The Town Zeller
November 2019: Volume 2, Issue 2
Fire Prevention Week
PTO Race for Education Fundraiser Celebration
Fire Prevention Week
Message from Principal Lin
Wow! The month of October has left me breathless! And it has all been for great reasons! You are reading one notable change, in fact. Starting this month, we will publish the Town Zeller on the Smore platform, which is an online newsletter template. This will allow us to send the newsletter as a link, and provide better opportunities to share pictures (and videos!) for your pleasure.
As I am sure you have noticed, we have had a lot of productive fun this year developing our reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills and knowledge base. Recognizing the importance of cultivating well-rounded students, we have also built on our experiences in art, music, physical fitness, library, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Most importantly, we continue to draw attention to ourselves, developing our social emotional well-being in ways that center our development on competencies such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsibility decision making. This can be seen best with the promotion of monthly character traits (e.g. respect and self-control), as well as the reinforcement of our three expectations at school, to be respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.
We like to think that the learning itself is interesting. And, of course, when things are interesting, things also tend to be fun. But that's not to say that we haven't scheduled other fun experiences. In October, we benefited greatly from the community support for our PTO Race for Education fundraiser. The celebration fun run on October 4th was a tremendous success. We are so overjoyed and grateful for all of your support in publicizing and/or contributing to this event. Also, for those who signed up, students enjoyed the Science Explorer after-school program. With a focus on slime, how could it NOT have been fun?! We also celebrated ELCO Homecoming, held a well attended Title I Family Engagement Night, and reaffirmed our status as a drug-free school with Red Ribbon Week. Finally, on Tuesday nights, starting at 7 PM, we will post onto our YouTube channel "Principal Fort Zeller" a weekly segment called "Hit the Hay Tuesday," during which I (or a member of our wonderful staff) will read a bedtime story to you. It is our way of extending our love and appreciation for our children beyond the walls of the physical school. We hope you enjoy!
Needless to say, that was quite a lot for the end of the 1st marking period. And as we kick off the start of the 2nd quarter, it is our genuine hope that your child continues to express interest and enjoyment with the educational and fun activities we have planned moving forward. It is our honor and privilege to serve your child, your family, and our community here at Fort Zeller Elementary School.
With gratitude,
Steven Lin
Principal
PBIS Character Trait for November: Self-Control
October Student Spotlights Demonstrating Character Trait of Responsibility
Edward Frandsen
Gemma Ness
Aneudy Gonzalez
Lillian Reich
Ace Wike
Bailey Moyer
Class of the Month: Mrs. Moore's Class
PBIS Recognitions of Student Spotlights
The students above were publicly recognized at our last PBIS Assembly when we introduced the Character Trait theme for the next month. Congratulations!
Counseling and Social Emotional Corner with Ms. Brosius: What are the Zones of Regulation?
The Zones are used to teach self-regulation by labeling all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four zones. The Zones lessons we deliver to each class provide strategies to teach students to become more aware of their emotions, improve controlling their emotions and impulses, managing their sensory needs, and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts.
The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content, or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. Being in the Green Zone will help students be successful in the classroom.
The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions; however, one has some control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.
The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, explosive behavior, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone. A person is described as “out of control” if in the Red Zone.
Teaching students the Zones of Regulation is important so they are able to appropriately identify the emotions they are experiencing and the way their body feels when in each zone. Students also begin to understand and practice how to return themselves to the green zone so they are able to feel their best and be successful!
Visit By Mr. Kahl, Current Airline Pilot and Former Naval Aviator
STEM Monster Donation Bin (Feed us!)
STEM and Innovation
Other Tidbits
"Hit the Hay" Tuesday: Tune in Every Tuesday at 7 PM on YouTube!
We will also share the YouTube video links on our Fort Zeller Twitter feed (@ELCOfort). Additionally, our PTO has agreed to share the link on its "Fort Zeller PTO" Facebook page. Kick back and enjoy!
Author Visit By Timothy Young
We are so excited that children’s author/illustrator, Timothy Young, will be visiting both Fort Zeller and Jackson Elementary, Thursday, November 14th. If you would like to order one of Timothy’s books, please complete the order form that was sent home with your child. Order forms and payment is due Tuesday, November 5th. Please visit the link below to learn more about Timothy and his books.
1st Marking Period Report Cards to be Issued at Parent Conferences (Nov. 25-26)
Spotlights Around the Fort
Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
Art
Physical Education
Music
In Kindergarten, students are finding the heartbeat of music through songs like "Johnny Works With One Hammer" and "Alligator Pie." Students are also writing quarter notes and eighth notes (Ta’s and Ti-ti’s). In first grade, students are learning note names and values. They are practicing to draw quarter, half, and whole notes. They also started their 1st musical listening story! Finally, In second grade, students have started playing the ukuleles! They are working on the first two chords, C and A minor. They are also learning proper holding techniques and posture.
Library and Innovation
With regards to the Innovation/STEAM program, Mr. Wright is enjoying his time going into classrooms and exposing students to the Engineering Design Process (EDP), while also kicking off with their first STEM lessons and challenges. The students are looking forward to the 2nd marking period, as it promises to bring about more projects. Meanwhile, Mr. Wright would like to thank members of the community for their many generous donations (via the STEM Monster Donation Bins) the STEM room at Fort Zeller is getting filled up with many resources, which are in the process of being organized.
PTO Race for Education (Hydration is Important!)
Staff Photo 2019-2020
iPads
Upcoming Dates
Notable Events
- Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 4, 2019:
- ELCO School Board Meeting: (6:00) ELCO High School Library
November 5, 2019:
- Order Form for Signed Book by Author Timothy Young Due
- PTO Art to Remember Forms Due Back
- PTO Meeting: (6:30) Fort Zeller Library
- 1st Session of Science Explorer "Pop, Bang, Fizz": (3:45-4:45) For those who signed up
November 11, 2019:
- Veteran's Day Breakfast: (8:15) Please RSVP ahead of time
November 12, 2019:
- 2nd Session of Science Explorer "Pop, Bang, Fizz": (3:45-4:45) For those who signed up
November 14, 2019:
- Author Visit by Mr. Timothy Young: Order form for signed book due November 5
November 18, 2019:
- ELCO School Board Meeting: (6:00) ELCO High School Library
November 19, 2019:
- PTO Book Fair Begins: Arctic Theme
- 3rd/Last Session of Science Explorer "Pop, Bang, Fizz": (3:45-4:45) For those who signed up
November 25, 2019:
- Parent Conferences: 12:30-8:00 - 1st Marking Period Report Cards Issued (Book Fair Open)
November 26, 2019:
- Parent Conference: 8:30-4:00 - 1st Marking Period Report Cards Issued (Book Fair Open)
November 27, 2019:
- K-12 Inservice Service Day (No School for Students)
November 28, 2019:
- Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving Break
November 29, 2019:
- Thanksgiving Break
December 2, 2019:
- Last Day of Thanksgiving Break
December 3, 2019:
- Beginning of Operation Warm a Child: Donations of gloves, coats, scarves accepted
- PTO Meeting: (6:30) Fort Zeller Library