PINNEY post
the
Pinney Website
December 2011
9989 Concord Road * Dublin, OH * 43017 * 614.798.3570 * Fax 614.718.8961
Please check out the Eli Pinney website for school calendar events and other
important information. Scan the QR code above to access.
Celebrating
10 Years of
Excellence
http://www.dublinschools.net/pinneyelementary_home.aspx
Greetings Pinney families!
Greetings! I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with their family. It was
certainly nice to spend a few quality days with my family in Toledo. My boys are definitely getting
excited for the upcoming holiday. Speaking of the upcoming holiday, we have observed many ʻelvesʻ
paying a visit to school. We please ask that the elves stay at home unless there is permission from
the classroom teacher. Thank you.
Weʼve had a very busy first three months of the school year with lots of great school events and PTO
sponsored activities. There are plenty of wonderful family events coming up in the next few months,
so please remember to check the enclosed calendar for dates and times.
Please encourage your child to dress appropriately for the weather.
! 20 degrees or below – all recesses will be indoors
! 21-25 degrees – lunch recess will be indoors; short recess will be outdoors
! 26 degrees and warmer – all recesses will be outdoors
I hope you enjoy the start to the winter season.
Happy Holidays!
- Troy
Important Upcoming Events...
Friday, December 2nd
Grade Cards Go Home
Thursday, December 8th
PTO Kinder Key Caroling
6-8 p.m.
Pinney Community
Thursday, December 22nd - Monday, January 2nd
WINTER BREAK
Saturday, January 7th
5:15-7:15 p.m. Dublin Chiller
PTO Skate Night
Office Communication
• Students may not enter the building until 9:18 a.m. daily. If you are dropping children off in
the morning, please walk them through the front entrance. They are not permitted to enter
through the side door until 9:18 a.m.
• Call the office or the automated attendance line (718-8960) if your child is going to be absent
or late. Please send in a note if your child is signing out early for an appointment.
• If your child is going to be absent from school, we would appreciate a phone call before 9:30
a.m. of that day. Ohio state law does require us to now have a written note upon a child’s
return to school after an absence of any kind. An absence form can be found in the
downloads section of our Pinney website (Absence Notification Form). We would appreciate
your help by sending in this form, or a note explaining the absence upon your child’s return
to school. It is also important that you know that absences due to a family-planned vacation
are no longer excused absences.
• All phone number changes should take place at the building level. Please do not call the
district office to change your contact information. Please call the Pinney office for questions
(798-3570)
• Send in a note if your child’s end of the day arrangements change. Without a note, we will
follow typical end of day routine.
• Both students need a note giving parent permission when bringing home a friend. New
“Note to School” pads can be picked up in the office.
• Write your child’s first and last name on the inside of lunch boxes, backpacks, jackets and
other items so that we can return them if lost. All lost and found items will be donated to
Welcome Warehouse at the end of each trimester.
• Give the buses the right of way during arrival and dismissal. No cars in the bus loop during
the following times (8:45-9:15 a.m. & 3:45-4:15 p.m.)
• Be patient in the pick-up line at the end of the day. Cars need to remain in a single file line to
pick up students. Also, please drop off your child at the sidewalk or side door in the
morning. A Pinney staff member will monitor the side door beginning at 9:18 a.m. daily. We
do not want children walking through cars and/or traffic. Student safety is our priority.
• Check your child’s backpack frequently.
School Day
AM Preschool
AM Kindergarten
Grades 1-5
9:05-11:35 am
9:28-11:58 am
9:28-3:58 pm
PM Preschool
1:10-3:40 pm
PM Kindergarten
1:28-3:58 pm
Latchkey (7:05 a.m. start & 6:00 p.m. end)
Clinic Communication with Mrs. Slack & Mrs. Pagan
The Dublin City School District has developed policies to help insure the health and safety of
all our students. These policies have been developed in direct correlation with the recommendations of both Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control. It is even
more important that parents familiarize themselves with these policies and adhere to them as
we move into the time of year when flu and other contagious illnesses become more prevalent. Please take time now to review the following information. If all of our parents follow
these policies, we can reduce illness and absences for your child.
It is important to keep any child exhibiting signs of illness home. Signs of illness include fever
of 100 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, chills, irritability, or unusual skin
rash. Other signs of illness are red and crusty eyes, as well as, other symptoms that are unusual for your child. If your child has been home ill, they must be symptom free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. If they have been placed on an antibiotic for a
contagious illness, they must be on the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school.
Please remember that parents are responsible for supplying the school with any medication
that needs to be given during school hours. The appropriate forms(s) must be completed for
clinic staff to be able to administer the medication. Prescription and non-prescription forms are
available on the district web site at www.dublinschools.net or from the clinic. The clinic staff is
happy to help you determine which forms are needed for your child.
Remember that cough drops are considered a medication. They must be kept in the clinic and
must be sent in with a non-prescription medication form that has been completed by a parent.
Students are not permitted to carry cough drops with them during the school day.
The school can only accept medication that has been supplied to the school in its original container. We cannot administer any medication sent to school in a baggie or other container. Because the clinic space is limited, it would be helpful if medications were supplied in small containers.
Please make sure to call the school if you change phone numbers. This information is needed
to be able to contact you if your child is injured or ill. When listing someone as an emergency
contact, please make sure it is a local person who would be able to pick up your child.
When leaving a message on the attendance line to report an absence due to illness, please
provide any symptoms your child has or the illness your child was diagnosed with if seen by a
physician.
Please feel free to call the clinic and speak with the clinic aide or school nurse regarding any
questions or concerns you have.
Clinic phone # - (614) 718-8955
Clinic Reminders
• Keep your child home when sick. Our guidelines ask for a 24-hour symptom-free period
(fever, vomiting, etc). Keeping a sick child home an extra day usually does the trick and
helps prevent the spread of illness.
• Please remember that parents are responsible for supplying their child’s medication
(prescription and over-the-counter). Mrs. Slack can give medication such as Advil, Tylenol,
cough drops to students, but it must be sent in by parents with the appropriate paperwork.
Also, elementary children cannot self-carry medication. Please stop in or contact Mrs. Slack
to pick up forms or if you have any questions regarding clinic procedures.
• Cough drops are to be kept in the clinic. Students are not permitted to carry cough drops
during the school day.
• It is imperative that all medication is sent into school in its original container, not in a
plastic bag. A small medication bottle would be preferred.
• Please make sure to call the school if you change phone numbers. This information is vital
as we often need to contact a parent(s) if there is an injury or illness. When listing
someone as an emergency contact, please make sure it is a local person who would be able
to pick up an ill child.
• When leaving a message on the attendance line, please provide any symptoms your child
has such as student's temperature, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, vomiting,
diarrhea, etc. Please also include if your child has been seen by a doctor or travelled abroad.
Thank you for your helping to keep all of our students healthy and safe this winter.
Counselor Corner with
Mrs. Leslie Cellar
During the month of December, I will visit each classroom, grades K-5, for one guidance
lesson. The lessons will focus on Feelings (K), Kindness and Respect (1st), Conflict
(2nd), Bullying (3rd), Self-exploration (4th) and Growth and Development (5th).
In kindergarten, we will read and discuss The Feelings Book, by Todd Parr. Through interactive Smartboard activities, we will discuss different feelings and situations when we
might feel that way. We will close the lesson by discussing the importance of sharing
our feelings with those we trust.
In first grade, we will read and discuss Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun, by Maria Dismondy.
Students will then participate in an activity that requires them to think about and share
one way they can show kindness to others.
In second grade, we will read and discuss Problems with Pete the Pencil and Eddie the
Eraser, written by third grade students of Kindsland E.S. We will discuss when we see
conflict and appropriate ways to deal with conflict. Students will work together to complete a task to see the difference in working through conflict and workings as a team,
compared to trying to continue working without resolving the conflict.
In third grade, we will read and discuss Just Kidding, by Trudy Ludwig. Through a
Smartboard activity, students will be challenged to talk about the difference between
teasing and bullying.
In fourth grade, we will begin the lesson with a self-reflection activity that requires students to think about who they are and their strengths. We will read and discuss The Gift
of Nothing, by Patrick McDonnell. Students will then be challenged to look at their selfreflection and determine what “gift of nothing” they can offer to those they are closest
to.
On December 2, fifth grade students will view a video on the physical development of
boys and girls during puberty. These are informational films that present the physical
and emotional changes in a supportive, reassuring manner. An open question and answer period will follow the film. I will present the film and lead the discussion with all
fifth grade girls and Mr. Ehrsam will present and lead the discussion with all fifth grade
boys. Classroom teachers will also be present at the appropriate sessions.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at
cellar_leslie@dublinschools.net or 718-8953.
PTO & Parent Information
• “Child Find” is the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities who may
be in need of special education and related services. Parents, relatives, public and private agency employees, childcare providers, physicians, and concerned citizens are encouraged to help school districts
find any child, ages birth – 21, who may have a disability and are in need of special education and related services. If you suspect a child may have a disability, help is available. Please contact:
Department of Student Services, Dublin City Schools 7030 Coffman Road Dublin, OH 43017-1068
Phone: 614-764-5913 Fax: 614-761-5899 <www.dublinschools.net>
Dublin
City
Schools
Community
Education
Program
•The
<http://www.dublinschools.net/communityeducation.aspx> is offering programs for the 2011-2012
school year. Contact Mary Ann Grimes <grimes_maryann@dublinschools.net> with details.
Panther Prints
Mrs. Pizzino's 4th grade class celebrated Thanksgiving as a school family by having a
Thanksgiving Feast. Students created an online sign-up for families to send in food. As
admission to the feast, the class decided to ask for a donation to a local charity. Students researched local charities and then voted to select a favorite. The winning charity
was the Franklin County Dog Shelter. Students researched which items were in most
need and brought in the respective items. Alessandra Monte and her mom volunteered
to drop off the van-load of donations over break.
Cafeteria News
The cafeteria is now offering during lunch periods the opportunity for students to purchase snacks. Students can either pay in cash or purchase tokens using money from
their school cafeteria account. The following drinks/snacks can be purchased during
lunch; Water , Milk, Danimals Yogurt, Fruit Roll-up, Graham Crackers, Strawberry yogurt, Chex Mix, Crunch Mania, and Mookie Cookies.
IMPORTANT DATES
* December - January
* ELI PINNEY ELEMENTARY
* You can also check out the Pinney calendar on the website for updated events and times.
Thurs., Dec. 1
Thurs., Dec. 1
Fri., Dec. 2
Fri., Dec. 2
Fri., Dec. 2
Fri., Dec. 2
Tues., Dec. 6
Tues., Dec. 6
4th Gr. Stanford-Word Study/Vocabulary
Dinner Out
Wendy’s
Grade cards go home
4th Gr. Stanford-Reading Comprehension
Mrs. Bollie’s “Charlotte Web” play
Commons
5th Gr. Changes Talk
Rm. 202/204
4th Gr. Stanford-Math Problem Solving
District Speech & Language Dept.
Community Ed. Night
Pinney ES
Wed., Dec. 7
4th Gr. Stanford-Math Procedures
Wed., Dec. 7
Market Day pick-up
Commons
Thurs., Dec. 8
4th Gr. Stanford-Science/Social Science
Thurs., Dec. 8
Kinder Key Caroling
Pinney Community
Fri., Dec. 9
1st Gr. Field Trip
Balletmet “Nutcracker”
Fri., Dec. 9
Town Meeting “Adopt-A-Family”
Commons
Tues., Dec. 13
Student Council Meeting
Rm. 234
Tues., Dec. 13
Dinner In
Papa John’s
Wed., Dec. 14
Dinner In
Papa John’s
Thurs., Dec. 15
Limo Lunch
Fri., Dec. 16
Holiday Parties (AM-K/1st/2nd)
Fri., Dec. 16
Holiday Parties (PM-K/Gr. 3-5)
Wed., Dec. 21
Holiday Party (AM-PreSchool)
Wed., Dec. 21
Holiday Party (PM-PreSchool)
Thurs. Dec. 22-Mon. Jan 2
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Sat., Jan. 7
Wed., Jan. 11
Thurs., Jan. 12
Fri., Jan. 13
Mon., Jan. 16
Tues., Jan. 17
Wed., Jan. 18
Thurs., Jan. 19
Tues., Jan. 24
PTO Skate Night
Dublin Chiller
Interims go home
PTO General Meeting
Commons
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day
NO SCHOOL - MLK Jr.
NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development Day
Market Day pick-up
Commons
APE Field Trip
Dublin Chiller
Student Council Meeting
Rm. 234
9:30-12:00pm
5:00-7:00 pm
9:30-12:00pm
2:30-3:30pm
3:15-4:00pm
9:30-12:00pm
6:00-7:30pm
9:30-12:00pm
5:30-6:45pm
9:30-12:00pm
6:00-8:00pm
9:30-1:00pm
3:25-3:55pm
8:30-9:15am
All Day
All Day
10:15-11:30am
2:15-3:30pm
10:30-11:35am
2:45-3:45pm
5:15-7:15pm
10:00-11:00am
5:30-6:45pm
10:00-1:30pm
8:30-9:15am
!
Library News * Mrs. Organiscak
In Library Class, students in grades 3-5 are learning about the special features of our new library management system, Destiny. Each student has an account in Destiny, and students are
learning how to manage their accounts. A student may log into Destiny from anywhere he/
she has access to the internet. Once logged in, he/she can check the titles of books checked
out, access the computer catalog, place books into a personal list and send a book recommendation to another student. A student can also check his/her “recommendations” mailbox to
see if another student has sent a recommendation.
The peer to peer recommendation feature is a wonderful way to encourage reading among the
students. To prepare to write recommendations, our library classes have focused on the various genres of literature such as historical fiction, fantasy fiction, realistic fiction, etc. In this
study, we practiced searching the computer catalog and locating books of the various genres.
We read reviews and visited literary websites. I also book talked the “latest and greatest” recently published fiction books from the different genres. (Did you know that John Grisham recently published Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer, his first novel for children?) The students practiced using the common language that clearly describes the genre of the book to be recommended. How meaningful it is when a friend suggests a book that is a perfect match for your
interests!
Grade 2 was introduced to using the library catalog through Destiny Quest. Students in the
primary grades will soon be learning to use the Visual Search feature of Destiny which enables
them to search for a book by selecting pictures.
Second graders showed their creative talents as they used Pixie on the library computers to
create autumn leaves after we read Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert. They also enjoyed
using Pixie to extend their understanding of the Caldecott Award winning book The Girl who
Loved Wild Horses. The students used the art technique of decorating a scene from the book
with geometric shapes.
Students in first grade learned about book care and have been practicing finding “just right”
books. Using literature from Halloween and Thanksgiving, students learned about the concept
of fiction and non-fiction.
In preparation for Thanksgiving, students in grades 1-5 are learning about Native American
Folktales. We are reading hero tales, pourquoi tales, and trickster tales.
The fall book fair was a success! Thanks to the Eli Pinney community for your support of the
book fair!
Music Notes with Mrs. Casto
Hello Pinney Panthers!
I want to start off by thanking all the Pinney students for being so kind and enthusiastic for
Mrs. Lori Bantz, my long-term guest teacher. Mrs. Bantz said she felt welcomed by all students
and could tell all were doing their best. I was so happy to receive all the hugs and “high-fives”
from the students upon my return from maternity leave.
First graders have spent most of the first trimester discovering musical comparatives: loud/
soft, high/low, fast/slow and same/different. Through a variety of games and songs, students
have used their voices and instruments to learn how one song can be so different from another or how there can be changes within one song. Most recently, students are identifying
the steady beat in songs they hear and sing and move to.
Second graders are expanding their knowledge of pitches. After mastering reading and singing “so” and “mi,” students are now becoming familiar with “high” and will soon learn its true
musical name. Their rhythm reading skills are great as they continue to practice patterns using quarter and eighth notes and quarter rests.
Third graders now know the entire “do” pentatonic scale. They can read and write melodic
patterns containing all five pitches of the scale. Students are also enjoying learning new songs
and games that use half notes.
Fourth graders now know the extended pentatonic scale and are doing a fantastic job of reading melodies on the staff. Just recently, they have learned about absolute pitch names and
how to read them on a staff. Many are looking forward to beginning our recorder unit. Recorder order forms will go home Monday, November 28th and will be due Friday, December
2nd.
Fifth graders are using all kinds of instruments to accompany songs that contain “high do.”
They are also using the instruments to learn about ostinato and improvisation.
Physical Education * Ms. Hathaway
During our Fall Harvest lesson our first and second grade students played Batmobile
and Trick or Treat Tag. Teamwork and cooperation were essential during Batmobile to gather
“spiders” (frog bean bags) from the houses and return them to the collection bin. Trick or
Treat Tag involved dodging and fleeing the ghost. Being tagged by a ghost meant that you
were now a mummy helping the ghost. The third, fourth and fifth graders played Haunted
House Tag. During this game the trick or treaters ran through the neighborhood to the
haunted house to collect the candy (beanbags) and get back home without being tagged by
the ghost. In this game, being tagged by the ghost meant that you had to visit the “graveyard” to complete a simple task before returning to the game.
After the Fall Harvest lessons the younger students began a rolling unit. Within the
rolling unit we discussed and implemented stepping with opposition when getting ready to
release the ball. Along with a multitude of rolls students also examined force. It takes a
hard force to knock over something that’s heavy and a much softer force if the object is light,
like a beach ball. The students played Castle Ball. This game allowed the students to practice rolling using different forces. Following Castle Ball, we competed in a game of pinball.
Pinball is another rolling activity where each team protects their bowling pins from the other
team and secondly, students roll the balls across the gym to knock down the opponents’ pins.
Within this lesson we were able to discuss guarding strategies as well as offensive strategies
such as: distractions, sneak attacks and angles.
The older students earned an opportunity to plan several of their favorite PE games.
We played dodgeball ball four different ways. In each game the majority of the rules stayed
the same; the modification in each game was the result of what to do once you got out. In
Star Wars you had to wait for the saver to free you. In Backboard Dodgeball you have to
depend on a teammate to hit the opponent’s basketball backboard to free everyone in jail.
Endline Dodgeball relies on your teammates making an accurate throw to get you out of jail.
The favorite, All For One Dodgeball, means that you remain in jail until the person who got
you out gets out. Any way you play it, it’s a whole lot of FUN! We, of course, also played
kickball and capture the flag! We have just recently started a badminton unit. Within this
unit the students will practice different types of strikes and offensive strategies. We hope to
conclude the unit with a round robin tournament.
Thanksgiving time was another perfect opportunity to celebrate with games and activities. The students were divided into small teams to complete a challenge. This problem
solving activity involved going to the grocery store to do some holiday shopping for grandma/
pa. The students took turns riding and pushing each other on the scooters, around the gym
to collect the ingredients that grandma/pa needed to complete their holiday recipes. To
make it more challenging we added thieves who stole ingredients which required teams to
double check their shopping list before they checked out. It was fun to watch the students
communicate and work through obstacles.
MOPA
museum of pinney art
News from the art room...
Below is a brief description of what the different classes have been working on in
the past few months. Each grade level is exploring a different big idea and creating
art that demonstrates their thinking, learning, reflecting and creativity.
Who!I!am
On the following page, look for a brief word or
two about what will be featured in the February MOPA
newsletter. Enjoy the upcoming holiday break!
The first project of the year was a more introspective
piece of art. This opening lesson was created for grades
1-5. The purpose of this lesson was to lay the foundation
for future art exploration. This lesson helps the student
artist understand the perspective with which they view
and interact with the world, and leads to more thoughtful
creative expression and visual communication. The
State Standards
Historical, Cultural, Social Contexts
• Identify and describe the
different purposes people have
for creating visual art forms.
Creative Expression & Communication
student’s task was to create a piece of art that represents
• Develop and select a range of of
who they are and what they are about. Some students
subject matter and ideas to
used visual metaphors, while others demonstrated
communicate meaning in two and
interests and passions. This lesson enabled the
students to think critically about both who they are and
how to best represent this visually. Each visual response
is as unique as the artist who created it. To begin the
lesson the students looked at the work of several artists
three-dimensional works of art.
Analyzing & Responding
• Identify and describe the visual
features and characteristics in
works of art.
Valuing the Arts/Aesthetic Reflection
that deal with identity and visual metaphor. The students
• Apply basic reasoning skills to
also learned several art techniques and skills to add to
understand why works of art are
their ever growing artist toolbox. The task of transferring
conceptual knowledge to practical application is a
made and valued.
Connections, Relationships & Applications
rigorous skill essential in all academic disciplines. Think
• Use the visual arts as a means to
about what kind of visual representation you would
understand concepts and topics
create and why.
outside the arts.
Abstract!ConnectionsRelationships1
Who are the special people in your life that you have a
special relationship with? What would that relationship
look like?
What!If...Community2
What if the school had trees growing inside... Hmmm...
The!Next!Great!Technology!
DeviceCommunication3
Stay tuned to learn more about the next great piece of
technology as developed by a bunch of third graders!
Logo!DesignIdentity4
See the amazing thought and skill that went into these
creative logo designs.
21st!Century!Skills!ProjectLeadership5
Look forward to a two part project that has the
students researching, presenting, creating and
evaluating what it means to be a teacher and learner in
the 21st century,
The!Ripple!EffectIdentity/Leadership4/5
This unit is a year long collaboration between several
classes across grade levels. Check out the Pinney
Post after the new year to see how each pebble is
making a ripple!
The!Columbus!Museum!of!ArtEli Pinney Elementary
School
Eli Pinney Elementary School is fortunate to have
several pieces of art on exhibition at the Columbus
Museum of Art through January 2012. The pieces
represent a year long collaboration exploring the
identity formation process. The Columbus Museum
values, fosters and champions creativity throughout the
community. Their community gallery space seeks and
selects only a few to represent the best educational
practice demonstrated throughout the state. Please
consider making a donation, or purchasing a
membership to help support unique opportunities like
this for our students as well as students across the
state of Ohio. Please try and visit the museum to see
the amazing thinking and creativity demonstrated by
the students of Eli Pinney Elementary School.