SUPERHEROES IN TRAINING
Woodrow Wilson Elementary
December 2016
A Message from the Principal
Happy December! It is amazing to me that I am sending out the December
Newsletter – it feels like the first third of the year passed by so quickly!
It seems every time I write the monthly Newsletter, I feel we just finished a busy
month yet we have a busy month to look forward to. November/December is no
exception. In November the 1st graders went to the library and fire station, the 3rd
graders went to a hockey game in Des Moines, and Katie Cantu from Jasper
County Conservation came and visited with our 4th graders. You will see all the
upcoming activities/opportunities for December in this Newsletter.
We have many exciting things happening every day in your child’s classroom.
Nothing can replace this direct instruction, modeling, and practice that occurs
every day between your child’s teacher and your child. Regular attendance is
vital to the success of your child. Please let your child know you expect them to
be at school and not miss on all the opportunities that presents itself.
Wishing you a Happy December, Merry Christmas, and a pleasant Winter Break!
Todd Schuster, Principal
Music News from Mrs. Harris
The Kindergarten and 1st grade concert is approaching quickly! Our concert date
is Thursday, December 8th in the Newton High School Auditorium. A reminder
note will be sent home this week. Remember to wear your best clothes and be at
the high school at 5:45 for Kindergarten and 6:45 for 1st grade.
You can find the previous letter from October on the Newton Community Schools
Website newton.k12.ia.us>Schools>Woodrow Wilson Elementary>WW Music
Any questions, please call Mrs. Harris!
Please save the following concert dates:
April 20th - 2nd Grade @ 6:00pm, 3rd Grade @ 7:00pm
May 4th - 4th Grade time TBA
1st Grade News
First graders have had an exciting month at Woodrow Wilson.
This month they have gone to the Newton Fire Department where
they learned about what firemen do when they are at the fire station, as well as what they do when they are called for an emergency. The students also were able to go inside and ambulance
and ladder truck. Smoke detectors are a very important part of
saving lives and the students learned this information as well as
learning that knowing their addresses and being able to call 911 in an emergency
is an important skill first graders should possess.
The first graders also learned about The First Thanksgiving. They were able to
view pictures of Plymouth Plantation, The Mayflower, and Wampanoag Villages.
They also learned how to play games that Pilgrim children played. The students
learned the meaning behind the First Thanksgiving.
With December fast approaching , the first graders will be doing an extensive
unit on holidays around the world. We are sure that all of the children will be very
enthusiastic and excited with their new knowledge of our holiday traditions.
2nd Grade News
It was another busy month in second grade!
In Language arts, we have focused on finding problem and solutions in stories. We have also worked on identifying prefixes and
suffixes in words.
In Math, we have worked on making change, making purchases,
estimation, place value, and identifying parts and whole in story problem.
In Guidance, we have worked on developing empathy, compassion, and respecting our individual differences.
In Social Studies, students learned about the election, the importance of voting,
and communities.
In Science we have been learning about STEM, and will be conducting an egg
drop challenge.
Please continue to read each night with your child to support their learning in
school. Thank you for your support!
4th Grade News
The 4th grade at Woodrow has a lot to be thankful for this year! We have a wonderful group of 4th graders that have earned their 2nd PBIS celebration this year
for their excellent behavior. We were able to write letters to the veterans who had
their free breakfast at Hy-Vee on Veteran's Day. We were thankful Katie Cantu from
Jasper County Conservation was able to come and help us learn
about the Food Chain by playing a fun learning game. We are
thankful for having our first of three Papa Enyart PopCorn
Palooza's! We are also thankful to see student scores in reading
and math going up!
Most of all we are thankful for all the families we have the
opportunity to work with this year!
Health Office Reminder
Calling all Newton Elementary Students! I-Smile™@ School Sealant Program is
coming to Newton Elementary Schools beginning middle of January and February. There is plenty of time to return the Consent Forms and participate in our
“FREE” Program! If you have already turned in a form, we look forward to seeing
you! If you have any questions, please call I-Smile™ @ Marion County Public
Health 641-828-2238 ext 134. Healthy Mouths for Healthy Kids!
Please return the forms, marked yes or no, to the health office at Woodrow Wilson
Elementary School.
Thank you,
Mindi Walker
Woodrow Wilson Elementary Health Para
Ideas for Parents
25 Ways to Ask Your Kids ‘So How Was School Today?’
Without Asking Them ‘So How Was School Today?’
This year, Simon is in fourth grade and Grace is in first grade, and I find myself asking them every
day after school, “So how was school today?” And every day I get an answer like “fine” or “good,”
which doesn’t tell me a whole lot. AND I WANT TO KNOW A WHOLE LOT!!!!
Or at least get a full sentence. So the other night, I sat down and made a list of more engaging
questions to ask about school. They aren’t perfect, but I do at least get complete sentences, and
some have led to some interesting conversations... and hilarious answers... and some insights into
how my kids think and feel about school.
1. What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)
2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in
class? Why?)
4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
6. If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?
7. How did you help somebody today?
8. How did somebody help you today?
9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
10. When were you the happiest today?
11. When were you bored today?
12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to
take?
13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
14. Tell me something good that happened today.
15. What word did your teacher say most today?
16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
19. Where do you play the most at recess?
20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
23. Is there anyone in your class who needs a time-out?
24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?
25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.
So far, my favorite answers have come from questions 12, 15 and 21. Questions like the “alien”
one give kids a non-threatening way to say who they would rather not have in their class, and open
the door for you to have a discussion to ask why, potentially uncovering issues you didn’t know
about before.
And the answers we get are sometimes really surprising. When I asked question 3, I discovered
that one of my children didn’t want to sit by a best friend in class anymore —
not out of a desire to be mean or bully, but in the hope they’d get the chance to work with other
people.
As my kids get older, I know I am going to have to work harder and harder to stay engaged with
them — but I know it’s going to be worth the work.
This post originally appeared on Simple Simon and Company.