THE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL OF ROCHESTER



THE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL OF ROCHESTER

Weekly Bulletin: #27 Week of May 3, 2010

Monday, 5/3

8:30 – 11:00 ESS Meeting

2:45 – 4:15 Stake Building Work Group, staff room

Tuesday, 5/4 NYS ELA Drop Off Deadline

8:10-8:30 Briefing: Mr. Hines shares student art work.

Wednesday, 5/5

8:45 – 10:15ish 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade NYS Mathematics Exam – Pt. 1

8:55 – 11:00 Specials in the classroom

1:45 – 3:15 Operations

Thursday, 5/6

8:10 - 8:30 Briefing Cancelled due to NYS Testing

8:45 – 10:15ish 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade NYS Mathematics Exam Pt. 1 – Pt. 2

8:55 – 11:00 Specials in the classroom

2:30 – 5:00 Harriet Tubman dance rehearsals

5:00 Unitarian Church Dinner

Friday, 5/7

8:10 - 8:30 Briefing: We say, “Thank You” to our many college volunteers.

8:45 – 10:15ish 4th Grade NYS Mathematics Exam – Pt. 3

Instructional Notes:

SPECIALS FAMILY NOTES:

ART: “I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious”-Diego Rivera (painter/muralist from Mexico)

Happy Spring from the Art dept.! 6th grade is currently working on mono printing; we are studying the life and work of Joseph M.W. Turner, English landscape painter. We are making an edition (series) of prints which will be altered with color. Weather is our curriculum connection from 6th grade science. 5th grade is currently working on the second part of a self-portrait unit: We are studying the life and work of Marisol Escobar, French semi-abstract sculptor. We are using digital photography to make capture our likeness, and wood to represent the human figure in our mixed-media works. 4th grade is currently working on a clay sarcophagus (funerary container). Ancient Egyptian and Grecian funerary traditions & designs are our references for the work. 3rd grade is currently working on clay abstract figurative sculptures after the work of Henri Moore, English sculptor; We are currently studying his designs and ideas as an inspirational source for ours. 2nd grade is currently working on paper-mache animal sculptures. We have completed our foil armatures and are applying the paper-mache outer layer. Next, we will apply a base-coat of foundational color. 1st grade is currently working on beautiful texture rubbings (taken from texture plates). These rubbings will serve as the beginning of a “robot-shapes” collage. We will learn about overlapping, layering and stacking of cut shapes. Kindergarten is currently exploring mark making using various tools, including paint brushes, brayers, wood and assorted media.

CEW: All students are learning about the vocabulary words: solo, duet, trio, quartet, and quintet. K will be learning the “C” scale on the instruments and creating Mother’s Day pillows while learning the song to go with the pillow presentation. 1st grade will be learning an instrument part to go with the math song Mr. Scincroppi made up for them and begin a song about “TEEN NUMBERS”.2nd grade will be composing a melody for a song about adding, subtracting and metacognition contrasting melody with rap. 3rd grade will begin working on the music and dances for their play called “Teacherella”, based on the Cinderella theme. 4h grade is rockin’ on the recorder and will be playing barred instruments on a song called “Movin’ To The Beat”. 5th grade will be memorizing the preamble to The Constitution by singing a song called, “We the People” and studying what the vocabulary words in that long sentence really mean. 6th grade will be preparing invitations for their performance of “Way Down in Egyptland, using parallel motion on the barred instruments . We are also working on the Indian stick dance which requires full understanding of the differences between whole notes, half notes and quarter note rhythms. Unfortunately, sixth graders will also begin their “moving up” song called, “Watch As We Walk On Our Way”.

Choir will be preparing for the end of the year concert on Friday, June 11th and the Kirkhaven Nursing Home concert on Thursday, June 17th.

HEALTH and WELLNESS

Kdg students and 1st graders made posters to remind them to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. The lesson also included reading a document about airborne pathogen safety and answering oral dbqs.

2nd grade students reviewed hand washing with the glittery germ experiment. Their lesson included reading a hand washing pamphlet to understand which diseases a good hand washing can reduce or eliminate.

3rd graders celebrated the end of the nutrition unit by making fruit salad. Hooray! All of the food pyramids are complete.

4th grade students are being challenged with converting grams into teaspoons. Do you know how many grams of sugar are really in your soda? Can you believe that a bottle of Mountain Dew has 77grams of sugar in it? The 4th graders are surprised at the sugar content in some popular beverages.

5th & 6th graders are learning about the reproductive system. Same gender groups have worked well in discussing such sensitive matters. Stations have been set up to demonstrate functional knowledge of the reproductive system.

LIBRARY: Kindergarteners are reviewing ABC order on the Smartboard and discussing how library books are organized and computer parts. We will be sending internet permission slips home soon for kindergartens( First graders are reviewing BrainPop. Second graders will soon start to learn how to use the library OPAC. Fourth graders are learning about digital media. Sixth graders are learning about copyright and are working on the April issue of the CSR Gazette.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: K-2 has been working together playing with our large and extra large parachutes. They learn how to move up and down and travel together safely. In unison they make an air balloon house. The also enjoy playing cat and mouse when the cat crawls on top of the chute and the mouse tries to avoid the cat by traveling quickly and safely under the shoot. Grades 3 – 6 have been fine tuning their ball handling skills with small sided games of soccer. To get more students involved at the same time we play three team, three goal soccer. To really make the game energized we introduce 2 soft soccer balls. The best part: every student knows their objective and pushes towards their goal.

INSTRUCTIONAL FAMILIES

Kindergarten: After a very restful week off from school!!! Kindergarten will continue the theme Down on the Farm. We are busy preparing for our trip to Springdale farm. We will be traveling to the farm Tuesday April 27th from 8:30-1:30. We are beginning a new unit in Science, living vs. non living. In math, we are working on addition. “Hopefully things will continue to add up” (

First: Great Beginnings has concluded, and we’re moving into daily 1 hour blocks of guided reading. The Flat Stanley mini project has been so much fun… there’s an anthology of student adventures with Flat Stanley on its way to publication.

We’re into the final stretch for our READ TO FEED service project and looking for connections with every thing we do from animal studies (livestock important around the world including chicks, heifers, honeybees, fish and more) to maps, communities, chapter books (Yay!) like What a Goat and Babe the Gallant Pig for read-alouds, and the “Passing on the Gift” concept within the First Grade Family, with families at home and beyond.

In math we’re working to master those addition facts and use mathematical shorthand (+, -, =, >, < and think lines) to represent the stories we tell of happenings in the world of numbers.

Second: In ELA many students are working on base words and endings, r-controlled vowels, and text organization and questioning to support comprehension. We are returning to word webs and KWL charts to support and communicate our understanding of texts read. In Math, many students are learning about numbers up to 1000, measuring length and reviewing graphing. In Science we have three groups working on how animal survive, sorting the animal kingdom based on common traits and different animal structures and adaptations. In Social Studies we continue to work on caring for one another, empathy and bullying.

Third: Asia! Asia has been our theme throughout the month of February and will be until the beginning of March. We have focused on China and talked a lot about how many of our students are from Asia. It is amazing how many of our students are from Asia, in our family we represent China, Nepal, Laos, Iraq, Russia, Turkey, Yemen, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam. We are just beginning a research project. There are four parts to the project. The cover of the project will be basic facts, flag, currency, map, location, area, population, official language and a few more. The inside will consist of a collage of pictures and words that represent the country and a ancient scroll fact sheet about the animals. The back side of the project will feature a Haiku.

In Math we have been continuing to learn our multiplication facts and reviewing graphs. Within reviewing our graphs we have been focusing on medals won in past Olympics to medals in our current Olympics.

We are also working on our self reflective report cards and finishing up our DRA’S.

Fourth: Fourth grade has been vigorously preparing for the ELA and Math New York State Assessments. We are reading and listening to a variety of texts and then responding to those texts by answering questions about them (multiple choice, short answer and essay). We are practicing our writing skills using graphic organizers to focus our paragraphs into main ideas with supporting details. We have also been studying figurative language in poetry.

In math, we have concluded a unit on geometry. The students learned how to calculate area and perimeter. They also learned about the classification of polygons.

In science, we are enjoying our relationship with Ward’s Nature Science Organization. We have found our inner scientist, and we have used these skills to study genetics and heredity. Physical science is our next topic of study. We will explore friction, inertia and gravity (oh my!).

Fifth:

Sixth: The Sixth grade family is working on positive and negative integers. We are also reviewing what we have learned all year! In ELA, we are beginning to explore ancient Rome, learning important vocabulary and building background knowledge on this fascinating period of world history. Julius Ceaser, here we come! In writing, we have begun to explore poetry, by listening to some of our favorite songs and defining what poetry is to us, or what it can look like, sound like, and feel like. We have been exploring different kinds of figurative language like similes, onomonopeia, personification, etc. and putting them into practice. Students will begin writing some of their own original poetry very soon. We are getting really excited about this year’s poetry jam on May 20th.

Look out for our upcoming April edition of the CSR Gazette.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

If you have been unable to access your District email from home recently it’s because the website was changed. The “new” address is: mail.. (No number 2 after mail.) ~ TM

First Grade is hosting briefing during May. Please consider the developmental level as you compose announcements… vocabulary, sentence complexity, handwriting, etc.

Students will gather announcements the day before so they can practice. If there are last minute announcements, we plan to invite the 6th graders assisting with briefing to read them.

Thank you, -ra,ns,dv

THANK YOU

Thank you Dr. Holmes, Ms. Moraldo, and Ms. Barnes for attending the PTO meeting this week. –BF

Thank you, Jay, for sharing the Flat Stanley your niece sent with us. We’ve had so much fun with whimsical musings of what we’ve done with Stanley or would do ourselves if only we were flat!! -ra,ns,dv

Thanks to Barb for the donation of M&M peanuts to the candy jar in the office – YUM!!!! Deb

Gratitude to Jim for the reading support you’re providing first graders! -ra,ns,dv

Thank you, Melissa, for your assistance with Smart Board set up, cables, etc. –ra,ns,dv

Barb, we love your storytelling magic! -ra,ns,dv

Thank you to each and every CSR Family member for the calls, cards, and flowers! I missed you all and it’s good to be back. Trudy

FUTURE DATES

5/10 – John Rowe/Chancery Training, Office 8:30 – 9:00

5/12 – NYS Field Testing Exam Grades 3-6 ***Changed from 5/4

5/13 – School Pictures by Grade Level Families, 9:00 – 10:45

5/13- AXA in kitchen

5/13 – Harriet Tubman dance rehearsals, 2:30 – 5:00

5/14 – Rehearsal for Transfer of Flags, Monroe High School 9:30 – 12:30

5/16 – Transfer of Flags Ceremony, Monroe High School 1:30, Students report at 12:30

5/17-5/28 NYESLAT Listening, Reading & Writing administered by grade level

5/20 – Field Trip – Nazareth Arts Center, K, 1 & 2 11:00 – 1:30

5/20 – Poetry Jam, Grades 5 & 6, 2:30 – 4:00

5/26 – Volunteer Appreciation Garden Party

5/27 – Nick Zona Track Meet at East High School, 9:15 – 1:00

5/27 - Harriet Tubman dance rehearsals, 2:30 – 5:00

5/28 – Staff Appreciation

6/2-3 - Makoto Yoshida at CSR

6/2 - PD w/ Makoto Yoshida on the workshop model and use of the blackboard/display space during math lessons, K-6th

6/2 – 4th Grade NYS Science Exam (Performance) in the Gymnasium

6/3 – 4th Grade NYS Science Exam (Performance) make up in the Library

6/4 - Field Trip Grade 4 to Ward Science Museum

6/7 – 4th Grade NYS Science Exam – (Written)

6/9 – Field Trip – RTC – Grade 6

6/10 – Field Trip – Sea Breeze – Grade 6

6/11 – 3rd DRA scores due online

6/11 - 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Concert Day w/AM Rehearsal - PM Performance

6/11 – CSR PTO Family Picnic, 5-8 pm Genesee Valley Park

6/14 – Rotary Sunshine Camp – Grade 6

6/16 – Field Trip – Sea Breeze – Grade 5, 9:00-4:30

6/17- AXA in kitchen

6/17 – Shining Star Choir sings at Kirkhaven Nursing Home, 10:00 – 11:30

6/18 – CSR day at Strong Museum of Play

6/22 – Field Day, 9:00 – 2:00

6/23 – Field Day Rain Date, 9:00 – 1:00

11/12-11/14 – National Conference for Social Studies – Denver, CO

Teaching & Learning Work Group Minutes

Present: Heather S., Deborah M. (f), Joe S. (s), Estelle C., LaShara E. and Mr. Cook

Absent: Lauren M. (on leave)

Agenda:

1. Past action items and Operations input

2. How do we communicate new decisions to staff and make them last?

3. Japanese Math Program Evaluation

Discussion:

1. Past action items and Operations input

• Action items from our last meeting will carry over to the next Operations meeting since the last meeting was shortened due to the student art exhibition

2. How do we communicate new decisions to staff and make them last?

• Action- Joe will let ODWG know that we will be beginning a T&L protocol folder on Sharepoint (in addition to a hard copy section in our binder). ODWG may want to consider this structure for all work groups to help with decision communication and longevity.

• Action- Heather will look into Sharepoint logistics

• Action- Deborah will track down the school’s protocol book

3. Japanese Math Program Evaluation

• We have input from 7 of the teachers in grades 1-3

• Action- Whole school input at the last Operations meeting in May: 5 min. introduction (e.g. T&L will need to make a decision about use after next year), 15 min. small groups, 10 min. anonymous writing

• Guiding Questions: 1. If you were to be a Primary teacher 2011/2012, would you want to use the Tokyo Shoseki (Japanese) Math Basal? Why/Why not? 2. What information should T&L use to inform their decision to continue or stop its implementation after next year? 3. What are other concerns, questions or celebrations you have in regard to the Tokyo Shoseki (Japanese) Math Basal?

• Action- Whole school dialogue, with the written feedback as a springboard, at the first Operations meeting in June

Future Agenda:

1. Review past action items and Operations feedback

2. Review past scaffolding attempts

3. Long Rang Plans and Unit Plans

4. Retreat

Next Meeting: May 5th

Facilitator: Estelle

Scribe: LaShara

Youth Development and Family Services Anti-Violence Poster Contest   

 

The Rochester City School District Department of the Arts in partnership with Rise Up Rochester, the Rochester Youth Violence Partnership, and Project T.I.P.S. is pleased to announce a poster contest to promote peace. All students in grades K-12 are invited to participate.

 

Each year children in the City of Rochester are impacted by violence. There is a loss of life that is preventable through education. The poster contest is an opportunity to teach our students about violence prevention.

 

Drawing materials and paper will be provided to each class that wants to participate; please email Debbie Harloff at Deborah.harloff@ to register your class. Drawing supplies and the paper will be sent to you.

 

Click here for more information about the poster contest, including guidelines for submission. 

STAKE BUILDING MEETING #19 April 12, 2010

Present: Cheri’, Jennifer, Nancy Absent: Danielle, Jim

Agenda:

- family fun night updates

- action items

- future PTO

- garden party

- Kohl’s painting party

- sending out cards

- briefing for volunteers

Discussion:

1. Updates for Grade 4,5,6 Family Fun Night

- Fifth grade has one teacher attending.

- Cheri’ will invite Telesta and Melissa to support/supervise those grades.

2. Kohl’s painting party will be scheduled over the summer. A few things to be worked out on their end.

3. Garden Party, Wed, 5/26

- presentation for BFF before Danny’s song

- Refreshments are appetizers, fruit and dessert.

- SBWG will plan/provide decor, paper products, utensils.

4. Volunteer briefing

- May 7 for college volunteers

- Thank you song

- Presentation by Jayon value/importance of volunteers in our school.

Action items:

- Cheri’ will send sunshine club card for staff member. Jenn will get student made card from Jim to pass for signing.

- Danielle needs to find receipt so Jenn can write check to reimburse her.

- Betsy will bring the snack for Family Fun Night.

- SBWG will set up the café after school on Thursday. Those working at the centers will handle their set up, SBWG to assist. Dinner around 5p.m.

- Danielle will collect orders for Aladdin’s on Wednesday.

- Theresa, Barb and Estelle are working on the math game. Jenn will check on Wednesday whether they need SBWG to help with materials &/or set up.

- Cheri’ will follow up to set a summer date w/for the Kohl’s painting party.

- Cheri’ will ask Telesta to speak at the Garden Party.

- Nancy will check on name of yoga shop in Pittsford.

- Nancy will check with Martha whether Danny plans to bring a sound system.

- Jenn will put extra magnet save-the-dates in the office to be available for volunteers when they sign in. Also will post an invitation as explanation.

- Jenn will send an e-vite to college volunteers for garden party & May 7 briefing.

- SBWG will bring baked goods, juice and muffins, for May 7 volunteer briefing.

- Cheri’ will have 6th graders paint flowers for cover of garden party invitations and print out info on inside.

- SBWG to assemble invitations at 5/3 meeting, distribute then via grade levels.

- Jenn will make a sign up sheet for garden party food for next Operations meeting. We will ask also for volunteers to bring card tables &/or help w/ setup & cleanup.

- Nancy will check on garden favors at Oriental Trading.

- Cheri’ will provide garden backdrop and white table cloth, also pinwheel flowers.

- Nancy will bring watering cans for hanging on fence behind food tables.

- Barb (in lieu of food) and Nancy will bring flowers for bud vases on tables.

- SBWG will follow up on BFF recognition item via email.

- SBWG will set the date for the anniversary celebration and create/design save-the-date cards at the 6/7 meeting. These will be distributed thru courier, hand delivered as we attend events of former students at high schools, e-vites, etc.

- Nancy will check with Ed about speaking at 20th anniversary event.

- The theme for the 20th anniversary celebration is a “World in a School.”

- SBWG will invite Bonnie Abrams to lead everyone in singing the song she wrote. Cheri’ will teach choir the verses, and all can join in on chorus.

- SBWG will set up a planning group -staff invited- for the 20th anniversary event.

Reflections:

- I am burning out on this group.

- All I do is school, teaching and SBWG. I love all we do, it is just too much.

- How can we disseminate responsibility so everyone shares but no one/not all have to do everything?

- It is a heavy load on a new teacher, changing grade levels plus all that this work group requires. It is a high level of responsibility.

- Does this work group truly do more than other work groups? Seems like every work group I have ever been on has had just as heavy a load.

- Other people say this work group does so much more than theirs, we’re always doing something.

- We are seen by colleagues as party planners.

- Parties should be a small part of what we do, rather than so consuming w/ logistics that we are not building stake on mission or vision with our own colleagues, much less central office, board members, community, neighbors, etc.

- Can parties be handled by a subgroup? So we can spend at least some time on the primary purpose for this work group.

- What can we plan, do over the summer so we are not lurching event to event through the next school year?

Next meeting: May 3 - Jim scribes, Nancy facilitates

Agenda: assemble invitations for Volunteer Garden Party

planning group, 20th Anniversary Celebration

MLK leadership group

retreat planning

finalize BFF

future PTO

SBWG summer meeting schedule

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