Algonkian Elementary
September, 2021 Newsletter
Principal Page
The school year is off to a great start and it is exciting to have students back in the building. Algonkian and other schools across our country still face challenges with the Covid Virus. The students are doing a great job following our health mitigations and we are constantly reflecting on how to ensure students stay safe. I suggest parents check out the return to school LCPS page https://www.lcps.org/ReturnToSchool2021 for more information. You can also go to Quick links on the Algonkian website to review our Covid Symptom protocols.
I appreciate all of our students and families walking to school. This is a tremendous help to our small parking lot. It is also great to see the bike rack full of bikes. Your efforts have helped reduce traffic in our parking lot.
I would also like to remind those walking to school to make sure your dog is on a leash and by your side. We have students that are allergic to dogs and students that are afraid of dogs.
Lastly I want to give my gratitude for our community and our PTA for our walk a thon. We had great weather and plenty of helpful volunteers. We appreciate all your support!
Library
NEWS FROM THE ALGONKIAN LIBRARY
- Grades K-2 have been learning about how to take care of our library books. The students learned how to do the “Bookie Lookie” and use a shelf marker to choose books off the shelves. We read the book, A Perfectly Messed-Up Story, which showed many yucky things to NOT get on our library books.
- Grades 3-5 have been learning about how to access ebooks (electronic or digital books) using MackinVia. MackinVia is available 24/7 through LCPSGo in the Library Resources folder and has over 2,000 ebooks to choose from. We read an ebook found in MackinVia called The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do, about a kid who went from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset by saying she can’t climb a tree...yet.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM AT CASCADES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Thank you to everyone who participated in the summer reading program through the Loudoun County Public Libraries! We came in FIRST PLACE for our Cascades library area and SECOND PLACE out of ALL the elementary schools in the whole county! Way to go Bobcats! Another golden trophy is coming our way!
FALL BOOK FAIR IS COMING SOON!
We “MUSTACHE” you a question. Are you ready for the Fall Book Fair??? The Scholastic Book Fair is back and this time with less restrictions than our Spring Fair. The book fair will run from September 27th to October 1st and have before and after school times for shopping. There will still be a fully online ordering option. Look for more details and shopping time sign-ups coming out soon!
Feel free to email Mrs. Whitehouse with any questions: susanne.whitehouse@lcps.org
HAPPY READING!
Art
Hello Bobcat Artists!!!
I hope that you all are doing well and having an ARTASTIC September!
This month students will be creating a variety of projects inspired by artists from diverse backgrounds.
Art Supplies: students will be bringing their supply boxes with them to Art and and will need the standard school supplies: pencil, eraser, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, and glue. We understand if your students need Art Supply assistance, if you do, please email Ms. Michael, Ms. Ryan, or Ms. Hansen the Parent Liaison.
If you have questions, please contact me at Caryn.Michael@lcps.org
Music
What is going on in the music room?
This school year, we are excited to have all our Bobcats back in the music room utilizing voices and instruments. We have been reviewing safety protocols, ensuring that we enjoy our music experience to the fullest. In addition, all students are presently contributing to our “How music inspires our minds to bloom” bulletin board.
In Kindergarten students will demonstrate steady beat & short rhythm patterns. Students will be able to differentiate between high/low sounds. Students will explore dramatic play & body awareness. Students will be able to identify a pitched and un-pitched instrument.
In 1st Grade students will demonstrate a quarter rest & tied eighth notes. Students will experience up/down scale tones. Students will explore loud & quiet dynamics. Students will be able to identify two to three pitched and un-pitched instruments.
In 2nd Grade students will demonstrate quarter, half & eighth notes. Students will demonstrate proper vocal technique. Students will explore forte vs. piano dynamics. Students will be able to identify certain pitched and un-pitched instruments.
In 3rd Grade students will demonstrate pulse, specifically quarter, half & whole rests. Students will be able to label a musical staff. Students will differentiate between crescendo & decrescendo.
In 4th Grade students will demonstrate the concept “question & answer” using body percussion. Students will review the treble clef lines & spaces. Students will identify the recorder family & orchestral woodwind family.
In 5th Grade students will demonstrate conducting in 4/4 time. Students will review major vs minor scales. Students will demonstrate musical expression through speaking, singing, and moving.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s music teacher, either Kim.comrie@lcps.org or Ronald.holmes@lcps.org.
Technology- Ms. Burkett
Welcome Back Algonkian! Algonkian Elementary is a Common-Sense Digital Citizenship Certified school. We renew our certification every two years. This year I will continue to share resources for parents on topics that hopefully are important to you.
We are starting this year off with Digital Citizenship lessons focusing on high security passwords and Privacy and Internet Safety. This link gives you choices to explore questions and concerns based on your student’s age.
If you scroll to the bottom of the linked page, there are a series of short videos to watch and possibly share with your student if you choose. Have fun and safe surfing the web!
Internet safety site for Parents:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety
Internet Safety Video for Kids:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/5-internet-safety-tips-for-kidsParent Liaison - Ms. Hansen
Happy Back To School Bobcat Families! My name is Casey Hansen and I am the new Parent Liaison at our wonderful school. Just a quick note about my background; I have lived in Loudoun County for the past 16 years and I have 3 children that attend Algonkian Elementary. I love our community and I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with your children and the families of Algonkian.
Throughout the year, our school is offered many great resources from both the county as well as private organizations. In these ever-changing economic times, you may find yourself in need of outside resources and assistance. As the Parent Liaison I would love to share these resources and help you meet any needs your family may have. If you ever find your child in need of assistance with any of the following, please contact me at casey.hansen@lcps.org or (571) 434-3240. Some of the areas we can help with include, but are not limited to;
- food needs, including weekend backpack meals
- school supplies
- backpacks
- clothing needs, such as winter coats and accessories
- eye glasses, dental needs and other healthcare needs
- Various in-school expenses
- Interpretation services
Recently I sent home a form for our Resource Assistance Program which allows families to self-identify to receive resources from the county and private organizations. Please email me directly if you have not yet completed the form but would like to be included in this program. All information will remain strictly confidential. I look forward to working with our Bobcat families!
PE
All students took part in lessons and activities pertaining to gym rules and procedures that included playground safety.
Kindergarten – Third Grades
- Space Awareness- Personal and general.
- Locomotor skills- Galloping and Skipping.
- Throwing and catching skills unit – Striking stationary targets with underhand toss.
Future Activities
- Short jump rope skills
- Locomotor – Slide step.
Fourth and Fifth Grades
- Space awareness – Personal and General (Pac Man Game)
- Games for recess unit – two square, four square and various lead- up basketball games.
- Striking mobile objects with hands.
Future Activities
- Fitness Test Prep
- Fitness Testing – Upper body strength, flexibility, abdominal strength, cardiorespiratory endurance.
Get ready to enjoy the great fall weather that will be upon us soon!
Have a Great month,
Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Terango
SEARCH/Futura
Our first SEARCH lessons have gone well. First, second and fourth grade students have been focusing on the skills of creative thinking. They have transformed circles, Xs and Os into unique designs! We have some wonderful artists, and students who have demonstrated that they can express their ideas with detailed drawings. Great work! Third grade students used logic and reasoning in the "Back-to-school Go Getter" game. Students had to solve challenges by creating pathways of road pieces from one object on the board to another.
EDGE groups for grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 will begin this week. Teachers have been notified about the students who will attend EDGE. Our focus this week will be creative thinking.
The transition FUTURA program has a new name: FUTURA Fusion! It reflects the fusion of the old and new curriculum for FUTURA. Our fifth-grade students listened to a book, What The Road Said, by Cleo Wade. They are designing their own road posters that show the ups and downs of their life, and their hopes and goals for the future. The class is busy planning their first civic engagement project of the year. We are asking for community support for Ronald McDonald House at INOVA Fairfax Hospital through the collection of aluminum pop-tabs from soda and beverage cans, cat and dog food, tennis balls, and other pop top cans. Ronald McDonald House uses the funds from recycling the tabs to defray the expenses of helping families with hospitalized children have a place to stay, meals and snacks, and entertainment - some of the comforts of home while they support their child. Diana and Henry have stepped up to lead this first project. They are learning about leadership, but also experiencing the challenges of leading.
Information about the identification process for gifted services will be coming soon. It will be shared as soon as it is available!
Algonkian Elementary School
Assistant Principal: Karen Shields
Bookkeeper:Gayle Cowden
Registrar: Peggy Franzen
Health Specialist-:Meg Tuma
Email: brian.blubaugh@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/algonkian
Location: 20196 Carter Court, Sterling, VA, USA
Phone: 571-434-3240
Twitter: @ALG_LCPS