Emerick E.S. Newsletter
Second Quarter 2021-2022
Principal's Message
First, I want to say thank you for the unwavering GRIT you have demonstrated throughout this school year. Each day, I have been inspired as I’ve watched our students, parents, and staff work together to get the most out of each day. Please take some time to look over your child’s mid-year assessments on ParentVUE and see how hard they have worked the first semester. We are proud of the growth they have made so far this year and can’t wait to see what they will do with the time we have left of school this year. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss the progress, please reach out to them to set up a time to meet.
In this newsletter, you will hear from the Specialist and what they have planned for these next nine weeks. They are such an important part of your child’s education and I love going in and seeing what they are doing. Enjoy what they have to say.
Yearbooks
Don’t miss out! We are accepting orders for the 2021-2022 Emerick yearbook. The cost is $19.00, and we will take orders up to March 12th. Congratulations to Greta Schroeder in Mrs. Bowyer’s fifth-grade class, the designer of this year’s yearbook cover. Order forms came home in last Thursday’s folders and you can also order online by going to the Emerick website and scrolling down to payments. Here you will select the yearbook and make your payment. No extra cost to use this payment method.
Student Council
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Giving Tree. Your response was outstanding. The Emerick school collected 474 items for the Tree of Life here in Purcellville. The houses had a little competition and here are the results: First place went to Dogwood; second place was Hickory and in 3rd place was Willow. Our SCA continues to plan many fun activities for the students. Keep your eyes open for students to purchase St. Patrick Day pencils, which they can send to a friend. They also opted to purchase ice cream during lunch on March 15th for all students here at Emerick.
Thank you,
Dawn Haddock
Emerick Elementary School
Principal
Reading and Writing
February Newsletter 2022 – Reading Tips and Tricks from Susan Lyons and Carmen Taylor
The second half of the school year is an exciting time for our readers. At every grade level, it seems to be a turning point – a bank of sight words are acquired, word solving strategies are applied, retelling and reflecting on reading takes off and thoughtful writing about reading is in full swing. Often parents will ask, what should I say when I am reading with my child? Below are some strategies and language to use to support your child with decoding, fluency, and comprehension. With snow days, delays, and holidays, these are great to have on hand to keep our students READING EVERY DAY!
Stuck on a word (decoding) Great for all readers from K-5!:
-Stretch it in chunks (not letter by letter) or cover the ending of the word to find the base word
(cat –ch; bas – ket – ball; look-ing)
· Connect – Does the word remind you of another word? Are there parts that you know? (ball-call-tall-small) (me, we, he, she)
· Think about what makes sense
· Look at the picture (the pictures may give clues to help figure out the word)
· Get your mouth ready (for the first sound in the word)
· Read, skip, go back and read
Making reading smooth (Fluency):
· Put words together in phrases as you read
· Use the punctuation! Punctuation communicates how something should be read!
-Think about how the characters may speak
Retell the story (orally for all readers and by the end of 2nd grade, in writing, too!):
· Share what you know about the characters in the story
· Share what happened at the beginning, middle and end
-What did you learn from what you read (nonfiction)
Reflecting on reading (for all readers!):
· Discuss the most important part of the story.
· What is the author’s message or lesson in the story?
· What connections can you make with the story?
Technology
In the 2nd Quarter, Kindergarten, First and Second Grades really stepped up their Computational Thinking game. They learned how to code on Scratch Jr. and Code Spark Academy.
Students in grade 3 through 5 have been working really hard to create videos and podcasts using a program called WeVideo. You may have heard your child’s recording of their science song parody or even their podcast on the Native American contributions to our modern society. Those of you with 3rd Grade students are about to be taken on a wonderful tour of the continents using Google Earth.
In the 3rd Quarter we will be adding tools to the technology tool belt that will help our students solve authentic problems in their Project Based Learning assignments.
Kevin Heenan
Instructional Facilitator Technology
Music
KINDERGARTEN: I hope your Kindergarten student is settled into Emerick and happy to come to school! Their first performance for Veteran’s Day was a success and they all enjoyed singing “A-M-E-R-I-C-A. I’m sure you heard that song from time to time at home, right? As we continue to sing songs, move to the beat, play instruments, and learn about rhythms, we will soon begin our Spring Musical, “Bugz”. You will receive more information closer to the performance date which is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th at 6PM! Music Class should be fun and educational at the same time! That is our goal!
FIRST GRADE: I love hearing the singing voices of these students!! Aside from our Veteran’s Day song, we are working on “Sign and Sing”, a great way to learn a little sign language. Ask the children to share it with you! Along with playing classroom instruments, learning rhythm, and playing melody bells, we are currently working on a Christmas tune!
SECOND GRADE: “It’s Easy Being Green!” That is the name of our 2nd grade musical to be presented in the spring. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 15th at 6PM. Along with rehearsing for the play, we are also learning more about rhythm, Orchestra Instruments, reading sheet music, and using classroom instruments. We are currently singing the songs, “Get Up” and “Snowman, Where’d You Go?”.
THIRD GRADE: We have been using melody bells, boom wackers, and mini Xylophones to reinforce our learning of the treble clef notes in preparation for 4th grade recorder. Songs we are working on are: “It’s All Good”, “Ladybug in my Soda”, and “Santa’s Getting Fit for Christmas”. We will continue with rhythm as we introduce sixteenth notes and triplets. To reinforce beat with movement you may hear the “Dum Dum” song being sung at home! (Dum Dum Lollipops that is!)
FOURTH GRADE: Are your halls full of beautiful “recorder” songs? Well, maybe not yet, but they are off to a great start and I’m impressed as to how fast they are catching on! As they are working toward their Karate Belts, they are also learning Music Theory along the way: rhythms, note and rest durations, symbols, etc. Of course, singing is always happening in Music Class as our voices are the “natural” instrument for Elementary Level. Don’t forget to encourage your child to practice please!
FIFTH GRADE: I hope you enjoyed our “Veteran’s Day” presentation we sent you! The fifth grade voices were so great; I’m seeing it as a preview of what is to come with our musical, “The Wizard of Oz”! We begin our rehearsals this Wednesday morning and the students are very excited! I have placed all the rehearsal tracks on “Schoology” and gave each child a packet of music to keep at home. They must spend time practicing at home as well as school since our time is limited. As we progress toward our opening on Friday, January 28th, I will keep you updated on any help I may need. Thanks for your support!
Guidance
Counseling Corner- Mrs. Nole and Ms. French
Hi Emerick families! Can you believe we are halfway through the school year already? Our Emerick Eagles are working so hard and are growing both academically and emotionally. We are truly lucky to have such a supportive community. We cannot thank the families enough for the support you’ve given to your children and the Emerick staff.
In counseling class, we concluded our unit on bullying prevention. The students have been learning about the importance of including others. They learned to recognize and embrace differences to build a more inclusive community. Another emphasis has been on having a growth mindset and understanding that it is ok to make mistakes. The students learned about setting goals and being persistent as they work to accomplish their goals. We are looking forward to more fun lessons with your child. Our big unit in the third quarter is all about career exploration!
Please remember that your school counselors and the UMHT (unified mental health team) at Emerick are here and available to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out if your child or your family is struggling in any way. We welcome the opportunity to help any way we can.
Mrs. Nole amy.nole@lcps.org
Ms. French jennifer.french@lcps.org
Physical Education
During the second nine weeks in Physical Education students have been working on their bowling, basketball, and jump rope skills. Students also learned all of the major bones of the body. We just started our favorite unit, floor hockey and this will continue into the third nine weeks. Along with hockey, students will be involved in volleyball, team handball, putt putt golf, and we will be starting our tumbling/body awareness unit. Students will also be learning the major muscles of the body during the third nine weeks.
Just a reminder jogging club will be held when the temperature is above 32 degrees. Please remind your runners to wear gloves and something to cover their ears when they come out to the track. Keep running everyone!! Just a reminder for P.E. class-proper shoes need to be worn to participate-tennis shoes are the best. Students who wear heals, boots, crocs, or sandals will not be able to participate for safety reasons.
John Frye
Emerick Elementary
Physical Education
Library
Library Updates
We have just finished 2nd quarter and students have learned so many new things in the library! Kindergarten through 3rd grade have begun working on our Virginia Readers' Choice books. Students will read or listen to 10 different picture books that were selected as this year's nominees. After reading the 10 books, each student will have the chance to vote for their favorite. Most classes have listened to Snail Crossing, Almost Time, and This Way, Charlie. We will continue working on the other books throughout 3rd quarter.
All classes have learned about the Caldecott Medal and other book awards. The newest award winners were announced January 24th. Students are eagerly awaiting the chance to hear this year's Caldecott winner, Watercress.
Students in grades 2 through 5 continue to work to earn Accelerated Reader points. Some students have already hit their yearly goal. As a reminder, the following are grade level goals for the year:
2nd grade = 50 points
3rd grade = 65 points
4th grade = 75 points
5th grade = 80 points
Keep up the great work readers! We are so proud of you!
Remember, if you need help finding a book or looking for reading ideas, come see Mrs. Allder or Mrs. Eubank and we will help. Happy Reading!
Gifted Education
SEARCH
Hello Emerick Parents. Here is what is happening in SEARCH. This year every 4th grader in the county was screened for gifted eligibility. Those screenings are just wrapping up and we should have news about which 4th graders will be joining the 5th graders in FUSION (Formerly FUTURA) program soon. Third grade parents I will begin administering portfolio lessons in mid-February, we will be screening all third graders for gifted eligibility as well. The decision is made late in the school year and services begin in 4th grade. Because our schedule varies so much this time of year, I will not be giving out dates of the portfolio lessons. There are four of them and I will do my best to give them during the regular SEARCH classes. There is a make-up time so I will be able to make up a lesson if a student is out.
FUTURA
We have a new name! Going forward the program will be known as FUSION (Fostering Understanding, Sparking Innovation, Originating New Ideas).
Students are working on their storyboards for the animated short project. In February we will be completing a self-reflection that serves as our FUSION "report card".
Jenny Harrop
Gifted Resource Teacher
Emerick Elementary School
Art
Calling All Emerick Artists
I’m excited to announce the Cluster Art Show for Emerick Elementary is back this year!
Get ready to celebrate Youth Art Month this March. We’ll join other local schools to display our best work at Loudoun Valley High School on Saturday, March 5. Drop by anytime from 2-5 PM to see some amazing art (snow date March 12). Does your child have a project to show? If so, I’ll be collecting artwork from students in grades 1-5 in the ART ROOM until Feb. 28. I’ll prepare the pieces for display. Due to time, no late entries will be accepted. Only one piece per artist, thank you.
How to get ready for the Art Show:
1. Help your child choose one piece made this year in the Emerick art room and bring it to school.
2. Write your child’s first and last name on the back, with their teacher’s name.
3. Send the art in to school with your child so they can drop it by the art room for me. I’ll mount it and add a label for the show.
Mrs. James, Art Teacher alexandra.james@lcps.org
Kindergarten Registration
The online registration portal for the 2022-2023 school year opens on February 16, 2022. Please use the “Enroll / Registration” link at www.lcps.org to complete an online registration. Paper registration forms can also be obtained from Emerick E.S.. Kindergarten registration information and frequently asked questions can be found on the LCPS web site.
Documents needed for LCPS registration are…
- Original Birth Certificate or a certified copy
- Proof of Residency
- Student Physical
- Immunization Record
- Tuberculosis Screening
For 2022-2023 enrollment in kindergarten, the student’s fifth birthday must be no later than September 30, 2022. The date of birth must be on or before September 30, 2017.
We will begin scheduling registration appointments on March 16, 2022.
Any registration questions can be directed to the Emerick Registrar: Heather Jenkins
540-751-2440.
School Time Changes For Next Year
Starting next year, School will be from 8:00-2:45 at Emerick. This means the doors at Emerick will be welcoming the students in at 7:40 and they will be getting out 10 minutes later than they do this year. The reason for this change is because it will assist us in not having second bus loads and also will help with the bus driver shortage that is going on. We also have included the approved school calendar for next year. Hope this information early helps you plan for next year.