Weekly Warrior Newsletter
Week of August 8
1 Week Away
- Start implementing an earlier bedtime this week. You can start gradually with 30 minutes at a time until your child reaches a reasonable sleep.
- Wake up an hour earlier: Morning wake-ups are the hardest for our Warriors. So gradually increase the wake-up time over the next few days.
- Establish a morning routine: Our Warriors strive best when routines are in place, as evident in our many routines at WO. One recommendation is to provide clear 2-3 step instructions in the morning with a timer (ex: brush your teeth, put your uniform on, and go to the kitchen table within a 10-minute window).
- School lunches/snacks: Many of our Warriors are used to the yummy homemade summer foods and may need time to adjust to school lunch and snacks. This week is a perfect opportunity to reintroduce those foods to your child.
Weekly Announcements
New: August Family STEAM Project
August Project: Marshmellow Skyscraper Challenge
SUPPLIES: Marshmellow and Toothpicks
Task
Build a three-story structure or higher using marshmallows and toothpicks only. The marshmallow must be on top and cannot be deformed to hold it in place. The structure has to stand firmly on its own; it cannot be propped up, glued, held, or suspended.
We will test the structure's sturdiness by simulating wind and earthquake (a shaking table).
The Marshmallow Challenge assumes that marshmallows are light, fluffy, and easily supported by spaghetti sticks. Larger marshmallows can make it more challenging to build higher structures, and mini-marshmallows limit the number of toothpicks used in each one.
Our Warriors will be able to:
Understand that some shapes are stronger than others
Understand that even weak materials can be made stronger with good design techniques and that mass distribution is essential when building a tower.
Understand that compression and tension affect the stability of a structure
Compare their model to others to understand why some models are stronger than others.
Understand why engineers consider tension and compression forces when designing a building or structure
Great discussion starters for families:
What building techniques make the tower stronger?
Does the placing of the marshmallows affect the strength of the tower?
Could you build a stronger tower with more of the same materials? What alternative materials would be better?
Does the size of the base alter the strength of the tower?
Video for Engineering:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owHF9iLyxic
Due Date: Wednesday, August 31st. The structure can be placed on a hard surface for submission.
August Calendar
TK and Kindergarten Back to School Night
Back to School Night for 1st-5th Grade
Bookfair
How do I buy books online?
Go to http://scholastics.com/fair . In the search button, type in "West Orange Elementary." Next, select our school from the options listed (address 243 S. Bush street). You will be guided to our Scholastic Bookfair page! If you need help, call our front office or stop in person!
Healthy Me Challenge: August 2022
Important Information
Data Confirmation Dates
Please stop by for our data confirmation/ registration next week. If you have more than one child, feel free to do them all at once. You can begin this process using your parent portal account. If you do not have a parent portal account, please call our office at (714)997-6283.
- Times: 8:30-12:00 pm and 1:00-3:30 pm
- 4th/5th Grade: 8/8/22
- 3rd Grade: 8/9/22
- 2nd Grade: 8/10/22
- 1st Grade: 8/11/22
- Tk and Kinder: 8/12/22
Click for our handbook, expectations, incentives, bell schedule, and school policies.
School Supply List
Click on the following link for our school supply lists! CLICK HERE
We ask all parents to help our school with our grade level supply wish list. Supply wish lists are available during registration, in the front office, and on our district webpage. Our donations help fund many of our activities and enrichment opportunities. Educational activities/supplies at a public school are without cost to the students participating in such activities. W.O.S.A. thanks you for your donations.