Newsletter((( 0 ( 0 1 Diamond Path Elementary School of International Studies Inside this Issue Important Dates..…......Front Page Spotlight on 5th Grade (Aronson).2 Spotlight (Berling & Lueck)…......3 Important Dates! Spotlight (Balistreri)……..…….…4 Spotlight (Wyandt)…..................5 Family Fun Fest………….……....6 Family Fun Fest Volunteers...…..7 District 196 Job Opening..……….8 March March April 10th 18th 6th Report Cards Published Third Grade Concert 6:00 pm 21st – 25th Fifth Grade Concert 7:15 pm Festival of Nations Last Day of Second Trimester Not Returning to DP?..................8 11th National Breakfast Week………..8 Staff Development Day – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS Nutrition News Flash…………....9 News from the Band Room…....10 GRASP………………………….10 Vote for Jan Brett……………….11 Festival of Nations……………...12 PTO……………………………...13 13th Daylight Savings Time Spring Ahead 1 hour! 14th PTO Chipotle Night in Apple Valley from 4:00-8:00 pm PTO Meeting 6:30 pm SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL 28th School Resumes THE LOREM IPSUMS Spotlight on Fifth Grade! WINTER 2016 The following are reflections from students in Mr. Aronson’s 5th grade class about the impact increased access to technology has had on their learning tes s to be one of my favori Learning on an iPad ha were able ch more than what you mu so do can u yo se becau bility, they it may be more responsi to do before. Although can be handy. Learning in fifth grade has had a great impact on my learning because I have had access to more technology. Having an iPad in school has helped me in two ways: learning and responsibility. It has helped me be more responsible because I have to remember to take my iPad out of my backpack, charge it, and make sure it gets to school the next day. it allow s Google Classroom and We have an app called t the ll write questions abou us to be at home but sti l that day all oo sch at t no y, if you are homework. Additionall homework, eone to please post the you have to do is ask som and you are done! nre we are able to turn in ge On Google Classroom the ing ignment just by attach projects or any other ass that easy! and hitting submit. It's assignment in the link It has helped me learn better because I have access to the Internet almost always if I need to do research, or just look up a word. can get a Google Form, and we In math we do tests on ts! lis we are back from specia the results by the time It has also helped me because of Google Classroom. Google Classroom is an app where teachers can create an online classroom with all of their students. Teachers can post homework assignments, announcements, or comment to students on their work. -Amber W. I think that bein g in a beta clas sroom means a like you have th lot. It feels e world in your ha nd s because you ca question and it n ask a can be answered right there. Not you can see diff to mention, erent images of places from all new way to lear over. It is just a n about our wor ld. I can use my iPad to help me complete my work by using apps like Write About This, Notability, and Explain Everything. Also, I can easily attach and turn them in on Google Classroom. I think the district should do their best to provide as many students with iPads as possible because iPads make it easier to read, write, and learn. Also, if w e have a question abou t homework, cl can respond to assmates you through Goo gle Classroom. research papers Y ou can make and presentatio ns. And now th referendum pass at th e ed, students in fourth grade an iPad to use. iPad d up will have s are a great lear an ning tool and it' them. s good to have -Lukas S Our classroom gets to do things not many other can do. The iPad classrooms s make our clas sroom a better It's been a very pl ac e to learn. amazing experi ence. Classroom through techno s are changing logy, and our sc hool is a part of it. -Zoe H. 2 THE LOREM IPSUMS Spotlight on Fifth Grade! WINTER 2016 Skateville!* The 5th grade patrols went to Skateville for a patrol party. They went to Skateville in Burnsville, but we weren’t the only school there. There were two other schools there. When we got there, we got our skates or rollerblades. By the time we finished putting on our skates or rollerblades and got on the skating rink, the skating rink was completely full! Some people ate and played in the arcade. Fun fact, Stuart M. in Mr. Berling’s class hit the jackpot. He won 3,000 tickets! There was also, 5th grade teachers there like Mr. Berling, Mrs. Balistreri, and Ms. Lueck. Señor Hensel even showed up! Another fun fact, Montanna H. in Mr. Berling’s class won a purple BM watch from a claw machine. Skateville was a great time for all the students who were able to come out and have a fun night with their classmates. By: Montanna H. and Zadie J. Skateville was a blast for our Diamond Path 5th grade patrols! These patrols showed that being a responsible person can have rewards. Skateville was a reward for such a great job our 5th graders have done to help walk the kindergarteners to the buses, help kids cross the street, and keep everyone on the buses safe. At Skateville, the 5th graders were allowed to hang out with their friends, play in the arcade, get some snacks, and of course, skate! The 5th grade teachers accompanied them and made sure everyone was safe, and having fun. The kids and teachers danced while skating to the music that was being played from a D.J. Kids could even request a song for him to play! I, as a patrol, know that it was so much fun and being a patrol is awesome! Everybody enjoyed a little night of partying and so did I. Skateville was a nice way of giving a little reward to the responsible and respectful patrols. By: Megan H. 3 THE LOREM IPSUMS Spotlight on Fifth Grade! WINTER 2016 Meet Alex Article by Matthew O. Alex is a good bus patrol that is showing a great example for other bus patrols and has had a lot of patience as a bus patrol. The bus driver is really proud of Alex for showing a phenomenal example for younger kids. Alex’s actions helped the bus driver focus on the road like he is supposed to. He thinks being a bus patrol is a good experience and everyone should see what it’s like. JA BizTown 5th grade b Experience from Student’s Point of View The JA BizTown experience was really exciting and fun. It was like we had a real job for a day and we worked like adults. At JA Biz there are a lot of jobs you can have and places you can work There is a newspaper building a sign shop a cafe and a bank those are just some of the many choices you can pick from. We also had a mayor at JA BizTown if you wonder how they pick the mayor they pick our student council president. When you're at JA BizTown you are on breaks for about 15 minutes During those breaks you can buy things with the money you earn and have snacks also talk with friends. Preparing for JA Biz if fun. You get to do activities and do an interview that helps the teacher pick your job. The teacher tries to give you one of your top 3 jobs choices. iz Fellow 5th gra preparing fo ders have been work ing 2 week r the respo s on nsibilities BIztown 5 of an adult th graders at J A have work ch e ck s , w h ed on writi at's ng work togeth good for businesses , an d h o w er with eac to h also gotten o to get interv ther. The 5th graders h av e iewed. As pass the 5th the tw o we graders fin e ks ally get to to give spe g e ch es an d smell the fr o to JA BizTown adulthood. e s ha Th next year's e fifth grade teachers ir of group to co c me and hav an’t wait for e fun!! by: Rayal Biztown by: Paige 5th Grade n i y d u t S nd Units of very fun a wa s in science about the six it n u e in le Mach learned el and First, we Our Simp ! e m ti e ulley whe ple p m a r, s e e v th le , t ga dge ut the sim challengin ines, the screw, we arned abo ine. A Rube le e h w c a e c m simple rg mach lanes. On be Goldbe that solves an easy inclined p u d R n a a , e le k a x a m ine , we had to complicated mach closing a door. The machines a or is h e c machin ht swit e an d Goldberg k like flipping a lig ole machin will h w e th d s ta that I as to buil everyday yable topic ing part w jo g n n e e ll ry a e h v c most w as a topic. This think of a et. never forg All of the fifth graders went on a field trip to J.A Biztown. It’s where the kid s become adults and the adults become the kids, us kids get to have a job. Some of the jobs you can wo rk at are the Bank, Discovery Center, Radio Sta tion, Newspaper Stand, and Green Store[if open]. I worked at the bank, and I was a Teller. We named the Bank, Sapphire Bank. There was 6 shifts, in the firs t three shifts you have one of to shop, and the oth er 2 shifts you work. Shifs 4-6, one of them is your lun ch, and shopping break, the other 2 shifts you work, I had shifts 1, 4 off. At the Bank it’s different com pared to a store because, the Stores have people com ing in all the time, but at the bank it’s more of a rush at the starting of each shift. by: Gretchen i by: Saksh 4 THE LOREM IPSUMS Spotlight on Fifth Grade! WINTER 2016 ❤5th Grade Bowling Party❤ On February 9, 2015, the fifth graders had a Valentine’s Day bowling party at Farmington Lanes. In the morning, Mrs. Balistreri, Ms. Lueck, and half of Mrs. Wyandt’s class went, and had a blast! In the afternoon, Mr. Berling, Mr. Aronson, and the other half of Mrs. Wyandt’s class went, and had the time of their lives. At Farmington Lanes, the kids got to find their friends and get a group of six together, then went bowling. The kids got cups of water to calm down after bowling. At one point, the lights went dark, and bright, colorful neon lights danced across the floor, giving us all a jolt of excitement! So all in all, the kids had a ton of fun, and they'll definitely want to come back! By: Maiya K. 5 THE LOREM IPSUMS WINTER 2016 Family Fun Fest 2016 Thursday April 21st 5 – 8 pm Hello Diamond Path Families! Before you know it Family Fun Fest (FFF) 2016 will be here! As we are getting our plans together, here are a few items that we are working on for this year's great event. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ This year we’ve got you covered for parking. We will be including a map of areas where parking is available for Family Fun Fest in the Family Fun Fest Booklet. We will also send home maps in Friday Folders the week prior to FFF. We are SUPER-SIZING the General Store. This year, not only will you be able to buy items from the General Store, you will be able to select your own prizes with punches! Punches can be earned when you play select carnival games. More information regarding how the “Punch Card System” works will be sent home in Friday Folders as we get closer to our event. You will also find instructions in the Family Fun Fest Booklet. We have jazzed up our raffle! This year you have the chance to win a TV, a Fitbit, and a Chrome Laptop! Raffle Tickets will be sent home in Friday Folders on April 8th. We are upping the ante for Bottle Blast! This year when kids bring in their bottle blast donations, we will be awarding a daily prize , a grand prize and a whole school prize!! Details, along with a “What is Bottle Blast?” video will be available mid March. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ We are still looking for individual's to join in the fun! We have plenty of room for more folks to join our committee!!! If you are interested in joining the fun, check out the opportunities on the next page. If you have any questions, concerns or need more info, contact us at diamondpathpto@gmail.com Thanks! 6 THE LOREM IPSUMS WINTER 2016 WE WANT YOU!!! That’s right! The Family Fun Fest Committee is looking for fun, creative, energetic, carnival loving individuals to join our group! We are currently looking for people to jump in and help out with the following positions: Volunteer Coordinator Assistants: We are looking for 2 individuals who would be interested in assisting with our volunteer coordinator in organizing and facilitating all the volunteers we need for this event. Duties would include soliciting and organizing volunteers, updating volunteer needs prior to Family Fun Fest and assisting with volunteers the night of Family Fun Fest . Co-Chair Assistants: We are looking for 2 individuals who would be interested in working closely and assisting the Family Fun Fest Co-chairs in coordinating this event. Duties would include assisting in overseeing the general operations of the event. The time commitment for these events are approximately 3-5 hours per week, which includes Family Fun Fest bi monthly meetings. After spring break, the time commitment increases to approximately 5-10 hours per week, which includes Family Fun Fest weekly meetings. Family Fun Fest committee members do work the night of Family Fun Fest. If you are interested in any of the following positions, have any questions or concerns email us at diamondpathpto@gmail.com Thanks! 7 THE LOREM IPSUMS District 196 Job Openings WINTER 2016 District 196 has immediate openings for quality individuals who enjoy working with children as substitute clerical/paraprofessional staff. For more information and to apply online, go to www.District196.org and click on the “Employment” tab on the right side of the top navigation bar. The substitute clerical pay rate is $11.00 per hour and substitute paraprofessional pay rate is $12.25 per hour. Applicants should be available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. most weeks; be willing to work as a special education paraprofessional at multiple schools; pass a pre-employment physical and background check; complete online Personal Care Assistant training and attend a clerical orientation session. *Orientation is scheduled for March 9th. Not Returning to Diamond Path Next Year? ( If(your(student(s)(will$not(be(returning(to(Diamond(Path(for(the(2016/2017( school(year,(please(call(the(office(as(soon(as(possible(at(952E423E7695(and(let( Caroline(or(Diane(know(your(children’s(names(and(where(they(will(attend(in(the( fall.(This(is(very(important(information(for(us(to(have(for(planning(purposes.((( ( Thank(you! National School Breakfast Week March 7 – 11, 2016 Monday – “Bowl of Sunshine in every bite!” Sweet Berry Vanilla Puffs and Krave cereals, tasty cheese cubes, wake-up variety of fruit, and juice. Tuesday – “Egg-er-cise to start your day!” Sunrise scrambled egg and cheese burrito, energizing variety of fruit, and eye opening juice. Wednesday – “Sunny Morning Pancake Bar” Round-a-bout-pancakes, wild whipped and fruity toppings, morning juice. Thursday – “Grab and Go Breakfast Day” Homemade hot croissant sandwich made with power packed vegetarian sausage patty and rise and shine egg patty, got you moving variety fruit, and refreshing juice. Friday – NO SCHOOL 8 THE LOREM IPSUMS WINTER 2016 Nutrition News Flash March 2016 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools March is National Nutrition Month “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The theme for 2016 is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right," which encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives. How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods – that's the best way to savor the flavor of eating right! www.nationalnutritionmonth.org National School Breakfast Week March 7 through March 11 Monday- Make your own breakfast, 2 new cereal choices: Crave and Berry Vanilla Puffs, cheese cubes, fruit, juice and milk Tuesday– Homemade burrito, fruit, juice and milk Wednesday- Pancake bar featuring strawberries, blueberries, whipped topping, syrup, juice and milk Thursday- Homemade hot croissant sandwich with vegetable sausage and egg, choice of fruit, juice and milk Friday – No School What is organic food? Organic refers to the way agricultural products and foods are grown and processed. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Organic food production helps protect water quality and reduce soil erosion. Organic products have strict production and labeling requirements. Unless noted below, organic products must meet the following requirements: Produced without excluded methods (e.g., genetic engineering), ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge Produced per the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances Overseen by a USDA regulations Do “natural” and “organic” mean the same thing? No. According to the USDA, the terms "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable. Only food labeled "organic" meets USDA's national organic standards. Other claims, such as "natural," "free-range," and "hormone-free," can still appear on food labels these terms should not be confused with "organic." . To learn more about “organic” check out the following websites. www.usda.gov/organic http://www.cascadianfarm.com/why-organic/faqs Why did the egg go to school? To get “egg-u-cated”! Lunchroom Joke Corner Check out the Food and Nutrition home page for up to date information regarding dates and times. www.district196.org selsect Meals on the left side. Reminders for All Students and Parents: Breakfast is FREE for all kindergarten students and students who qualify for FREE or REDUCED-price school meals. Lunch is FREE for all students who qualify for FREE or REDUCED-price school meals. Please try breakfast at your school. A nutritious breakfast is an important start to a child’s school day! Parents/Guardians: FeePay has the option for you to set a low-balance reminder via email. We don’t just serve breakfast and lunch……..we serve students! 9 Monday, July 11 Through Thursday, August 11 at Cedar Park Echo Park Oak Ridge This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Employment opportunities within Nutrition Services are available. THE LOREM IPSUMS News from the Band Room! WINTER 2016 5th$Grade$Band:((Excellent(concert!((I(am(so(proud(of(all(of(you.((We(really(work(hard(together(and(are(a(great( team!((((We(will(continue(our(Morning(Band(rehearsals(with(new(music(getting(ready(for(our(next(concert(on(April( 18th.((In(lessons,(we(will(continue(working(our(way(through(our(lesson(book(and(earning(squares/stickers(on(our( Band(Land(Sheet(and(getting(ready(to(go(off(to(middle(school(band!((Please(remember(to(bring(your(lesson(book(to( each(lesson(as(we(will(continue(to(write(our(counts(in,(NFT(and(play(along(with(SmartMusic.((Each(and(every(student( who(started(in(band(this(year(should(continue(to(play(into(middle(school.((Band(is(a(class(that(meets(every(other(day( during(the(school(day.((No(getting(up(early(for(Morning(Band!((Students(progress(at(a(fast(rate(because(they(are( playing(every(other(day(together(as(well(as(continue(with(small(group(lessons.((Having(taught(middle(school(band(in( this(district(for(14(years(prior(to(teaching(elementary(band,(I(know(what(experiences(and(opportunities(are(waiting( for(them.((I(can(imagine(them(joining(the(jazz(band,(flute(ensemble,(percussion(ensemble,(traveling(back(to(their( elementary(school(to(put(on(a(concert,(performing(at(the(Mall(of(America,(etc…((I(could(go(on(and(on(about(what( awaits(them!(Parents(please(be(sure(to(ask(any(questions(regarding(middle(school(band(and(registration(coming(up( for(6th(grade(classes.((Mrs.(Hoff,((melanie.hoff@district196.org( ( 4th$Graders$interested$in$joining$band$next$year:$$I(hope(you(all(enjoyed(the(Demonstration(Concert(at(EVHS!(I( hope(that(you(saw/heard(three(instruments(you(may(have(an(interest(in(playing(next(year.(((You(should(have( brought(home(the(Band(Handbook(that(outlines(the(program(on(Friday,(February(19th.(Each(student(needs(to( return(the(back(sheet(by(Friday,(February(26th((whether(they(are(doing(band(in(5th(grade(or(not).(In(early(March,(I( will(be(meeting(with(each(4th(grader(interested(in(joining(band(to(help(them(select(an(instrument!((Students(usually( begin(instruction(on(their(instrument(the(summer(before(5th(grade,(and(the(summer(band(information(will(also(be( in(the(Band(Handbook.((I(have(more(information(posted(on(my(Diamond(Path(Band(Moodle(Page((DP(website,( classroom(connections,(specialists,(band)((Please(check(it(out(and(contact(me(with(any(questions.((I(look(forward(to( meeting(with(my(future(band(students!((Mrs.(Hoff,(melanie.hoff@district196.org$ GRASP Returns for Summer 2016 Parents, the GRASP summer math and reading workbook program is back for this summer. More than 1,800 District 196 students completed GRASP math and reading packets last summer. Families say they like the GRASP option – it’s portable and flexible. GRASP should not be considered as a replacement for participating in summer school, if a child qualifies. GRASP is not intended to replace regular reading for enjoyment or math activities that strengthen a child’s fluency and love for math. You will receive a letter and enrollment forms the week of February 15. Final registration is due March 29. View sample GRASP workbooks through the end of March in your school office. Stop by and see why the program has received rave reviews from parents, kids and teachers! It is recommended students work on the grade level just completed, to review and reinforce skills learned during the school year. 10 THE LOREM IPSUMS WINTER 2016 Please Vote! Help Diamond Path win a free visit from author Jan Brett! All first grade students study the craft of author and illustrator, Jan Brett. Our school can win a free visit by her during the 2016/2017 school year. You can help us win! It costs nothing other than a few minutes of your time. Click on the link below and fill out the following information: Diamond Path School of International Studies 14455 Diamond Path Apple Valley, Minnesota 55124 http://www.janbrett.com/contest_2016/2016_free_school_or_library_visit.htm Tell your family and all your friends. Put it on your Facebook page or any other way you can help Diamond Path get enough votes to have Jan Brett visit our school. 11 Festival of Nations WINTER 2016 Diamond(Path’s(Festival)of)Nations(celebration(will(be(held(on(Thursday,(March(10,(2016(from(6:00E 8:00(p.m.(This(community(event(gives(families(and(students(the(opportunity(to(share(customs,(music,( food,(crafts,(and(games(from(many(cultures(and(countries.(We(hope(to(involve(as(many(families(as( possible,(and(here’s(how(you(can(be(a(part(of(the(festival.(We(are(looking(for(families(who(are(willing( to(host(a(display(table(for(a(specific(country((examples:((Laos,(Sweden,(China,(Egypt,(Nigeria,(France,( etc.)((We(are(also(looking(for(students(and(families(who(would(be(willing(to(share(music,(dance,(and( storytelling(at(various(times(throughout(the(evening.(In(addition,(we(need(people(to(help(serve( commercially(prepared(food(and(to(assist(with(setEup(and(clean(up.(Check(with(your(child's(classroom( teacher(or(call(the(Diamond(Path(office(to(get(involved.(We(hope(to(see(you(all(at(DP(on(March(10,( 2016!( ( HELP$PLEASE!$$See$the$volunteer$opportunities$on$the$Diamond$Path$Website!$ ( Please)enjoy)a)few)pictures)of)Festival)of)Nations)from)previous)years!! THIS MONTH IN THE DIAMOND PATH PTO… Greetings from the Diamond Path Parents Teachers Organization (PTO)! During February, the PTO was involved in “Takeout Tonight,” the Spring Box Tops for Education Drive, and continuing preparations for the 2016 Family Fun Fest. These events were very successful in promoting and reinforcing the strong connections between Diamond Path Parents, Teachers, and surrounding communities. Thanks to all the parents, teachers, and community members for your ongoing support and involvement. Please visit the PTO website for more information http://www.district196.org/dpweb/ParentCommunity/PTO.cfm. BOX TOPS & LABELS FOR EDUCATION A special PTO THANK YOU for all the BOX TOPS! We are currently working the final numbers and will post the collection totals soon. UPCOMING EVENTS: • 08 March (Tuesday), 5-7PM: “TAKEOUT TONIGHT!” Wendy’s Night • 14 March (Monday), 4-8PM: Chipotle Night at AV Chipotle • 14 March (Monday), 6:30-8PM: March PTO Meeting at DP ELEM • 28 March (Monday), All Day: “TAKEOUT TONIGHT!” Culver’s Night • 11 April (Monday), 6:30-8PM: April PTO Meeting at DP ELEM • 12 April (Tuesday), 5-7PM: “TAKEOUT TONIGHT!” Wendy’s Night • 21 April (Thursday), 5-8PM: Family Fun Fest at DP ELEM • 25 April (Monday), All Day: “TAKEOUT TONIGHT!” Culver’s Night • 10 May (Tuesday), 5-7PM: “TAKEOUT TONIGHT!” Wendy’s Night • 16 May (Monday), 6:30-8PM: May PTO Meeting at DP ELEM • 30 May (Monday), All Day: “TAKEOUT TONIGHT!” Culver’s Night • 05 June (Sunday), 1:10PM: Twins Game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays OPEN PTO POSITION(s): • Officer, Co-Treasurer LIKE DP PTO ON FACEBOOK! Did you know that the DP PTO has a Facebook page where information and reminders are posted regarding school and PTO events, meetings, volunteer opportunities, Take-Out Tonight, and more? To receive these notices, like us today by searching within Facebook for the "Diamond Path Parent Teacher Organization" page or simply visit https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/diamondpathpto.