Central School March 2008 Newsletter
by Michael Weaver
March 06, 2008
Central School
117 West Livingston Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
815-844-3023
March 2008 Newsletter
By: Michael Weaver, Central School Principal
ISAT Testing:
We will be giving your child state-required achievement tests on March 4th through the 14th. Students in grade 3 will be tested in reading and mathematics. Student in grades 4 and 7 will be tested in reading, mathematics, and science. Students in grades 5, 6, and 8 will be tested in reading, mathematics, and writing. The tests are a part of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) program, and are being given to all eligible students. The results of reading, mathematics, and science state tests will be reported to you on the School Report Card in the fall. We will review state test results along with other information to help us improve our school program. In addition, you will receive information about your child’s performance on the state test he or she took.
You can help your child do his or her best on the test day by:
- making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days of testing;
- making sure your child best a good night’s sleep the night before testing;
- providing breakfast on the mornings of testing; (snacks will also be provided at school)
- reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he or she does not understand the test directions;
- letting your teacher know that you have confidence in his or her ability to do his or her best; and
- advising your child not to worry about the test- just do the best he or she can.
We look forward to sharing the ISAT results with you this fall.
Sincerely,
Michael Weaver, Central School Principal
CentralSchoolSpelling Bee:
Congratulations to the Central School Spelling Bee
winners. All three will attend the Livingston County Spelling
Bee held on February 28th, at Pontiac Township High
School. Will compete in the contest and all three will be treated
to a lunch at McDonald’s for their efforts!
Grace Metz
Nathaniel Fisher
Mariah Egerstaffer
Central School Celebrates Dr.Seuss’s Birthday:
Central School celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday the week of February 25th. Many of the students ate green eggs and ham for breakfast on Monday. We had a visit from The Cat in the Hat himself on Tuesday. He came and read Dr. Seuss books to all of the students. The students did a paper cake contest. Each teacher chose the best decorated cake from their class. The winners of the contest were Serenity Salinas, Daphne Johnson, Wyatt Hayes, Kayden Brock, Kiara Price, Jonathan Romero, Nicolle Leon-Araujo, Rebekah Paulson, Adriana Araujo, Taylor Kerlin, Andrea Araujo, Abbey Harcharik, Sami Beyer, Jason Durham, Raina Warren and Christina Snodgrass. These students received McDonald’s coupon from Mr. Weaver. Nice job! We made a huge school cake with the 300 little cakes that the students made. This is located down by the kindergarten classrooms. If you are in the building, stop and take a look. Thursday our hallways and classrooms were filled with hats, hats, and more hats. We ended our celebration by eating birthday cake on Friday at lunch time. Throughout the week we also had book contests and drop everything and read. We hope our students had a fun week.
The Special Event Committee
Dental Services Are Again Coming This Spring
“Smile Illinois”, a mobile dental unit, will be at Central School on May 7th and May 8th. A dentist and 2 dental hygienists will set up a temporary office in our school and provide PREVENTATIVE CARE. This includes an exam, cleaning, fluoride treatments, and sealants. (Free toothbrushes will also be given.)
Mobile dentists accepts Medicaid, AllKids, and most Illinois insurances. Your child may also be seen, even if you do not have any insurance. In this case, you may pay for these services out-of-pocket or grant money is available to pay for the services. NO CHILD IS TURNED AWAY because of their inability to pay.
A letter and an application form will be going home with your student(s) soon. The application will need to be RETURNED for your child to be seen. NO WALK-INS can be accepted. A “dental report card” will be sent home from the dentist, after your child is seen. Please direct any questions to Shelly Murphy RN at Central /Lincoln schools.
Literature Circles:
Lit Circles is coming to an end for THIRTY 3rd-5th graders who have given up noon recess since January in order to participate in the reading project. Three of the seven Lit Circle groups finished reading their books, created learning projects, and shared those projects with others in their groups. The remaining four groups should finish in March. GOOD JOB to all THIRTY!
Mrs. Thompson
Math and Science Club News:
Science Club
Science Club is open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Central School. The Club will meet on the SECOND Tuesday in March and April. Students will study lessons that are planned with the Science Standards in mind. These lessons will NOT be from the science texts used in class. The meetings will be in Mrs. Thompson’s room. They begin at 3:05 pm and end at 4:00 pm. Students will be dismissed at the west hall doors on Livingston Street (near Mr. Weaver’s office). Students will need permission notes signed by parents to indicate that they are allowed to stay for the Science Club meeting and to also indicate how the child will get home. Buses do NOT run at 4:00 so students will need to walk/ride a bike home, or get a ride home from someone. The student should show this note to their homeroom teacher and also take it to Mrs. Thompson so both teachers know that the student is allowed to stay after school.
March 11 April 8
Math Club
Math Club is open to all 3rd, 4th, 5th grade students at Central School. The Club will meet on the THIRD Tuesday of March and April. Students will study lessons that are prepared with the Math Standards in mind. These lessons will NOT be from the Math texts used in class. The meetings will be in Mrs. Thompson’s room. They begin at 3:05 pm and end at 4:00 pm. Students will be dismissed at the west hall doors on Livingston Street (near Mr. Weaver’s office). Students will need permission notes signed by parents to indicate that they are allowed to stay for the Math Club meeting and to also indicate how the child will get home. Buses do NOT run at 4:00 so students will need to walk/ride a bike home, or get a ride home from someone. The student should show this note to their homeroom teacher and also take it to Mrs. Thompson so both teachers know that the student is allowed to stay after school.
March 18 April 15
Character Counts:
For the month of January the character counts pillar was being fair. The students who demonstrated this pillar in their respected classrooms were rewarded with a party on February 5th. The student in their classroom who had the most strips for demonstrating Fairness received a certificate and had their picture taken for the Daily Leader. All of the students who attended the party had their name placed in a drawing. If their name was drawn then they received a prize. These are the students who got to attend January’s Character Counts Party for being fair.
Mrs. Johnston-K:
Lily L., Abigail V., Braden R., Connor A., Logan G., Giovani R., Rebecca B., Brittany B., Timmy T., Garret C., Andrew R., Hannah W., Kyle L., Sarah L. Zachary S.
Miss Meyer - K
Jacob S., Kassity D., Cameron R., Alexia W., Azaria S., Darren C., Eboni R., Pheonix L., Brayden C., Samantha P., Shaelah P., Ben S., Walker G., Jessie R., Marley W., Kyle K.,
Brooke P., Gage M., MaKayla M.,
Mrs. Munz- K
Haley B., Trafton C., Clayton D., Tory E., Hunter H., Riley H., Joseph N., Max P., Alexis P., Damon R., Payton R., Kenna R., Kaitlyn S., Drake S., Natasha W.
Mrs. Dunham-1st grade
Daniel, Mason, Lily, Cassy, Dyllan, Kelsie, Blaze, Jake, Casey, Ezequiel, Nathan, Collin, Alyssa, Jonathan, Kathryn, Logan, Abigail, Aaron, Elizabeth
Mrs. Gray-1st grade
Sydney B., Austin B., Annabelle, Jennifer C., Morgan E., Forrest G., Megan L., Nicolle L., Jessica. L., Devin L., Gavin, Peyton M., Zachary N., Taylor P., Bryce R., Haley S.,
Jacob T., Krystal T., Olivia W.
Mrs. Alberts-1st grade
Matthew W., Taylor B., Alejandra V.
Mrs. Metz- 2nd grade
Adam L., Austin B., Blake B. Braden R., Brenden B., Chloe B., David G., Eddie W., Eve H., Jacey C., Jasmine D., Lucy H., Luke G., Mariano V., Micah C., Willow G., Ashley R., Zack W.
Mrs. Schlosser- 2nd Grade
Angelo B., Ashley B., Andrew B., Stephanie D., Jaden H., Akaisha J., Alexis L. Tylar M., Nathan S., Kerry S., Kyle T., Mahogoni W.
Mrs. Kilgus-3rd grade
Geno B., Austin C., Drake D., Gracianna D., Mariah E., Michael E., Nathan F., Tye F., Blake G., Austin H., Christian H., Taylor K., Hannah L., Kryden L., T.J. L., Abigail M., Dylan N., Breanna N., Cierra R., Allyson S., Olivia S., Jordan W., Bradshaw H., Heather A.
Mrs. Waldschmidt- 3rd grade
Andrea A.,Cameron B., Alex B., Darien B., Mariah C., Michael F., Harley H., Madelyn K., Jordyn L., Heavin L., Lauren L., Austin L., Alyssa L., Austin M., Tristen M., Steven M.,
Ckylare M., Tori O., Austin P., Gretchen P., Justin S., Hayleigh W.
Mrs. Thompson-4th grade
Jernie S., Leah B., Jacob S., Ryan W., Abbey H., Alexis F., Nic B., Noah B., Isaiah M., Perry P., Dylana R., Jake L., Brittney M., Anya T., Alize Cruz-S., Kendra F., Asia B., Anthony P.,
John W., Savannah S.
Mrs. Kahanec-5th grade
Grecia A., Billie Joe B., Ashley C., Xaviaer D., Samantha M., Stephen M., Grace M., Cassidy M., Kyler P., Brendan P., Rosa R., Jenna S., Adam S., Celeste S., Darin T., Meghan W.,
Connor W.
Mrs. Kerrins- 5th grade
Drew A., Sammi B., Maria B., Ben B., Kyle C., Brittany C., Hollis E., Abbie F., Dayana L., Kevin L., Dakota M., Anthony M., Caitlin R., Katelyn S., Nick W., Xavier Z.,
Mrs. Opperman’s Class
Robert B., Will B., Michael B., Gabe C., Justis L., Ronnie F., Montanna M., Christina S.,
Manny M., Nathan W., John H.
School Cancellation Procedures:
School will close on days when weather conditions are such that a major portion of the students and staff are unable to attend school or when a breakdown occurs. A “NO SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT” will be made over WJEZ-FM (98.9), Thunder-FM WTRX (93.7), WBNQ-FM (101.5), WHOI Peoria TV Channel 19, Cable TV Channel 13, or on our District website, www.pontiac429.org. Parents are requested NOT to telephone our schools. If a radio announcement regarding cancellation or dismissal does not occur, then it should be assumed that schools are in session. Building emergency/disaster plans are posted in each office and classroom.
Pre-Kindergarten:
Pre-K classes are looking forward to March! We are starting the month off with a two week unit on Dinosaurs. We will dig dinosaur bones, make dinosaur prints and lots of other dinosaur projects. We will also include some St. Patrick’s Day activities and of course some Easter activities. March will be busy! We are also eagerly waiting for Ms. Verdun’s chick eggs to hatch so we can enjoy some baby chicks before our Spring break. We hope to start going back outside occasionally in March. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us, it really seems as if the children need some fresh air and exercise. Parent –Teacher conferences are coming up for PreK students also. We will meet with parents of children that may have some concerns. Please feel free to call us or send a note if you do not receive a conference note but have a concern that you would like to discuss with the teacher.
Kindergarten:
February is finally over. The students are ready to get outdoors!
March will be a short, but busy month in kindergarten.
We will continue learning more sight words and letters of the alphabet. We will continue writing words and sentences.
In math we will finish our money and telling time units. We will begin a unit on measurement. We have been counting to 75.
In science, we will learn about spring and spring holidays.
We will do fun activities for St. Patrick’s Day.
Then it will be Easter! We will ask parents to send in things for our Easter party. Watch your child’s book bag for notes.
We only conference with parents/students who have particular needs that need to be addressed. We will contact you if we feel we need to have a conference. If your child is doing fine, we will just send the report card for you to look at.
We hope you have a nice spring break!
Mrs. Munz
Mrs. Johnston
Miss Meyer
1st Grade:
The first graders are busy practicing reading. We will soon complete our fourth reading book and begin our fifth. We are noticing that there are more words on each page. It is important that they have extra practice at home, too. We have been enjoying Dr. Seuss books during Dr. Seuss week at Central School. Dr. Seuss would have been 104 years old on March 2nd. We recommend many of his books to our students for practice. Many are available for checking out at our school library. During the month of March and May we will be having a contest to go to a Reading award party, in May, called Beach Blanket Bingo Party. The first graders’ goal is to read 22 books during those months. More information. to come later.
In Science we are learning about weather and magnets. In Social Studies we are learning about where we live and communities.
March is our last month for Pizza Hut’s Book
It program this school year. Thanks to all who made all of
their reading goals for each month.
We are proud of you.
2nd Grade:
Our Second grade classes have been learning lots of new things! We have been learning how to write in cursive, how to add with and without regrouping, and how to subtract with regrouping. We also just finished up learning about Dinosaurs. We shared books, looked at many pictures, and watched a movie about how to dig for fossils. The students really enjoyed this Science unit. We even got to dig for fossils! March 5th we will be taking a class field trip to the Children’s Discovery Museum in Bloomington. We are looking forward to the hands on learning experience that the museum will provide for the students on Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. We again want to remind the students to be practicing their addition and subtraction flashcards at home. It is very important that they know their basic math facts especially now that they are being introduced to adding and subtracting bigger numbers. They should also be reading nightly and trying to reach their classroom reading goals. This year is going way to fast, but keep up the great work!!!
3rd Grade:
The students have been working very hard to prepare for their first ISAT tests. We are very proud of all the work they have done. During the week of the test we encourage all students to get a good night sleep and eat breakfast before the tests. We will be celebrating the completion of the tests on Friday, March 7 with a movie and snacks.
We encourage everyone to continue to be practicing math facts at home. We want all third graders to finish off the year knowing all of their facts!
Central School is having a school wide reading party for those students who reach their reading goal. Every third grade student has to have at least 10 points between March 1 and May 1 to attend the party. We hope that each child can attend this party and is working hard to reach this goal. Students should be reading at home and will be encouraged to bring an A.R. book home for Spring Break.
4th Grade:
**Students in 4th grade have been learning about series and parallel circuits in science. They are learning to wire mini lights into the circuits along with switches in order to turn the lights on and off. Soon students will design a room in a box at home, bring it to school, and wire it so that a fixture will turn on/off with a switch in order to demonstrate their knowledge of electricity!
**Students are also working hard to prepare for ISAT tests. Ask a 4th grader about R-A-C-E and see what they say! This is an important planning word for preparing for Reading Extended Response questions/answers.
Mrs. Thompson
5th Grade:
We have been working very hard getting ready for ISAT. The first week in March we will be putting all of our hard work to use. There will be no homework that week. We ask that students get a good night’s sleep.
Some students have signed up for track, and we know they will make Central Proud. We will be happy to find out how Grace Metz does at the County Spelling Bee. We wish her good luck.
Remember students have to have 60 total accelerated reader points (or 20 points in the 3rd quarter) for the third quarter AR Party. There will be an additional party where students will need to get 15 points from March 1 to May 1. Good luck to all and keep reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mrs. Kerrins and Mrs. Kahanec
Elementary Functional Classroom:
February has been a very busy month! We have learned about several African Americans this month and have been amazed at their brave and extensive contributions to our country. We enjoyed eating peanuts in honor of George Washington Carver, who discovered over 300 uses for the peanut. In addition, we made our own peanut butter and decided we liked it better than the peanut butter bought at the store. Finally, we planted raw peanuts and hope that they will grow.
Our class also enjoyed a trip to Pontiac High School to the petting zoo. We saw many animals and even got to touch them. We decided our class favorite was the tiny pet mouse – very cute as long as it was at the petting zoo!
February is dental health month and we were fortunate enough to have Associated Dentists pay us a visit. We got to see a model and x-ray of teeth and learned how to brush, floss, and eat foods that are beneficial to our teeth.
March is coming upon us quickly! We are gearing up for our Illinois State Alternate Assessments that we will take in March. Please help your child to succeed by providing good meals and seeing that your child gets enough rest. Also, big thank you to our parents who encourage your child to do their homework – it helps tremendously!!!
Miss Wilkinson, Mrs. Pomeranke, Mrs. Opperman
Science Triathlon
The annual Pontiac Science Triathlon will be held at Pontiac Jr. High on Sat., May 3, 2008. The event is open to any area 4th-8th grade student. Applications are available from Mrs. Thompson at Central School. Registration begins the day of the Triathlon at 8:00 a.m. and the opening ceremony begins at 8:45 a.m. Students are to build the projects at home with their parents or their teammates. Three events that students may compete in are Land Yachts, Bridges, and Model Rockets. The application has complete descriptions and instructions. Students compete against others at their grade level. They may enter as individuals, or as a member of a three-person team. The application has more information about this as well. Mrs. Thompson will have balsa wood available for purchase if students decide to build a bridge. Rocket kits can be purchased at hobby stores- be sure they will fit an A8-3 engine which will be given to you at the event. Materials for land yachts are found or purchased items depending on the builder’s own design. Awards will be presented to first, second, and third place winners in each event at each grade level at the Awards Ceremony at the end of the competition. Students who do not win one of those awards will earn a participation ribbon. Everyone will go home with an award! Hope to see you there! Contact Mrs. Thompson at Central School if you have questions or concerns. (Central 815-844-3023; thompsonbre@p429.k12.il.us)
