Southeast Elementary News

861 E. Sibley St. Howell, MI 48843 May/June 2016

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

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Principal: Bob Starkey

Secretary: Tina Pawlik

Clerk: Karen Socia

Thank you Southeast PTO The Southeast staff extends its gratitude to our wonderful PTO

for their contributions to our school during this past year. We

have enjoyed your involvement and concern for SE students &

staff. We appreciate the many activities you have provided and

want to thank you for all your time and effort. A special thank

you to our PTO board members:

Andrea O’Kroy, President Stephanie Allen, Vice President Sharyn Tormanen, Secretary Heather McMillan, Treasurer

ATTENTION: Incoming Kindergarteners!

If you have not yet registered your 2016-17 kindergartener it is not too late!! Please contact Karen in

the Southeast office, 517-548-6283, or Helen Hughes in Registration at 517-548-6232. Registration requires your

child’s original birth certificate, (not hospital certificate),

all immunization records, and one proof of residency. Please visit www.howellschools.com for forms and

information or call Southeast for a packet.

END OF YEAR NEWS FROM THE CAFETERIA Beginning on Friday May 27th students will no longer be allowed to have a negative balance in their lunch account. Please make sure your child's lunch account has the minimum amount of $2.40 for lunch (40 cents reduced) and $1.80 (30 cents reduced) for breakfast each day. You can check your lunch account balance at SendMoneyToSchool.com. There is a link on the Howell Public Schools website in the Food Service section. Any money left in your child's lunch account at the end of the year will be held in the lunch account until next year. If you have any questions please call Colleen at 548-6283.

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Embrace ~ Educate ~Empower

The Southeast community will Embrace the

uniqueness of each child; Educate through

excellence in teaching and Empower students to

be self-directed learners.

Phone: 517-548- 6283

Attendance Line: 517-548-6347

Fax: 517-545-1431

Congratulations April Students of the Month:

STUDENT NOMINATING TEACHER

Nathan B. Mr. Seyfarth Jaxon C. Mrs. Carroll Owen C Mrs. Grainger Lee C. Ms. Duguay Colt C. Mrs. Dubay Emily D. Mrs. Park Will D. Mr. Sharp Hunter D. Mrs. Dittmer Jillian D. Mrs. Kreeger Braeden F. Mrs. Pressel Reagan K. Mrs. McDowell Justin M. Mrs. Rainer Cash M. Mrs. Diebler Olivia P. Mrs. Kincaid Brian S. Mrs. Cain Matisyn S. Mrs. Hahn Brian T. Mr. Dubay Madeline W. Mrs. Spence Adelaide W. Mrs. Guetschow These students in grades 1-5 were selected by their classroom or specials teachers. They will receive a certificate from Mr. Starkey during one of our morning news broadcasts, a meal coupon from a local restaurant, and a personalized notepad from First Impression Printing and Marketing. Congratulations Superstar Students!

Student of the

Month

Southeast Elementary 2

PLEASE PICK UP MEDICATION

Parents, please remember to stop in the

office by the last day of school to pick up

all student medications (prescription and

over the counter). We cannot hold medication or

supplies over the summer. Any medications or

devices such as spacers that are left after June 10th

will be discarded.

Remember to Recycle Over The Summer! Please remember to continue to recycle over the

summer. Southeast accepts the following for

recycling:

Health bar wrappers

Pop can tabs

Batteries

Please continue to save these items over the summer

and bring them to us in the fall!

Congratulations Superstar Spellers

Recently Southeast held its annual Spelling Bee

competition. Please join us in congratulating first place winner: Emily D. from Mrs. Park’s class, second place: Grace

D. from Mrs. Park’s class and Breanna M. from Mrs.

Kincaid’s class in third place. We are extremely proud of all

our Superstar Spellers!

SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS

ANNOUNCED The 4th grade SCIENCE FAIR was held at the end of

April. Congratulations to our winners:

1st PLACE – Quinn B., Mr. Seyfarth

2nd PLACE – Sean M., Mr. Seyfarth 3rd PLACE – Ashley T, Mr. Seyfarth

4th PLACE – Austin D., Mr. Seyfarth 5th PLACE – Cash M., Mrs. Diebler

PEOPLE’S CHOICE – Jaelin W., Mrs. Diebler

SOUTHEAST MAY/JUNE CALENDAR

May 4 District Spelling Bee 9:30-12 May 4 Progress Reports go home May 6 Popcorn sale at lunch May 9 Mrs. Spence to the Howell Library May 10 Mrs. Carroll’s class POETRY CAFÉ, 2-3:30 May 10 PTO Meeting, Media Center, 7 pm – JOIN US! May 11 Mrs. Hahn to the Howell Library May 13 NO SCHOOL – Teacher Professional Dev. Day May 16 5th grade camp – 9:00-5:30 May 16-19 Vision Screening – Grades 1, 3, 5, CI May 17 Talent Show Tryouts –Gr. 3-5 4-5:30pm May 17 1st grade to Science Day at Parker, 9-11 am May 18 Kindergarten to Potter Park Zoo, 9 am – 2 pm May 19 3rd grade to Agricultural Awareness Day May 20 Last Day to check out Libaray books May 20 PTO SPRING FLING 6-8 pm May 20 PTO Box Top Contest ends May 23-26 Media Center Used Book Sale May 23 Deadline to return Library books May 24 Unified Arts Night, 6-7:30 pm May 26 2nd grade Howell History Walk – am May 26 FIELD DAY – Gr. 3-5 AM, Gr. K-2 PM May 27 Rain date for Field Day May 30 NO SCHOOL – MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY June 1 Community Service Luncheon, Media Center June 2 Kreeger student portfolio conference 5-6:30 pm June 2 Popcorn sale at lunch – THURSDAY! June 3 3rd grade to Greenfield Village June 3 4th grade to Henry Ford Museum June 6 Kreeger’s class to Kreeger Farm June 8 5TH GRADE RECOGNITION & picnic June 9 5th grade recognition RAIN DATE June 9 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal in afternoon June 10 Talent Show in the morning June 10 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL – REPORT CARDS GO HOME

Southeast Elementary 3

More News…

P.E. News In the months of May and June our learning will

be focused around the following skills and

activities:

Kindergarten & 1st - We will practice the

striking skill off a tee with a bat. Simple games

will be taught at each grade level to teach the

personal and social traits of cooperation, fairness,

honesty and work. One week we will have

stations with various activities such as cargo net,

bowling, scooters, target throwing and balance

balls.

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2nd & 3rd & 4th & 5th - In the month of May we

will finish The President’s Challenge a physical

fitness test. May 2nd-May 6th sit & reach, May

9th-12th make ups or missed test items. Each

student in 2nd through 5th grade will receive a

personal fitness report. Please look for the report

coming home the last week of school. One week

we will have stations with various activities such

as cargo net, bowling, scooters, frisbee throwing,

stilts and balance boards. Simple games will be

taught at each grade level to teach the personal

and social traits of cooperation, fairness, honesty

and work.

Please consider volunteering for Field Day on

Thursday May 26th. Notes will be sent home in

Wednesday packets. I also am looking for two

volunteers on Thursday May 26th to help me set

up equipment for field day from 8:00a.m –

9:00a.m. Please contact me by calling 548-6283

ext.44134 at school. Thank you!

~ Randy Dubay

UNIFIED ARTS NIGHT!

DATE: Tuesday, May 24th WHO: 1st, 4th and 5th grades TIME: 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. PLACE: Southeast Gym Unified Arts Night is coming soon! Our first performing group on the 24th will be the 1st graders at 6:00, then the 4th graders at 6:30, and followed by the 5th graders at 7:00. The art room will be open with art work filling the walls. Every student has at least one piece of art in the exhibit and it’s always a fun night! Please stop in to enjoy and appreciate the many talented artists we have at Southeast.

BOXTOP NEWS FROM OUR PTO

Remember to collect Box tops, Tyson labels and

Aunt Millie’s Spirit labels throughout the

summer. A new contest will begin in the Fall!

Labels for Education program ends this year –

please send those labels in by May 20!

Southeast Elementary 4

MAY/JUNE 2016 LIBRARY NEWS

It is hard to believe we are quickly approaching the end of the school year! It has been a super year with

fantastic stories shared, new books purchased, a superb book fair (thank you everyone!!) and top-notch

readers!!!!! Thank you also to all those students, families and staff who contributed to our used book sale!

There are lots of great books for students to choose from. A used book is always new to someone!

Important Info

The last day for library check out will be Friday, May 20th. All books and materials will be due back in the

library no later than Monday, May 23rd. Please help your child remember to return their books. Overdue

and fine notices will be sent home and phone calls will be placed for any materials not returned by May

27th. Please note that if your child is moving on to middle school or another school within our district, any

library fines will carry over and prohibit them for using the library in their new school or getting their text

books. This could also interfere with classrooms assignments, so please help your child be responsible.

Thank you.

Summer Reading Be sure to check out the Howell Carnegie Library Summer Reading program!! My daughters and I have

always enjoyed being a part of this. The library offers a fantastic program with rewards for readers and

supporting, fun activities all summer long. It will provide for some great conversations to share with your

child. Just think of the adventure you can all take in a book or all the new things you can learn and share

together! Don’t let your child lose all they have gained this year—keep them reading!!

Remember to keep reading and have a great summer!!!!! A huge THANK YOU to all those who contributed

to our year-long fundraiser—Returnables for Reading. This school year we raised $318.95!! This allowed

me to purchase 88 new books from our student wish list and replacement lists. This was such a wonderful

way to obtain books for the library that this fundraiser will be considered for next year as well. Thank you

again for your generosity and support!!! If you have any questions or concerns about lost or missing books,

please feel free to contact me at cunningl@howellschools.com or 517-548-6285.

Yours in Reading, Mrs. Cunningham

Annual Used Book Sale When: May 23rd-26th

Where: Southeast Media Center

Time: Teachers will sign up for shopping time

Cost: All books will be priced at 25¢

Bonus: Our wonderful PTO will once again be buying each student a book of their own choosing!!

Thank you PTO!!!!

mailto:cunningl@howellschools.com

Southeast Elementary 5

Notes from the Music Room

Kindergarten Our kindergarteners are doing a very nice job reading basic rhythms with

quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests. They love the new games that

come with this skill and are showing great enthusiasm went coming to music.

1st

Grade

Our first graders are in the middle of preparing their program, “It Sounds a

Little Fishy to Me.” They have been working very hard on the songs and

choreography and are very eager to share their performance with their parents.

They will perform on Tuesday May 24 during Unified Arts Night.

2nd

Grade

Second grade expanding their music vocabulary and starting to learn different

symbols used in music. The students are also working to gain a deeper

understanding of how what music makes them feel and what music makes

them think about.

3rd

Grade

Our third graders are in the middle of embellishment project. Most students

have completed the first step of embellishing the rhythm of “Twinkle Twinkle

Little Star” and we will be learning in the upcoming weeks how to embellish the

melody to go with it. So far I am very impressed with what I have seen.

4th

Grade

Fourth graders have started recorder and are doing a fantastic job. They have

been working hard in class and at home as I am sure most of you know. They

will be performing at Unified Arts Night on Tuesday May 24th

with the 1st

and 5th

graders.

5th

grade

The fifth graders have started their preparations for the “Disney Spectacular.”

They are very excited about all the solo opportunities and from what I have

heard so far I am going to have to make some very tough decisions. They will

perform on Tuesday May 24th

at Unified Arts Night as well.

-Mr. Sharp

Southeast Elementary 6

News from the Art Room

Unified Arts Night, May 24th

The Southeast annual art show will be held on Unified Arts Night, May 24thth

beginning at

6:00 pm. I hope you will attend to view the beautiful art Southeast students have created

this year. The art will be hanging in the art room and the hallways by the music room and

gym. Be sure to come and enjoy this wonderful exhibit. Also that night, Mr. Sharp will have

the first, fourth and fifth grades musical performances. The first performance starts at 6:00.

We hope to see you!!

In the art room for the month of May:

Kindergarteners will be doing some three dimensional art along with reading and

discussing famous artists, their lives and paintings. Students will also be spending time on

directed drawing exercises and cutting skills.

First graders will be painting paper to be used in a mixed media composition based on the

art of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. Books by each author/illustrator will be used as inspiration

in creating these fun spring themed compositions.

Second graders will be working on a cultural lesson about the Chinese New Year. They are

creating dragons by using cut paper. In this lesson students are exposed to the cultural

traditions that are commonly associated with the Chinese New Year while working on the

design concepts of pattern and symmetry.

Third graders are beginning a paper mola project based on the artwork of the Kuna culture

and their use of animals as symbols in their art. With construction paper, students use the

design principles of repetition, pattern, and contrast to create their paper mola.

Vocabulary: mola, pattern, repetition, silhouette, border, color families

Fourth graders will begin a lesson on the art of the Impressionists. They will be using water

crayons to create the illusion of reflections in water. Along with looking at the art of

Impressionist paintings, students will explore how to use water crayons.

Fifth graders are using watercolor pencils to draw, color and paint ships in a bottle. This

lesson looks at the art of many artists over the years and makes connections between art

and history. Students learn how to draw a tall ship and how to use watercolor pencils.

Finally, as the school year comes to an end, I’d like wish you all a fun filled summer. This

has been another great year in the art room, and as always, it’s an honor to teach all of the

fantastically creative students here at Southeast.

Have a wonderful summer everyone!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Guetschow

Southeast Elementary 7

Southeast Elementary 8

Southeast Elementary 9

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

As the weather gets warmer, kids often transition into summer vacation before the

official end of the school year. Warm weather, in addition to after school activities,

video games, and computers, can make it difficult to convince our children to take

care of chores and other important responsibilities. Here are some helpful strategies

for coaching and motivating our children to perform and cooperate:

1. Praise and Love: reinforce and celebrate the good behaviors you want to see.

Children, like adults, thrive on attention, praise, and affection.

2. Be Clear: give positive, specific instructions that don’t leave room for

misunderstanding (“Right now, please put on your shoes and coat and get in the

car” as opposed to “Get ready to go”). Tell them what to do, instead of what

NOT to do. It is helpful to give younger children one clear task at a time, and

when it’s done, assign the next. Older children could use a sequential list of

responsibilities and check off as they go.

3. Rewards: use “When/Then” statements so children start to understand the

relationship between their behavior and the outcomes (“When your pajamas are

on, I will read you a story”). Rewards can motivate children and reinforce good

habits. Rewards don’t have to involve money; you can reward your children

simply by spending time with them doing something they enjoy.

4. Natural Consequences: distinguish between consequences and punishment.

Punishment is a penalty, such as being scolded or grounded. Consider using

natural consequences - they serve a larger purpose of helping children

understand the relationship between their choices and their outcomes. Natural

consequences turn mistakes into learning opportunities and get children in the

habit of evaluating their own behavior. For example, when a child is mean to a

sibling, the natural consequence is to spend time amending and repairing the

damage, like writing an apology note. If they abuse the rules for electronics,

they temporarily lose that privilege.

The basic needs of love, power, belonging, freedom, and fun top the list of things

children crave in their lives. For more ideas or support, reach out to me at

nemethj@howellschools.com!

Jeanie Nemeth

School Counselor

mailto:nemethj@howellschools.com