Brandt's Weekly Newsletter
3.22.2024
Inside this Edition
- Principal's Message
- Kindness Awards
- Grade Level Updates
- The Counselor's Corner
- Related Arts and Science Updates
- Nurse's Nook
- The Friday Playlist
Principal's Message
I am so very proud of our students and staff. With the excitement of Spring Break in the air, they did a wonderful job focusing on our latest round of LinkIt! and DRA 3 assessments over the course of this week. The results of those assessments will be shared along with Marking Period 3 Report Cards in the coming weeks. As we gear up for the last three months of the school calendar, we will continue to hold to our academic standards for all students while celebrating achievement and growth along the way.
While we completed those assessments in Math and ELA, we've also had a great time celebrating Women's History Month. As I walk around the school and take a look at recent displays of student work, it is apparent that students have spent a lot of time researching and learning about influential women from all different time periods.
Additionally, students had a chance to begin learning about the colleges they were assigned to follow for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament for our March Madness Take a Shot at College Challenge. Our school counselor, Mrs. Hosbach, will provide some more fun facts for the morning announcements next week. We are also looking forward to seeing all of the designs the students create for the Sneaker Design Challenge.
Parents and guardians - the due date for your assignment is today! Please make sure to click on the link for a special newsletter detailing the steps for parents and guardians to complete the Blue Ribbon Schools Stakeholder Survey. If you need your unique code, reach out to your child's teacher.
Your feedback will continue to help us as we espouse the mantra of trying to get better every day on our path of excellence as we seek the status of a Blue Ribbon School.
Remember that Spring Break is almost here. Thursday, March 28th is a 1:00 PM dismissal for staff and students and the district is closed from 3/29 - 4/5 and will reopen on 4/8.
Kindly remember that is your child is enrolled in the Passport to Learning after school program and you are going to pick them up at regular dismissal time (3:00 PM), you must email your child's homeroom teacher and let them know. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
As always, I hope you enjoy our grade level and subject area updates.
For this week's Friday Playlist, I went with three more favorites for Women's History Month.
Have a great weekend and stay safe!
- Mr. Bartlett
The Book Fair is Coming!
Sign up to volunteer: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090C4AAAAA29A5F58-48549514-brandt/41765278
March is Theatre in Our Schools Month!
A Message from the HPEF
Mark your calendars! Tickets for the 7th Annual HPEF Gala will go on sale Monday, 3/11 at 9pm. The ticket registration link will be shared at 9pm on March 11th via email, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and the HPEF website. Tickets sell out quickly every year, so don't delay!
There’s still time to secure your tickets today by signing up to be a Gold Star Supporter by 9pm Friday March 8th. With a $1,250 donation, you receive two tickets to the Gala and VIP reception, among other benefits. Learn more and register here!
We can't wait to see you at the Gala!
PTO News
Here is the link for the newsletter :https://conta.cc/3Pw21n4
Kindness Awards
These friends were caught throwing kindness like confetti this week!
Myles Cohen is a good friend to his classmates.
Christopher Fields is always willing to help around the classroom.
James Maxson has shown outstanding confidence in school work and friendships. We are very proud of you James!
Ethan Areli enjoys helping his teachers and his peers.
Madelyn Sun is always making others feel welcome and respected.
Kindergarten
In math, students worked on solving addition and subtraction story problems. Students used manipulatives - like connecting cubes - to help figure out the answer.
In Social Studies, Kindergartners celebrated the first day of Spring, Women's History Month, and learned about their March Madness teams.
First Grade
In Math, first graders are beginning a new unit that focuses on collecting data. We are learning to design a survey question with two possible answers by planning, collecting, and keeping track of survey data. We are making representations to communicate results of a survey as well as interpreting results of a data investigation.
In Social Studies, we continued to learn about influential women in the US. We were assigned two NCAA Women's Basketball teams to follow during March Madness! We are so excited to see which team comes out on top. We even got to design our own sneakers for a special contest!
Second Grade
In Social Studies, students focused on Women's History Month. Students were able to complete activities and research about notable women. Students were also encouraged to read biographies or autobiographies on Learning Ally or Epic. Some students even presented about a person they found interesting and had the option to create their own project that correlated with the information they researched.
In Reading, students were able to identify story elements, visualize pictures from the text and text features. Students also reread to answer questions/visualize, identified the author's purpose and sequenced events from the stories we read this week. Students also completed Linkit! Form C this week.
In Writing, students focused on opinion writing. Students created reasons for their persuasive speeches with explanations of each reason. Students have been able to find facts and information to help guide their reasons. They focused on reasons why we need to change something in the world. Students were using their writing checklist in order to fix any mistakes they made. Students are working well with revising their work. They are adding, taking away or finding new works to put in their opinion writing piece. Students edited their work and tried to find the places of simple mistakes. Students were encouraged to read slowly to find any little mistakes they may have made.
In Math, students are measuring with Metric Units. Students used addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths that are given in the same units. Students also measured to determine how much longer one object is than another. They estimated lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters. They also generated measurement data by measuring lengths of several objects to the nearest whole unit, or by making repeated measurements of the same object. Students also completed Linkit! Form C this week.
Third Grade
This week, the third grade mathematicians wrapped up their study of fractions. Throughout this unit, students explored fraction vocabulary and learned how to identify fractions of shapes and on numberlines. During our final week in this unit we practiced using multiplication and division to find equivalent fractions. We are all constantly amazed that multiplication and division are all around us.
In literacy, third graders are continuing their study of character development. This week we explored how different characters grow and change throughout stories. We even got a chance to revisit some characters from other stories to see how they change throughout a series. During writing, we continue to practice our LAT and RST essays.
During our social studies period, students continued to research and learn about influential women who changed our world.
Fourth Grade
Our fourth graders are continuing to read and analyze the novel Wonder. As students are reading the novel, they have been discussing the themes throughout the novel. Students are making claims and finding quotes that support the identified themes. Students have been reviewing skills of identifying the point of view, main idea, text structures and summarizing a text.
For math, we have been diving into revisiting multiplication strategies to solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole number answers using the four operations. Students are representing these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown. They are assessing the answers with mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding. They have been multiplying four digit whole numbers with one and two digit numbers using strategies based on place value. Students have to illustrate and explain the calculation using arrays, equations and area models.
During this month, we are fully immersed in celebrating Women History Month. To honor the contributions of women to the society, students will be writing daily journal entries about inspiring women's lives and accomplishments. They have been accessing a digital library to read books daily about famous women of their choice. In addition, students will create a timeline, or a speech after researching their assigned influential women. Finally, students have been identifying and sharing how family members, friends, teachers and other trusted adults can support them for their personal learning needs using the “Move This World” activities.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders are finishing up their novel study of The Watsons Go To Birmingham. The students are completing a tic tac toe board choosing various culminating novel activities to reinforce learned skills. Students practiced taking notes and annotating main ideas and key details in reading passages. Also, the children completed the third and final Linkit benchmark assessment. Students were able to show what they have learned throughout the year! The students continued to work on their perspective essay.
In math, the students began Investigation 3 of Unit 7. This session focused on multiplying and dividing decimals. Students were able to “Slide, Slide, Raise the Roof” in order to divide decimals. The children also completed their Math Linkit assessment. Students stayed focused and worked hard and showed how much they have grown this year as mathematicians.
In social studies, fifth graders are continuing to research major battles of the Civil War. They will begin their Class Battle Book next week. Students are researching primary sources and videos to create their group project. The children also compared and contrasted important figures of the Civil War by working with a partner to create a Venn diagram on Canva then presented it to the class.
The Counselor's Corner
March Madness kicked off this week with our homerooms getting their team assignments. Student have begun researching fun facts about the colleges they have and also started our sneaker design contest. We’re excited to see what next week will bring when we enter week 2.
Email: jhosbach@hoboken.k12.nj.us
The Reading Specialist's Corner
The Hoboken Public School District is proud to have a certified Reading Specialist in each of our three elementary schools and Hoboken Middle School. Teaching children to read requires that every child receives excellent reading instruction and that children who are experiencing reading difficulties receive early intervention and additional instruction from professionals specifically prepared to teach them. The role of the district Reading Specialist is to provide research-based, small group reading instruction using the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education’s (IMSE) Orton-Gillingham (OG) methodology.
The purpose of the Reading Specialist Corner is to provide families with at-home literacy tips to ensure strong home-school partnerships. This week, the Reading Specialist Team is excited to share creative ways to practice spelling words at home.
The Importance of Spelling
According to the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (2020), “Spelling is one of the most important and most forgotten aspects of literacy development.” Furthermore, the article goes on to express, “learning to spell enhances reading, writing, and literacy skills for young children in elementary school.” Therefore, to continue to build spelling concepts, students should be practicing at home as well. Students do not need to practice with just a paper and pencil; but rather they can have fun while practicing spelling words! Use the link below to find creative ways to practice spelling. For students in third grade and above, these creative ways can be used to build students’ vocabulary and high frequency word knowledge.
Individualized Learning Pathway - Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Fourth grade CTY students created dream flags for the annual, nationwide Dream Flag Project, which was inspired by the poems of Langston Hughes. Our students wrote beautiful, heartfelt poetry about their personal dreams and their dreams for the world. They added the poems to “flags” and decorated them in the tradition of Nepalese Buddhist prayer flags, which are inscribed with important symbols, prayers, and mantras. For centuries, Buddhists have planted these flags outside for the wind to carry the good vibrations across the countryside.
On April 11th, students will partake on a field trip to the Hudson County Gifted and Talented Consortium’s Dream Flags Project celebration at which they will enjoy a variety of poetry and art activities and where their dream flags--along with those of other Hudson County students--will be proudly hung. Since the dream flags will “only” be displayed indoors, the good vibrations may not quite reach the countryside, but they will certainly be felt by everyone at this wonderful event!
Physical Education
Students had a productive week in PE playing volleyball this week. Focusing on teamwork and skill development. Working together to achieve a common goal is an important aspect of sports and life in general. Using different equipment appropriate for different age groups, such as a large beach ball for younger students ( K-1) and a regular volleyball for older one (2-5). This allows for a tailored learning experience that matches the students abilities and developmental stages. Learning skills like setting, bumping, and serving not only improves their volleyball abilities, but also fosters collaboration, communication, and coordination among the students. These are valuable lessons that extend beyond the volleyball court, and into the various aspects of their life.
World Languages
This week in Mandarin class, kindergarten and first graders continue to review the unit of colors. They did a great job talking about their favorite colors. Second graders continue to practice how to take the order as well as order Chinese food at the restaurant. Third graders are learning the vocabulary of western food and Chinese food and talking about their favorites. Fourth and fifth graders continued working on their Chinese restaurant projects.
Art
This week in Art, students completed their PATH Summer Art Contest posters. They are filled with Summertime images, vibrant colors and of course the PATH train logos! I look forward to all the beautiful designs being submitted into this year’s contest.
We then began to speak about our upcoming projects that are related to the field trips each grade level attended. We are all very excited to begin on our galaxy paintings, our Warhol inspired butterflies, our dream catchers, and of course our Vintage NYC posters!
Music
This week, 3rd graders got to play a song on their recorder, Hot Cross Buns! This fun, upbeat song is the perfect beginning to instrumental playing. This song teaches students how to move between notes quickly. Fourth graders practiced their accompaniment skills by performing with the song "Slice it, Dice it!" We always love to sing in music, but the singers would have a hard time if it wasn't for a steady, percussion section to keep them in time!
Science
Kindergarten
This week in kindergarten we focused on plants and what they need to live and grow. We combined our science and math skills to use rulers to measure how tall plants can grow. We also had a lesson on how important it is for plants to have enough space for their roots, stems and leaves. We also celebrated the first day of spring!
First Grade
This week the first graders continued our work on Animal Adaptations. The students completed a graphic organizer of how animals are able to cool off in warm temperatures, stay warm in cold temperatures, and those animals that can survive with little water. We came up with examples of how animals, for example, elephants, are able to cool themselves off with water in hot weather. We learned that a camel stores fat and water in its humps to survive for days and months without water! With this information and completed graphic organizer, the students will be able to create a computer program by using our four square chart results and transferring them over to Scratch Jr. (or Scratch) with their own interpretations.
Second Grade
It was an exciting week in second grade science! We began the week learning all about plants. We first learned about the basic parts of a plant and how each part functioned to help the plant grow and thrive. We then looked at the parts of the plant where pollination occurs and how pollination and later seed dispersal helps new plants grow all over the world. One favorite part was tracking the life cycle of a plant and the activity where students worked on their own or with partners to put pictures representing the different stages of the life cycle in order.
Third Grade
This week in 3rd grade science students learned about different traits that animals have that allow them to survive and thrive within their given environment! Students focused on several different animals such as red eyed tree frogs, bald eagles, and even sharks. Students discussed as a class the different traits that each of these animals have that allows them to survive within each of their individual environments. Afterwards, students watched a generation genius video where they explored these traits even further!
Fourth Grade
This week in fourth grade science we began discussing many influential women in STEM! As we are on the tail end of women's history month, it is important to note that inspiring more women to go into the STEM field is incredibly important. Each student will be focusing on the accomplishments and lives of one woman in STEM to share with their class. We are creating "resumes" for each woman and students are writing letters to their women. I am so excited to see how these projects turn out, and to learn more about these amazing women in STEM.
Fifth Grade
This week, fifth grade students put the finishing touches on their robotic cars. They worked very hard to design, build and test their mobile robots. After carefully following a plan to build the base of their vehicles, each group then modified the vehicle to complete the task of collecting blocks and moving them across the floor. Next week, students will design the layout of a disaster site using criteria and constraints that are given to them. The end goal is for each group to use remote controls to make their robot navigate the disaster site by avoiding obstacles.
Nurse's Nook
Yearly health screenings are a New Jersey state requirement and are completed by school nurses in every school in every district. If a physical is submitted yearly by your child's primary care physician, your child may not need to be screened that school year. A notice will be sent home of any deviations from the recommended standards and you will be asked to follow up with your child's physician. All screenings are done in private and students are called in one by one. These values are confidential and students are advised to not compare with other students in their class.
Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity
& Nutrition) is a national education program designed to give parents and communities a way to help children learn to eat nutritious foods. As parents, you can do a lot to help your children learn healthy eating habits and maintain a healthy weight. Involving them in meal preparation and cooking can motivate them to try new foods – and is a good way to spend time together as a family!
Hopefully we are nearing the end of cold and flu season! And although Spring brings warmer weather, it also brings allergies. It is important to stay healthy and distinguish allergies from a more serious illness and controlling allergies to keep asthma at bay. I have listed several symptoms, triggers and treatment tips below:
Symptoms and Common Triggers include:
Itchy skin Pollen
Watery eyes Grass
Runny nose Mold
Cough Pet dander
Congestion Dust Mites
Post-nasal drainage Cockroaches
Sneezing
Treatment tips:
Avoid allergens and keep house clean and free of pests
Wash hands often, cover mouth when sneezing or coughing
Change clothes when coming in from playing outdoors
Use over the counter antihistamines and decongestions as directed
Keep air filters changed and use air purifiers
Allergy testing and treatment by a doctor
Take all medications for asthma already prescribed by your doctor to keep asthma under
control
For our youngest learners, accidents happen... Please send a change of clothes to school for your child just in case!
Any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to nurse Cassandra via phone 201-356-3757 or email cnuovo@hoboken.k12.nj.us