Mark Twain Elementary School March 2016 Newsletter Mark Twain Newsletter
Grade Level News
Page 1 of 5
Family Involvement News
You’re Invited to the Curtis Alan Hed’s Magic of Reading Show on March 3,
2016 at 6:00pm. He will entertain us with magic and also reinforce the fun of
reading. DINNER WILL BE SERVED!! A parent must attend with their child. We
can’t wait to enjoy a magical evening with you. If you haven’t sent in your RSVP
yet, please call the school so we have enough food for everyone.
Contents
Family Involvement News
1
Dr. Tiemann’s News
1
Kindergarten News
1
First Grade News
2
Third Grade News
2
Fourth Grade News
2
Fifth Grade News
3
Sixth Grade News
3
Volunteer News
3
Library News
4
PE News
4
Art News
4
Music Notes
5
PTA
5
Dr. Tiemann’s News
The Mark Twain staff and students welcome spring! March, April and May
promise to be busy months packed with wonderful learning and fun opportunities
for everyone. Please check the calendar of events to keep abreast of the dates
and times.
MAP testing is a magnificent opportunity for our boys and girls to show
just how smart they are. Testing begins April 4th and finishes April 22nd. Please
make sure the children are at school everyday, on time.
Calling all new, kindergarten students! Registration for the 2016-17 school
year is just around the corner. Please plan to attend kindergarten “round-up” at
Mark Twain on Thursday, April 7th at 5:30 for registration and information.
If you would like to be part of our Mark Twain Gardening Team, please send in
your name and number. We would love to have you this summer.
We look forward to meeting with our families during parent/teacher
conferences on March 8th and 10th. Together we are brightening our children’s
future.
Kindergarten News
Kindergarten has been working on phonics skills needed for the students
to be reading on a level C by the end of the school year. For example, long
vowels and the rules that pertain to them, diagraphs (sh, th, wh, ch) and y at the
end. In addition to this we have worked on sight words list B and list C.
In math, we have been working with base tens and decomposing teen
numbers. Our math journals we have been doing spiral reviews.
During Writer’s workshop we researched George Washington, Abraham
Lincoln and President Obama. The students wrote opinion pieces on who was their
favorite president and why.
We are getting ready for Parent Teachers Conferences on March 8th and
10th.
Mark Twain Newsletter
Grade Level News
Page 2 of 5
First Grade News
First grade has been working hard third quarter. Parent teacher conferences
will be March 8th and 10th. We look forward to sharing your child’s progress with you
in person. In Writer’s Workshop, we have been writing “how to” pieces. The children
are learning how important it is to write steps in sequential order using temporal
(first, next, last…) words. After we finish with “how to” pieces the children will be
reading non-fiction text, recording facts using a graphic organizer and using the facts
to create an informational piece. We are also stressing correct letter formation,
spacing, correctly using capitals and punctuation and writing in complete sentences.
You can help at home by having your child write a couple of sentences about his or
her day. The way to become a better writer is to write, write, write! Reading is also
very important in first grade. Continue reading with your child nightly. Reading at
home makes a tremendous difference in a child’s reading ability. Your child should be
able to read the book with minimal help. Encourage your child to try to figure out
unknown words. If a book is too hard you can model what a fluent reader sounds like.
Thank you for helping to strengthen your child’s reading and writing skills.
Third Grade News
Happy March from Third grade. We are gearing up for Parent Teacher
Conferences. If you have not received your conference time paper please call the
school. It is our honor to be able to visit with you about the success of our students.
We are well on our way to learning about Geometry and will soon start on
fractions in Math. Please continue to study math facts at home as this is a continued
skill that will be tested.
Reading is taking our students down a path of digging deeper to find answers
to questions in a text. Remember reading at least 20 minutes a day at home
significally increases a child’s reading level. We continue to take Reading Counts
quizzes in class.
In Science, we are studying the Water Cycle and the clouds. Which is pretty
exciting for the kids to experience and learn. Social Studies is learning about different
government monuments and what made our country what it is today.
Keeping kids first here in Third grade.
Fourth Grade News
Upcoming
Events
♦
March 8 & 10– P/T
Conferences
♦
March 10 – Awards
Assembly 9:00am
♦
March 11 – No
School
♦
March 15 – Wendy’s
Night at 5:00pm
♦
March 21 – 25 Spring
Break
We have been busy in 4th grade! All of our Acuity predictive testing is finished,
and your students have done a fabulous job! Scores have increased tremendously, and
with MAP just around the corner in April, there is no doubt that they will do wonderful.
Right now we are buckling down on filling holes where needed and wrapping up the last
bits of curriculum. With that being said, we will begin MAP testing April 11th. It is crucial
that your student is at school, on time, every day so they can learn and be fully ready
when testing comes.
We have some fun trips and projects coming up. We have our trip to the Kauffman
Center where our lucky students will get to perform with the Kansas City Symphony. Keep
practicing those recorders! We also have the Science Fair around the first week of May. Be
looking for more information to be coming home. Students will need a display board w hich
can be found at Dollar Tree or Hobby Lobby. If your child needs one, please let us know as
soon as possible so we can get those in time. Science projects can be as easy or
complicated as you would like, but must follow the scientific process. Ideas can be found
online or in books, just be sure to check with your classroom teacher before starting.
We love your kids. Thanks for sharing them with us!
Mark Twain Newsletter
Grade Level News
Fifth Grade News
Volunteers
Thank you to all of the
Mark Twain families
that helped with the
Valentines Day parties!!
A special thank you to
Sammy Coats for all
your help with the
candy grams!!!!
Page 3 of 5
The fifth graders are busy winding down the third quarter. In math, we are
working on dividing 3-digit by 2 digit numbers and starting our geometry review for
the MAP test coming the first part of April. We continue to implement our new
reading series, Wonders, focusing on new skills with each unit. We are beginning our
final science unit on the solar system. As we near the end of the quarter and approach
our state assessments, we will be participating in some on-line practice assessments
to get us prepared for the upcoming tests. It is necessary that your child has a pair of
earbuds or headphones for the test. Please send a pair to school if your child still
needs them.
Book Reports are still due every 2 weeks. By now your child should have 13 out of
20 reports finished. Please encourage your child to read each night to help them
receive their Missouri Reading Circle Certificate at the end of the year.
It is CONFERENCE TIME! If you already haven't done so, please make sure that you
look at your parent teacher conference slips in order to confirm the time assigned to
you. If this time does not fit your schedule, please let us know so that we can
reschedule your conference. Looking forward to visiting with you at conferences on
March 8th and 10th.
Sixth Grade News
I (Mr. Campbell) have been overwhelmed with my mother being in a wreck on
Superbowl Sunday. She spent a week in the ICU with various injuries. We were not
sure if my mother would make it. We are in a better place now and my mother is
going through extensive rehab but the thought, is that she will get back to 100
percent. I have always been surrounded by family, friends, and kids that I love but
when this happened I never felt more alone. The kids and staff quickly changed that
with cards, meals, and support. It helped lift me up into a positive place. I want to
thank you all for the support that your children gave to me. I want to take this
incident and turn it into something positive. Tell your kids that you love them tonight
as they are sent to bed and every night. My mom was in perfect health and a moment
almost took her away from us. It could happen to anyone. Be with your family even in
the hard times. Don’t put yourself in a place that could be filled with regret. Make
those memories positive for the ones around us.
In the coming month we will be diving deep into the lessons in math and
reading getting the kids ready to start the 4th quarter. This is an amazing time for
them because middle school is just around the corner. Spring break is quickly
approaching and we have under 50 days of school remaining overall. We are looking
forward to seeing everyone during our conferences week.
Volunteer News
Thank you to all of the families who helped with the Valentines parties whether you
sent treats or helped at the party. We only have one classroom party so we strive to
make it a good one with help from our families!
Book fair is coming March 8th & 10th. If you are interested in helping please
contact the school 671-4270. Help is needed 2:45 – 4:45 and 4:45 – 6:45.
Mark Twain Newsletter
Page 4 of 5
Library News
Grade Level News
“Through the
effort of the
Mark Twain
students and
staff, over
$1000 was raised for the
American Heart Association.”
March is a celebration of reading! Starting with the first week, if students are
“caught reading” they will be awarded tickets and be eligible to win their own books
or posters. On Read Across America Day on March 2, student are invited to dress like
their favorite character from a book. Have some fun and promote good books by
dressing like characters from literature that day!
On the evening of March 3 we’ll celebrate a magical evening at Mark Twain
filled with experiments, books, and a huge magic show by a professional magician!
Our spring book fair will be on March 8-10 and will have a Groovy theme: the
Feelin’ Groovy Book Fair! Come join us for Peace, Love, and Books at the following
times:
March 8 & 10 from 2:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
March 8,9, & 10: 8:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Happy Reading!!!
PE News
Thanks to parents, guardians, and students for the support and donations for
Jump Rope for Heart. I am pleased to share that Mark Twain raised over $1000.
Students who raised money will receive their prices this coming month. Once again,
thank you to all donors and support from parents, guardians, and students.
Happening this month in the curriculum. K-2nd grade students will be
participating in Nutrition, Cardiovascular Endurance Activities, and Scooters. 3rd-6th
grade students will be participating in Hockey and beginning Fitness Testing.
Art News
This school year is flying by in the art classroom! We are starting our large
projects in each grade level that require a little more patience and skill. All of the
kids are having fun and showing a lot of improvement. We recently completed our
Purina Cat and Dog Contest entries, hosted by the Nestle Purina Plant. Finalist are as
followed:
Kindergarten: Braelynn Johnson and Sayuri Rodriguez
1st Grade: Emily Johnson, Nevaeh Sansone, and Brichton Stallsworth
2nd Grade: Callee Cunningham
3rd Grade: Danica Whetsell and Emily Dalrymple
4th Grade: TBA
5th Grade: TBA
6th Grade: Gracie Russell, Madyson Barger, Marvin Flores, Drew Weddington, Riley
Weets, Ella Lujan, Mariah Grippando, and Allison Runyan
4th and 5th Grade finalist will be announced next month!
Mark Twain Newsletter
Grade Level News
Page 5 of 5
Music Notes
As I turn the calendar to March I don’t know whether to look forward to all the
events coming up or back to all the great things that have already happened this school
year. The music room is always a busy place, but things accelerate once we get past
February.
Many thanks to the students, parents and staff who were part of the Eagle
Nation Basketball/Bucket Drum routine. All three performances were well received and
the students really came through in challenging situations. It was a good learning
experience for everyone involved!
Honor Choir tryouts have been held and practices have started. All students
have been notified if they were chosen to be part of the choir. Practice schedules were
given to each participant. Please check with your 5th or 6th grade student to see if
they are part of this group and post the schedule on your fridge. Only 3 absences are
allowed. The practices are weekly in the music room afterschool and the performance
is Friday, April 22nd at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m.
The next program up is Kindergarten’s “Three Piggy Opera”. Mark sure to save
the date for this fun program as Ms. Graham, Ms. Murphy and Ms. Schneller’s classes
retell the story of the three little pigs in opera style. Thursday, April 14th at 6:00p.m.
in the Mark Twain Gym.
The end of April brings around grade level Talent Show. Every student is
allowed to participate in their grade level’s talent show if they wish. More information
will come home as that day approaches. 10 students are chosen from the grade level
shows to perform on the last day of school in front of all grades. Start practicing now!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me at 816.671.4270 or
email [email protected]
PTA Notes
Candy bars sales go until March 10, 2016. Top seller earns a tablet and if you
sell 100 candy bars you earn a bowling party on March 18, 2016 from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
GREAT EASTER BASKET STUFFERS!!!
Box Top Contest. Save your Box Tops……The class that collects the most
will earn a Ice Cream Sundae Party. The contest will run from March 1, 2016 – March 31,
2016.
Red Wheel started on February 19, 2016 ends on March 4, 2016 and. delivery will
be on March 16, 2016 in the library.
Wendy’s night is on March 15, 2016 from 5pm - 7pm at the South Belt Wendy’s.
Make sure you tell the cahier that you are from Mark TwainJ
Yearbook signing skate party will be at B & J Skate Center on April 26, 2016
from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Website: http://www.sjsd.k 12 .mo .us/do main/23
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.