Marshall Street Elementary School
Home of the Jaguars
The 2016– 2017 Communicator
Principal’s Connection
Happy October! We are well on our way to another very successful school year. Thank you
for helping your students set routines that support his or her learning; a designated time and
place to do homework, a consistent bed time, exercise, and nutritious meals . Daily attendance
is also important to the success of your student. Please be aware, all absences require a written
excuse be submitted to the school within three (3) days of the student’s return to school, as per
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Compulsory Attendance Laws. If a written excuse is not
submitted within that time period, the absence is recorded as unexcused. If you have any questions related to attendance, please reference page ten (10) of the Parent/ Student Resource Handbook or call the school at 610- 630-8550. I thank you in advance for your cooperation and support
in implementing these procedures.
At Marshall Street Elementary we believe a key element in a successful educational program
for your child is effective home and school communication. We strongly encourage parents to
communicate regularly with teachers and other appropriate school personnel to help foster sincerity, understanding, and team commitment to academic success. By communicating and working together to solve problems before a crisis develops, we will ensure the best possible learning environment for your child as well as helping to create a happy and successful school year.
October 2016
Volume III
Issue 1
Special points
of interest:
 No School 3rd, 12th
& 21st
 Spirit Days
 Book Character
Parade 28th
Warm Regards,
Mark Skoczynski
Principal
From Miss Raub Lead Teacher
October is an exciting month for our students at Marshall Street School! Not only does it mean
the arrival of fall and the leaves changing colors, it is the month that we celebrate many kids’ favorite holiday, Halloween! While trick-or-treating is just around the corner and many children
will be eating candy, it is important to remember to encourage children to make healthy food
choices, too. We all know that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lead to a longer, healthy
life, but a healthy diet can actually help children in school. Several studies have shown that proper nutrition has the potential to positively influence students’ academic performance and behavior.
Since we know the benefits of eating quality nutritious foods, Marshall Street provides education and healthy food options for our students throughout the school day. Not only does our cafeteria follow federally mandated guidelines for a healthy breakfast and lunch, the Norristown Area
School District also works with Smart Partners to provide our students with a Fresh Fruits and
Vegetables Program. MSS students have the opportunity to sample fresh produce, often from local farms, in their classrooms. Teachers use the samples to educate students on different varieties
of fruits and vegetables and then incorporate them into their classroom lessons.
In September, students got to Golden Kiwi, Persian Cucumbers, and Local Yellow Squash, to
name a few! Samples are delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so remember to ask
your child what they tried in class today!
Inside this
issue:
MSS Information
1/2
Reading Tips
6
Math Challenge
4
Music News
5
Health & PE
5
Coming
Events
7
Page 2
The 2016– 2017 Communicator
From Mrs. Chester– Kerr Guidance Counselor
How to get the most out of parent-teacher conferences
The first parent-teacher conference of the year is exciting and often a little nerve
wrecking. Follow these tips for a successful conference:
● Prepare. Talk with your child. What does she or he dislike about school?
Is there anything s/he wants you to discuss with the teacher? Think about
the most important topics to discuss and write them down
● Be positive. Start the meeting with a compliment such as , “David loves
your reading corner. He says it’s so cozy.” As you listen to the teacher’s
views share your own, stay focused on collaborating to help your child.
● Make plans. While you and the teacher discuss ways to support the child,
jot down things you can do at home. Agree about how and when you’ll stay
in touch about your child’s progress.
● Celebrate. When you get home, tell your child how well the meeting went.
Show pride in her accomplishments! It’s important for kids to see parents
and teachers working together.
Source: “Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child,” National PTA,
www.pta.org/2532.htm.
From Mrs. Aponick
The students in Mrs. Aponick’s class are excited about making autumnal floral arrangements with Norristown Garden Club.
As we learn the colors of the rainbow, we have one dedicated color day per month. We had a yellow day where we wore yellow
clothes, wrote a yellow color poem using our senses, read a story about the yellow sun, wrote our numbers in yellow finger
paint, and made a yummy lemon yellow snack. In October, we look forward to learning about and experiencing the color, orange.
Kindergarten
We are having an Awesome Autumn in Kindergarten! This month we will work with the themes: Leaves, Apples, Pumpkins
and Harvest for our cross curricular approach to instruction.
Our foundational skill instruction includes learning new sight words: the, it go, play, my. We also review previously learned
words: I, a, me, like. We are learning new phonograms: Nn, Pp, Cc and our first vowel, Aa. Word work includes syllable blending and segmenting and producing beginning sounds, alliteration and rhyming. In Math, we are working on Comparing and
writing numbers to five. We will begin to represent, count and write number 6 to 9 also.
In Science we will be busy learning about our Senses.
Families, thank you for your support in working with your child to review letters, sounds, sight words and numbers and number words. Please remember to check your child’s homework packet, sign and return it each Friday.
We look forward to more fun learning in the Fantastic Fall!
First Grade
We are off to a great start here in first grade and have already learned so much! We continue to practice our short vowel
sounds and are writing in response to literature. We also are learning about community helpers and how valuable they are to
our community. We can now add numbers both horizontally and vertically, problem solve and make sums in different ways . We
look forward to learning about subtraction.
In October we have some fun things coming up! We will explore pumpkins and apples through our scientist and engineering
lens. We will focus on the research process to gather our facts for our informational writing. We will dive deeper into reading by
using blends and digraphs to increase our fluency so we can comprehend more. We look forward to the change in temperature
and the changes that first grade will bring us!
Volume III
Page 3
Second Grade
It was wonderful seeing so many of you at Meet the Teacher Night. Hopefully, you were able to learn more about what
your child will be experiencing in second grade. The students have been busy learning a lot of new concepts.
In math, we just finished our first unit about different strategies for addition and subtraction. Please have your child
practice their addition and subtraction facts for automaticity.
In science, the students just finished the first unit, Work Like a Scientist, where they learned that scientists ask questions
about the world around them and find answers by investigating through many methods.
In reading, students have been reading a variety of genres including fiction stories where they are learning about characters, setting and plot. They are learning to generate, ask, and answer questions before reading, during reading, and after
reading. Asking and answering who, what, when, where, when, why, and how demonstrates an understanding of key details in a
text. This aids in comprehension of the story read. We have also been comparing texts and answer questions based on our text
sources. Our new focus is identifying the main idea and details of specific paragraphs within a text. The children should be
reading 20 minutes each night and recording in on the book log in their homework books.
During writing, the children are being guided through the writing process as they learn how to write a paragraph that
includes a topic sentence, detail sentences, and focuses on the topic. Our Wonders class is learning about the features of a
friendly letter and will be writing a letter.
We are confident that the students will have an outstanding October!
Third Grade
Happy fall! It is hard to believe that we are nearly one month into the school year. Third grade has had a busy start! Students
are in the school mindset once again, and we are working hard to continue establishing good routines in order to make this year
a successful one!
We have recently wrapped up our first My Math chapter with a test on place value, rounding, and expressing numbers. Our
next chapter, Addition, will focus on addition properties and patterns, mental math strategies, estimating sums, adding multidigit numbers, and problem solving using the four-step method.
In reading, we are steadily working through Theme 1 in Storytown and Unit 1 in Wonders, exploring a variety of genres and
making connections between texts, while integrating language arts concepts, robust vocabulary, and written responses. Students should continue to read nightly and have their reading logs signed by a parent for homework. Additionally, please continue to check in with your student regarding nightly homework and current school happenings!
Fourth Grade
Please remember that our field trip to Riverbend Environmental Center is scheduled for October 13 th. All students are expected
to wear sneakers, light jacket or a sweat shirt.
In math we are starting chapter three, a chapter that heavily focuses on multiplication. It is recommended that your child continues practicing their multiplication facts on a daily basis for homework.
Finally, we encourage you to continue keeping track of the 25 books your child reads. Research has shown that students who are
avid readers are also proficient writers.
Your support is always appreciated.
Volume III
Page 4
Math News from Mrs. Krewson
October is a fun time to do math together at home! Here are some suggestions:
Pumpkin math – Estimate how much your pumpkin weighs. Remind your child that when you are weighing
something you are finding its mass. After estimating, weigh your pumpkin. If your scale will not show the weight of
the pumpkin, have your child get on the scale without the pumpkin, then get on the scale with the pumpkin. Your
child will need to find the difference between the two weights to find the mass of the pumpkin. Emphasize that finding the difference means they need to subtract. How close was your child’s estimate?
If you have more than one pumpkin, compare them. How are they alike? How are they different? Observe all of the
physical attributes. Use words such as larger, smaller, heavier, and lighter.
Next, estimate how many seeds will be inside the pumpkin. If you have more than one pumpkin, which one do you
think will have more seeds? Cut the pumpkins open for your child. Have your child count the seeds. Which one
had more seeds? Was your estimate correct? Use the words greater than and less than to compare the amount of
seeds. How many seeds are there all together?
Seeds can be used in a variety of fun math activities. Find a recipe to roast pumpkin seeds. Using a ruler, measure
six seeds before you roast them. Would your child measure using inches? Centimeters? Feet? Yards? Help your
child read the ruler you use and write down the lengths of five seeds. Next, have your child help you measure the
amount of butter and salt that you need. What do you use to measure the salt? How is butter measured? How hot
does the oven or electric skillet have to be? If it is 350 degrees, have your child read that number. Encourage him/
her to read 350 without using the word and (three hundred fifty). Grades 2 – 4 can take that number apart. How
many hundreds, tens or ones are in the number 350? Where is that setting on your cooking device? Is 350 greater
than or less than 400 degrees? When the seeds have cooled down, measure them again before you eat them. Did
the seeds get larger, smaller or stay the same size? Then enjoy them! Yummy!
From the Library Mrs. David
Library books will be coming home . Please remind your child to return their library books each week.
We have been enjoying reading books in different genres and learning about the different types of books in the library.
Students are on their way to being independent library users. They are learning how to find different types of books in the library using author’s last names and the Dewey categories.
Fourth grade students have been learning how to use the library online catalog to search for their books.
They can also access this at home using the Norristown School District website.
The skills they have been learning here are transferable to other libraries!
Volume III
Page 5
From the Music Department Mrs. Bulman
We are off to a fantastic start this year in the music department! Marshall Street students are busy singing, dancing, and playing
instruments while learning new music notes and rhythms.
3rd and 4th grade instrumental students have begun music lessons. Please be mindful of the weekly lesson schedule and don’t
forget to bring your instrument to school on your lesson day!
Encourage your child to keep learning music at home by checking out the following website: www.creatingmusic.com
We are looking forward to a very musical year!
‘Sing’cerely,
Mrs. Bulman and Mr. Patti
From the Art Teacher Mrs. Broadt
In class we discussed why masks are made. Some masks are used in religion, to ward off evil spirits, or for entertainment etc. We
also talked about how they can be made from different materials also. We learned that a mascot is a person or thing that is supposed to bring good luck or used to symbolize a particular event or organization. Definition of a mascot for students is usually a
person, animal, or object adopted as the symbol of a school or sports team. Our mascot is the jaguar. The jaguar is the thirdlargest feline after the lion and tiger and that it has the strongest bite and can be as long as six feet! They are known to eat deer,
fish, turtles, snakes, and even crocodiles! They can be found in North, Central and South America. They are identified by their
yellow or orange coats dark spots and short legs. The Dark spots on their coat are unlike any other cat spots. Each spot looks like
a rose and are called rosettes. The students were given a copy of an empty cat face. They then used their own ideas to create
their mask. Some Students preferred to make their mask look realistic and some wanted to make them abstract. If they choose to
do an abstract pattern I encouraged them to make design symmetrical and stick to a color scheme. The students will then wear
their masks during a school wide assembly.
From the Health & Physical Education Department, Ms. Brown & Mr. Shrader
Students in grades K-2 in Physical Education will be working on spatial awareness (moving in space without bumping into
things or each other) while playing tag type games. We will continue to practice locomotor skills.
Students in grades 3-4 in both Health and Physical Education will be taking physical fitness tests in early October. Students will be tested on strength (push-ups), muscle endurance (safety curl-up), cardiorespiratory endurance (9 minute
run) and flexibility (sit and reach test). The students will be analyzing the results, setting goals, and coming up with a plan
to improve their fitness levels during health class. Students will be given the fitness test 3 times this year. At the end of
the month we will move into cooperative games.
Medical Information for the Nurse Mrs. Falco
5 Steps to Your Healthiest School Year Ever!
1.
Start off strong with a healthy breakfast. A good breakfast provides energy and will help keep you alert and attentive in class. Highly sugared foods leave you feeling tired soon after eating.
Remember: Your school performance is directly related to what you eat!
2.
Drink plenty of water. Water is the best fluid to stay hydrated without the added sugar found in some juice and soft
drinks. Also, remember to drink the recommended amount of reduced-fat milk or milk alternative. Water and milk are
served at school for breakfast and lunch every day.
3.
Don’t forget to wash your hands often. Keep hands away from your face, mouth, and nose where germs can enter
your body.
4.
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day – at recess and at home. Go for a daily walk with a friend, a parent, or
your pet. Exercise helps our bodies to be strong, flexible, and resilient.
5.
Do your homework every day after school. It’s so important to be prepared!
Volume III
Page 6
From Mrs. O’Donoghue ELA Support teacher
Wow! Can you believe it is October already? We are well into another exciting school year here at Marshall
Street. As your child progresses throughout the year, you may have questions about how to best support your child.
Beyond the classroom and school, we want to make sure you have the information you need to help your child in all
areas of their development. Since Marshall Street is a Title 1 school and receives additional funding from the federal
government, you are able to request parent information at no cost to you. These materials cover a variety of topics
and are delivered directly to your home
Attached to this month’s newsletter is a Title 1 Parent Resource Center Order Form.
receive this valuable information:
Here is how you can
Fill in your name and address
Check off and request up to 10 booklets
Mail the order form to:
Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV
ATTENTION: Title 1 Parent Resource Center
453 Maple Street
Grove City, PA 16137
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me – Enjoy!
Stacey O’Donoghue
Instructional Support Teacher of Literacy
[email protected]
From Mrs. Conston Speech Clinician
Your children have been working hard in speech class! They have continued to work on improving their ability to express
themselves with improved grammar and vocabulary, as well as improve their listening comprehension. Others have continued
learning new methods to producing speech sounds correctly.
Please remember that no matter what their goals are, they will show greater success when parents get involved. You can support your child’s speech-language program in school in the following ways:
Schedule: Remember to look at your child’s schedule as it tends to change throughout the school year. Make sure to return
their speech folder to school every day so that they will be prepared for speech.
Check: Pull out your child’s IEP and look over the goals. These are the goals that will be targeted in speech.
Select a goal: It will significantly help your child’s progress if you are able to select one or two of the IEP goals to work on at
home.
Homework: Not all students will receive homework. However, when a student is learning a speech sound practicing every
day is crucial to success in speech. I ask that parents continue signing speech homework as daily speech practice and
parent involvement will greatly assist with your child’s progress.
Lastly, plan some outdoor seasonal activities to help develop good communications skills. Go for a walk outside, make a salad
or cook a special meal with your child or talk about family who may be visiting soon.
REMINDER:
***Book Bingo...Friday, October
14th***
***Box Tops are due ...Thursday,
October 27th***
***Book Character Parade
Friday, October 28th ***
Upcoming Events at our School
We have many things in the works this year at Marshall
Street. Please mark your calendars for some of the
events coming up:
October 3= No School for Students
October 12= No School For Students
October 13= 4th grade trip to Riverbend
October 14= Book Bingo (6:00)
October 9– 15= Fire Prevention Week
October 28= Book Character Parade (9:45 AM)
November 2= Picture Retake Day
November 3= 1st grade trip to Weaver’s Orchard
November 4= 2016 Dance– A– Thon
November 8= No School (Election Day)
November 10= Kindergarten trip to Solly Brother’s Farm
November 14-18= American Education Week & Book Fair
November 22= Full student day/ evening conferences
November 23= No school for students/ AM conferences
November 24 & 25= No School Thanksgiving Break
December 26-30= No School Winter Break
January 2= No School Winter Break