Week 28

The March calendar my say it is spring, but as we all know, winter likes to hold on a little longer here in northern Vermont.  The longer days and stronger sun are promising signs that it will not be too much longer until the blanket of snow will will give way to grass.  For now, the sugar makers will reap the benefits of the cold nights and warmer days.  It's a perfect time of year for students to learn about states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) as we observe the freezing and thawing cycle all around us.  

We had a busy week (our first full week in a while!), and it felt good to be be back in a normal routine. Students began researching their Nature Name animals this week.  Students will be sharing their research by creating either a brochure or a "lapbook" which contains several mini books displayed in a file folder.  Students began by brainstorming various questions they had about their animal.   Then they used various publications to find the answers to their questions.  The final step will be to create a final product to teach others about their animal.  Next week Tina Lyon will be joining us to lead the children in making sculptures of their animals.  Please go through your recycling bins and have your child bring in items that may be used to help build the base of a paper mache sculpture (containers, toilet paper tubes, etc).

During math each grade completed another unit: Third graders used multiplication strategies to solve problems involving multiplying 6,7,8, and 9.  Students have learned how to break these numbers into smaller numbers, multiply them and then add them together (beginning steps for the distributive property of multiplication).  Second graders completed adding and subtracting within 1,000 with regrouping, as well as using repeated addition to find the area of a rectangular arrays (introducing the concepts of  multiplications).  First graders concluded a unit using addition and subtraction strategies to add and subtract within 20 as well as introduction to using repeated addition to find the area of a rectangular.  Next week all students will begin learning about fractions.

This week we dove into our next science unit:  States of Matter.  We began by observing objects in various states: solids, liquids, and gases, and identified their properties.  Then we did some sorting activities to sort solid objects by various properties.  Finally, we performed a couple of scientific investigations involving solids and liquids.  Students made predictions,  and observations, and then formed a hypotheses.  After our first investigations, students helped design our next test (investigation) to learn more about these states of matter.

Thank you all for your flexibility again last week as the weather had us postpone ECO and Family Hot Lunch was postponed, as well.  ECO will be made up at the end of the year as we will lengthen our last day of ECO which will be another hike.  The added time will be a gift!  We will reschedule the hot lunch for another day, and I'll let you know when that will be. 

Next week we will resume our regular ECO schedule.  ECO takes place every Thursday from 9-12.  Students should dress to be outdoors for an extended amount of time.  This week I need a  parent volunteer who would be willing to get a fire going before we arrive at the campsite. We will likely need to clean out the fire pit, so a shovel will be needed.  Would someone be willing to provide some kiln dried wood for next week so we can get a strong fire going?  We have a special seasonal cooking project / feature lesson planned.  I am happy to announce that Tina Lyon will also be joining us each Thursday as a Volunteers for ECO!

Please email your school lunch orders for the week.  

***Family Hot Lunch on Friday is Soft Taco Bar provided by Brittney Sanville. *** 

Due to the uptick in Covid-19 casses in the communities and schools, the VDH is urging people to test for Covid if you or your family members are presenting with flu / cold / covid symptoms.  

Thanks for your attention and diligence in helping to keep our students, teachers, and families healthy!

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• ECO - Thursday, March 30 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• Friday, April 7th, Early ReLease (12:10)
• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Grandparents Breakfast @9:00 in the Town Hall
• April Break: April 24-28, 2023.

week 27

 

Dylan brought Giant cookies for Dessert a couple of weeks ago!

This was a fast a furious week, with a larger than expected late winter snowstorm, an unplanned early dismissals, our first concert in 3 years, a planned early release, and Student - led Conferences on Friday!  

We spent the majority of this week getting ready for our concert and organizing and preparing for out conferences.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning we walked across the street to the town hall so students could practice for the concert on the stage.  We worked out our stage presence and worked out our final kinks in our songs.  By Wednesday, we were ready for out concert!  That evening, just after the snow finally stopped and the clouds parted, the Town Hall filled with parents, grandparents, siblings, and community members who came out to watch the children as they performed their first concert in over 3 years.  For many it was their first concert ever!  

We also spent time this week preparing for our conferences.  Students reviewed data about reading and math, and choose books and games to demonstrate for parents.  On Wednesday each student did a "Character and behavior" self reflection and then set a goal to work on for the remainder of the school year. On Thursday morning they practiced presenting to their work to a partner who acted as their parent.  As students looked over their data and presented it to a partner I witnessed a lot of pride in the growth students could see over the school year so far.  

In Math this week first grade worked on finding a sum of a number of equal groups using an array and connecting cube trains by applying repeated addition to find the sum.  Second graders added within 100 when shifting one's and ten's (regrouping) is required.  Third graders persisted in solving word problems involving multiplication.  

Next week we will resume our regular ECO schedule.  ECO takes place every Thursday from 9-12.  Students should dress to be outdoors for an extended amount of time.  Next week I need a volunteer who would be willing to get a fire going before we arrive at the campsite. We will likely need to clean out the fire pit, so a shovel will be needed.  Would someone be willing to provide some kiln dried wood for next week so we can get a strong fire going.  We have a special seasonal cooking project / feature lesson planned.  I am happy to announce that Tina Lyon will also be joining us each Thursday as a Volunteers for ECO!

On April 19th we are going to host a Grandparents Breakfast at the Elmore Town Hall.  My hope is that each child who has grandparents whom live locally will have at least one grandparent (or set of grandparents) who will be able to attend. I will also invite some other community members who can stand in for students who do not have a grandparent who lives locally.  It should be a wonderful event for the students! 

That's all for this week!

Please email your school lunch orders for next week.

Family Hot Lunch on Friday, March 24 will be provided by Steffany Mosley! (TBD)

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• ECO - Thursday March 23 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• Friday, April 7th, Early ReLease (12:10)
• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - Grandparents Breakfast @9:00 in the Town Hall

Week 26

 

School was back in session after a lengthy winter break.  Whether you traveled or stayed close to home over the break, I hope you found some time to enjoy with your children while they were on break.  I know I feel rejuvenated and ready for the weeks to come, after a nice vacation with my husband and friends.  

This week we tied up loose ends with final assessments for the end of the trimester.  I completed individual reading assessments (F&P's), and all students took a Higher Leverage Math Assessments which focuses on the skills all students should have by the end of their grade level, and they took the STAR Math assessment to measure their progress.  Additionally, we worked on non-fiction reading and comprehension with Scholastic News Articles, and students wrote about their winter break in their journals, and in Math we solved word problems in our math journals.

Next Wednesday, March 15th, is our  school concert, which will be at the Elmore Town Hall at 6:30 PM.  The children are very excited to perform for you! Students should arrive no later than 6:15.  Just a reminder that students are asked to dress appropriately for a performance.  I suggest a shirt with a collar and pants (not athletic pants), or a skirt or dress.  (No graphic tee shirts or hats please).  We will be performing a few songs and then conclude with refreshments.  Please plan to bring a refreshment to share.  We should be able to conclude our evening around 7:00 pm.

Family conferences will take place on Friday, March 17th.  There is no school this day, but I do ask that you attend your conference with your child.  These are "Student Led" conferences, so you child will be leading this discussion.  I will be present at the table to prompt children or to answer any questions you have.  Please be mindful of arriving on time for you conference.  Each conference will last about 30 minutes.  Going over that time or arriving late will disrupt the schedule for the day.  

Please email your school lunch orders for the week.

Thank you to Andrea Audet for Providing us with Family Hot Lunch this week.  Children enjoyed Shepards Pie, rolls, applesauce, and cucumbers, and were treated to and ice cream cup for dessert!

Here is the link to the Scripps News story about the Elmore School

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• Second marking period ends Friday, March 10th.
• Elmore School Concert, Wednesday, March 15, 2023 @6:30
• Early release day March 16th  (12:10)
• ECO - Thursday March 23 from 9-12.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer.
• No- School Friday March 17th - Parent Conferences 

Week 25

The Elmore School were treated to a Tour of the Governor's Office while visiting
The Vermont State House on Tuesday.

We made it to our February/March break and we are just about 2/3 of the way through the school year!  We had an eventful week before break.  Not only have we been busy with gathering some final data for our 2nd trimester mastery report, we experienced a wonderful day in Montpelier visiting the Vermont State House and the Vermont History Museum, we had our second poor weather day (snow day), and Friday we had a visit form Scripps New out of Boston who will be doing a feature story on The Elmore School.  They spent about two hours with us and talked to several of the students and myself and Mrs. Bellavance. They will share the story with me when it is completed. Later, we celebrated our reading reward with a movie and popcorn.

Tuesday morning we loaded on the bus at 9:00 am and headed south on RT 12 to Montpelier.  Once there, we were greeted by a Vermont State House guide who took us through the State House and told us about some of the History of the State House and the artifacts inside it.  Additionally, we saw the House of Congress and the Senate Floor and had a tour of the Governor's Office (at first we were told we wouldn't be able to go in, but then one of the Governors staff invited us in and gave us a tour and even let me sit in the Governor's chair, which as crafted from the wood from the decommissioned  ship "Old Ironsides", and invited the students to pose for a picture around his desk!) After our tour at the State house we gathered our belongings and headed next door to the Vermont History Museum.  First we participated in a handson learning experience, "Become a Historian".  During this activity, students took on the roles of a historian, examining artifacts collected from a historic Vermont farm in Calis, Vermont.  After Lunch students spent time touring the museum exhibits with their chaperones and then had time to shop in the gift shop.  Thank you to our chaperones, who took time out of their lives to spend the day with us.  If you have never visited either of these places, I highly recommend you plan to.  The State House is open to the pubic.  If you plan to visit during the summer, you will be able to see more (but you may miss some of the excitement of seeing  your legislators at work.). There is a small entrance free to the Vermont History Museum, but it is well worth it.  It's possible the Morristown Centennial Library has day passes available.  

Thank you to the Fuller's for providing Mac and Cheese and Hot dogs for Hot lunch on Friday!

Andrea Audet is Scheduled for Friday, March 10th.  Lunch will be Shepards Pie!

Please email me with your school lunch orders for March 8 and 9.  You can find the menu at https://lsuu.org.  Click on Lunch Menu tab and then open the menu for Elem. Schools.  Our usual sandwiches and salads are also an option.  

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• Field trip to MES to see the Tiger Anti-bullying production - Thursday, Feb, 23rd
• Winter Break, February 27 - March 7 (school resumes Wed. March 8th)
• Second marking period ends Friday, March 10th.
• Elmore School Concert, Wednesday, March 15, 2023 @6:30
• Early release day March 16th  (12:10)
• No- School Friday March 17th - Parent/Student Conferences 

Students tried their hand at writing with a feather quill following our trip to the Vermont History Museum and learning about how Abraham Lincoln used to write "Hot Letters"  using a quill. 

Tired student took a nap on the bus after a busy day in Montpelier.

Week 24

Week 24 was full of outreach and kindness!  Monday we were busy finishing many projects including making Valentines, 100th Day writing, and our Timelines.  On Tuesday we celebrated Valentine's day by decorating the Post office with over 150 valentines and a banner.  We hope this made many people in the Elmore community feel loved and appreciated.  Two of the Elmore students were featured on the VPR Vermont Edition (click to listen to the show) on Tuesday speaking about this meaningful Elmore Tradition.  Later in the afternoon we exchanged Valentine's with each other and enjoyed cupcakes brought in by Emerson!  On Thursday we continued spreading kindness by writing compliments or aphromations to each other.  We shared how it feels to give compliments or kind messages and then how it feels to receive them.  

Monday I administered the Primary Numbers and Operations Assessment (PNOA) to all the first graders.  This was the second round of the PNOA for the year.  We will do it one more time at the end of the year.  I was blown away by the overall growth that I saw with the student!  Most of the students are at or above where they are expected to be in most areas of numbers and operations.  Great job first graders!  

I have also started assessing reading levels with students.  Again, I'm seeing so much growth since the beginning of the year!  All their reading is really paying off.  We are also doing some phonemic awareness,  sight word, and decoding assessments.  

The second marking period ends shortly after we return from our break.  We will have Parent/Student Conferences on Friday, March 17th.  Scheduling conferences will happen shortly.   Parents should plan to attend along with their child as the children will be taking an important role in these conferences.

We had our final Outdoor recreation (Ski and Skate) at Spruce Peak on Wednesday.  Despite the unseasonably warm weather we had fine conditions for skiing and skating.  We were able to get all 6 of our outings in this year!  I'd like to, once again, thank all of the parents who made this experience possible.  The children showed so much growth in their ability and confidence both on skis and skates! 

On Friday, we began our day with a visit from Mr. Heraty who shared a wonderful book titled Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli.  This book had a wonderful message of spreading love and kindness and the positive affect that can have on others and the world.  Later in the afternoon we celebrated all of our expected behavior success with Fun Friday.  Students were able to spend three weeks (No school 2/3, and I was out 2/10) worth of tickets at the school store and enjoyed playing games and socializing with their peers.  Fun Friday (especially the store) has become something the children really look forward to and though behavior is still a work in progress, I've seen an overall shift.

A reminder that our Field Trip to the Vermont State House and the Vermont History Museum is next Tuesday, February 21st.  The bus will be leaving the school at 9:00 and will return by 2:30.  Please plan to pack a cold lunch or order a bag lunch from the school.   Students should also have a water bottle for the day.  We will have lunch at the Vermont History Museum between our Hands on Activity and our self Guided Tour.  Chaperone's, please plan to be at the school by 8:50.  

Next Thursday, Feb. 23rd, Chris Conte, a Boston-based News Reporter, and a Cameraman from Scripps News will visiting the Elmore School to do a story about the school!  If you do not wish for your child to be filmed or photographed, please let me know.  In the afternoon, we will be taking a Bus to MES to watch the  TIGER anti-bullying assembly,  Students will return to the Elmore School for dismissal.  

We have been working hard to prepare for our first School Concert which will take place on March 15th at 6:30 in the Elmore Town Hall.  All Students are expected to participate in this event.  A concert is a big deal, and kids will have many different emotions (excited, nervous, afraid...) associated with performing, but please assure them that is normal and they will do great!  As this is a public performance, students will be expected to conduct themselves appropriately.  Students should dress in neat clothes (no sweatpants/athletic pants,  graphic tee shirts, or hats please) and behavior will be emphasised.  Pants and a collared shirts,  or skirts/dresses are encouraged.  Following the performance we will have refreshments.  I will be asking families to bring a refreshment to share.  

MES Kindergarten Registration and Screening: 

If you live in Morrisville or Elmore and have a child that will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2023, then we would love to invite you and your child to participate in the MES Kindergarten Registration and Screening. This will take place on Friday, June 9th and Monday, June 12th.  Families registering with LSUU schools (including MES) for the first time need to bring two forms of proof of residency and the child’s birth certificate. Vaccination records should also be brought, and we can make copies.  The entire screening process takes about one hour.  Please call Kris Krueger in the MES School Office, 888-3101, to make an appointment.

Thank you to the Schoelberlein's who provided hot lunch on Feb 10th and to Bethany Sargent who provided Breakfast for Lunch this week!  

Next week Friday Hot Lunch will be provided by Samantha Fuller (TBD)

Please email me you lunch orders by 6:30 pm Sunday using this link.

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• Field trip to the Vermont State House and Vermont Historical Museum - Tuesday, Feb. 21st
• Field trip to MES to see the Tiger Anti-bullying production - Thursday, Feb, 23rd
• Winter Break, February 27 - March 7 (school resumes Wed. March 8th)
• Second marking period ends Friday, March 10th.
• Elmore School Concert, Wednesday, March 15, 2023 @6:30
• Early release day March 16th  (12:10)
• No- School Friday March 17th - Parent/Student Conferences 
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Week 23

100th Day projects are proudly displayed in the classroom!

Another week at the Elmore School has passed by!  This week students were busy making Valentines for the Elmore Post Office, we had our fifth day of Ski and Skate at Spruce Peak, and we celebrated our 100th day of School!  Friday, I attended a Math Launch Workshop in Burlington sponsored by the VT Agency of Education and facilitated by the All Learners Network (ALN).  It was the first in-person Professional Development outside the school District that I have attended since the pandemic.  It was a great opportunity to get together with other educator and to share and collaborate with other teachers.  Mrs. Anderson (the former Elmore Teacher) filled in for me.  Hopefully the the 2 hour delay did not disrupt the day too much!

During literacy, reading lessons have been focused on Non-fiction text.  We have learned about non-fiction text features, the main idea and supporting details, the author's purpose, and students have been making connections to self and other text.  During Writer's Workshop students have been working on finishing their final drafts of their informative text books. Soon we will begin doing animal research as students learn about, and write about their "nature name" animals. Additionally, students have been participating in oral phonemic awareness lessons as well is daily phonics lessons.  

This week we celebrated our 100th day of school!  Each student created a project at home which they brought into school to share with the class.  Each project had to have 100 items, creatively displayed.  Students were asked to explain how they counted or planned their 100 items.  As part of out 100th day celebration students also planned and wrote stories about their "100 year old self."  

During Math this week third graders worked on solving word problems involving time, second graders began addition with 3 digit numbers, and first graders began using place value to add within 100.  On Thursday we took a break from our regular lessons to do some 100th day math activities.  

We have a goal to make 170 Valentines for the patrons of the Elmore Post Office.  As of Thursday we still had a way to go, but students have been working hard crafting and writing messages of love and appreciation.  We are excited for next Tuesday to come, so we can hang them on the mailboxes at the Elmore Store.  For those of you who may be new to the Elmore School, this is a long standing tradition that the students and community members look forward to every year.  It is a way for us to give back to the community and hopefully bring some joy to many.

Wednesday we had our fifth day of Ski and Skate.  I had the privilege of going with the skiers for the first time!  I am here to tell you that these are challenging trails, but the children all had such a great attitude.  We laughed a lot, fell a lot, and persevere a lot!  We have one more week of our outdoor recreation outings at Spruce Peak.  I would like to think all the volunteers who have helped us with this program, either by helping us on the trails and at the skating rink, transporting equipment, or providing us with snacks! You are all so appreciated!

I've updated the Ski and Skate volunteer list for next week based on parents who have reached out. Currently, I have Bethany S. and Shawn S. as nordic ski volunteers, and Ashley R. and Paige B (transporting equipment) as skate volunteers.  Snack next week is provided by the Schoeberlein family. 

Please send me an email your school lunch orders for the week at this Link                                        Family Hot Lunch on Friday (TBD) is provided by Bethany Sargent.  

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• Wednesday: Ski and Skate - brings your gear and a water bottle
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• We will celebrate Valentine's Day/World Kindness Week Feb. 14th
• Field trip to the Vermont State House and Vermont Historical Museum - Tuesday, Feb. 21st
• Field trip to MES to see the Tiger Anti-bullying production - Thursday, Feb, 23rd
• Winter Break, February 27 - March 7 (school resumes Wed. March 8th)
• Second marking period ends Friday, March 10th.
• Elmore School Concert, Wednesday, March 15, 2023
• Early release day March 16th  (12:10)
• No- School Friday March 17th - Parent Conferences Friday

Week 22

 

Week 22 was a short four day week and it flew by in a blink of an eye!  We began the week working on our personal timelines.  I very happy to have extra help form a community member, Tina Lyon who has volunteered to help in the classroom now that she has retired from her teaching career.  Students worked hard to finish writing their informational books.  We are very close!  In Math we concluded our unit on Time, and Wednesday we had another successful adventure to Spruce Peak for Ice Skating and Nordic Skiing.  Thursday was Groundhog Day and students made predictions about whether or not the groundhog would see its shadow. It is official!  It looks like we WILL have another 6 weeks of winter! Friday there is no school as teachers have a Professional Development day.

Thank you to our parent volunteers this week:  Shawn Smejkal for transporting equipment and skiing, and Steffany Mosley for joining us at the skating rink, and to our last minute volunteers, Rob Bowen (Skiing) and Caitlin Mahoney (skating), and to Emily Sorensen for providing snack for the group!  It was a chilly day, but fun was had by all and everyone has shown wonderful growth!  Tow more weeks to go!  Let's hope the weather cooperates a bit longer.

Please email your school lunch orders to this link by Sunday at 6:00 pm

Friday Family Lunch will be provided by the Schoeberlein Family on Friday, February 10th (TBD)

Ski and Skate volunteers, Wednesday, February 9th  are Caitlin Mahoney (transporting equipment / skiing)) and Shawn Smejkal (Skiing) and Samantha Fuller (Skating).  If someone else would like to join us for skating, please let me know.  Our snack will be provided by Brittney Sanville.

100th day projects are due on Thursday, February 9th.   It will be a very cold Saturday, so it may be a good time to work on projects!

I will send home a Class list next week for Valentine's Day.

Other Announcements:

• School Banking is Monday - bring your deposits!
• Library is Monday - remember to bring your books!
• Wednesday: Ski and Skate - brings your gear and a water bottle
• PE is Thursday - Students need their sneakers
• 100th day of School - Feb. 9th - Project are due
• Field trip to the Vermont State House and Vermont Historical Museum - Tuesday, Feb. 21st
• Field trip to MES to see the Tiger Anti-bullying production - Thursday, Feb, 23rd
• Winter Break, February 27 - March 7 (school resumes Wed. March 8th)
• Second marking period ends Friday, March 10th.
• Elmore School Concert, Wednesday, March 15, 2023
• Early release day March 16th  (12:10)
• No- School Friday March 17th - Parent Conferences Friday