Thomson Tidbits
February 1, 2021
Important News for You!
February 1, 2021
Hello Thomson Families,
As Mrs. Miller previously informed you, she is out of the building on medical leave and I am here in her place until she returns. I would like to thank all of you for your support during this time.
Just a little introduction of myself. I was a teacher at Gates for six years teaching fourth grade. I became Assistant Principal at Central for two years then became Principal at Wolcott for four years. I was then hired to be Principal at Central for 25 years. My last two years was Principal at Hahn. So a total of 39 years at Davison. Since my retirement, I have filled in at all the elementary schools plus Hahn and the Middle School.
It is a pleasure working with your children and try to help Mrs. Miller while she is out. This is a great staff here that care about the children. Mrs. Miller and I have been in touch on how things are going. If you see me standing in the bus lane, don't be afraid to introduce yourself.
Most Sincerely,
Ron Adam
Guest Principal
Update on Mrs. Miller
Report Cards
Parent Pick Up
SNOW GEAR!
Counselor Corner with Mrs. Ganabathi
PTO News
Mark your calendars, our next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 16 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be held over Zoom. More details to follow.
Music with Mr. Romanik
Hello again Thomson parents! We have been very busy at Thomson so far this school year, and I wanted to share with you some of the things we have been working on in music class. For your convenience, I have put in bold music vocabulary that we have been using, and I have italicized any songs/chants that your child has been exposed to.
Since our holiday break, students have been learning and practicing the beat a lot. Specifically, students learned that ALL SONGS actually have TWO beats: a big beat and a little beat. Students learn that the big beat is slower and that the little beat is faster. If you sing the song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” the little beat is the rhythm that the words “twinkle, twinkle” move to, while the big beat goes exactly half that speed. Being able to identify and move to different levels of beat is one of the most fundamental skills of musicianship, and is something your child will be working on for years in Davison’s elementary music program and even at higher grade levels. Students got experience moving to the big beat with partners with the song Let’s Play in the Snow, and practiced moving their bodies to the beat and playing xylophones to the beat with the song Hop Old Squirrel.
We also have been practicing moving in different pathways (straight or curvy) while moving to recorded music and driving a galimoto. A galimoto is a toy vehicle that is traditionally made in Africa. Students push the galimoto to make it use, while students follow in a “follow the leader” fashion. As students become more advanced, we use two or three galimotos at a time, which requires the “driver” of each galimoto to be very aware of not only where their own line is moving, but any other lines. This activity is a favorite for many children.
Your child has also had experiences with two different circle dances so far this school year, including one recently using the parachute. Circle dances a great way for students to explore form. While we do not label form at this age, students become aware that our parachute song has four parts, and each of those parts correspond to different movements. Understanding form is an essential part of learning how music is made up of smaller pieces and how it is organized on a larger level. It is easy to talk about form with music you hear on the radio: Most songs have verses, choruses, and often a “bridge.” Again, we don’t use those labels for young children, but children do start to become aware that music has parts that sound different, sound the same, and sometimes repeat.
Please ask your child about what is happening in their music class so you can learn more about what they are doing and simultaneously reinforce their own learning! I also encourage you to have music playing at home and to interact musically (sing, chant, listen, dance, play etc.) with your child as much as possible. If you have any questions/comments for me related to your child’s music education, please do not hesitate to email me at mromanik@davisonschools.org. I can also be contacted via telephone at Thomson Elementary at 810-591-0911.
-Mr. Romanik
If you are interested in learning more about "Music Learning Theory,” the body of research which your child’s kindergarten music curriculum is based on, please visit: http://giml.org/mlt/about/
Important Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
- February 3 - Virtual Conferences/ 4-6 pm. Sign up with your child's teacher!
- February 4 - Report Cards go home
- February 10 - Supplemental Count Day! Your child's attendance is extra important!
- February 15 - President's Day - NO SCHOOL
- February 16 - PTO Meeting, 6:00 PM - Virtual
We are Here to Help-Important Contact Information!
While it is always best to reach out to your child's teacher first, below is a list of other Thomson Staff that you may want or need to contact. Please remember that we are here to help!
Mrs. Miller, Principal-Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0910
Mr. Ron Adam, Substitute Principal (January 18-Mid-March): radam@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
Mrs. Ganabathi, School Counselor-Email: aganabathi@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0907; Google Phone Number: 810-346-3166
Mrs. Campbell, Literacy Coach-Email: mcampbell@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
Mrs. Amy Chorley, MTSS Behavior Coach-Email: achorley@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0907
Mrs. Anna Wojciechowski, Secretary to the Principal-Email: awojciechowksi@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
Mrs. Sue Dorman, Secretary-sdorman@davisonschools.org; Thomson Phone Number: 810-591-0911
Thomson Elementary
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-0911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThomsonPTO