SRES Eagle Times
October 7, 2022 - Issue No. 7
Inspire, Create and Grow a Community of Lifelong Learners
NEWS FROM MRS. HAZARD, PRINCIPAL
Greetings SRES Families!
We packed a lot into our field trip on Wednesday - modeling and practicing field trip and bus expectations, conducting a bus evacuation drill, and picking apples for educational and fun classroom projects! Please read below to learn more about what your child's classroom did with their apples!
Fall assessments:
Most of our fall assessments are complete and we have been meeting to review the data and plan instructional next steps, both whole class and targeted interventions. At SRES, we have WIN (What I Need) time three days a week in addition to hour-long math and reading workshops. Please know we closely monitor your child's progress throughout the year and we look forward to sharing this with you during parent conferences!
All School Meetings
Our 4th-grade students facilitated our All School Meeting this morning! YAY, 4th grade! Ask your student about Aroostasha! All grades will take turns facilitating our meetings throughout the year - a great way to build community, practice public speaking, and develop leadership skills!
NH Institute of Dance residency
As you know, students will be participating in a weeklong dance residency during the week of October 17th. Please join us on Friday, October 21st at 5pm for a culminating performance that is sure to be full of energy and joy!
Looking ahead:
- October 10th: No School/Indigenous Peoples' Day
- October 11th: No School/InService (teachers have a menu of learning opportunities!)
- Week of October 17th: NH Dance Institute Residency!! FUN! FUN!
- October 21st, 5pm: Dance Performance for families! PLEASE JOIN US!!
As always, please reach out with any questions, concerns and/or feedback.
I wish you a wonderful long fall weekend! Enjoy the beauty of Vermont!
Your partner in education,
Laura Hazard
SEL NEWS
Stephanie Fuller
SRES students are starting the school year with reviewing the importance of KINDNESS!
Kindergarten and First Grade read the book, "The Kindness Quilt" by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace during SEL last week. This week they were able to share examples of how they can show kindness at school, at home, and in the community.
Second, Third and Fourth Grades watched one of my favorite videos about kindness called "The Kindness Boomerang." Students were able to see examples of how kindness can be spread in the community and how when you put kindness out into the world eventually kindness will return to you like a boomerang! Students really enjoy this video and keep asking to watch it again so I told them I would put a link to it in this week's newsletter so that they can watch it again with their families. Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAYpLVyeFU
All students are finishing up a paper quilt square with examples of kindness and they will soon be pieced together on a hallway bulletin board to make a SRES Kindness Quilt. Stay tuned for a picture of the completed SRES Kindness Quilt in next week's newsletter!
Enjoy the beautiful fall weekend!
HEALTH OFFICE NEWS
Greetings from the SRES Health Office,
- Communication - It is now easier than ever to communicate with Nurse Jenn. Visit https://www.remind.com/join/sreshe to join the SRES Health Office
- Vision Screening - The Springfield Lions Club will be doing vision screenings on all SRES students on Monday, November 7, 2022. Please reach out if you have any concerns about your child's vision.
It’s that time of year again: apple-picking season. And there are a number of good reasons why you’ll want to fill a basket.
Apples are rich in carbohydrates.
Apples contain many vitamins.
Apples are loaded with antioxidants.
Apples improve digestion.
Apples make you feel full.
Apples can reduce the risk of childhood obesity.
Apples boost brain power.
Thank you Green Mountain Orchard. SRES students and staff had a great time apple picking on Wednesday!!!
COVID-19
As a courtesy, please notify the school (nurse Jenn) if your child tests positive for COVID-19. This will help us monitor for the virus better. Please self report any positives to the Vermont Department of Health at:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6507748/Vermont-COVID-19-Self-Test-Result-Reporting-Form
Head Lice
Anyone can get head lice and it does not reflect poor hygiene or social status. The “no nit” and “no live lice” policies have been discontinued here at SRES. These policies cause unnecessary absences for students and loss of parent workdays and family wages. Exclusion from school can adversely affect students emotionally, socially and academically. Therefore, we ask that you do your part and prevent the spread of this communicable condition by checking your child(ren) daily for the next few weeks, and on a regular basis thereafter. Lice infestation is much easier to treat if caught early.
Reminders
If you haven’t returned your signed medical information form, medical release form and COVID consent form please do so as soon as possible. If you need another copy please reach out to jennifer.vaughan@wnesu.com
Need Health Insurance?
Visit www.vermonthealthconnect.gov or call 1-855-899-9600
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's health.
Phone: 802-869-2637 or Email: jennifer.vaughan@wnesu.com
KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Mrs. April Putnam
What a busy couple of weeks! Last week our butterfly emerged from its chrysalis and we set it free in our school’s flower garden. The kids really enjoyed watching the process and were a little sad to see it go.
We have been working on letters m, n, c, and a. We also began Sight Words last week. Kindergarteners are excited to do sight word practice and we will be adding 2 more words next week.
In Math we continue our work with shapes and colors. We worked on cutting out curves this week and circles. Next week we will begin Math centers!
Kindergarteners really enjoyed our trip to the apple orchard. We made apple sauce with the apples we picked. We also used apples to stamp out a fall painting.
FIRST GRADE NEWS
Mrs. Jillian White
We had lots of fun on the apple picking field trip at Green Mountain Orchards! We did a science experiment with our apples to see if they float or sink in a tub of water. We learned that apples float because apples are less dense than water!
☆ Reading- The first graders have begun their Reader’s Workshop time! Now that we have learned all of our literacy centers (word work, read to self, listen to reading, writing) we have started to do reading groups! During this time, Ms. Rose and I will meet with small groups of students to practice targeted literacy skills in just-right books.
☆ Fundations- We have begun our Fundations word study time! In Fundations, we will be working on reading and spelling words using first grade spelling patterns and rules. We have been working on tapping out and spelling consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. Our current trick words that we are working on reading and writing are: the, and, a, is, his of.
☆ Math- The first grade mathematicians have continued to work on strategies for addition within 20 and solving story problems. We have also started our “math menu” time! Each week, students have a new menu with “have to’s” and “can do’s”. Students have academic choice on their menu to practice targeted math skills by playing different math with a partner and math by myself games.
☆ Science- In science, we have been doing Mystery Science lessons about space! We learned about the moon phases and made our own moon books that showed each moon phase. Your first grader can use their moon book to track the full moon!
SECOND GRADE NEWS
Ms. Jennifer Herman
Reading
Second Grade Readers practiced retelling the parts of a story (problem, high point and solution).
Readers are working on monitoring their reading to make sure it makes sense, looks right and sounds right.
Writing
Writers have started making books to tell a personal narrative about something they have done.
Writers are working on organizing their writing and making sure the pictures match their writing.
Phonics
Second graders are focusing on how to read and write words with blends and digraphs.
They are also working on making sure they are using the proper letter formation.
Math
Second grade Mathematicians worked on comparing numbers and finding the unknown difference between them.
Theme
This week these students turned into scientists. We started our erosion unit and explored how powerful water can be.
These scientists also experimented with our apples from our field trip and made apple volcanoes. The excitement in the air was awesome!
REMINDERS
Please remember water bottles and a healthy snack!
THIRD GRADE NEWS
Ms. Bethany Williams
Math: The third graders have studied Commutative Property and how the order or numbers in multiplications and addition problems doesn’t change the answer. Each third grader made a booklet on the 2 times tables from 1-12. The booklets consisted of drawing arrays, using commutative property and practicing repeated addition.
Reading: Students have continued to learn different text features of nonfiction books. They are learning about sidebars, captions, diagrams and headings for informational texts. They have also completed a read aloud unit on books involving inter-generational families.
Writing: The third graders have begun to learn the conventions of friendly letter writing. When writing letters, they will continue to practice their handwriting skills, using complete sentences and implementing punctuation.
Science: The third graders began small group projects. Each group is working together to design a poster of a different biome. They will create pictures of plants and animals and other features of the tundra, rain forests, oceans, deserts and grasslands.
Apples! On Thursday, the third graders had fun with apples! Each child was given half an apple and with toothpicks and address labels, layers were labeled as if layers of the Earth. They also completed an apple scavenger hunt!
FOURTH GRADE NEWS
Mrs. Jaimie Douglass
Hello From Fourth Grade!
We had a fantastic trip to the Green Mountain Orchard! We made a tasty apple and caramel snack Thursday and enjoyed some delicious apple crisp thanks to Mrs. Harmon today!
In math, we are practicing number talks as a way to expand our thinking. We have also started using a fact fluency tool called Reflex Math. This is a computer-based program that tests fact knowledge. Our goal is to master multiplication facts 1-12.
Reader’s Workshop targets have included the main idea and supporting details, and most currently find the theme. We have had a blast using Pixar short films (usually less an 5 minutes in length) to determine the theme. We then use the same skills to find the theme in our guided reading books.
Would you rather wrestle an alligator or a black bear? In writing, We have been using google slides to create an opinion piece answering that question! We are able to lead with a hook, and state our opinion. We then can add supporting details and a conclusion. The use of google slides allows us to add images/backgrounds as well as animation.
Our science focus has been Earth’s patterns and processes. We have studied volcanic activity along the Ring of Fire and learned about root and ice wedging, erosion, and the layers of the Earth. We will be learning more about the different rock types and plate tectonics next week.
We are kind, respectful, active listeners, and willing to take risks.
READING NEWS
Do you want to increase your child’s interest in reading? Create a special space at home just for books. It can be a fun family activity that fosters a love of reading. Here are some tips for making a special book nook:
Consider lighting, comfort, decorations, storage for books, accomodations for a reading buddy, and limiting nearby distractions.
Many kids love reading in tight spaces like a closet, cubby, tent, treehouse, or fort. In these dark spaces you might need a hands-free light source like a battery operated lantern or headlamp.
Ebooks on an electronic device are also a good choice for any book nook. They work in dark spaces and are good for traveling.
Book storage options could be a shelf, basket, box, bin, canvas bag, or backpack.
Family members make the best book buddies, but don’t forget about pets, stuffed animals, dolls, forest fairies, or even trees.
Kids like to use their imaginations. Join them in imagining and creating a special book nook, and see if your shared experience fosters more of an interest in reading.
LIBRARY NEWS
Ms. Dianne Clouet
In the SRES library, there is a new section by the windows called the Little Free Library. This section is filled with books for students to take home to keep. These are mostly older books from the SRES collection that have been recently culled because:
they have not been borrowed in years
they are outdated
and/or they are paperback and I am prioritizing shelf space for new hardcover books
These books do not need to be returned to the library! They need a home and it is a good way for the students to get extra books by their bedsides.
The Little Free Library is also helpful for the times when students have forgotten to return their library books and so aren’t yet able to borrow from the circulating library collection. This way, they can always have something to read when they leave their library class.
The Little Free Library books are stamped “Discarded” and soon I’ll be adding stickers to the books saying Little Free Library. I will be adding books to the free library all year as I continue to update the book collection.
In other book news:
We will have one book fair this year, and it will be on the week of May 22- May 26, 2023. Like last year, it will be a “Buy One Get One Free” fair, continuing our goal of increasing the children’s access to books. I’ll be sending home information about the Scholastic Book Fair in the spring.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS
Mr. Benjamin Pickard
One way we learn this is through Pool Noodle Relay. As you can see from the picture, students get very excited to run and have a little race! Students run from the front of the line to the end of the gym, touch the pool noodle with the wall, and run back to give the noodle to the next person in line. It is a simple game and it helps students learn and remember the importance of taking turns!
MUSIC NEWS
Mrs. Alisa Daigneault
Kindergarten, First and Second Grades are in their seventh week of the first 12 week unit in our First Steps In Music Curriculum.
Kindergarten has done a fabulous job learning how to "follow the leader" and keep the beat in class. They are learning how to move safely around the room and are becoming familiar with the First Steps In Music routine. Ask your Kindergartener to say "Engine, Engine" for you (and you can keep the beat with them) or sing "No More Pie" (and you can echo them).
First Grade has been singing, dancing and playing up a storm! Ask your First Grader to sing you a song they made up about their shoe (part of our "arioso" /improvisation portion of class)! Also, have them sing you all the exciting adventures they have been on in their "buggies"!
Second Grade has really been using their singing voices! I am blown away with their singing this year! Ask your Second Grader to perform "Lemonade, Crunchy Ice" for you and show you the tricky ways they keep the beat with their hand clap pattern. Have them sing "Pickin' A Spot"! Here are some pictures of them singing "Let Us Chase The Squirrel" (adding the movement game) and their Movement Exploration Activity "Rusty Tin Man".
Third and Fourth Grades continue to work on beginning folk dancing techniques. COVID restrictions really put a damper on learning them in earlier grades, but we are getting back on track. Both classes are moving to the phrases in Jazz music (move-its) and learning simple circle dances and mixers. The Third Grade is on their 5th week of Conversational Solfege Duple Rhythm decoding (familiar songs) and the Fourth Grade is on their 8th week of Conversational Solfege 6/8 rhythm decoding (unfamiliar songs). Both classes are learning rhythm very quickly this year. Third Grade loves to sing "My Roots Go Down" and Fourth Grade loves to sing "We Will Build This House". Ask your student to sing for you!
We are off to a wonderful beginning in Music this year and I look forward to working with students throughout the upcoming months!
Mrs. Daigneault, Music Educator
ART NEWS
Mr. Jay Palmisano
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM NEWS
Our ASP students are having so much fun!
Monday: Stem night: We learned why leaves change color. We started with an experiment that drew out the different colors in the leaves. It was amazing how the colors traveled up the coffee filters. Ask your student what colors their leaves revealed? Then each of us made a leaf hedgehog!
Tuesday: Craft night: Each of us assembled a fall wealth. I hope some of these made it to your door! They were super cute!
Wednesday: Outdoor sports night: We decided as a group that soccer was not for us. So tonight we learned how to play 4 squares.
Thursday: Grafton Nature Mueseum: Jay from the Grafton Nature Museum shared with us some great information about leaves and what happens with trees this time of year. Then he read us a story about leaves. Jay introduced us to a new game tonight too! Ask your student about it.
Friday: Game board night: Tonight we will play board games. This is always a great time. Ask what game your student played tonight.
Looking ahead: We will not have ASP Monday 10/10 or Tuesday 10/11.
We do have a few spots open in the ASP. Please reach out to us if you are interested in the ASP.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Twin Falls Training Center
SAXTONS RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: laura.hazard@wnesu.com
Website: https://sres.wnesu.org/
Location: 15 School Street, Saxtons River, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 869-2637
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sresvt