Literacy Updates and Other News

Snow days mid-week always make our school lives a bit more challenging, and this week was no exception.  The good news is how wonderful recess is after a new batch of snow!  Students have had a great time sledding, building forts and playing without the worry of so much ice outside.

Our literacy work has continued to focus on Civil Rights collaborative projects.  These projects are now in the finishing  phase and will be ready to share with families at our Celebration of Learning on February 22nd from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

These projects have addressed important transferable skills for 3rd graders.  They include:

• Creative and Practical Problem Solving
• Effective and Expressive Communication
• Working Independently and Collaboratively
• Informed, Integrated, and Critical Thinking

Another important piece of this integrated unit is the creation of a Google slideshow.  Students have worked with Ms. Arlyn and Mrs. Christy in technology class to create individual slides that are part of a team slideshow.  We have addressed many technology skills.  Skills addressed are:  sharing a folder, using a template, creating text boxes, searching and crediting images and finalizing slides. The finished products will give a clear message about Civil Rights leaders.  It's exciting to see how much growth students are making in regard to navigating Google and improving their skills with integrated technology.

On Wednesday morning, we will be working with our first/second-grade buddies to construct Valentine mailboxes.  Students will put their engineering skills to work using a variety of materials.  We are hoping you can help us gather materials by sending in cereal boxes, cracker boxes, egg cartons, and other cool containers that might be in your recycling at home.  We would also appreciate extra ribbons, bows, yarn or whatever you think would be a great addition to our work.  You can send materials in Monday-Wednesday morning.  Thank you!

Dates to Remember:

• Tuesday, February 13~Our last Winter Wellness afternoon.
• Wednesday, February 14~We'll have a classroom Valentine's Day celebration at our lunch time.  Students are welcome to bring in Valentine's to exchange.  Please let us know if you'd like to send in a treat for this celebration.
• Thursday, February 15th~EMES Annual "I Love East Montpelier Day".  Please contact Susan in the kitchen to sign-up as a lunch guest.  Lunch times are:
• Prek-K 11:15-11:50
• Grades 1-3  11:50-12:25
• Grades 4-6  12:25-1:00
• Monday, February 19-Friday, February 22 EMES School Spirit Week sponsored by the EMES Student Leadership Team.  Special days are:
• Monday~Decade Day-dress up in your favorite decade attire!
• Tuesday~Sports Team/Jersey Day
• Wednesday~Clone Day-dress up like a "clone" of a friend or a group of friends, how well can you match up?
• Thursday~Career Day-dress up like a career you'd like to have in the future!
• Friday~Comfy Cozy Day
• Thursday, February 22~ EMES Celebration of Learning 5:30-7:00 p.m. Come as a family and tour EMES open house style!  You do not need to come for the whole time, just what fits in your busy schedule.

Have a great weekend!