Norterra Canyon News
September, 2017
Enjoying Watercolors
Eclipse Art
Primary and Secondary Colors
Curriculum Night and Ice Cream Social
Mrs. Algermissen's 1st graders practice a "Tap It, Map It, Graph It" activity to build reading and writing skills with CVC words.
Mrs. Marano's 1st graders work collaboratively, reading and making a circle map about pets.
From Our Volunteer Coordinator- Help Us Build Literacy at NC
Strong school libraries build strong students, and we want to provide our children with the best possible opportunity to access reading material that they will find engaging and will advance their literacy development. According to a report published by the U.S. Department of Education, students who read for fun have higher reading and test scores. Help build up the students at Norterra Canyon by volunteering in the library at http://signup.com/login/entry/1117020910472542045 and/or at the Scholastic Book fair October 16-19, by contacting Mary Smitten at volunteer@ncptsa.org. You can also speak further with Mary about these and other opportunities to volunteer at the school.
To volunteer at Bingo Night, Friday, September 29, click here- http://signup.com/go/DczcWoC
MASK Update
Our kindergarten through 5th grade students have been working on identifying the difference between bothering and bullying. In conjunction with this, they have discussed being accountable for their own actions as well as the importance of being kind to others. There has been a focus on standing up and speaking up and soon your students will come home reciting the catchy but reinforcing chant that encourages them to be bully free. A preview of this chant, as performed by Mrs. Bussiere’s second grade class, can be found on NCNN announcements. Around our campus you will find incredible and creative Bully Free and Speak Up posters designed by our NJHS and STUGO students. As organizations they are working cooperatively to assist in promoting a positive, bully free atmosphere on campus.
Upcoming Events at Norterra Canyon
- PTSA Bingo Night, Friday, September 29, Food Trucks on the basketball courts starting at 5 PM, Bingo in the MPR from 6:00-8:30 PM
- Food Truck Night, Thursday, October 5, 6:00-7:30 PM PLUS Kindergarten Families will be "Reading Under the Stars" in the kinder playground from 5 to 6 PM AND the library will be hosting 1-8th grade families to learn more about Myon! online reading program from 6 to 7 PM.
- End of 1st grading period, Friday, October 6
- Early release day: Friday, October 6th with a 11:35 dismissal
- Fall Day, Monday October 9th, No School
- Fall Choir Concert, Thursday, October 12, 6:30-7:30 PM
- LOVE OUR SCHOOLS, Saturday, October 14 in the morning
- Scholastic Book Fair, October 16-19
- Parent/teacher conferences, Week of October 16
- Early release days: Thursday, October 19 & Friday, October 20 11:35 dismissals
- PTSA Movie Night, Friday, October 27
- Picture Retakes, Monday, October 30
Good Books Build Strong Schools!
Norterra Canyon Scholastic Book Fair is October 16- 20
Monday 8-4
Tuesday 8-4
Wednesday 8-8
Thursday 8-8
Friday 8-12
Volunteers are needed to make this a success. The link to volunteer is: https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/signup/ziBr7AvBm
Earn & Learn at the shops at Norterra is back starting October 1
Ms. Lepicier and Ms. Algermissen's students experiment with making and using tops for their science unit on Balance and Motion.
Experiencing the Solar Eclipse
We enjoyed a memorable learning opportunity when the Earth's moon covered the sun on August 21st. Our teachers prepared students to safely observe the eclipse and we turned our campus into an outdoor classroom for part of the morning. Some shared solar glasses while others made their own devices to observe the event. Some classes made pinhole projectors and others made cereal box viewers. Mr. Beausoleil, Matthew and Hayden's father, set up his telescope for students to have an exciting viewing experience. The photos below show some of that morning's activities.
Do You Ever Wonder What We Do on Those Early Release Days?
As you can see, we have complex, multi-layered approach to improve our professional practice at Norterra Canyon and in DVUSD. Between school-based and district-level PD, we are continually learning and growing in ways that support our students. So, we might not live on campus- but we are working long, hard hours here to give you our very best!
Superhero September!
"Together , we can turn adversity into hope and inspiration."
At our Pirate PRIDE Assembly on September 8th we had superheroes join us and share with us about "Superhero September." During this month classrooms have been collecting Superhero items for the Childhelp Children's Center of Arizona. On Friday, September 29th we will gather all of the donated items and have another visit by a superhero to take our donations to the center. Thank you to all who contributed!
Oh, Say Can You See...Our Pirates on the D-Backs Field?
Mrs. Zamora and the Norterra Chorus joined other DVUSD schools to sing the National Anthem on Chase Field before the Diamondbacks/Padres game on September 8th. We are proud of our singers and grateful for the families who attended and those that helped keep our students supervised before, during, and after the performance. It was truly awesome to see so many families join the fun!
Students in Mrs. Thelander's class learned about the Human Brain in Design class with Mr. Agrawal. After identifying the parts of the brain and their functions, they were able to construct models of the brain out of clay.
A Note From Our Librarian
Some of you have notice that you receive an email on Friday mornings if your child has an overdue book. Don't panic!!! We do not charge fines for overdue books. The email is a courtesy reminder so that you can give your child a little help remembering to return the book. The longer a book is overdue, the more chance of it becoming lost. This little reminder helps us all. We have discussed keeping our books in our backpacks when we are not reading them. This helps keep them safe AND they are at school when the students want to trade them for new books. Thanks for all your support!
Box Tops for Education classroom competition is back! Be sure to be clipping and sending in your Box Tops with your favorite Pirate! Watch for a handout that will be coming home that shares the details of this years opportunities to participate and celebrate!! You will also be able to see it at the Norterra Canyon Website.
It's that time of year again! Coach A is coordinating our Jump Rope for Heart event. Students will attend kickoff assemblies on October 11 in the multipurpose room. All homeroom teachers will have information to pass out after the assemblies. Our celebration week will be October 30th through November 3rd. Our goal is to raise $4,000. Please watch for the information to come home on October 11 so you can help us teach the importance of heart health and support the American Heart Association. All proceeds support the cause!
Have You Ever Met a Cookie You Didn't Like?
Cookie Islands...YUM!
Norterra Canyon- Home of the Pirates
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/Domain/119
Location: 2200 West Maya Way, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Phone: (623) 445-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptainGraybeard/