Normandy Park School
Principal's Corner
February 4th to February 8th
February 4th is a B Day
This week the Reading Challenge continues (for additional information, see below)
On February 4th, we will have a HSA cultural arts assembly, Mexico Beyond Mariachi
Intermediate Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Reader's Theater Residency will continue this week and conclude with classroom performances on 2/8/19
February 5th, the Senior Unit will be going on a field trip to MPAC to see Danny Carmo's Mathematical Mysteries
February 7th is Family Bingo Night!
Grow It Green
Last week, Farmer Tina visited the Intermediate classrooms. Her lesson was all about the benefits of each food group. The lesson focused on having a healthy and balanced eating plate. Students made and tried a healthy snack that included vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and protein.
Listed below is the recipe Farmer Tina shared with our students:
Black-Eyed Pea & Quinoa Salad (adapted from http://www.bhg.com/recipe/black-eyed-pea-quinoa-salad)
Ingredients
4 limes, juiced (about 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
½teaspoon cumin
1 15 ounce can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed (or canned)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 medium tomato, chopped (1 cup)
½ cup sliced orange sweet pepper
⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 green onions, chopped
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
Cook quinoa following directions on bag. 2. In a large bowl whisk together lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, mustard, cumin, salt, and black pepper. 3. Add black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, quinoa, tomato, red sweet pepper, cilantro, and green onions; toss to combine. 4. Cover and refrigerate for 4-24 hours.
Cat in the Hat
On Friday, the Cat in the Hat had a meet and greet with our Primary students. The Cat in the Hat spent the afternoon walking the hallways of Normandy Park School!
In the library, he left a Cat in the Hat signed copy of Dr. Seus's And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street. This will make a great addition to the NPS library!
HSA Sponsored: Mexico Beyond Mariachi
On Monday, Mexico Beyond Mariachi is performing for our students. Mexico Beyond Mariachi is a research based project that integrates a variety of Mexican artwork and expression beyond the popular perception of the mariachi. The company consists of professional musicians, who tour and teach about the rich Mexican culture through the art of the mariachi band. This event is sponsored by the HSA Cultural Arts. At Normandy Park School, we are fortunate to have such a high level of support from our HSA in providing quality cultural arts experiences for all our students!
In preparation for the assembly, Mrs. Gilson has been teaching about Mexican culture. In Computers, the Primary and Intermediate students researched Mexico using PebbleGo. In library, students were read excerpts on Mariachi bands from a nonfiction book Mexico: The Culture. Mrs. Gilson also read fiction stories that took place in Mexico such as The Three Cabritos, Cactus Soup and Super Cilantro Girl. Finally, students watched two amazing Mariachi singers from America's Got Talent and The Voice. They are ready and excited for this week's assembly!
To learn more about Mexico Beyond Mariachi, please visit their website: http://mexicobeyondmariachi.com/about/
Project Kind- Update!
The Primary Unit has teamed up with an organization called Project Kind as part of the Normandy Park school wide theme, It’s Cool to be Kind! The Project Kind organization provides assistance to those who find themselves homeless.
Over the past few weeks, the Primary Unit has been collecting money to purchase items to donate to Project Kind. The Primary project is supported by the MEF Cool to Be Kind Grant. To fundraise, Primary K/1 classrooms are hosting pretzel parties this week, where all students will participate. In addition, NPS teachers have continued to graciously donate.
To learn more about Project Kind, please visit their website at https://www.projectkind123.org/
This Friday, students will present donations during our Project Kind assembly. The founder, Jenny Depaul, will be there. In addition to our donations, the Primary teachers and students have prepared a presentation for Project Kind (see picture below), to show them just how much they have learned about keeping kindness in their hearts. They will continue to practice their presentation this week!
Kindergarten Information Session
Thank you the HSA for supporting the Kindergarten Information Session. We had a great turn out! I enjoy getting the opportunity to share with others why Normandy Park School is so special.
Our parents were brought down the hall by student representatives. On the way to the library, students chatted with the parents, explaining why NPS is so special to them!
Intermediate Cultural Arts Residency
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is working with our Intermediate Unit on performing Reader's Theater through a 12 lesson curriculum. Students have been practicing extremely hard for their upcoming performances.
On February 8th, families will be invited to their child's classroom to see their Reader's Theater performance.
2nd Annual Reading Challenge
Message from the HSA:
We are excited to announce our 2nd annual Reading Challenge. We hope all of the students will participate in this fun activity designed to make everyone an enthusiastic reader. Here is how to participate:
- READ!! Children’s eligible reading will begin on Monday, January 28th and end on Monday, March 4th. Your child’s reading should be appropriate for reading ability, grade level and length. Books may be fiction or non-fiction but should be books that your child reads within the program dates and has not read before. Books being read for a class assignment count! Your child may read independently or be read to. Books from home, school or public libraries or any other source are fine for the program.
- LOG! Children will receive tally sheets to keep track of their reading. They will need to complete 5 logs to successfully complete the challenge. Return the tally sheets to the library or you can submit forms online.
- Students can pick up new log sheets at the library or at the front office. The number of books to complete a log sheet will vary by Unit as follows:
Primary (K/1)
# Books per Log: 8
Total # Books: 40
Intermediate (2/3)
# Books per Log:3
Total # Books: 15
Senior (4/5)
# Books per Log: 2
Total # Books: 10
- ENJOY THE JOURNEY! Each participating student will have a “fish” on our big hallway display near the front office. Students will “travel” the ocean. Students will continue to read through the ocean as many times as they can.
- EVERYBODY WINS! Any students that successfully complete the challenge will receive a medal and a brand new book, with the top 3 readers from each unit receiving a trophy and Scholastic Bucks to spend during our NPS Book Fair!
We are excited about this event and are looking forward to watching our children to dive into reading! If you have any questions, please contact Hope Dulac at HopeDulac@gmail.com or Dimitra Drakotou at drakotou@me.com.
Check out the bulletin board for our Reading Challenge! Thank you to Hope Dulac and Dimitra Drakotou for putting it up!
Looking Ahead
February 15th: Report Cards Sent Home
February 18th: School Closed (Mid-Winter Break)
February 19th: School Closed for Staff Professional Development
March 19th to March 23rd: Scholastic Book Fair