Butlerville Bulletin
February 2020
PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
Dear Butlerville Families,
Did you know that reading 20 minutes a day with your child is the best investment your family can make in their future? Research shows that children who read just 20 minutes per day score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests. Come to the Book Fair to stock up on books your child will love reading and ignite your home reading habits.
Please mark your calendars to visit our Book Fair and discover your child’s next favorite book!
Book Fair dates: February 27-March 6
Special activities: Book Fair will be open BOTH conference nights!
Introducing Book Fair eWallet! Let your child shop the Fair cash-free with our NEW digital payment option.
Learn more on our Book Fair homepage and get started creating an account:https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/harlanbutlervilleprimary1
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our Online Fair at scholastic.com/fair.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Jamie Miles
Principal
Reading at Home
By Ann Marie Klein, Literacy Coach
Falling in Love with Books
In November, I mentioned my dad reading Winnie the Pooh every year throughout my childhood. As I became a reader, I discovered titles I wanted to read and reread. Both the local and school librarians knew which books I’d be looking to check out repeatedly and often suggested new, yet similar titles. This is what we want for our students….to fall in love with books, to WANT to read the same book over and over again, to be gently guided to open their minds to new, yet similar titles.
Here are a few benefits of ‘falling in love’ with books:
Reading dares you to grow.
First you learn words and sentences that grow into stories, learning about characters and ideas through picture books. These grow to beginning chapter books with a few photos to chapter books without photographs. Along the way we read nonfiction labels and captions and move to reading for information on particular topics.
Books allow us to learn about the world beyond our own experiences.
We read about characters that live in places unlike our own. They take us to someone else’s experiences (real or imagined) and how others respond to problems or challenges.
Reading helps you remember.
Re-reading favorite books, or reading about familiar places, times and people helps us recall the details of our own lives.
Need some inspiration? Below are links to book lists to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/book-lists-and-recommendations.html
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/book-lists/favorite-books-for-first-graders/
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/book-lists/favorite-books-for-second-graders/
Specials' Spot: Library/Media
The library has been very busy reinforcing book care, the process for checking in and out books, and how to be responsible citizens to get their books back to school before checkouts.
We have been learning the difference between fiction and nonfiction, biography and autobiography, and learning how books are placed in order on the bookshelves (fiction by the last three letters of the author's last name, nonfiction by numbers). We are learning many new vocabulary words, the author's purpose in writing a book, and retelling stories. Most recently, the second grade classes had a lesson using the book, The Library Mouse. Before they exited the library, they looked into a teacher created rectangular tissue box which had a note attached to the top that read, "Meet the Author!" with an arrow pointing down. The mirror inside reflected their own faces so it could be instilled in them that they are ALL author's and capable of writing (just as in the story). I loved seeing their faces light up as each one took a peek into the box.
I am so impressed with how well the kiddos are learning how to log in and out of the computers. I may have fell to the floor and passed out because they continue to blow me away! I plan on finishing up "sticker day" in February to reward them for all their lessons they are passing in Type to Learn. Thanks for sharing your kiddos with me each day. Let's keep them reading and practicing their typing skills. Readers are leaders!
-Mrs. Carmack
Library/Media Specialist
Notes from the Nurse
From Valentine’s Day to American Heart Month, February is all about the heart. Be good to your heart and body and pass down healthy lifestyle choices to your children. Be active with one hour of physical activity a day, keep a healthy weight and make good choices with eating. Start healthy eating habits with your children. Know that they are watchful and by seeing your healthy eating and activity patterns they will likely repeat them.
As a follow up from the fiber notes and recipes from last month, thank you for the notes of wanting more recipes packed with fiber. This meatloaf recipe is full of fiber and tastes delicious. You can use lean beef or ground chicken or turkey along with oat bran and flaxseed. It can be served with potatoes, salad, and a vegetable. Add cut up fresh fruit for dessert and a glass of milk to round it out.
Wishing everyone the best health, Wendy Gordon, Harlan- Butlerville School Nurse.
Counselor's Corner
School Counselor's Corner:
This month my classroom visits are focusing on empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person's feelings, for example, walking a mile in someone else's shoes. As a class we talk about what empathy is and how we can show empathy toward others. We read the book "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld who discusses the idea of listening and showing empathy. The students then have the opportunity to look at four different pairs of shoes and hear a story about the owner of the shoes. We work to identify what emotions the person may feel and what we could do or say to help them feel better.
Core Essentials Program:
Our Value for the month of February is Creativity. Creativity is using your imagination to do something unique. We have a unique opportunity this month on February 20th where our Junior High School ReCo Ambassadors will be presenting a lesson to our students. ReCo Ambassadors are students in the Junior High School who plan and implement their Core Essentials program. We are very excited for their visit. Be sure to look out for pictures on our social media platforms!
Upcoming Events from the School Counseling Department:
- Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 16-23. Our students will receive extra focus and attention on kindness this week.
- JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
We are once again having the Junior Achievement program with our students. Junior Achievement is a program that teaches our children about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship through community volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for this opportunity please complete the yellow sign up form, contact your child's teacher or contact the school counselor.
Connect with the School Counselor:
If you have any questions or concerns, or need to connect with me, please reach out to me by phone or email. I would love to work with you!
Brittany Stultz, School Counselor
513-899-4760 ext. 45427
Fine Motor Skill Practice
As we are well into the season of winter, it is a great time for your child to learn about arctic animals. February 27th is International Polar Bear Day. Here are some polar bear themed fine motor activities and a game you can do with your child to practice their fine motor skills:
www.stillplayingschool.com/2015/01/polar-bear-crafts-activities-for-kids.html
https://www.toolstogrowot.com/blog/2016/01/03/fluffy-polar-bear-tactile-craft
Also, here are some fun sensory play and movement polar bear themed activities:
https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/polar-animals-sensory-play.htmlhttps://www.theottoolbox.com/polar-bear-theme-gross-motor-and/
https://www.pinkoatmeal.com/arctic-themed-gross-motor-play-ideas/
Mrs. Houchins and Mrs. Ellis from Occupational Therapy
Gross Motor Activities - Yoga
Yoga is a great way to get some exercise on a daily basis. Below are some reasons why this form of exercise can be helpful (www.yourtherapysource.com). A few minutes a day engaging in yoga exercises can make a difference.
- Yoga increases physical activity. It is recommended that children participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
- Yoga teaches children to relax. Children’s schedules are super busy – school, extra-curricular activities, sports, etc. Today’s children need to reduce stress with relaxation techniques.
- Yoga is for all children. Yoga can be modified to be completed by all children including those with physical disabilities.
- Yoga helps children to control their emotions. Deep breathing exercises can help children to reduce anxiety and calm down in stressful situations.
- Yoga helps with self-regulation skills. Children learn how to respond to and control their body.
- Yoga improves muscle strength and flexibility. Growing up today in this sedentary, technology filled world takes a toll on an individual’s body. When children maintain good flexibility and muscle strength they can prevent injuries during sporting activities.
- Yoga can help to improve attention span and focus. Children need to concentrate during yoga poses which in turn can help them to increase their attention span and focus.
- Yoga helps children develop balance and coordination skills. Coordinating the movements of yoga poses combined with balance skills on one foot, knees or upside down can be challenging.
- Yoga improves posture. Children spend so much time sitting at their school desks, leaning over a keyboard or hunched over a cell phone. Yoga poses can help to improve spinal alignment and posture.
- Yoga helps children develop listening skills. Children have to listen to the directions how to move their body including right and left directionality
- Resources. www.gonoodle.com, www.cosmickids.com, Super Stretch Yoga app or other apps available for phone and iPad.
Diana Batsch – Physical Therapy
Upcoming Dates
February 24: Delayed Start
February 27: Conferences (4:15pm-7:45pm)
February 27-March 6: Book Fair
March 5: Conferences (4:15pm-7:45pm)
March 6: End of 3rd Quarter
March 12: PTO Meeting (4:45pm)
March 13: Report cards go home
March 17: No School (Teacher Inservice)
March 19: Spring Picture Day
March 30-April 3: Right to Read Week
April 9: Walk-a-thon
April 10-20: No School (Spring Break)
April 25: Fine Arts Festival
April 27-May 1: Career Week
April 29: First Grade Music Concert (at the High School)
Contact Us
Email: jmiles@lmsdoh.org
Website: www.littlemiamischools.com
Location: 8276 State Route 132, Blanchester, OH, USA
Phone: 5138995200
Twitter: @LM_MrsMiles