February 2018

Principal News from Mr. Kortens

Hello Everyone!
February is upon us and thoughts of spring are hopeful during these long winter days.  The good news is that the daylight is getting longer each day and soon it will be spring.  This time of year can be hard on kids and staff with prolonged indoor recess and the general sickness that comes with cold and flu season.

However, we also have a lot to celebrate in February and early March I am looking forward to these upcoming events.

Badges, Books, Board Games and Data - On February 8th from 5:30 - 6:30 we will be joined by members of the Kaukauna Police and Fire Departments who have agreed to participate in this special night.  Students in grades K-4 will have the opportunity to read books and play games with police officers and firefighters.  We will also have a representative from the Kaukauna Library here to help students sign up for library cards.

During this time parents of 4th graders will be invited to attend a data session in our Science lab while their students participate in the games and reading activities.  We will anonymously review where our students are performing in reading and spelling as a grade level.  Our reading specialist Becky Keehan and I will be discussing the data and how parents can goal set and practice skills with their son or daughter in preparation for the Wisconsin Forward Exam which will be starting in April.  We will also discuss how these goals will help them transition to River View as 5th graders.

Spring Conferences March 6th and 8th - This spring we will once again be doing invite conferences.  Students who have a Student Support Team, an Individualized Education Plan or are part of a group receiving additional support for academics or behavior receive an email from me with a Google Form survey.  On the survey I will ask what times work for you to meet and discuss your child's progress with their classroom teacher.  I will be taking this information and creating a schedule for the 6th and 8th keeping in mind siblings and trying to schedule back to back if necessary.

If you do not receive an invite from me CONFERENCES ARE OPTIONAL. 

Conference invites should go out the week of Feb 5th.  If you do not receive an invite to conferences and still want a conference you are always welcome in our school.  I will be sending out separate OPTIONAL conference sign up that will be built around any open conference spots after the required conferences are scheduled.  Optional conference sign up will go out the week of February 19th.

PE News from Mr. Rykal

The students just finished up a volleyball unit and I must say I was very impressed with their game play at the end of the unit.  They did a very nice job learning how to play the game and actually getting to volley back and forth.

This month we will be starting a floor hockey unit.  We will work on basic puck handling skills and work our way into game play.

We will take a brief pause the week of Feb. 12th to celebrate Jump Rope for Heart.  We will have jump rope/heart rate increasing activities all week as this will be our conclusion of Jump Rope for Heart.  All money collected will need to be turned in this week and the students will receive their prizes shortly after.

Thanks to all the families that attended the “Dash for Cash” Green Bay Gambler game.  It was a great time for everyone and I was able to grab $441, which was the 3rd highest total.  There were 33 teachers in all who participated, so I think I did pretty well.  Ideas are still being tossed around on what we will spend the money on, but we will keep you posted.

January Library News from Mrs. Lemke

Research was the topic of the month for all the grade levels in Library Skills.  Students did research, took notes, and created a video to show what they learned. Lastly, we watched the videos as a class and reflected on what was done well, and what we can work on for our next research project. Please visit our library webpage, “Creation Tools” tab, to see your student’s videos. The below links will help direct you to the correct links for your student.

K- 1 Flipgrid Snow Research link- http://kaukaunasd.libguides.com/c.php?g=556036&p=5423280

2-4 Seesaw Snow Research link- http://kaukaunasd.libguides.com/c.php?g=556036&p=5423280

Kindergarten learned about what snow is. They practiced putting the information into a web.  From there, they finished a sentence and added a picture about snow.  We practiced our sentences and taped them with Flipgrid.

1st grade reviewed main ideas and text features of books while researching about snowflakes and blizzards.  Using a web, they wrote the main ideas and created their own sentence. To finish their research notes, they added a picture to show what their sentence was about. Then, we practiced what they would say and taped in Flipgrid.

2nd grade practiced note taking with a brainstorm sheet as they researched snowflakes and  blizzards. As they read, they pulled main ideas for their note taking sheets. From there, they used the notes and their own words to construct sentences. Finally, they added a visual, practiced, and taped using Seesaw.

3rd grade refined their research skills by reviewing both a book and database about snow, frost, blizzards, and snowflakes.  They took notes, cited their sources, and wrote sentences about snow facts.  To prepare for taping using Seesaw, they wrote out their thoughts and practiced what to say. After watching the presentations, they evaluated their strengths and weaknesses.

4th grade perfected their research skills by pulling facts from a book and database about snowflakes, blizzards, frost, and plants in winter.  They used a web to take notes.  From there, they transferred their notes into sentences and cited their sources.  When their sentences were written, they practiced them for taping.  Students taped in Seesaw and watched presentations to critique themselves.

Art with Mr. Theder

Kindergarten Artists are in the process of finishing their rainbow fish weaving. We started by reading the rainbow fish book. Then kindergartners learned how to draw a fish and the scales on fish. Kindergarten learned what weaving are and how to make a loom to start their own weaving. Lastly we will add the tail and fins to finish them up.

Mila Lemke - Kindergarten Roehrig

First Grade Artists are just starting to construct their own Alligator weaving. First grade started by making the base or loom, and then weaved strips of paper to make up the back of the alligator. They learned about looms and what weaving are. They are making theirs from colored construction paper while practicing lots of patients. For the next step we will be making and adding the alligators head and tail.

Nova VanHoof - 1st Grade - McMullin

Second Grade Artists just finished drawing and painting their own snowman. Second grade had a chance to practice painting in fine detail. They got a chance to learn about crayon resists, and how water based paint is repelled from the wax material that crayons are made of.

Elly Davis - 2nd Grade - Gardner

Third Grade Artists are just finishing up their perspective drawings of a worms eye view of a cityscape. They got a chance to use and practice drawing straight lines with rulers. They also got a chance to talk about viewing things from different angles and what those views names are.

Chloe DeCoster - Grade 3 - Nicholson

Fourth Grade  Artists  got a chance to learn about perspective artwork. They got a chance to work on their very own Birds eye view of a cityscape.  They got a chance to use and practice drawing straight lines and shapes with rulers. They also got a chance to talk about viewing things from different angles and what those views names are.

Marli Sanderfoot - Grade 4 - Benson

Music Notes from Mrs. Nimmer

The birthday composer for the month of January was Phillip Glass.  He is a living composer from the United States.  We learned about his life and his music, including some of the film scores he has written.  We listened to a piece of music from the film "Mishima" that he wrote, and used a Venn diagram to compare and contrast a string quartet version of the piece with a piano version of the piece.

In Kindergarten,  we continue to work on finding our singing voices.  We often incorporate books and stories with the songs we are singing.  During the month of January, we read the book “An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” and learned a fun add-on song to sing.  We also heard a new version called “I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello!”  One of our favorite stories this month was “Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle.”  It helps us to find our high and low voices.  We had fun adding the sounds of the guiro to our song “Brush Your Teeth,” and counted to ten with a book and song called “The Ants Go Marching.”

The 1st Graders are learning more about quarter notes, eighth notes, and rests.  We worked on some simple rhythmic notation this month with dry erase boards.  We heard a story called “Tubby the Tuba” and learned that the bigger an instrument is, the lower it will sound.  We celebrated Martin Luther King this month with a song called “Sing About Martin.”

The 2nd Graders have been busy beginning our preparations for the 2nd grade concert.  Our concert, called "All About Animals" will be on Thursday, April 5th  at 6:30 pm at Park School. All 2nd grade students are required to attend as a part of our music curriculum.  We look forward to sharing in a night of music with you!

The 3rd Graders are preparing for our second "Artistic Adventures" field trip coming up in early March.  Our first field trip took us to the Trout Museum to hear a string quartet and to learn about origami.  The second field trip in March will take us to hear a symphony orchestra performance.  Over the next months in music, the students will become familiar with the string family of instruments, symphony orchestra vocabulary, and the pieces and composers that will be featured at the orchestra concert.  This is a great way for us to put all of our learning into an authentic learning experience at the PAC.  This is a wonderful partnership between our district and the outreach program of the Fox Valley Symphony.  We are very excited to be a part of this experience!

The 4th Graders have mastered the notes B,A, and G on the recorder.  We took our first playing test in early January, and they did great!  In February we will start "Recorder Karate."  This allows students to work at their own pace through various recorder pieces with increasing skill levels.  It also provides me a chance to give individual feedback on their progress.  We have been studying the instruments in the Woodwind family as well.  We heard the clarinet and saxophone this month, and will hear the oboe and bassoon in February.  The work we do on learning about the instrument families and playing the recorder helps the students to make an informed decision about band and orchestra next year at River View.

News from the School Nurse - Mrs. Sundelius

Pink eye (also called conjunctivitis) is a common eye condition in children.   Pink eye is when the clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part or the eyeball becomes irritated and inflamed.  This inflammation makes the blood vessels more visible and gives the eye a pink or reddish color.  Pink eye can be caused from viruses, bacteria, allergies and other irritations such as an injury.


The viral and bacterial type of pink eye is very contagious and can be spread easily from person to person and especially child to child as children have a more difficult time not rubbing on the irritated eye. 

What Are the Symptoms of Pink Eye?

• Redness or swelling of the white of the eye or around the eye
• Increased amount of drainage which may be clear, yellow, white or green
• Itchy, irritated, and/or burning eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Gritty feeling in the eye
• Matter (dried drainage) on the eyelids or lashes especially in the morning

February SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS!! From Mr. Zamost

Classroom Guidance

During the month of February, I will be visiting all of the K-4 classrooms and talking with students about self knowledge and management/self-esteem! In each grade level we will learn about valuing our own unique talents and abilities.  We will discuss the concepts of individuality, positive thinking, and positive attitudes.  All classes will be involved in classroom discussion around these topics and participate in class projects, stories or videos that encourage the development of self-confidence and self-esteem.


K-Kids Update!
In K-Kids we are currently raising money for our school to get a Buddy Bench! We will be collecting donations into mid February. At our next meeting we will be getting connected with Classes 4 Classes which is program where schools can get partnered up with a school from around the nation who is in need of some support or supplies. If our school can help out another school or class in need, we will do so! Be on the lookout for more details as we work on getting connected to other students in need.

News from our Reading Specialist Mrs. Keehan

Kids seem surrounded by screens these days and are bombarded by electronic media from streaming videos to the latest games and apps. Little to no screen time is a great goal, and you might agree - in theory, but reality may get in the way of your best parenting intentions. As a parent of four young children, I know how much children are enticed by technology, and the challenges of limiting screen time. Truthfully, my kids would spend endless hours on different screens, if my husband and I didn’t enforce rules and time limits for them. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to keep screen time to a minimum, choose quality content, and focus on interacting and learning.

So, what really counts as “screen time”? Screen time is any time a child spends looking at an electronic screen, including watching videos and television shows, playing video games, and interacting with smartphones, tablets, and computers. No matter how you handle screen time in your home, there’s a strong case to be made that too much can be harmful to kids. Here are some of the top concerns you will want to keep in mind.


Behavior issues: High screen use has been linked to shorter attention spans, hyperactivity, ADHD, and aggressive behaviors. As a result for some, learning in school then doesn’t hold their attention as much as the busy action of a screen is able to, which may contribute to learning challenges.
Weight issues: Too much screen time cuts down on the amount of time the body is moving and contributes to childhood obesity.

Sleep issues: The AAP warns against too much screen time as it can be linked to poor sleep quality due to ‘busy’ and/or violent content, as well as too much exposure to the light emitted by screens.
Unhealthy habits: A screen-time habit can be hard to break, and as kids get older children, they can develop dependent/addictive tendencies.


Lisa Guernsey, co-author of Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens suggests using the ‘three C’s’ to help you decide when screen time is okay:

• Content: What is my child watching or playing with? Can she understand what she’s doing or potentially learn from it?
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• Context: What has my child’s day been like so far? Have we talked and interacted a lot, or has he been plugged in for hours?
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• The Child: Is it a difficult time of day during which a little time on his/her own with a screen would be soothing/helpful to my kid?

While too much screen time can have negative effects on children, it definitely can be an amazing resource. Of course, an occasional e-book is fine to share with your child, but as parents, we need to be mindful of providing our children with daily opportunities to read books - in the traditional way. Your child is going to get the most out of any reading experience if you sit with her and talk about what’s happening (“What might happen next?” “Do you remember the time you went to the zoo?”) When we read to/with our children and open up discussions around books, we are contributing to their development of oral language, vocabulary, attention span, curiosity around the elements of a story or an informational topic, and growing their love for books. Good luck to you as you work through the challenges of technology in your home.

Additional News from Our Math Coaches

Sara Nelson - Grade 3-4 Coach

Susan VandeHey - Grades K-2 Coach

 Games are a great way to grow your child’s math skills and a fun way to spend time together as a family.   Many games can be adapted to meet the academic skills your child is working on.   A common game such as Number Battle (also known as War), can be used throughout the grade levels.  All you need is a deck of cards.

Directions:
Deal out all cards.  Players take turns turning over a card and determining who has the greater number.  The player who has the greater number gets to keep both cards.  Play continues until all cards are exhausted.  The winner is the player with the most cards.


Variations:

• The player with the smaller number gets to keep both cards.
• Players turn over two cards and they have to make the largest number possible.
• Players turn over two cards and they have to make the smallest number possible.

 Addition:

• Players take turns turning over a card.  They switch off finding the sum (total) of the two cards turned over.  The player with the greater card still takes the cards.  If the person giving the sum is wrong they automatically lose the cards, even if they had the greater number.
• Players take turns turning over 2 (or 3) cards each.  They add their cards together and the player with the greater sum (total) gets the cards.

Subtraction:

• Players take turns turning over a card.  They switch off finding the difference (total) of the two cards turned over.  The player with the greater card still takes the cards.  If the person giving the difference is wrong they automatically lose the cards, even if they had the greater number.
• Players take turns turning over 2 cards each.  They subtract their cards and the player with the smallest difference (total) gets the cards.

 Multiplication:

• Players take turns turning over a card.  They switch off finding the product (total) of the two cards turned over.  The player with the greater card still takes the cards.  If the person giving the product is wrong they automatically lose the cards, even if they had the greater number.
• Players take turns turning over 2 (or 3) cards each.  They multiply their cards together and the player with the greater product (total) gets the cards.

PAC Update

The PAC Penny War is in full swing this week.  Students are adding pennies to their class bucket and silver to other classes.  Pennies add to the total and silver subtracts from it.  This is a popular event and the winning class gets to pick the movie for our PAC upcoming movie night on February 27th in our gym from 5:00 - 7:30.

SCRIP went over very well during the holiday season!  Thank you to everyone who ordered.  If you are still shopping don't forget that SCRIP is available for all your Valentines Day gifts.  CLICK Here to access the latest flyer with information about a chance to win a FREE $10.00 gift card!

Updates from Mrs. Tennessen

Community Events
Check out these community events for elementary age students.  The Community Event Links below the list will provide you with more information.

Kaukauna Dance Team Pom Clinic
Girl Scouts
2018 Kaukauna Softball Flyer
Champs Camp 2018
United Way Valentine's Day Festival
2018 Electric City Soccer Flyer


Link:  http://www.kaukauna.k12.wi.us/community/communityevents.cfm


Parent Input on Classroom Placement 18-19 - If you have a preference for teacher placement for your child for the 18-19 school year there is a document available in the office.  Parent preference is one of many factors that affect student placement each year.  Your input is appreciated and we will try to honor all requests but it is not automatic just by filling out a form.  Please complete form and have it returned to office by Monday, April 4th.