Middleton Monthly Dec

The Middleton Monthly
December 2014
Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
Visit us on the web
www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/me/
Contact Information
Sara Palodichuk, Principal,
651-768-4903
[email protected]
Jenna Downs, Asst Principal,
651-768-4908
[email protected]
Tara Dahlager/Erica Reina
Social Worker 651-768-4924
Judy Laabs Foss, Psychologist
651-768-4904
DeDe Whipple, Office Coord.
Jennifer Gullickson,
Office Support
Main Office-651-768-4900
Fax 651-768-4915
Janelle Shopbell, Health Asst.
651-768-4902
Attendance Line
651-768-4906
Kerri Hanson, Kitchen Manager
651-768-4910
Justy Veenbaas, Cashier
651-768-4909
Where has the time gone… it is hard to believe that the first Trimester of school has
come to a close. The students have worked extremely hard and have accomplished so many
wonderful things. None of it would be possible without the dedicated staff and families that
make up the Middleton Community. As always, encourage your child to read every day after
school, work on mastering basic math skills and keep up with their homework. Your efforts in
establishing homework routines and communicating the importance of positive study habits,
plus the love of learning, are greatly appreciated by our staff. December is a busy month and the
next three weeks will go by quickly. Report cards will be coming home in backpacks the end of
next week. If you have any questions about grades or other comments, please do not hesitate to
contact your child’s teacher.
The Middleton staff has been reminding students that only items, which help their learning,
should be brought to school. For safety reasons, valuable items such as iPods, MP3 players,
Kindles, Gameboys, cell phones, and other electronic devises should remain at home. The only
exception would be if a teacher wishes to have a student bring such items to school, then
parents would be informed in writing. Also, toys and trading cards are a distraction to the
learning environment; please keep toys at home, thank you for your help and support.
Spending time in classrooms is so rewarding and fun to see students engaged in high levels of
learning. On December 1st, District 833 teachers will be engaging in professional learning
focusing on the Common Core Literacy State Standards. Teachers will continue developing a
deeper understanding of Close Reading, Academic Vocabulary, Text Depend Questioning and
Informational Text. The teachers at Middleton will transfer this learning into their classrooms to
enhance their teaching practices and students’ academic progress. One way we do this is by
setting clear learning targets daily in reading and math. These targets are shared with students in
an “I can” statement. For example, I can add 2 digit numbers, I can tell time to the hour, I can
solve math story problems, I can retell a story using the 5 finger retell, I can use a graphic
organizer to compare and contrast information in a story, etc… This helps support students in
what is expected of them as a learner. Be sure to ask your child about their learning targets in
reading and math and how they are working hard to achieve their targets.
With the snowfall and the cold weather already upon us and more to come our way, be sure to
review with your children the plan in case of an early dismissal. Each family should have
completed an Emergency School Closing form in the opening weeks of school to inform the
school of your plans. In the event that school closes early and a student is unsure of where to go,
we will certainly keep him/her at school until we are able to get in touch with a parent/guardian.
This year we will use Blackboard Connect, our automotive calling system, to alert families of
any changes as well as an email message.
The Holidays are a great time to reconnect with family and friends, reflect on the past year and
celebrate together. Take time to relax and enjoy the holiday season. Safe travels to all that need
to leave Woodbury to visit family and friends this holiday season.
Warmest regards,
Sara Palodichuk
The Middleton Monthly
Page 2
Important Upcoming Dates
November
December
December
December
December
December
December
December
December
27th-28th - Thanksgiving Holiday– No School
1st - Teacher Workshop Day - No School
2nd - Wendy’s Night 5:00—7:00 PM
8th - Band Concert at 7:00 PM
12th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to History Center 9-2
1st Grade Craft Day 9-11
17th - Art Club after school
18th - Kindergarten Holiday Program in Commons
9:15-Patnode, Moeller, Kajer (Hjelmeland)
10:15-Nathe, Hins, Esboldt
4th & 5th Grade Field trip to Funzone 8:40-11:25
19th - Winter Wonderland in Physical Education
22nd - No School - Winter Break Begins
Mrs. March's class helped our Middleton Adopt a Family program
leader Liz Brown with creating Thanksgiving meals to our
Middleton Families in need. Thrivent Financial awarded our
classroom a $250 grant to purchase complete holiday meals,
decorations and even roaster pans. The students supplemented
non-perishable food to make our baskets complete. What a way to
end our month of gratitude and appreciation.
December 2014
Page 3
Reminder from the health office:
With the holidays approaching soon and the celebrations begin, I want to
remind everyone when sending gifts or snacks that you take into
consideration those individuals who have allergies to peanuts or nuts or any other food items. This also
includes birthday treats. The most severe allergic response is called ANAPHYLAXIS. It can produce
shock and can be life threatening and can occur very rapidly. Almost any allergen can cause the
response, including insect venoms, pollens, latex, certain foods and drugs. The one that is most
prevalent in the school setting is the PEANUT ALLERGY. Please check with your child’s classroom
teacher if you are uncertain if there are any students with food allergies before sending any items in.
Please check the ingredients. For example, some brands of lemon drops or lollipops are packaged in a
facility that also package products containing peanuts and other nuts. Some of the peanut residue may
contaminate the lemon drops (or other candy) and pose a threat to those with peanut allergies.
If you have any questions or want a list of peanut free snacks please contact the Middleton
Health Office. Thank you! Be Safe and Be Healthy!
Janelle Shopbell
Middleton Health Specialist
651/768-4902
Attendance Line
Please be sure to call the attendance line 651-768-4906 to let us know if your child is going to be
absent from school for any reason. Health staff will routinely monitor student absences. District policy
identifies
excessive absences as:
3 or more consecutive days
4 or more days in a month
10 or more days in a school year
As the year progresses, the absences for illness can start to add up. The designated attendance staff
within the building will determine whether the student meets the criteria for excessive absence. If so,
a letter is sent home to the parent/guardian regarding the absenteeism. At times you may be required
to provide doctor notes for the absence to be excused. In the past we have been successful in working
closely with parents to solve attendance issues. This is a concern that requires good communication
between home and school. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 651-768-4920.
Sharon Holtquist RN/LSN
The Middleton Monthly
Page 4
PSYCHOLOGIST CORNER
Coping With Holiday Stress
Can you feel the excitement in the air, especially after this last snowfall!!!? We are
definitely in the Holiday Season? In the next few weeks most families will be
spending time with their relatives and friends. Cultural traditions will dictate how
that is done in each family. So how can we reduce the holiday stress and
strengthen our family relationships?
· Let kids be kids - Kids need to expend energy, especially during an exciting
holiday season. I would suggest that you give kids plenty of time to be themselves
so they are more likely to show their best behavior when you need them to.
·
Don’t plan to do more in a day than time and energy will allow. Take control of
your time - The holiday season is a busy time of year. Make time to unwind and
take care of yourself. Don't feel guilty about saying no to commitments that aren't
important to you and your family.
· Find new and creative ways to enjoy the holidays. Keep it simple; retain the best
of old traditions while you build new family memories.
·
Stay within your budget - Don't overspend when giving gifts. The holidays and
the New Year will be a lot happier without unnecessary financial stress. Give the
gift of caring for others without expecting something in return. Teach the kids
what being thankful means to your family.
·
Don't do everything yourself - Involve kids in the decorating and shopping as
they share in the responsibility. Ask for help from family and friends with
babysitting and meals. Spend time and energy on what is important to you and
your family.
· I would also suggest to keep routines and family structure as normal as possible
so not to over stimulate children. Plan down time to just sit and relax as a family.
·
Be open with kids about difficult family situations - No family is perfect. Talk
openly with kids about divorce, loss, and separation to reduce these emotional
burdens during the holidays.
· My last suggestion is to take time to enjoy your children ~ trust me they do grow
up!
Happy Holidays ~ see you in the New Year!
Judy Laabs-Foss,
Licensed School Psychologist
December 2014
Page 5
Middleton Elementary Physical Education
The students participated in activities such as volleyball, jump rope and cup
stacking and then finished with some Holiday games before the long four day
break. One of the activities some of the students enjoyed was the Dominance
Factor Balloon challenge. According to Dr. Carla Hannaford, each person has a
dominant side of the brain, a dominant hand, a dominant eye, a dominant ear
and a dominant foot. When forced to use the non dominant side, the brain is
forced to concentrate harder to accomplish the same task. This exercising of
the brain cause better and longer thinking. Students were challenged to volley
a balloon in the air with their non dominant hand, standing on their
non dominant foot with one eye closed. You can take the dominant challenge
at home. Try brushing your teeth or eating while using the fork with your non
dominant hand. December is almost here and it will go by fast with only three
weeks of school.
The PE Guys
The Middleton Monthly
Page 6
Middleton Elementary Art with Mrs. Jackson
Mrs. Jackson- 4th Grade Art
The fourth graders have finished creating their posters, so now they are going to be learn about watercolor
techniques. The will learn five techniques: wet-on-wet, dry brushing, wet lifting (blotting), dry lifting, and
the salt technique.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this years Adopt-a-Family Food Drive. It
was a HUGE success! Together we were able to share Thanksgiving with several special
Middleton families. We couldn't have done it without you!!
What's coming up? It's our Gift Wrapping Extravaganza!! Please mark your calendars
for Tuesday, December 16th at 1:30 in the commons. We'll work until we're gifts are
wrapped, so please bring your holiday spirit and a smile! We can't wait to see you!!
December 2014
Page 7
Middleton Elementary Art with Mr. McNamee
News from the Art Room
November was a strange month. It snowed right away and the building seemed to
instantly go into, “Holiday Mode.” It was super cold outside and very, very energetic
inside. We did our best to put that energy to good use and be productive. We will
continue that effort in December.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:
Kindergarten
We looked at Paul Gauguin’s, “3 Puppies,” and drew some puppies of
our own. Students even got to see a photo of my new puppy, SULLY. We
also have been working hard on that Giant Jam Sandwich.
Up Next = A Snowy Day
1st Grade
We are still working hard on our pop-up cities.
Pictured is one in Progress.
Up Next = Mini-Mondrians
The Middleton Monthly
Page 8
Middleton Elementary Art with Mr. McNamee
2nd Grade
The Lakota Winter Count Calendars are finished.
We also made a picture of a tree in a snowstorm.
Up Next: Charles Biederman Paper Sculptures
3rd Grade
Our Wild Thing pictures turned out amazing. Look for them in the
hallways soon.
We also started a printmaking project.
Up Next= We will finish printmaking
and then create an underwater scene.
Page 9
December 2014
Middleton Elementary Art with Mr. McNamee
5th Grade
It feels like we’ve been working on our perspective drawings forever!
Now that they are wrapped up, it will be nice to move on to other things.
Up Next= A Winter Landscape / Farm Scene and Grid Cartoons
(Yes, that is a kid with his tongue stuck to his flagpole…and yes, that is a leg lamp.)
Happy Holidays!
Paul McNamee
Art Specialist
Middleton Elementary
Page 10
The Middleton Monthly
From the Classroom
Did you know that your kiddo(s) can code?! Well, they can, and it's crazy cool. Bay Shock,
our media specialist, has been teaching Middleton students to code during some of their media
time. (Kindergartners are starting slow, as they are still learning to handle the mouse, but they
will be doing it too!) Coding, also known as computer programming, is the process of creating
a sequence of instructions to enable the computer to do something. Mr. Shock says that all
students will spend a portion of each month on coding lessons. Several teachers are creating
opportunities for students in their classrooms as well. Mr. Shock, and the staff I spoke with, say
that the level of engagement and enthusiasm for coding is staggering. These lessons teach our
students problem solving, critical thinking, and are preparing them for the work world that their
generation will experience. Middleton truly is a leader in the use of technology with our
students.
If you are interested in taking a peek at home, check out these websites & apps:
http://code.org/ - try the Hour of Code activities on your own! (all grades)
*Staff asks that you steer clear of the "Elementary Courses" as they use those in class.
http://scratch.mit.edu/ (grades 4 and up)
Apps:
Kodable (K-3)
LightBot (K-5)
Hopscotch
CargoBot (grades 5 and up)
Page 11
December 2014
Faces of Middleton
Tara Dahlager (aka Mrs. D) has been Middleton's School Social
Worker for the past 21 years. She provides social and emotional
support for students struggling with a variety of situations, such as
peer conflicts, self-esteem/confidence issues, or social acceptance. She also helps students navigate feelings of sadness,
frustration, anxiety, anger, etc. Tara provides this support through
short term counseling, crisis counseling, skill building groups, and
in-classroom social/emotional learning opportunities. She also
works with teachers to build their toolboxes so that they can help
their students be socially/emotionally successful in the classroom,
thus meeting their highest potential for academic success.
Tara has two daughters who attend Lake Middle School and a husband who teaches 5th grade
at Royal Oaks. Her cat, Hope, is named after her favorite motto..."Live in Hope, not in
Fear." When she's not at Middleton, Tara is enjoying the warmth of the fireplace in the winter
and her sunroom in the summer. She loves to read, watch "Full House" with her family, and
scour Pinterest with her daughters for home decor and fashion ideas. When asked if she'd
rather spend a weekend snowmobiling or sledding, Tara chose sledding, saying that after a few
runs, she'd head in to make everyone hot chocolate. She was also asked if she would rather eat
a fruitcake or 10 candy canes every day in December. Her choice was candy canes, that is, if
she could melt some of them in her hot chocolate. (I'm seeing a trend here! :)
Erin Tande is in her 11th year at Middleton. She is our school's
DCD (Developmental Cognitive Disabilities) teacher. Her
program supports students in the mainstream classroom, as well as
teaches students academic and functional skills. Erin has 3
children. Elijah attends Lake Middle School, and Mattea & Kiya
are Middleton students. When she is not at Middleton, she says
you'd find her at the soccer fields or basketball courts.
We asked Erin whether she would rather be trapped inside
Middleton during Spring Break or Winter Break. She chose
Winter Break for sure, as she would have full access to the
sledding hill anytime with a bathroom close by. After this answer,
it was not surprising that when given the choice of sledding or
building a 10 foot snowman, she chose sledding! With all of that
sledding, I thought Erin would choose free Starbucks for a year
over free iTunes for a year, but I was wrong!

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