December 2017 Newsletter

Principal Thoughts

Hello everyone!

It is with great pride that I share our Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Report Card for the 2016-2017 school year.

Each spring our 3rd and 4th graders participate in the Wisconsin Forward Exam which is the primary assessmetn measure for this report card.  As you can see our students performed very well!  I am particularly proud of our Closing Gaps score of 95.6 out of 100.  Students in this catagory are those that are in a special education program or come from a low income family.  A high score in this area means that those students are performing at a level similar to their non disadvantaged peers.  

So how do we do this?  There really are three factors in my opinion to our success.

1. Solid Core Instruction - Our teachers have been working extremely hard to align our curriculum to state standards in literacy, math, social studies and science.  We have also improved our instructional techniques by providing meaningful professional development in literacy and math instruction during the school year.  Teachers at Park Community take great pride in integrating science and social studies standards across the school day in literacy lessons and math so that the subjects are not taught in isolation.  
2. Conscious Discipline - We are entering our fifth year of Conscious Discipline school wide at Park Community Charter School.  Over half of our classroom teachers have received advanced training in the program and we have all structures of the program in place school wide.   Conscious Discipline helps students and staff regulate their emotions.  Our students feel safe a part of a loving school family in our classrooms.
3. Parent Involvement and Support - We really appreciate the benefit of having involved parents at Park Community.  Good communication between home and school along with support with homework really helps.

If you would like to see a detailed copy of the report card you can click here or go to the Department of Public Instruction site where you can look at the report cards for any public school in the state of Wisconsin https://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards.

Used Tech Sale - December 16th - 9 till noon

Park Community Charter School will be selling used teacher computers, classroom projectors, and much more.  The items will be set up and turned on to view in the gym and will make great gifts.  The items are for sale as is with no refunds or returns.

Kindergarten Registration Coming Soon!

Sharing information about our school and our Kindergarten program in early January.  The school district will also be asking parents to commit to their desired school of attendance at that same time.  If you know anyone who has a kindergarten aged student for the 18-19 school year please encourage them to contact the Park Community office to get on our interested list NOW.

Art News with Mr. Theder

Kindergarten Artists are in the process of finishing their symmetrical butterfly painting. They are learning about the terms “Symmetric and Asymmetric” while painting their butterfly wings, and attaching them to their painted backgrounds.. Kindergarten will also be starting to make their own Christmas tree ornament. The will be making theirs from Popsicle sticks and other various multimedia embellishments to make it their very own.

First Grade Artists are just starting to construct their own  Christmas tree ornaments. First grade is making theirs from Popsicle sticks and other various multimedia embellishments to make it their very own.

Connor Nechodom - Cunniff

Second Grade Artists are just starting to construct their own snowflake Christmas tree ornaments. Second grade is making theirs from Popsicle sticks as well  and other various multimedia embellishments to make it their own. 

Ellison Davis - Gardner

Third Grade Artists are just starting  the process of making their own Christmas tree ornaments. They will be learning about metal embossing, and using the materials and tools properly. They will specifically be using the terms “repousse, and chasing” to get their desired look on their ornament.

 

Fourth Grade  Artists  got a chance to learn about multimedia artwork. They got a chance to work on their very own multimedia projects using pictures of colorful peacocks for inspiration. Fourth grade is also in the process of making their own Christmas tree ornaments. They will be learning about metal embossing, and using the materials and tools properly. They will specifically be using the terms “repousse, and chasing” to get their desired look on their ornament.

Marli Sanderfoot  - Benson

Library News from Mrs. Lemke

Happy Holidays,

This month students learned about Dewey Decimal and how the library books are organized in each section of our library While reviewing number and abc order. students have come to appreciate why putting books back in the correct spot is important.

Kindergarten learned about fiction books having authors and being in ABC order by the author’s last name.  They played a”Turkey in a Bag” and practiced putting their ABC’s in order.  Gobbling like a turkey was their favorite part of the game. 

1st Grade pretended to be detectives and found some the hiding call numbers with their magnifying glasses. They realized that call numbers are like street addresses with house numbers.  This makes it easier for them to find book on checkout day.

2nd Grade used their map skills and wrote down how the library is organized.  They recognized that the fiction and nonfiction sections are organized differently.  The sections are like streets in a town and the call numbers are like addresses.  

K-2 also made their own turkeys after reading Setting The Turkeys Free.  Please visit the Park Community Charter School library website to find a picture of your child’s turkey.  

3rd Grade watched a fun video song about Dewey Melville the created of the Dewey decimal system.  We reviewed with an interactive BenQ activity to put the books in order. Then they practiced finding as many call numbers as possible in the nonfiction section. 

4th Grade excelled with Dewey decimal organizing.  They acted as a librarian and put * books, Everyone books, Fiction and Nonfiction books in the correct ABC or number order in an interactive game.  Students enjoyed this so much that they are asking if they can “really” shelve book!

Gym Time with Mr. Rykal

During the month of December all of the Physical Education classes will be working on invasion and cooperation games.  These games will help the students to become better strategists by allowing them to think outside the box to accomplish a task.  These games are great at teaching sportsmanship and how to win and lose the correct way.  I believe this is a very valuable skill to take out into the real world. 

Last month we focused on correct push-ups as our warm ups.  In December, the focus will be on core strength.  I have started to talk with the students on the importance of a strong core.  We will focus on exercises to strengthen the core along with our daily push-ups they have been doing. Hopefully, you are noticing the students performing some of these exercises at home. 

As Always, Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Music Notes from Mrs. Nimmer

Each month, we celebrate the birthday of a famous composer.  We learn facts about the composer's life, and we listen to music written by that composer.  For the month of November, our birthday composer was Aaron Copland.  We learned about the life and music of this American composer.  Copland called himself a “cowboy from Brooklyn” because he liked to include the sound of the Wild West, fiddle tunes, and American folk songs in his works.  We listened to one of his most famous pieces, called "Hoedown" from the ballet Rodeo.   We labeled the A, B, and C sections of the piece with cowboy hats, lassos, and cowboy boots.  We used these symbols to count the beats and follow through the piece.  We also watched a short video clip of a ballet performance of this piece.

In kindergarten music, we have been practicing clapping common rhythmic patterns using picture icons, such as bears and bees.  We learned a new song called “Touch the Big Drum,” where each student gets a chance to come up and improvise on the drum during the song.  We learned the song “Baby Bumblebee” and even learned about how bees make honey and how they “dance” to communicate with each other!  We sang the song “This Is the Way We Make a Pie” to learn the sequential steps to baking a pumpkin pie!  We also heard a singing book called Puff the Magic Dragon and learned the refrain to the song.

In 1st grade music, we heard the singing book I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.  We learned to sing the different sections of the song.  We also read in informational text about trains.  We played a new guessing game called “Button You Must Wander” and read a rhythm chart to play sticks along with the song “Codfish Ball.”  This helped us to practice reading rhythms with quarter notes, eighth notes, and rests.  One of our favorite songs was a Thanksgiving song called “The Mashed Potato Boogie.”

In 2nd grade music, we practiced playing the bells to a steady beat with the song “Over the River and Through the Woods.”  We will be having a “beat test” in December!  We also learned how to draw quarter notes, eighth notes, and rests, and used our dry erase boards to notate rhythmic patterns we heard clapped.  We heard several more pieces from The Carnival of the Animals, including the “Swan” and “Hens and Roosters.”  One of our favorite songs this month was the “Pumpkin Pie Polka.”  We learned what a polka dance looks like, and watched a video to see what the accordion looks like, which is a popular instrument in polka music.  Did you know the polka is Wisconsin’s state dance?  We also learned a good old-fashioned barn dance to the old folk song called “Turkey in the Straw.”

In 3rd grade music,  we learned a song called “Any Turkey Can Tango.”  Did you know the tango is a dance?  We watched a video of two young dancers who have mastered the tango.  It is a very dramatic dance!  We reviewed rhythmic patterns and beats this month with a new game called “Rhythm Toss.”  We also used our dry erase boards to practice rhythmic dictation.  We added tambourines to the song “Harvest Time,” and got to learn how to speak some of the words in Hebrew for this Israeli folk song.

In 4th grade we have been working hard at our first 3 notes on the recorder:  B, A, and G.  We learned how to hold our recorders, and how to play several simple pieces with our first 3 notes.  We continued studying the brass family, and heard a live demonstration of the French Horn and the trombone.  We had fun learning about Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (did you know he was completely deaf when he wrote it?) and hearing the famous “Ode to Joy” melody from that symphony.  We then sang a Thanksgiving parody called “Ode to Thanksgiving” that is a tongue twister of all different foods we eat during the Thanksgiving holiday! 

December Classroom Guidance with Mr. Zamost

During the month of December, I will be visiting all of the K-4 classrooms and talking with students about Celebrating Differences! In each grade level we will discuss the importance of respecting each other’s differences and getting to know people on the inside…not judging by the outside.  Each class will have a project or activity that displays the concept of diversity. Kindergarten will work on getting to know themselves and each other as well as read a book about how everyone is different. First grade will share a story that encourages respect for everyone…titled Elmer the Elephant.  Second grade will read a book and share a song titled “Don’t Laugh at Me” and third graders will be making “people packages” and learning that we all have different “wrappings” on the outside… it is what is inside that matters.  Fourth grade classes will learn about prejudices and stereotypes through a Dr. Seuss Sneetches lesson.  As always, feel free to call me at 766-6134 Ext. 3164 with any questions or concerns.  

 K-Kids Update! 

On Thursday, December 14th we will be deciding our next service project! This comes at a time around the holidays so this will be based on a need in the community surrounding giving and kindness.  With some of the recent natural disasters that have happened in our country, I know there are plenty of ways to help.  Stay tuned for what K-Kids will be offering next.

News from the We Care Center and Mrs. Sundelius 

Teaching your child how to shampoo their own hair...

Although each child may be ready to shampoo their own hair at different time, it is appropriate to have your child assist you with washing their hair at an early age.  This early experience will help them learn how to do it correctly while you are still assisting and supervision them.

Follow these steps to help them develop healthy hair-care habits.

1. Wet hair and scalp with warm water. 
2. Pour a quarter-size drop of shampoo in the palm of your child’s hand. Putting the shampoo in the hand first makes it easier to apply.
3. Tell your child to massage the shampoo gently into the scalp. When shampooing, it’s important to wash the scalp rather than the entire length of the hair. Washing only the hair often leads to flyaway hair that is dull and coarse. 
4. Rinse well with warm water until the hair is suds-free. Rinsing well washes away shampoo and dirt.
5. Cover hair with a towel. Help your child wrap a towel around the wet hair. This helps to absorb the water. Rubbing hair dry with a towel can damage the hair, causing it to break.
6. Comb out damp hair gently. Use a wide-tooth comb, especially on curly hair. Don’t yank or pull the comb through the hair because that can pull out hair or break the hair.

Additionally children with dry or curly hair should use a conditioner with each shampooing.  Although every child is different, in general the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 12 years wash their hair 1-2 times per week.  Once children are 12 years of age or when puberty starts, they may need to shampoo more often; daily or every other day.  Also remember to check for lice each time you assist your child with shampooing. 

Bad Weather Coming?  Emergency School Closing Information

In the event of a school closing due to weather you will receive a notification through Infinite Campus Messenger.  It is extremely important that your contact information in the program be up to date.  Please follow the directions on the Park Community website Click Here


Please Dress for the Weather
This is an unpredictable time of year weather-wise.  Please be sure to send your child prepared for the worst Mother Nature has to offer.  It is very important that the children go outside to play at recess; however, they need to be dressed for the weather.  We do want to keep your child healthy.  When the snow falls ALL students must have boots, in addition to snow pants if they play in the snow.  If you have difficulty providing winter wear, please contact the office as we have donated items to share.  It is also recommended that students keep a dry pair of socks and pants in their backpack in case clothing gets wet.

Lost and Found

Are you missing any items of clothing, mittens, hats?  Please check out our Lost and found box in the school lobby.

Old Christmas Tree Light Collection

Tis the season for trimming and decorating and getting rid of light strings that do not work any more.  Park Community will be collecting used lights in our lobby.  They will be recycled and can be dropped off at any time.  The profits from lights recycled will be donated to the Grignon Mansion.  Thanks!

EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Parents often wonder if their child’s functioning is within normal expectations for their age.   While no two children are alike in their skill development or social functioning, the following guidelines may be helpful:

By one year, most children will do things such as:
Pull to a stand and walk with assistance. Say one or two simple words (ma-ma, da-da, etc.) Pick up small objects with thumb and first two fingers. Drink from a cup when it is held for them. Enjoy playing “peek-a-boo” or “patty cake

By two years, most children will do things such as:
Run reasonably well. Use 2-3 word sentences (more juice, no go bye-bye, etc.) Point to animals or objects in a book. Bring a familiar object from another room when asked. Play near other children, and use toys meaningfully.

By three years, most children will do things such as:
Dress self with minimal help. Speak in short sentences. Nest objects of different sizes and match objects by color. Imitate lines and circles on paper. Begin to play with other children.

By four years, most children will:
Catch many types of questions. State full name and age when asked. Copy a plus sign. Enjoy pretend play with other children.

If you suspect that your child may have delays or other difficulties, you can arrange for a free screening to help determine if developmental testing and special services might be needed. Special school services can begin at the time of a child’s third birthday, and are provided at no cost to the family. County services are available for infants and toddlers with special needs. Residents of the Kaukauna Area School District many contact Lisa Sheppard at 766.6150 or Sarah Newberry at 766.6113 for further information