Newsletter - April 2020
OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ― “BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION”
Jefferson Elementary School
244 W 11th Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54902 | Phone: 920.424.0165
| Fax: 920.424.7583
Rhonda Buchanan, Principal
rhonda.buchanan@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
A Message from Ms. Buchanan
Dear Patriot Families,
With Patriot Pride,
Rhonda Buchanan
Jefferson Elementary Principal
Virtual School until further notice.
Specialist corner
- Art News with Mrs. Neubauer
- Math with Mrs Reuter
- Music Updates with Ms. Schneider
- Physical Education with Mrs Lange
- Reading with Mrs. Vollbrecht & Mrs Boettcher
- Speech news with Mrs Kadonsky
- PBIS update & Bucket Fillers Pictures
Art News with Mrs. Neubauer
News from the Art Room...
This winter, the Art Room received a generous donation of fabric and scraps from the Northeast Wisconsin Modern Quilt Guild. Third graders examined many contemporary collage artists and architecture and used the fabric to make quirky buildings. Another exciting project we are busy working on are three-dimensional plaster emojis in fifth grade. Students built an armature from cereal boxes and covered it in plaster wrap. Now students are designing and painting emojis on them. Fourth graders are learning about the metal technique, repousse, and are designing a fish in metal.
Spring is right around the corner, and with that comes art shows and Youth Art Month. It is a celebration of all our young artists across the state of Wisconsin. This Saturday, March 7th as part of the Oshkosh Gallery Walk we are exhibiting student artwork from all the schools across the district. Come see art from Oshkosh students at the ArtSpace Collective Gallery at 7 Merritt Avenue from 6:00-9:00 pm. You may also see the art show during the whole month of March during ArtSpace Collective’s normal business hours.
In April the Oshkosh Public Library art show will be held in celebration of the students’ hard work and creativity all school year. Look for awards and invitations coming home with your students soon!
Math with Mrs Reuter
February 2020 MATH CORNER
More on Encouraging a Growth Mindset
We used to think that our intelligence was fixed. We either had the math gene or we didn’t. Scientists have proven again and again that simply is not true. There is not a math gene! Our brain is like a muscle — the more we use it, the stronger (and smarter) our math brain becomes.
Here are a few things families can do to support a growth mindset:
Talk to your child.
Ask what they learned today and perhaps what was difficult.
Ask questions to engage them in a Home Connections problem.
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What is the problem about? Tell me in your own words.
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What did you do in class to get started?
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Can you make a diagram or draw a sketch?
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Can you solve a simpler version of the problem?
Encourage the productive struggle!
Building with Legos, riding a bike, or throwing a ball are all difficult at first. Praise children’s effort, persistence, and creativity. Notice when they try new strategies and seek input from others when they get stuck.
Discourage the connection between being fast at math and memorizing rules and being a good problem solver.
We are all “math people” and think about problems differently. Celebrate that diversity!
Change that inner voice.
When a child says, “I can’t do this,” re-voice the language to say, “You are ready to learn something new! Or “You can’t do this YET, and I am here when you are willing to try again!” Continue to talk positively about math, reading, writing and school at home. Soon your child will have taken on positive self talk on their own.
Excerpt from Jennifer Christensen @ Bridges Blog
Music Updates with Ms. Schneider
Music News!
There have been many new and interesting things going on in the music room during February. Kindergarten has been playing the drums and learning about steady beat. The 1st graders have also been playing some drums as well as learning about rhythm. 2nd grade got to create their own melodies and then perform them for the whole class. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have been using music technology to create their own unique and interesting music. The 4th and 5th graders have also been working on the music for the Opera for the Young, which is coming up in March.
In the middle of March, we will be having Opera for the Young come to Jefferson to perform for and with the students. Opera for the Young is a group of professional actors that go to schools around the state and perform shortened operas for students. The best part about Opera for the Young is that some students from Jefferson will get to participate in the performance at our school! This year, they will be doing The Pirates of Penzance. Throughout March, all of the classes will be talking about opera and learning the music for the show. 4th and 5th grade students are given the opportunity to audition to be a part of the performance. 16 students will be chosen to perform with the actors in front of the whole school.
Physical Education with Mrs Lange
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
REMINDERS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Winter is here and students are wearing boots to school. Please remember that boots are not appropriate shoes to wear in the gym and all students need to have a SEPARATE pair of gym shoes to wear for Physical Education class. If this is an issue, please contact me so that we can work something out. Also, please ask your student(s) if their shoes still fit! Elementary students grow quickly and their gym shoes may not fit them the entire year. You may see reminder notes coming home with students that pertain to these items.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
Students at Jefferson are very busy in Physical Education! We finished up striking skills and volleyball skills and are in full swing with the Kids Heart Challenge. We are practicing ways to keep our hearts healthy both at school and at home. Students in Kindergarten through second grade are learning the proper ways to jump rope with both an individual rope as well as a long rope. They are challenged to be able to jump 1-5 times based on grade level. In grades 3-5, students are practicing different ways to use a jump rope like on one foot, skier formation, or a crossover. Students in all levels are also focused on proper nutrition, the 5 food groups, and the 5 components of fitness
WHAT’S NEXT IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
In March, students will continue to jump rope and keep their heart healthy as we finish out the Kids Heart Challenge. We will spend a few days running our Spring pacer test and we will finish out the month by welcoming parents back for our second Bring Your Parent to PE week. See the schedule below!
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE
As of February 27th we are at $1,978 dollars out of our $2,000 goal! Mrs Lange will be covered in slime and with 22 more dollars, so will Mrs Buchanan!
Our event ends March 13th. Please have all money turned in by March 17th so Mrs. Lange can send if to the American Heart Association.
TIPS TO BE FIT AT HOME
The snow is here (hopefully not for long) but that shouldn’t stop you from getting exercise! Here are a few tips for indoor and outdoor fun!
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Do you own a jump rope? Many students have said how they are practicing at home! Jump Roping is a very underrated exercise and can burn calories very fast.
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Are there stairs where you live? Whether you have stairs on your front porch or stairs to a second level, get creative with exercises that you can do using the space you already have.
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Make fitness fun! Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. Get the whole family involved and take a walk together, or even go to the gym/YMCA for a day of fun.
ALL STARS OF THE MONTH
During the month of February, Mrs. Lange kept an eye out for students that went above and beyond in the gym. Their behavior was spot on! They were positive role models and leaders, had great sportsmanship, and were respectful, responsible, and safe. The all stars of the month for each grade level are below with their pictures. Great job Patriots!
Kindergarten: Natalie and Harley 1st: Zach
5th: Karissa
Take your parent to PE Week is an event designed to allow students a chance to invite their parent or guardian to physical education class.
When to come: Find your child’s homeroom teacher on this schedule. Starting this week we have implemented a new check in process for all buildings. Please make sure to have a form of I.D. ready.
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Time |
Mon 3/16 |
Tues 3/17 |
Wed 3/18 |
Thurs 3/19 |
Fri 3/20 |
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8:45-9:30 |
2-Reese 8:45-9:15 Shortened class-YOGA |
2-Kruck |
2-Reese |
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9:30-10:15 |
No PE-opera for the young |
3-Stanley |
3-Hibbs |
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10:15-11:00 |
No PE-opera for the young |
4-Gerl |
4-Steiner |
||
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12:25-1:10 |
5-Smith |
5-Jiricka |
5-Kuhl |
5-Smith |
5-Jiricka |
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1:10-1:55 |
K-Curtis |
K-Schmidt |
1-Rumlow |
K-Curtis |
K-Schmidt |
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1:55-2:40 |
K-Howard |
K-Black |
1-Wolff |
K-Howard |
K-Black |
What to Bring: Appropriate attire, including sneakers and comfortable clothing. You may also want to bring a water bottle. You are an active role model for your child.
What to Expect:This is a hands on experience! Come ready to engage in activities planned for your child’s PE class. We understand that adults do not move in the same way as children, so you can participate at your own comfort level.
Reading with Mrs. Vollbrecht & Mrs Boettcher
Monthly Literacy Update
Mrs. Boettcher Mrs. Vollbrecht
Books that Promote Kindness in Kids
By the Brightly Editors
Resources: www.readbrightly.com and www.amazon.com
Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind
By Jessica Hische
In a follow-up to Tomorrow I'll Be Brave, award-winning illustrator Jessica Hische brings to life another series of inspirational words and scenes with her lovely hand-lettering and adorable illustrations. This uplifting and positive book encourages kids to promise that tomorrow, they will be grateful, helpful, and kind.
How Kind
By Mary Murphy
What goes around comes around in this farmyard tale about the contagiousness of kindness.
Hen gives Pig an unexpected present. "How kind!" says Pig. Pig is so touched, in fact, that he decides to do something kind too. So Pig gives Rabbit a gift. "How kind!" says Rabbit, who does something kind for Cow, who is kind to Cat, who wants to be kind in turn. Where will all of this kindness lead?
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
By Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Rafael López
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez create a kind and caring book about the differences that make each of us unique.
Feeling different, especially as a kid, can be tough. But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful.
In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges--and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.
Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse
By Marcy Campbell, Illustrated by Corinna Luyken
A classic in the making, this heartwarming story about empathy and imagination is one that families will treasure for years to come.
Adrian Simcox tells anyone who will listen that he has a horse--the best and most beautiful horse anywhere.
But Chloe does NOT believe him. Adrian Simcox lives in a tiny house. Where would he keep a horse? He has holes in his shoes. How would he pay for a horse?
The more Adrian talks about his horse, the angrier Chloe gets. But when she calls him out at school and even complains about him to her mom, Chloe doesn't get the vindication she craves. She gets something far more important.
Written with tenderness and poignancy and gorgeously illustrated, this book will show readers that kindness is always rewarding, understanding is sweeter than judgment, and friendship is the best gift one can give.
All Are Welcome
By Alexandra Penfold, Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
A warm, welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids.
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.
I Walk With Vanessa
By Alexandra Penfold, Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
This simple yet powerful picture book--from a New York Times bestselling husband-and-wife team--tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. By choosing only pictures to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word.
l.
Speech news with Mrs Kadonsky
Speech/Language Corner
One way to increase your son or daughter's language development is to limit the amount of time spent on electronics. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 2 not watch television at all, and that children 2 and older view no more than two hours of quality programming a day. While some educational programs can be beneficial to kids, TV shows don't interact with or respond to children, which are the two things kids need to learn language. Computer games are interactive, but they aren't responsive to a child's ideas.
PBIS update & Bucket Fillers Pictures
PBIS Monthly Theme
This month's social skill is personal space. When a stranger or someone you do not know well is in your personal space, you might feel uncomfortable, closed in, or violated. When a family member or close friend hugs you or comes in close to talk to you, you might feel safe. Being respectful of someone's personal space is a social skill. A personal space bubble is an imaginary bubble around yourself to represent the comfortable distance between you and other people or objects. Each person has varying comfort levels of personal space bubbles. This month's social skill is personal space. When a stranger or someone you do not know well is in your personal space, you might feel uncomfortable, closed in, or violated. When a family member or close friend hugs you or comes in close to talk to you, you might feel safe. Being respectful of someone's personal space is a social skill. A personal space bubble is an imaginary bubble around yourself to represent the comfortable distance between you and other people or objects. Each person has varying comfort levels of personal space bubbles.
During the month of February, classrooms worked on showing their Patriot Pride by following the Jefferson Way of being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.