CGB Elementary News
March 1, 2024
Our 100th day of school was on February 9th. We continue to roll along with the school year and even got to celebrate a Leap Year this school year. The weather has been very kind to us and we have appreciated the lack of weather disruptions this school year. We have about 2.5 weeks before the end of quarter 3.
Art Show
Please join us for the first art show on Friday, March 8th. We are excited to showcase what our students learned and created during our artist in residency. See the flyer below.
PAWS Drawing for February
Ice cream party - Bryson (not present for picture) & Easton
1st in lunch line for the week - Aunders (not present for picture) & Jaxon
Free Book from Scholastic Book Order - Marlee & Sawyer
Extra Robots/Lego Time - Paul & Weston
Our 3rd quarter goal is 400 tickets and the reward is an all school bingo.
Keep up the great work showing:
- Perseverance
- Acceptance and Respect of Others
- Wise Choices
- Safety
March Is Music In Our Schools Month
March is Music In Our Schools Month. It is a national celebration to raise awareness about the importance of having access to a quality music education available to all children. The elementary students at CGB LOVE coming to music class and many of them don’t want to leave when class is over. There are many benefits of music education. Music offers an outlet for our students. Vaughan Fleischfresser states that "music educates the whole child. The physical, mental, social, emotional, and creative child - the whole child." Music in our schools is so important.
We at CGB are lucky to offer music education to our students. Our students get to experience music every day and it's a wonderful thing. Throughout out the month of February, I have shared videos on Facebook from our “Get-Moving-Tuesday” activities. Seeing the engagement the students have during music is so exciting. Even though the students are having fun, there is still a lesson attached to this fun!
Students were recently asked what they like about music class. I will share a few of the responses just to give you an idea of why music class is so important to our students.
Kindergarten:
“I like singing and working hard for PAWS tickets. I like being good.”
“I like to watch music videos and my favorite thing is to play instruments.”
“I just like to sing.”
“I like to sing and dance.”
We get to sing songs and listen to songs.”
“I like to sing and dance.”
“I like that I get to sing and dance and it is fun.”
Second Grade:
“I like that we get to have a “Video Thursday” and a “Get Move-It Tuesday.”
“I like all the new songs that we learn.”
“I like that we can sing and dance.”
“I like to sing in music class because we get to sing my favorite songs.”
“I like music class because it is the best! I like “Get Move-It Tuesday.”
“I like that we sing and dance every single day!”
Third Grade:
“I like the activities we do.”
“I love when we do Basketball Beats. It is fun to have “Video Thursday, an “Get Move-It Tuesday.”
“If I’m really mad it helps" and “Get Move-It Tuesday” and “Video Thursday.”
“When we get to play a lot of fun games and listen to music.”
“March Madness and playing instruments.”
“I like music because I like to sing and it is really fun!”
Fourth Grade:
“I like music class because you can sing, you can move and that’s the good thing. I think that music inspires you and with music you can do big things.”
“I like music class because we get to learn about different things that we did not know and I like learning about beats. I love the videos that we get to watch.”
“We get to sing and play games.”
“I like that it’s a time where I can just spend time with friends while I also have the chance to get to do what I love: learning. I get the chance to learn to read music, I also love a time to listen to some great tunes.”
“I like singing, dancing, and “Video Thursday.” That’s what I like about music class.”
“We get to play music games. We also get to use BoomWhackers and sometimes drums and other instruments. We also get to bring our computers and play music games on them.”
“I like how we have “Move-It Tuesday” and “Video Thursday” where every week on Tuesday, we watch dance videos and dance along to the video and on Thursday we watch a cool music video.”
“I like that we get to learn cool stuff in music.”
“Every song every day.”
Fifth Grade:
“I like the songs that have the beat and make you dance. I also like the fun things we do like games, dancing, and singing.”
“What I like about music is you try new things like singing a new song that you never heard of, playing a new game that helps us learn new things, dancing , and learning how to play an instrument. Our teacher helps us and never be scared to try something new.”
“It’s relaxing, you get to learn fun stuff, and you can play music related games and videos.”
“I like music class because we play all of the fun games, especially the “four corners” game. Our class loves to do the finger lights. Spoons is really fun too. We love to play, dance, and sing. There is nothing better than music class. I love music.”
“I like it because it’s fun and I love to sing and dance. My favorite day is Tuesday because we get to dance and do things with lights and basketballs.”
“Mrs. Olson cares about us, she plays songs, let’s us do games, ask questions, and teaches us wonderful stuff about music.”
And back by popular demand, March is of course Music March Madness. This activity is something the entire school looks forward to doing. I asked the staff for some help in choosing songs this year. The bracket is divided into four categories…Song that gives a great message, best dance song, the song that makes you feel good, and a calming song that relaxes you. Let the madness begin. Results will be posted next month.
Music is powerful!
Thank you Mrs. Olson for all of your hard work - we appreciate it!
Kid Heart Challenge
Mr. Adelman has led another great year of Kids Heart Challenge. The event kick-off was on Friday, February 9th. Students received a presentation about heart health, hand over hand CPR, and Finn's mission.
With the help of 81 students, we have raised $8,611.82in donations to the Kid's Heart Challenge! Also, 39 students completed Finn's mission, which entails learning hands only CPR. Thanks to families, students, staff, and community members for raising money for a great purpose.
State Wrestlers
Click here to see video of BW state wrestlers.
Students enjoyed gathering in the gym and cheering and supporting Brody, Jude, and Gunner. Good luck at State Wrestling.
Monthly Mindfulness
Mrs. Sigler continued her mindfulness lessons early this month during PE time. This month, students learned more about paying attention to their bodies and being in control of themselves. They practiced a yoga flow, mixing deep breaths and body awareness to center themselves. After that calming practice, they turned up the volume with a freeze dance game. Mrs. Sigler shared how music and movement can help students be more aware of their bodies and can help increase their mood. Students got to dance and move, but had to control their bodies and stop when the music stopped.
Ask your student to demonstrate the "conductor breath" they learned during this session and try out some simple yoga moves as a family! Below is a great link to get started on a few easy poses to help promote calming:
Preschool Registration Information
This will be held on April 10, 2024 from 4:00 - 6:00.
Kindergarten Roundup
This event will be held on April 17, 2024 at 3:30.
ECFE Update
The first spring class was held on Tuesday, Feb. 27th. There are two more classes that will be held in the near future on March 5 and March 12. The remainder of dates will be sent out later.
Please text or email Heidi at 320-760-0192 or hbasta@graceville.k12.mn.us to register for classes. You can choose which classes you are able to attend, but please let us know if you are coming. If school lets out early or is canceled due to weather ECFE will not be held that evening.
There is no charge to attend.
Screen Time and Children
The Minnesota Department of Education recently distributed some information about screen time and child development. As our world rapidly places screens in cars, restaurants, public places, schools, and homes, it is early to know the impact to our children.
In a recent MDE webinar it was stated that "Screen activities “cost” children the opportunity to engage in conversation and developmentally appropriate play with others. And, "Screen time diminishes the quantity and quality of interactions between themselves and others, resulting in fewer opportunities for the child to practice and develop language." Secondly, "It is the early language and executive functioning skills at age four; not the early reading and math skills, that positively predicted the rate of learning in elementary school."
Resources for Parents
- Common Sense Media published the following article titled “How Much Screen Time is OK for My Kids?” which emphasizes how quality of media use is more important than setting a screen time limit.
- Common Sense Media also provides guidance on assessing the quality of a child’s digital media use in “Are Some Types of Screen Time Better Than Others?”.
- Healthychildren.org provides guidance on how caregivers can support healthy media habits in the article “Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits”.
- Healthychildren.org recommends creating a Family Media Plan to facilitate discussion around safe and practical media use that works for a family’s specific needs.
- Common Sense Education provides tips, discussion prompts, and activities for families to learn about digital citizenship together.
- The American Psychological Association recently released a health advisory on adolescent social media use. The advisory explains that social media use is not inherently harmful or beneficial, and offers a list of ten recommendations for adolescent engagement with social media.
Some Screen Time Tips
1. Know the screen time recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics
2. Understand “the why”
3. Watch for negative changes in behavior
4. Create tech free times and locations AND tech “possible” times and locations (as appropriate)
5. Be in control of the charger and/or password
6. Use and set up timers
7. Change device setting to grayscale
8. Plan ahead
9. Teach screen time etiquette
10. Balance screen time with other activities
Information from the Minnesota Department of Education
Link: https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/2023-10-30-screentime-slps-evidence/full/
Executive Functioning Skills
Executive functioning skills are the essential skill that help students pay attention, organize, plan, regulate emotions, and self-monitor what they are doing throughout the day. This also includes showering, eating, brushing teeth, and regular activities at home.
The article below discusses many ways to help kids who struggle with executive function skills to improve in organization. It also provides good reminders for all kids as they develop.
Serve and Return
Brain science from a 7 year old! Molly is the youngest ever to give a Ted Talk.
This is a must-watch if you have a child under the age of 5.
Top 5 Tips for Healthy Development
As discussed in the video above.
- Connecting
- Talking
- Playing
- A Healthy Home
- Community
Reading and I Love to Read Month
We enjoyed a great February I Love to Read Month. We are greatly appreciative of the student council and work by Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Cardwell. There were many activities throughout the month that promoted reading and the importance of literacy.
Bookmark Winners
Congratulations to the Design a Bookmark for I Love To Read Month Winners:
Front Row: Ava, S Two, Camri
Back Row: Hannah, Ava, Jensen
Drawing for Making Reading Goals
Congrats for making your reading goal and winning a prize from the drawing. Each student below won a stuffed animal and a book.
Congrats Jameson, Kinzie, Horizon, Mallory, Sadie, and Emersyn!
Mystery Reader
Throughout February we had four mystery readers record a book and played it over the intercom. Thank you to Mrs. G. Cardwell, Mrs. Sigler, Mrs. Savannah, and Mrs. Lennox. Students submitted their guesses after listening to the read aloud and were entered into a drawing.
Winners of the drawing are: Ashton guessed Mrs. Cardwell, Abby guessed Mrs. Savannah, Marvel guessed Mrs. Sigler, and Adelyn guessed Mrs. Lennox.
Read Across America
It was 61 degrees on March 1st - what fun to read outside on a warm, sunny Friday in March! Thanks to our high school helpers Emmy, Birkley, Beth, and Mikaelyn for visiting the elementary and reading with our students. Students were paired up throughout the school to enjoy reading from 2:30 - 3:00.
Positive Action
Below is a picture that was included in the Countryside Public Health Newsletter. Through opioid settlement funds, we were able to receive learning about mental and physical health. Pictured below is our 3rd grade participating in this program.
Staff CPR and First Aid
Did you know?
- There is a community AED machine at the fire hall in Clinton. This one is available 24/7.
- There is an AED near the entrance of the elementary.
- There are 2 AEDs at the high school gym area.
Past Newsletters
You can find all past newsletters below on the CGB website.
https://www.graceville.k12.mn.us/elementary/
Also check out the high school/middle school newsletters to see the great things happening in that building. https://www.graceville.k12.mn.us/secondary/
Important Dates
March 8
Art Show / Art Exhibit
March 21
Early out
Last day of 3rd Quarter
March 22
No School
March 29 & April 1
No School
April 12
UMM Children's Play - K-5
April 16 & 17
Reading MCA test for Grades 3-5
April 23 & 24
May 2 & 3
Science MCA test for 5th grade