October 2014 Newsletter

The Principal’s Corner

Sharon Mason Principal

Rebecca Moore Assis tant Pr inc ipa l

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October dates to remember:

6th- 10th Book Fair 6th-10th Ballroom Dancing 8th Family Fun Night 16th 5th grade Eco Trekkers Field Trip 17th Schools Closed for Students 23rd Flumist 31st 3 hour early dismissal-End of 1st quarter

PICTURE DAY- NOVEMBER 5TH!

BCPSOne Trainings in DCE Computer Lab

October 7 at 9:00am

October 11 at 11:00am

October 23 at 9:00am

October 31 at 9:00am

Hello Deep Creek Families, We have been very busy at school this past month. Teachers and students have well-established routines and new learning is happening every day. Teachers will be using multiple sources to measure student progress this year and have already begun to gather data on each child. Students have participated in beginning of the year MAP assessments for reading and math. The data gathered by these assessments helps teachers to measure growth for individuals as the year progresses. Students in Grades 1 & 2 have completed DIBELS reading assessments to measure their foundational reading skills. Students in Grades 3-5 are participating in assessments that provide their independent reading levels. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s academic performance, please contact the homeroom teacher to schedule a conference. Continue to support your child by having him/her read each night and discuss what was read and practice basic math facts daily to improve accuracy. Best regards, Mrs. Mason

Technology Advancements

The Deep Creek Elementary Newsletter can be found on the school website each month, so that we may conserve paper

and copying.

If you wish to have a printed copy, please contact Ms. Healy, the Parent

Service Coordinator at 410-887-0110.

Deep Creek Elementary October 2014 Newsletter Page 2

Have you logged onto BCPSOne?

Deep Creek ES will be hosting training sessions

to assist parents with accessing and learning

about BCPSOne. Please RSVP for one of the

following dates by contacting Mrs. Faith Healy

at fhealy@bcps.org or 410-887-0110.

October 7 at 9:00am

October 11 at 11:00am

October 23 at 9:00am

October 31 at 9:00am

All sessions will take place in the computer lab.

Family Fun Night Wednesday, October 8 from 5:30-7:00

Family Fun Night is coming to Deep Creek Elementary on October 8th from 5:30-7:00pm! You and your child will be able to participate in several fun events all evening.

Mr. Aumen will be teaching you and your child fun activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and keep your child invigorated throughout the day.

Mr. Greer will help you and your child create an original piece of art.

Ms. Schuster will be showing you how you can have fun with music every day.

You will also be able to shop the book fair with your child in the library! Come have a relaxing and fun time with your child. Refreshments will also be available for purchase to

help support the Fifth Grade Ballroom Program.

Book Fair October 6-10, in the library

Shop with your child at

Family Fun Night, Oct. 8

Flyers/order forms were distributed to students on 10/2/14

Deep Creek Elementary October 2014 Newsletter Page 3

2n d Grade News

Happy Fall from second grade! It is hard to believe that we are almost a month into

the school year already! Routines have been established and we are well into our

curriculum in all subject areas!

Students went on their first field trip of the school year with 1st grade on Friday, September

19th to the Pumpkin Theatre where they saw the play Aladdin. We all really enjoyed the

play and had a lot of laughs! Students were able to connect what they have been

learning about story elements in reading (characters, setting, problem, events, and

solution) to Aladdin.

During this month, all classes had a special opportunity to visit the Starlab. This was an

interactive on-site planetarium where students learned about the sun, moon, and stars.

Ask your child something interesting that they learned there!

Homework is a very important part of your child’s success in school. We assign math,

spelling and reading homework Monday – Thursday. Math homework pages are a review

or extension of the skill learned that day in math.

Classroom and Grade Level Information Read here to find out updates and information about things happening in each grade

level and special area classes.

1st Grade First grade has been very busy learning this month! In language arts, we are learning how

to find key details in fictional texts, and how to map a story to find its characters, settings and

main events. We attended a live performance of Aladdin. Some of our favorite characters were

Princess Opal and the Sultan’s guards. We are reviewing vowel sounds, and learning short a and

short i. We have been working on decoding CVC words in both reading and writing.

In math we continue our quest to answer the question “How Many?” We are beginning to

use pictures and numbers to record our thinking when adding and subtracting.

Our students are earning lots of frog dollars for being respectful in the classroom, in the

hallway, and at recess. Great job!

A few reminders: please sign your child’s planner every night, and review the sight words

each night. Your child should be able to read those five words to the teacher by Friday.

Thanks!

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2nd Grade News continued…

Weekly reading homework sheets are one text with an activity for each night of the

week on the back of the paper. Spelling is a list of words that follow a rule we are

working on in phonics as well as a short list of sight words for that week. Directions for

spelling homework are included on their list each week and a reference sheet

explaining each activity is also glued inside the front cover of the journal. Please

continue to encourage your children to complete their homework nightly and to initial

their planner each night.

We are looking forward to more growth and learning in the upcoming months!

3rd Grade

The third grade students are well under way in the first unit of our Wonders text! We have been reading a variety of texts including narrative non-fiction, realistic fiction, fables, and biographies. Some skills we have been working on are identifying character traits, story elements, and distinguishing between key and minor events in a text. Remember to have your child read each night in order to increase their reading fluency! In Math, we have been working on place value, number patterns, and money. Fun ways to help your child at home would be to have them count your change in your purse/pockets or to have your child practice skip counting by 5, 10, or even 25! The days are starting to get a little cooler so please try to remember to have your child come to school with a light jacket for recess time!

4th Grade

In 4th grade, we are continuing to use Wonders and the students are really excited about the stories they are reading. We are working on many reading strategies and continuing to identify story elements. In math, we have finished Unit 1 and are well into Unit 2. We are adding and subtracting whole numbers and will be adding and subtracting decimals very soon. Please remember to complete the daily homework assignments and sign your student’s planner!

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Vocal Music Classes

In music, along with learning rhythms and playing them on different instruments this month, fifth grade is starting to practice their songs for the concert in December! Some tunes may be familiar,

such as “Jingle Bells”, but they’ll be singing it with a twist, in a fun jazzy way! Also each class is starting to learn parts of solfege, which helps us understand notes on a staff.

5th Grade Info The fifth graders are continuing to work in unit one of the Wonders text for reading instruction. We are reading biographies, autobiographies, non-fiction narratives, and realistic fiction. The theme for unit one remains to be “Meeting a Need”. The skills we are continuing to focus on are inferring, sequencing, author’s point of view, summarizing, and synthesizing. In writing, students are beginning to write their own autobiographical sketches based on an important event in their lives. Ask your student what they’re writing about

In math, students are working on multiplying whole numbers and decimals. It is always helpful to ask your student how they solve their problems, and discuss their thinking to promote mathematical reasoning.

In science we are finishing our “Weather” unit and preparing for the Eco Trekkers field trip on October 16th. This unit and field trip is all about the four different types of eco systems we’ve been studying.

In social studies many fifth grade students are studying the Thirteen Colonies and preparing to learn about the American Revolution.

Life in the Library The book fair will be here on October 6th-10th! Look for the book fair flyer that came home with your child. Your child will be shopping on the days they have library. Fifth grade will be shopping Monday morning, October 6th. Please also help your child keep track of their library books by reserving a space in your home just for their books.

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Mr. Greer’s Art Corner

Greetings students and parents, I hope everyone is off to a great school year. In Art, third grade artists have studied the flower paintings of famous American artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Third graders will also be the first artists to use clay this year, as they will be creating pinch pots, which they will also glaze.

First graders are creating flower vase collages inspired by the sunflower paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. Second graders are identifying the term “nocturnal,” and illustrating night owls.

Fourth graders are being introduced to the Sioux Native American tribe of South Dakota, and creating tipi sculptures reflecting the Sioux culture. Fifth graders are identifying their own family “Coat of Arms,” and how these designs are influenced by knights and castles from over a thousand years ago!

Physical

education

Reminder to parents of 5th grade students, the ballroom dancing program will begin October 6th and run throughout the entire week culminating in a final dance on the 10th. All parents and family members

are welcome to join Mr. Aumen and

Mrs. Henneman for the final dance

on Friday, October 10 from 9:45-

10:35. Come out and support your child and learn a new dance as well. This is the third straight year for the ballroom program at Deep Creek. Attention parents of 4th and 5th grade students, your child will be participating in the annual Fitnessgram testing during the final three weeks of October. Mr. Aumen will be measuring their Aerobic Capactiy levels (PACER/running test), flexibility, muscular endurance and strength (curl-up/sit-up and push-ups). Mr. Aumen will also discuss the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. Our students excel in flexibility and aerobic capacity but sometimes have difficulty with push-ups and curl-ups. In order to stay ahead of the curve, challenge your child to a push-up or sit-up contest at home.

More Special

Areas News

Instrumental Music Mr. Rardon

As the end of September approaches, we look forward to beginning band and orchestra

lessons. We are still in the process of securing instruments for students. If your student is borrowing a school instrument, be on the

lookout for an instrument loan contract, which will be coming soon.

As students begin learning their instruments

please encourage practicing at home, which is an important part of their grade and vital for

their development. Thank you!

Deep Creek Elementary October 2014 Newsletter Page 7

Counselor's Corner

Many students come to school lacking even a basic sense of respect, yet most students want to be treated kindly, humanely and respectfully. Here at Deep Creek Elementary we reinforce character because CHARACTER COUNTS. This month the students have been discussing the character trait of RESPECT!

Respect is treating others as you would like to be treated. This month in classroom guidance, the students have learned how to be “bucket fillers”. Everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled by respectful actions such as giving a compliment, holding a door, following directions, giving a high five and praise to name a few. The students are working very hard on being “Bucket Fillers”. Have you filled someone’s bucket today?

“Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Thank you for all that you do and for always being supportive!

Ms. Bagnall

PTA Updates

Interested in learning more about Special Education? Our PTA is seeking a

parent of a child with an IEP to serve as a SPECIAL EDUCATION

LIAISON. The liaison will serve as a link between our school and the

Special Education Resource Center, communicating needs and news.

Some of the functions of the SPECIAL EDUCATION LIAISON are

learning about the needs of children with disabilities, becoming familiar

with the Special Education services offered by Baltimore County Public

Schools, and promoting parent/school partnerships. If you are interested,

call Lisa Farley, PTA Vice President, at 410-887-0110.

How To Stay Safe

Matches, lighters, and candles

should not be left unattended and should be kept out of the reach of children

Never overload outlets

Use smoke detectors

Practice fire drills

Have an Escape Plan

If There Is A Fire

Get out and stay out!

Go to your meeting place

Do not go back for anything

If You Are On Fire

Deep Creek Elementary October 2014 Newsletter Page 8

October is Fire Prevention Month Are you and your loved ones prepared for a fire emergency?

Reminder!

Should you receive a message from Deep Creek Elementary,

kindly listen to the ENITRE message before calling us back so we know how to

direct your call.

It’s Hip to Clip!

Box Tops for Education program has helped schools earn cash for the things they need. Support your school today.

Character Wall Names September = Respect Congratulations to the students who have been selected for demonstrating RESPECT!

1st Grade

Ms. Riscigno

Y’ves Hill

Ms. Ruppenkamp

Ingrid Arguete-Guevara

Ms. Moody

Kimberley Koerner

Ms. Dukehart

Anand (King) Ragnauth

2nd Grade

Ms. Cliffe

Sarah Marie Warner

Ms. Kolb

Lynnette Blamoh

Ms. Evans

Emerson Zaldiba

4th Grade

Ms. Barton

Michael Taylor

Ms. Bronushas

Marjorie Trochez

Ms. Adams

Shannon Rodriguez-Mangana

Ms. Layfield

Daja King

3rd Grade

Ms. Glover

Gracie-Ann Smith

Mr. Tapley

Kyndel Dukes

Ms. Suman

Trevor Taylor

5th Grade

Mr. Driessen

Samya Tanner

Ms. Clary

Kyrin Saunders

Ms. Israel

Arianna Welch

Deep Creek Elementary October 2014 Newsletter Page 9

Morning Arrival Time: 8:25

Please note that students who walk, or are

dropped off, should arrive to school at 8:25.

It is unsafe to arrive before 8:25 because

staff is not on duty to supervise the

students. Please help us ensure the safety of

the children by arriving at 8:25.

Does your child need an annual check-up?

Does your daughter need help with her asthma medications?

Is your child sick and you cannot get to your health care provider?

The Wellness Center is here for you!!!

At our Wellness Center, your child can receive health services that would be available at your own doctor’s office. Leigh Weihs is the new nurse practitioner at our Wellness Center and can see your child for physicals, sick visits, asthma and allergy visits and immunizations. Ms. Weihs is available at our school on Tuesdays from 1-3:30. Leigh Weihs is a family nurse practitioner and comes to our school with experience in private pediatric and family practices as well as in Baltimore County and City schools. She has 2 children of her own in Baltimore County Public Schools and is excited about joining our community! If your child does not have health insurance, we offer help with applying for medical assistance. For those students who do not qualify for medical assistance or have not applied, a sliding fee scale will apply. All forms of health insurance are accepted. Please contact Ms. Nicole, the school nurse, for more information. Ms. Nicole can put your child on Ms. Weihs’ schedule for the next day she is here after you fill out a form giving consent for Ms. Weihs to see your child.

We look forward to seeing you at the Wellness Center!!!

Deep Creek Elementary October 2014 Newsletter Page 10