November 2009

Dear Parents / Guardians:

In keeping with the Martin County School District initiatives to encourage daily and on-time attendance, I would like to remind all parents and guardians of important information. For a child to be successful in school, we expect each student to be on-time for school each day. Class starts at 7:50am, but we find students are often late. A student’s routine and preparedness for learning starts with a stress-free start of the day. When students are late to class, this cannot happen. Also, when students are checked out of school before dismissal on a frequent basis, this also interrupts the flow of learning and concentration on the part of the individual student, the teacher and the class as a whole. When medical appointments are made for students, the school needs documentation that requires a student to be dismissed before the end of the instructional day.

Another area of concern that is handled in a more formalized fashion is an unexcused absence. We realize that with the current health concerns for flu, it is best to keep sick children home to recover quickly and return to school. However, when a student does not return to school with a note stating an acceptable reason for an absence, the student is coded with an unexcused absence. Acceptable reasons for an excused absences are stated in the Elementary Code of Student Conduct and are the following:

·         Illness of student (A doctor’s statement will be required by the school after three or more consecutive days or nine cumulative days within any 90 calendar day).

·         An accident resulting in bodily injury to the student.

·         A death in the immediate family to the student.

·         An observance of an established religious holiday in line with the recorded faith of the student.

·         A subpoena by a law enforcement agency or a court appearance.

·         Principal-approved participation in academic, vocational, or non-instructional activities.

·         Insurmountable conditions as defined by regulations of the state board and determined by the principal.

·         As otherwise determined by the principal in accordance with state laws and School Board rules.

A note stating the reason for the absence as listed above then excuses the absence. In order to keep you informed of your child’s attendance history, I run a report each Friday. When a student has increments of 5 tardies or unexcused absences, I will notify you so you. We hope to improve the attendance patterns of our students and thereby allow students to soar academically.

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“BJ's Family Holiday Shopping Night”  November 10^th  from  6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

BJ’s will be selling hot chocolate and cookies for $2.00 with all proceeds going to Jensen Beach Elementary.  There will be an area set-up for students to have their picture made with Santa, create a holiday craft table and a "Smiles for Soldiers" table for students to create a holiday card to be mailed to the men and women serving overseas.  Each student that attends will receive a "Santa Snack Pack" that will include a package of hot chocolate, two cookies, reindeer food (oatmeal & glitter) to sprinkle on their lawn on Christmas Eve, BJ's Buddy pencil and a 4x6 blank "Dear Santa" note card so they can write a note to Santa. 

Jensen Beach Elementary chorus will be performing that night too.

Art News

Mrs. Haines and her art classes have been busy creating and exhibiting art everywhere!  Our fifth grade artists worked in small groups to make collages of healthy foods and ways to exercise.  These colorful pieces are now on display in JBE’s Café’ Gallery.  Fourth grade artists worked in small groups to paint landscapes and write poems while working in small groups.  Several of these pieces are on display at the School Board until November 13th, and the rest will be exhibited at our school.  Third grade artists used oil pastels to design JBE inspired art while working in small groups for our front office and staff lounge. Second grade, first grade, and kindergarten worked on creating Fall themed art for our school’s display at BJ’s Wholesale Club.  Please refer to School Digest in the Sunday Stuart News for a list of our talented Viking Artists who have their art on exhibit.  A BIG congratulations goes out to Emily Cook in second grade for winning second place in the Humane Society’s, Draw Your Pet Happy contest!  JBE certainly has A LOT of talent!

Mrs. Haines, Art Teacher

Music Classes

with Mrs. Jekanowski

Music classes continue to be full of activity- singing, movement, and instrument playing.  Fourth and Fifth grade students have begun the beloved program “Recorder Karate”.  Group lessons focus of music literacy and skill development laying the groundwork for individual/small group work and “belt testing”. The program allows to students to develop at their own pace. Students are encouraged to take music home with them to practice.  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before school begins, 7:30-7:45, students can come to the music room for extra practice and or to test for belts. 

JBE Chorus is off to a fantastic start with a wonderfully large and enthusiastic group of third, fourth and fifth grade students!  We have been learning songs representing each of the major December holidays, Hanukah, Christmas, and Kwanza. I want to express a big Viking thank you to all those parents who have volunteered their time at rehearsals and dismissal.  Please remember, if you have not already done so, to return a chorus t shirt form ASAP so that we will have the shirts in time for Veteran’s Day school assembly (November 10), Holiday concert (December 3) and the Stuart Christmas Parade (December 4). Remember that chorus is every Thursday from 2-3PM that students are in school.  Thanks so much for supporting JBE Chorus!

From the Science Lab

The Jensen Beach Elementary Science Fair, which is open to all grades, will be held December 7-11, 2009.  The Science Fair presents a great opportunity for students to explore areas of science, conduct research, and present their findings.  Students will be experimenting and doing their own projects using the scientific method, which is a step by step, easy to follow process that all scientists use when investigating a topic.  The Science Fair will give students the chance to study a topic that interests them.  Projects can be a varied as the students’ interests, such as sports, music, art, rocketry, and computers.  Through their projects, students will discover that science is found in every niche of the universe.

Kindergarten through third grade students are invited to complete a class project.  All class projects will be displayed at the school’s Science Fair.  Students in grades K-3 who complete a class project will receive a recognition ribbon and an ice pop.

Fourth and fifth grade students are invited to complete individual projects, which will be displayed at the school’s Science Fair and are eligible to be judged.  Students in 4^th and 5^th grade who complete an individual project will receive a recognition ribbon, a participation pin, and an ice pop.  The top 20 project display boards from 4^th and 5^th grade students will be selected by judges for special recognition at the JBE Science Fair Awards Ceremony and will be invited to participate in the Martin County Regional Science Fair.

Every fourth and fifth grade student will receive a red Science Fair folder (containing the blue JBE Science Fair Handbook, the yellow Step by Step Guide, and the green Science Fair Project Schedule) to bring home and share with parents/guardians.  The JBE Science Fair Handbook not only explains the rules, project categories, scientific method, investigation schedule, and bibliography directions but also includes ideas for Science Fair projects.  The Step by Step Guide contains instructions that will help students plan and prepare their Science Fair projects.  The Science Fair Project Schedule lists important due dates.  Please review the two booklets and the schedule with your child and monitor your child’s progress to encourage him or her to complete the investigation when it is due and to make sure your child is working safely.

Parents and families are invited to work along with their child as he or she selects, investigates, and reports on an appropriate area of science.  With your interest and your encouragement, your child can develop the skill and attitudes he or she needs to make this project a valuable experience.  But do encourage your child to do most, if not all, of the work.  Parents and families sometimes want to build an entire project, to make it perfect.  It is more important that your child wrestles with problems and tries to solve them, because learning is in the doing.  Guide your child whenever and wherever you can, but let the final project reflect your child’s individual effort and design.

I look forward to your participation in our upcoming Science Fair.  Let’s work together so that our Science Fair will be a memorable and enjoyable experience for your child.

Scientifically yours,

Ms. Ankrom, Science Lab Teacher

This year the Science Fair Coordinators will be Ms. Kerrie Casey, Mrs. Alice Lunt, and Ms. Michelle Wallace.  If you have any questions, please call them at 772-219-1555.

Physical Education

 Children in 3^rd. 4^th, and 5^th grade have been participating in the long jump, softball throw, 50 and 100 yard dash.  Once the weather cools down children will also be competing in the 220 yd. Dash and 440 yd. Run.  The top two boys and two girls for each event, the top four in the 100yd.Dash, who will make up our  440 Relay Team and top four in the 440 will make up our Mile Relay Team will be asked to go and  represent Jensen Beach Elementary at the Russell Holloway Track and Field Day for all Martin County Elementary Schools.  This event will be held Saturday January 23,2010  at Jensen Beach High School.

Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd grades have been participating in an obstacle course, learning proper throwing and catching techniques, practicing aiming and dribbling with basketballs, and learning strategies and evasion through Cat and Mouse tag game.

We encourage children to wear hats to help protect them from sun glare but for safety reasons we ask that children do not bring sunglasses.  All children must have proper shoes for running and playing at PE.  If a child wants to wear other closed toe shoes during regular classes please have a pair of sneakers in their backpack so they may change shoes for PE time.

Kindergarten Korner:

What a full month we have had in Kindergarten!  We finished our FAIR testing and our students did well.  This test gave use information about each child and their knowledge of readiness skills.  Please continue to practice alphabet recognition with your child at home each night!!  Knowing the upper and lower case letters was one skill that some of the children were lacking.  We will be addressing the different phonemic skills as we plan our instruction.  You can help by asking your child to clap syllables in words, play rhyming games and count words in sentences.  We are also teaching beginning and ending sounds.

In math we are finishing up with patterning and beginning chapters on counting.  We will focus on the concepts of more and less and equal sets.  We will begin with counting to 10 and eventually all the way to 100.  You can also help at home by having your child count sets of objects.  It is a very important skill to be able to count using one-to-one- correspondence.  Here’s an idea:  Give your child some objects (like crayons, candy, pasta, blocks) and have them “count and touch” the objects.  The touch is VERY important!  They should count so that their numbers and their touch go together.  This is counting with one-to-one-correspondence.  Begin counting to 10 and then move on.  The children will also be expected to recognize the numbers.

We all had great trips to the Jensen Beach Fire Station!  We want to thank all of the firefighters who took their time to show us the trucks, the equipment, the firehouse and shoot the hose!  It was too much fun!  We also want to thank the Red Cross for brining in the Disaster Relief Truck!  They taught the children how to crawl out of a smoky room!

Don’t forget your SNACK ATTACK days.  Please let your teacher know if you are ever unable to bring in snack for the class.  Thank you to all of you who have graciously donated snacks!  The boys and girls are really hungry by snack time and the snacks get them through until lunch!!

FIRST GRADE:

·         First grade had a busy month in October.  We visited the Lyric Theater to see the performance Henry and Mudge. The children loved seeing these characters from the books they enjoy reading; try reading one of these books with your child.

·         Fall Festival was a great success. The children played bingo, made crafts, played games, and enjoyed treats.  Thank you to all the parents that volunteered to make this event so much fun!

·         We are also participating the Great American Mail Race, we have sent letters to schools in 50 states and are waiting for their reply. The children will be learning all about each state and what makes it special.

·         Please continue to support your child’s learning by reading every night and practicing the high frequency words each week.  The children become successful readers when they gain the confidence from practicing familiar words.

SECOND GRADE

• Please remember to read with your child for 20 minutes every night.  What a wonderful way to connect at the end of a busy day!  Upcoming skills for reading include plot and author’s purpose.  Don’t forget to review main idea/details and characterization.
• In Math we will be working on double digit addition and subtraction.  Keep studying those math facts!  We need them for EVERYTHING!
• This month all classes will visit the Environmental Studies Center.  We are also eagerly anticipating our Fall Festival “Swap Day.”  During this event, your children will travel through all the second grade classrooms spending approximately 30 minutes with each teacher and experiencing a hands-on, fun autumn activity centered on reading, math, writing, science and social studies.
• During this season of thanksgiving, the second grade teachers would like to say thank you for the support you give to us and to JBE.

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Response to Intervention (RtI)

The RtI process begins by looking at the core (class) instruction and behavior models that teachers provide to all of their students. As students and teachers proceed with the core instruction, differentiated instruction, and assessments, the teachers carefully monitor the progress of their students. Through the RtI model teachers work at finding successful learning/behavioral strategies and interventions for their struggling students.  Intervention time for students is provided by teachers during the school day.

RtI may be new to you but it is not new to the teachers and faculty at JBE.  The JBE staff has been working on embracing the RtI model of providing quality instruction and intervention for the students. The dynamics that JBE has in place for the students are amazing.  If you have more questions or interest in RtI, a parent brochure is accessible on-line at http://www.florida-rti.org/RtI-Parent-Brochure.pdf.  Thank you for taking the time to be involved in your child’s education.

Lynnette Hallonquist-RtI Coach for JBE/FAWE

Working for the well-being, dignity, and success of our students.

THIRD GRADE:

The third grade teachers would like to thank the parents and volunteers who donated items for our “Fall Festival” and time to make this event a success.  The students had a wonderful time welcoming fall!

In November, we have the “Thanksgiving Fest”, and in December, we will be having a “Winter Festival”. Please watch for letters from your child’s teacher to let you know the exact date and time of the festival.  Donations of items and volunteer time will also be needed for the “Winter Festival”.

Focus Skills for November:

Reading: Main Idea and supporting details

                        Plot

Math: Foundations of Multiplication and Division

            *Begin using flash cards to help your child learn the multiplication facts.

Science: Plants

Social Studies: Regions of the United States and the Caribbean

Writing: Expository Writing

Reminders:    *Read for 20 minutes every night and complete the reading log.

                        *Do NOT forget to look at you child’s planner and sign it nightly.

*Remember to sign your child’s Daily Performance Worksheet (DPW) on Fridays.

*Please be on the look out for the “Thursday Folder”. It contains all of the   flyers for the week.

*Do not forget to send your child in with his or her water bottle daily.

***And lastly, we know the days are long and the demands are high, but don’t forget to appreciate every moment with your child and love them to no end !!!***

FOURTH GRADE:

In Fourth grade, students have been diligently preparing for their FCAT’s.  Fourth grade teachers attended an outstanding in-service on September 16^th provided by the school and set-up by Mrs. Mills.  Teachers learned the newest and most effective strategies to implement in their classrooms when teaching Writing.  In Mathematics students have been learning basic Algebra.  Please practice the multiplication tables with your student(s) at home!  In Reading students have been working to develop skills in identifying character, setting and main idea.  In Science each of the classes have completed their chapter on Magnetism and are beginning to work on Ecosystems.  The Science Fair is upon us, and all fourth grade students are required to complete a science report.  The Science Fair Board is optional and will be graded as extra credit.

The Fourth grade is anxiously awaiting November 10^th, when the entire grade will be visiting the Everglades!  The air-boat ride is guaranteed to be spectacular, and the students will witness the natural beauty of the Everglades first hand.  We will also be holding our annual Fall Festival on November 24^th.  Fourth grade parents, please join us that day to help celebrate with your students.

FIFTH GRADE NEWS!

·         Our eight week DARE program is wrapping up with the Pizza Luncheon on November 5^th and Graduation on November 6^th @1:00pm. Invitations have been sent.  There will be several students honored at graduation for their outstanding essays on what they have learned in DARE.

·         The first nine week incentive of BLAZER BOWLING went great!  The students attending had earned 80% of the total points possible on their Daily Performance Worksheets.

·         Parents, please help your child by signing these sheets over the weekend(not before).  Students lose points for not turning their sheets in on time.

·         Environmental Studies Center Trips are planned throughout the middle of November.  The students will be attending with their  homeroom teacher.  More info to come on this.

·         Please encourage your child to take part in the AR program-- reading is like a sport it takes practice to improve.

·         Remember to Check Pinnacle Weekly to track your students progress.

Thank you for your continued support,

Fifth Grade Team

FROM MS. CARLSON AND THE GUIDANCE CORNER:

     As we say everyday….Character Counts at JBE!  We celebrated Character Counts and Red Ribbon Week in October with lots of special activities around campus.  We want to thank our parents for proudly flying red ribbons on your car antennas to support the “Just Say No to Drugs Program. Also, another thank you to our JBE volunteers, especially Beth Leahy, for her help setting up these special events. 

     In November, we begin celebrating the Character Counts Pillar of Respect.  Ms. Carlson, your guidance counselor, will be on the morning announcements talking about the importance of Respect. Please talk to your children about ways that they can show respect both at home and school.  We will be looking for students displaying this important trait and offering “Viking Vouchers” as incentives.   

      From September through December and then again from January to May, we offer counseling sessions through High Hopes. High Hopes is a group counseling program offered here at JBE on Tuesdays during the child related arts block, which helps children identify, understand and cope with the emotional and behavioral consequences of loss due to separation from a parent or divorce.  Miss Evie, our High Hopes counselor, has begun conducting groups in grades K-5 and it has been hugely successful.  If anyone is interesting in learning more about the program, please see our Guidance Counselor, Ms. Carlson. 

        Ms. Carlson and  Ms . Dorothy, a counselor from Tykes and Teens. are continuing to teach our PBS skill groups.  Groups meet once a week during the child’s related arts block. There is no cost for the program. Some of the topics covered are anger management, social skills, self-management skills, problem-solving skills, and organization, etc. Parental permission is required.

       Ms. Carlson is also on the Related Arts wheel for 3rd grade this second semester.  She will be teaching these “Student Success Skills” every day to all 3rd grade classes.  Please look for strategies to be coming home with your child teaching these important success traits.  Topics covered are:  organization, study skills, listening, communication, social problem solving, and conflict resolution.

       Please consider checking out Ms. Carlson’s guidance website at http://www.geocities.com/martalcarlson/mainpage.html for some excellent resources.  She is available also by emailing her at carlsom@martin.k12.fl.us.

Everychild.onevoice

All of Florida’s children deserve quality physical and mental health care, preschool, primary, elementary and secondary education and a safe and green environment where they live, worship, play and learn.  Our children MUST be prepared for a global world to be the leaders of tomorrow. We, the Florida PTA membership, will not settle for 50^th in the nation for educational dollars.  We must be sure our teachers are compensated for their efforts to form shining gems from the raw material they greet at their school doors (as well as the many hats they wear).  We may not do this by allowing government to take dollars from health care before birth and beyond, children & families, counselors, children’s services, exceptional student education and Child Find, the arts or any programs that assist the children of today to become the global learners of the future.

“Karen Brown President Florida PTA 2008-2010.”

 Parents, if you already joined PTA thanks so much for your support! If you haven't joined yet, it's not too late! Just send your $5.00 in an envelope marked "PTA membership". Please be sure to include your name and your child's name on the envelope. Checks can be made payable to JBE PTA. Please contact Julie Martucci at 334-4087 with any questions. 

JBE’S ~ Beauty is….. A Healthy you! With the weather becoming cooler and thoughts of how we as a community can make green choices please consider the following.

·         Is it necessary to take just one child to school... can you car pool?

·         Can you choose one day a week to walk or roll? (I.e. walk, scooter, skateboard or ride a bike?)

·         Can we replace plastic water bottles and use an alternative that does not have to be recycled?

By making small changes in our lives big changes happen.

Holiday Shop: Start saving your pennies for our annual Holiday Shop. It’s a great way for children to shop for the holidays for their families. Beginning November 30-December 4th.  Join us for a special shopping night with Santa Thursday December 3rd 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.!

Box Tops: Just in time for the holidays join www.BoxTops4education.com! Boxtops for education website offers a Marketplace that lets you earn for kids while you shop.Marketplace has partnered with many of your favorite retailers over 100+ online stores. Buy what you normally buy, but shop through Marketplace and earn 3, 6, even 12 percent for your school on your purchases. Watch those earnings add up fast. It's free to join and you will receive special deals at many of the stores just for being a member, it's a win, win for everyone!!

PTA Thank You’s! 

·         In Read-a-thon news, a big thank you goes out to Susan and Lucy from Your Kneads Therapeutic Massage & Body Work.  Their gracious donation was used to purchase a Winners Plaque that will be on display in the front office.  Thank you ladies!  Be on the lookout for this year's event, scheduled for May.  With your support last year's donations totaled more than $3000, all of which went towards the purchase of the 2009-2010 school supplies and classroom enrichment.  We look forward to another successful year. 

·         Thank you to Tami Iannuzzi for chairing our Halloween Dance and all our volunteers.  It was great fun for our JBE families