Astronaut News
Andersen Elementary - September 2019
From The Desk of Mrs. Kinghorn
Greetings Andersen Families!
August has flown by and it was great seeing so many of you during our Fall Parent Teacher Conferences. This time is set aside to ensure teachers get the opportunity to meet with each family to discuss how our learners are growing in and out of the classroom. If you were unable to attend, please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule a brief 15-20 minute time to meet. These conferences are invaluable and ensure we are working together to help our learners succeed.
August was a busy month and I am happy to see our astronauts off and running and looking to the future. I have enjoyed visiting classrooms, talking to students about what they are learning and having them explain to me how to solve problems or share their writing.
One of the best ways to find out what your child is learning is to make it part of your afternoon or nightly routine to go through the day.
If we simply ask, “What did you learn today?” many times we hear, “I don’t know.” Take it to a different level by asking your child, “What are two great things that happened today,” or “What was the best part of math/reading/writing/science?” Set daily goals with your child by asking, “What is one thing you want to work on tomorrow?” or “What is a wish you have for tomorrow?” This gives you valuable insight to how your child’s day was and a conversation starter for the next morning and afternoon.
Thank you to all the parents that were able to join us for our first Parent University. Our goal this year is 100% family engagement. Engagement can look many different ways. This can involve volunteering in the classroom, workroom or PTO events or attending the various night events we will offer throughout the year. We strongly believe that learning not only happens here at school, but also continues with your support at home. We want to work with our families to provide the best learning experience for your child.
Please feel free to offer feedback, suggestions and ideas on ways we can improve on family engagement.
Thank you for a great first month of school. We look forward to an engaging September full of fun and learning. Thank you for choosing Andersen Elementary and your continued support.
Sincerely,
Kristin Kinghorn
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
We know students are more likely to succeed in academics when they attend school consistently. Students begin class at 8:10 a.m. each day. In order for our students to be successful in the classroom students must report to school on time each and every day. It is difficult for the teacher and the class to build their skills and progress if a large number of students are frequently absent or tardy. Please work hard to ensure all students are at school and on time!
For the 7 days we were in school for July, Andersen Elementary had over 180 tardies and over 170 absences.
For the month of August, Andersen Elementary had OVER 600 tardies and over 575 absences.
Hopefully, September will be a better month!!!
MESSAGE FROM DEAN MR. BROWN
Parents we are off to a great start to the 2019-2020 school year.
On September 11, we will be celebrating the first responders in our community and that are a part of the Andersen Family.
We are excited to honor our first responders with a school wide assembly. Vehicles will be on campus that morning for students to explore and take pictures. Please do not be alarmed if you see them on campus. We would like to honor all our Andersen First Responders. If you or someone you know is a first responder we hope they can attend our celebration. Please RSVP by email to brown.torie@cusd80.com . A light breakfast for all first responders will be provided. We look forward to thanking you for your service.
LUNCH REMINDERS
Families who are participating on the free or reduced lunch meal program:
The carryover status from the previous school year expires by the beginning of this month.
If a lunch application was not submitted, you will be moved to a full price breakfast and lunch.
Families who have not submitted an application by now, but wish to participate in the free and reduced lunch program, can still submit an application.
See what's for lunch here.
HEALTH OFFICE NOTES
- Dear families, please update Emergency Contacts and Health Condition's on Infinite Campus.
- Make sure your student EATS HEALTHY BREAKFAST every morning prior to school and BRINGS WATER to school.
- Reminder: All Health Forms and Health Protocol is available on the district website for your convenience.
What is Happening in Our Classrooms
Preschool
For the month of September our Big Day theme is "My Family". We will be learning about family members, taking care of each other, and things our families like to do.
Fundations: We will be working on the letters I, J, K, L, M, N, O, and P. The letters are introduced 2 per week. Please ask your students questions such as the letter names and the sounds they make.
Math: Origo math will be about measuring this month. We will be comparing, size, length, shapes and much more!
Science: Echos science this month is "Blocks Measure Up". We will be using blocks to build, measure, paint, and other fun activities.
Kinder
Reading- we are learning letters, sounds and sight words
Writing- we are drawing a picture that includes characters, setting and an event then writing a sentence that tells about the picture. We are also practicing correct letter formation.
Math-we are learning about shapes and focusing on numbers 0-5
PLTW- We will begin our unit on coding-animals and algorithms.
1st Grade
Math: Subtracting within 10, using counters and ten-frames. Comparing groups to subtract.
Leader in Me: We will be reviewing and spending all week on Habit #3- Put First Things First.
Thinking Maps: We will be introducing the Multi Flow Map to classify.
2nd Grade
Math - we will be figuring out even and odd numbers by putting them in pairs or counting by 2’s, and skip counting by 5’s, 10’s and 100’s forward and backwards up to 1,000.
We will also be working on place value concepts.
Reading -we will be working on sequencing and main idea and details.
In writing, we will be writing personal narratives and learning how to start an informational paragraph.
In Science/Social Studies, we will be starting out PLTW unit on the Changing Earth.
3rd grade
Our 3rd grade students enjoyed sharing their favorite things during our “What’s in Your Sack?” activity. Our learners are working hard to increase their math facts fluency. Our goal is for every 3rd grade student to master their multiplication facts by the end of this school year.
4th grade
Fourth grade ELA is working on Story Elements: Characters, Setting, Problem, Plot, and Resolution. Students are also writing their Mission Statements for the school year.
5th Grade
In social studies we are continuing to learn about events that led to the American Revolutionary War and how these conflicts impacted change. We are also beginning writing personal narratives.
In reading we are continuing to work on close reading strategies using stories that tie with the American Revolution.
In science we will be exploring how robotics can help protect resources and help the environment.
In math fifth graders are doing prime and composite numbers and working on division.
SPED NEWS
Gaylord's Class:
Answering WHO, WHAT, WHERE questions during and after our weekly story. Students are also working on writing their names, counting, making groups to show numbers and learning correct behaviors to make us successful members of our school.
Bojanowski's Class:
In September Ms. Bojanowski’s class will continue to work hard in their reading, math, and writing centers. We will be doing a unit on Johnny Appleseed and starting our Fall art activities.
Albertini's Class:
We will be practicing speaking and presentation skills. Students will be creating short video presentations to post to Ms. Albertini's online ClassTag website. The videos will be important information about events and special activities happening at Andersen. This is a fun speaking activity for the students to do in order to communicate to their families and increase participation.
STEP IT UP READING FUNDRAISER
This year 's Read-a-Thon is focusing on the mind and body! Andersen Astronauts will celebrate their reading and fundraising accomplishments with a "Day of Awesomeness!". Andersen PTO would love to see 100% participation, as this is our largest fundraiser of the year!
If you have any questions, please contact andersenpto@gmail.com
HOW IT WORKS:
REGISTER and bring back your "Golden Ticket":
https://stepitupkids.com/Andersen85224/
READ:
Read every night or ask someone to read to you. Track your reading minutes every night and bring your reading log to school to share with your teacher.
REWARDS:
The class in each grade with the highest reading participation will win a class party.
The student in each class who reads the most minutes will win a book light!
Leader In Me - Ways to Support Leader in Me at Home By Dr. John and Jane Covey
Readers are Leaders!
Every year we join in this month-long celebration designed to encourage reading as a fun activity for the whole family. Reading, and understanding what you read, is a skill that everyone needs to be successful. The best way to improve understanding is to read a lot. There is nothing like a challenging book to lift you up or take you to another world. Developing a love of reading will be an asset to your child in all areas of school and give him/her a jumpstart to a lifetime of reading.
Below is a list of books that your child will enjoy while also reinforcing the 7 Habits at home. Additional suggestions can be found at The Leader in Me Online.
Lower Elementary (K-3) Read the book together. As your child questions about how the characters used the habits
Upper Elementary (4-6) Your child read the book to you. Ask questions about how the child uses the habits.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Click, Clack, Cows that Moo by Doreen Cronin
Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Jamaica’s Find by Juanita Havill
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle
Let’s Be Enemies be Janice May Udry
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand Then to be Understood
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman
Habit 6: Synergize
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
Clifford’s Spring Clean-Up by Normal Bridwell
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson
ANDERSEN SITE COUNCIL
We are looking for parents and community members who would like to participate in Andersen Elementary’s Site Council.
The membership of the site council/parent leadership team is made up of 4 staff members, 3+ parents, and a community member. Because we will be using a shared leadership model, members of the site council may be asked to assume leadership in an area of school operations that is of interest. The focus for the 2019-20 school year will be on Community Involvement, Site based Improvements, and Campus Safety.
Meetings will be kept to 60 minutes in length.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Dear Families,
Thank you for your patience as we are working with new picture company this year.
For those who have sent in orders after picture day (or students did not give orders to photographer as they were getting pictures taken): your pictures will be 2-3 weeks late.
For those who want to order pictures:
1. Find your Portait ID and Access Code, which is unique to each student, on your proofs or order sheet.
2. Go to MyLifetouch.com
Feel free to call us or email Neja at croneberger.neja@cusd80.com with any questions.