image of a school bus with a dusting of snow and text of AES updates, January 22, 2023

Upcoming Dates:

NO PTO meeting in February

February Break - February 20 - 24

MCAS Dates

Grade 3 Only

Math - May 17 and 18

ELA - April 11 and 12

Cold Weather

Just a reminder that we do go outside for recess on most days and students are expected to come to school prepared with gloves, hats, warm coats, etc.  We thank you in advance for your support!

A look into our classrooms:

Art:

***Ms. T. is looking for a co-chair for Artapalooza. If you have an active CORI and fingerprints, and can help occasionally during the school day, please annetavares@freelake.org.

Kindergarten students learned about Pop Art and began Andy Warhol inspired drawings.

Grade one completed their Todd Parr inspired portraits.

Grade two is beginning Lichtenstein inspired name designs.

Grade three students had a “catch up” week (aka ketchup) to begin preparing for their March exhibit.

Music:

K: This week we worked on a winter song….the K kiddos are hoping it will bring some snow to play in! 

1st: Mark those calendars...the 1st graders will  be performing on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 @ 10:00am in the AES gymnasium! Please remember to send in a clean white, OVERSIZED t-shirt by Monday, January 23rd! 

2nd: This week we are working on keeping the steady beat with a ball while we sing. We also used unpitched percussion instruments to keep the beat and played a rhythm game. 

3rd: This week we are continuing our study of learning to read the notes of the treble clef in preparation to play the recorders! 

PE

This week we are continuing our Fitness Unit in all grades. 

Students in grade 1 and K are completing a spiderman workout and then getting to work on increasing leg strength by playing against other classmates in a shoe battle.

Students in grade 3 and 2 are completing a step aerobics workout before competing in the shoe battle. Students in grade 3 are also completing the curl up and push up exercises in order to gather data to track student progress over the unit. 

Kindergarten

The Wonders Reading Program essential question this week was, What places do you go to during the week? Children shared stories and drew pictures of some of the places they visit weekly such as the grocery store, basketball practice, CVS, and school! Students also learned a new sight word - go. In math kindergarten students have been working on addition within 10. They have been telling number stories and writing equations to represent their stories.

Grade 2

This week students are working very hard with the addition of 2 digit numbers in math. The goal is to make sure they are looking at the tens place and then the ones place to help them come to a sum. For reading and writing the second graders are completing an animal research project. They are researching and then writing a report on the animals features, their habitat, the food they eat, their life cycle and including some fun facts. The students seem very excited about writing their own expository text after reading many animal texts in Wonders last week. For science, second grade is beginning a new unit on water. With Lunar New Year on the 22nd, we have been reading and learning about what this holiday is and who celebrates. 

Grade 3

In third grade we are still learning about fractions. In reading, we are comparing poems, and in writing we are practicing MCAS style essay writing. For science, we are looking forward to an assembly next week about animal adaptations. The kids continue to work hard to fill their eagle nests and earn rewards; last week we had a freeze dance competition. You never know what we will come up with next!

Nurse’s Nook

                 

**Water is essential for growing bodies **  Children need 4-8 cups of water a day** 

Copied from the Healthychildren.org: 

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Choose-Water-for-Healthy-Hydration.aspx#:~:text=It%20good%20for%20the%20body,sports%20drinks%2C%20sodas%20and%20juice.

How to help your family choose water

Water doesn't have to be boring! There are plenty of ways to entice everyone in the family to drink healthy and stay hydrated throughout the day. Being a good role model yourself is a great way to help make water part of your children's routine and gets them in the habit of drinking water before they're thirsty. Here are a few twists to add some fun:

  • Infuse water with lemons, berries, cucumber or mint for some added flavor. This is an easy way to keep the whole family coming back for refills.

  • Keep fruits and vegetables that are high in water content handy - and there are plenty of them. Some of the best vegetables to choose from are cucumber, zucchini, iceberg lettuce, celery, and tomato. Top fruits include watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, and grapefruit.

  • Freeze fruit inside ice cubes. It dresses up the drinks at any table, and young children can help fill the trays.

  • Delight kids with special water bottles or cups. Whether it is a personalized sports bottle or a fancy cup with an umbrella or swirly straw, adding a festive touch can go a long way.

  • Make your own popsicles with pureed fruit for an afternoon cool-down. Make it a fun family activity by using small paper cups. Let your kids decorate them before filling or look for popsicle molds in fun shapes and colors.

Counselor’s Corner:

Do Children with ADHD have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?

Students with ADHD often present as oppositional or defiant.  It’s not that they don’t want to follow the rules, but sometimes their impulsivity can make it look like that.  About 40% of children with ADHD do have ODD or a related conduct disorder, therefore it is important to filter out behaviors to determine if they are impulsive or intentional and malicious.  Please note that symptoms of ODD must exist for six months and include:

  • Losing temper

  • Arguing with adults

  • Actively defying/refusing to comply with rules/adult requests

  • Deliberately annoying people

  • Blaming other for mistakes and misbehaviors

  • Easily annoyed by others

  • Angry and resentful

Treatment for ODD should include family therapy to assist parents in setting appropriate expectations, limits, incentives and consequences.  If you suspect your child has ODD, contact your child’s pediatrician or counselor for additional support and resources

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Thank you!  Have a great weekend.  

Bethany Pineault

Principal