April Newsletter -- 04/26/2019

Friday, April 26, 2019

Hillcrest Newsletter

April 2019

 

Important Dates

  • Saturday, April 27, “The Best of ABBA” performance, 7 p.m. TFHS Theater. Gill-Montague Education Fund Annual Gala.
  • May 3, First Grade Music Performance at 9 a.m.
  • May 4 – Hillcrest Story Walk, Downtown Turners Falls 10 - 12
  • May 8 – In-Service, noon dismissal (11:30 a.m. Preschool)

 

Principal

Dear Hillcrest Families,

Despite a whole week of school vacation, our Hillcrest students have been very productive this month! From poetry and artwork to music and movement, our preschool, kindergarten and first grade students have been creating masterpieces. Luckily, for Hillcrest families, there are several upcoming opportunities to enjoy our students’ achievements.  We hope you can join us for the following events:

 

  • We will be celebrating National Poetry Month at our April All School Meeting on Friday, April 26th. We’ll enjoy presentations from Mrs. Prevett’s preschoolers, Mrs. Lesenski’s kindergarten students and Miss Matrishon’s first graders. Mrs. Prevett’s preschoolers will share their Five Little Flowers poem which features artwork flowers created by the preschoolers in cooperative learning groups. Mrs. Lesenski’s class has been studying the signs of springtime and they have written an original, collaborative poem about springtime. Miss Matrishon’s class has also created a poem about springtime and during their Technology classes with Miss Hopp, they have produced a poetry video.

 

  • Since late January, all of our first graders have been engaged in creative learning with Sarah Pirtle, Artist in Residence. They have been writing their own original songs focused on their science curriculum and on themes of friendship and kindness. On Friday, May 3rd, all of our first graders will present these amazing songs, accompanied by Ms. Pirtle. Hillcrest friends and families are invited to this special performance at 9:00 in the All Purpose Room. We are grateful to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for funding this exciting enrichment program.

 

  • And, for the past several weeks, every Hillcrest student has been creating their own original artwork to reflect the book, Call Me Tree/Llamame Arbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez. In their weekly art classes with Ms. Castro-Santos, our students have been studying this colorful text and have based their work on the book’s beautiful illustrations. On Saturday, May 4th, this spectacular artwork will be on display at La Mariposa Collective as part of our Story Walk. The Hillcrest School Council Story Walk will take place in downtown Turners Falls along Avenue A between 3rd and 4th streets from 10:00 a.m. to noon. This interactive family reading experience of Call Me Tree/Llamame Arbol will be followed by the gallery exhibition and a free children’s concert featuring local musicians Tom & Lauri.

 

  • And while we’re celebrating our students’ academic and artistic achievements, let’s not forget athletics! Our annual Montague Warrior Dash will be held on Saturday, June 8th.  We hope you’ll register your Hillcrest student for this fun adventure obstacle course. Proceeds from the Warrior Dash will benefit the Montague Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund and the HIllcrest Playground Fund.You can call the Montague Parks & Recreation Department at 863-3216 to register. Or, check out the Montague Recreation Department brochure: https://www.montague-ma.gov/files/2019_MPRD_Spring_Fun_Times_Program_Brochure.pdf

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend --

Sarah Burstein

Sarah Burstein, Principal

 

 

Preschool

Our Hospital/Medical theme was a big hit with our young learners. We had special visitors to help build our background knowledge and we put that information to use as we practiced our play. Our children are becoming great communicators as they engage in play. We are becoming terrific at caring for people and animals.

We had some special time to experience play in alternating preschool rooms. Each student had an opportunity to see how things worked in the other classrooms. It was fun to notice similarities and differences in the classrooms. Most students enjoyed playing with a few children that they don’t always have a chance to see.

Our science areas have been focused on exploring spring changes around us. We have noticed the changes outside as well as experimented with planting our own plants. We have been noticing life cycles of creatures in our area. Our hibernating bears have awoken. Frogs and butterflies will be developing.

Open House and Registration is happening today from noon to 3:00. Please encourage neighbors to register if their child is between the ages of 3 and 4. You can tell them all about your child’s favorite experiences here at Hillcrest!

Enjoy the warmer weather, Ms. Chanda, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Teresa

 

 

Kindergarten

Spring is finally upon us! We hope you have been able to take advantage of the nice weather we are having!

          We are continuing to read and love the Magic Tree House book series. Jack and Annie have taken us on many fun adventures and we are currently researching about where they will be heading next: the ocean! Thinking critically about these books has led to great conversations around the classroom.

          In math we have been focusing on addition and understanding that we are taking two parts and combining them to make a whole. We have explored multiple ways to solve addition problems and practice using them. After addition, our focus will shift to subtraction.

          Sincerely, Mrs. Lesenski, Ms. Hirst, & Mrs. Fox

 

 

 

 

First Grade

In April, First Graders continue to grow as readers. In phonics, we have been studying vowel teams (ai, ay, ow, ou), closed syllable words (a word that has one vowel and is “closed in” by one or two consonants) and base words with the suffix –s, -ed, -ing.  We have been comparing and contrasting fantasy and realism in literature. We are reading non-fiction stories and identify the main idea and important details.
   First grade writers will be finishing up their unit on Opinion Writing. They have been picking their favorite restaurants and movies and giving reasons why it is their favorite. They have added “sparkly” words and convincing arguments to convince the reader to try that restaurant see that movie. We will finish off the unit with book reviews where they pick their favorite book and write a review about it. They will give “sneak peeks” into what the story is about and then convince someone to read it.
    Our math unit that we are currently working on is about adding numbers into the teens. We have been adding, subtracting and finding missing addends for teen numbers. We have also been solving word problems that use teen numbers as well. Next we will be using graphs and table to compare quantities. The kids must think about how many more there are? How many fewer? How can we make it equal? Then our math thinkers will begin studying time, shapes, measurement and fractions.   

      In science, we have studied about sound and light waves. We learned that light travels in a straight line but that it can be blocked by an object (opaque), partially blocked (translucent) or can travel through the object (transparent). Light can also bounce off shiny objects and be reflected into another area. We are happy and excited to welcome the spring weather! We will notice the changes of this season by using our 5 senses to explore the world around us. We will start to study plants. We will learn about the life cycle of a plant and about the parts of a plant and how they help it to survive. Happy Spring!

Miss Casey, Miss Matrishon, Mrs. Saylor, Ms. Smith

 

Therapeutic Classrooom This month in the therapeutic classroom we have been learning about social thinking through a curriculum called The Incredible Flexible You. Social thinking is what people do when interacting with and thinking about other people, considering their points of view, emotions and intentions. This curriculum helps young learners develop the skills they need to be flexible social thinkers and social problem solvers. The lessons are taught through storybooks about the various adventures and experiences of four children, Evan, Ellie, Jesse and Molly.

Our most recent lessons have been about the concept of whole body listening, which is when your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, arms, legs and feet are calm and quiet. When you listen with your whole body, it helps you pay attention to what people are doing around you and it shows others that you are thinking about them. This concept can be reinforced at home by helping your child get reading to listen with his/her whole body. Before you begin an activity together remind your child to turn on their listening body, one part at a time. For example, “It’s time to listen with your eyes; that means your eyes are turned towards me” and “It’s time to listen with your hands; that means they are quiet in your lap”.

Ms. Tirrell & Mrs. Chagnon

Art Room News

The art room has been a busy place over the last several months. Pre-school has continued their study of shapes and colors by exploring oil pastel resists and tempera painting. They have also had several clay days so that they can practice hand building simple shapes in 3 dimensions. Kindergarten and 1st grade have been engaged in a picture book study. They enjoyed hearing “Call Me Tree: Llamame Arbol” by Maya Christina Gonzalez and examining the illustrations of children and trees growing up to the sky. Based on their study of this picture book, they have created prints, drawings and paintings for our art exhibit/ story walk on May 4 in downtown Turners Falls! Look for more information on this event coming home soon!! Their artwork is spectacular!

Jocelyn Castro-Santos

 

Hello from the Health Office

 

Sleep is an important part of being healthy. Studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 10-13 hours of sleep for children 3-5 years old and 9-12 hours for 6-12 year olds.

Healthy Sleep Habits

(from the AAP www.healthychildren.org)

 

  • Make sufficient sleep a family priority. Remember that you are a role model to your child; set a good example. Making sleep a priority for yourself shows your children that it is part of living a healthy lifestyle.
  • Keep to a regular daily routine. The same waking time, meal times, nap time, and play times will help your child feel secure and comfortable, and help with a smooth bedtime. For young children, it helps to start early with a bedtime routine such as brush, book, bed. Make sure the sleep routines you use can be used anywhere, so you can help your child get to sleep wherever you may be.
  • Be active during the day. Make sure your kids have interesting and varied activities during the day, including physical activity and fresh air.
  • Monitor screen time. The AAP recommends keeping all screens—TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, and phones out of children's bedrooms, especially at night. To prevent sleep disruption, turn off all screens at least 1 hour before bedtime.
  • Create a sleep-supportive environment. Dim the lights prior to bedtime. Don't fill up your child's bed with toys. Keep your child's bed a place to sleep, rather than a place to play. One or two things—a favorite doll or bear, a security blanket—are okay and can help ease separation anxiety.
  • Avoid overscheduling. Take time to wind down and give your children the downtime that they need.
  • Learn to recognize sleep problems. The most common sleep problems in children include difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, snoring, stalling and resisting going to bed, sleep apnea, and loud or heavy breathing while sleeping.
  • Talk to your child's teacher about your child's alertness during the day. Sleep problems may manifest in the daytime, too. A child with not enough or poor quality sleep may have difficulty paying attention in school. Let your child's teacher know that you want to be made aware of any reports of your child falling asleep in school.
  • Talk to your child's pediatrician about sleep. Discuss your child's sleep habits and problems with your pediatrician, as most sleep problems are easily treated. He or she may have additional suggestions for improving your child's sleep habits.

 

A reminder…if your child received a vision or hearing referral please return the completed referral form or send in a copy of the exam as soon as possible.

If your child goes to an eye doctor and has had an appointment during this school year, please send in a copy of the exam so that we can be sure your child’s vision needs are being met in the best way.

 

Please always feel free to contact me with any questions or updates related to your child’s healthcare at school.

 

 Nurse Francis   

 

 

The Counselor’s Corner

 

Be safe this spring!

As you and your child(ren) begin spending more time outside enjoying the spring weather, please remind your child(ren) about the Safety Steps.  Kindergarten and first grade students at Hillcrest  already know the Safety Steps from their Keeping Kids Safe lessons. 

If someone tries to break the Touching Rule—your child(ren) should always use the Safety Steps!  If someone tries to take your child(ren) without your permission—your child(ren) should also use the Safety Steps! 

  • LOUDLY SAY WORDS THAT MEAN “NO!”

“Don’t touch me!  Stop!  Get away from me!  I don’t know you!”

  • GET AWAY FROM THE PERSON
  • TELL A TRUSTED GROWN-UP RIGHT AWAY!

 

This is a good time to remind your child(ren) about other personal safety rules, too. They can use the safety steps to let friends know if a touch is unsafe or unwanted (Use words that mean no, walk away, tell a trusted grown-up if help is needed).

  • Always ask your grown-up in charge first before accepting something from someone else (even if you know them) or going somewhere (even to a friend’s house)!
  • Always look left-right-left (and listen!) before crossing the street.  Always use the crosswalk if one is nearby. 
  • Always wear a seatbelt in the car—even for short trips!
  • Check smoke detectors to make sure they are working, go over family fire evacuation routes, and make sure everyone knows your meeting place once outside.  Have a meeting place, too, if you go somewhere with lots of people like the mall or a theme park—in case you and your child(ren) get separated.  It’s always a good idea to give your child(ren) a slip of paper with your cell phone number on it to keep in their pocket—they can show it to a store employee or security person to help them find you.  Please remind children not to share personal information over the phone or on-line with people they do not know. 
  • Children should never touch dangerous items like guns, knives, lighters, or syringes—they should tell a grown-up right away! 
  • Helmets, helmets, helmets—do not forget the helmets!  Bicycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, and using a scooter all require that children wear a helmet to protect those young brains—and it’s the law, too!  Of course, we all know that children look to us to set positive examples—so grown-ups should always practice good safety habits, too!      

 

If you have questions about Keeping Kids Safe or counseling supports at Hillcrest Elementary School, I can be reached at 863-7414.  Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable spring!   

 

~ Ms. Halina, Adjustment Counselor