Anderson Angle
Volume VIII Issue 6
A Message From Mr. Hewitt
Hello Anderson Families,
We've just finished a cold, rough February and look forward to the promise of Spring in a few weeks. It will be nice for the kids (and teachers) to know that most days will be outdoor recess!
March brings with it several tasks which will need to be completed in the next few weeks. We are busy interviewing for various positions in the Anderson building. Teachers are really focused on preparing their students for ISASP testing which will take place in April. We're continuing to get fifth grade ready to move to the Middle School and five-second grade classrooms ready to relocate at Anderson. I will keep you updated on our progress in next month's newsletter.
We are also looking forward to visiting with you next week during parent/teacher conferences. Please communicate any changes to your scheduled time and date with your child's teacher.
As always, the staff and I are available to discuss questions or concerns you have about your child's education. Thank you for being a partner in education!
Respectfully,
Mel Hewitt, Principal
Anderson Elementary on Social Media
Twitter: @AndersonBFCSD, #AndersonJays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andersonbfcsd
MARCH Calendar
3/7 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3-7pm) - 2:00pm Dismissal
3/10 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3-7pm) - 2:00pm Dismissal
3/11 - No School
3/14-3/18 - SPRING BREAK
3/21 - Students Return to School
REMINDER: 2:00 Dismissal Every Monday
FREE MEALS FOR STUDENTS
The USDA has approved FREE Breakfast and Lunch for ALL students through 05/27/22. Your students enrolled in the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District will not be charged for any regular school meals starting August 23, 2021.
Learn more: https://www.bfschools.org/Page/1083
We highly encourage Parent/Guardians to please fill out the Iowa Eligibility Meal Application to apply for free and reduced status at https://www.bfschools.org/Page/230 so when we return to meal charging you will still receive the appropriate meal benefits. You may also pick up an application at any school office.
Thoughtful Third Graders
During the month of February, 3rd grade students at Anderson had the opportunity to participate in Kindness Week! Each day of the week, students started their morning with a kindness thought and kindness challenge, and even got to participate in a few dress up days. Students kicked off the week by wearing kindness logos, and then wore the cancer awareness color of someone they wanted to honor or support who has or had cancer. Then they cozied up in their PJ’s later in the week as they “dreamt of a kinder world”. Kindness challenges included giving a meaningful compliment to someone, bringing in an item to donate to the Ronald McDonald House, leaving a kind note for someone, and picking up any litter they found inside or outside of school. In class, students discussed what it meant to give a meaningful compliment, and how to flex their “Kindness Muscle” by helping others and being thoughtful to those around them. Students wrapped up their week by celebrating with cupcakes, reminding them to “sprinkle” kindness everywhere they go!
BEST Students of the Week
BEST Students of the Week
BEST Students of the Week
4th Grade Tours the Midwest
In social studies, fourth graders learned about the Midwest region of the United States. They took a virtual tour of the Midwest focusing on several key cities and popular attractions. Fourth graders also learned the rich history behind this region.
The social studies classes traveled virtually to the St. Louis Arch, which brought to light many special memories for students who have traveled to this attraction before. Dodge City, Kansas was a fun virtual trip for the students to dive into where cowboys and cattle made a huge impact in many lives. Students learned the significance of farming in Iowa and how farming trends have changed over time. The students experienced South Dakota to investigate some of the state’s greatest heroes along with Mt. Rushmore. The classes really enjoyed learning about the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills, and the Native American hero that the monument honors.
The student’s virtual tour guide took them to Detroit, Michigan where they learned about Henry Ford. The students were able to learn about assembly lines and how they were used to build cars. Then, the students collaborated in groups to design their own cars in an assembly line fashion. Next, the classes traveled virtually to the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. The students took a dive into one of the largest airports in the world. Finally, as a fan favorite, the students virtually vacationed to Wrigley Field to learn more about the history of this attraction and the teams that play there.
BEST Students of the Week
BEST Students of the Week
BEST Students of the Week
Fifth Grade Fragments - ISASP
The Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) includes individual assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. These summative assessments measure student achievement, growth and college and career readiness based on the Iowa Core Standards. The ELA assessments of ISASP address Iowa Core Standards in Reading, Language, and Writing.
Currently, 5th Graders are busy preparing and reviewing expectations for the upcoming test. During study hall, leading up to the test, students will be taking time to explore various testing tools, practice testing protocol, and experience question formats. We will be spending ample time revisiting all aspects of the test, so that they can be best prepared to succeed.
Students will also be exposed to the rubrics ahead of time, so they know exactly what it is that they will be assessed upon. The tests are primarily given in multiple choice format, with the writing test being the exception.
Incentives will be given to enhance student effort and celebrate the hard work put into completing these tests. The tests are scheduled to begin the week of Monday, April 4th. For students to perform at their best on testing days, please help us make your child’s experience a positive and successful one. Here are some suggestions you can do to help each day:
Ensure your child arrives at school on time.
Encourage nutritional meals at home or at school.
Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep.
Gently encourage them to do their best and be proud of all of their learning.
BEST Students of the Week
BEST Students of the Week
BEST Students of the Week
Anderson Art News
The Anderson art room has been buzzing with so much activity since the beginning of January! So many new and exciting projects going on with so much learning and growing!
Third grade artists studied American street muralist Chris Uphues, who creates fun and brightly colored murals filled with animated hearts and bold rainbows. Students created their own Uphues-Inspired Heart composition using fun and uplifting images meant to make you smile when you see them! We will be learning about Andy Warhol’s Pop Art movement in the next few weeks with an emphasis on printmaking.
In fourth grade, we started the New Year off by a lesson on the Chinese New Year, which begins this year on Feb. 1st. We discussed Chinese New Year traditions including gifts of red envelopes, dragon dances, lanterns, and, this year, the Year of the Tiger! Students were introduced to linoleum carving using linoleum and linoleum cutters. Each student chose a word written in Chinese to best describe their personality. Then the word was carved into linoleum and printed onto paper. Such an exciting and memorable project with lots of new materials and tools!
Students in fifth grade recently completed an Observational Drawing unit in which they were able to choose their assignment. They could either draw a Half-Drawing, meaning they cut an image in half and glued one side down to a piece of paper and then drew the other half. The other option was drawing from a Still Life set up. They could draw from a musical instrument still life table or use their own object. Students were encouraged to use view finders to crop their composition as well as using blending sticks for shading. Lots of growth and learning with this unit!
Finally, the end of January marked the B-F K-12 Ankeny Art Show. This year’s show represented over 120 Anderson art student’s work and attracted nearly 500 community members to the reception!
PE Happenings!
I can’t believe it is February - the year is flying by! It won’t be long until we are back outside. As of this writing, we are in the middle of our scooter unit. We are currently doing what I call Chariot Races. The kids love it! The next two weeks after the scooters we will be doing parachute...another all time favorite. My favorite game with the parachute is a game called Poison. Students like the game Big Guy Tries to Step on Student (all in fun and I don’t really step on them!). The week before spring break we will do one day of bowling. That’s about it from PE. I hope everything is going well. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram/Twitter - just search Coach Zarr.
Being Bondurant’s BEST…on the SCHOOL BUS
What does it mean to be Bondurant’s BEST at Anderson Elementary?
To help students be their best, we have identified seven areas within the school to help define expected behaviors for students. These areas are in the classroom, bathroom, hallway, lunchroom, playground, school bus, and at school assemblies.
The poster shows the expectations we have for students on how to behave on the school bus. Students can show how they are Kind and Respectful by being polite, helping others if needed, and respecting others’ property. Students can show Excellent Effort by listening and following directions, informing the driver of any problems, and remembering their belongings. Students can demonstrate how they Stay Safe by staying seated at all times, and keeping their hands and feet to themselves. Students can Take Responsibility by being on the bus on-time and by making sure their area is clean before they leave.
The unstructured time that a student spends on the bus might be the most difficult challenge they will face as part of their school day. It is important for students to remember that they are not alone and that they do not need to handle any difficulties by themselves. We want all students to know that if they face difficulties on the bus, they need to report things immediately to the bus driver and that they can also follow up with their teacher, counselor, or principal when they get to school.
Our hope is that by encouraging all students to demonstrate Bondurant’s BEST on the bus, it will help every student enjoy a safe ride to and from school.
Submitted by Mr. Kevin VanderLinden
Who Should You Contact?
Many of our families have utilized our electronic form to submit COVID-related questions and comments throughout the pandemic. Because of its success, we've created a new form to electronically submit GENERAL comments, questions, and concerns. This is in an effort to increase opportunities for two-way communication with district stakeholders. The link is referenced in this communication guide and can be found anytime in the footer of our website. Visit: www.bfschools.org/contactus
BackPack Program
Once again, we are excited to partner with the Food Bank of Iowa to provide nutritious weekend snacks to low-income families with elementary-aged students. If you are in need or know of a family who may benefit from this program, please call Sam Kluesner at 515-967-6361 or email her at kluesners@bfschools.org. For more information regarding The BackPack Program, please click here.
Watch D.O.G.S. Program
The Bondurant-Farrar WatchDOGs program is a parent involvement program that invites parent-figures into the school to help increase security and reduce bullying. Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are encouraged to spend a half- or full-day at their child’s school. During that day, you’ll have the opportunity to be in your child’s classroom, eat lunch with him or her, help in other classrooms, monitor hallways, and/or assist teachers and administrators with every-day projects – all of which enhance the overall education experience of our children. To find out more, or to sign-up to be a WatchDOG, email vanderlindenk@bfschools.org
It is the policy of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator; Chad Carlson, Director of Administrative Services, 300 Garfield St SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, 515-967-7819,carlsonc@bfschools.org.; or Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, (312) 730-1560, OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.