Pomona Elementary School Newsletter
November 2015
News from the Principal
Happy Fall! I am always amazed at how fast the school year goes. First Quarter is in the books. We
have had a great start to our school year. Students are making great progress academically. Our teachers
have also spent a lot of time working on the character development of our students as well through class
meetings. This gives teachers and students a chance to talk about things that impact their classroom, work
thru issues or problems, and learn how to resolve issues and interact with each other in positive ways. We
have already experienced good results in student interactions.
Many of you have noticed some changes in the traffic patterns in front of the school. We are working
hard to ensure the safety of your student during drop-off and pick-up time. Our street gets busy and the 3way intersection gets action packed with cars moving thru, kids and parents crossing the street, and cars
backing out of parking spots. Please be patient, slow down and be extra vigilant during our high traffic
times. We have a teacher on duty every morning and afternoon with a stop sign to help escort groups
across the intersection. If you need to cross the street we ask that you cross in this area. Our intersection
is much safer now and will continue to improve if we all remain aware and vigilant. We really appreciate
your help.
With the cold weather fast approaching I want to remind you to be sure your child has warm clothes to
wear to school. We try to have the kids go outside as mush as we can unless the weather is bad. Be sure
they have a warm jacket, hat and mittens.
Important Dates

Pac Meeting - 2nd Tuesday of every month from 5-6 pm in the library

November 6th - Panther Card Deadline

November 23rd - 27th - Thanksgiving Break
Dear 1st Grade Families,
SAVE THE DATES
November 11
November 23-27
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Break
Reading
In Unit 3 the students will be making connections to what they have read. They are making connections to their
own lives, to other books and to the world around us. Making connections enriches their reading experience. Students will also use their background knowledge, build vocabulary and make inferences to become better readers.
In phonics we will work on th, wh, ch, sh, be reviewing short vowels and long vowels, and continuing work on
r-blends.
WRITING
Students will be writing descriptive and "How to" pieces. We will also be teaching nouns, verbs and adjectives.
MATH
Your child will work with linear measurement and review and extend their use of thermometers and clocks. They
will measure in non-standard units such as digits and hand spans, as well as the U.S. customary units of inches and
feet. They will use rulers and tape measures to practice measuring classroom objects and themselves. Students will
also continue the important work of achieving "automaticity" of basic addition and subtraction facts.
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
In science and social studies, the unit of study is Economics. This includes needs vs. wants, and savings and spending.
As we approach the busy holiday we season we continue to work hard in the academic areas. In math
we will be continue our study of addition and subtraction strategies. For reading we are looking at how
vocabulary and background knowledge can aid us when we read new text. In writing we will wrap up
descriptive writing and move toward animal reports. For our science unit we will be learning about animal adaptations.
Please continue to read at home with you child it will benefit them in all areas of the curriculum. We
also appreciate you taking the time to review the homework your child does. It is a great way to spend
time with your child and to let them know how important learning is.
Thank you
The Second Grade Team
News from Third Grade
We are HAPPY to announce that 43 percent of Third Graders are proficient on Addition & Subtraction Facts!
Those students will get to start studying Multiplication Facts now! Your child knows if they need to still be practicing on (+) & (-).
During our 1st Quarter Awards Assembly we were able to congratulate the following students:
Reading- Ismael Espinoza, Gabriel Argueta, MacKenzie Freeland
Math-Katie Pariseau, Ethan Osorio, Beau England
Writing-Jasmine Hemenway,Alexis Trujillo, Violeta-Suarez-Silos
PAWS Behavior-Emilie Caywood, Naeleen Killman ,Eli Nething, Rhiannon Finnerty
We will be collecting aluminum cans on November 6th . Please have your friends and family collect for you.
Remember to read daily and sign the Reading Log.
The Third Grade Team
Mrs. Franks, Mrs. Poole, Mrs. Schrick
People – Power – Planet
“Don’t Waste It”
Montrose and Olathe schools are participating in McKinstry’s PowerED program and the People.Power.Planet campaign for the 3rd year. The campaign encourages students and staff to learn about energy and environmental issues,
commit to making better energy decisions, and put our energy goals into action.
This year we will continue to focus on energy management but also address reducing waste through the Don’t Waste
It campaign
The focus for first semester is “Less is More”, and the theme for second semester is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Look
forward to some fun school wide activities to help us all learn how to use less and save more of our natural resources.
Pomona has cut its energy use by 23% in the past two years!
Way to go!!
Our efforts to save energy are working!!
Remember that “people have the power to better the planet.” What can you do today to help us save energy
and reduce waste?
*Check out the People, Power, Planet website (www.peoplepowerplanet.com)
*Sign in to Montrose and Olathe School District then check in to Pomona Elementary
* Take the Pledge
* Take Action
Need ideas or help, see a member of the Power Patrol in Mrs. Nadiak’s classroom.
Fourth Graders Teach the Benefits of Composting
It’s that time of year again to start composting in grades three through five at Pomona. All three fourth
grade classes have studied the benefits that composting can bring to soil, air, water, and to a landfill. A few fourth
graders from each class will teach the third grade classrooms this week what can and cannot be composted. Based
off their research, the fourth graders will also define what composting is, identify the benefits of composting, and
explain how it will be achieved at Pomona. Fifth grade classes should be familiar with the process from last year.
Starting this Thursday, expect to see a compost bucket next to the trashcan in the lunchroom. A poster reminding students what can and cannot be composted will be visible on a wall as well. We’re hoping third through
fifth graders will be mindful of what’s left on their plate when they’re done eating. We hope they’ll ask, “What
organic matter is left on my plate? How about I put it to use by putting it in the compost bucket?”
When lunch is over, the fourth grade “Composting Captains” will deposit the material from the lunchroom
bucket into the large dark-green compost bin next to the school garden where it will heat up and decompose into a
rich organic matter. When spring comes we plan to amend the soil in our garden beds with our student created
compost!
What is composting? It is the process of recycling decomposed organic matter (fruits, vegetables, dried leaves,
etc.) into a rich soil.
Why are we composting? It helps us put nutrients back into our soil to grow better vegetables. It helps to reduce
waste in our county dump. The reduction of this waste helps reduce methane gas, which contributes to
global warming, and it helps keep our ground water cleaner. All in all, we complete the food cycle and
make our community a better place when we compost!
Fifth Grade Families,
Fifth grade will soon be starting a new Social Studies Unit focusing on the Americas during 1491.
Students will participating in group and individual activities, along with a research paper and oral presentation. More information will come from your student’s individual teacher.
Reminders and Dates:
Practice math facts 5 minutes each night.
The “New Me” puberty class will be held on Nov. 13th. The class is presented by the Denver Museum
of Nature and Science. More information will be coming soon.
Pomona Health Office: 11/1/15
Head lice are not dangerous, but certainly are a nuisance. Lice do not carry disease, but spread
with close contact. So, schools are apt to have an occasional problem. We are working with students to
educate them on not spreading lice as well as other germs. Here are signs of possible head lice: frequent
scratching on the head, behind the ears and above the neck. To prevent infestation, ask your child not to
share combs, brushes, hair accessories, hats, hoodies or jackets.
COLD SEASON BLUES? Be smart, take action and brighter days will follow! Germs spread
in 3 ways: Air-People-Things. WASH YOUR HANDS …soap and water is the best prevention! If you
don’t have soap and water, use hand sanitizer. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and drink plenty of water
(stay hydrated). Eat nutritious meals and snacks, cover your cough and cover your sneeze. Keep hands
away from eyes, nose, ears and mouth.
Help us have healthy children at Pomona Elementary :)