skills in the upcoming month.
We are wrapping up Jump Rope for Heart and results will soon be posted from our recent event. The students that raised $100.00 or more will be awarded a luncheon with Dr. Soto Kile . Our jump competition dates were held February 25-28 during your child’s gym class. In addition to jump roping skills, this unit focused on living a healthy lifestyle by sleeping 8-10 hours, exercising daily, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables with every meal, encouraging others and staying away from smoke/tobacco. Ask your child what choices she/he plans to make to lead a heart healthy lifestyle.
A HUGE “thank you” to Mr. Hertel, Mrs. Hertel and Mr. Lewis. They organized a visit for a few hockey coaches from Notre Dame and Ice Box to come and work with our kindergarten and fifth grade students on some hockey skills to culminate the unit.
We welcome Mr. Keller, a student teacher from Bethel College, to our gym from March 11- April 26. Mr. Keller will be working alongside Mrs. Parisi as he completes requirements to become a physical education educator.
Practices for all interested fourth and fifth graders for running club will be starting the Monday after spring break. This will be a great opportunity for all those students wanting to train to run the Silver Mile at Penn High School on Saturday, May 4th . A permission slip will be coming home before spring vacation. Mark your calendars for April 29th for our annual “Running is Elementary” meet at Elm Road for those students that participate in Elm Road Running Club.
Stay Healthy,
Deb Parisi dparisi@phm.k12.in.us and Mike Phipps mphipps@phm.k12.in.us
P-H-M SILVER MILE Bubble Bash
P-H-M SILVER MILE Bubble Bash is back with more bubbles, earlier start time and lower prices!
This untimed race welcomes runners of all experience levels while blasting through foam bogs along the course. Choose to walk or run 1.5 miles or add a second loop to run a 5K distance. Registration is now open! Early bird prices available until Sunday, April 21 ($10 students/$20 adults)
The Silver Mile Run for Education will also include our amazing Silent Auction, Health & Fitness Expo, free health screenings by Saint Joseph Medical Center, and Talent Showcase!Our Talent Showcase will be expanded this year so we can include more of our incredibly talented students throughout P-H-M.
This fun-filled, family friendly event will take place on Saturday, May 4, from 8:30 am to noon at Penn High School. Come out with your friends and family and enjoy a morning of fun and bubbles! Please visit www.phmef.org for updates and to register for the Bubble Bash.
Congratulations to the Circle the State Choir
Health Office Reminders
2018-2019 School Year
Below are the number of doses and each vaccine required for school entry. Changes for this year include the Hepatitis A requirement for grades K-4, 6 and 12th grade.
3 to 5 years old
3 Hep B (Hepatitis B) 4 DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis) 3 Polio (Inactivated Polio) 1 MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) 1 Varicella
K-4th grade
ЗНер В.
5 DTap 4 Polio
2 MMR 2 Varicella 2 Hep A (Hepatitis A)
Grade 5
3 Hep B 5 DTap 4 Polio
2 MMR 2 Varicella 2 Hep A*
Grade 6
3 Hер в 5 DTP 4 Polio 2 Hep A
2 MMR 2 Varicella 1 Tdap (Tetanus & Pertussis) 1 MCV4 (Meningococcal)
Grades 7 to 11
3 Hep B 5 DTap 4 Polio 2 Hep A*
2 MMR 2 Varicella 1 Tdap (Tetanus & Pertussis) 1 MCV4 (Meningococcal)
Grade 12
3 Hер в 5 DTap 4 Polio 2 Hep A
2 MMR 2 Varicella 1 Tdap (Tetanus & Pertussis) 2 MCV4 (Meningococcal)
Hep B The minimum age for the 3'd dose of Hepatitis B is 24 weeks of age. DTP Four doses of DTP/DTP/DT are acceptable if 4th dose was administered on or after child's 4* birthday. Polio Three doses of Polio are acceptable for all grade levels if the third dose was given on or after the 4th birthday and at least 6 months after the previous dose with only one type of vaccine used (all OPV or all IPV). For students in grades kindergarten through 6th grade , the final dose must be administered on or after the 4th birthday, and be administered at least 6 months after the previous dose.
MCV4 Individuals who receive dose 1 on or after their 16th birthday only need 1 dose of MCV4. Hep A The minimum interval between 1st and 2nd dose is 6 calendar months. Two doses of HepA is required for K-4, 6th and 12th grades.
Indiana State Department of Health, Immunization Division
(800) 701-0704
SCHOOL NURSE NEWS......
P-H-M IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAINT JOSEPH HEALTH SYSTEM
As parents, we know that it is always difficult to decide when a child should stay home from school. Here are a few guidelines to help you make that decision. We appreciate your help keeping our school a healthy environment for all students
A fever of 100 degrees or higher before school in the morning- do not have the student return to school until the student has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. A "heavy cold or hacking cough" even without a fever (cough that disturbs normal activity) Diagnosis from physician of Whooping Cough/Pertusis-student should stay home from school until he/she has received 5 full days worth of antibiotic treatment. Vomiting- student should stay home until he/she can keep food down and is free of symptoms for 24 hours. Diarrhea-student should remain home until free of symptoms for 24 hours Pink eye (conjunctivitis)-there can be many causes for red eyes, not all of which are communicable. Refer to your health care provider for an evaluation. The Academy of Pediatrics advises that children with purulent conjunctivitis (defined as pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow discharge, often with matted eyelids after sleep and eye pain or redness of the eyelids or skin surrounding the eyes) be excluded until examined by a health care provider and approved for readmission. With bacterial conjunctivitis, health care providers usually recommend exclusion until 24 hours after starting topical antibiotic therapy. Strep throat-student can return to school after they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and are fever free. Chicken pox-exclusion from school for one week after the first eruption appears or all lesions are dry and crusted Unexplained rash, blisters, or draining sores-student should see his/her health care provider for a diagnosis and recommendations.
Many illnesses are most communicable at the beginning. If your child is kept home, fewer children will be exposed to the illness. Allowing your child to stay home and get well at the beginning of an illness will actually help him/her to be more successful in school and lose less school time in the long run.
. Remember- good hygiene and good hand washing techniques can help to prevent many illnesses! Please get a flu shot!!!
Call your healthcare provider with any concerns during an illness!