South Elementary Family Newsletter
Volume #8 April, 2024
Message from the Principals
Dear South Families,
During April and May, the students at South Elementary School share a fun tradition.....they cheer for, and inspire each other, to do their best on the state MCAS testing. Students in Grades K-2 have planned activities for whole grades, as well as buddy classrooms, that include writing notes, giving candies, rolling out a "green" carpet, and cheering with pompoms and clapping, as the grade level taking MCAS walks under a green and white balloon arch. It is an exciting and uplifting way to start this assessment. It helps to create a collaborative culture where everyone is aware of what is happening and shows that we can help each other out by being there and encouraging one another. Ultimately, it helps reinforce the message that "we can do hard things"! It is personally one of my favorite memories of each school year. Please consider asking your child/ren how this makes them feel.
In keeping with the above topic, each month since the new year, the whole school has been gathering in the cafegymatorium for the Cricket Convention. During that time, one grade level or group will present to the rest of the school something to help us build a positive and united school community across grade levels. At South, we have a small school that makes it easy to connect and get to know each other. We are working on adding more of these traditions in the future, but wanted to share some of these exciting events with you.
The skills we will be targeting from our PRIDE traits during April (Perseverance; Respect; Independence; Diversity/Equity/Inclusion; and Empathy) will help students as they get older. They are: completing homework; interrupting appropriately; working to your full potential; and, using an appropriate tone of voice. These skills help us to be responsible, respectful and, once again, reinforce that "we can do hard things".
With Aloha,
Steph Brown and Rebecca Hurley
508-324-3180
Mark Your Calendars
Tuesday, April 2: Grade 5 MCAS ELA1
Tuesday, April 2: World Autism Day! Wear Blue!
Wednesday, April 3: Grade 5 MCAS ELA2
Thursday, April 4: Grade 4 MCAS ELA1
Thursday, April 4: Papa Gino's Night, 869 GAR Hwy, Somerset- 4-9PM-Mention South School when you please your order. For online orders, enter Code 19 at the payment screen and click redeem. South School PTO gets 20% of orders.
Friday, April 5-Grade 4 MCAS ELA2
Friday, April 5: Cricket Convention @ 2:30PM-Wear your South Cricket or Green Spirit Wear
Monday, April 8: Solar Eclipse-2-4:30PM-Please do not take children outside during this time without proper eye covering. If you do need to be outside, please remind them not to look directly at the eclipse.
Monday, April 8: Grade 3 MCAS ELA1
Tuesday, April 9: Grade 3 MCAS ELA2
Tuesday, April 9: PTO Mtg @ 6PM @ South School Cafegymatorium
Wednesday, April 10-Friday, April 12: MCAS Makeups
Week of April 15-19: Spring Vacation
Monday, April 29: K Screening in Library
Tuesday, April 30: K Screening in Library
From Our Amazing PTO!
PTO’s April Newsletter
Upcoming Events: Mark your Calendars!
Thursday, April 4th: Papa Gino’s Night 4PM-9PM
869 GAR Highway, Somerset
Walk-in or phone orders: Mention this fundraiser when you place your order for South School to get the credit for your order.
Online Orders: Enter Code 19 at the payment screen and click redeem.
South School earns 20% of orders!
Tuesday,April 9th: PTO Meeting
South School Cafe at 6PM
This meeting will recap the year so far and discuss upcoming events such as BINGO Night and Teacher Appreciation Week!
All are welcome!
Week of May 6th-May 10th: Teacher Appreciation Week
The PTO has meals planned and tokens of appreciation for staff during this week.
The PTO will be sending home more information on how families can participate and contribute towards Teacher Appreciation Week.
Friday, May 17th: Fundrive Savers 4PM-7:00PM
Start your spring cleaning!
South PTO is collecting bags of clothes.
Drop off will take place at South School parking lot from 4PM-7PM.
A donation to our FUNDRIVE is worth a FREE extra BINGO card.
**One free BINGO card per drop off not per bag** See more details about BINGO below.
Friday, May 17th: South School BINGO Night! 6:00PM-8:00PM
Friday, May 17th: 6:00PM-8:00PM at South School
Doors open at 5:30PM.
Reserve your spot on Cheddar Up! https://somersetsouthelementarypto-181.mycheddarup.com/
Free Admission and one free BINGO card per person.
Each additional card is $1.00
County Fare will be at the event selling food.
Pizza and treats will also be available to purchase. *cash only*
A donation to our FUNDRIVE Savers clothing collection will earn a free card.
PTO Review and Updates:
PTO Board Openings!
The PTO has the following openings for next year:
President
Treasurer
Event Coordinators (2 openings)
The PTO is always looking for families to join the PTO.
It’s a great way to get involved in your child’s school and to meet families.
Voting will take place at the May PTO Meeting.
Please email Carla with any questions or interest. somersetsouthelementarypto@gmail.com
Contact PTO
Follow South Elementary PTO on Facebook for updates and information!
BICYCLE SAFETY
It's that time of year again when the weather is getting warmer and a perfect time to be riding bicycles! But you have to remember to be safe! Why is bicycle safety so important? More than 1 million children receive medical treatment for biking-related injuries each year. All cyclists should follow safety precautions:
- Adults should ride with young children. Make sure bike is not too big for the child. Wear bright-colored, lightweight clothes.
- Children must always wear a helmet, IT’S THE LAW! The use of safety helmets is the law for persons 12 years of age and under while operating or riding as a passenger on bicycles,
in-line skates, scooters and skateboards.
- Follow the rules of the road. Bicyclists are members of the traffic community, and all riders must obey the same rules of the road.
- Always ride on the right-hand side of the street in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.
- Try to use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever you can - not the sidewalk!
- Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving a driveway, an alley, or a curb.
- Watch traffic closely for turning cars or cars leaving driveways.
- Don't ride too close to parked cars - doors can open suddenly.
- Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as cars do. Yield to pedestrians, stop at red lights, and be especially careful at intersections.
- Always walk a bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
- When riding with friends, always ride single file on the street. Riding side by side in traffic or on the street is dangerous for both bicyclists and people in cars.
- When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left, and call out, -On your left! so they know someone is coming up behind them.
- Never change directions or lanes without first looking behind you, and always use the correct hand signals. Use your left arm for all hand signals.
- Left turn : after checking behind you, hold your arm straight out to the left and ride forward slowly.
- Right turn: after checking behind you, bend your elbow, holding your arm up in an L shape, and ride forward slowly.
- Stop: after checking behind you, bend your elbow, pointing your arm downward in an upside down L shape and come to a stop.
- Only one person should be on a bike at a time - never share the seat with a friend or ride on the handlebars. It' s easy to lose balance or suddenly swerve into traffic when riding with a passenger.
- Avoid riding in conditions when visibility is poor. If riding at dusk or in the evening, be sure to have reflectors on the bike and a battery-operated headlight.
- Never wear headphones while biking - it's essential.
APRIL is Autism Awareness Month. Many of us either know someone who is on the autism spectrum either in our families or classrooms. The more we understand about how the brain of a person on the Spectrum works the more we can support and enjoy our time with them.
Click this link for an information video Amazing Things Happen!
Click link below for resources and education and more information on
https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day
Look for Autism Walk coming up May 25th.
WEAR BLUE ON APRIL 2ND.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS TO SUPPORT PARENTS RAISING A CHILD WITH AUTISM
This item: Parenting a Child with Autism: A Modern Guide to Understand and Raise your ASD Child to Success (Successful Parenting)
Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing Autism
There are many other days of awareness Including cultural highlights. Click
Awareness Days in April to get full list.
We are looking to continue to learn more about all of the different cultures that are a part of our South family and Somerset family. We are hoping that we can bring together an evening to Taste, See, Smell, Taste the WORLD. Due to circumstances out of our control, we will not be holding the previously scheduled Multicultural Evening this April.
Thank you to all of those that signed up to volunteer. We are hoping to plan for this evening again next school year and we hope to have your support again next year.
We are hoping to represent food, art, dance, clothing, music, etc…..If there is something that you are comfortable sharing with us, and participating next year, please reach out so that we can start to plan for next year.
Cecilia.huard@somersetschools.org
Again Please reach out with any questions for resources around mental health concerns or any support in general.
As you know we work closely with several agencies in the community.
Below are Available groups at Balanced Learning Center
Please consider joining us for our upcoming Session 3 groups, running from April 22nd to May 24th, 2024! Spaces are limited to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
Fostering Healthy Relationships
Mondays, April 22nd - May 20th
5:00-6:00 PM
Grades: 5-8
BLC, 45 Rock Street, Fall River
https://forms.gle/rWzyQK6PZ7Ccmubx8
Art with Ms. Marianne
Tuesdays, April 23rd - May 21st
4:00-5:00 PM
Grades: 1-4
Live on Zoom
https://forms.gle/43SepKWUAuzV2t8A6
Executive Functioning Group
Tuesdays, April 23rd - May 21st
5:30-6:30 PM
Grades: 9-12
BLC, 45 Rock Street, Fall River
https://forms.gle/dr4j2rYiFSbjmuuR7
For questions or assistance with registration, please reach out to us at allison.curryBLC@gmail.com
Allison Curry, MSW, LCSW | Clinical Director of Community-Based Programming | She/Her
As always in your corner,
Mrs. H
Cecilia Huard, LMHC
School Adjustment counselor
Parent Resources
April Lunch Menu: please click HERE.
Click HERE for April Read Aloud Books for Elementary Students
Click HERE for *Updated *2024 MCAS Dates
Click HERE for a 100s Chart to help count to 100, add, subtract, and notice number patterns.
Click HERE for an Alphabet Linking Chart to help your child match sounds and letters when writing/reading.
Somerset Public Schools, SY' 23-24 Calendar: please click HERE
KINDERGARTEN
GRADE 1
In Math, we have focused on numbers within 120. We are learning to count by tens but off the decade (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72...). WE have had a lot of fun using a number line to help us add and subtract. We even learned how to look at a number line and find the value of blank spaces on the number line by looking at the numbers around the clank space.
These first graders are starting to look like second graders!
GRADE 2
Happy Spring! It has certainly been a busy March! We will be cheering on our 5th Grade Buddies starting this week as they begin to take MCAS. In class, our read-alouds this month have been characters facing challenges. We also have begun to read some biographies, including Jacques Cousteau! In our own reading, we have been exploring characters and how we know about them including their thoughts, feelings, and what they are like. In writing, we have begun exploring the genre of informational, including brainstorming lists of words that are related to a certain topic, deciding on a few main ideas, and elaborating on those main ideas. We will begin writing our own informational text based on a topic we know a lot about. In phonics, we have been working on unpredictable vowel teams. All of the unpredictable vowel teams are ie, ow, ea, oo, au, and ew! In math, we wrapped up our chapter on 2-Digit Subtraction, and are now working on 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction. In science, we ended our Matter unit by exploring the best type of mud to build a city. We began our unit on Animal Adventures by looking at animal classifications and habitats.
GRADE 3
Dear Third Grade Families,
The uncertain weather of spring has sprung, along with the uncertain feelings on MCAS surrounding the students. As we encourage students to do their very best, we also want to ensure that students are not feeling stressed or overwhelmed with this new experience. We are providing ample practice for them in order to ease their concerns and give them some exposure. Students did a wonderful job with fractions and proved ready for the next chapter, Time. We are working through Chapter 10, learning how to read, and write time as well as calculate elapsed time. Our number corner continues to focus on measurement, including area and perimeter of irregular shapes. Our daily phonics activities continue to focus on decoding simple and complex multisyllabic words, and the students do quite well with this skill. April will bring a new unit in social studies where students will begin learning about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. While students thoroughly enjoyed their informational writings on crocodiles, we have just introduced biographies, using Marie Curie and Jane Goodall as our models. April will bring magic and heroes with our folktale stories, which are loved among the students during our reading time. As the air starts to warm, and the rains increase, the germs still run rampant. Our classrooms are in need of bacterial wipes and tissues. Please also keep in mind that although spring is here, temperatures are unpredictable and as such students should continue to dress in warm layers.
The Third Grade Team`
Grade 4
ELA MCAS is this month and we are ready! We have learned test-taking strategies to answer multiple-choice and essay questions. We learned that these are strategies we will use for the rest of our educational career. In writing, we are continuing to focus on narratives. We have learned to build suspense and end our stories with a heart-felt extended ending. We have also been developing our figurative language skills. We can identify similies, metaphors, hyperboles, and more! Mrs. Pimentel’s class even performed idiom plays for each other. In reading, we are diving deep into the text and learning to infer what the author is saying based on clues in the text. We continue to develop our phonics skills with 95% lessons. We can break words into their syllables and can determine the meaning of many words based on the morphemes and their meaning. In Social Studies, we are learning about the regions of the United States.
It is hard to believe it is already the end of March! This month we finished our unit on understanding equivalent fractions, comparing fractions with different denominators, solving story problems with adding, subtracting, or multiplying fractions and mixed numbers with like denominators, comparing decimals to the hundredths place, writing fractions as decimals, and adding and subtracting decimals to the hundredths place. It was a lot - but they did fantastic! We also finished an additional unit on understanding place value, rounding whole numbers, and adding/subtracting multi-digit whole numbers. During M.A.T.H. Workshop, we reviewed lines, angles and angle measurement, area & perimeter, multi-digit multiplication, adding/subtracting & comparing decimals, adding and subtracting multi-digit whole numbers, and escape rooms to review fractions. March’s Number Corners consisted of understanding patterns, and writing equations to match the patterns. In science, they started their investigation on the features and processes of the Earth’s surface. To start, the students explored the rapid processes of volcanic eruptions! The fourth graders practiced graphing the coordinates of volcanoes around the world, discussed patterns they noticed, and were able to investigate how different types of lava create different volcanoes (shield or cone) using water and flour. We will continue our unit on the Earth’s processes throughout April! We are looking forward to a fun and exciting April.
Grade 5
ELA MCAS is this month and we are ready! We have learned test-taking strategies to answer multiple-choice and essay questions. We learned that these are strategies we will use for the rest of our educational career. In writing, we are continuing to focus on narratives. We have learned to build suspense and end our stories with a heart-felt extended ending. We have also been developing our figurative language skills. We can identify similies, metaphors, hyperboles, and more! Mrs. Pimentel’s class even performed idiom plays for each other. In reading, we are diving deep into the text and learning to infer what the author is saying based on clues in the text. We continue to develop our phonics skills with 95% lessons. We can break words into their syllables and can determine the meaning of many words based on the morphemes and their meaning. In Social Studies, we are learning about the growth of the republic. We are looking at the Constitution as well as the amendments and what they mean for us today.
It is hard to believe it is already the end of March. This month we finished our unit on multiplying fractions and decimals and reviewed a variety of strategies to multiply and divide multi-digit whole numbers. The fifth graders used reasonable estimates and two strategies to self-check their understanding and work. They shared their thinking in math forums to allow them to explain what strategies worked best for their brain (over/under, partial product, area model, partial quotient, doubling/halving, etc.). During M.A.T.H Workshop, they reviewed volume and surface area, coordinate planes, adding/subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, mixed numbers or improper fractions, order of operations, as well as adding, subtracting, comparing & rounding decimals. In Number Corners, the classes learned how to explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when multiplying or dividing by the powers of 10. During our science block, the students started their unit on the Web of Life to explore how organisms depend on another and form an interconnected ecosystem. We started by investigating food chains (playing Eaten or Be Eaten), and the importance of producers, consumers, and decomposers - through our observations of our mold terrariums, worm watchers, and hydroponic gardening. We’re looking forward to a fun month in April!