Dear Parents,

 

We finished testing and have been able to get back to normal. Our attention turns to International Night; we are doing a lot of research! We are Africa this year which is a very diverse continent and the students are delving into many different subjects. 

 

If you would like to come in to help students with projects, please let me know when you can come in. It can get very crowded because most of the students enjoy making very large projects! All the students love when they can collaborate with adults in bringing their ideas to fruition. 

 

Also, if you have any cardboard tubes or cardboard boxes these items are very welcome at this time. Also, flexible tubing, duct tape, glue, spray paint in neutral colors, material scraps, yarn, tinfoil trays are also welcome. We are able to build many 3D structures for Paper Mache with these items. 

 

Next week we are at camp. Please remember if your student has opted not to go to camp that they will be in need of alternate care as there will not be anyone in elementary at the school. 

 

During camp I take pictures and send them to Jamie for the Facebook Page, this is a great way for you to get a glimpse into camp! We will be leaving by 8:00 am on Monday. Your child can bring a snack for the car and a water bottle. Please remember that snacks need to be nut free as we have students with severe nut allergies. 

 

The weather for Shelby, MI is variable for next week. Temperatures look like most days will be sunny and 60ish but there are a few days that they are predicting some rain. Please help your child remember to be prepared for all weather conditions. 

 

For those going to camp I will see you on Monday and for those who are not we will see you all on the 7th! 

 

Thank You,

 

Ms. Christine & Ms. Sheena

Dear Parents,

 

We have been working very hard this week on reviewing and testing. We are almost finished and should be done by Monday of next week. 

 

The students have been enjoying running in Mileage Club. Students are supporting each other, showing empathy when a classmate is struggling, and holding back on their own goals if they see a friend in need. 

 

Warm weather is around the corner and with the happy goodbye to the cold and snow comes the re-emergence of insects, specifically the mosquito. As a reminder, with your permission, we use the insect repellent that we provide (Bullfrog – Deet free). Or, you may provide your own repellent, with your child’s name on the bottle, if you did not give permission. 

 

Many children in the prepubescent age are beginning to need to wear deodorant, especially when the warm weather hits and they are playing hard outside. It is ok for them to keep deodorant with their name on it at their coat hook. I will discuss this in the classroom as well. 

 

Speaking of prepubescence…..

 

I am happy to announce that we will be having an age appropriate human sexuality class for upper elementary given by Julie Thomas-Beckett. Julie has given this class to many of our students over the years. She is a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner with a plethora of experience guiding pre-pubescent to early pubescent students to help them understand what is happening or will be happening to their bodies in the next few years. Below is the outline of her curriculum. We will have these classes on April 27, May 11 and 18. If you do not wish your child to participate, please email me with this wish or if you have any questions please feel free to email me as well. Please see the curriculum found below.

 

Curriculum for Human Sexuality Lessons

 

Class 1: “Nuts and Bolts” – This class addresses the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, how our bodies change during puberty, and the basics of human reproduction. 

 

Class 2: “Questions and Answers” – This class separates the girls for their questions in which menstrual cycles are discussed in more detail and how to care for our bodies is addressed. Boys are separated for their questions in which nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) are introduced and the normal development of erections is addressed. 

 

Class 3: “Societal Messages and Personal Choices” – This class explores the messages boys and girls receive from our culture about being a man or a woman. We discuss personal self-care and choices we need to make for our health in the area of nutrition, sleep, exercise, smoking, alcohol, drugs, friends etc. Some tools used are role plays, magazine pictures, and interactive discussion. 

 

All through the classes, I routinely encourage the students to discuss these issues with their parents. I encourage them to care for themselves by making healthy choices, and respect other people for the choices they make. I have a number of books which I leave in the classroom for the weeks involving these classes. A reference list will be sent home with students after the first class. 

 

Julie Thomas-Beckett NP

 

Thank You,

 

Ms. Christine & Ms. Sheena

Dear Parents,

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. We have been doing a lot of test preparation this week and we are also beginning to focus on International Night reports. After camp, we will start to focus more on International night studies and the preparation for Biography Day. I will be sending out a separate email that will provide specific information for this special tradition at our school. 

 

Next week we will start testing. I will be providing snacks and gum, but if your child would like to bring their own snack they may do so. We will be doing testing in our E2 classroom. It is important that your child be on time. Please have your child here between 8:35 – 8:40 a.m.  I like to take them out to get some physical exercise and to do some Brain Gym before we start the test.  I normally do one to two test sections a day, depending on the length of the sections. 

 

The purpose of these tests are to give your child practical experience in standardized test taking. Throughout the year we discuss how the language on tests differs from how we do our work in the classroom. We discuss process of elimination, and how to try and reason out problems in which you might not know the answer. I try to make this process as low key as possible and not make this experience anxiety inducing. I use the information, gleaned after they results come in, to tailor lessons for each student in the areas in which they need extra help. 

 

Mileage club is underway! The students are having a great time running, making personal goals, and cheering each other on, as well as, helping each other attain their goals. If you would like to volunteer to run with the students or help mark cards, let me know and we can work out a day. 

 

Thank You,

 

Ms. Christine & Ms. Sheena