The Spartan Scoop
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO SCHOOL NEWS AND EVENTS February 2018
Save the Date
- Feb. 1, 2018: Public Hearing on Superintendent Search, 6:30 pm, Denbigh Community Center
- Feb. 5, 2018: Kick Off Virginia Reads One Book, The Lemonade War book in a bag sent home with ALL students
- Feb. 6, 2018: Period 2: 9-Wks Report Issued
Feb. 7, 2018: Bayport Credit Union Savings Day
- Feb. 14, 2018: 5th grade goes to Virginia Symphony Orchestra Performance at the Ferguson Center for the Arts
- Feb. 16, 2018: Coffee Chat with the Principal, 8:15 a.m. in the Library
- Feb. 19, 2018: President's Day-Schools and Offices Open
- Feb. 26, 2018: Family STEM Night, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 26-Mar 9.: Double Good "Delicious Popcorn" School Fundraiser
Principal's Corner
Greetings Spartan Scholars and Families,
This month our school will be embarking on a special project, an all-school book club called Virginia Reads One Book. Every family will receive a copy of the same book – The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies – and will be asked to read it together at home over the next few weeks. I am personally asking you to make the time so that your family can participate in this special activity.
Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader, and it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. With the Virginia Reads One Book program, we aim to build a Community of Readers at our school. Everyone – students, parents, teachers, even administrative staff will all be following along together.
Your child will receive a copy of The Lemonade War Monday, February 5. Along with the book, you will receive a reading schedule so that you can keep up at home. Generally, you will be asked to read about 15 minutes each night. If you are unable to read together due to your work schedule, children can access the audio books on Youtube.
In school, your child will be invited to answer daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive listening. You will soon find that your child will take pride in knowing and anticipating the details of the story. In class, students will explore the book through activities and discussion. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so that your child can be included. Throughout the month, everyone will be talking about The Lemonade War!
Virginia Reads One Book is a novel program in that children of all grade levels will all be listening to their parents read same book. Strange or daring as that may seem, it actually makes sound educational sense. Reading professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child's own reading level. We also believe that you can and should continue reading chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. We have selected a title that can be followed and understood and enjoyed by younger students, but will still captivate and stimulate older children.
I know that you’ll enjoy this special reading time with your children. I hope to talk with both you and your student sometime this month about Jessie and Evan and their lemonade competition – and maybe even a little about math and economics! "When a whole state reads a book, there's a lot to talk about." With your help, we can build a Community of Readers at our school.
Together we can achieve the extraordinary!
Counselor's Corner
Candy Grams
Saunders Elementary SCA will be sponsoring A Valentine’s Day Candy gram. Beginning on Thursday, February 8th thru Friday, February 13th, students may purchase a candy gram to send to other students and staff here at school. A candy gram is a message slip with a lollipop attached. The message slips will be on sale for only $ .50, before school and during all lunches. Please have students fill out the message slips below and bring in the money during the times listed above. All Candy grams will be delivered to the students on Wednesday, February 14th, 2018. Please See Mrs. Carter, School Counselor with any questions.
Kindness Challenge
During the week of February 12-16, Saunders will be participating in the Great Kindness Challenge. During this week students will be challenged to perform as many kind acts as they can in one week. To motivate the students, we will have a different theme each day to celebrate Kindness.
- Monday, February 12 – “Dream of Kindness!”- Students wear pajamas (no slippers).
- Tuesday, February 13- “We are crazy about Kindness”- Wear mix-match clothes>
- Wednesday-February 14- “Show your Kind Character”- Dress as your favorite book character.
- Thursday, February 15- “Nothing Beats Kindness!”- Wear your favorite team Jersey.
- Friday, February 16- “Spartans are Kind!” Wear blue and white.
Mad Science
Fifth Graders Team Investigation
Deep Sea Exploration!
Computer Game Review Fun!
Fourth Grade Marvels
This month, 4th grade Marvels were glad to return to school after the snow days and get back to all of our great learning. In math, we were becoming more fluent with multiplication facts and learning multiple digit multiplication and long division. This week we began to explore clocks and learn to calculate elapsed time. In Va. Studies, we began the exciting adventure of learning about the American Revolution. Students have experienced exciting role plays as we have acted out how the colonists grew to feel the need to create our own country. Students then expressed the thoughts, feelings, and the actions that the colonists took to fight for their independence.
Vocabulary Word Detectives!
Sensational Support Team Groups!
Kindergarten Smarties!
Saunders' Artists on Display
Caution Artists at Work!
Wonderful Weavings!
Cardio Drumming!
Seeking STEM Materials!
Saunders is in need of recyclable materials for our STEM bins!
What are the bins for? Newport News Public Schools promote the idea of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics for creating critical thinkers and problem solvers. The bins are to help gather recyclable materials that we can use for design and engineering challenges. This is a central location that can help keep the donated materials so that teachers and student can access different materials.
Many of the items you have at home can be used. Egg cartons, toilet and paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, newspaper, and plastic bottles are some of the many items that can be shared with the Saunders Spartans. The next time you come to visit, please stop and take a look in the front hallway.
Coming Soon! Saunders' Double Good School Fundraiser!
Great news! Saunders is doing a Double Good Fundraiser! Not only do they make tasty gourmet popcorn but 50% of every dollar sold goes back to us! We’re raising money for Scholastic Magazine, Mad Science, Kelso's Choices, Play Works, and more! Our goal is to raise $10,000. In order to reach this goal, we are asking each participant to sell $30.00. Enjoy a yummy sample at Monday, February 26 Saunders' STEM Night!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Kickoff Date: Monday, February 26
Return Order Forms: Friday, March 9
About Us
Website: saunders.nn.k12.va.us
Location: 853 Harpersville Road, Newport News, VA, United States
Phone: 757-591-4781
Facebook: facebook.com/JosephHSaundersElementarySchool
Twitter: @saundersnnps