Wise Owl: December 9, 2013

December 9, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES! If you'd like to have the Wise Owl sent to you, please send your email address to chrish@mpsvt.org. I'll be updating the Owl at least once a week with both news and celebrations, and I'd love to be able to send it directly to you if that's what you'd like.

4th-5th GRADE CONCERT!  Those of you who attended last Thursday evening's concert were treated to some wonderful performances by our students!  Special congratulations are due to the 4th grade band who were performing publicly for the first time.  I'd also like to give credit to Mrs. Goldblatt and her colleagues in the MPS music department for their commitment to the performing arts for all of our children.  Student participation in music at UES is as high as it's been in many years, and the kids' enthusiasm was a beautiful thing to watch.  Check out these photos:

This doesn't look like "pre-show jitters"!:

The Performance:

                     

                     

Post performance Celebrations!:





NEW SECURITY SYSTEM AT UES!  The first week of the new security system at Union has been a huge success!  I'd like to thank those of you who have contacted me by email, phone, and in person to thank me and the faculty for taking these measures to keep our children safe.  It's clear to me that the Montpelier community fully understands the need for these changes.  For those of you who are learning about this for the first time, here are the basics:

Exterior doors will now be locked at all times before, during, and after school.  Guests visiting UES will now enter the building through the main, front entrance using a video/buzzer system linked to the front office.  Upon entry, guests (parents, contractors, etc.) will sign in at the front office and be given a guest ID pass.  From December 2 on, all faculty, staff, and guests must have an ID or guest pass visible at all times while in the building.  If you don't have an ID and are in the building, an adult (or maybe even a student!) will ask you to return to the office to get one.

We fully recognize that this is an entirely new way of allowing access to our school for the community, but we hope that you can all understand that these changes need to happen.  As we all get used to this new system in the coming weeks, we welcome your questions, suggestions, and feedback.  Please let us know what you think!

SCHOOL EXPERIENCE SURVEY:  In an effort to get more feedback from UES families, we've put out a School Experience Survey on our website.  The survey will only take a few moments to fill out, so please look at it when you have a chance.   We really want to know how you think we're doing!

You can click here to take the survey right now!

8:00 START TIME:  With the cold weather and new security system going into effect after Thanksgiving, we think it's a good time to remind the community that Union Elementary does not open its doors until 8:00.  As of December 2, the doors to the school will be locked and staff will not be available until that hour, so it's very important to make sure your child isn't dropped off before that time. Adult supervision inside and out will begin at 8:00 in the cafeteria for those who want breakfast, the playground, and "Quiet Start" in the library (which is limited to the first 40 students who choose to go to the library).  The bell rings at 8:20 for the official start to the day. The half hour between 7:30 and 8:00 is always busy for our faculty and staff preparing the day and participating in meetings, so we really appreciate all of your cooperation with this!  Please let me know if you have any questions.


RIDDLE OF THE DAY:

What do you call a pig who plays basketball?

Last week's riddle:  Why did the math student do her multiplication problems on the floor?  (Answer:  The teacher told her not to use tables!)

November 25, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES! If you'd like to have the Wise Owl sent to you, please send your email address to chrish@mpsvt.org. I'll be updating the Owl at least once a week with both news and celebrations, and I'd love to be able to send it directly to you if that's what you'd like.

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM AT UES!  Beginning on the morning of Monday, December 2, the UES community will enter a new era of security and safety as we continue to do our best to keep our children and staff safe.  Faculty and staff will be issued photo ID cards today, and these cards will each have a chip embedded in them allowing entry into the building. Keys will no longer be necessary.

Exterior doors will now be locked at all times before, during, and after school.  Guests visiting UES will now enter the building through the main, front entrance using a video/buzzer system linked to the front office.  Upon entry, guests (parents, contractors, etc.) will sign in at the front office and be given a guest ID pass.  From December 2 on, all faculty, staff, and guests must have an ID or guest pass visible at all times while in the building.  If you don't have an ID and are in the building, an adult (or maybe even a student!) will ask you to return to the office to get one.

We fully recognize that this is an entirely new way of allowing access to our school for the community, but we hope that you can all understand that these changes need to happen.  As we all get used to this new system in the coming weeks, we welcome your questions, suggestions, and feedback.  Please let us know what you think!

SCHOOL EXPERIENCE SURVEY:  In an effort to get more feedback from UES families, we've put out a School Experience Survey on our website.  The survey will only take a few moments to fill out, so please look at it when you have a chance.   We really want to know how you think we're doing!

You can click here to take the survey right now!

NOVEMBER ASSEMBLIES:  RESPONSIBILITY!  If you happened to stop by our assemblies before or after your Thanksgiving lunch last week, you got to see quite a show!  Ms. Kelley's class had the task of putting together a show with the theme of Responsibility, and did they ever come through!  The students presented a well rehearsed and planned out show that was both informational and entertaining.  Outstanding job!

Mrs. Beaupre's class anxiously awaits the show!

Mae and Destiney:  MCs extraordinaire!

The Flash Mob!

8:00 START TIME:  With the cold weather and new security system going into effect after Thanksgiving, we think it's a good time to remind the community that Union Elementary does not open its doors until 8:00.  As of December 2, the doors to the school will be locked and staff will not be available until that hour, so it's very important to make sure your child isn't dropped off before that time. Adult supervision inside and out will begin at 8:00 in the cafeteria for those who want breakfast, the playground, and "Quiet Start" in the library (which is limited to the first 40 students who choose to go to the library).  The bell rings at 8:20 for the official start to the day. The half hour between 7:30 and 8:00 is always busy for our faculty and staff preparing the day and participating in meetings, so we really appreciate all of your cooperation with this!  Please let me know if you have any questions.

"LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL"!  Congratulations to Diadel Ortiz and the Community Connections staff for putting on a successful event last Friday night at UES!  The kids showed off their work and talents while the adults learned about and celebrated the many accomplishments of our Community Connections after school program.

RIDDLE OF THE DAY:

Why did the math student do her multiplication problems on the floor?


Last week's riddle:  Which side of a turkey has the most feathers?  (Answer:  the outside!)  

Wise Owl: October 29

October 29, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

CAVE ART AT UNION!  What a beautiful project Ms. Kane and her students have shared with all of us!  Take a look at Ms. Dostie and her students learning about Cave Art in the "Kindercave" the other day, and feel free to take a tour yourself the next time you stop by...

THE GENEROSITY OF THE MONTPELIER ROTARY:  Ed Rousse and Bill Miles of the Montpelier Rotary stopped by Union yesterday to deliver dictionaries and atlases to classes. Each 3rd grade student received a brand new dictionary, and each 5th grader is the proud owner of a new atlas!  All of the students had an opportunity to learn about the charitable works and good deeds of the Rotary around the world for the last sixty years.  Thanks to Bill and Ed for their generosity!

Mr. Rousse talks about the potential to learn 37,000 new words with Mrs. Beaupre's class

COLD WEATHER COMING!  

As we approach colder temperatures we are collecting gently used items for families and children.  We would appreciate any donations of winter gear in both children and adult sizes (jackets, snowpants, boots, hats, and gloves/mittens).  We could also use a few blankets to help out in the colder months.  

With colder temperatures also comes the very busy holiday season.  Our community has been struggling alongside the rest of our country during these hard economic times.  If your family, or another family you know of, could use some holiday assistance (regardless of what holiday is observed) please contact our School Social Worker, Erica Farnham at 225-8232 to get connected to services in place this time of year.  


HALLOWEEN AT UNION ELEMENTARY:   The faculty, staff, and I made a difficult decision last week:  we've decided that Halloween cannot be celebrated at school on October 31.  As much fun as it would be to celebrate with costumes and parties, we believe that such revelry would be simply too disruptive to the learning environment for an entire day.  Please help us maintain a healthy learning environment the following days as well; we ask that all candy remain at home.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or stop by.  

RIDDLE OF THE DAY:

Why is a cemetery a great place to write a story?

Friday's riddle:  How do you fix a Jack O' Lantern?  (Answer:  with a pumpkin patch!)


DID YOU KNOW?  ...that the last time the Boston Red Sox had a World Series Game 6 in Boston was in 1975?  I had just turned ten years old and was in the 5th grade, and my parents let me stay up late to watch New England's Carlton Fisk hit a game winning home run off the left field foul pole.  Here he is, "pushing" the ball fair:

  

Wise Owl: October 25

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

October 25, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

THE GENEROSITY OF THE MONTPELIER ROTARY:  Ed Rousse and Bill Miles of the Montpelier Rotary stopped by Union yesterday to deliver dictionaries and atlases to classes. Each 3rd grade student received a brand new dictionary, and each 5th grader is the proud owner of a new atlas!  All of the students had an opportunity to learn about the charitable works and good deeds of the Rotary around the world for the last sixty years.  Thanks to Bill and Ed for their generosity!

Mr. Rousse talks about the potential to learn 37,000 new words with Mrs. Beaupre's class

Mr. Rousse and Mr. Miles talk about the work of the Rotary while Ms. Kelley's students check out their new atlases

 ANTI-BULLYING ASSEMBLIES  Union Elementary gathered all students yesterday for an entertaining and informative assembly focusing on being Assertive to prevent bullying in our school.  Our K-2 students met in the big gym, and our 3-5 students met in the auditorium, and they all did a beautiful job!  Here are the oaths that we pledged together:

K-2 Oath

• I promise to help put a stop to bullying behaviors by treating people kindly, including everyone when I play, and asking a grown-up for help if I see bullying behaviors at UES. Together we can help to prevent bullying behaviors!

3-5 Oath

• I promise to help put a stop to bullying behaviors by treating others kindly, by expressing my feelings without hurting people’s bodies or feelings, by including my classmates in games that I play, and by letting an adult know if I see bullying behaviors at UES. Together we can help to prevent bullying behaviors!

Here is a link for the song the K-2 students sang together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Uy7d4b-HY

COLD WEATHER COMING!  

As we approach colder temperatures we are collecting gently used items for families and children.  We would appreciate any donations of winter gear in both children and adult sizes (jackets, snowpants, boots, hats, and gloves/mittens).  We could also use a few blankets to help out in the colder months.  

With colder temperatures also comes the very busy holiday season.  Our community has been struggling alongside the rest of our country during these hard economic times.  If your family, or another family you know of, could use some holiday assistance (regardless of what holiday is observed) please contact our School Social Worker, Erica Farnham at 225-8232 to get connected to services in place this time of year.  


HALLOWEEN AT UNION ELEMENTARY:   The faculty, staff, and I made a difficult decision last week:  we've decided that Halloween cannot be celebrated at school on October 31.  As much fun as it would be to celebrate with costumes and parties, we believe that such revelry would be simply too disruptive to the learning environment for an entire day.  Please help us maintain a healthy learning environment the following days as well; we ask that all candy remain at home.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or stop by.  

RIDDLE OF THE DAY:

How do you fix a Jack O' Lantern?

Thursday's riddle:  What do you get when dinosaurs crash their cars?  (Answer:  a Tyrannosaurus Wrecks!)

DID YOU KNOW?  ...that you can make a skeleton by simply gluing dried pasta to dark paper?  Check out this project along with some other fun crafts at the Enchanted Learning KidLink:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/halloween/

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

October 24, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

ANTI-BULLYING ASSEMBLIES  Union Elementary gathered all students yesterday for an entertaining and informative assembly focusing on being Assertive to prevent bullying in our school.  Our K-2 students met in the big gym, and our 3-5 students met in the auditorium, and they all did a beautiful job!  Here are the oaths that we pledged together:


K-2 Oath

• I promise to help put a stop to bullying behaviors by treating people kindly, including everyone when I play, and asking a grown-up for help if I see bullying behaviors at UES. Together we can help to prevent bullying behaviors!

3-5 Oath

• I promise to help put a stop to bullying behaviors by treating others kindly, by expressing my feelings without hurting people’s bodies or feelings, by including my classmates in games that I play, and by letting an adult know if I see bullying behaviors at UES. Together we can help to prevent bullying behaviors!

Here is a link for the song the K-2 students sang together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Uy7d4b-HY

COLD WEATHER COMING!  

As we approach colder temperatures we are collecting gently used items for families and children.  We would appreciate any donations of winter gear in both children and adult sizes (jackets, snowpants, boots, hats, and gloves/mittens).  We could also use a few blankets to help out in the colder months.  

With colder temperatures also comes the very busy holiday season.  Our community has been struggling alongside the rest of our country during these hard economic times.  If your family, or another family you know of, could use some holiday assistance (regardless of what holiday is observed) please contact our School Social Worker, Erica Farnham at 225-8232 to get connected to services in place this time of year.  
HALLOWEEN AT UNION ELEMENTARY:   The faculty, staff, and I made a difficult decision last week:  we've decided that Halloween cannot be celebrated at school on October 31.  As much fun as it would be to celebrate with costumes and parties, we believe that such revelry would be simply too disruptive to the learning environment for an entire day.  Please help us maintain a healthy learning environment the following days as well; we ask that all candy remain at home.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or stop by.  

A BEAUTIFUL ART PROJECT!  Kudos to Ms. Kane and her art students for the beautiful mural outside the main office!  The panels depict the letters of the alphabet in American Sign Language in a visually striking and gorgeous way.  Hands are so difficult to draw, and our students did a terrific job.

 

RIDDLE OF THE DAY:

What do you get when dinosaurs crash their cars?

Tuesday's riddle:  What do you get if you cross a centipede and a parrot?  (Answer:  a walkie-talkie!)

DID YOU KNOW?  ...that female Black Widow spiders are shiny black, with a red hourglass mark on their abdomen?  Male Black Widows are not black, but brown or gray with tiny red spots.  To learn more about these fascinating and creepy creatures, check out this KidLink:

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/black-widows/

Wisse Owl: 10-22

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

October 22, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

HALLOWEEN AT UNION ELEMENTARY:   The faculty, staff, and I made a difficult decision last week:  we've decided that Halloween cannot be celebrated at school on October 31.  As much fun as it would be to celebrate with costumes and parties, we believe that such revelry would be simply too disruptive to the learning environment for an entire day.  Please help us maintain a healthy learning environment the following days as well; we ask that all candy remain at home.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or stop by.  

A BEAUTIFUL ART PROJECT!  Kudos to Ms. Kane and her art students for the beautiful mural outside the main office!  The panels depict the letters of the alphabet in American Sign Language in a visually striking and gorgeous way.  Hands are so difficult to draw, and our students did a terrific job.

 

INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK!  It was great to have Josiah and Pasquale join me last Friday morning walking to school!  Thanks to Bill Merrilees for coordinating this project, and I hope we can continue encouraging our students to walk to school!  Look on the Wise Owl for future "Walk to School Days" coming up!  

Mr. Hennessey with Paquale, Josiah, and some very cool 6th graders!

Bill compiling data from all the walkers.

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

What do you get if you cross a centipede and a parrot?

Monday's riddle:  What do you call bears with no ears?  (Answer:  a "B"!)

DID YOU KNOW?  ...that the U.S. government has reopened after being closed for over two weeks?  How could this happen, and why?  To learn more, check out this Kid Lind at Time for Kids:

http://www.timeforkids.com/news/back-business/115551

KEVIN LAMARQUE—REUTERS

A school group runs towards the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C for its reopening on October 17.

Wise Owl: October 21

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

October 21, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK!  It was great to have Josiah and Pasquale join me last Friday morning walking to school!  Thanks to Bill Merrilees for coordinating this project, and I hope we can continue encouraging our students to walk to school!  Look on the Wise Owl for future "Walk to School Days" coming up!  

Mr. Hennessey with Paquale, Josiah, and some very cool 6th graders!

Bill compiling data from all the walkers.

ECO DAY FUN!  Have you ever wondered what Union students do on their ECO days?  Take a look at the outstanding experiential learning experience Ms. Closter and Ms. Wrigley provided for their students last week on this video (you can also see it on Ms. Closter's blog):

https://docs.google.com/a/mpsvt.org/open?id=0BxgRAh5jIZxweG1Dc05GYXhueUk

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

What do you call bears with no ears?

Thursday's riddle:  What is even smarter than a talking bird?   (Answer:  a spelling bee!) 

DID YOU KNOW?  ...that the Boston Red Sox are in the World Series for the third time in ten seasons?  Before they finally won the championship in 2004, the Red Sox had only been to the World Series three times in fifty seven seasons!  Do you know what seasons these were and who they played?

Shane Victorino gets it done!

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

October 10, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES  Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, October 14 and 15.  There will be no school for students those days.  There will be more information on scheduling appointments for the conferences later in the  week.

INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK!  October 15-18 is International Walk and Bike to School Week!  Check out the UES website for details, and look for me, Mayor Hollar, and our PE teachers, Mr. Williams and Ms. Jennings, next week walking with our students to school!

GIANT PUMPKIN DAY!  Union Elementary will get a visit from a truly Giant Pumpkin on Wednesday, October 16!  All classes making special progress toward their PBIS goals (especially COOPERATION!) are welcome to come out to visit the giant pumpkin next Wednesday morning!  More details to follow.  Take a look at the pumpkin who stopped by last year:

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

How many seconds are there in a year?

Tuesday's riddle:  Two fathers and two sons go on a fishing trip. They each catch a fish and bring it home. Why do they only bring 3 home?  (Answer:  the trip consisted of a grandfather, a father, and a son!)

Did You Know? ... that yesterday would have been John Lennon's 73rd birthday?  What do you know about him and the Beatles' music?

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

October 8, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!

NECAPS START TODAY!  This fall’s NECAPs (New England Common Assessment Program) will be given the days of October 8, 9, and 10 with make-ups next week if necessary.  The schedule:

October 8: Reading Session 1 and 2: grades 3, 4, 5

October 9: Reading Session 3 and Math Session 1: grades 3, 4, 5

October 10: Math Session 2 and 3: grades 3, 4, 5

October 16: Writing Session 1: grade 5 -- make ups: all

October 17: Writing Session 2: grade 5 -- make ups: all

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES  Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, October 14 and 15.  There will be no school for students those days.  There will be more information on scheduling appointments for the conferences later in the  week.

"VOLUNTEERING" IN THE LIBRARY!  It was great to see Ksensia Benoit learning the ropes of checking out books for her classmates in the library the other day.  She did a great job!

INVASION OF THE INSECTS!  Union Elementary was subjected to a major infestation of insects on Friday!  As if on cue, the halls were suddenly crawling with...crawling bugs (OK, "insects").  The entire 1st Grade closed their wonderful Insect Unit with a butterfly, bee, ant, and grasshopper parade! 

Meanwhile back at the nest...

MATH PUZZLER!  Look for these puzzlers every day in the Owl!  How many can you solve?

You are on your way to visit your Grandma, who lives at the end of the valley. It's her birthday, and you want to give her the cakes you've made.

Between your house and her house, you have to cross 7 bridges, and as it goes in the land of make believe, there is a troll under every bridge! Each troll, quite rightly, insists that you pay a troll toll. Before you can cross their bridge, you have to give them half of the cakes you are carrying, but as they are kind trolls, they each give you back a single cake.

How many cakes do you have to leave home with to make sure that you arrive at Grandma's with exactly 2 cakes?

Friday's puzzler:  A woman has seven daughters, and each daughter has a brother. How many children does the woman have?  (Answer:  eight!  The seven girls all have the same brother!)

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

Two fathers and two sons go on a fishing trip. They each catch a fish and bring it home. Why do they only bring 3 home?

Why was six afraid of seven?  (Thanks to Luke in Ms. Pine's class for this riddle!)  (Answer:  because seven "ate" nine!)

Did You Know?  ...that there are some great writing prompts to be found at the the Kid Link Story Starters?  If you like to write creatively or simply want to get better at it, you can't beat this site!  Check it out at:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/

...that mother raccoons often carry their babies by the neck like cats carry their kittens?  To learn more about these omnivorous, nocturnal creatures (what do those words mean?), check out the Nature Works Kid Link at:

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/raccoon.htm