Salem Spotlight
March 2018
Our Mission
At Salem, we realize all children are individuals, and this may be their first experience in social living. Our desired goal in working with all children is growth.
We strive to create a stimulating environment for each child that will promote and foster his/her interests and curiosity, thus promoting optimal learning. This learning will incorporate the development of academic, relationship, and citizenship skills, a requirement for functioning in our society as productive citizens.
Principal's Message
Did You Know?
On May 8, Little Miami Schools will seek passage of a 3.6 mill bond issue for school construction and additions. The bond will finance the first part of a long-term district master plan to address growing enrollment, including a new PK-1 building behind the existing Salem Twp. Elementary. See more information at LittleMiamiSchools.com.
Little Miami has no say in how many homes that are built in district, but as a public school, must educate all students who move in. Consultants have estimated that, with enrollment trends and available land, Little Miami could have 6,600 students in 10 years. See more information at LittleMiamiSchools.com.
If you or someone you know turned 18 recently, the deadline to register to vote is Apr. 9. You can register online at the Warren County Board of Elections website here:
http://www.warrencountyboe.us/registration/voter_reg/default.aspx
From the Desk of the Preschool Director
by Mrs. Losey
Did You Know?
The May 8 bond will provide funds for the first phase of Little Miami’s master plan and will provide new facilities for our youngest learners. Currently grades PK-2 are in our oldest buildings: Maineville (built 1934), Butlerville (built 1939) and Salem Twp. (built 1956).
Save the Dates!
by Mrs. Miles
General Dates
3/30/18-4/2/18: No School
4/19/18: Interims Sent Home
5/8/18: No School (Teacher Inservice)
5/23/18: Last Day of School for Students
5/23/18: End of 4th Quarter/Report Cards Sent Home
Other
3/26-4/12/18: ELA AIR Assessment
4/16-5/4/18: Math AIR Assessment
4/26/18: 3rd Grade Museum Night (6:00-8:00pm)
4/28/18: District Wide Fine Arts Festival (11:00am-6:00pm)
5/1/18: 4th Grade COGAT Assessment
5/14/18: 3rd Grade Field Day
5/16/18: 4th Grade Field Day
5/17/18: Kindergarten Field Day
PTO Dates
4/10/18: PTO Meeting (7:00pm)
5/5/18: PTO Carnival
5/15/18: PTO Meeting (7:00pm)
Helpful Handbook Reminders
Telephone Use by Students
Students are not permitted to use the office telephone except in the event of an emergency.
Students may not call home to make a change in transportation or for homework.
Students may not have cell phones (including smart watches) out during the school day unless given permission from their teacher.
Students are not permitted to check text messages or voicemail messages during the school day.
Student Council
This month in student council the students took part in a 2-part project on kindness. The classes were given options on how their class would participate.
March Project
1. Part 1: Kindness Bingo Board
Each class will be provided with one bingo board.
Options 1: Run a copy for each student to mark off as they complete each square. Tie it in with your reward system in your room and give rewards for completing a row.
Option 2: Use one copy for the whole class and give extra recess for completing the whole board as a class.
Option 3: Create discussions around the squares completed. A quick talk about what made them feel kind.
2. Part 2-Tootles
Spread kindness through “Tootles" by writing a tootle to your classmate.
What is a tootle? A tootle is a note of encouragement written to another student.
Option 1: Have your students who are interested in writing “Tootles” write one to someone.
Option 2: Start by having your student council reps write one to a person in your class. Then those two will write to two different people...
March Character Trait: Leadership
The monthly character trait for March was leadership. In our meeting, we watched a “Kid President” video on what it means to be a leader. Students who showed this character trait were awarded with certificates to hang on their locker. Each class decided how they chose the students who received the certificates.
Curriculum Connection
by Mrs. Horvath & Mrs. Meyer
Connecting with your child’s favorite author is a great way to get them reading!!
1. Do Some Research
From Eric Carle to JK Rowling, most popular children's authors today have their own websites where they share information about their lives, their creative process, their books and more. On these sites, you and your child can discover interesting facts and answers to the most frequently asked questions, as well as details for making further contact or connecting on social media.
2. Write a Letter
Have your child write a letter to the author. You might suggest that he or she:
· Share a short introduction and explain why he is writing.
· Tell the author what he likes most about the books or characters.
· Include suggestions for future books.
· Ask any questions he has about the author or the books.
· Thank the author for sharing such wonderful stories and ideas.
Physical letters can be mailed — have your child address his or her letter to the author and send via the book publisher's address, if an alternative address can't be found on the author's website. He or She can also send his or her letter by email if an address is listed on the author's website.
3. Attend a Book Signing or Reading
If you are fortunate enough to have your child's favorite author visit your local area for a book signing, reading, or other event, it is a fantastic opportunity to attend with your child. Details of upcoming tours are often shared on the author's website. Meeting the face behind the books your child loves can help him develop a greater interest in and respect for the creative process of writing and illustrating. Plus, having a book signed or having a photo taken with the author/illustrator is sure to be a big thrill for a true fan!
Counselor's Corner
Test Anxiety Tips
There is a state assessment coming up soon in 3rd and 4th grades, and sometimes this causes some students to have anxiety related to testing. Help them prepare for test days by enforcing an early bedtime and providing a healthy breakfast on test days. Find ways to help your child relax and unwind after test days. This can include doing a physical activity or participating in calming activities, such as listening to music or enjoying a hobby.
Below is a list of strategies your child can use to manage stress and anxiety:
· Be active
· Eat right
· Avoid caffeine
· Get enough sleep each night
· Express your feelings
· Keep things organized
· Plan ahead
· Forgive your own mistakes
· Be yourself
· Feel good about what you have
Career Days
Please sign up using the link below to talk to our students about your career. The 3rd and 4th grade Career Fair is on Friday, April 13 and Preschool and Kindergarten Career Day is on Friday, April 27.
3rd/4th grade sign up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4aabae2ba5ff2-salem
Preschool/Kindergarten sign up:
Supporting Positive Behavior from Home
Diversity & Inclusion
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment where your child (maybe quite loudly) asked you about some characteristic of another person? For example, “Mommy, why does that woman look like that?” The typical parental reaction is to attempt to quiet the child and move on as quickly as possible. As adults we’ve been taught not to ask such questions (at least not out loud). In contrast, children are not yet conditioned to refrain from sharing what they think or asking what they want to know.
Earlier on than most people realize, children become aware of and intrigued by the difference in the way people look and behave. In fact, Phyllis A. Katz, while a professor at the University of Colorado, found babies as young as six-months of age stared significantly longer at photographs of adults who were of a different color than their parents. The research evidence clearly indicates that children notice differences in race, ability, family composition and a multitude of other factors. Their questions are attempts to make sense of those observations so they can make sense of their own world.
As a parent, you know that children tend to ask the most challenging questions at the most inconvenient times. Rather than trying to quiet your child (which implies there is something wrong with the other person or with asking questions) take these opportunities to help your child understand and respect differences and similarities among those in your community. Provide brief, objective responses to their questions. For example, if your child comments about the difference in a person’s skin color tell her, “His skin color is white because his biological parents had white skin.” If your child asks you why a person is in a wheelchair tell him, “There is a medical reason why she is unable to walk by herself, so she uses the wheelchair to get from one place to another.”
By helping your child understand and respect similarities and differences you will also help your child to understand who he is in the context of your race, ethnic group, culture, religion, language and familial history. In doing so, you will provide your child with personally meaningful information.
Below are some resources that may be useful when talking with your child about diversity and inclusion...
Kid's Heath - What is Diversity?
WONDEROPOLIS - Why Are People All Different Colors
Diversity - What do you SEE? What do you THINK? What do you WONDER?
Special's Spot - PBL
3rd Grade Night at the Museum
Our third graders are working hard to create a special museum to share with their families and friends that will teach others all about our local history. The Little Miami School District area has a unique history, from the first settlers in our area at Mounts Station, to the development of Morrow nearly 50 years later. Once sprawling towns are now ghost towns, while other towns never truly developed.
Come discover the secrets of our local area, as presented by our third graders. Night at the Museum is on Thursday, April 26 from 6-8 pm. Students do not have to stay with their project. Rather, students and families are invited to explore the museum set-up in our cafeteria.
We hope to see you there.
Notes from the Nurses
by Mrs. Knochel & Mrs. Sedlatschek
Sleep Needs
Sufficient sleep is a necessity and is being increasingly recognized as an important component of health promotion and chronic disease prevention.
Insufficient sleep can place you at risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. We know that productivity and overall physical and mental health is directly related to getting enough sleep.
- School-age children need at least 10 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period.
- Teenagers need 9-10 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period.
- Adults need 7-8 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period.
Sleep deficits add up! If you are getting even one hour less sleep than you need each night, the deficit you have by the end of the week can be devastating!
Poor classroom performance and behavior issues can be caused by insufficient sleep.
For more recommendations on sleep requirements visit:
CDC / sleep recommendations
Sleep Foundation / Recommendations.
Quick Links
2017 - 2018 School Hours
8:55 - Doors Open for Students & Breakfast Begins
9:10 - Classes Start
11:50 - AM Preschool & Kindergarten Ends
1:05 - PM Preschool & Kindergarten Begins
3:50 - Student Dismissal
Contact Information
605 Welch Road
Morrow, Ohio 45152
Principal: Mrs. Lisa Smith
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jamie Miles
Assistant Principal: Mr. Cory Taylor
Preschool Director: Mrs. Erin Losey
Office & Attendance Number: 513.899.5275
Fax Numbers: 513.899.3196 (Grades 3 & 4) / 513.899.2891 (Grades P & K)
School Website
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Mrs. Smith - @LSmithSalem
Mrs. Losey - @LM_PrekPanthers
Mrs. Miles - @LM_MrsMiles
Mr. Taylor - @MrTaylorLM
Salem Elementary Schoology Group
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