Weekly Newsletter
April 15, 2021
From Principal Emma Liebowitz
I would like to thank all of you for being so supportive and understanding this week. It is a true testament of how our community takes care of each other during very difficult times. This community is like no other! I also feel very fortunate to work with the amazing Sanderson Academy staff. They have worked so hard to support each other and each and every child. I wish you a very happy April vacation. Please see the last entry in this newsletter for some activities you can do over the break with your child. See you on April 26th!
Health Office News from Nurse Loranna
Please continue to check the symptom checker each morning and report any absences to me- thank you! Our combined efforts can drastically reduce illness and exposure in our community.
Please complete the short checklist each morning and report your child’s information to your school nurse in the morning ONLY if your child has any check marks to report their absence and get further instructions. If your child has any of the following symptoms, that indicates a possible illness that may decrease the student’s ability to learn and also put them at risk for spreading illness to others. Please complete this form daily to identify any symptoms for or possible exposure to COVID-19. If you have had any symptoms in question 1, or cannot answer True to question 2 and 3 your child needs to remain at home.
- In the last 24 hours have you had any of the following (check all that apply):
___ Fever over 100.0 degrees or chills ___ Cough
___ Congestion or runny nose (when in combination with another symptom)
___ Fatigue, muscle or body aches ___ Sore throat ___ New loss of taste or smell
___ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ___ Headache (with another symptom)
___ Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea ___ New rash
2. I have not been informed that I am a “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
___ True ___ False
3. I have not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a doctor or a local public health official.
___ True ___ False
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
If you plan to travel out of state we are requesting getting tested within 72 hours of return, if you have any questions let me know. Thank you! lalmeida@mtrsd.org
Preschool News from Ms. Melanie
Our outdoor classroom is looking more spiffy these days after much raking of leaves and moving of branches that fell onto our pathways. The fairy houses are getting daily attention with amazing teamwork as friends gather forest items to build and decorate. We were thrilled to see roofs still intact during our first rainy day since our return to school--and the inside of the houses were dry! Our sand area continues to be a popular spot for making sandcastles and soup. During one morning's play, a "store" appeared there selling cookies and ice cream. Another day, all the pots and pans turned upside down to make drums and we noticed how each "drum" had a different sound. We had quite a concert that morning!
One day after lunch, we talked about finding a good spot to read a story or two, We thought about what would make a good outdoor story spot and we shared ideas like: a quiet place, somewhere with shade, a place to sit--we had some good ideas! Then we started walking until we came to just the right place--shady, quiet, rocks for sitting--and a bonus feature--a small pool of water with frogs--what a lovely sound! We end each morning there now--a perfect backdrop for a good story, and a sweet way to end our preschool day.
Kindergarten News from Ms. Sarah
In science, we did a mini-unit about heat from the sun. We measured temperatures in different areas of the school grounds to test for microclimate differences. Then students built shelters to protect ice cubes from the sun. We also placed ice cubes outside their shelters as a control. After some time went by, we compared the two ice cubes to determine the effectiveness of their shelters. The shelters were a success--there were little ice cubes left unmelted in their shelters!
First Grade News from Mrs. Pedersen
First grade enjoyed opinion writing last week. We wrote whether we would rather ride a bike or fly a kite. We also wrote about whether we would rather plant fruits or vegetables.
This week we are informational writing about Earth day. We are writing information about the earth. We are also writing how we take care of the earth.
The class is continuing to enjoy nature walks and time to appreciate signs of spring.
Second Grade News from Ms. Robertson
We have informally started our science unit on habitats through the writing of our “I Am” poems. As we have been thinking about our favorite wild animal, we have also been thinking about the habitat in which they live. We have also been visiting the woods around the school, both during recess time and during some afternoon blocks. On a recent afternoon we visited the far woods where we spent some time thinking about the forest and a nearby pond as habitats. Prior to visiting the pond, we read aloud the book Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, where an observant boy asks his mother what’s under the water’s surface and then his mother answers the question with ideas such as minnows, crayfish, turtles, bullfrogs, and tadpoles slowly growing into frogs. We then had the opportunity to sit and observe the pond, recording and sketching our observations. Some of the observations we made include:
1. A giant rock with a ring of moss around it.
2. I see the shadows of the trees and the trees are waving.
3. There are branches growing out of the pond and one has leaves.
4. I see the water and the water is reflecting.
5. I see a lot of frog eggs and the frog eggs are small.
Fourth Grade News from Mrs. Lagoy
It has been so wonderful to be back in person. We have spent a lot of time over the past week learning and practicing new routines and re-establishing ourselves as a community of learners; connecting in ways that just weren't possible online. Students have been so flexible as we try procedures, talk about what went well and what could be improved, revise procedures and then practice, practice, practice. I feel that students have a great sense of ownership of our classrooms and the new rules that are keeping us all safe. If you haven't heard it yet, be sure to ask your kiddo about our handwashing song. With the help of a parent volunteer we are hoping to make a video to share with the whole school at an upcoming all school meeting.
While we are continuing to move forward in our math and geography units of study, I am most excited to FINALLY be starting science. Our first unit is all about weathering and erosion. We were hoping to get outside for our first experiments, but the weather just hasn't cooperated with us this week. It will be something we can look forward to when we get back from April Vacation. We will also be starting our next whole-group read aloud: Glory Be. This will be our first look at historical fiction this year.
I hope you all have a safe and restful April Vacation :)
Fifth Grade News from Ms. Johnson
Fifth grade has been learning about photosynthesis and the food web. Students are creating posters to show how energy moves through a web, starting with the sun. In our Civil War studies, we read and discussed a letter that a union soldier sent home to his wife a week before he was killed and we continued with multiplying fractions in math. Our Wednesday Weekly Activity this week was to make bead lizards.
Mindful Movement with Ms. Sue
Sanderson's 3 M's (Moment, Movement, Mantra)
Mohawk Trail Pop-Up Gear Store
Hello Elementary Families! Our friends at Mohawk Trail Regional School (MTRS) are hosting a pop-up gear store to benefit the Class of 2023. It's the perfect opportunity for our 6th grade families to grab a gift for your child before they leave our school (we will MISS them!) and head to MTRS to blaze their trail to graduation!
The gear store is open NOW through April 27, so don't miss out on your opportunity to get your swag AND support our students!
Visit the site here: https://fancloth.shop/VS7D7
*Flyer created by MTRS Class of 2023 students Emery, Paige, and Rylee*
Mohawk Trail District News - Literacy Survey
The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School System is planning to rework our approach to literacy in grades PK-8 so that our programs, teaching approach, and support for students are consistent in all schools and are based on research about how children learn to read.
We would like the input of caregivers to support this process. Please complete these questions based on your child's experiences* in the Mohawk Trail-Hawlemont System. The survey will be open until Friday 4/23 at 5:00 PM.
*This is a great time to talk with your child (or children) about their experiences in English Language Arts/Literacy at school. If you are unsure how to answer a question, please ask them for their input.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/kzZaGAHLNX8sQ85V6
April Vacation Vocabulary Challenge
Over April vacation, students at Sanderson Academy will have the opportunity to participate in a Vocabulary Challenge. Students in grade kindergarten through sixth grade will be bringing home a bag full of activities and words for their grade. Our goal is for students to have some fun learning over vacation. As students try each activity they can log it on a sheet and return it to their teacher following the break. Students will receive prizes for the activities that they complete.
About Us
Email: eliebowitz@mtrsd.org
Website: https://sanderson.mohawktrailschools.org/
Location: 808 Cape Street, Ashfield, MA, USA
Phone: (413) 628-4404
Facebook: facebook.com/SandersonAcademy