MARCH 2015
SOJOURNER SCHOOL
11909 SE Linwood Avenue, Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 353-5460
Dates to Remember Why is it important to be on time?
One of the biggest challenges in our busy lives is
getting out the door in the morning and getting to
school or the bus stop on time. However, there are
some important reasons why it is worth the effort. Here
are a few things to keep in mind…
March
18 - SNS - Inservice Day
21-25
- SNS - Spring Break
28
- SNS - Program Day
April
15 Studies have shown that students that have a
habit of being on time to school...
•
Have a greater chance of success in high school
and lower rate of dropping out
•
Have better grades and standardized test
performance
•
Have a lower rate of behavioral suspensions
•
Have a lower rate of attendance and tardy
issues when entering the workforce
- SNS - Inservice Day
May
26 - SNS - Inservice Day
27
- SNS - Conference Day
30
- SNS - Memorial Day
June
15 - Last Day of School
16, 17, 20
- Emergency Make-up Day
SNS=School Not in Session
How are students at Sojourner doing at getting to
school on time? (By grade level)
-Kindergarten: 79% of students have 5 or fewer tardies
-1st Grade: 58% of students have 5 or fewer tardies
-2nd Grade: 66% of students have 5 or fewer tardies
-3rd Grade: 70% of students have 5 or fewer tardies
-4th Grade: 71% of students have 5 or fewer tardies
-5th Grade: 78% of students have 5 or fewer tardies
Enjoy your
Primary
MARCH 2016
Ms Gately and Ms Wright
•••
Primary projects were a huge success! We were so impressed with the growth we saw in each child - from
recording their learning in project journals, to sharing their knowledge during presentations and
walkthroughs. Thanks for all you did at home to help your child be successful.
Math:
Kindergarten- We are moving on to a two dimensional geometry unit of study. Students will begin this unit by
comparing a sphere and a circle, two shapes with which they are likely to be quite familiar. Students’
comparisons bring to light the difference between three-dimensional shapes and two-dimensional shapes.
After this initial investigation, students spend the rest of the unit examining, identifying, comparing, and
sorting two-dimensional shapes.
First Grade- Students will be entering a unit of study working with number lines, an essential mathematical
model. Throughout, closed and open number lines are used both as models of our number system, as well
as models for beginning operations with addition and subtraction. Students locate numbers on a number line,
use their reasoning skills and number sense to determine unknown values that correspond to empty boxes,
and explore addition and subtraction. As the unit unfolds, the range of numbers represented grows from 0–
20 to 0–120. Students become comfortable skip-jumping along open number lines in multiples of 5 and 10,
forward and backward, from numbers that are both on and off the decade. In the concluding module,
students measure penguins and then compare and order those measurements, write inequality statements,
and find differences between the two numbers.
Integrated Studies: Art
We read a book called Uncle Andy by James Warhola. This was a story about a little boy that visited his
famous Uncle Andy Warhol in New York City and learned to see how "junk" could become something truly
amazing in an artist's hands. We took inspiration from Andy Warhol’s series of Flowers 1964/1965. The
students drew a flower and traced it to a foam piece of paper that was used a stamp, much like the screen
print process that Andy Warhol used. After stamping their flower onto a piece of paper they used artist tape
to create grass as a background. Come and see their beautiful pieces hanging in the classroom.
Literacy:
Our classroom is full of readers and writers. This is a magical time in a primary classroom - when everything
we have been talking about and learning seems to come together. Student growth is evident in the way that
our kids are devouring books and writing creative masterpieces.
We are getting ready to begin a focused study of nonfiction text. We will start by immersing ourselves in a
wide variety of nonfiction books - noticing and discussing the different features of nonfiction and how the
features support us as readers. Once we have spent a considerable amount of time discussing and reading
nonfiction texts, we will use our new knowledge as writers to write and illustrate nonfiction books.
Word study is an important part of our balanced literacy program. Students will bring home a new set of
words each week, please feel free to recycle the old words when the new words come home. Word study
activities are a fun way for your child to practice phonics concepts and learn spelling patterns. The activities
should take no more than 5-15 minutes to complete.
Reading at home should be a fun and relaxing activity. If your child is reading and you notice that either you
or your child is becoming frustrated, please put the book away and take a break. Reading to your child is
equally important. Take some time to cozy up and enjoy books together.
Transitional
Mrs Wear and Ms Finn
•••
Keeping informed
Each Sunday night we post our weekly update HERE for our families to know what we are doing in
Transitional, and what is on the schedule for the coming week. Please let us know if you are unable
to read these newsletters or if there is something else you hope to see on our website. We want it
to work for you!
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Intermediate
Ms Barnes and Ms Peck
MARCH 2016
•••
Integrated Studies: We are wrapping up our research on Oregon Native American Tribes, and
students will be creating models of their tribe’s environment on Wednesday, March 16th. See the link
for a letter informing you of needed supplies.
Tribe Project Letter
5th Grade Math: We are starting Bridges Unit 4: Multiplying and Dividing Whole Numbers and
Decimals. Check out the link on our Intermediate Website for resources and information about this
unit or links below.
Grade 5 Unit 4 Overview
Unit 4 resources
ORFF
During the months of March and April we will be hard at work preparing for the Spring Celebration
which will be on April 29th.
The Primary Classes are working on four songs; El Coqui, Take You Riding in the Car, Bling Blang,
and Alphabet Soup. Ask your child to sing to you! We are also listening to bird songs and trying to
identify them. So far, we have heard songs of a Robin, Song Sparrow, and Black Capped
Chickadee. After listening to the birds, we have been making up our own bird songs on the
glockenspiels. We are acting out this crazy Spring weather using rain sticks, scarves for wind and
the birds.The songs goes:” Listen to the birds in the forest sing. They are glad that it is Spring.
Spring is here, the birds are glad….but Winter winds will make them sad”......
The Transitional classes are working on an Old English Morris dance called “Shepherd’s Hey” We
will play this song on recorders, xylophones,and cello,( We tried out the cello for the first time
today. Everybody did very well.) There will of course be dancing! We are also playing and singing
a jazzy piece called “Old Man Mosie” This will include singing, dancing, xylophones, snare drum
and hi hat cymbal.Our current song is in Spanish. It is called “Mira Que Bella la Luna” Finally,
please make sure that your child practices the recorder each day for five minutes. The music for
“Shepherd’s Hey” was sent home a few weeks ago. Please let me know if you need another copy.
The Intermediate classes are working on two pieces. One is a jazz arrangement of the African
American song, “Hambone” We are having a great time learning about new jazz ideas such as
walking bass lines, tritones, and improvisation. Our other project is the beautiful 19th century
American Folk song, “Shenandoah” We are preparing to play this song on soprano alto, tenor
recorders, as well as cello. Please remind your child to practice recorder for a minimum of five
minutes each day. Thank you!!
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Violin
Ms Manselle
MARCH 2016
•••
All classes are practicing hard for our celebration concert at Rex Putnam High School. Mark your calendars:
please plan to attend the April 29th concert! Invite your family and friends. This is our most important violin
performance of the year, and we need EVERY student to attend. Children are learning popular movie
music, fiddle tunes, folk favorites, and famous classical music. They have been working very hard, and I
know you will love the concert! Encourage your child to work at making beautiful tones by holding their violin
and bow correctly! Remind your children also that “orchestras start and stop together.” Talk to your child
about teamwork. It is important that we work as a team, play at the proper speed, and stay together!
The 2nd through 5th graders recently watched a DVD about Johann Sebastian Bach and his young
assistant, Friedrich, called “Fight for Freedom.” Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Germany during the
Baroque period. We learned about the customs, events, hardships, and situations that Bach and the young
boy persevered through when Bach was thrown into prison in 1716. He worked long hours daily in order to
compose fabulous music that is still enjoyed today, 300 years later. The intermediate students are learning
how to play Minuet One, by Bach. We enjoyed listening to Bach’s amazing music, and understanding how
hard he worked to compose music that would make people more joyful.
Volunteers: We can always use more parent helpers in violin. It is completely easy! Pop in anytime: Mon.
through Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 AM, and 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Thank you for your help!
A huge thank you to all of the parents who tirelessly volunteer by setting up the violin classroom each day,
and who operate the Wednesday violin loan program. I appreciate you all so very much! THANK YOU!!!
Have wonderful Spring Break!
District News
A Note from the Nurse
•••
MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH!
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. They can help children to
grow and develop, increase their vitality and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Encourage children to eat
vegetables and fruits by making it fun. Provide healthy ingredients and let kids help in preparation, based
on their age and skills. Kids may try foods they avoided in the past if they help make them.
Kid-Friendly Veggies and Fruits
Smoothie creations. Blend fat-free or low-fat yogurt with fruit pieces and crushed ice. Use fresh, frozen, or
canned fruits (try bananas, berries, peaches, and/or pineapple). If you freeze the fruit first, you can skip the
ice!
Delicious dippers. Whip up a quick dip for veggies with yogurt and seasonings such as herbs or garlic.
Serve raw vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower. Fruit chunks go great with a yogurt and cinnamon
or vanilla dip.
Frosty fruits. Frozen treats are bound to be popular in the warm months. Just put fresh fruits such as melon
chunks in the freezer. Make “popsicles” by inserting sticks into peeled bananas and freezing.
Bugs on a log. Use celery, cucumber or carrot sticks as the log and add peanut butter. Top with dried fruits
such as raisins, cranberries or cherries, depending on what bugs you want!
Homemade Trail Mix. Use your favorite nuts and dried fruits, such as unsalted peanuts, cashews, walnuts or
sunflower seeds mixed with dried apples, pineapple, cherries, apricots, or raisins. Add whole-grain cereals
to the mix, too.
Personalized pizzas. Set up a pizza-making station in the kitchen. Use whole-wheat English muffins, bagels,
or pita bread as the crust. Have tomato sauce, low-fat cheese, and cut-up vegetables or fruits for toppings.
Let kids choose their own favorites. Then pop the pizzas into the oven to warm.
Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov for more hints and information.
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District News
MARCH 2016
Saturday Academy at
the Witchita Center
April 9-May 7, 2016
Follow your curiosity!
Basic Programming & Pre-Robotics
Gain an understanding of programming as you control and manipulate a LEGO® Mindstorms® robot.
Learn the tools for coding in any language: correct
logic and structures, use of variables, modifiers,
repeats, functions and subroutines. Construct and
control your own robot using Mindstorms software.
Then put your robot through its paces. Navigate an
obstacle course, compete in plank-wrestling, climb a
rope or design the fastest car.
Grades 4-6
12-3pm
Engineering: Rube Goldberg Machines
FINANCIAL
AID
AVAILABLE
Tuition as low as $25.
See details about our
Financial Aid program at
www.saturdayacademy.org/aid
Over-engineer a contraption to perform a simple task
by using cause and effect to produce a chain reaction. Build a machine that includes an intricate series
of imaginative steps while gaining hands-on engineering experience. Work in small teams to design
and build your contraption using everyday materials.
Along the way, learn about the physics of energy
conservation, inertia, forces and electric circuits.
Grades 4-6
Grades 6-8
Saturday Academy offers classes,
camps and workshops to students
grades 2-12 throughout the Portland
Metro area. Founded in 1983, we serve
more than 7,000 students each year.
12-3pm
1-4pm
visit our website for more information and to register
w w w. s a t u r d a ya c a d e my. o r g
Free Nurturing Parenting Class :
ABCs for Parents and
Children ages 4-8 years
Tuesdays
5:30-7:30 p.m.
March 29- May 10
Oak Grove Elementary
2150 SE Torbank Rd
Milwaukie, OR
Dinner
and
Childcare
Provided!
Space limited to
first 15 families!
Please join us for a FREE, FUN, and interesting class for both children and
their parents. You will learn how to:
•
•
•
Identify and handle feelings
Be empathetic
Handle stress and anger
•
•
•
Communicate needs
Learn new discipline techniques
Take care of yourself
Build positive memories with your child and make life more peaceful at home!
Dinner and free childcare (for children not in age range) are provided! Gifts for
families throughout the course!
Register by calling 503-353-6040 or email westlingl@nclack.k12.or.us.
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