The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

September 13, 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!

Dumpster Update:

We appreciate everyone's patience with having to look at and walk around the dumpsters at the pickup/drop off area.  We can all agree that the dumpsters are ugly and smelly.  The good news is that we've been told by the "powers that be" that the dumpsters will be moved back to their original location by the end of the day on Monday!   Again, thanks to all for your patience during this lengthy construction season! 

Buddy Exchange!

Check out the Buddy exchange happening in Miss Closter's class.  First and Fifth grade buddies spent some time drawing portraits and interviewing each other on Tuesday.

This get-to-know-you activity will lead to a connected writing piece.  Read more about it at Miss Closter's Blog.

Here is another Buddy update from Melanie and Ella in Ms. Pine's class:

"Mrs. Parker's 5th graders and Ms. Pine's third graders are buddies. On Tuesday we greeted each other and had snack together. Then we made leaf cards for the Soup Kitchen. We traced real leaves onto the cards and pushed crayon or colored pencil strokes away from the leaves. After the leaf cards, we came up with a list of words that described how we did, such as cooperation and teamwork. In October we'll do another project."

OPEN HOUSE 2013!

Members of the Union Elementary Ed Leadership Team have met to plan the UES Open House on September 26!  Look for details about Open House early next week.  It is our hope that we can make this event a fun and informative evening for the whole Montpelier community. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions! Please contact Mr. Hennessey at 225-8201 or chrish@mpsvt.org with your ideas or questions.

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

What has eighty-eight keys but can't open a door?

Thursday's Riddle:  What has a tail, a head, and no body?  (Thanks to Owen Lathrop in Miss Geier's class for this riddle!  Does anyone else have any riddles?  The Riddle Master needs help!)  (Answer:  a penny!) 

KID LINKS! Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website? When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5! Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins! (See below!)

The Kid Links page can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link. It's worth checking out!

Did You Know?

... that when you have your fingers aligned on a computer keyboard the right way, you're touching the keys A, S, D, F, J, K, L, and ; from left to right?  Check out these fun typing games on this Kid Link:

http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

September 12, 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!

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE!

Check out this update from Marlie and Sienna in Ms. Pine's class:  "Ms. Pine's 3rd grade class went to VCIL (Vermont Center for Independent Living) to pull weeds. It took three groups just to do one flower bed!   They are going to make raised beds and plant flowers in the spring. There were five groups, but it still took about an hour. We pulled weeds around the building and one group cut down some trees. They invited us in for a big snack. We learned that people with disabilities can do many things. We got pins and water bottles. It felt really good to help our community."

Well done, everybody!  Check out this space throughout the year to see what other classes are doing in the community!

Buddy Exchange!

Check out the Buddy exchange happening in Miss Closter's class.  First and Fifth grade buddies spent some time drawing portraits and interviewing each other on Tuesday.

This get-to-know-you activity will lead to a connected writing piece.  Read more about it at Miss Closter's Blog.

PICTURE DAY!

Picture Day is Thursday, September 26! Children will be coming home today with order forms for the pictures, and we ask that completed forms are returned to teachers no later than Wednesday, September 25. Thank you!

OPEN HOUSE 2013!

Members of the Union Elementary Ed Leadership Team will be meeting this week to plan the UES Open House on September 26! It is our hope that we can make this event a fun and informative evening for the whole Montpelier community. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions! Please contact Mr. Hennessey at 225-8201 or chrish@mpsvt.org with your ideas or questions.

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

What has a tail, a head, and no body?  (Thanks to Owen Lathrop in Miss Geier's class for this riddle!  Does anyone else have any riddles?  The Riddle Master needs help!)  

Wednesday's Riddle:  Mary’s father has 5 daughters – Nana, Nene, Nini, Nono. What is the fifth daughter's name?  (Answer:  If you answered Nunu, you're on the wrong track!  The fifth daughter is Mary!)

KID LINKS! Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website? When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5! Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins! (See below!)

The Kid Links page can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link. It's worth checking out!

Did You Know?

...that mosquitoes are known the world over for their itchy “bites," but they’re also known for spreading some of the world’s worst diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, and dengue!  Yuck!

Check out this Kid Link to learn more about mosquitoes:

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/mosquitoes/

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

September 11, 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!

BRAIN BREAKS!

All of us are wired to move and learn through moving our bodies.  One way to take care of ourselves is to schedule a "Brain Break" movement every day!  Here is one designed for our 3rd to 5th graders:

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE!

Check out this update from Marlie and Sienna in Ms. Pine's class:  "Ms. Pine's 3rd grade class went to VCIL (Vermont Center for Independent Living) to pull weeds. It took three groups just to do one flower bed!   They are going to make raised beds and plant flowers in the spring. There were five groups, but it still took about an hour. We pulled weeds around the building and one group cut down some trees. They invited us in for a big snack. We learned that people with disabilities can do many things. We got pins and water bottles. It felt really good to help our community."

Well done, everybody!  Check out this space throughout the year to see what other classes are doing in the community!

PICTURE DAY!

Picture Day is Thursday, September 26! Children will be coming home today with order forms for the pictures, and we ask that completed forms are returned to teachers no later than Wednesday, September 25. Thank you!

OPEN HOUSE 2013!

Members of the Union Elementary Ed Leadership Team will be meeting this week to plan the UES Open House on September 26! It is our hope that we can make this event a fun and informative evening for the whole Montpelier community. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions! Please contact Mr. Hennessey at 225-8201 or chrish@mpsvt.org with your ideas or questions.

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

Mary’s father has 5 daughters – Nana, Nene, Nini, Nono. What is the fifth daughter's name?

Tuesday's Riddle:  What has to be broken before you can use it?  (Answer:  an egg!)

KID LINKS! Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website? When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5! Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins! (See below!)

The Kid Links page can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link. It's worth checking out!

Did You Know?

... that Washington, D.C. wasn't always the capital of the United States?  To learn more, go to this Kid Link:

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/index.php

The Union Elementary WISE OWL, September 10, 2013

The Union Elementary WISE OWL September 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! PICTURE DAY! Picture Day is Thursday, September 26!  Children will be coming home today with order forms for the pictures, and we ask that completed forms are returned to teachers no later than Wednesday, September 25.  Thank you! OPEN HOUSE 2013! Members of the Union Elementary Ed Leadership Team will be meeting this week to plan the UES Open House on September 26!  It is our hope that we can make this event a fun and informative evening for the whole Montpelier community.  We welcome your thoughts and suggestions!  Please contact Mr. Hennessey at 225-8201 or chrish@mpsvt.org with your ideas or questions.  RIDDLE OF THE DAY What has to be broken before you can use it? Monday's riddle:  How many months have 28 days?  (Answer:  Every month has 28 days!) KID LINKS!  Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website?  When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5!  Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins!  (See below!) The Kid Links page can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link.  It's worth checking out! Important Date!  On Thursday, September 26, UES will have our first Open House.  We will have more details about Open House this week, so please stay tuned.  We will also have our Picture Day on the same day.  Order forms for Picture Day will be sent home with students in the next few days. Did You Know? ...that "broccoli" and "absence" are Frequently Misspelled Words?  To see the whole list, go to: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0781709.html ... is yet another fun and informative site you can find on Kid Links on the UES website!

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

September 6, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

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

WELCOME TO THE UES KINDERGARTEN

CLASS OF 2013-14!

(AND MHS CLASS OF 2026!  WOW!)

RIDDLE OF THE DAY

We see it once in a year, twice in a week, and never in a day. What is it?

Thursday's riddle:  How do you make the number one disappear?  (Answer:  Add the letter "G", and it's GONE!)

KID LINKS!  Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website?  When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5!  Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins!  (See below!)

The Kid Links page can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link.  It's worth checking out!

Important Date! 

On Thursday, September 26, UES will have our first Open House.  We will have more details about Open House next week, so please stay tuned.  We will also have our Picture Day on the same day.  Order forms for Picture Day will be sent home with students by the end of the week.

Playground Donations Needed!

Do you have any outdoor toys for children ages 5 to 7 that are in clean, good condition?  If so, please contact Mrs. Giffin.  We could use some more toys for the children to play with on our smaller playground.

Did You Know?...

... that poems could be funny?

Check out "My Mother Said To Do My Chores":

My mother said to do my chores,
to dust the shelves and mop the floors,
and wipe the walls and wind the clocks,
and scoop the kitty's litter box,
and walk the dog and feed the fishes,
and wash and and dry the dirty dishes,
and clean my room and take a bath,
and read a book and do my math,
and pick up all my Lego blocks,
and put away my shoes and socks,
and hang my shirts and fold my pants,
and water all the potted plants,
and organize my toys and games,
and straighten up the picture frames,
and polish all the silverware,
and brush my teeth and comb my hair,
and rake the leaves and mow the lawn,
and on and on and on and on.

She said I'll get to have some fun
as soon as all my chores are done.

With all the chores I have to do
until my mother says I'm through,
like study for an hour or two
the names of places in Peru,
and peel potatoes and stir the stew,
and fix a vase with crazy glue,
and practice tuba till I'm blue,
and scrub the tub and toilet too,
and sweep the chimney and the flue,
and wash the dog with pet shampoo,
and pick up piles of puppy poo...

It looks like I'll be ninety three
before I get to watch TV.

--Kenn Nesbitt

You can find this and many other funny poems at this Kid Link:

http://www.poetry4kids.com

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

September 5, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

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

WELCOME TO THE UES KINDERGARTEN

CLASS OF 2013-14!

(AND MHS CLASS OF 2026!  WOW!)

RIDDLE OF THE DAY!

How do you make the number one disappear?

Wednesday's Riddle:     What gets wet when drying?  (Answer:  a towel!)

KID LINKS!  Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website?  When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5!  Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins!  (See below!)

The Kid Link can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link.  It's worth checking out!

Important Date! 

On Thursday, September 26, UES will have our first Open House.  We will have more details about Open House next week, so please stay tuned.  We will also have our Picture Day on the same day.  Order forms for Picture Day will be sent home with students by the end of the week.

Playground Donations Needed!

Do you have any outdoor toys for children ages 5 to 7 that are in clean, good condition?  If so, please contact Mrs. Giffin.  We could use some more toys for the children to play with on our smaller playground.

Did You Know?...

Check out this great "KidLink" from Scholastic News Online!  You can learn a little bit about some very cute primates while doing some fun math!

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3758132

First Day of School Highlights

Our first day of school was a huge success!  Wasn't it great to be back and finally see your teachers and friends?

Here are some great pictures of the day taken by Mrs. Frey:

 Meet Mr. Hennessey!

Fifth graders Sadie and David joined new principal Mr. Hennessey and the faculty last Monday for this interview.  Sadie and David did a terrific job using technology to tell a story, and then helped edit the final product. Below is part five; come back in the next few days to see the blooper reel...(And if you missed parts one, two, three, or four, look below.)

The Union Elementary

WISE OWL

September 4, 2013

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

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

WELCOME TO THE UES KINDERGARTEN

CLASS OF 2013-14!

(AND MHS CLASS OF 2026!  WOW!)

RIDDLE OF THE DAY!

What gets wet when drying?

Tuesday's Riddle:  Throw away the outside and cook the inside, then eat the outside and throw away the inside. What is it?  (Answer:  Corn on the Cob!)

KID LINKS!  Have you checked out Kid Links on the UES website?  When you do, you'll see 48 links to educational resources and games for students in grades K to 5!  Build your math skills, write poetry, or find out more about pumpkins!  (See below!)

The Kid Link can be found in the upper left of our web page, right next to the Wise Owl link.  It's worth checking out!

Important Date! 

On Thursday, September 26, UES will have our first Open House.  We will have more details about Open House next week, so please stay tuned.  We will also have our Picture Day on the same day.  Order forms for Picture Day will be sent home with students by the end of the week. 

Playground Donations Needed!

Do you have any outdoor toys for children ages 5 to 7 that are in clean, good condition?  If so, please contact Mrs. Giffin.  We could use some more toys for the children to play with on our smaller playground.

Did You Know?...

Pumpkins are usually labelled as vegetables, but they have seeds and are technically a fruit.  How many pumpkins do you have growing in your garden?  Can you think of any other "vegetables" that may be a "fruit" because they have seeds?

First Day of School Highlights

Our first day of school was a huge success!  Wasn't it great to be back and finally see your teachers and friends?

Here are some great pictures of the day taken by Mrs. Frey:

 Meet Mr. Hennessey!

Fifth graders Sadie and David joined new principal Mr. Hennessey and the faculty last Monday for this interview.  Sadie and David did a terrific job using technology to tell a story, and then helped edit the final product. Below is part four; come back tomorrow to see the final section!  (And if you missed parts one, two, or three, look below.)