Kreft Family Newsletter - March 12, 2010
March 13, 2010
Principal's News - Mrs. Barbara Grell
Family Activity Night
Thank you to all the families who attended Family Activity Night and the PTA sponsored Scholastic Book Fair last night. The classroom activities were fun and the pizza was tasty. We appreciate the PTA hosting the Book Fair. The money raised goes to help purchase books for our Kreft students.
Change for Haiti
During the month of March Kreft students are bringing their change to school to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. This American Red Cross sponsored project was organized by kindergarten teacher Alison Toman. The money collected will assist in purchasing food, water, and first aid supplies for the Haitian people. On March 4, Michelle Bose from the American Red Cross talked with the kindergarten and first grade students about the devastating Haiti earthquake and its impact. This project connects with the kindergarten weather unit and the building lifeskill of caring. One penny at a time our Kreft students are making a difference for others. Last week our students raised $244.47. Continue sending your spare change to school with your children throughout the month of March.
Reminder
With Preschool Child Fair and Kindergarten Registration happening the next two months, we will not have preschool on March 25 & 26 and no kindergarten/multiage classes on April 22 & 23.
Enjoy your weekend.
Mrs. Grell
Upcoming Events
Mar. 17 Early Dismissal for Professional Learning
Mar. 18 NO PRESCHOOL
Mar. 25 Preschool Child Fair - NO PRESCHOOL
Mar. 26 Preschool Child Fair - NO PRESCHOOL
Apr. 02 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Apr. 05 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Apr. 07 Early Dismissal for Professional Learning
Apr. 12 Elementary Conferences 4:00-8:00 pm
Apr. 15 Elementary Conferences 8:00 am-8:00 pm - NO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Apr. 16 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Comp Day
Lifeskill of the Week
Organization
To plan and keep things ready to use
Enrichment News - Kristi McMullen
Congratulations to Lewis Central's Destination Imagination (DI) teams who went to Carroll to compete in Iowa's Western Regional on Saturday, March 6th. Our Rising Stars (kindergarten through 2nd grade) team did a great job. This was the first time some of the members of the team had been in competition. Lewis Central's two elementary teams will be going to the state competition in Ames. In their divisions, Team Dinomite was 1st and DI Loud Crowd placed 2nd.
Kindergarten students have finished learning about Detective Thinking (analytical thinking). Detective thinking focuses on the following concepts:
- There is only one right answer
- Students may need to put together many pieces of information in order to find the right answer
- Students may feel like saying "I have it!" when they find the answer
- Students may not see the answer right away but keep looking at the clues
- Patience is important so they don't jump to wrong conclusions
Students have practiced their detective thinking by playing a "Mystery Animal/Person" card game. Students have a set of 8 different animal cards and as clues are read, students put down the cards that don't fit the clue. By the end of the clues, only 1 card was left-the mystery animal. The same thing was done using 8 different people cards. Students will begin Visual/Spatial Thinking this month.
First Grade students have finished learning about Inventor Thinking (Divergent Thinking). Inventor thinking focuses on the following concepts:
- In divergent thinking, there are many correct responses
- It is important to be able to see ordinary things in new and unusual ways
- Unusual and wacky ideas are to be encouraged
- It is OK (and should be encouraged) to piggyback ideas
Students have put their inventor thinking to use by inventing a new way to get across a pond. Students were given drawings of "spare parts" to use to make/draw their invention. Another inventive thinking practice teachers may give their students is to invent a way to get acorns off the ground and up to Isabel's (a squirrel) hole in the top of the tree. Scientist Thinking (convergent/analytical thinking) will be the next set of lessons for the 1st grade classes.
Nurse News - Deb Blodgett
Childhood Obesity, It's a Health Thing!
March has been designated as National Nutrition Month by the American Diabetic Association. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 16 percent, or 9 million children between 6-19 years of age, are classified as obese. This number has tripled since the 1980's. What do we contribute this growing epidemic to? Gone are the days when children played games outside with their friends. These days have been replaced with sedentary computer games and video technology. This lack of activity is usually accompanied by the consumption of high caloric foods and beverages which in turn, lead to weight gain.
More children are being diagnosed annually with "adult" conditions such as: sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Nearly half of these children will carry the burden of their weight into adulthood. Physical activity can be a great way to spend time with your children. Get them to the park or playground for a game of ball or tag. Take a walk. Go swimming. Being active together in small ways will help them embrace the idea of making good choices for their health and you benefit as well!
Preschool Child Fair
The preschool Child Fair will be held on March 25 & 26 from 8:30-3:00 for children three and four years of age. This developmental screening is at no cost and will give information on how your child is playing, moving, thinking and talking at his/her age leve. Screenings include vision, hearing, dental, speech-language, overall development and growth assessments. Parents will need to accompany their child through the various stations and complete the preschool application forms. Those interested in the preschool program should call the Kreft office at 366-8292 or 366-8367 between the hours of 9:30 am and 2:00 pm to schedule an appointment.
Kindergarten Registration
April 22 & 23, 2010
If your child will be five on or before September 15, he/she will be eligible for kindergarten in the fall of 2010. We are asking that you call and pre-register your child at 366-8292 or 366-8367, or stop by the school at 3206 Renner Drive, between the hours of 9:30 am and 2:00 pm to register. If you know of neighbors, family or friends in the Lewis Central District with children kindergarten age this fall, please have them call the Kreft office. Thank you for y our help.
