May/June 2008
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Kindergarten News
We had a great time at the zoo....and we really lucked out with the weather. Ha! Thanks so much for braving the rain and cold with us. We were so lucky to have had so many wonderful parent volunteers. We just cannot believe that the year is almost over! Your children started the year knowing a handful of letters and sounds and now are able to read books by themselves! Yay! We are so proud of them! It has been wonderful getting to know each of their personalities and watching them grow. We're looking forward to wrapping up the year with subtraction, a plant unit, and creating our own short story. Don't forget that Kindergarten Graduation for the morning AND afternoon classes is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th at 9:30 a.m. in the gym. See you then!
Miss Mason and Mrs. Jesse
1st Grade News
Wow! It has been an awesome year! The end of the year items will slowly be trickling home. These items can remain at home.
Practicing the 100 first grade vocabulary words will help increase your child’s reading and writing abilities. We will be sending home the second grade sight words with the report card. This can give your child a head start for second grade.
Remember to visit the library for their summer reading program. The librarians will be here to kick off an exciting reading program. If your child doesn’t have a library card this is a great opportunity to get one. (It’s FREE!)
Thank you for all your help and support throughout the school year! We have enjoyed getting to know your child!
Have a safe and happy summer!!!
Thank you,
Mrs.Braun, Mrs. Radabaugh, Mrs. Allison, Mrs. Sinko
2nd Grade News
It is hard to believe that the end of second grade is very near. We would like to say "thank you" for all that you have done to help your child this year with our “I Can” goals and other school projects. We recommend that you have your child read every day and practice math facts and writing skills. Have a safe and happy summer!
Miss Boyer, Mrs. Dick, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Popa
3rd Grade News
Well - third grade families we know it is hard to believe, but the end of the school year is almost here. This is the last Towslee Times news for your child as a third grader.
In Reading, the students have been working on informational reports. They have chosen an animal they are interested in and are writing a report on all the interesting facts they have researched. We are also tying these reports in with our Science unit. In Science, the students are learning about animal habitats and different adaptations animals have to help them survive.
In Math, we will be ending the year with multiplication and division. This is a very important skill that your child must know for fourth grade. Please continue to practice facts every night with your child.
It has been a wonderful year and we have all enjoyed working with your children. Please continue to read with your child every night as well as practice those multiplication and division facts over summer break. Have a safe and happy summer and we will see you in August.
Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Velic, Mrs. Reisinger, Mrs. Werner
4th Grade News
Reading
It is
hard to believe this is our last Towslee Times for this year. It was a good
year. I am also very proud of each and every fourth grade student. Each
student did their very best on the OAT test. Congratulations on your effort,
fourth grade!
I would also like to give a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Knopp for helping in the fluency lab and getting us started. They also did a lot of work making sure AR prizes and record sheets got handed out. Without these ladies, our AR tests would not be as up to date as they are now. Thank you ladies for all you time and effort. We in fourth grade truly appreciate it. I would also like to thank PTO for providing funds for us to obtain new AR tests and for helping to update our library with funds from the Book Fair. Each of you truly makes Towslee a special school.
Now, onto the special CONGRATULATIONS. The following students have as of today already earned their 100+ points in Accelerated Reading and will have their name placed on the plaque in the fourth grade hall. Kari Knopp 380.9, Abby Kraft 258.3, Kailey Thompson 255.3, Brielle Trussa 184.6, Jessica Chunat 180.3, Kaylie Farkas-Kotlenz 129.9, and Josh Herron 114.6. My congratulaitons to each of these students. Nice work! There are several more that are close to that magic number of 100. Please keep reading, the cut off date will be June 2nd. I would love to include some more names.
Parents, please keep your child reading during the summer. I would suggest the Brunswick library summer reading program. This is a great way to entice your child to read. Reading is an important skill that should be practiced all year long.
My sincere wishes for a safe, fun, happy summer.
See you in the Fall.
Mrs. Arnold
Math
The students worked very hard on their achievement tests a few weeks ago. I am very proud of all of them and how much math they have learned this year!
We will continue to complete more of our math journal workbooks to review. I will be teaching some skills to help students prepare for fifth grade math, and we will be playing many review games for the next few weeks. One favorite is "Deal or No Deal ". It is very similar to the TV show with only math questions!
Please review multiplication facts this summer. Students may help themselves to extra worksheets from my back table to use for practice and review this summer.
Thank you for a great year! Have a wonderful summer!
Mrs. White
Writing
As we near the end of the year students are busy writing their own books! This project demonstrates in a very creative manner the progress that has been made in writing this year. Students are evaluated on their introductions, problem- solutions, character development and closing.
When each child’s book is completed it will be bound for them to keep. Their artistic talents are amazing! I hope you enjoy this special keepsake of 4th grade writing. It has been a pleasure to teach writing this year.
Enjoy your summer! Please encourage your child to write!
Mrs.Holdash
5th Grade News
Science
WOW!! I am grateful for an awesome Hiram House experience. Many thanks to our volunteers for graciously giving financially and giving their time for our children. We are blessed with incredible children, parents and mentors. I was able to see lots of heart-warming things happen during our time at Hiram House.
Our last couple of weeks will be spent studying health and preparing for our Science Fair. The students are excited about their role as a science researcher. Each child has prepared a question and created a research project to answer their question.
The Science Fair will be May 29th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the gym.
Each student needs to bring in a three-fold display board for the Fair. Please provide all materials to decorate the board, too. We will work on the boards in class on May 27, 28 and 29.
If you have any questions, please call. I'll see you at the Science Fair!
Mrs. Nelson
Language Arts
We will be continuing to read from our textbook. We will be focusing on reading independently and keeping track of our own comprehension. We will also be putting together our scrapbook from Hiram House. We will be wrapping up our reading logs for the year and adding up how many minutes total we have read and awarded prizes. Thanks for all your hard work 5th graders!
Miss Lamphear
Math
The students have been working on unit 8 in Everyday Math, Fractions and Ratios. Many of the indicators in this unit are 6th grade so we will not be taking a test on it. We have also been working on other 6th grade skills to get the students ready for middle school math.
Mrs. Schweisthal
Social Studies
Mr. Hunter
May is turning into a very ambitious month! Both first and second graders are reviewing the skills that they’ve learned throughout the year, in between taking final assessments, an all-school Loyalty Parade, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day celebrations! Parents continue to ask what they can do to keep their children actively involved with reading and writing throughout the summer. Students can take photographs and create their own stories or books. They can learn new skills from “how to” books. They can start writing to a summer pen pal, or send postcards from the places they’ve visited. Even backyard explorations can be done with the help of nature books. If you’re going on a car trip, stock the backpacks with plenty of paperbacks and magazines. Throw a reading picnic, complete with library materials, snacks, and a big blanket to crash on! Help to make reading a natural part of your child’s summer!
Mrs. Pollick
Grades 1-2
News from Title 1
Hello Parents!
It is nice to be back after my maternity leave. It seems that Mrs. Kellar did an awesome job with all of the students in Title I. She will be missed. I am thrilled to be back and am anxiously waiting to reconnect with all of my students. For these last few weeks of school, all three grade levels will be brushing up on many reading skills such as noting details, main idea/details, authors’ purpose, cause & effect, gathering information and fluency. These are just a few of the many skills I will try to touch up on before the year is out. Again, it is nice to be back. Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Savage
Grades 3-5
Physical Education
It’s hard to believe that the school year has come and gone so fast. Students have learned a wide variety of skills this year. Over the course of the year, students have improved a great deal in many different areas.
The end of the year also means that it is time for Field Day, which will take place on June 2nd. If weather does not permit, it will take place on June 3rd. We are extremely pleased with the number of volunteers that have decided to help this year. This allows us to do a tremendous job for the students, who are really looking forward to the event. This year’s event will not consist of a carnival as in years past. Much of the day will consist of students performing both individual and group activities. I know we are all really looking forward to it.
Enjoy your summer!!!!!!
Mr. Harrington
Music
Congratulations to the 5th grade Band and Strings groups on their Spring Concert Thursday, May 22nd. The Band can play multipart music with precision and the Strings can demonstrate advanced technique. I hope that everyone decides to stay in music at the middle school level. The fourth grade students are looking forward to following their footsteps and have been studying each instrument in all 4 orchestra families. In the meantime, they have toned up (pun intended) their recorder technique and music reading skills by memorizing “Yankee Doodle” for the Loyalty Day Parade.
Kindergarten has been studying basic rhythms and has been using popsicle sticks to outline their shape. First grade is getting introduced to musical form by identifying same and different melodic phrases. They also have memorized and discussed the meaning of “You’re a Grand Old Flag” just in time for the Loyalty Day Parade. Second grade can sing in a round and turn a song in ABA form into ABACA form by adding a totally new section. Third grade has been exploring major vs. minor keys, and can find the tonal center (DO) of a song. Recently, they have especially been having fun playing around with tempo, which is the speed of the steady beat.
On a personal note: it feels great to be back after having baby Alison. The kids (and staff) ask me all of the time, “How is your baby?” They also make me feel so appreciated, which is worth more than money. I’m looking forward to wrapping up the year, concluding all of the good work they did with Mrs. Walker. However, I am already thinking about next year’s Veteran’s Day program! I can’t wait to introduce the incoming 3rd graders to this wonderful Towslee tradition. Until then - have a great summer, and enjoy the music!
Mrs. Gigax
Brushing Up on Art
This has been a great year for art and art projects. The Towslee Art Gallery was hung in the school halls and displayed many wonderful artistic pieces. Have a great summer!
Remember to practice your art skills this summer, and to come back to school in the Fall prepared to work again.
Keep drawing! Good luck to all of our fifth grade students as they enter middle school. You will be missed!
Keep drawing!
Mrs. Hunt
C. R. Towslee Ambassadors
Our Towslee Ambassadors are truly the best! We salute you for your many hours of volunteer time, both here at Towslee and in the community.
Have a safe summer!
"Can't Hide That Towslee Pride!"
Mrs. Hunt
C.R. Towslee Ambassador Moderator
Towslee Patriot Patrol
Thank you to our fifth grade Patriot Patrol (flag raisers), who were so diligent in raising and lowering our flags everyday. Keep that tradition alive as you travel through life. We are looking forward to our fourth grade Patriot Patrol to carry on the same wonderful tradition.
"Towslee...Home of the Patriots!"
Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Study
Library News
This has been a great school year. Students reading level interest has really increased.. During your summer break you might want to continue going to our wonderful Brunswick Library on a regular basis. Let your children select their own books. Raising a reader is a challenging goal. Make the bedtime story a regular family event. Even older children will enjoy reading aloud if the right books are selected. Give books as gifts. Let your children know you think books are special. Keep books in the car for kids. There's always room for a good book. Don't skip a day without reading a book. Author Cynthia Rylant has written picture books, poetry, short stories, and chapter books. Ms. Rylant books deal with feelings for family with much warmth and love. I recommend the Henry and Mudge books.
Have a wonderful safe summer vacation and keep reading daily.
Mrs. Zeigler.
Cafeteria News
End of the year greetings from Towslee Cafeteria! It's hard to believe Summer Break is almost here. We've had lots of good food and fun this year.
Our next special day is Wednesday, May 21st with our Loyalty Day Lunch:
Footlong Hot Dog, Oven Fries, Assorted Shape Up Fruit Bars,and choice of Chocolate, White,or Strawberry Milk. Parents that signed up will be joining us too! We'll have special tray prizes.
The government Wellness Policy will be in full force next year. This involves the entire school with better nutrition practices and physical activity. Our "grab and go" breakfast is part of this. We've already changed to baked or lowfat snacks and only fruit juice, water, or milk. We use only whole wheat bread and offer a variety of fruits and vegetables. Next year will bring more changes, stay tuned.
Thank you for supporting the cafeteria. We look forward to serving you next school year. Have a safe, happy, and healthy summer!
Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Crouse, and Mrs. Theobald
Perfecting Parenting:
Tips from your School Counselor, Mrs. Lalos
‘Local Learning Adventures’ Can Cure Summer Boredom
It’s smart and easy to keep kids learning all summer long. They can go to museums, the library, the zoo and more. But there are many other places to learn in your community that you might not think of.
They are familiar places. But when you take children there to learn, they’ll see their community in a whole new light! To make learning an adventure, consider taking children to:
Source: Parent Power: Summer Fun!, Spring/Summer 1993, Ashland Oil/Scholastic Inc..
Ease the Transition, Prepare Your Child for Adolescence
The transition from being a child to being a teenager can be a rough one. Both you and your child will struggle with his need to become more independent. You can’t avoid having some stress and conflict. But there are things you can do now to make the transition smoother. Make sure you:
Source: “Parenting: Preparing for Adolescence,” Facts for Families, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.