Principal's Corner
Well, what a week. We had our H1N1 information night, math night, our vaccination clinic and our 5/6 grade parent information night. A good time was had by all – except maybe those getting vaccinated! Actually, I really enjoyed bringing the students back and forth from their vaccinations. Everyone was brave, even those who got the shot. I was not sure if I was going to get vaccinated, but after the information night, and a little research on my own, I went for it. Mr. Influenza will not get me. Speaking of Mr. Influenza, we ordered a copy of The Flu and You, Starring Influenza for every class in the school. The book is all about the Flu, including how not to get it and, if you do, how not to spread it. Thank you to Nurse Mary Jo for finding this great book.
I am looking forward to seeing our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in 101 Dalmations this weekend. I know our actors have been very tired this week, but from the little I have seen of rehearsals, it is well worth it. They have a play they can be proud of.
Monday is Evacuation Day. I think we are all well prepared and I am convinced that everything is going to go smoothly. Please make sure that if you drive your student to school that morning, you are on time or early. The sooner we take attendance, the sooner we can get on with our drill. Also, it would be helpful to remind your child that even though this is just a drill, we do need everyone’s complete cooperation (quiet voices, good behavior) so that we are well prepared in case there was ever a real emergency.
Next week will include some special traditional events celebrating Thanksgiving. For example, Mr. Burkle’s Pre-K classes will be presenting “The First Thanksgiving.” His little Pre-K students are absolutely adorable in this annual presentation. I do have to admit, however, that after this rather hectic week, I am looking forward to a short week next week. I hope everyone has a restful Thanksgiving holiday.
Pam
Well, what a week. We had our H1N1 information night, math night, our vaccination clinic and our 5/6 grade parent information night. A good time was had by all – except maybe those getting vaccinated! Actually, I really enjoyed bringing the students back and forth from their vaccinations. Everyone was brave, even those who got the shot. I was not sure if I was going to get vaccinated, but after the information night, and a little research on my own, I went for it. Mr. Influenza will not get me. Speaking of Mr. Influenza, we ordered a copy of The Flu and You, Starring Influenza for every class in the school. The book is all about the Flu, including how not to get it and, if you do, how not to spread it. Thank you to Nurse Mary Jo for finding this great book.
I am looking forward to seeing our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in 101 Dalmations this weekend. I know our actors have been very tired this week, but from the little I have seen of rehearsals, it is well worth it. They have a play they can be proud of.
Monday is Evacuation Day. I think we are all well prepared and I am convinced that everything is going to go smoothly. Please make sure that if you drive your student to school that morning, you are on time or early. The sooner we take attendance, the sooner we can get on with our drill. Also, it would be helpful to remind your child that even though this is just a drill, we do need everyone’s complete cooperation (quiet voices, good behavior) so that we are well prepared in case there was ever a real emergency.
Next week will include some special traditional events celebrating Thanksgiving. For example, Mr. Burkle’s Pre-K classes will be presenting “The First Thanksgiving.” His little Pre-K students are absolutely adorable in this annual presentation. I do have to admit, however, that after this rather hectic week, I am looking forward to a short week next week. I hope everyone has a restful Thanksgiving holiday.
Pam
First Grade Tree Projects
by Susan Turner
The UME first graders completed their tree projects this week. They were required to create a 2D or 3D project that had to include the parts of a tree and how animals or people use trees.
Here are just a few of them. Stop by the first grade classrooms to see the rest of them.
by Susan Turner
The UME first graders completed their tree projects this week. They were required to create a 2D or 3D project that had to include the parts of a tree and how animals or people use trees.
Here are just a few of them. Stop by the first grade classrooms to see the rest of them.
Cookie Walk Helpers Needed!
Lesliann Furcht, PTO President, is looking for help with the UME Cookie Walk again this year. Look for a flyer coming home with your child either today or Monday. Requests are for help with cookie baking (as always!), set-up on Friday, Dec. 4th afterschool, cookie selling for a 1-2 hour shift at the Cookie Walk on Saturday, or clean-up afterwards.
If the flyer doesn't make it home, you can contact Lesliann at lfurcht@tek2000.net.
(Image courtesy of americanprogress.org.)
Lesliann Furcht, PTO President, is looking for help with the UME Cookie Walk again this year. Look for a flyer coming home with your child either today or Monday. Requests are for help with cookie baking (as always!), set-up on Friday, Dec. 4th afterschool, cookie selling for a 1-2 hour shift at the Cookie Walk on Saturday, or clean-up afterwards.
If the flyer doesn't make it home, you can contact Lesliann at lfurcht@tek2000.net.
(Image courtesy of americanprogress.org.)
Bouncing Cranberries?!
by Susan Turner
Cranberries, after being harvested, are sorted by a machine that bounces them. Fresh firm berries bounce easily over the machine's inch-high "bounce boards." Berries that clear the boards are bagged and sent to the grocery stores. Berries that don't are later made into sauces or juice.
Mrs. Turner's first grade class created their own bounce boards. The challenge was to work with a partner and build a 4" wall using any materials found in the classroom. The students then had to see how many of their cranberries bounced high enough to clear their walls and then to record their results.
by Susan Turner
Cranberries, after being harvested, are sorted by a machine that bounces them. Fresh firm berries bounce easily over the machine's inch-high "bounce boards." Berries that clear the boards are bagged and sent to the grocery stores. Berries that don't are later made into sauces or juice.
Mrs. Turner's first grade class created their own bounce boards. The challenge was to work with a partner and build a 4" wall using any materials found in the classroom. The students then had to see how many of their cranberries bounced high enough to clear their walls and then to record their results.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and drop in again in two weeks for a new edition of the Eaglet News!
101 Dalmatians
by Travis Daly
Undermountain Elementary School will present 101 Dalmatians, their fall musical, at the Consolati Performing Arts Center (TACPAC) on Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd. The cast features over 50 students from the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. The production is directed by Amy Brentano and musical director is Courtney English.
The Saturday performance is at 7:30 pm; the Sunday performance is at 2 pm. Tickets for the performance will go on sale Saturday, November 21st at 6:30 pm and Sunday, November 22nd at 12:30 pm. Tickets will not be sold in advance.
The general admission ticket price is $10.00; the price is $5.00 for children and seniors. The running time of the show is an hour. There will be a brief intermission during which concession items will be available. We will also be a holding a silent auction. For more information call (413) 229-8754 ext. 127.
(Rehearsal photograph by Noel Wicke.)
by Travis Daly
Undermountain Elementary School will present 101 Dalmatians, their fall musical, at the Consolati Performing Arts Center (TACPAC) on Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd. The cast features over 50 students from the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. The production is directed by Amy Brentano and musical director is Courtney English.
The Saturday performance is at 7:30 pm; the Sunday performance is at 2 pm. Tickets for the performance will go on sale Saturday, November 21st at 6:30 pm and Sunday, November 22nd at 12:30 pm. Tickets will not be sold in advance.
The general admission ticket price is $10.00; the price is $5.00 for children and seniors. The running time of the show is an hour. There will be a brief intermission during which concession items will be available. We will also be a holding a silent auction. For more information call (413) 229-8754 ext. 127.
(Rehearsal photograph by Noel Wicke.)
The U & ME Schoolyard Garden Update
by Susan Weinstein
The learning continued in and outside of the U & ME Schoolyard Garden! Saturday, November 7th, our garden coordinator, Peggy Henden-Wilson attended a Fall Conference for Educators held in Brookline, MA. Some of the workshops she attended included: Composting, Vegetables in the Cold and Seeds: Starting in the Classroom.
Last week, my first graders did Sunflower Seed Math with Peggy using our own U & ME Schoolyard Garden grown sunflowers. This activity involved estimating, counting, and measuring. After removing and counting all of the ripe seeds in their sunflowers, each student estimated and counted how many seeds (lined up) equaled a foot.
U & ME Schoolyard Garden news...
by Susan Weinstein
The learning continued in and outside of the U & ME Schoolyard Garden! Saturday, November 7th, our garden coordinator, Peggy Henden-Wilson attended a Fall Conference for Educators held in Brookline, MA. Some of the workshops she attended included: Composting, Vegetables in the Cold and Seeds: Starting in the Classroom.
Last week, my first graders did Sunflower Seed Math with Peggy using our own U & ME Schoolyard Garden grown sunflowers. This activity involved estimating, counting, and measuring. After removing and counting all of the ripe seeds in their sunflowers, each student estimated and counted how many seeds (lined up) equaled a foot.
U & ME Schoolyard Garden news...
An introduction to the garden in preparation for the U&ME Schoolyard Garden’s news podcast.
The UME afterschool Garden Club planted over one hundred cloves of garlic that were generously donated by Garden Club 4th grader, Finn. Once the cloves were planted, the bed was mulched with straw.
Our high school interns continue to work on a solution to the rabbit problem in the U & ME Schoolyard Garden. The rabbits are sneaking under the gates and eating the cold weather crops of peas, lettuce, radish and beets.
We look forward to planning, planting, caring for, feasting from, and celebrating our healthy garden with you and your children.
Our high school interns continue to work on a solution to the rabbit problem in the U & ME Schoolyard Garden. The rabbits are sneaking under the gates and eating the cold weather crops of peas, lettuce, radish and beets.
We look forward to planning, planting, caring for, feasting from, and celebrating our healthy garden with you and your children.
In preparation for the U & ME Schoolyard Garden’s news podcast, last Friday 6th grade students from Mr. Bleau and Mrs. Mallory's classes were introduced to the U & ME Schoolyard Garden by Peggy. These six students will be responsible for seeking out garden news, writing their own scripts and recording their garden news with the help of Chris Thompson. The first podcast will be broadcast on the U & ME Schoolyard Garden website in December.
Fairview Hospital Provides H1N1 Clinic
On Thursday, medical staff from Fairview Hospital provided an H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic for students and staff at Southern Berkshire. Over 500 flu shots/nasal spray vaccines were administered. Thanks to everyone who made it happen - Fairview staff, district administration, and district staff and parents who helped.
(Image courtesy of www.bydewey.com.)
On Thursday, medical staff from Fairview Hospital provided an H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic for students and staff at Southern Berkshire. Over 500 flu shots/nasal spray vaccines were administered. Thanks to everyone who made it happen - Fairview staff, district administration, and district staff and parents who helped.
(Image courtesy of www.bydewey.com.)