Rocket Reader
Baldwin Elementary School - SPRING EDITION -
A message from your Baldwin Principal, Mr. Rupert.
Baldwin Students & Parents,
Spring has sprung and our Baldwin learners have been sprouting in their progressions this month. We are working hard to build our skills and show what we know at this year's end. We have about one week until our Spring Break starting on April 10th and then we will push for a strong finish throughout May. Our 3rd and 4th graders will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments in Math, Reading, and (4th only) Virginia Studies. Please take the opportunity to take some mental health breaks and enjoy time with family, friends, and exercise over our break. All school offices and will be closed and reopen Monday, April 18th.
A few additional notes:
- Thank you to all for your cooperation with our new and improved morning Kiss & Ride process. These adjustments have been successful in increasing safety around the area for all. You can access the Kiss & Ride information by clicking the pictures and letters below.
-Please join me in thanking both Ms. Jordan and Ms. Ripperger who have been with us on a part-time basis as our tag-team interim BES Assistant Principals.
-Our PTO is seeking to fill 2 PTO position vacancies; President and Vice President. PTO Spirit wear is ready for purchase and the info is below under "BALDWIN PTO INFORMATION" - please read and order...
- Prek, Kindergarten, and 4th grade will share updates on end-of-year promotion ceremonies and any other assemblies that may be held at our building in May. At this time, we plan on holding these in person.
Kiss&Ride Information and Map - English/Spanish
SOL Spring Testing Calendar
In the sections below you will find information about the learning and events taking place at Baldwin Elementary...
Project Lead The Way
It has been a busy time with PLTW in the past few weeks! Our science classes have incorporated the activities and projects in PLTW with our Virginia SOLs. We have been using the engineering design process to create solutions to problems!
For more information about PLTW, specific modules, dates, and announcements, please visit the PLTW page on the Baldwin website or contact Mrs. Mayo, the PLTW coordinator, at smayo@mcpsva.org.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten recently completed a module that taught the students all about pushes and pulls through a series of hands-on activities. The module culminated in students designing something to push or pull rocks from one area to another
First Grade
The first-grade students were engaged in learning all about the properties of light and sound and how light and sound can be used to communicate. They are using what they have learned to create a device that would produce light and sound to communicate over a distance.
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Our fourth grade has recently begun a study of weather. They are tracking weather using weather tools in our outdoor classroom to determine how and why we look at weather over time. They also are learning about severe weather and its effects on humans. They will use the engineering design process to try to come up with solutions for flooding.
Technology Zone
Common Sense News
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Common Sense helps kids learn the habits and skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly in school, at home, and beyond.
Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. They offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews.
Common Sense Education supports K–12 schools with everything educators need to empower the next generation of digital citizens. Their vision: Students thriving as learners, leaders, and citizens in the digital age.
50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12
Click here to see the list.
BOOK FAIR COMING NEXT WEEK - A Note from the Library
Hi Rockets –
Book Fair is Next Week - April 4 - 8th. 8:30AM - 2:30PM
We are able to squeeze in one more book fair this year! It will be in the library Monday – Friday of next week. Flyers went home with students.
As this is not our big fall fundraiser and a bit shorter in timeframe, things will be running a little bit differently. This is a book centric fair. With the exception of a few pencils and bookmarks, we are going to focus on books only. Books generally are available for purchase starting at $2. No refunds!. Recently read purchased books and other items are not refundable.
Counselor's Corner
For the month of February and part of March, all students received counseling lessons about career awareness and exploration. Kindergarten and first grade students learned about community helpers that they see at school and around the community, and they also learned about specific hats and tools each community helper uses. Second grade students took a career interest survey and were matched with a cluster of careers that fit what they said their skills, interests, and goals were when it came to different jobs. Third and fourth grade students took a career interest survey, were matched with three career clusters, and then picked a career to research further, including learning about job tasks, level of education, tools used, etc. They created a flapbook as part of their research project and then presented their research to their classmates.
For the end of March, kindergarten-second grade students received counseling lessons on self-esteem and resiliency. Students discussed the meaning of confidence and self-esteem, and explored their talents and skills. We talked about bravery and the importance of using coping skills, like the breathing technique “smell the flower, blow out the candle,” when they are scared or nervous to do something at first, as well as using positive self-talk, like “I can do it!”
Moving forward, third and fourth grade students will receive counseling lessons on academic prep and mindfulness techniques to use as testing season arrives, and all students will receive lessons to help them transition to the next grade level.
Please visit the “Counseling” page on the Baldwin website for more information about resources and counseling services.
Our Counselors
Heather Hartman
571-377-6127
Counselor for Kindergarten (Smith, Rafferty, Nieves),
2nd grade, and 4th grade
Anna Bang
571-377-6129
Counselor for Kindergarten (Akhaury, Jones, Leibert),
1st grade, and 3rd grade
Angelica Luna
Nurse's Outpost
Please refer to the health and related services section on the division website for Covid information and guidance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nurse Boltz either by phone or email. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate this school year and stay healthy.
How getting a good night's rest and eating a healthy breakfast can improve student test performance
Article by Linda Strause, Ph.D
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Cliché? Yep. True? Absolutely. You may think your morning routine doesn’t leave any time for breakfast, but it’s the one meal you don’t want to miss. A healthy, balanced breakfast fuels your body, balances your blood sugar levels, and revs your metabolism. To function optimally, your brain needs water, fat, glucose, and vitamins. An iced coffee, donut, or energy drink isn’t going to cut it.
For a SOL standardized test, you’ll need sustained energy. Your brain controls your processing speed, focus, and sustained attention – so nourish it for optimal performance!
Here are the top 3 options for what to eat for breakfast:
Menu 1: Whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk, topped with fresh fruits.
Menu 2: Eggs and toast with a side of yogurt or cottage cheese.
Menu 3: Oatmeal or porridge topped with fresh fruit and low-fat milk.
Click HERE to read the entire article.
Attendance Button - Report an upcoming absence online!
You can now visit Baldwin Elementary’s Website to report your child's absence. On the right under Quick Links, you will see an attendance button. This button takes you to contact information for our helpful office staff or an online form you can fill out to report your child's absence.
Encore News
ART
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade: Self Portraits – How do they show our feelings, expressions, and personalities? Why do artists paint self portraits?
3rd and 4th Grade: Value and Blending with Pastels – Spring Flowers inspired by Georgia O’Keefe and the spring season
Our students have been hard at work participating in contests and learning new art techniques and skills. Some of our students participated in the Doodle4Google contest; winners will be announced at doodles.google.com/d4g/ soon! Students also worked on Arbor Day Poster Content entries this past month; these entries will be turned in April 1st and we will announce the winners next month so that they can collect their trophies! Our division art show will take place on April 22nd at Osbourn High School from 5 – 7 pm. Everyone is welcome, but if your student has artwork displayed, you will receive a letter before the show.
PE
This month students participated in a March Madness lesson. Before this, we did our Winter Olympics Lesson with the actual Olympics games on the big screen live from China. The Students did a great job and seemed to really enjoy it.
We also completed our final practice run of the pacer in 4th grade classes with the real test coming up at the end of April.
Library
Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd grade students read the Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home. Students worked on a “WE DO” retell of the story as an entire class to understand the process of retelling, identifying and describing the characters, setting, and important events in a story. The retelling map was projected on the board. Instead of using the KWL chart, students followed a graphic organizer to assess comprehension and understanding of the facts learned.
2nd grade also worked on biographies of famous Americans. They sorted books at the tables, read, and shared some facts about the famous Americans (music chairs activity). They learned about the available databases that they can access, and get more information about different topics.
Music
Here’s what grade levels are up to in Music Class:
Kindergarten: Long vs Short Sounds, Tempo, Loud vs. Soft
1st Grade: Tempo, Loud vs. Soft, Percussion Instruments
2nd Grade: Instrument Families, Science of Sound
3rd Grade: Singing in a Round, Playing in an Ensemble
4th Grade: Chords and Harmony
Baldwin PTO Information - Board members, Parents Needed & SPIRITWEAR IS BACK!!!
The Baldwin PTO Needs YOU!
The Baldwin PTO is looking for a new President and Vice President for the 2022-2023 School Year. These two leadership opportunities include planning events and creating new ways to raise funds for the Baldwin Elementary community. Learn more by emailing baldwinelementarypto@gmail.com.
Baldwin PTO is back with another Spiritwear Sale!
Our limited edition Baldwin Elementary shirts are available for immediate purchase. Quantities are limited, so be sure to make sure to get your favorite items now! Orders will be sent home with your student on the Wednesday after your purchase.
https://bit.ly/BaldwinSpirit
PTO Board Members
Baldwin Elementary
Website: https://www.mcpsva.org/baldwines
Location: Historic District, 1978 Eagle Way, Manassas, VA, USA
Phone: 571-377-6100