Blue Jay Bulletin - April 2022
#TheBlueJayWay
In this edition find...
- Upcoming Events
- Principal's Note - April Happenings
- Our Kids and Social Media (True Story)
- April Spirit Days
- Counselor's Corner
- Nurse's Note
- Library News
- Art Updates
- PE News
- Vocal Music Updates
- Spring Musical News - Spring Concert dates
- PTA - April Updates
- School Store
- Yearbook - Directions to purchase a yearbook
May Happenings on the horizon...
May 13 - Volunteer Tea
May 12 & 13 - Spring Musical - Frozen Jr.
May 17 - 3rd - 5th Spring Concert
Principal Update - April Happenings
Reflection - 2019, 2020, today
Reflection does wonders for our perspective. Let's take a moment to look back.
- Two years ago (April 2020) our blue jays were stuck at home. Everyone was gearing up for packets and at-home learning. Barney was making his debut on the morning announcements and Google Meets were becoming a thing.
- One year ago (April 2021) we were working through something called Hybrid Learning with students sometimes here and sometimes at home. Cohort A, B or C? And don't forget Wednesday morning. Lol!
- Today, our kids are in classrooms and crushing it! Parents are welcome into the building and we haven't needed a Google Meet all school year. Masks are optional and the county COVID transmission rates remain low.
I am grateful to see our school returning to normal. It has been a real journey over the last two years. It tested our resolve to Work Hard, Have Fun, and Be Kind, but we came out on top because that's #TheBlueJayWay. Well done!!
O is for Organized - CHAMPION
This year we are helping every bluejay to become a CHAMPION. Each month focuses on a different letter of the word, CHAMPION, and a virtue that begins with that letter. April is about the letter O and the virtue is Organized.
Champions set their schedule and show up early. They are fully prepared and chomping at the bit. Their organization is a result of their hunger to succeed. Our blue jays do this each day also. They are on time for school, and sometimes even early. They show up on half days! They have their homework done, their planners checked, and their gym shoes on. They are organized and ready and this helps them to be a CHAMPION in their classroom each day!
Our Kids and Social Media
We cannot emphasize enough that elementary-aged students are not prepared for the world of Social Media. Please see the attached letter that was sent to families of our older students just recently. Let's do all we can to preserve and protect our children's innocence.
Morning Arrival
April Spirit Days
Counselor's Corner
Hello, April! We will continue to bloom, with the following topics:
IGE- 3 and Pre- K: Getting Along
Kindergarten: ‘Sour Pickle’ and ‘Flower’ Feelings
1st and 2nd Grades: Anger Management
3rd: Worry
4th: Recipe for an Apology
5th: Careers
Please stay in touch @ 443- 809-7507 or mcoale@bcps.org
Nurse's Notes
Allergy Season is Here:
Seasonal allergies peak in the Spring for many people. Allergies can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, scratchy throats, and red, itchy eyes. Here are some ways to help minimize the misery that can be caused by allergies:
- Stay in the house if you can, particularly on windy days. Keep the windows closed. Make sure your air conditioner has a clean filter
- Wear a face mask when you go outside to prevent you from inhaling larger particles of pollen. Wash the mask after each use because it may have pollen on it, or wear a disposable mask and change it daily
- Wear a hat and sunglasses outdoors to avoid getting pollen in your hair and eyes
- Shower before going to bed and after playing outside to wash off pollen
- Avoid walking or playing on fresh cut grass
- Remember that the pollen is also on your pets
- If allergy symptoms are severe: speak with your child’s doctor about medication. Avoid Benadryl (diphenhydramine) during the day because it can cause sleepiness. Many other allergy medications are available without a prescription. Follow package dosing guidelines and consult with a pediatrician or pharmacist
Library News from Mrs. Bixby
This semester, Ms. Reddy’s fifth grade was given the unique opportunity to participate in The Stock Market Game during their extra library class. The Stock Market Game™ (SMG) is an educational simulation that teaches about the stock markets, the American economic system and the global economy. Participants develop skills in math, language arts, research and critical thinking, while building and maintaining a stock portfolio. SMG™ is used in grades 4-12, college courses, and by those who seek to learn more about investing. (https://econed.org/Stock-Market-Game )
Students, in groups of 3 or 4, were given $100,000 to invest in the stock market. As the weeks progressed, they learned:
- how to research companies traded on the Nasdaq and NYSE
- how to read stock tickers
- what diversification was and why it was important in their stock portfolio
- what mutual funds are
- what market analysis is
- how global events affect the stock market
They bought and sold stocks using an online simulation tool. Competition was fierce and, just like the market rises and falls unexpectedly, team standings changed weekly. Our competition officially ends on April 8th, so check May’s newsletter for our final standings.
Art News with Mr. Flach
Spring is finally here!
March was a whirlwind with National Youth Art Month and the Trashy Fashion show. Congrats to all the students who attended the Trashy Fashion Show on March 4th. It was a lot of fun and helped secure Edgemere’s future as a Green School.
Also, special congratulations to Addison J. and Lola K. who have their artwork on display at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
As we “spring forward” students will explore new art concepts and investigate some interesting artists.
Fifth grade is learning about detail and precision by creating some intricate line designs using pen and ink techniques.
Fourth grade will be going on a “fantastic journey” as they explore the strange and interesting world of Salvador Dali.
Third grade will be creating their “impressions of spring” by blending colors to paint a spring landscape in the style of Impressionist Claude Monet.
Second grade will be discovering how to mix primary colors to create secondary colors and tertiary colors by creating an amazing color wheel collage.
First grade will be experimenting with lines, shapes, and colors to create a geometric collage inspired by Piet Mondrian.
Kindergarten is discovering how artists use color and light in a work of art by creating a colored tissue paper stained glass window design.
P.E. News with Mrs. Poulsen
This month we are welcoming Spring!
This month we will continue to work on Jump Roping skills and continue our basketball unit. Students in 4th and 5th grade will also be completing fitnessgram testing.
Students in 2nd and 3rd grade will be participating in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart event on Wednesday April 20,2022. Please make sure you register your child online for this event if they want to participate in it. It will take place during their special area time on that day.
Students in grades 4th and 5th grade will be participating in the American Heart Association’s Hoops for Heart event on Thursday April 21, 2022. Please make sure to register your child online for this event if they want to participate in it. It will take place during their special area time on that day.
All students need to remember to wear tennis shoes to physical education class. Please try to remember!
Vocal Music News with Mr. Reaves
Students in 5th grade will be singing sixteenth note patterns in musical selections, listening to examples of differences in Major and Minor songs and explore triads in songs. They will learn to create Ostinatos and listen for different textures.
Students in 4th grade will be creating Harmony and Texture, listening and recognizing harmony created through Ostinatos, and identifying contour in melody and looking for similar sequences in musical pieces.
Students in 3rd grade will be learning Recorder as well as participating in other musical experiences. They will be singing low songs and singing songs with pentatonic scales. Students will also listen and identifying Timbre in music, and will sing melodic Ostinatos to create texture. Discover Tempo markings and how they make music more interesting.
Students in 2nd grade will play accurately with the beat in measures of 3 and 4. Identify a do, re ,mi , so phrase in a listening selection. Read and play patterns in 2. Identify Pentatonic patterns in musical selections and say poems as a Canon.
Students in K/1 will begin to identify different musical elements in different cultures. Identify slow, medium, and fast tempos while using vocabulary. We will also listen for form in music. We will dance, play, and have fun!
Instrumental Music News with Mr. Mcgrath
Spring Musical Updates
A reminder that our Musical Practice started on January 25th and will continue to meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents should be in the front pick up line no later than 5:15pm. Please stay in your car and students will come out to you. Your student is required to bring their script to every rehearsal. They may also bring a snack and drink (water only) for after school.
Looking forward to a wonderful Spring Musical of Frozen Kids.
-Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. Kurtz and Ms. Southwick
School Store Updates
PTA Newsletter
Yearbook News
The Yearbook Staff invites students, parents, faculty and staff to submit photos for this year's yearbook. All photos can be email to edgemereyb@gmail.com.
Yearbooks forms were sent home with students in early February. You may also purchase a yearbook by going to ybpay.lifetouch.com and entering order#1742822.
All order forms and online orders are due by April 21st.
Edgemere Elementary School
Email: cament@bcps.org
Website: edgemerees.bcps.org/
Location: 7201 N Point Road, Edgemere, MD
Phone: 443-809-7507