April 2008 Newsletter
by Michael Weaver
March 31, 2008
Central School
117 West Livingston Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
815-844-3023
April 2008 Newsletter
By: Michael Weaver, Central School Principal
CentralSchoolPhysical Education:
Congratulations to students who have walked 25 miles or more during Friday’s Run/Walk activities. Each student listed below received a certificate for their accomplishments.
Run/Walk Fitness Award
Mrs. Schlosser
Ashley Britt, Courtney Armour, Akaisha Johnson, Amaya Betts, Jaden Hershe, Kirk Gaston, Brandon Jenkins, Tylar Melvin, Nathan Shrewsbury, Stephanie Davies, Brianna Howard
Mrs. Metz
Adam Ledford, Chloe Brand, Jordan Wallace, Brenden Britt, Zachery Wilson, Micah Clauss, Blake Bybee, Eve Hoover, Mariano Vega, Brandon Wargo
Mrs. Waldschmidt
Madelyn Kennedy, Tori Onken, Justin Senter, Alex Brockett, Austin Maher
Mrs. Kilgus
Olivia Shores, Cierra Rios, Thomas Lohnstein
Mrs. Kerrins
Kevin Lewis, Dakota Mullins
Mrs. Thompson
Isaiah Morris, Leah Bennett, Savannah Shores, Drew Roberts, Anya Taylor, Nic Brown
Mrs. Kahanec
Adam Shelton, Stephen Merlino
Dental Exams Needed:
The State of IL requires all kindergarten, second, and sixth graders to have a dental exam. These forms were sent home prior to spring break. The exams are due May 15th. Reminder: “Smile IL”, a mobile dental office will be here in May. These exams meet the state requirement. So, please sign up if you’d like your child to have a dental exam at school.
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 accept 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.
Health Fair:
We’re having a health fair this year at Central. We’re hoping this will be an extra special experience for the students, because they’re going to teach as well, as learn. Each class (first grade through 5th grade) has picked a health topic and they will present this topic to the other classes. The dates will be the afternoons of April 29th and 30th. The intent of this health fair is to educate all students about healthy lifestyles.
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.
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.
April 15
Character Counts:
Central School continues to promote good character in their students. For the month of February they were working on being caring. These students showed the most acts of care in their respected classrooms.
Front Row (left to right): Riley Honeycutt, Luke Giovengo, Abigail Valenzuela,
and Ashley Moore Back Row (left to right) Sammi Baier, Connor Auer, Kerry Stephens, Mariah Egerstaffer, Devin Long, and Cassidy Murphy. Not pictured Manny Morris
Character Counts
For the month of February the character counts pillar was caring. The students who demonstrated this pillar in their respected classrooms were rewarded with a party on March 17. The student in their classroom who had the most strips for being caring 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 February’s Character Counts Party for being caring.
Mrs. Johnston-K:
Lily L., Abby 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., Timmy R., Bradon H.,
Miss Meyer - K
Jacob S., Kassity D., Cameron R., Alexia W., Azaria S., Darren C., Eboni R., Pheonix L., Braydon 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., Tory E., Hunter H., Riley H., Joseph N., Max P., Damon R., Payton R., Kenna R., Kaitlyn S., Natasha W., Evan M.
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., Kiara P., Alejandra V., Anndromedia N., Kylea B., Joshua R., Adriel V., Ashley M., Austin R., Kelsie Lewis
Mrs. Metz- 2nd grade
Adam L., Austin B., Blake B. Braden R., Brandon W., Brenden B., Chloe B., David G., Eddie W., Eve H., Jacey C., Jasmine D., Jordan W., Lucy H., Luke G., Mariano V., Micah C., Rebekah P., 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., Emily W., Alexis S., Keegan, Alexus, Brandon, Brianna, Kirk, Mya, Courtney A., Adriana
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., Austin L., Alyssa L., Austin M., Steven M., Ckylare M., Tori O., Austin 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., Andrea M.
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. Jason D, Kendall G.,
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, Kaitlyn S.
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.
Pre-Kindergarten:
Miss Verdun and Mrs. Streicher are very proud of the progress that our Pre-K students have made in the 3rd quarter of school! Many students have learned how to write their first and last names! Great Job! We have some exciting things planned for the month of April. When we return from spring break, Mrs. Streicher’s class will learn about wind, water, and other weather changes. Miss Verdun’s class will learn about shadows and reflections. Toward the end of the month we will both be learning about zoo animals. We are looking forward to our family night on April, 7th. We will meet in the cafeteria to enjoy a magic show! We look forward to seeing all parents for this fun event!
Kindergarten:
March went by quickly! We are ready for spring weather. We enjoyed watching our baby chicks hatch in kindergarten. The students enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day and our Easter parties.
In reading we are learning many new words and will finish up the letters and sounds soon. Keep reinforcing the letters at home. We are also reading many books in our guided reading program. In math we are doing measurement activities. We will also be doing a lot of addition and subtraction problems. We will practice counting to 100.
In science we will learn about the season of spring. We will also learn about plants and seeds. We will be doing a lot of activities to get us ready for first grade. We will also be getting ready for our Celebrate Central program on April 24th. We hope you will be able to attend.
Mrs. Munz
Miss Meyer
Mrs. Johnston
Title One:
I want to say how proud I am of the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who worked very hard practicing for the ISAT. I know that all the teachers devoted lots of time in preparing all students. Great Job!
Mrs. Meiner
1st Grade:
We just started Unit 5 in reading. We will be focusing on predicting, compare and contrast, sequence, cause and effect and main idea. Our phonics will target long e spelled ea, long a spelled ai and ay, long o spelled oa and ow, long i spelled igh and ie, y as a vowel, and ew and ue. In math we are finishing up time and will start money. In social studies we are leaning about family and friends, how we get along by following rules and being safe, and how your vote counts. In science we are learning about Earth’s Land & Water. We are discussing the water cycle, different layers of the Earth, living vs. non-living organisms, compost, and the texture and materials that make up rocks.
Remember to be reading for the Beach Blanket Bingo Party. First graders need to read 22 books by May 1.
Mrs. Dunham, Mrs. Gray, and Ms. Alberts
2nd Grade:
Mrs. Schlosser
These people did a fantastic job this last nine weeks to earn Accelerated Reader points: Alexis S. 12 points; Alexis L. 7.6 points; Kerry 3.5 points; Stephanie 3.5 points; Adriana 3.3 points; Mahogoni 2.9 points; and Jaden 2.4 points.
These people are now in the color Lime for S.R.A. reading: Adriana, Alexis L., and Courtney. Alexis S. is in Tan and Angelo and Andrew are in Brown. Andrew actually finished one entire color in a week!! Way to go Andrew!!
Alexis S. read 76 this nine weeks; Adriana read 63 books; Courtney read 43 books; Ashley read 42 books; Kerry read 27 and Nathan, Andrew, Alexis L., and Keegan read 25 books this nine weeks. Aren’t my 2nd graders awesome readers??? I sure think so!!
Mrs. Metz
I cannot believe that March is already over and that we are starting April with only a few months of school left. This year is going way too fast!! However, the students continue to work hard. We have two students that have already reached their goal to attend the AR beach party May 1. They are Eve H. and Luke G. with earning 5 AR points. Luke has earned a total of 24 AR points for the year, Eve H. with 15, Micah Claus with 13.3, and Jacey C. with 11. For the month of April we are going to continue to work hard to earn 5 AR points or read 30 books so we can all go to the AR beach party May 1. In Math we will continue to work on adding and subtracting bigger numbers, but also move on to learning about money and time. We have finished learning all of the lowercase letters in cursive and now we will be learning how to write the uppercase letters. Therefore, some of the students will be working on writing their assignments in cursive.
We had a great time on our field trip to the Discovery Museum and learned lots of new things. It was cool that we got to look through a microscope of different slides showing germs of a human with us learning in Science right now “How Germs Make Us Sick”. A lot of the students before this didn’t know what a microscope was. Even though we finished talking about Dinosaurs in Science and moved on to learning about germs, for the last few weeks we have been learning how to use the computer to look up information on a topic, gather the important details and then present what we have learned to the rest of the class with our dinosaur reports. I was very proud of all of my students!! They also came up with some very creative dioramas to represent their dinosaur and the way things might have looked back then. I want to thank the parents for helping us with this family project and making it a very memorable experience for all of them.
4th Grade:
Students in 4th grade have been busy with ISAT Tests. With JOY the students and their teacher recently celebrated the end of the practice and testing times for 2008 with a class party! J Students have been bringing in their “electric rooms”. These boxes are designed by students at home and they are decorated to look like room(s) in a house. Students “electricians” will wire the rooms at school to make something turn on/light up. This will demonstrate their knowledge of circuits. Fractions are the “new” hot topic in math. 4th graders are naming fractional parts of a whole or of a group, drawing representations of a fraction, and finding equivalent fractions! The students recently wrote “Keeper” stories which will be made into booklets.
Mrs. Thompson
5th Grade:
First, we just wanted to thank everyone for having their students ready for ISAT. We feel that the students worked very hard on these tests.
Here are some important dates for fifth graders:
April 8 at 6:00 is 6th grade orientation in the Jr. High Commons. This is an opportunity for students and parent to meet with the 6th grade staff, and visit the facility. If you have questions, this would be the time to ask them.
April 24 is Celebrate Central in the Central Gym.
April 29 and April 30 is the Health Fair. Students are researching topics that they will present to the other students. Mrs. Kerrins is finding out about different kinds of exercises, while Mrs. Kahanec’s class is researching food labels.
Keep reading and taking those AR tests – The Beach Blanket Bingo party deadline is May 1st!! Ask your child for more details!!
Mrs. Kerrins and Mrs. Kahanec
Elementary Functional Classroom:
The month of March is going quickly! Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have been busy taking the Illinois Alternative Assessment. We are very happy that we have all completed the tests.
We have been enjoying our new Science unit on dinosaurs. We have made imprints and will be making skeletons. In Math, we have been working on our clock reading skills and are progressing successfully. Our spelling words continue to increase in difficulty and we are all diligently practicing our words at home.
We are looking forward to a field trip April 11, to Asta Care nursing home, where we will help the residents with an activity. In addition to making some new friends, we hope to be able to bring some smiles to their faces. We can hardly wait to take another field trip on April 29, to the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal. The students are extremely excited and don’t know if they can wait a whole month to go!
All of us are looking forward to spring and the opportunity to get outside! We hope all have a wonderful spring break and come back refreshed and ready to tackle the remainder of the school year.
Mrs. Pomeranke, Miss Wilkinson, 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)
