Sturgis Elementary - Meade School District

Sturgis Elementary
Meade School District 46-1
March 2015
“To Build Knowledge and Skills for Success Today and Tomorrow”
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Chantal Ligtenberg
Good Friday/Easter Monday
Friday April 3rd
Smarter Balanced Assessment: Between April 7 and April 28th, all 3rd, 4th, and 5th
grade students will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment. It will replace the Dakota Step test in English and Math. The test was developed by the Smarter Balanced
Assessment Consortium, a group of 22 states, including South Dakota. More than 100
South Dakota educators served on Smarter Balanced work groups as the test was being
developed.
The Smarter Balanced assessment was field tested in spring 2014. That practice run
gave our district’s teachers and schools a chance to practice test administration procedures, and students the opportunity to experience what will be expected of them on the
new assessment. Since the field test, a number of South Dakota educators have served
on panels to help set achievement levels for the new test.
Delivered entirely online, the Smarter Balanced assessment offers significant improvements over multiple choice, paper-and pencil tests of the past. Students now have the
opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of ways. Writing is required at
every grade level, and performance tasks ask students to demonstrate an array of research, writing and problem solving skills. This variety in test items means that test
results will provide a more meaningful picture of what students know and can do. The
new test also offers expanded accessibility features to better meet the needs of all students.
Monday, April 6th
NO SCHOOL
PTA Meeting
April 9—SES Library
April 14—School Board Meeting
Inservice
Monday, April 20th
NO SCHOOL.
Kindergarten Jumpstart Night
Because the new assessment measures student mastery of new, more rigorous standards, student performance on Smarter Balanced should not be compared to performance on Dakota STEP. Any time a new test is introduced, there will be a period of adjustment as students become familiar with the new concepts being assessed. If you must
compare results of the two tests, expect to see a drop in the number of students scoring
at the proficient level. This should not be cause for alarm; it means that we are challenging students and preparing them for the rigors of postsecondary education and careers in today’s world.
It is also important to remember that your child’s score on the state assessment only
reflects their performance at one moment in time. Throughout the school year, your student’s teachers continually measure his or her progress through a variety of methods.
MUSTANGS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the March Mustangs of the Month!
Kindergarten: Liam Iverson, Grace Johnson, Landyn Mahaffy, Emilie Reedy, Aneesa Johnson-Landoll
First Grade: Christine Jordan, Ashley Standen, Riley Harden, Gracie Weiland, Trayvon Nelson, Izabel Rhodes
Second Grade: Kylee Phillips, Trevor Limpy, Grace Kiepke, Austin Hein, Makylia Borg, Ryle Millar
Third Grade: HowBee Quick, Timber Inhofer, Carter Jones, Max Evens, Tyzer Thomason, Rowan Swift
Fourth Grade: Elizabeth Brand, Owen Cass, Reese Ross, Taesha Monahan
Fifth Grade: Braden Temple, Corrina Ross, Shelby Bestgen, Madison Zylstra, Braelynn Moser, Michael Bertalot
Thursday, May 7
5-7 pm
Inside this issue:
Kindergarten
First Grade
2
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
3
Nurse’s Notes
4
Library News
5
March Madness
Kindergarten
Music Program
6
7
Family Services
April Lunch Menu
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February News—from 1st Grade
This month sure has been March-ing right along. What a busy time it has been!
March came in like a “Lion” and we are sure hoping it goes out like a “Lamb”. Please remember to dress for
the weather, layers work well. We have had many t-shirts, summer tops, and even flip-flops. Our playground
is often wet and the wind seems to blow on most days. We started out the month by celebrating Dr. Seuss’s
birthday. We rotated to all first grade classrooms to do various fun activities that included making hats, Smart
board activities, word searches, newspaper monsters, and even ate green eggs and ham! It was so much fun to
celebrate the works of one of America’s favorite authors.
First grade is also enjoying celebrating reading with our March Madness Elite 8 stories. We have enjoyed listening to the stories, voting for our favorite, and making posters. It was fun to share our books with guest readers and parents. Thank you to those who were able to come. Have your child tell you about the winners and
their favorite book. Our specials schedules will change slightly starting after Easter break for a few weeks as
the upper grades do the Smarter Balanced test. Our specials will be from 9:20-10:20. Please remember to wear
or bring T-shoes for PE.
Although the weather is getting nicer and many spring/summer sports are starting we still have so much to
learn. Please remember to check backpacks for classroom updates and continue to make time for practicing
reading, math, and spelling. Listen to me carefully as I read and retell the story.
Thank you, Families, for all you do!
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2nd Grade News
As summer vacation approaches, don't forget to read!! According to Scholastic's "Kids & Family Reading Report",
83% of kids ages 6-17 say they love or loved being read aloud to. Here are some helpful hints as we move into
summer.
1. Create alternative times of the day to read aloud.
2. Use technology to enhance the read aloud feeling.
3. Switch up the text type. Try poetry, articles or read aloud.
4. Combine read aloud with think aloud. Ask questions that allow children to express their opinions and think out
loud.
5. Build ritual, traditional and ceremonies around the read aloud. Create a "nook" where children know will be quiet
and perfect for reading. Have a reading celebration each month and create fun activities around a book or theme.
6. Mix it up to keep it interesting-different times of day, different places to read, different types of books.
Enjoy your upcoming summer with a good book!!!
3rd Grade News
Our school has been participating in a tournament of picture books which has greatly inspired the students to read.
The students have thoroughly enjoyed listening to books read online by different celebrities, read by local celebrities, and then by their parents. They have been able to support their favorite book by voting and creating a poster
for it. March Madness is in the air and the buzz is all about promoting a love for reading.
The third grade would also like to thank all the volunteer instructors that participated in the Junior Achievement
Program.
4th Grade News
It is hard to believe that it is already April! Time flies when you are having fun. We will be taking
a trip to Mount Rushmore on May 8th and will be sending home info as the date gets closer. This is a
great opportunity for students to visit a National Monument that is found right in our backyard! The students will also be participating in a presentation given by the nurses about staying healthy and growing
up. More info to come! We would like to thank all of our parents and families for the support you have
given us this year. Your help and cooperation is much appreciated by all!
Have a great Easter,
Your 4th Grade Team
5th Grade News
Preparation for the upcoming testing has kept fifth grade busy during March. The Dakota Step
Science assessment will begin next Monday, March 30. The Smarter Balanced assessment which covers
language arts and math will begin April 15. All testing will take place on student IPads. Please remember
the importance of a good night's rest, a healthy breakfast, and consistent attendance. Students have
been using their research skills to complete a report on an important person from the Civil War era. Resources include the internet, encyclopedias, and nonfiction books. The finished product will be a power
point created in computer class. Sturgis Elementary has enjoyed March Madness with a twist to encourage reading. Eight books have competed to be the number one choice of all students. Guest readers including parents and BHSU football players have shared stories with various classes. Posters and persuasive papers have been created in support of student favorites. It has been a fun filled month and we look
forward to the big announcement of the number one choice at the upcoming assembly. Happy Spring !
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Monthly Nurse’s Notes
Randi Oviatt, RN ~ Marcia Potts, RN ~ Julie Dobler, RN
Obesit y in Children
Up to one out of every five children in the U. S. is overweight or obese, and this number is continuing to rise. Children have
fewer weight-related health and medical problems than adults. However, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults, placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. They are also more prone to develop stress, sadness, and low self-esteem.
What Causes Obesity in Children?
Children become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are genetic factors, lack of physical
activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of these factors.
Although weight problems run in families, not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight. Children whose parents or brothers or sisters are overweight may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight themselves, but this can be linked
to shared family behaviors such as eating and activity habits.
A child's total diet and activity level play an important role in determining a child's weight. Today, many children spend a lot time
being inactive. For example, the average child spends approximately four hours each day watching television. As computers and
video games become increasingly popular, the number of hours of inactivity may increase.
How Do I Know if My Child Is Overweight?
The best person to determine whether or not your child is overweight is your child's doctor. In determining whether or not your
child is overweight, the doctor will measure your child's weight and height and compute his ''BMI,'' or body mass index, to compare this value to standard values. The doctor will also consider your child's age and growth patterns.
How Can I Help My Overweight Child?
If you have an overweight child, it is very important that you allow him or her to know that you will be supportive. Children's feelings about themselves often are based on their parents' feelings about them, and if you accept your children at any weight, they
will be more likely to feel good about themselves. It is also important to talk to your children about their weight, allowing them to
share their concerns with you.
It is not recommended that parents set children apart because of their weight. Instead, parents should focus on gradually changing their family's physical activity and eating habits. By involving the entire family, everyone is taught healthful habits and the
overweight child does not feel singled out.
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March Counseling News
The counselors have been busy working with third and fourth grades. The third grade students have been completing activities
in their Life Skill books, covering the topic of Communication and Social Skills. The kids participated in a skit called “A New
Friend”; it addressed the positive character trait Caring. The kids had a good time.
The fourth grade students were provided the opportunity to participate in a skit titled “Don’t Say a Word” addressing Trustworthiness. They also learned about the importance of communication and positive social skills. The fourth graders learned
what peer pressure is, how to stand up for what is right and turn away from the pressures to do negative things. They also
learned about standing up for themselves and making healthy and positive choices.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade students learned about the R-Word, Spread The Word To End The Word campaign. The goal of
this campaign is to teach people about the hurtfulness of using the word “retarded” and replacing it with the word “Respect”,
because all people deserve to be respected and treated humanely.
Thank you,
Kellie Thomas and Kristi Ortiz, Professional School Counselors
Library News
We have been using
Primary Source Documents
in our study of Women’s History. You are
able to access these same resources at
http://www.loc.gov/ The Library of Congress is
the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution
and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is
also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps
and manuscripts in its collections. Remember
to sign up for the Summer Reading Program at
the Sturgis Public Library located at 1040 2nd
Street. Call 347.2624.
Meade Elementary Librarian
Mrs. Marilyn Mendenhall
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MUSTANG MARCH MADNESS
The reading tournament was a great success, involving staff, students and members of
the community. The championship round between “Enemy Pie” and “Stellalune” was a
close race with the book “Stellaluna” by Janell Connon, winning the SES reading
tournament.
Left: Randi Oviatt,, school nurse and Ann Nonnast, SES Vice Principal represented characters
from the book “Enemy Pie” and Kristi Ortiz,
SES Counselor “ I Need My Monster” .
Above: Shonda Jolley encourages students to vote
for her book “Stellaluna” and Roger Barker represented a character from his book “My Rotton Redheaded Older Brother”.
Left: The following represented characters from
three of the eight books in the tournament of reading:
Cathy Johnson “Bad Case of Stripes”, Mike
Isaacson “Thank you Mr. Falker” , and Barb Grosch
“Knots on a Counting Rope”.
Right: Jamie Hatch, recess/lunch supervisor,
promotes her book “White Socks Only”.
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KINDERGARTEN MUSIC PROGRAM
SEASAME STREET-Hillary Hill, SES Music Teacher
Thinking about Kindergarten?
Join us at Sturgis Elementary School
Kindergarten Jumpstart Night
When:
May 7, 2015 from 5:00—6:30 pm
Where:
Sturgis Elementary School
Who:
Families with kindergarten age children
What:
Ideas and activities to make the transition to kindergarten successful for
your child. Learn about what kindergarten looks like at Sturgis Elementary School
and meet the kindergarten teachers and staff. A snack will be provided.
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News from Family Services
Ginger Johnson, MSW, CSW
Meade School District Social Worker
Dear Parents and Guardians,
During the past several months, I have been approached by numerous parents with concerns about their children’s sense of entitlement. As a result I am including the first of a two part article written by James Lehman, MSW, a renowned child behavior therapist, published in Empowering Parents online magazine (http://www.empoweringparents.com). Next month I will include ways
of challenging the false sense of entitlement in children. Interesting food for thought!
“I WANT IT NOW!” HOW TO CHALLENGE A FALSE SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT IN KIDS
By James Lehman, MSW
Almost as soon as your child begins to talk, you’ll start to hear him ask for things. In fact, when an infant cries, he’s asking for
food or to be made more comfortable. By the time he reaches the age of four or five, his constant refrain becomes, “Can I have
this Mom?” Can I have that?” The unending requests for new toys or candy and an “I want it now” attitude may follow you every
time you go to the store. Parents want to give to their kids for many reasons. It is partly instructional-back in the Stone Age,
“giving to your child” might have meant providing for shelter and protection. Those urges are still there. Unfortunately, if you
give in to every little want and need your child expresses you are really feeding and nurturing a sense of false entitlements.
I think it’s important to keep in mind that parent and kids get some powerful messages in our society. One of the most prevalent is
- the more you give your child the better parent you are. Children are also led to believe they’re entitled to receive. Commercials,
TV shows, movies, and their friends all tell kids, “This is the new thing, this is what everybody’s getting. If you don’t have it, you
won’t be cool” So, it’s easy for you as a parent to feel obligated to give to your child, and pretty soon your child will grow to expect it. This can lead to parents giving much more than their kids need-and sometimes, more than their family can really afford.
Children also get a false sense of entitlement by being overly praised for things, and rewarded for tasks that they should be doing
as matter of course. There’s nothing wrong with rewarding achievement and excellence but it becomes a problem when you reward mediocre efforts.
I’ve also worked with many parents who have the following fantasy: they imagine their child talking to their friends, saying. “My
parents are great! They got me those new sneakers” or “My dad’s the best, he bought me this bike.” Maybe your child is saying
that and maybe he is not. Regardless this thought often makes parents feel proud and good about themselves. It motivates them to
spend more than is necessary. There are those parents who want to be their child’s friend and consequently they will often buy
their child things because they are afraid they will lose the friendship. This pattern may continue until the child reaches young
adulthood. By that time, he firmly believes that his parents “owe” him whatever he wants. So the confluence of instinct and social
pressure as well as the need to be liked by their kids can often make parents overindulge their children.
Let me be clear, I’m not saying it is not a good thing to give to your children. But I do believe that the way you give to them can
either help them develop a sense of ownership by earning things or nurture a sense of false entitlement because they are usually
getting what they want-when they want it. When kids grow up with a false sense of entitlement, you’ll see them thinking they’re
entitled to expensive toys, electronic gadgets, trips and cars without having earn them. They will do poorly in school and still want
that car when they turn 16, and expect to get it. They will even tell their parent there is something wrong with them if they don’t
give them what they want, regardless of the family’s financial situation. The attitude of a child with a false sense of entitlement is“I’am, therefore give to me.”
So how do you challenge that false sense of entitlement in kids, and why is it so important to do so? I believe it is critical to challenge them because once your child grows up and goes out into the real world he will have to work for what he wants. Just like
everyone else. As a parent it is important that you teach your child the value of hard work as well as earning things. He needs to
really see that integral connection between making an effort and achieving success. Conversely, when things are handed to your
child the message he’s getting is-you don’t need to do anything, everything will be given to you in life just because you are you.
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