Dear Parents,

I would like to begin with a big “Thank you “again to Darci

Militello, our volunteer coordinator, for her efforts in coordi-

nating and recruiting our parent volunteers this year! We are

continuing to get our parent volunteers connected with class-

room teachers, as well as training our volunteers for the many

up and coming jobs and activities at our school with the chil-

dren and staff. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us

and we will connect you with Mrs. Militello.

We have received notification that we have won the Blue Rib-

bon Award for volunteerism. Thank you, parent volunteers, for

all your devoted hours and time spent at our school and at

home. Without your help activities and programs wouldn’t

happen at Sandown Central School!

We are sending many drug-free messages during Red Ribbon

Week. The children are participating in many activities aimed

at prevention and awareness of staying drug free! Parents can

further reinforce these important messages by talking with your

children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. We would

like to thank Mary Hatton, our school nurse, for coordinating

Red Ribbon Week!

We have completed our NECAP assessments and we would

like to thank our parents for your support in encouraging your

children to do their best! The children are back in full swing

with their school work. I urge you to talk with your children

everyday about their successes and challenges at school. The

staff continues to be committed to answering, discussing, and

communicating with you about your children to making learn-

ing the best possible experience for them and you!

We look forward to meeting with parents for Parent Teacher

Conferences on November 6th early release day. Students will

be released at 1:00 on this day.

Parents, a quick reminder that that October and November

brings changing temperatures with cold mornings and warmer

afternoons. I would recommend dressing your child in layers

during this time of year.

Happy Halloween!

Cordially,

Douglas E. Rolph

Principal

Sandown Central School

douglas.rolph@timberlane.net

Principal’s Notes

November Calendar

Nov.6, 1:00 PM: Early

Release, Parent-teacher

conferences.

Nov. 7, 8:30-3:00 Enrich-

ment Day; Day of the

Coast.

Nov. 7, 7:30 PM: TRSD

School Board Meeting,

Superintendent’s Office, 30

Greenough Road, Plaistow.

Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day

observed, no school.

Nov. 13, 6:30-8:00 PM:

Sandown PTA Meeting,

Sandown North School.

Nov. 14, 7:00 PM: TRSD

Budget Committee Meet-

ing, SAU Boardroom, 30

Greenough Road, Plaistow.

Nov. 21, 7:30 PM: TRSD

School Board Meeting,

Superintendent’s Office, 30

Greenough Road, Plaistow.

Nov. 26, 7:00 PM: TRSD

Budget Committee Meet-

ing, SAU Boardroom, 30

Greenough Road, Plaistow.

Nov. 27: No school:

Thanksgiving Break

begins. Students return to

school on Dec. 2.

Sa

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October 2013

Save the date!!!

Annual PTA Holiday Auction

Friday, December 6, 6-9 PM

It’s hard to believe that we are saying goodbye to October, and the holidays are just around the corner. We have been

in school over eight weeks and have accomplished so much. We have been busy in math reviewing and introducing

new concepts. We have completed our first unit in Reading Street, and two weeks of NECAP testing. We have also

been on our first field trip of the year to Sturbridge Village. Your children have been hard at work!

In math, fifth graders have been focusing on addition, subtraction, and multiplication of whole numbers. They have

been learning the traditional algorithm for multiplication, which we are sure looks very familiar to most parents. We

are encouraging students to continue their practice of multiplication facts at home. Fluency with these facts is critical

as we progress with more complex concepts in fifth grade.

“Doing the right thing” is the theme of our next Reading Street unit. Be sure to read the Family Times newsletter that

your child brings home. This will help you be aware of the reading skills and strategies that your child is learning

each week.

Our field trip to Old Sturbridge Village was a great success! Students learned about the lifestyles of early Americans.

They met tinsmiths, blacksmiths, bankers, and printers. Many observed a demonstration of musket firing. Some

students even tried to herd the chickens at Freeman Farm! This was an awesome introduction to learning about life in

colonial America.

In conclusion, parent conferences will be held on November 6th, which is an early release day. At this point, you

most likely have heard from your child’s teacher to schedule an appointment time. We look forward to meeting with

all of you. Such communication is important to your child’s success in school.

Mrs. Bruce and some of the girls visited the bank at Old Sturbridge Village.

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Grade 5 News

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This month fourth grade students worked very hard on their NECAP tests. There were three sessions in reading, which included writing in response to what they read. Then they had three math sessions which cov-ered several areas of math such as geometry, algebra, problem solving, etc.

In literacy we completed our first unit in Reading Street called ―This Land is Your Land‖. This unit incorporated social studies as we ―traveled across America‖. We started in the southeast with an excerpt from Because of Winn Dixie. Then we journeyed west with a Lewis and Clark story. Next we learned about the Japanese immigration to California as we read Grand-father’s Journey. We learned about the southwestern region of the United States when we read a modern fairy tale about a horned toad. Letters Home from

Yosemite shared information about one of America’s amazing National Parks.

Our field trip to Concord was a great success where we had the opportunity to visit the Statehouse and Supreme Court buildings. This trip supported our study of the three branches of government. A couple of classes even got to meet the governor!

Students have been do-ing a great job getting used to Spelling, Grammar, and Math homework. The spelling lessons help students review their phon-ics and the grammar helps them with their writing skills. Thank you for your support in getting this homework in on time as well as helping your child study for his/her Spelling and Vocabulary tests!

In math we completed our addition and subtraction unit. This unit also included place val-

ue and graphing. We organized and worked with data including finding landmarks (maximum, minimum, range, mode, median, and mean).

In science we have been learning about rocks and miner-als. We performed experiments on rock and mineral specimens to help us identify them. Several classes participated in Distance Learning video conferences which helped support this study with experts from across the United States.

The parent/teacher conferences are scheduled in November during the week of November 4-8. November 6th is the Early Release Day and night scheduled for these confer-ences. We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

The Fourth Grade Team

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Grade 4 News

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Mrs. Gilman and Mrs. Mortenson’s classes were fortunate to get to meet our

governor on their visit to the State House!!

Our students have been celebrating National Red Ribbon Week and have

been learning about drug awareness and prevention. They are learning about the importance

of being drug free, saying “no” to drugs, and making healthy choices. Each class has com-

posed a pledge to be drug free and the students have shown their commitment to this

pledge by signing it. These pledges are displayed in their classrooms for all to see. Our stu-

dents have also created their own slogans for living a drug free life and have written them

on red ribbons. Students have learned strategies for saying “no” to drugs, such as, changing

the subject or suggesting something else to do, giving a reason for not doing drugs, assert-

ing themselves, or simply walking away. The students have learned a valuable life long mes-

sage about the importance of choosing to be drug free!

~Mary Hatton School Nurse

The PTA needs your Help! The PTA is still looking for donations to help fill the class baskets for the holiday auction. The holiday auction is the only fundraiser put on by the PTA, to help sponsor and support many programs for our children. Please send in cash or a check payable to the Sandown PTA so class baskets can be made to raise money for all

of our children.

We are also in need of volunteers to help the night of the auction.

Please contact Ashley Smith, auction coordinator, at

Aksmith06@hotmail.com for more information.

Page 4

From the School Nurse

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Page 5

Student Council

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Introducing the 2013-2014 Sandown Central

School Student Council representatives and

alternates!

Council President Morgan Lewis

Representatives

Riley Militello Ian Price Olivia Allaire Faith Lucier Lizzy Vicnaire

Alternates

Nicole Rothstein Kyle Hickey Lexi Hubley Hateya Eddings

Kerry Gannon Arianna Mazur Jack Noyes Melanie Marino

Owen Kellerman Elizabeth Fournier Cooper Kelley Chris Beyrent

Page 6

Technology News

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The students are really getting into their software applications

projects. Don't be surprised to see some convincing reasons to

buy a new pet come from your child this season. (Sorry!) Their

assignment is to use four different types of software applications;

a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software and graphics

software, to convince you to buy them a new pet. Some of the

reasons are quite amusing. Look for information on how to access

these projects from home in the coming newsletters. Our fifth

grade students are learning how to create, sort and filter using a

database. This is part of our work on using digital tools to gather and evaluate information.

(National Education Technology standard for Research and Information Fluency)

Home connection: Remember, you can always view the EasyTech lessons online at

www.learning.com to see what your child has been working on during class.

Day of the Coast Enrichment Day

On Thursday, November 7th, our school will enjoy a Day of the Coast event. This is one of two enrichment days this year where students get the opportunity to break from the routine and enjoy a large variety of learning experiences. We have more than a dozen docents from the UNH Outreach program coming to work with our students. With them they bring years of experience, expertise and some amazing knowledge about marine biology. The students will also enjoy a Sea Chantey sing along and programs run by our wonderful Sandown Central staff members, who offer their own expertise and knowledge to our day. It should be an exciting learning op-portunity and a fun way to usher in the long Veteran's Day weekend.

Dave Ciarla

Enrichment Specialist

Sandown Central School

The students at Sandown Central have been busy in music class and in their ensembles! Here is a brief summary of

our musical activities in October:

General music:

The 4th and 5th graders learned a West African song of welcome, “Funga Alafia,” and practiced an accompaniment for

it on the barred instruments (xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels). Some students were able to identify the

similarities between that song and one that they learned earlier, “L’il Liza Jane,” as both songs share the same melod-

ic contour. Students viewed and then provided thoughtful critiques for two video performances of “Funga Alafia.”

As I write this, we are delving into some Halloween music, having just listening to Camille Saint-Saens’ tone poem,

“Danse Macabre.” The students learned how instruments and melodies are used to tell a story without words.

Strings:

Many string students have been faithfully practicing their assignments from class at home. Remember, students are

expected to practice at least four times weekly to reinforce material covered in class. Parents can support their child’s

practice habits by designating a place and time—free of distractions—for him or her to work on lesson material. Stu-

dents who achieve that goal weekly earn a sticker; five stickers earns a prize! For parents of 2nd and 3rd year players,

look for a notice this week for Stringfest 2014, a statewide orchestra festival that takes place on March 29, 2014.

Registration for this festival has an early deadline (November 8) due to the large number of participants. Please let

me know if you have any questions about this exciting event!

Chorus:

The chorus members have been focusing on the repertoire for the winter concert, as well as learning various breathing

and vocal techniques. Thank you, parents, for getting your child to rehearsal on time. We have a lot to do in a short

amount of time. Every minute counts! Chorus members will be singing at the PTA Christmas Auction on Friday,

December 6. More information on that event will be sent home in November.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about your child’s music class or ensemble.

Musically yours,

Mrs. Alison Yankowskas

Alison.Yankowskas@timberlane.net

Page 7

Music News

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Fifth grade artists completed a Line in Nature Unit and made multiple copies of their artwork using the process of Printmaking. They

are currently creating 3-D skeletons using Crayola Model Magic in Art Class while learning the names of the bones in the human body

with their classroom teacher.

Fourth grade artists completed a color unit learning about warm and cool colors. Students used pastels to draw beautiful pumpkin

patches and fall leaves. The artists are now finishing up on Birch Tree paintings; we love birch trees, and did you know it was our state

tree?

Check out all of your child’s artwork on www.Artsonia.com

Creativity Bursting in the Art Room...

Page 8 S A NDOW N CE NTR AL S CHO OL NE WS

Alyssa B, and Taylor using chalk pastels to

blend colors on their pumpkin

patch drawings.

Jared J, Nick Y, Lauren W, and Isabella C,

using model magic to sculpt a

3D skeleton.

Gavin P, Freya J, Jessica R,

and Sam S using brayers

to make prints of their

leaf drawings.

Writing ….The Other Twin

Schools and educators are forever sharing the importance of reading at home with children. We know that children who live in homes where reading is a source of enjoyment and daily practice, do better in school than children who live in a home where the act of reading seldom takes place. We often forget about reading’s twin however, and that twin is writing. Writing is a critical life skill as well. Writing is the primary basis upon which a person’s work, learning, and intellect will be judged – in college, in the workplace, and in the community. It expresses who you are as a per-son. Writing will equip children with the communication and thinking skills they’ll need to participate in our society. There are many ways that you can help develop your child’s writing skills at home. I happen to like the list created by educator and writer, Elizabeth Moore. These are things that you can do at home to help raise a writer!

Ten Suggestions for Encouraging Kids to Write at Home

1. Help your child set up a place at home for drawing and writing. It doesn’t have to be a desk, and it doesn’t have to be fancy. It could be a cozy corner for writing where a basket of books and a writing folder, or a clipboard, or note-books are kept. Worried about messes? Try to just put out a few interesting materials at a time, and rotate them now and then.

2. Help your child notice reading and writing that is going on in the world. Notice commuters who read on the bus or the train. Pay attention to environmental print like street signs, menus, billboards and more. In your child’s play area, leave some paper and crayons along with blocks, sets of train tracks, dolls, or other toys, so that your child can make her own signs, lists, menus and billboards. Not only does this help your child understand that writing conveys a mes-sage, it also helps your child connect reading and writing with play!

3. You are your child’s first and best model for writing. Shopping lists, notes, birthday cards and phone messages are all superb examples of home literacy. Kids can be included in these everyday types of writing. Kids love to do re-al, authentic, grown-up things. Encourage your child to write thank you cards and letters to folks. This helps children understand that writing has a purpose and an audience. Invite your child help you get the mail each day, and read some of it to your child.

From the Literacy Specialist

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4. Leave notes for your child in his/her lunchbox, schoolbag or around the house, and ask your child to leave notes for you—even if your child is very young, and his ―note‖ is just a picture. Like letter writing, this helps your little one under-stand that writing conveys meaning.

5. During the year, colored pencils, fresh pads of paper and journals make great gifts for birthdays or holidays. What could be better than a brand new set of pens for writing notes, or a pack of special Post-its? This helps foster a love of writing.

6. Drawing and writing random letter strings are an important first step to writing. Compliment your child’s attempts at drawing, writing, and storytelling even when those attempts are not perfect. Try using phrases like ―I notice…‖ or ―I see that you tried…‖ or ―You worked really hard on…‖ instead of making it seem like writing is something that just comes ―naturally.‖ Resist the urge to correct everything and know that your child’s writing will grow and improve with practice, time, and experience. Language that emphasizes effort and trying new things encourages a ―growth mindset‖ as well as a sense of agency, resilience, and confidence. Help your child understand that she’ll grow as a writer with practice and experimentation, rather than being ―born with it.‖

7. Remind your child to bring a writer’s notebook whenever you go on a family outing. Whether it’s to grandma’s house, a soccer game, or a long car ride, there will be plenty to notice and draw, comment on or wonder about. I al-ways keep a small notebook and a handful of crayons in my purse—they’ve come in handy in many a doctor’s office and restaurant!

8. Read, read, read to your child to encourage them to tell stories and write. The author William Faulkner once said, ―Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it.‖ Read aloud to your child every single day. Find a routine that works for you. Find books that work too. Every child is different in terms of interest, topics, and pref-erences so take advantage of your local library so that you can test out all kinds of books in search of something you and your child can enjoy together.

9. Play word games like Scrabble, Boggle, ABC Bingo, Word Concentration and others. Make up rhymes just for fun.

10. Last, but not least, tell stories of your own childhood aloud to your child and encourage him to tell you stories. Lis-ten to your child’s stories, helping your child speak with detail. Compliment your child’s stories, saying, ―I could really picture that story the way you told it,’’ or, ―You really sounded like a storyteller,‖ or, ―The way you said that sounds like a poem.‖ I read a parenting article once that suggested that if your child is having a tantrum, try telling a story about your own childhood. It has worked for me many times!

Mary Youngblood

Literacy Specialist