September 2008
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Kindergarten News
We are off to a wonderful start in kindergarten! It is a pleasure getting to know your child. Everyday we are learning something new. We will be going through the alphabet rather quickly. We are focusing more on letter recognition at this time. It is very important that you and your child practice how to write their first name the school way, (capital and then lower-case letters). Your child will be reading and writing color words. In math, we will be counting and writing numbers everyday. We are reviewing the classroom as well as the school rules.
Fall is just around the corner! We will be starting a fall unit and doing all kinds of activities focusing on apples. Our fall fieldtrip has been scheduled. We will be going to Ramseyers Farm in Wooster on October 16th. More information will be coming home closer to that date.
We are very proud and excited about having your child this year! They will be
growing and learning so much! Right now, your child is like a seed. Every time
we learn something new, the seed is growing into a beautiful flower. The year
goes by fast. Enjoy watching them grow! We certainly do!
Thank you for checking your child’s folder every night. Your active participation in your child’s education will definitely make a difference with their academic achievement. Working together is the key to a successful year!
HAPPY FALL!
Miss Mason and Mrs. Jesse
1st Grade News
Welcome to 1st grade! We’re off to a great start. We’ve been reviewing our kindergarten sight words, color words, counting to 20, and school/classroom rules.
The students are adjusting well to the longer school day, balancing a lunch tray, and taking part in daily specials. The themes for September are community helpers and apples. Look for the community helper homework coming home soon. We will be studying Johnny Appleseed and his adventures. We will use our 5 senses to explore an actual apple.
The first graders have started working in their math workbooks. Be sure to look for the Home Links homework each night (except Fridays). Look for it in the assignment notebook/agenda book marked as H.L. 1.8, for example.
We hope you enjoyed the first poems your child brought home on Friday. Please remember to sign your name on the lucky listener page and return the binder each Monday. We look forward to having an exciting year in first grade!
The First Grade Teachers,
Mrs. Barbarotta, Mrs. Braun and Mrs. Radabaugh
2nd Grade News
Second grade is off to a fantastic start. We are all looking forward to a successful year with both you and your child.
Addition and subtraction are being highlighted with our timed tests. It is important that you practice your math facts every night with your child. We are also reviewing many first grade concepts throughout the month of September: telling time to the quarter hour, counting money, number grids, and number relations.
In science, we dove into habitats for animals and what is necessary for animal survival. Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting various specific habitats like the desert and the ocean.
We are stressing short vowel sounds as well as story composition (beginning, middle, end, characters, and setting) during this month. Please be sure that you are reading with your child on a nightly basis. This will only improve your child’s ability to read and consequently write in the long run!
Miss Boyer, Mrs. Dick, Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. Sinko
3rd Grade News
Welcome back everyone and welcome to third grade! We are so excited to begin the new school year and we are off to a great start.
In Reading, we are studying the fantasy genre. The students are learning the difference between fantasy and realism and we are currently concentrating on sequence of events along with cause and effect. We will soon begin reading our fantasy chapter books.
In Writing, we have been learning about complete and incomplete sentences. The students are working hard to develop more detailed sentences and labeling the different types of sentences. Cursive writing continues to be an important part of our curriculum so be sure to practice this skill with your child daily.
In Math we have begun the year reviewing place value and locating patterns in numbers. Knowing the basic addition and subtraction facts will help your child do well on the timed tests that will be coming soon. We will be reviewing skills used to tell time and to find elapsed time along with collecting data to create different types of graphs.
In Social Studies the students have been working hard on their map skills. We have taken a closer look at the globe so the students can identify the continents, oceans, and the equator. We have talked about the different hemispheres and located both the North and South Poles. We will soon be moving on to lines of latitude and longitude.
To help reinforce the skills your child is learning in class please take the time to ask them questions. Asking them to tell you the main events that happened in a story they are reading or a movie they have watched will reinforce the skill of sequence of events. Asking what caused a major event to happen will reinforce the skill of cause and effect. Please continue to have your child read orally each night for at least 15 minutes.
Mrs. Burke, Mrs. Reisinger, Mrs. Velic and Mrs. Wright
4th Grade News
Writing
In 4th grade students will take the Ohio Achievement Test in writing. During the first quarter students will be writing letters, journals and personal narratives. During the first weeks paragraph writing will be emphasized.
Spelling and capitalization will be taught through your child’s own writing. In the back of their spiral I will write the words that are frequently misspelled by your child. When each child has 10 misspelled words a form will be sent home to practice and then returned to me. It will remain in their writing folder. Students also have a list of capitalization rules in their folder that they can refer to when I conference with them. This concept is researched based on the fact that the mechanics of writing is learned through content not lists. There will be spelling lists base on frequently missed words along with prefixes and suffixes at a later time.
Please encourage your child to write notes and letters at home. There will be one homework assignment each week in writing. It will not be graded so that you may work with your child on this activity. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Mrs. Holdash
Reading
We are so
excited that the fourth grade students love to read. Research states that one
of the most beneficial things we can do for our children is to instill within
them a true love of reading. Great work parents!!
Please continue to read with them for at least twenty minutes daily. The Reading Log is due each Monday. Please sign daily and edit their work.
Our first theme of study is entitled "Journeys." The unit is filled with memorable stories. We will be learning to thoroughly understand character development. We will create story maps to show us main idea, supporting details and the setting in a story. We will analyze the author's purpose for writing the story.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child, please notify me.
Mrs. Arnold
Science
Children are naturally inquisitive about how their world works. Their curiosity makes teaching science really fun.
The first science we will study is Earth and Space Science. Ask your child what the temperature on the blacktop was during one of our many investigations.
The weather log is an assessment for the indicator that states all fourth grade students will record local information on a calendar and describe changes over a period of time. Please reinforce basic weather patterns with your child. For example, weather patterns usually move from west to east in the United States. Thank you for your help with the Weather Log, it is due September 15th. We will keep the same log in late October.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Science, please do not hesitate to call.
Mrs. Nelson
Math
We are working on a geometry unit in math. Students can review the vocabulary and definitions in their SRB. There are many words they will need to know in this unit including: ray, line segment, line, point, types of angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, and many types of polygons. Please encourage your child to bring home his/her SRB frequently to review the definitions and examples shown in the book.
The other major area we will be covering is multiplication facts. All students should be practicing their flashcards at home every night. I will be testing students each week on mastery of the facts. Our first test will be Friday, September 12, when I will be checking mastery of the tables of 3. Please review math facts with your child and help him/her learn unknown facts. This will help your child experience more success when we begin more challenging fourth grade math concepts.
We are looking forward to a successful and fun year!
Please send an e-mail to me if you have any questions about math: JWhite@BrunswickSchools.org
Thank you,
Mrs. White
5th Grade News
Reading
In reading we will be working with the first theme of Nature's Fury. We will be focusing on a few stories in that theme for a few weeks. Our skills will focus on sequencing, predicting, and text organization. We will be focusing on short answer and extended response questions. We are looking forward to a great year!
Science
In Science we are focusing on laying a foundation and dealing with our processing skills and the scientific method. We will also be looking at safety precautions. Knowing the correct procedures for conducting investigations will help us throughout our 5th grade year. Students will be taking notes and having to keep track of the notes they took to study for the test. Please encourage your children to keep organized materials (not just for science) so that when time comes to study they will be able to prepare. Here's to a great year!
Hiram House fundraiser committee
I am looking for a few good parents that would like to help organize some fundraisers for this year's Hiram House field trip. Please contact Miss Lamphear by September 17 at 330-273-0487 or klamphear@brunswickschools.org
Miss Lamphear
Math
The students are off to a great start. We have looked at all of the new concepts and skills we will be learning this year. Please make sure your student has all of the necessary supplies for math class. I am also requesting that each child have a permanent marker. I will be sending home I CAN STATEMENTS the day before each test. Please be sure that a parent signs this form and that it is returned to school the day of the exam. Please review multiplication facts at home if necessary. The students need to be proficient to be successful in fifth grade math.
Mrs. Schweisthal
Social Studies
Welcome to fifth grade! We are learning about our country (physical features, climate, vegetation, etc). Please make sure your child keeps up with their homework (it should be placed in their red folder). Our tests will be on Tuesdays. I will let the kids know 1 week in advance. The test information will be over our notes we take in class. Hope we have a great school year.
Mr. Hunter
Welcome to another year of Title I reading intervention! I will be working with your children on a daily basis, with the goal of helping them meet the reading expectations and standards of their individual grade levels.
The first graders will begin the year by learning their short vowel sounds with the help of Clifford, The Big Red Dog. The second graders will begin by learning how to blend sounds in order to figure out unknown words. They will identify long or short vowel sounds within their leveled reading material, and expand their vocabulary with synonyms and antonyms.
As we know, everything in education begins with reading! Helping your child to enjoy reading at home will be one of the important things that you can do as a parent. I look forward to meeting you in person at our various parent meetings and conferences throughout the year!
Mrs. Pollick
Grades 1-2
News from Title 1
Our Title 1 program for grades 3-5 has a new addition this year. Mrs. Linden will be job sharing with Mrs. Savage this year. Mrs. Linden is a 2004 graduate from Ashland University and has spent the last four years working throughout the Brunswick City Schools.
We are so excited to get our program up and running. We are anxious to help students reach their full potential and become stronger, more confident readers!
These first few weeks are hectic with testing children to see if they will qualify for the Title I program. If your child qualifies, a notice will be sent home to you. With so many children to test, it may be a couple of weeks before children are pulled out as a group for intervention.
We are looking forward to a great year. We will be in touch with our parents soon.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Linden
Grades 3-5
Physical Education
Another school year has arrived and we are off to another great start in Physical Education. I hope everyone had a fantastic summer. From the looks on the faces of all the students, it seems like many of them had a great summer.
It is hard to believe we have already returned to school. Over the first few weeks, fourth and fifth grade students have been practicing various soccer skills while the first and second grade students are working on locomotor movements. Overall, the students’ effort has been outstanding.
Mr. Harrington
Music
It's time to dust off those recorders, 5th graders! Please bring in your recorder from last year, or obtain a new one. We will begin using them this grading period. Also, Band and Orchestra students should have their instrument for class no later than September 15th. A schedule of which days instruments are needed will be given to all players. Recorders for 4th grade have already arrived, and we will begin that unit in October. We will use "Recorder Karate", and students can earn all the way up to their black belt by doing well on playing tests. Until then, 4th grade will be singing and responding to music from world cultures, along with seasonal songs that will be featured in the Halloween Concert.
In September, 3rd grade students will perform rhythms that include eighth notes and quarter notes, and their equivalent rests. We are especially excited about preparing for the Veterans Day musical, and will be concentrating on clear and accurate singing tones. Third graders will join fifth graders for this annual event.
2nd grade students are getting exposed to singing notes written on the musical staff, and will be able to sing pitches higher and lower by watching where the note heads are moving. 1st grade is concentrating on rhythm, and will also be working with their voices to make louder/softer or higher/lower sounds.
I am impressed already with how much enthusiasm the children have brought to Music class. They are focused on their important objectives, and are having fun at the same time! By the time the first semester is complete, ALL GRADE LEVELS will be featured in a major performance. Please keep up with the Towslee Times article from Music for more details
Mrs. Gigax
Brushing Up on Art
Welcome back to a new school year! We are introducing our younger grades and reviewing with our older grades, the Elements of Art: those things that make up a work of art: line, shape, space, texture, color, form and value. You may see the results in the finished artwork!
Please remember to have all of your art supplies (including an art tee shirt) for every class. With especially messy projects like clay and painting, we try to keep school clothes clean! Being prepared for class is expected in order to be successful with each art project.
Keep drawing!
Mrs. Hunt
Patriot Patrol
Welcome to our New Patriot Patrol (flag raisers)! Thank you for your dedication and help each day!
"Towslee...Home of the Patriots!"
Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Study (Moderators)
C. R. Towslee Ambassadors
Welcome to all of our third, fourth, and fifth grade Towslee Ambassadors! The deadline for this year's Ambassador sign up, September 5th, brought us many new members for our group. A minimum of two hours of volunteer time is expected each month, and must be recorded by the student Ambassador and handed in each month before the last school day of the month. Parents and other adults who witnessed the volunteer work must sign off on the official Ambassador volunteer sheets. A Towslee Ambassador must have good grades, good conduct, good citizenship, and volunteerism. We are proud of these wonderful future leaders! The Ambassador program begins September 8, 2008 and continues each month until late May, 2009.
"Can't hide that Towslee pride!"
Mrs. Hunt (C. R. Towslee Ambassador Club Advisor)
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Library News
A new world awaits you at the Towslee Library as we have a large amount of new books. Thanks to our Bookfair. Many new fiction and non-fiction books to please our readers. Reading offers a world of wonders for everyone. It's one of the best ways to spend your time. Reading sharpens your mind. Please ask your child what day he has Library and help your child remember to return their book on time. Feel free to visit the library any time as we enjoy visitors. If your interested helping the students decide what book to take out or making sure the books get back on the shelves in the proper order. We love volunteers. I have really enjoyed meeting our new students and also seeing how much our former students have grown since last June.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Zeigler
Cafeteria News
The cafeteria staff would like to welcome everyone back to another great school year!
We are offering more low fat and low calorie foods in compliance with the government's Health and Wellness Program.
Prepaid lunches may be purchased on Monday mornings with cash or checks made out to Towslee Cafeteria. Please put in an envelope with child's name, teachers name, and any special instructions. Lunch is now 2.50, and breakfast cost is 1.50, reduced prices remain the same, 40 and 30 cents. We have a variety of snacks, and ice cream available for 25 and 50 cents as well. Extra milk is 50 cents.
MANAGER'S CHOICE LUNCH on Sept. 24th will be one of the student's favorites:
New York Breadsticks with Meat Sauce
Salad with Good Season's Italian
Shape Up Juice Bar and Choice of Milk
PRIZES will be awarded to lucky special tray winners! Good Luck!
Feeding Our Future - Towslee Cafeteria,
Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Crouse, and Mrs. Theobald