Dianna Anderson, Principal
Anita Smith, Dean of Students
Celia Nelson, Office Manager
Molly Malone, Nurse
Sarah Walljasper, Counselor
Katie Enos, IB Coordinator
Park Avenue Elementary School
Vol. 4 Issue 4
International Baccalaureate
PYP Authorized School
May 2014
3141 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
515-242-8429
http://parkavenue.dmschools.org
From the Principal’s Desk…
Park Avenue Families:
It is hard to believe that this school year is almost over. I have truly
enjoyed my first year at Park Avenue and have learned so much about IB
and our school. The end of the year is always full of fun end of the year
activities and end of year testing. We completed the Iowa Assessments at
the beginning of April and we will have the results by the end of the
school year. Each student will bring home a summary of their results
along with their report card on May 31st.
Mark Your Calendars!
May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: School Nurse’s Day
May 8: PTA Board Meeting
5:30 PM—Media Center
May 21: PTA Family Night
5:30-8:30 PM—Blank Park Zoo
Panther Prints
Next year Park Avenue will be part of a grant program called Breakfast in
the Classroom. We are very excited to part of this program because it
means that all students at Park Avenue will receive free breakfast next
year. When students come in the building in the morning they will go
straight to the cafeteria, pick up their breakfast and take it to their
classroom and eat it there. We were part of this program at my old school
and by participating in the program we doubled the number of students
who were eating breakfast and decreased the number of tardies we had on
a daily basis. Because students will be eating in their classrooms next year
and we won’t need as much time in the morning the doors will open at
7:55 a.m. instead of 7:50.
May26: Memorial Day
NO SCHOOL
May 27: Talent Show
6:30 PM—Auditorium
May 29:K-5 Exhibition Family Night
4:30-6:00 PM
My 29: Fifth Grade Recognition
6:00-7:00 PM
June 2: Last Day of School
12:00 Dismissal
There are a lot of activities planned for the end of the year and I hope to
see all of you there.
May 21st – PTA Family Night at the Blank Park Zoo 5:30 to 8:30
May 27th – Talent Show – 6:30 Park Avenue Auditorium
May 29th – K-5 Exhibition and Family IB Night 4:30 – 6:00
May 29th – 5th Grade Recognition – 6:00 – 7:00
June 2nd – Last Day of School – 12:00 dismissal
Registration for the 2014-2015 school year will be July 23rd from 9:00 to
3:00 and July 24th from 1:00 to 7:00.
Dianna Anderson
Principal
Grade Level News
2-3
5th Grade Exhibition
4
Guidance, Spanish, Art, PE
5
IB
6
Breakfast in the Classroom
7
PTA, General Information
8
VOL . 4 I S S UE 4
K
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Page 2
Reading
The kindergarten students are working on the skill of asking and answering questions when listening to
fiction and nonfiction stories. To help reinforce this skill at home, please have your child ask and answer
questions when they are reading fiction and nonfiction stories.
The school year is coming to an end. Please make sure your child is working on their kindergarten sight
words! If they already know their kindergarten sight words, we are encouraging your child to work hard
on their first or second grade sight words.
Math
In math, the kindergarten students are learning how to tell time to the hour and to the half hour. To
practice this at home, draw a clock (or use a toy clock that you have at home) that shows time to the
hour and or half hour. Then, ask your child what the time on the clock is showing.
IB
The kindergarten students have started their fifth planner of inquiry on Simple Machines. The central
idea states, Machines make work easier. During this planner, the students will learn about different
types of simple machines; pulleys, incline planes, wheels and axles, levers, and wedges. Have your child go
on a simple machine hunt in your home or in the community. How many simple machines did you find? How
does that simple machine make work easier?
Thank you for all of your support this school year!
Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Berg, Mrs. Caligiuri, and Mrs. Pentico
1st Grade
The end of the year is quickly approaching. Thank you to all of our wonderful families for sharing your son or
daughter with us. We hope that your child has learned the value of education and the love of learning. As we see the year
coming to an end, we know the first grade students are making wonderful progress on their sight word knowledge. Our last
assessment is here. Please take time to review all the words with your child. They could play a matching game, guess my word
game, or what word is missing. Knowing all of their 160 first grade sight words will help them prepare for second grade.
Please continue to help your child learn their math facts. Like sight words, they should know them in a snap. Practice
math sentences with a missing number, such as 4+____=10. Also, tell your child math story problems. We want them to be
problem solvers. We will be taking our end of the year assessments. Students should come rested and ready to show us what
they have learned.
Have a wonderful summer break with your family. Remember to continue to practice the skills your child will need
to be successful in second grade. READ! READ! READ!
Mrs. Hampton, Mrs. Thede, Mrs. Todey, and Miss Weitl
2nd Grade
The second grade classes are finishing up their 5th Unit of Inquiry. The central idea for
the Unit is People may establish practices in order to keep and maintain the Earth’s resources.
During the Unit, the students explored different types of energy and resources and how they could make
the choice to conserve them. They looked into the Trash and Treasure trunk from Metro Waste Management
where they found books, videos and items made from recycled materials. They also viewed a performance by the
Raccoon River Players about water conservation and keeping the watershed free from pollutants.
Students have invited their families to a special open house to view and learn about the inventions/
creations made by the second graders to show what they have learned.
Students need to continue to practice their math facts. They need to read daily and be sure and complete
and return their homework and reading logs.
Mrs. Fix Schmidt
Mrs. Martin
Ms. Riordan
Vol. 4 Issue 4
The P.Y.P
Learner
Profile
Page 3
3rd Grade
Thinker
Caring
Balanced
Third grade just finished working hard on the Iowa Assessments! They did a
great job staying focused and trying their best!!! We are getting ready to
start a new unit and are planning a field trip to the Science Center on May
20th. If you would like to chaperone please let us know as soon as possible, so
we can get the correct paperwork on file. Just a reminder that students
need to wear an additional layer if the wind chill is 50 degrees or below.
Thanks for your continued support and we look forward to a great end of
the school year.
Open-Minded
Sincerely,
Principled
Ms. Dawson, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Pratt
Communicator
Risk-Taker
Inquirer
Reflective
Knowledgeable
4th Grade
Fourth grade has been busy learning and exploring universal components. We
begin our last Inquiry unit of the year over environments. A field experience trip to
the Science Center was planned, supporting the unit. We are busy with wrapping up
Fractions in math and will move on to decimals for the final math unit. Students will
begin a chapter study for literacy as well to finish up the school year. We have had
some great learning experiences and have worked to make connections to moving
on to 5th grade and preparing for Exhibition as 5th graders. It’s amazing that we are
nearing the end of the school year and will be moving up soon! And of course we
can’t forget end of the year testing coming up in May. Students have been preparing
for the SMI, SRI, the End of the Year District Reading test, and the End of the
Year Writing test. Extra rest and proper eating will help strengthen students thinking
to demonstrate their learning! With the warmer weather coming in, it might help to
still bring a jacket or hoodie to school in the mornings! Happy Spring!
Mrs. Askvig
Mrs. Condon
Mrs. Cooper
V O L. 4 I S S U E 4
Page 4
5th Grade
The PYP Exhibition
A Parent’s Guide
The Exhibition is the collaborative, student-directed, research-based, action-oriented culminating
activity of the Primary Years Program.
Purpose
For students to:

Engage in in-depth, collaborative inquiry.

Demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning.

Explore multiple perspectives.
Unite with their school community to apply, take action on and celebrate their learning.
Process
Exploring the Topic
Transdisciplinary
Themes:
How We Express

Students explore the theme and develop questions around it.

Students select a topic based on the theme.

Students are placed in a group of peers who all share the same topic.
Each group is assigned a mentor who will support the learning process.
Ourselves
Researching
How We
Organize

Students work collaboratively to find information to address their key questions from the mind map. They research
using books, the Internet, informational interviewing, conducting experiments, etc.
Ourselves

Sharing the Planet

Each student completes an action component by contacting an expert in the topic area, visiting a site or conducting
an experiment.
Group members record their progress in individual learning logs.
Teachers and students document the exhibition’s progress through pictures, videos and learning logs.
Where We Are In
Place and Time
Who We Are
How the World Works
Communicating Learning

Each student synthesizes his knowledge and research into a research piece.

Groups prepare a presentation highlighting the findings of their research.

Groups present their exhibition projects to mentors and peers for feedback.

Each student completes an individual reflection paper on the overall exhibition experience.
Students share their exhibition projects with the school community.
Parents’ Role
How can parents help?

Respect student ownership of the process.

Encourage independent inquiry.

Understand the purpose and process of the Exhibition.

Support and encourage students, teachers and mentors.

Listen to your child share their experiences.

Be informed. Read any relevant material that is sent to parents.
Help students access resources: people, places, media and information.
*Have appropriate media accessible around the house: books, newspapers, magazines, appropriate web-
sites and television programs.
V O L. 4 I S S U E 4
Page 5
Counseling
We are excited to introduce students to a unit on career development. Students will develop an awareness of
personal skills and interests and relate them to career choices. We will also explore the connection between
academic achievement and potential careers. Ask your students about what they want to be when they grow up!
Mrs. Walljasper
¡Hola a todos! Hello everyone! Please help me in welcoming our long
term substitute for my maternity leave – Rebecca (Becky) Broerman,
or as some students know her, Sra. B! Sra. B is joining us with many years of teaching experience in the regular
classroom and substitute teaching experience in the Spanish classroom. She is excited to work at
an IB World School and teach Spanish to our Park Avenue students. Sra. B will be working on
the following units: K – los animales del zoológico (zoo animals), 1 – la cara (parts of the face),
2 – los insectos (insects), 3 – las formas (shapes), 4 – la comunidad (community), 5 – los amigos y
los verbos (verbs used when talking about friends).
Español/Spanish
Senora Pudenz
Art
Kindergarten just finished making clay pinch pots and will be working on origami owls and kites in the next
few weeks.
First graders just finished a unit on Prehistoric Cave art. They made a drawing on crumpled paper and a clay
piece to look like a cave wall.
Second grade just finished paintings in the style of Wassily Kandinsky and will begin our last unit on insects
where we will explore a variety of mediums.
Third grade just finished work on painted portraits in the style of Henri Matisse and Radial Symmetry. We
are beginning some graphic design projects that will continue for the next few weeks.
Fourth and Fifth graders are working on clay projects over the next few weeks as well as starting our end of
the year culminating projects. Be watching for their finished clay pieces as they are turning out incredible!
Mrs. Bash
If you haven’t done so already be sure to check out Artsonia, our school online Art Gallery at http://
www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=75045 There are many nice gifts that can be ordered with your
students artwork printed on them.
A great big THANKS goes out to all the students who participated in Jump Rope for Heart.
Park Avenue was able to raised $1902 , for JRFH ,which also earns the school a $100 gift card
to US games.
Down in the gym Spring Physical Fitness scores are almost completed the weather has
delayed the running of the mile.
The six fifth graders who attended the Drake Relays were Dornubari Fulbel, Jesse Marasco,
Coby Sanchez, Ahleena Sheldahl, and Jacoby Wellmaker.
April 25th at the Drake Stadium.
Mrs. Steward
They ran at 5:00 p.m. on Friday night
Gym
Shorts
V O L. 4 I S S U E 4
Page 6
International Baccalaureate
Mark Your Calendars!
Park Avenue will be having its exhibition this year in conjunction with passport night and 5 th grade
recognition. In the past we held separate events. This year we will be combining them so
everyone can experience our culminating event! We will hold exhibition/passport night May 29th
from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and 5th grade recognition from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Fifth grade students and their
families will be staying for recognition ceremonies. Dinner will be provided! Watch for a schedule
to come home in your students backpack!
Park Avenue
School Pledge
I pledge to be an
open-minded
thinker;
To do my best to
have a caring
attitude.
I will be
committed to
learning and
showing
enthusiasm each
day.
I believe that
quality work
equals success.
I can use my
knowledge to be
successful in the
world.
Spring 2014
IB PYP Exhibitions
As a culminating project, 5th grade students choose topics or
issues of interest, perform research, take action around the
topics, and then prepare an in-depth presentation to share with
the community. Please join us for the following:
Stowe Elementary, 5/22, 4:00-6:00 pm
Park Avenue, 5/29, 4:30-6:30 pm
V O L. 4 I S S U E 4
Page 7
Breakfast in the Classroom
Dear Parents,
Is the morning rush at your house a mad dash to get out the door with your children barely having time to
grab their homework, much less eat a nutritious breakfast? If this sounds familiar, you will be relieved to
know that getting that important morning start will no longer be a challenge.
Beginning on August 20, 2014 your child can take part in an innovative new program called
“Breakfast in the Classroom.” Just as the name implies, a nutritious breakfast will be served to each student,
right in the classroom, every school day. Students will have an opportunity during the first 10 minutes of class
to eat breakfast with their classmates and get the fuel they need to be ready to learn. Breakfast is FREE. There
will be no breakfast service from the cafeteria before school.
The direct impact of breakfast on academic performance has been well documented and we are happy to
be working with the Nutrition Services Department to bring you this proven approach to creating classroom
environments that promote maximum learning.
How does Breakfast in the Classroom work?
Each day, breakfasts will be served from the cafeteria. Students will pick up their breakfast and take it to their
classroom. Once in the classroom, each student eats at his or her desk while the teacher takes
morning attendance, does review work and reads announcements. Breakfast normally takes about ten
minutes. A wet wipe is included for each student to clean their hands and desk before and after breakfast
service. Trash is put into a trash can inside the classroom. Once breakfast is complete, a student helper
ties up the bag and leaves it in the hallway for collection by the school custodian. No food is left inside the
classroom.
What are the advantages of Breakfast in the Classroom?
Traditional breakfast in the cafeteria does not meet the needs of many students. Less than half of the
students who eat lunch at school eat breakfast at school. Research shows that students who do not eat a
nourishing breakfast are not able to concentrate well, become irritable more quickly and show hunger related
symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches.
When breakfast is moved into the classroom and served to everyone, every student is able to start
the school day ready to learn without hunger-related disruptions.
Share this exciting news with your child and be ready on August 20, 2014 for the start of this new program!
As this program rolls out, we would like to hear your feedback on how it’s going and areas for improvement.
Please e-mail [email protected] with any questions, comments or suggestions.
Thank you,
Dianna Anderson
Principal
V O L. 4 I S S U E 4
Page 8
School
Closing
Information
For More
I n f o r m a ti o n Co n t a ct :
President
Brandi Nutter-Gracey
515-229-8966
Vice President
Elizabeth Williams
515-288-9933
Treasurer
Miranda Okland
Secretary
Sarah Thomas
Follow DSMParkAvePTA on
Like DSM Park Avenue PTA on
Facebook
When school is closed or dismissed because of inclement weather, or any
other emergency situation, information is available on:
 Mediacom/DMPS Channels 85 & 97-3
 www.dmschools.org
 Local radio and television stations
PTA News…
Park Avenue Families and Friends,
The Park Avenue PTA is looking for volunteers to serve on the group's board. All
four officer positions--president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer--are open.
They are two-year terms, and will cover the 2014-15, and 2015-16 school years.
Nomination forms can be found in the school office, and need to returned to your
child's teacher, or to the office, by Monday, May 5. Officer elections will happen at
the PTA's special meeting scheduled for Monday, May 12. If you have any
questions, please contact Brandi Nutter-Gracey at 515-229-8966 or [email protected]
Box Tops For Education
Don't forget to send in your Box Tops for Education. The next collection date will be in
May. The classroom with the highest amount collected for the year will earn a pizza party!
Last year box tops collected by families generated almost $1900 for Park Avenue!
Don’ t forget to keep up with the latest Park Avenue activities and
news by going to our website at www.parkavenue.dmschools.org
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAURETTE
For more information regarding IB publications and the General Regulation PYP document please visit:
http://www.ibo.ogr/pyp/become/
Persons with disabilities who need information about accessibility or who need sign or language
interpreters, please contact the Director of Student and Family Services, (515) 242-7714
The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability,
religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination.
If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator Patricia Lantz, General Counsel,
901 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309; phone: 515.242.7837; email: [email protected].
SEX OFFENDER NOTICES
Parents and guardians are encouraged to check and obtain information regarding sex offenders in the Park Avenue neighborhood by accessing the following website: http://www.iowasexoffender.com