The Pine Bough
Pine River School Newsletter, October 2018
October Calendar
Walk to School Day: Wednesday, October 3rd
After attendance is taken on Wednesday, October 3rd, school buses will transport all students, staff, and parents from Pine River to the corner of Puttygut and King Roads. From that point on the Bridge to Bay Trail, everyone will walk one mile along King Road back to school. Our Safety Patrol will be guarding and supporting students, and the St. Clair County Sheriff Department will be present to assist.
Students, parents, and special friends are encouraged to wear walking shoes and clothing that suit the weather conditions for the morning. Strollers cannot be transported on buses, so parents with young children may meet the buses at Puttygut Road to walk with their students. If it is raining on October 3rd, the walk will be cancelled.
Permission slips were sent home with students and must be returned by Tuesday, October 2nd, for participation in Walk to School Day.
Pine River Reads Gooseberry Park!
Dear Pine River Families,
This month our school will be embarking on a special project, an all-school book club called One School, One Book. Every family will receive a copy of the same book - Cynthia Rylant’s Gooseberry Park - and will be asked to read it together at home over the next few weeks. I am personally asking you to make some time each night so 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. But it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. Through reading Gooseberry Park together, we aim to build a community of readers at our school. Everyone - students, parents, teachers, support staff, and the principal - will be participating, and we can all reap the many benefits while we share reactions to this interesting story with one another.
The youngest child in each family received a copy of Gooseberry Park today after a special school-wide assembly introducing the book. Enclosed is a calendar to keep track of reading assignments and related activities happening at school. Please spend about 15-20 minutes per night reading the assigned chapter. One member of the family can read the book to the rest. Take time to discuss the characters and events, make connections to the story, and predict what will happen in the next chapter.
Each day at 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 and at school, there may be various activities which discuss or explore the book. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so your child can join in discussions and answer the questions. Throughout October, everyone at Pine River will be talking about Gooseberry Park!
Students at all grade levels will read or listen to the same book. Strange 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. The Pine River staff carefully selected a title that can be followed and understood and enjoyed by younger students, but that will still captivate and stimulate older children.
Enjoy reading Gooseberry Park! We will all be discussing the adventures of Gwendolyn, Kona, and Murray as they nurture the baby squirrels, raid the professor's cupboards, and eventually devise a scheme to reunite Stumpy with her babies. When a whole school reads a book, there’s a lot to talk about. With your help, we can build a community of readers at Pine River.
Looking forward to reading with you!
Rachel Card, Principal
Gooseberry Park Overview
What do a lumbering Labrador, a wise-cracking bat, a Caribbean crab, and a mother of triplets have in common? Well, they are the best of friends of course! Gooseberry Park is the endearing story of true friendship and selflessness at its best. Kona, the loyal Labrador, is willing to risk it all to help his best friend Stumpy the squirrel and her new babies. His perilous journey to save the newborns is only the beginning of heroic acts that show readers the true meaning of love and friendship.
Cynthia Rylant’s warm style seeps through a charming tale demonstrating the importance of family – even one composed of a variety of semi-wild animals. Rylant’s rich use of language enhances the book’s style, giving poetic qualities to her sophisticated prose. The grand array of “characters” include a wise old hermit crab, a faithful canine companion, a witty and wacky bat, a plucky squirrel, and a host of other wild and wonderful friends. Together the creatures of Gooseberry Park rally to overcome the damage and destruction caused by a winter ice storm.
You will love all of the animal characters for their distinctly different, yet fundamentally familiar, personalities. The forces that draw these unlikely characters together are love and friendship and there are no better strengths than those. Be ready for a story of the unlikeliest friendship that risks it all. May we all hope for friends as remarkable as Kona, as wise as Gwendolyn, and as hilarious as Murray.
We look forward to reading Gooseberry Park as a school community!
Skyward Family Access
2017-18 Student Council
Fifth Grade Representatives
Ava Betcher
Christopher Herms
Molly McNabb
Jacob Melczarczyk
Ezra Taube
Haley Balok
James Gruben
Lily Hack
Zakir Jahn
Lauren Maier
Dane Robinson
Fourth Grade Representatives
Isabella DeRue
Cambelle Garth
Ella Groeneveld
Annelise Huston
Dylan Latham
Amaya Graebert
Drew Schneider
Bryce Moran
Isabella Ursitti
Grace Herrick
Gabriella Komarowski
Morning Drop-off Procedure
Halloween Guidelines
Classrooms will celebrate Halloween on October 31st, which is a half day of school. Following are some guidelines for students and any adults visiting our school for the day.
Normal instruction, teaching, and learning will be occurring in the classroom most of the school day. In addition, students are expected to participate in normal school activities and classes (i.e. recess, physical education, art, etc.).
Students may come to school in costume for the day. These costumes must be simple and comfortable for the students to wear the entire day. Costumes cannot be changed at school.
Costumes cannot be too scary, gory, or violent in any way. This includes any accessory item.
Toy guns, knifes, arrows, swords, chains, or any other toy weapon accessories cannot be brought to school.
For safety and accountability reasons, masks that fully cover the face cannot be worn at school.
Light makeup and/or hair color are allowed, but must be applied before school, not during the school day.
Silly string or any other aerosol cans are not to be brought to school.
We encourage parents to enjoy the school and classroom festivities on this date, especially the school-wide parade. However, we do ask that all parents please notify their child’s teacher when planning on attending any kind of celebration in the classroom. As always, please sign in at the office as a visitor if you join us on Halloween.
Breakfast of Readers
Congratulations to our summer readers who enjoyed a delicious breakfast with Mrs. Card on Friday, September 28th!
Kinder-garteners
Ryland Goodrich
Lauren Bowen
Zoey Young
Colin Blake
Matty Phelan
Alaina Parrotta
Harrison Liniarski
Michael Ursitti
Colin Eifert
Serena Komarowski
First Graders
Ashlynn Bowen
Ally Roberts
Clara Schneider
Christopher Delpapa
Keeley Allen
Nina Oleaga
Claire Gryszkiewicz
Charlie Malburg
Alden Volz
Second Graders
Rylee McClure
Gavin Eifert
Meadow Karas
Kyle Barber
Josie Komarowski
Maiya Land
Noah Phelan
Riley Jabe
David Matthews
Isabella Parrotta
Grace Lang
Olivia Groeneveld
McKenzie Becker
Jimmie Macri
Third Graders
Brian Ursitti
Celia Kenyon
Henry McNabb
Lydia Stockwell
Emma Roberts
Max Vargo
Zoey Mills
Fourth Graders
Marissa Lambert
Amanda Barber
Hunter Freeland
Ella Groeneveld
Annelise Huston
Misha Shah
Cambelle Garth
Gabriella Komarowski
Amaya Graebert
Drew Schneider
Samantha Champion
Grace Herrick
James Ursitti
Isabella Ursitti
Braden Tabor
Fifth Graders
Ben Harwood
Molly McNabb
Truman Jarsma
Emily Kocsis
Graham Allam
Ava Betcher
Haylee Mills
Haley Balok
Dane Stockwell
Savannah Walsh
James Gruben
Lily Hack
Jack Lambert
Elizabeth Michaels
Leader in Me Update
October Box Tops Challenge
Picture Retake Day
Transportation Questions
How to Foster a Growth Mindset at Home
If you have a growth mindset, you believe that with work, practice, and perseverance, you can improve – whether it’s your academic performance, or any other skill. (Those with the opposite, a fixed mindset, believe that our intelligence and talents are predisposed, and either you were born with it or not.)
Thanks to the great work of Stanford’s Carol Dweck, we know that not only is the growth mindset accurate, but those who hold these beliefs actually improve more than those with a fixed mindset, which makes it so essential for our students.
These are some ways you can foster a growth mindset at home...
2. Be a growth mindset role model. Be honest: how often do you say “I can’t (cook/sing/balance my bank account)” or “I’m terrible at (sports/spelling/public speaking)” as if there is no hope for you? Make sure you are sending the right message – maybe even take on something new!
3. Encourage your child to forget taking the easy route (where little learning is done) and instead embrace challenges. A sheet full of questions he already knows the answers to won’t “grow the brain” like one deeper problem to solve (even if s/he doesn’t get the correct answer).
4. Remember growth mindset isn’t just academic; it applies to many areas of life (athletic, musical, social). Is your student having trouble getting the basketball into the net? Does your child keep making mistakes on a guitar chord? Has s/he tried to initiate play with someone, but it did not go well? Discuss the next step for improvement.
5. Discourage envy of peers, and talk to your child about what he or she can learn from others who appear more successful. While skills may come more easily to some, most often there is a (possibly unseen) element of practice, persistence, and hard work, which leads to achievement.
Pine River Rocks!
Looking for Foster Grandparents!
Pioneers of the Month
All of our students strive to be motivated learners, as well as model citizens. Each month we will honor students from each class who exemplify the following qualities:
Academic
- Student prepares for classroom activities.
- Student approaches learning with enthusiasm.
- Student has made steady progress in the classroom.
- Student has been working to his/her potential.
- Student completes all assignments and homework.
- Student has a good work ethic and is diligent.
Leadership/ Citizenship/ Character
- Student demonstrates respect of self and others.
- Student assists others in need.
- Student shows acts of kindness.
- Student demonstrates a positive attitude.
- Student displays good conduct.
- Student is a positive role model by example.
- Student participates and puts forth full effort in all areas.
- Student follows school rules.
Kindergarten
Ms. Duda's Class: Lauren Bowen and Gracin Genaw
Mrs. Schneider's Class: Brooke Schweiger and Loughlin Kavanagh
First Grade
Mrs. Jensen's Class: Ashlynn Bowen and Ally Roberts
Mrs. Wise's Class: Charles Malburg and Charlotte Worley
Second Grade
Mrs. Kenyon's Class: Josie Komarowski and Aiden Taszreak
Mrs. Williams' Class: Rex Neiman and Grace Lang
Third Grade
Mrs. Koprivica's Class: Celia Kenyon and Andrew Shafer
Ms. Peterson's Class: Emmy Korber and Jonathan Kiger
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Huston's Class: Amanda Barber and Hunter Freeland
Mrs. Ursitti's Class: Kayla Hohendorf and Drew Schneider
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Beach's Class: Braden Schalk and Jane Sagan
Mr. Griffin's Class: Zakir Jahn and Addison Oles
Mrs. LaParl's Class: John Breeding
Mrs. VanderMeulen's Class: Jamie Gilbert
Pioneer Code of Conduct
Kind,
Courteous,
Respectful,
Responsible,
and always Safe!
Health Eating Tips from Neiman's Family Market
• provides important nutrients for development and growth;
• helps maintain healthy weight; and
• boosts brain function.
A balanced breakfast includes whole grains, protein, and fruit (grapes, sliced bananas, orange slices).
TIPS OF THE WEEK/MONTH FROM NEIMAN’S FAMILY MARKET
1. Always eat a healthy breakfast – it boosts brain function
2. Choose healthy snacks, like cheese or veggie sticks instead of chips
3. Drink plenty of water each day – at least eight 8 oz. glasses
4. Get 8-10 hours of sleep each night
5. Eat together as a family at least 4-5 nights a week.
6. Make sure to get food from all 5 food groups – fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy.
7. Have children help with making their lunches for the week
8. Make up breakfast burritos ahead of time and freeze them for hassle free mornings.
9. Busy kids need healthy snacks to grab – string cheese, yogurt, hard boiled eggs
10. When children get involved in the grocery shopping for the family, it makes them feel a part of the bigger picture.
11. Let children help in the kitchen cleaning the fruits & veggies, setting the table, helping cook the meal.
12. Eating a nutritional meal doesn’t have to be a gourmet meal – whole grain pasta, sauce, chicken, salad, glass of milk and cut up fruit for dessert.
13. Children 4-8 years old need 2 ½ cups of dairy daily – milk, cheese, yogurt
14.A great place for information on nutrition and meal planning is ChooseMyPlate.gov
MAKE AHEAD BREAKFAST BURRITOS: Prep time 35 minutes. Makes 6 burritos
Flour tortillas
6 eggs
1-2 T milk
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
6 fully cooked sausage or crumpled bacon
To Cook: In a large bowl beat 6 eggs, add the milk and stir until well blended. In a 10” skillet over medium heat, cook eggs stirring occasionally, add the cheeses and the meat just before the eggs look scrambled. Assemble burritos: Spoon egg mixture down the center of each flour tortilla. Roll up each burrito tightly to secure filling. Serve immediately or freeze.
Mission: The mission of the Pine River school community is to work collaboratively, providing an enriched curriculum that allows for intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative growth in a positive and safe environment, empowering all children to become productive lifelong learners.