Eagle Heights Elementary
February 12, 2021
Everybody Responds to Love!
As we move into the month of hearts and love, I watched this report and just had to share it with all of you! This is a fantastic reminder that everybody longs for relationship and love. We strive to create a culture of love, learning, and relationship at Eagle Heights Elementary. I hope this article warms your heart and helps all of us think of that one person that really needs to feel our love and support!
Gene McGehee couldn't believe his good fortune. When the 91-year-old stepped outside his house in Vidalia, Louisiana, this week, he discovered a bunch of kids from the daycare across the street who were willing and wanting to include him in their fun.
McGehee also met the daycare teacher, Megan Nunez, and asked her for her name. "Every day I cross the street and we meet again," Megan said.
Again — and again — every day for three years now, Gene has been meeting Megan for what he thinks to be the very first time. Gene has severe dementia, and can barely remember his own face.
His daughter Cathy says he also suffered from loneliness — until those daycare kids came into his life.
"Oh my goodness, they have been such a blessing to daddy. And he lights up," Cathy said.
Gene McGehee gathers with the children from the daycare. CBS NEWSFor about an hour every afternoon, Gene enjoys time with the children. And although the night will erase every memory of the day, and a fog will smother every echo of laughter, something will remain in the recesses of his mind — something that will beckon him back whenever he hears the children playing.
"He just goes right to the front yard," Cathy said.
"And he remembers that this is going to be a joyful thing if he goes outside?" I asked.
"Exactly," Cathy responded, adding, "Because it's love. And, you know, everybody responds to love."
Megan says it's almost like an instinct. "We always tell the kids that his brain is kind of sick, but his heart remembers us," she said.
Dementia can rob so much — but apparently, compassion and acceptance is unforgettable.
Have a fantastic Sunday and GO CHIEFS!
Kindly,
Mrs. Slack
Go Chiefs!
Valentine's Day Parties: Thursday, February 11
1. Due to allergies and Covid-19, we are not allowing any outside food or snacks to be sent in. 2. We will have ice cream, popcorn, and water for everyone!
100th Day: February 17th
Parent Cafe Information: Mrs. Harwood (Director of Student Services)
Parent Cafés provides FREE support, education, and resources for parents, grandparents, foster parents, and anyone else raising children by having confidential conversations in small groups that foster learning and reflection. This program encourages shared learning and builds community support during stressful times. Parent Cafés introduce, educate, and build on the 5 Protective Factors that keep families strong.
Please Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfuCuqTMsH93HlGBAMJ7Wj4yeEIDQkWom
For more information, contact: Human Kind, Inc.-Greta or Jill (816)
600-0788 (text or call) or humankindcafe@gmail.com
At Parent Café you can:
*Relate to others who are going through similar experiences raising
children.
*Build new friendships & community relationships.
*Share ideas and experiences in a safe environment.
*Get new ideas on many topics.
*Share your hopes and goals for your family.
FREE e-gift cards for each participant. (Up to $50 for those who attend all 3 cafe dates).
They are three consecutive Wednesdays at 6:30-8:30 pm starting February 10th, 17th, and 24th. Registration is for all dates but if you are not able to attend all sessions we understand. However, to get the most out of the program, attending all is the most helpful!
(See flyer below)
Thanks!
Boosterthon Update
- Kickoff: March 1
- Main Event: March 10: 40-minute glow dance party in classrooms building-wide.
- 15-minute huddles will be held outside.
- The money raised will go towards playground equipment and other building needs.
- Goal is $9000.
PTO
Outside Recess
We have indoor recess when the actual or the "feels like" temperature is below 20* or above 95*.
https://owc.enterprise.earthnetworks.com/OnlineWeatherCenter.aspx?aid=7783
Masks
Lunch Menu
Wellness Policy
We are also asking that students do NOT bring coffee or other drinks to school in the morning. This is causing issues for our 5th and 6th-grade teachers that can be easily avoided. If your child has a drink with them in the morning, we ask that they finish the drink before you drop them off at school. We appreciate your help with this!
District Inclement Weather Plans and Dates
2nd Quarter Virtual Awards Assembly
Kindergarten Screening for 2021-22
Kindergarten screening dates have been set and will be held at Grace Community Church.
March 22-26: 8 am-4 pm
Eagle screenings will be held on March 25 and 26.
More information will be sent out from the district within the next few weeks.
National School Counseling Week!
Counseling: Mrs. Downey
We have been reading the book "It's okay to be different" by Todd Parr in Kindergarten and "JUST ASK" Be different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor in our older grades. During our counseling lesson, younger students focused on the qualities that make them special and unique. In our older grades, students learned about limitations and how it might feel to walk in someone else's shoes. They did this by going through an exercise where they experienced the limitation. Some of the limitations included reading directions in another language, not being able to use their eyes, using only one hand, and not being able to talk but still complete the instructions and activity that was given.
Three really important messages of the lessons included: 1) Even with all of the differences between us, we have a lot in common still, 2) Differences are important, and 3) It's okay to talk about differences respectfully.
Art: Ms. Aeschliman
Hello, Eagle Heights Families! In art this quarter we are learning about the Studio Habits of Mind: Observe and Express. We are super excited about the Chiefs going to the Super Bowl and have been expressing our excitement with projects that are all about the Kansas City Chiefs!
Students are also being given different observation challenges. Observation is learning to look more closely and seeing things that may have otherwise not been seen. Challenges such as spot the difference between two pictures, drawing something without a reference and then drawing it again with a reference photo (or the actual object), grid drawing, etc. We are working on honing our keen observation skills!
Kindergarten has been working on shape and colorwork. We just finished our purple diamond pictures and also squeezed in a one day Chiefs project. Hopefully, you have heard your little ones singing some of the color songs they have learned! Yes, we sing in kindergarten art too!
Please check in with your student on their art supply kits. Some students need refills on certain items. If you need a reminder on what is on the student ART supply list you can find it here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TLH_b-eP55owyjoGmX0P5rEYIUT--QrnbGi4a7tVm34/edit
Thank you for your help in this matter.
Sincerely,
Miss Aeschliman
K-6 Art Educator
Eagle Heights Elementary
Lillian Lutzen: 2nd Grade
Harper Sahl: Kindergarten
Corinne Carr: 1st Grade
Physical Education: Coach Parker
K-1st: Students will be focusing on different locomotor movements while doing some obstacle course challenges in the next few weeks. Our next unit in PE will be bowling.
2nd- 6th: Students completed their Fitnessgram Pacer test this week and will be continuing with the curl-up test and push up test over the next few weeks. It is important that students are continuing to drink plenty of water, even during the winter. This will be the second round of fitness testing and it is really important that students are wearing the appropriate shoes to PE each day. In PE, we will continue to use teamwork, sportsmanship, and focus on spatial awareness. Students will be focused on hitting their fitness goals over the course of the next few weeks during Fitness Testing. Our next unit in PE will be bowling.
Innovations: Mrs. Thompson
Greetings from the innovation lab! There has been a lot happening. We have been wrapping up some awesome projects and starting some exciting new ones.
Sixth graders finished up their brand design project which used our 3D printing program. There were some awesome products created. Fourth and fifth graders just finished working on programming our Sphero robots. Ask them about their projects! The second and third graders wrapped up their coding and debugging unit. It was amazing to see them become programmers right before my eyes. They are (and should be ) incredibly proud of themselves!
We are so thankful for the donations coming into the innovations lab. There are a few specific needs that we will need in the next couple of weeks. We could use pipe cleaners, straws, toilet paper rolls, and, as always, any recycled item you think would be fun for the innovators! Don’t forget to follow our adventures on Twitter with #ehecreates.
Check out the kindergarten and first-grade innovators, below, creating alphabet trees and kelp forest ecosystems.
Music: Mr. Venner
K-1 will be playing xylophones this month and playing music games. 2nd grade through 6th will be using web-based composition software Beepbox to compose music for video game ideas they have developed. They will be storyboarding and describing their game creations and then accompanying them with original music. I will post some of the best efforts in the hallway with a QR code so other students can listen to their compositions.
Media Center: Mrs. Bennaka
February is "Love Your Library Month!" We will be celebrating by featuring new book titles in the library, playing Library Football, and of course celebrating our love for reading! I challenge you to read one of your favorite childhood books with your student this month and share the love of reading with them!
Mark your calendars for our Spring Bookfair March 22nd- April 2nd. We will be holding it for 2 weeks this year to allow kids a week to browse and then a week to shop. Students will be allowed to shop with their class on their library days only. No before or after school hours. More information will be coming out soon!
Lauren Bennaka
Library Media Specialist
Eagle Heights Elementary
Important Dates
FEBRUARY
Feb. 9-15: MO School Board Appreciation Week
Feb. 10: Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students arrive at 8:50 am, School begins at 9:05 am
Feb. 11: PTO Sponsored Valentine’s Day Classroom Parties
Feb. 12: Teachers’ Meetings, No School
Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day: School in session for a makeup snow day
Feb. 17: Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students arrive at 8:50 am, School begins at 9:05 am
Feb 22: Virtual PTO: 6:30 PM
Feb. 24: Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students arrive at 8:50 am, School begins at 9:05 am
Feb. 26: FLY DAY
MARCH
Mar.1-7: School Social Worker Week
Mar. 1: Eagle Heights Elementary Boosterthon Fun Run Kick-Off
Mar. 3: Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students arrive at 8:50 am, School begins at 9:05 am
Eagle Heights Elementary
Email: slackre@smithville.k12.mo.us
Website: https://www.smithvilleschooldistrict.net/Domain/696
Location: 18801 Eagle Parkway, Smithville, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 532-5959
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EHESWarriors/
Twitter: @EHESwarriors