Chillum Elementary School
Home of the champions!
October 2006
Chillum Elementary Newsletter
Sheila Jefferson, Principal
Dear Parents,
As the end of the first quarter steadily approaches, we must assess growth in student learning and target the strengths and areas of development. Our first quarter benchmark assessments will take place on October 23rd thru October 26th for students in grades 3-6. This test will assess skills covered during the first quarter. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will use other assessment tools to determine student growths during this time as well. Our 3rd grade students will take the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT). The OLSAT is an assessment used to determine students’ eligibility for the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG). Thank you for your continued support in preparing students for these required county assessments. Our joint efforts will ensure success on the Maryland State Assessment (MSA) in March.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
In recognition of National
Hispanic Heritage Month, the staff and students at Chillum Elementary
School would like to acknowledge the Hispanic heritage of our students
and the many achievements of Hispanics in America and throughout the
world. Our students will be involved in a variety of activities.
Additionally, the Chillum Elementary TV Studio will showcase the
achievements of Latino artist in the areas of music, theatre, dance and
the visual arts.
College Park Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of College
Park selected our school to participate in the National Harbor Community
Outreach Project. As a result, each 3rd grade students were
presented personalized dictionaries.
Book Talk
Representatives from the
Hyattsville Public Library visited our 3rd and 5th
grade classes for a Book Talk. Students were introduced to authors and
novels. Students also learned about exciting activities and library
events.
Food Drive
We will sponsor a Can-U-Care
food drive on October 23 - November 3. Can goods and non-perishable
items will be collected, placed in a large barrel in our lobby area and
donated to the Salvation Army.
Fundraiser
Our annual fundraiser kickoff
began on September 28th. Orders and money is due on Thursday,
October 19th and the pick up date is Tuesday, November 14th.
Students will have the opportunity to win fun prizes. Profits from the
fundraiser will be used to purchased student incentives and supplies.
To ensure the safety of our students, we discourage door to door
fundraiser selling. Payments need to be made in cash or money order.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Headstart
We’ll be taking our first field trip to Green Meadows Pumpkin Patch in Jessup, Maryland. The trip will be on October 26. Parents, please note that we need chaperones! Also be aware that 3 year olds must make other transportation arrangements as county law does not permit them to ride the bus. During this month we will be working on the theme “My Family, My Community”, which includes learning about families, communities’ helpers, and community services. We are planning a “Career Dress Up Day” toward the end of the month to culminate our unit.
Miss Smith
Pre-K
Pre-K will be starting a new theme this month “My Family, My Community”. Students will bring in pictures of their families and important places in their community. In math, students will work one on one correspondence and number recognition up to number 5. At the end of the month a trip to the Pumpkin Patch and Petting Farm is scheduled.
Ms. Brooks and Ms. Hernandez
Kindergarten
This month we had a reading
unit called Look At Us. We are learning the classroom rules, getting to
know each other, learning how to listen and follow directions. So far
we have a Super Class. We have begun to form reading groups and
are “on our way” to reading books. In math we learned about simple
graphs, positions and creating patterns. In science we learned about
living and non-living things. In Social Studies we learned about our
families. We have also started to use our classroom computers. We are
planning a trip to Hyattsville Library in October.
Mrs. Ratner
First Grade
Mrs. Rodgers fantastic first
graders are having a wonderful year. We are blending short a and i
words in reading. Remember to read far 20 minutes each day.
Mrs. Rodgers
Second Grade
Welcome to second grade, were
we are home to a whopping 30 students. Our class is having an enjoyable
time beginning the school year. We have covered two chapters in
science. The first was “All About Plants” and the other was “All About
Animals”. The students and I enjoyed the chapter about animals the best.
We also got watch the life cycle of a caterpillar into a butterfly
firsthand in our classroom. We were torn on releasing our butterfly,
but eventually did last week. Our class is working hard on addition and
subtraction facts. Please make sure to review math daily, they can be
reviewed in the car, in the store or at home.
Mrs. Joseph
Third Grade
In math we have been working
on word problems based on addition and subtraction situations. In
reading we have been reviewing strategies for reading. Please check
agenda book each night for teacher comments and homework assignments.
Mrs. Juwara
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade will travel by
train, plane, ship and even dogsled as we set out to read about
Journeys. Remember to study math facts, read independently for 20
minutes each night and complete the reading log form.
Ms. Braswell & Mrs. Hayden
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade is currently
reading about nature’s fury. So far they’ve read, written about and
watched a video on hurricanes and volcanoes. It would be really
interesting to have someone share first hand account of what it is like
to actually live through a severe hurricane. If there are any parents
who’ve had this experience, please consider volunteering some time to
share with our students.
Ms. Diaz & Miss. Kirk
Sixth Grade
The sixth graders are off to a
great start preparing for middle school. Good organizational skills will
be a major focus this year and will help all of our students be
successful in all their future endeavors. Math is moving along quite
quickly. We have learned to record and interpret data and read, w rite,
compare, order and round decimals. Our next unit will focus on
fractions. Each unit in math always receives a strong emphasis on
problem solving. A unit has begun in Social Studies to teach the basic
tools and concepts of geography. The students are reading a variety of
genres and applying all their reading strategies in order to analyze and
interpret the text. Please feel free to come and visit our classrooms
and be a part of your child’s learning. Our doors are always open!
Mrs. Rabenovets & Ms. Bourne
Physical
Education
Physical Education classes
will be focusing on cooperative games for the month of October. Primary
classes will be working on their loco motor skills. Intermediate
classes will be learning about strategy and positive communication
skills.
Mr. Rodrigo
Music
We will be focusing on
Hispanic music. Grades 4-6 will be working on a 4-part assignment about
famous Hispanic musicians. Pre-k – 3 will be learning about Hispanic
instruments and rhythms.
Gorgeous Prince
George’s Day
In partnership with the
government and citizens of Prince George’s County, we will participate
in the 4th Annual Gorgeous Prince George’s Day Tree &
Flower Planting Project. We will be seeking volunteers to assist in the
beautification of our school by joining us to help plant flowers and
trees. The project takes place on Saturday, October 14th
from 8:30am-11:00am. Information regarding this project will be sent
home in the near future.
Harvest
Celebration
We will have a Harvest Day
Celebration in October. Students will not be permitted to wear
Halloween costumes to school.