Week of April 7th

This week on Tuesday we had "Hands on Nature". A huge thank-you goes out to Roxanne, Lynn and Trish for coming in and teaching the class about animal disguises. The class saw a puppet show which taught them about the different types of animal disguises. Some animals have colors that help them blend in to their environment. Other animals have special colors that warn animals that they do not taste good or they might be stung. We went outside and participated in two activities. Both activities taught the students that it's easier to find things when they don't blend in to their environment.

This week in math we have talked about Hansel & Gretel and discussed paths and how to identify 2 digit numbers efficiently on the path.  Their were 3 types of markings along the paths.  Pebbles marked every 10 steps, pine cones marked every 5 steps and bread crumbs marked every step.  Ask your child to explain how they identified the various steps along the different paths. 

In writing this week we talked about how people don't always have the same opinion about things.  Students looked at each other's collections  and found a collection to write about where they did not agree with the owner's choice in the best object.  They wrote about which item they thought was the best and why. 

Next week we will be going to the Flynn on Wednesday to see "Seussical".  On Friday the Flynn will come to us and do a little workshop that connects with the play we will have seen on Wednesday. 

Next week will be our last week of homework for the year.  When we come back from vacation there will be no more homework assignments.  I believe it's important as the year is winding down and the weather becomes nicer, that students have the opportunity to get outside and play.  I want to thank the class for being so diligent about their homework and turning it in each week. 

This will be the last blog post until after vacation as well.  I will be leaving directly after school on Friday for vacation and will not have the time to post until we return.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful break!!

Have a great weekend,
Nancy

Hands on Nature

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

April PTO Notes

Join the PTO List Serve - think of this as Front Porch Forum specific to Shelburne Community School, a periodic digest of announcements, help wanted and other topics. It can allow for more timely, easy managed communication within the school and parent community, for key subjects such as upcoming happenings (budget forum, school play, soccer tryouts, get out the vote, etc.),  as well as help wanted (‘we could use a hand with International Pot Luck cleanup’, mentoring volunteers wanted, etc.), among other relevant topics.

If you would like to be added to the List Serve, please e-mail Courtney Tharpe at ctharpe25@gmail.com.

Fundraising Update                                                                                                                 

• Red Wagon Plant Sale – order packets have gone home and orders are due back Friday, April 11^th.  The plants can be picked up on Thursday, May 22^nd from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.  If you need a copy of the order form, you can find it here:
• https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1IV5TlL1TUvRjNwWXlPN0psYm8/edit

▪ Amazon – the PTO has made over $500 so far this year.  So please remember, if you shop on AMAZON please take an extra step and enter the site through the link on the PTO page.  The PTO will earn up to 15% of your purchases!  Please remember that you need to use this link each time you shop for the PTO to benefit.

▪ Comedy Night  – Back by Popular Demand – The Comedy Divas are sponsoring another comedy show to benefit the Charlotte and Shelburne PTOs.  The event will be held at the Old Lantern in Charlotte on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 pm. The show will feature local Comedy Divas, Josie Leavitt, Tracie Spencer, Autumn Engroff Spencer and Sue Schmidt.

This is an adult only event and tickets are $20 and can be purchased:
                - online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-comedy-tickets-6632962369
                - at The Flying Pig bookstore or at the door the night of.

▪ Shelburne Community Night at the Lake Monsters Game – Friday, June 27^th.  Come celebrate the summer with Shelburne Community School students, family and friends!   Tickets will be available for purchase at the end of May.

Fund Spending
▪ March Grant Meeting – The PTO Spring Grant Committee met and distributed $5000 in grants to teachers and staff!  Some of the great things we've funded are:  new choral microphones for the music department, a new camera and lenses for the art department, a theatre-in-action workshop on bullying for all students in 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades, and new eBooks for the library.

Help Wanted                                                                                                                                                 
▪ Red Wagon Plant Delivery – help with unloading and distributing the Red Wagon plant delivery on May 22nd.  Contact Courtney Tharpe at ctharpe25@gmail.com if you are able to help anytime between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

▪ Gift Wrap Fundraiser Co-Chair – if you are interested in helping organize the Gift Wrap fundraiser next October, please contact Randy Sweeney at sweeneyrs@gmail.com

▪ School Directory – if you are interested in helping with the school directory (entering/editing data), please contact Randy Sweeney at sweeneyrs@gmail.com.  This is a job that can be done at home and doesn’t require you being at school.

 

Highlights from Principals Report
▪ VT Writes Day Celebration: everyone in the school wrote for 7 minutes and shared them all over the building. Quite a sight! 500+ pieces of writing
▪ Winter Band Concert and Stage Band and Cabaret night in the last month were fantastic
▪ Wind Ensemble off to Montreal on 4/9-10
▪ School received an award for energy efficiency from the Vermont Legislature
▪ Joplin James awarded Aw Shucks award for his selfless dedication to the school
▪ Book Fair was a huge success, selling $17,000 in books
▪ End of year schedule: graduation on Thursday 12 June, last day for K-7 13-June
▪ Facilities: new plans are being put in place to hire an architect firm to develop a rough plan to improve the school facilities in a major way.  A presentation will be made on May 13^th at 7:00 pm after PTO meeting from the facilities committee. 

Mark Your Calendars

▪ April 11^th – Red Wagon orders due

▪ May 9^th – Comedy Night Fundraiser @ 7:30 at the Old Lantern

▪ May 13^th – Staff Appreciation Luncheon

▪ May 22^nd – Red Wagon order pick up from 3- 6 pm
▪ May 27^th – Jog-A-Thon (rain date May 28^th)
▪ June 27^th – Shelburne Community Night at the Lake Monsters Game 

Walk/Bike to school Wednesday’s in May – meet at the Parade Grounds

We look forward to seeing you next month at the PTO meeting on May 13^th at 6:00 pm in the Alpha Space.  Pizza and Babysitting are provided!

Week of March 31st

This week in Science we looked at simple machines and talked about what mechanism is used to operate and what the advantages to using the machine are and what the disadvantages are.  The machines we looked at were a can opener, glue stick, mechanical pencil and a hand held beater. 

In math we started a new unit this week.  We are using popsicle sticks to help us add 2 digit numbers together.  We used unifix cubes to help us subtract tens from a 2 digit number.  Next week we will focus on counting (by various jumps such as 2s, 5s, etc.), reading and writing to 120. 

In writing we are continuing to write about our collections.  I hope to wrap of this portion of our opinion writing next week and then move on to writing reviews about their favorite places in Shelburne. 

Next week is our 1/2 Music Concert.  The date was changed to April 10th at 6:30 pm in the gym.  We have been practicing singing the songs this week during Morning meeting.  We will continue to practice next week and I look forward to hearing all of the first and second grade classes singing together.  I hope you can make it to the concert. 

Have a wonderful weekend,
Nancy