Week 31

The ICE IS OUT!
(taken @ 8:30 am 4/15/2023)

We were graced with a summer preview this week with days reaching well into the 70's and even some low 80's. I think it is safe to say that Vermont's two complimentary seasons, known to all Vermonters as "mud season" and "sugaring season" have come (or are at least coming) to an end for another year. Thursday was a perfect weather day to make some ice cream during ECO as we continue to explore the properties of matter. In the classroom this week we finished our animal projects and shared them with each other. We began our final writing unit, and wrapped up our unit on fractions. With just one week until April break, we are definitely beginning to feel the inevitable push toward the end of the year.

This week during literacy we worked on phonemic awareness and phonics. Students are listening to and manipulating sounds and applying what they hear to reading and writing. We reviewed suffix rules and spelling words with prefixes (there are so many!). During writing, students finished their animal projects (we still have a few sculptures to complete), and had time to share them with friends. When all the sculptures are complete we will set up a "museum" so parents can view them as well!

During Math we wrapped up our unit on fractions. First and second graders are able to identify fractions using and area model (circles, squares, rectangles etc) and are beginning to use linear models (such as a number line). Third graders have used linear models to identify proper and improper fractions and have identified and converted equivalent fractions (3/6 = 1/2, 1/3 = 3/6, etc.).

During Science this week we explored properties of matter as we tested four types of candy to test their melting properties. Later in the week, we further explored properties of matter as we explored the freezing properties of liquid as we made ice cream during ECO. Students used different three methods: and old fashioned ice cream churner, and ice cream ball, and a ziplock bag method. In the ended up with a combination of "ice cream". The balls created the hardest ice cream, While the churner made a soft mixer, more like a milkshake. The ziplock bag method was tricky, with two our four bags creating a soft icecream. The other two bags remained liquid. We ran out of the ice I brought and then had to improvise using snow that was still on the ground. The children concluded that making ice cream is not easy but it was worth it in the end as they all enjoyed a tasty treat.

We have our Grandparents Breakfast next Wednesday morning. If you have not returned your RSVP yet, please send it Monday. We need a final count so we know how much food to prepare. We will serve French toast, Oatmeal, bacon and sausage, fruit, and juice and tea. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to donate food. Please send donations in with your student on MONDAY MORNING, as will begin preparing on Monday and Tuesday. If you signed up to set up tables, we will be doing that after school on Tuesday.

The SMArt Squad after school enrichment program kicked off this week! Students reported having a lot of fun as they explored some engaging science experiments! Thank you to everyone who was able to participate this first week! I know it was short notice. The next 5 weeks should be loaded with fun!

All third Grade Students will taking the new Vermont State Assessment known as Cognia. We will begin taking some practice assessments the week we return from April Break on May 2nd and 3rd. These allow the students to learn how to access the assessment on their ipads and how to use the various tools to respond to the the prompts/questions. They will practice both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. They are scheduled to take the ELA assessment on May 9th and 10th and the Math assessment on May 16th and 17th. If you child is a 3rd grader, please make every effort to have your child well rested and at school on those days.

We enjoyed breakfast for lunch on Friday as Tim Sargent prepared French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit for lunch on Friday. We enjoyed our first lunch outdoors this spring and sat together at our new picnic tables! Emily Sorensen is up next for Hot Lunch on Friday, April 21st (TBD).

Please email me you lunch orders for the week!

Other Announcements:

School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
PE is Tuesday this week! - Students need their sneakers
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Grandparents Breakfast @9:00 in the Town Hall
ECO - Thursday, April 20 from 9-12. Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
April 21 - TIGER Anti-Bullying Production at MES - permission slip will go home this week.
April Break: April 24-28, 2023.
Friday, May 12 - Circus and a Suitcase Assembly @ MES
Monday May 22nd - Author Visit (Natalie Kinsley Wornock) @ MES
Friday, May 26th - Memorial Day Observance @ Peoples Academy Bandshell
No School Monday, May 29th to observe Memorial Day
Field Trip to the ECHO Center in Burlington - Wednesday, May 31, 2021
Friday June 2nd - 3rd graders visit MES / Elmore Kindergarten / new students visit Elmore School
Wednesday, June 7th - 4th grade production of FROZEN @MES
Wednesday, June 14th - LAST DAY of SCHOOL - Early release
Wednesday, June 14th - Third Grade Graduation and family Picnic 5:30 - 7:00 pm