September 2015 “Specials” Newsletter
Art
Hello! My name is Mr. Varno and I am very excited to join the Burnt Mills Elementary School
community. I feel honored to have the opportunity to teach art to your children once a week and I’m ready for a
great year. It is my goal to challenge my students to be creative problem solvers in a collaborative setting. I
encourage intellectual risk taking and persistence, especially in challenging situations. Most importantly, I look
forward to building relationships with all of my students.
Throughout the first several weeks we will be establishing art classroom rules, routines, expectations and
procedures. Students will become familiar with art elements and design principles and apply that knowledge to their
art making. I can’t wait to see the awesome art your children will create this school year!
Mr. Varno ([email protected])
Hey Burnt Mills family! My name is Ms. Arias, and I will be teaching two art classes this school year (AM Pre-K/Ms.
Chin and 3rd Grade/Ms. Edgar’s class). Even though I will only be at Burnt Mills on Monday mornings, I am excited to
see the outcome of all student work. Along with Mr. Varno, we will be collaborating to create fun art projects that
will open a window of opportunities to creative thinking for our students. I look forward to encouraging them to
think creatively and create personal meaning in their art work.
Ms. Arias ([email protected])
Media
Dear Burnt Mills Parents,
We are very excited for another school year to begin. The Media Center will once again be staffed
with Mrs. Savoy as the full-time Media Specialist and Mrs. Roper as the part-time Media Assistant. The Media Center
is open daily from 9:25-3:50.
All students will visit the Media Center once a week with their class. During the first few weeks of Media class the
students will learn and review the rules and procedures of the Media Center. They will also be trained/re-trained on
how to use technology appropriately. The remainder of the month will be devoted to beginning to learn how to do
research for their inquiry projects (a Media and classroom collaboration).
Book checkout will begin the first week for 1 st-5th grades and during week 2 for Kindergarten. Kindergartners and
first graders will be allowed to check out 1 book for up to 2 weeks. Second, third, and fourth graders will be allowed
to check out 2 books for up to 2 weeks and fifth graders are able to check out 3 books for up to 2 weeks. Students
who have overdue materials may not check out other materials until the overdue material is returned. All materials
can be renewed unless the material is on hold for another patron. No fines will be incurred for overdue bo oks, but
students are responsible for paying for lost or damaged (beyond repair) books. Overdue notices will be distributed
to classroom teachers at least once a month.
The Scholastic book fair will take place during the week of September 15-18 (hours to be announced at a later date).
The students will come to the book fair with their class during the week at a designated time. Parents are invited to
visit the book fair during the day as well as before Back to School Night on September 17.
Page 1 of 2
Once again we are looking for parent volunteers. If you are interested in helping out in the Media Center please call
the front office or email Mrs. Savoy at [email protected]. We look forward to a wonderful year!
Mrs. Savoy and Mrs. Roper
Music
For the first week all students will come and acquaint themselves with the brand new space
assigned for general vocal music class! This month, in conjunction with the “Lets Go to School”
theme, Pre-K will sing songs about Going to School as well as discover the fun of playing
instruments. Kinder and 1 st will be reminded of the music room routines, various ways to use their
voice, steady beat, and instrumental timbre. Second grade will begin to analyze the use of music in
their community as will well as reinforce skill learned in 1 st grade. 3rd grade will study the
difference between various folksong forms by having fun singing and moving to them. They will
also begin preparation to play recorders with some music reading exercises. 4th grade will continue their vocal
development, music reading and expand their instrumental playing skill on the Orff (classroom xylophones)
instruments. All 5th grade students will be offered the opportunity to audition for the MCPS Honors Chorus, move
forward with vocal development and music preferences.
Dr. Lively ([email protected])
Physical Education
Mrs. Rogers is excited to start a new year in P. E., while welcoming a new addition to the P.E.
department, Mr. O’Reilly! Mr. O’Reilly will be at Burnt Mills on Thursday afternoons, teaching
alongside Mrs. Rogers. Students will be learning though movement all year long here at Burnt
Mills in P.E. class. Be on the look-out for our monthly newsletters with curriculum updates.
Please refer to your child’s daily schedule to ensure that they come to school prepared with sneakers, comfortable
clothing and no dangling jewelry on their P. E. day. We are looking forward to a great year!
Mrs. Rogers ([email protected]) Mr. O’Reilly ([email protected])
Instrumental Music
All 4th and 5th graders in Montgomery County have the opportunity to participate in
instrumental music lessons which occur once a week all school year long at no cost. Mr. Goba
will demonstrate all of the choices of instruments students can select and discuss what is
involved in the program next Tuesday afternoon so look for a packet from Mr. Goba with more
details next Tuesday. Please talk to your child and have them return their sign -up form to their classroom teacher
if they wish to participate in music lessons. The school does have a limited number of instruments to hand out on a
need basis which is done first come first served so be sure to note this on the form if you need a school instrument
for your child. All students will learn the basics of their instrument by studying a variety of music and perform in
one or two in-school and evening performances in December and May.
Mr. Goba ([email protected])
Page 2 of 2