Elm Road Express October 2018
"Putting Dreams into Flight"
Principal Dr. Soto Kile
October is a busy month at Elm Road! Our teachers are currently administering the Dibels,
(K-2) and mini-assessments, and Everyday Math and Pearson Reading assessments. These
results will be reviewed with parents at conference time and used to help guide our
instructional day. In addition, 3-5th grade students just completed the Airways assessment.
Thank you also for your participation during our recent Parent Information Nights. It is an
important time for us to communicate class procedures and our yearly curriculum guide. I
am appreciative of all of the PTO and fundraiser support. These funds help all of our
students in so many ways.
I would also like to thank Mrs. Gibson. Mrs. Gibson, mom to Harper, in kindergarten was instrumental in securing a $5,000.00 grant from the Grainger Foundation. This grant will allow us to purchase additional bears for the children at Beacon Children's Hospital. Our collaboration with Elsie Rogers in reading The Lemonade War has been a great success. Our first lemonade sale, we raised just over $160.00. That's a lot of lemonade!
I look forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming conferences. I encourage all of our
students to attend the meetings. Each student has an important role to play, and I think it is
critical that they hear the good things being said about them. Most teachers have a student
led portion in which the students share some of their work/goals. I am hoping for perfect
attendance from our building this year. We will also have our book fair open for all families
to enjoy.
Dates to Remember
October 10th 1st, 3rd, 5th Grade Vision Screening
October 10th Snite Museum for Mrs. Garton and Mrs. Richard Class 2nd Grade
October 12th Snite Museum for Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Tornquist Class 2nd Grade
October 17th End of 1st Grading Period
October 19th-25th Fall Book Fair
October 23rd-24th Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
October 26th & 29th Recess Days- No school!
Notes from the Office
- ·Parents, please call the school office in the morning before 9 am, when your student is absent for the day or will be arriving late. Otherwise, it will be marked unexcused (call 574-259-3743, press 1 for attendance).
- Please be aware that the front office is not able to make change for field trips, lunch accounts, fee payments etc. Families are being asked to pay with the exact amount that is required for payment.
- If you are a family needing duplicate copies of report cards and office notifications send a note to the teacher with the proper mailing information, so that we may get those items to you in a prompt manner.
- Picture Retakes are Nov. 2nd. If you child needs a retake, please bring back the first packet of pictures on Nov 2nd. New students that missed picture day, will receive a form.
PHM School Corporation News
NEW! ILEARN Parent Brochure Available
The ILEARN Family Brochure is now available on the IDOE website and via the Indiana Assessment Portal. Don’t forget to register for email updates so you are notified when additional ILEARN resources become available on the Indiana Assessment Portal.
We are Elm Road Eagles
Website: elmroad.phmshcools.org
Location: 59400 Elm Road, Mishawaka, IN, USA
Phone: 574-259-3743
Twitter: @ElmroadES
Meet Some of Our New Staff
Mr. Cardoza, ENL Teacher
Mrs. Kreske, Universal Sub
Mrs. Stanley, EA
Student of the Month
Congratulations to the following
“Eagles” for their wonderful
“SOAR” behavior
Barnes/Kelleher: Amelia DeCicco & Clayton Lewis
Miller: Vanessa Garcia & Jackson Bevis
Portolese: Molly Cummins & Liam Phillips
Renz: Michaela Emmons & Levi Karnath
Bush: Alex Vanvynckt & Deya Fey
Hinton: Anna Gordenier & Collin Hintz
Taylor: Will Armenteros & Kaylynn Chau
Clark: Greyson VanSandt & JJ Bell
Garton: Jenna Fair & Trea Echols
Richard: Brielle Moore & Garrett Werntz
Tornquist: Abby Freeman & Riley Hoover
Anderson: Kyle Gretencord & Brady Bennett
Myers: Kayla Chau & Dominic Fey
Pillow: Nadine Sheikhah & Charlie Christianson
Cook: Brianna Frost & Esmeralda Peredes-Hernandez
Fisher: Evan Wiseman & Mitchell Forsythe
Keough: Warren Arndt & Michael Nardini
Newcomer: Abigail Patzschke & Nick Rochefort
Freeman: Gavin Steinhaus & River Sandoval
Kertai: Cash Caloni & Maya Burks
Mellor: Grant Spadafore & Quinn Hayden
Shreiner: Kevin Do & Londyn DuVal
Jumpin' Eagles Team
I've had a number of students ask about where I purchase jump ropes. The place I order my beaded ropes from is buyjumpropes.net. if they are interested in purchasing one for their child(ren).
Greetings from the Elm Road Music Room!
In October, grades 1-3 will be studying Edvard Grieg and grades 4-5 will be studying George Gershwin. Here's a little more of what each grade is working on:
1st: Quarter and Eighth note rhythms, Singing Voice vs. Speaking Voice, Introducing So and Mi
2nd: So La Mi Songs
3rd: Rounds, Creating word chain rhythms
4th and 5th: Continue Recorder unit.
I have created a music website for 4th and 5th grade students. The link can be found on Elm Road's website. They are to use the music and videos on the site to practice at home as I will be assessing each student this month. Please email me with any questions!
Mrs. Nakayama
School Nurse News
The flu can be very dangerous for children. CDC estimates that since 2010, between 7,000 and 26,000 children younger than 5 years of age have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of flu. During past seasons, approximately 80% of flu-associated deaths in children have occurred in children who were not vaccinated.
You have the power to protect your child and your family from flu this season by getting vaccinated and making sure everyone in your family 6 months and older gets their yearly flu vaccine too.
This season, only injectable flu vaccines (flu shots) are recommended for use. The nasal spray vaccine LAIV is NOT recommended for use because of concerns about how well it might work.
Help keep your family healthy this flu season. Fight flu. Get your family vaccinated.
5TH GRADE PARENTS: ONCE YOUR STUDENT TURNS 11, THEY CAN GET THEIR 6TH GRADE SHOTS. IF YOU GET THEIR 6TH GRADE SHOTS, PLEASE TURN IN THE VACCINE RECORD TO THE HEALTH OFFICE OR HAVE YOUR DOCTORS OFFICE FAX IT 574-258-9384.
PLEASE REMEMBER: ANY MEDICATION FOR YOUR STUDENT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT IN BY AN ADULT, IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING. IF IT IS OVER THE COUNTER IT NEEDS TO BE CHILDRENS UNLESS YOU HAVE A DOCTORS NOTE PRESCRIBING IT. WE ALSO NEED AUTHORIZATION TO ADMINISTER FORMS FILLED OUT BY A PARENT FOR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION AND A DOCTOR FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS. YOU CAN GET THESE FORMS IN THE ELM ROAD HEALTH OFFICE.
Library Lines
The students have been enjoying our library and have been checking out many books. Please continue to help your children take responsibility for the books they are borrowing by being sure to keep books in a safe place and returning them within two weeks after they have checked them out. Reading goals set as a family are very important to developing good readers and it’s a wonderful opportunity for family bonding.
October 22-25 the Elm Road PTO will host the Scholastic Book Fair “Enchanted Forest” Book Fair. Our students will be able to purchase books during their CAMPE library rotation. Everyone will be able to visit the Book Fair in the Library and during an evening event (details will come home soon). This is a great time to come in and shop for books for your child’s personal library. Buying from the Book Fair also helps us acquire more books and other supplies for our school library.
Thanks to our helpers in our library! If you would like to volunteer – please contact Linda Knapp at school or email at lknapp@phm.k12.in.us
Youth Service Bureau
Fall is here!
Christ Child referral forms are available. Christ Child is a wonderful organization that will help eligible families with new clothes and winter coats for children 12 and under. In order to see if your family qualifies, please give Mrs. Shell a call to set up an appointment. All information is confidential.
There are several backpacks and school supplies still available to assist the needs of our students. If you are in need of these items, please let Mrs. Shell know.
Thanksgiving is not far off. If you are in need of food for the holiday, please contact Mrs. Shell for opportunities of assistance.
Hope everyone had a wonderful transition back into school. If there are any questions, please contact Mrs. Shell at 259-3743. Thank you!
Mrs. Creighton's Literacy Corner
Reading APPS and games are wonderful ways for children to build reading skills.
Here are a few reading APPS that have been recommended by Reading Rockets.
They are listed by reading skill and targeted age group. I hope that you can find a few games that your child/children will enjoy as they learn to read.
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Creighton
Phonics:
Bob Books #1 - Reading Magic
Price: 2:99
Pre K- 2nd
Device- Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Bob Books #2- Reading Magic HD
Price 3.99
Grade Level: K-2nd
Device: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
ABC Pocket Phonics
Grade Level: Pre K- 1st Grade
Device: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
Price: 6:99
ABC Song Piano
Grade Level: Pre K-K
Price: 1.99
Device: iPad, iPhone, iPod
Comprehension:
Question Builder
Price: 5:99
Grades: K-4
Device: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Inspiration Map
Price: 9:99
Grades: 4 - up
Device: iPad
Kidspiration Map
Price: 9.99
Grades K-3rd
Device:iPad
What's Happening in Gym
The third through fifth graders are finishing up fitness testing and playing cooperative group games (Ga Ga Ball, 4 Square, Knock Out) The fitness tests measure muscular strength, endurance and flexibility and allows the students to reflect and set goals for fitness levels. This is not a test of athletic ability or a test that will determine the future success rate for students. It is not a test that children can fail. It is designed to have students reflect on where their strengths and weaknesses are and how they can set goals and achieve growth. These tests will be given two times this school year. The events are shuttle run, sit and reach, arm hang, sit-ups, push-ups, PACER test and endurance run/walk. This past month in PE our focus has also been on basic jump rope skills, procedures and vocabulary such as: static and dynamic stretching, warm up, cool down, cardiovascular endurance, pacing, and sportsmanship. In addition to our Fire Obstacle Course, grades 3-5 will be playing some soccer and football skill related games next month.
All grade levels are participating in "Minds in Motion". This is an obstacle course set up around the perimeter of our gym and is designed to develop and challenge a student's balance and learning capabilities. The course aides students to alleviate clumsiness, improve vision skills for reading, improve balance, improve handwriting, enhance body control, increase focus and improve eye-hand coordination.
Kindergarten thru second graders have been practicing their rolling, tossing, throwing and catching skills through several tag and lead-up to sports games like Bullseye, Flippy Hoop, Alley and Alley Catch. We will be working on some spelling and math connections with some catching as well. A large focus at the beginning of the school year has been on personal space, locomotor movements, rolling, throwing, tossing and sliding as well as starting and stopping cues, being alert in general space activities, and moving in general space at different levels, pathways, and directions. Please help your child practice tying, lacing, zipping, and buttoning at home. Many kindergarten through second graders are needing lots of help with tying!
A big “thank you” and “congrats” to the following 5th grade students that help with the kindergarten and 1st grade gym students: McKenna Ardnt, Ryleigh Browning, Quinn Hayden, Madison Luchowski, Kloe Klein, Brody Grounds, Mila Obradovic, Londyn DuVal, Keanen Erickson, Landen Neighbor, Lincoln Burks, Noelle Gillespe, Kam Chamness, Alex Krall, Aydin Burns, Brady Lewis, Ryann Smith, Maya Burks,Wyatt Thomas, Halen Doughty, Ellie Adams and Mason Shook! Mr. Phipps and Mrs. Parisi certainly appreciate your leadership in helping the younger students learn new skills.
REMINDERS:
Make sure your child has tennis shoes and socks on his/her gym day.
Our Fire Obstacle Course will be in Elm Road Gym Oct. 1-5. Students will learn about the importance of a fire safety plan for home, how to dial 9-1-1, what to do if clothes catch on fire, and overall fire safety. Every child will need to know his/her address and telephone number to make a 9-1-1 call. Please be practicing this with your child. Please call or email if you would like to volunteer to help with the obstacle course during your child’s class!