West Ridge News
"Committed to Educational Excellence" Volume Issue
From the Principal’s Office Grade Level Activities Dear Parents, Pre-School - Ms. Randazzo’s preschool classes are having a great year. In September, we spoke about I enjoyed the opportunity to see many of you at our our feelings and sounds we hear around us. Currently recent Back-to-School Night. It is always nice to see we are in our tree study unit and will be using all our so many parents come to this school event. When I senses to investigate trees. This fall we will continue to think about this, I have a renewed sense of the great experience the world around us, and sing songs that importance of the work we do with and for children. enhance our language, academic, gross motor, and The kindness to me and generosity to West Ridge fine motor skills. Enjoy the fall. means a great deal – so thank you, and please contin- Mrs. Anderson’s preschool classes have had a great ue to check in with me throughout the year. I am al- start! We have been listening to Fall stories and learn- ways interested in what is going on with you and your ing many new songs and poems, along with working family. I want to thank families for joining us for on counting, number and letter recognition, and our “Walk to School Day.” Events like that are fine exam- fine motor skills. We ripped orange paper and cut and ples of parents and educators working together to glued the pieces to make mosaic pumpkins, and help our children continue to grow. counted ghosts. We have also been having fun playing and learning with our new STEM toys: a house build- Another thank you to all of the families who are send- ing set, and block center accessories to help develop ing their children to school on time and closely paying our skills in gravity, structure, balance, and trajecto- attention to their children’s attendance. Attendance ry. Happy Fall! at school is very important. Research shows that ab- Kindergarten - The West Ridge Kindergarten senteeism in the first month of school can predict classes began the year by learning all about the poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the names of our classmates. We made a “Star Name of students who miss two to four days in September go the Day” book for every friend in our class and an al- on to miss nearly a month of school. Absenteeism phabet book all about our names. After reading Cor- and its ill effects start early. One in ten kindergarten duroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman, we and first grade students are chronically absent. Poor brought our teddy bears to school and sorted them attendance can influence whether children read profi- four different ways. We learned our color words and ciently by the end of third grade. Research also we can read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You shows that missing ten percent of the school year, or See? by Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle all by our- about 18 days, negatively affects a student’s academic selves. Our other favorite books are Caps for Sale, performance. That is just two days a month and that Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and Chicka is known as chronic absenteeism. Additionally, when Chicka Boom Boom. For math, we learned how to students arrive late or are picked up before dismissal, sort by color, shape, type, and size. We just finished teaching and learning is disrupted for every student. learning all about patterns. We discovered that there Please make every effort to have your child in school are patterns all around us. During Fire Prevention from 8:35 AM -3:20 PM each day. Week, the Park Ridge Fire Department came to West
Ridge School in a fire truck to teach us all about fire The procedures and daily activities of your child’s safety. They even brought Sparky! They enjoyed see- classroom should be familiar and comfortable to them ing you all at the West Ridge Halloween Parade! by this time in the school year. If your child is still experiencing anxiety or any type of concerns, please First Grade - The first graders have been very contact your child’s teacher. You are welcome to also busy investigating the Fall changes in the garden, and include me on those types of communications. We will harvesting seeds to save for planting time next Spring. be happy to talk with you on the phone or schedule a We have been writing personal narrative stories about meeting together regarding ideas to help your child or small moments in our lives that are special to us. In the situation. Please do not ever hesitate to contact reading, the first graders have been growing a list of us. We want to help. strategies to help us when we get stuck on words. In math class, we are developing a variety of strategies to This year we are incorporating “Brain Breaks” into the add quickly in our heads. We look forward to growing classroom routine for students at all grade levels. Our stamina in reading and writing next month, and work- primary grades have been doing a short “chair yoga” ing on subtraction strategies. Principal Continued on Page 4... PAGE 2 WEST RIDGE NEWS
Second Grade - Second graders are off to a Fifth Grade - Fifth grade has gotten off to a great start this year. We enjoyed the warm Fall very exciting start! Initially, the students worked on weather by exploring the outdoor garden while we creating movie posters for their summer reading. We studied different habitats in our science unit. We also just completed our character study through our collected data which was then used to compare our read aloud Holes by Louis Sachar and have been garden habitat with habitats around the world. (We busy responding to our independent reading books. love the outdoors!) In math class, we learned about In writing, we are getting ready to publish our per- different addition strategies. We worked with open sonal narratives, so be on the lookout for some fan- number lines, arrays, hundred charts, and ten- tastic stories! Our mathematicians are busy working frames. Our stories in writing workshop were about on multiplication and mastering our math facts. In memories we have about small moments in our lives. science, students are learning to think like scientists Our vacations, birthdays, and sports games were and are all enjoying completing hands on experi- among our favorite stories. We are becoming strong- ments investigating properties of matter. Our histo- er readers by expanding our decoding skills and by rians are finishing up studying Native Americans reading for understanding. We are thinkers when we and look forward to starting to explore the New read! Second graders are very busy! World. In problem solving, students have been read- Third Grade - Third graders are off to a great ing a variety of Chris Van Allsburg books, working on Prezi presentations, and writing their own stories start! Writing and developing personal narratives is based off of a mystery novel by Chris Van what they have been working on during the writing Allsburg. We are looking forward to some exciting workshop. A lot of time and effort has gone into holiday projects soon, so stay tuned! these writings and the third graders are very proud of their accomplishments. In addition, they are con- Sixth Grade - Sixth grade has been reading tinuing to practice their addition and subtraction and writing up a storm! In literacy, the sixth grade skills. They are also learning to effectively analyze has just completed an intense character analysis and solve problems during mathematics. They are unit and is now moving into studying non-fiction. using estimation to judge reasonableness. Also, They have written personal narratives that tell im- third graders are paying more and more attention by portant stories from their own lives. Sixth grade has stopping and thinking while they read in order to started writing expert information books while rais- continue to become better readers. The students ing the level of their writing. In math classes, stu- continue to work on being responsible and orga- dents have been focusing on operations with deci- nized. Go third graders! mals, fractions, and exponents. Students are using these skills to evaluate expressions using PEMDAS Fourth Grade - Fourth grade is off to an ex- order of operations. In social studies classes, stu- citing start! Students have settled into the routines dents have been learning all about life in the Paleo- of switching classes, participating in instrumental lithic Era and how technology,tools and skills lessons and taking home their laptops! Our mathe- shaped the development of human culture over time. maticians are hard at work solving multiplication In science, sixth graders are studying forces and mo- and division equations. Color tiles and Thinking tion. They are learning about speed, motion, veloci- Blocks have helped students become successful in ty, and acceleration through different labs and activ- modeling and evaluating algebraic expressions. Our ities. scientists are busy identifying various types of rocks and minerals and will soon be learning about weath- Resource Center - Mrs. Fox’s students are ering and erosion with exciting labs. Be sure to ask off to an exciting start! Grade 1 and 2 literacy stu- your fourth grader to share our rock songs and dents are learning how to set reading goals, read dances at home. Students have become New Jersey with “smooth voices” and “stretch” their reading experts in Social Studies. Soon we will be investigat- muscles. Grade 5 literacy students learned how au- ing the Lenape Native Americans and early settlers thors make their characters react to social issues of our great state! Writing Workshop is a time for us and how readers can pay attention to crucial scenes to let our creative sides shine! We recently published in their books to discover the lessons authors are personal narratives and are looking forward to start- trying to teach us. In math, grade 1 and 2 students ing our realistic fiction unit of study. Literacy peri- have explored doubles, near doubles, counting on ods are spent learning all about how characters de- and counting back, and are practicing their math velop, change, and grow. We are increasing our facts. Multisensory reading students are reinforcing reading stamina every day and making great pro- the sounds of short vowels, basic vowel teams, and gress. We all enjoyed our class read aloud, Because learning the six different syllable types. of Winn-Dixie, but miss our favorite characters al- Mrs. Dunay’s students have hit the ground run- ready. The next few months promise to be busy and ning. Fourth grade literacy students are developing exciting ones as we continue to delve deeper into our ideas and theories about characters, while striving fourth grade curriculum.
Continued on page 4... PAGE 3 WEST RIDGE NEWS
West Ridge “Specials” Learning in the Library - This year we are starting a maker space as a new pilot program. It Vocal Music Class - Music is kicking off to a has been an exciting addition to library time. Stu- great start this year! The Pre-K and Kindergarten clas- dent groups work at stations with materials such as ses are having lots of fun performing autumn and Hal- keva planks, gears, and q-ba maze to create a pro- loween songs to learn and internalize steady beat. 1st ject of their own choosing. One of the favorite sta- grade has been learning all about dynamics, differenti- tions is cut, tape and make, where they use card- ating between soft and loud by playing games, singing board to build. Please send in any clean cardboard songs, and playing instruments. 2nd grade has been boxes and tubes. As the year goes on, the students working hard to build up their rhythm reading skills. will be learning about the design process and trying Some students are even volunteering to lead our week- out different materials. Even with all the maker ex- ly rhythm games for the whole class! 3rd grade is be- citement, books remain a cornerstone. We continue ginning to learn about notes on the musical staff in to read the best of the new picture books, provide preparation for Recorder Karate. The dojo will be open engaging books for all ages, and compete in Battle of to them very soon, and they are very excited to begin the Books for grades 3-6. learning an instrument! 4th, 5th, and 6th grade clas- News from the Art Room - One of our ses are busy preparing their selections for our action- packed Winter Concert this December! There will be goals for art this year will involve the garden/ sign language, acting, instruments, choreography, and outdoor classroom. Many of our art projects will more, so don't miss out on our Owls' awesome perfor- create a balance between working in the art room mance! The 5th and 6th graders are also on pins and and working outside. The first major project for the needles waiting for us to start our unit on ukuleles garden is the water bottle greenhouse, Art & Archi- once the concert is done! I'm looking forward to so tecture. This project is underway, thanks to the “A” many incredible, fun things happening this year in day art students. Recently, every class had an im- Music! portant aspect of installing the foundation. A special thanks to Mrs. Tobin’s kindergarten! They were able It has been full STEAM Technology Talk - to move and fill the entire foundation trench with ahead in technology classes this year. After an gravel in one period! Our hope is to have the green- initial keyboarding and digital literacy unit, stu- house completed within the next couple of months. dents have been completing various STEAM activities If anyone is looking to collect seeds for their gardens in coordination with classroom curriculum. So far, at home, there are plenty to go around. (ie: sunflow- kindergarten has been engineering structures, first ers, marigolds, morning glories, angel wings, milk grade has designed clay boats to test buoyancy, sec- weed). Also, a special thank you to all the families ond grade has completed an engineering challenge, that watered over the summer!! Without your help and third grade has created a marble maze after com- our garden would not have survived the heat of the pleting a “force and motion” unit. Fourth grade has summer. Kudos to you! been designing paper airplanes, and graphing the dis- Each year your children work very hard on artwork tance flown on EXCEL. Fifth grade students have fi- for the annual art show. Therefore, many of the art nalized a Chris Van Allsburg author study by creating projects won’t come home until the end of the a group Prezi. Next month, all third, fourth, and fifth year. Some of the work will be displayed in school graders will participate in the world-wide hour of code. but many of the projects will be saved for the show. ♪Instrumental Music Program - The Instru- Stay tuned for more exciting happenings in the gar- mental Music Program has gotten off to a wonderful den and art room. start this year with many new students becoming in- World Language Classes - Hola et Bon- volved. All students are participating in morning band jour! The K-2 students are learning songs about rehearsals in order to put on a successful winter con- greetings, colors, numbers and body parts. The 3rd cert. Beginner band students can hold their instru- graders are learning about family and the 4th grad- ments properly, produce a sound correctly and read ers reviewed how to tell and write the date and the music on the first few pages in their lesson book. weather. Fifth graders are learning to describe their The fifth and sixth grade band students are working physical and personality traits. Sixth graders are hard learning their music for the winter concert. Ti- learning about school subject and giving their opin- tles include “Chanukah Celebration” and “Still, Still, ions about their classes. Still”. Some help is needed at home. Please encourage Physical Education Classes - All grade practice and remind the children to bring their instru- levels absolutely loved this years Halloween ment to school on the days lessons are given. Dark Gym! Next week grades K-2 and 3-6 are ***IMPORTANT The Winter Concert has been going to start their volleyball unit! Jump Rope for changed due to a conflict. The new night is Monday, Heart is around the corner and I am very excited for December 11, 2017. Please mark your calendar. this years event! More information about Jump Rope for Heart will be coming soon! Stay Healthy :) PAGE 4 WEST RIDGE NEWS
English Language Learners- The Principal - Continued from Page 1... English Language Learners of West Ridge have class for a few years now. Often yoga happens after started off the year working on a wide range of fun lunch and it settles students back into the routine of and educational activities! sitting, listening, and learning. You can find a great Our kindergarteners have been exploring the deal of research that clearly shows that Brain Breaks changes of the seasons while studying topics such increase academic achievement, help with anxiety, con- as colors and textures. They have also been busy centration, boost on-task behavior, and improve stu- talking about the things we see in school as we dent attitudes. Giving children the frequent Brain study handwriting and phonics. Breaks they need, increases productivity and focus in First grade has been talking a lot about ani- the classroom. We feel that the time spent on an active mals, describing them and identifying the ono- three-five minute Brain Break is a wise investment. We matopoeia we use for the sounds that they get back that time ten-fold in the amount of focus and make. We have also been practicing our reading productivity we see from our students, after refreshing skills while focusing on important sight words to their little minds and bodies. You may want to think remember. about Brain Breaks when your child is doing home- Second and third grade have also been work- work. Please ask your child, contact your child’s teach- ing hard on their reading skills, learning to visual- er, or google “Brain Breaks” if you want any ideas for ize as they read. They are also improving on the home. We would also like to have a yoga class for stu- descriptive language that they use in their own dents before school. We have not organized this pro- writing. gram yet. We would need volunteers to teach the pro- Our fourth and fifth graders have been study- gram. Please call me if anyone is interested in discuss- ing a number of topics, ranging from reading flu- ing the possibility of a before school yoga program for ency to morals. A key focus thus far has been our students. story arcs, as students identify the key elements Sincerely, that occur in each phase of the stories that they Mrs. McCaffery read, while also including these important stages in their own written work. From the School Nurse
Resource - Continued from Page 2... Happy Fall! The students of West Ridge have been learning about Kindness and to write thoughtful post-its with evidence. Fourth Respect. Please encourage them to practice these things and fifth grade students will be publishing their at home, at school, and in the community. personal narratives next week. Fourth grade math During this time of the year, when colds, viral illnesses students have been reviewing and strengthening and the flu are becoming more prevalent, it is important their understanding of numeration with a focus that you keep your child at home to fully recover if he or on real-life experiences. Fifth grade students are she falls under the following criteria: also learning about numeration. While making 1. having a temperature of over 100 before coming to connections to situations in life, their lessons school have offered them opportunities to expand their 2. having a temperature of over 101 less then 24 hours thinking and experiences, with powers of 10 using before coming to school exponents. All students are working hard to be 3. vomiting prior to coming to school prepared, enthusiastic, and positive. 4. diarrhea prior to coming to school Mrs. O’Brien’s students in Grades 3 and 6 are off 5. a rash with or without a fever over 100 to a great start. They have been writing Personal 6. a red, irritated eye with crusting or drainage Narrative stories. They are enjoying sharing their 7. cold hygiene that cannot be self-managed (covering personal experiences and we are very anxious to coughs and sneezes) read the published pieces. In reading, students In the best interest of all the children in the school, I are immersing themselves with books on their would appreciate your help and compliance in this mat- reading levels. They are using multiple reading ter. Please call the school nurse at 201-573-3000 exten- strategies to aide them with their comprehen- sion: 3005 with any questions. sion. Students are doing magnificently as they If your child should need medication throughout the make their way through multiple math topics. school year, even over the counter medication, I will need They are brushing up their skills with mental a note from your child’s physician. It should include the math concepts in all operations and increasing purpose of the medication, when it is to be given, the their understanding of number sense. As they amount and frequency. learn and grow, they are applying their acquired For all Pre-K students, a yearly flu vaccine is required. knowledge to solving real world problems and Please send in documentation from your child’s doctor checking for reasonableness. by November 3rd.
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