Longfellow Newsletter
Week of: May 16th-22nd
Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters! #ICCSDtogether
Message From Principal Webb
Dear families,
Thank you so much to all the families that continue to support your child in a variety of ways at home during this closure. I know it is not always easy, but we appreciate your partnership!
I also wanted to send a shout out to Janeen Van Etten for all of her work on the PTA online auction. Thank you so much for all of your support for Longfellow throughout the years.
Next week our teachers will be packing up student belongings and their classrooms for the summer. If you were unable to pick up your child's math and reading workbooks earlier this month, we will add those to your child's bag of belongings. You will also need to return any library books and school music instruments that need to be returned or repaired on those days.
Pick up times for student belongings at Longfellow are:
- Wednesday, May 27th 1:00-6:00 PM
- Thursday, May 28th 8:00-11:00 AM
We will utilize our North door car line for curbside service again. It's very helpful if you have your children's names and grade written on a piece of paper for us!
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Kelli Webb
Focused Learning areas at Longfellow:
Classroom Corner:
Elementary Teachers will Connect with Parents/Students once per week to check in to see how students are doing with accessing Clever and the usage of Lexia Core 5/ Power Up and Dreambox (math). This will happen through either an email, via phone, Zoom or SeeSaw accounts (if teachers use this).
Teachers will be reaching out to students who are meeting their goals, and those who need support.
Language Arts
May 18-22
Theme: Farm
K-Unit 5, pages 144-152
Theme:Animals Together
1st-Unit 4, pages 163-174
Theme: Weather Alert!
2nd-Unit 3, pages 131-140
Theme: Choices
3rd-Unit 4, pages 151-160
Theme: Achievements
4th-Unit 4, pages 191-200
Theme: Express Yourself
5th-Unit 4, pages 191-200
Theme: Time for Kids
6th-Unit 3, pages 141-150
Math:
May 18-22
Topic:9 Counting numbers
Pages:115-126
Topic:7 Extended Counting
Pages:97-108
Topic:5Subtraction Strategies
Pages:63-76
Topic:4 Division Facts
Pages:39-54
Topic:4 Multiply by 2-digits
Pages:43-54
Topic:3 Multiply w multi-digits
Pages:27-42
Topic:3 Numeric Expressions
Pages:27-40
Music
Hello Musical at Home Longhorns!
We hope to see you this week at Specials Zoom Class Time!
Stay tuned - Ms. Brown is working on a “virtual music classroom” for you to visit in Clever!
THIS WEEK’S ALL ABOUT ME PLAYLIST HIGHLIGHTS:
Jake Ragan, 4th Grade, and Rebecca Glass, 2nd Grade
Check out their playlists! It’s so fun to learn about students through the music they enjoy!
Click on Jake Ragan’s Spotify Playlist “AboutJake!”
Rebecca Glass:
Q: What artist makes you want to dance?
A: The Beatles
Q: What music do you listen to when you’re feeling sad?
A: Kpop
Q: What song gets you pumped up?
A: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” (from Trolls)
Q: What song calms you down or helps you fall asleep?
A: “Edelweiss”
Q: What artist reminds you of a friend or family member? Why?
A: Taylor Swift reminds me of my friend Sydney because she listens to her.
To send in your “All About Me” Playlist, please fill out this google form or print a hard copy/write your own list and mail it to me at Longfellow Music, 1130 Seymour Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240! You can also find this on your Clever Music Classroom Page!
3/4 Grade Specials Zoom kids wrote some really awesome Haiku poems this week. Here is one for you to read!
By Joey, Ms. Morey, and Seneca:
Violets are purple
They are the king of flowers
Blooming in the spring
6th grade students - for your graduation, we are asking all sixth graders to submit any or all of your musical performance of “Lean on Me,” via this private FLIPGRID LINK (also found in your Clever account under the 5/6 music page). No one but Ms. Brown can see your submission.
Make sure to sing or play along with Ms. Brown’s recording so it is in the same key and with the same tempo.
You can use an ear bud to listen to the recording while you simultaneously record your own version.
Please record yourself in “landscape mode” on a phone or tablet.
Even if it’s just a small part of the song - please send in!
The final product will showcase the 6th graders singing together! Here is an example of this kind of project created by the City High Marching Band! It is so cool!
Physical Education- Ms. Sobaski
I want to give a special shoutout to our 5th and 6th graders. This past week would have been our Track Meet Day at Liberty High School. You have all been on my mind. I know a lot of you were looking forward to participating. I hope you all had a good week and were able to get out and be active!
This week’s optional activities:
Flip It: https://youtu.be/pkEuSNplOtg
Tower Power: https://youtu.be/SFyddH1Ni8w
Cosmic Kid’s Yoga: Frogs, Reptiles, and Rainforest https://youtu.be/BNbSBsUUslM
Stay Positive,
Ms. Sobaski
Art
Hello Longfellow Artists! I hope everyone is staying safe. I miss you all very much!
When we are at school, we often watch Ok Go videos for inspiration. Their work is such an amazing multimedia combination of music and visual arts. I thought students might enjoy watching their latest video:
Here are the videos of “Art at Home with Ms. Q”.
Drawing Chalk Flowers:
Sketchbooks:
Window hearts:
Follow msqartroom on Instagram http://instagram.com/msqartroom
to help us to stay connected during this time.
quintero.buffy@iowacityschools.org. I would love to share your work on Instagram.
Hope to see some of you virtually soon. Please join our Specials Zoom, if you can! We are all in this together.
Reading Support from Title 1
Hi readers & leaders, from Ms. V & Mrs. Pauley!
As we know, learning to read requires strengthening two main parts of our brain: the orthographic processor, which recognizes print, & the phonological processor, which manipulates sounds. When these two processes come together efficiently, we’re able to read accurately & fluently!
Practicing phonological awareness is easy in that it doesn’t require any materials--just your ears & voice! Below are some prompts for adults or older kids to say out loud to emerging readers. At the most complex level is phonemic awareness, or manipulating sounds (phonemes) within words. This week, we’ll practice isolating all the sounds in a word.
Segmenting 2- & 3-Phoneme Words
Prompt: “I’m going to say a word. You repeat it slowly & say all the sounds you hear.”
More Support: “Make sure there’s a pause between each sound.” “There are ___ sounds in this word. Let’s say them all.”
“Say go. Now say all the sounds you hear.” (/g/.../o/)
“Say run. Now say all the sounds you hear.” (/r/.../u/.../n/)
“Say way. Now say all the sounds you hear.” (/w/.../ay/)
Segmenting Consonant Blends
More Support: “The blend in this word is _ _. Say those 2 sounds first.”
“Say sleep. Now say each sound you hear.” (/s/.../l/.../ee/.../p/)
“Say drum. Now say each sound you hear.” (/d/.../r/.../u/.../m/)
“Say camp. Now say each sound you hear.” (/k/.../a/,,,/m/.../p/)
“Say left. Now say each sound you hear.” (/l/.../e/.../f/.../t/)
Counting the Sounds in a Word
More Support: “Put up a finger for each sound you say.”
“Say thank slowly. How many sounds?” (4 sounds: /th/.../a/.../n/.../k/)
“Say off slowly. How many sounds?” (2 sounds: /o/.../ff/)
“Say school slowly. How many sounds?” (4 sounds: /s/.../k/.../oo/.../l/)
“Say blue slowly. How many sounds?” (3 sounds: /b/.../l/.../ue/)
Student Family Advocate- Ms. Amanda
Hello Longhorns!
Below are some activities you and your family may find fun and useful during these times.
2020 COVID-19 Family Guidebook
Yaroslawitz, C. F. (2020). 2020 COVID-19 Family Guidebook.
Coronavirus Coloring Pamphlet - Created by a CCLS
Fratangelo, E. (2020). Coronavirus Coloring Pamphlet.
Coronavirus: How to Support Your Child Activity Sheet - Created by a CCLS
Wonders & Worries (2020). Coronavirus: How to support your child activity sheet.
Coping with COVID-19 Workbook - Created by a CCLS
George, A. (2020). Coping with COVID-19 workbook.
COVID-19 Activity Book - Created by a CCLS
Johns Hopkins Children's Center (2020). COVID-19 activity book. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/patients-and-families/_documents/covid-19-resources-for-families/covid-19-activity-book.pdf
Family Activity to Help During COVID-19 Isolation - Created by a CCLS
Thornton, S. (2020). Family activity to help during COVID-19
Learn About Coronavirus and COVID-19 Activity Book - Created by a CCLS
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (2020). Learn about coronavirus and covid-19 activity book. Retrieved from https://together.stjude.org/content/dam/together/en-us/other/covid-19/coronavirus-activity-book-together-english.pdf
Learn About the Coronavirus Coloring Book - Created by a CCLS
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (2020). Learn about the coronavirus coloring book. Retrieved from https://together.stjude.org/content/dam/together/en-us/other/covid-19/coronavirus-for-kids-together.pdf
My 2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule
Long, N. My 2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule. Retrieved from https://www.nbc4i.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/04/COVID19-TIME-CAPSULE-3.pdf
My Lock Down Diary
McCarthy, S. (2020). My Lock Down Diary. Retrieved from https://www.mylockdowndiary.com/
Playworks
Playworks. (n.d.). Play At Home. Retrieved from https://www.playworks.org/get-involved/play-at-home/
Resources for play at home and daily Facebook Live "recess."
Stay at Home Activities - Created by a CCLS
Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah (2020). Stay at Home Activities
When You're Sick - Activity book explaining PPE - Created by a CCLS
Primary Children's Hospital (2020). When You're Sick.
Spanish Version
Library- Ms. Morey
Hi Longhorns! May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! If we were at school we would be celebrating this month by sharing work written and illustrated by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors and illustrators and featuring characters from this amazing branch of our American family tree.
If you have not yet tried out MackinVia to access free eBooks, here are some of the great titles featuring Asian American creators and characters on that site:
- The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
- Round is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong
- A Different Pond by Bao Phi
- Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- Flying Lessons and Other Stories by Ellen Oh
- Dash by Kirby Larson
- Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
MackinVia has many other eBooks and audiobooks too. To sign in to this resource head to https://www.iowaaea.org/ and select MackinVia. You will be prompted to login with our school (type Longfellow Iowa City), username, and password (the one that starts with 3141...but email me if you do not have this username and password).
Here is a link to another great AEA Resource, Tumblebooks, and a story about a Taiwanese immigrant child, called Hannah is My Name. This link will take you right to the book! At other times sign in to TumbleBooks with the usual username and password (starts with 3141... Again, email me if you don't know it!)
I hope you are having a great weekend! Remember to keep reading and that I am thinking of all of you. If you need help with technology you can contact me or visit the Help Desk.
School Counselor
Happy May everyone! I am hopeful that the weather will cooperate with us and we can get some sunshine and the chance to get outside. I wanted to forward along some fun links for some mindfulness and relaxation. These can be used for all grades as a way to become more centered while also letting your body get loosened up!
Mind Yeti (Mindfulness Exercises)
- Mindfulness/Meditation Apps (Common Sense Media)
GoNoodle - movement, mindfulness, and suggestions for fun family screen-free activities
I also wanted to let you know I have more slots to sign up for our Counselor Check-Ins via Google Hangout/Meet. Simply click on this link and sign up so we can get connected.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0948ACAB2DA4FD0-counselor
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Derek Cornett
Longfellow Elementary School Counselor
Extended Learning Program (ELP) Ms. McDonald
Do you enjoy games that challenge you to balance risk and reward? Play the game Skunk. You will need a pair of dice and each player will need a piece of paper and a pencil to keep score. Here are directions: The Game of Skunk. Here is a link to a video demonstration of the game.
Do you love reading but your eyes are tired from too much screen time? Or do you like to hear a story read aloud while you get some fresh air outside? Try Audible Stories! You can stream a wide variety of literature in eight different languages. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Join the Specials (PE, music, Art, Library) zoom meetings for all grades:
Specials Class Time!
Specials Zoom Class Time!
We invite any interested students to join the specials’ zoom meeting - we would LOVE to see you! Just click on the link below at the designated time! Hope to see you there.
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 AM: Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Specials Zoom (meeting ID: 446 980 804)
Wednesdays, 10:30-11 AM: Third and Fourth Grade Specials Zoom (meeting ID: 308 778 081)
Thursdays, 10:30-11 AM: Fifth and Sixth Grade Specials Zoom (meeting ID: 550 231 130)
PTA Information:
Business Supporters
Hello Longhorns!
The PTA has created a spreadsheet for local businesses directly connected to our community. If you have or know of a business, please add to the list! If you are looking for businesses to support, consider using this as a reference.
Any questions/feedback, please contact presidentlongfellowpta@gmail.com
We're all in this together!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NhlyjjuGi-0pQACmtH1nB1AIJOtpkG7tgEBF9aCYIJY/edit?usp=sharing
Yearbook-
PTA is happy to announce that they will be purchasing Yearbooks for all students and staff this year. As the yearbooks arrive there will be more information about pickup or mailing.
6th grade celebration information:
Dear 6th-Grade Parents,
The Graduation Party Planners are excited to announce that they are moving forward with a digital scrapbook and student share video for each of our kiddos. Please send 2-3 images of your kiddo from years passed and one current photo to Alta Medea-Peters (Calvin M-K's mom) at altamedea@gmail.com and then have your kiddo fill out THIS SURVEY so we can all learn a bit more about them! All photos and survey answers need to be submitted by May 6th!
--
Learning Opportunities for students during closure
Latest Communication from the District:
Dear Families,
We hope that this update finds you and your family well. On behalf of the entire Iowa City Community School District staff and Board of Directors, you remain in our thoughts and we continue to wish you good health throughout this uncertain time.
Below you will find updates and information on multiple topics surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Please know that we continue to put the physical and mental wellness of our students, staff, and families first in our decision-making. We are here to support you in any way that we can; please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Retrieving Student Items from Buildings:
We are currently coordinating the pick-up of any student items left at school. These items will be pre-packaged for families to pick-up outside the building along with an opportunity to retrieve any medication that still needs to be distributed. All schools will have social distancing measures in place and families will not be allowed inside the building. If students have items from school they need to return (district-owned instruments, library books, textbooks, etc.), they should be dropped off at this time as well.
Below is the schedule for student pick-up of items:
- Elementary students: May 27, 2020 (from 1:00PM-6:00 PM) and May 28, 2020 (from 8:00AM- 11:00 AM) are the designated days for students in Preschool through grade 6 to retrieve any needed items from school. Parents of elementary children will follow the typical “car line” path. Please drive up to the building (staying in your car), state your child(ren)’s name, and a staff member will bring your child’s items to you. Students do not need to be present during pick-up.
- Grades 7 through 11: May 26 and 27, 2020 are the designated days for students in grades 7 through 11 to retrieve any needed items from school. Students and families will receive specific times and additional information from their building principals.
- Seniors: May 21, 2020 is the designated day for all seniors to retrieve any needed items from school. At each high school, the Office of Technology and Innovation will provide two cardboard pallet boxes for senior students to return their technology devices. The slotted pallet box should be used for Chromebooks, iPads, and computers. The non-slotted pallet box should be used for additional technology accessories (chargers, cases, and other miscellaneous items). Please consult on-site staff if you have any trouble locating the technology drop-off boxes. Students and families will receive specific times and additional information from their building principals.
Additional details regarding the retrieval of student materials will be provided by your building principal.
Instrument Return Policy
- Please KEEP your instrument if you are returning to the same school next year and if the instrument is in working condition (you should return if it needs repair).
- Students in the 6th, 8th, and 12th grades should return their school instruments.
- Students who are moving out of the district or to a new school should return their instruments.
- Please make sure all instruments are labeled with your name, school, and instrument.
Summer Programming and Events:
After great consideration of the health and safety of students, staff, families, and visitors, we have made the difficult decision that we will not offer in-person summer programs through at least July 5, 2020. Summer programs include, but are not limited to, BASP summer programs, youth programs, sports camps, athletic practices, and competitions. This also includes our Extended School Year program, which will be delivered through an online format all summer.
In addition, all events scheduled to be held in District facilities or on District grounds during the summer will be canceled through July 5, 2020. The exceptions to this decision are the State- and County-mandated primary elections on June 2, 2020, daily grab & go meal distribution, and high school graduation celebrations. Determinations about programming and events in July 2020 will be made no later than June 15, 2020.
We are aware that the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has announced that they will not make a decision about this year’s high school baseball and softball seasons until June 1, 2020. Should the decision be made to proceed with the baseball and softball seasons, we will allow for use of our facilities as outlined by the IHSAA and only for baseball/softball. No other athletic programs or groups will be allowed to use District facilities or grounds for practices, camps, or competitions until further notice.
Building and Grounds Closures:
All District schools, buildings, playgrounds, and outdoor facilities will remain closed to the public through at least July 5, 2020. This closure includes the cancellation of all activities and any events held at buildings or on school grounds.
The District is directing all employees to work remotely and not visit District buildings or offices unless specifically directed to do so. We are asking that all families, students, and community members avoid visiting buildings and campuses during the extended closure. While we recognize this could create an inconvenience, the safety of our students, families, staff, and the greater community is of primary importance, and we encourage all in our community to remain at home as much as possible.
School Nutrition:
The District has been operating free Grab & Go meal pick-up sites for students while schools have been closed and we will continue to do so through the end of the school year, with the exception of Monday, May 25, 2020, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. As we have done in the past, we are committed to offering a summer meal program for our students beyond the end of the school year. We will continue our grab & go meal program in a fashion similar to this spring through June and July. The locations and schedule for the summer meal program will be announced no later than May 28, 2020. Click here for the full schedule and list of meal pick-up sites through May 29, 2020.
Continuous Learning:
As you know, the District continues to provide learning opportunities for all students. These learning opportunities will continue through the remainder of the scheduled school year. We encourage you to visit the ICCSD Learning at Home page on the District website. This page houses the information that has been shared with families over the past few weeks and offers translations into multiple languages if needed.
Through the remainder of the scheduled school year, we will be here to support this continuous learning and we will continue to actively develop our plans for a return to school next year with a focus on addressing any learning gaps that occur as a result of COVID-19.
In Closing:
Thank you for being our partner during this unprecedented time. Together, we are doing what is right to protect the safety and well-being of our community. The past seven weeks have shown us that we are capable of tremendous things when we work together. In case you missed our heartfelt message to our school district community, we encourage you to check out our In This Together video. Take care and stay healthy. #ICCSDtogether
Sincerely,
Kristin Pedersen
Director of Community Relations
Iowa City Community School District
Nutrition
Children are welcome to come to the sites; however, this new guidance assists the District in providing even more meals to children throughout the community. Meals are free and available to children age 1 – 18. While not required, a parent/guardian/caregiver will be asked to share the school name where each child attends when picking up a meal (if the child is of school-age). The identified school does not have to be in the Iowa City Community School District and, again, this information is suggested (and appreciated), but not required. Free Grab & Go meals are available at each site from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, unless otherwise noted.
Meal Pick-up Sites:
City High School
Hills Elementary School (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
Mann Elementary School
North Central Junior High
Northwest Junior High
South East Junior High
Twain Elementary School
West High School
Wood Elementary School
Breckenridge Mobile Park (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
Cole’s Communities Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Forest View Mobile Park (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
Hilltop Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Holiday Lodge Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Lakeridge Mobile Park (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Regency Mobile Park (12:10 – 1:00 pm)
This program will be solely for pick-up of meals and meals will not be consumed on-site. The District encourages families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of COVID-19 by not congregating at the school site once meals have been distributed. Meals are intended for immediate consumption and should be stored/refrigerated as needed. Additional resources for food assistance can be found through the United Way of Johnson County.
community food resources
Community Crisis Services and Food Bank; 1121 South Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240. Food Pantry open: Mon, Wed, Fri 12pm-4:30pm, Tuesday, 12pm-7pm, and Thursday 9:30am-4:30pm, and Saturday, 9:30am-2pm.
IC Compassion Food Pantry; 1035 Wade St, Iowa City, IA, 52240. Food Pantry Open: Wednesday, 12pm-4pm and Thursday, 5:30pm-7:00pm.
During this time make sure you get outside, drink lots of water, and take care of yourselves.
follow us on Twitter- @LongfellowScho1
Longfellow Elementary School
Every student counts. Every moment matters.
ADDRESS: 1130 Seymour Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240
PHONE: 319-688-1135
FAX: 319-688-1136
Kelli Webb, Principal
Amanda Mosley, SFA
Stacia Nkumu, Principal Secretary
Non-Discrimination Policy:
It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or 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 Director of Equity, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, (319) 688-1000.