ESS Home Scholar Gazette
Week of 06/01/20
Greetings!
- Distribution of report cards, school pictures, personal items, and other important papers will occur on June 15th, 16th, and 17th from 9-3.
- The guidelines for the distribution will be sent to all families the week of the 8th.
Dear ESS Families,
Welcome to Week 11! It is hard to believe we have been engaged in distance learning this long. Thank you for your commitment to your child’s education! We know the warmer weather can make it more difficult for children (and us!) to focus on learning. We will continue to try and incorporate elements that will be engaging for them as we head into our final two weeks of the school year. The last day of school for children is Friday, June 12th. With teaching in the classroom, it is easy to see and celebrate student learning every day. During distance learning, that has been much harder to do. We hope that you have been able to celebrate the learning taking place at home, using both the distance learning resources and the natural opportunities that present themselves each day. We look forward to continuing our learning together this week.
Stay well and be safe,
Mark Lord
Bethany Calado
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration is OPEN for the 2020-21 school year.
Please go to our website @ www.enfieldschools.org
And click on the GREEN Striped link BELOW the RED Circle.
This will bring you to our registration site:
You will need to first create an account.
This account is meant to be created by an adult family member.
It is important to create only one account per household so that the system
will be able to save and access your information correctly.
Enfield Family Resource Center
Current Link for EFRC Newsletter
PBIS Spotlight
Mindfulness and Wellness - Ms. Hijeck and Mrs. Tait
Hello Enfield Street School Families! We are getting close to the finish line! Hopefully, with the end in sight, our students can stay motivated to finish this school year strong!
This week we wanted to discuss with you the idea of “…for now.” This simple, little phrase tagged on to the end of a statement displays how feelings (and events) do not last forever. This is an important concept to verbalize, especially when dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings. We always should acknowledge what we’re feeling, but add to it the stipulation “for now.” For example, “I’m very angry” becomes “I’m very angry for now.” This coping thought falls in line with the notion, “This too shall pass.” Understandably, this could be aggravating to repeat to yourself over and over, or to remind your children of this sentiment. However, feelings are meant to be felt – it’s okay to be angry, frustrated, anxious, sad, or livid. Your body and your mind need to experience those feelings in order to process what is going on around you. What is key is knowing that no matter how uncomfortable or unfortunate this feeling is, it will pass. Incidentally, positive feelings pass too. It’s wonderful to feel happy, joyful, or elated, but knowing that feelings and emotions have a wave effect, you can prepare yourself mentally for the shift in feelings. “I’m happy now, and I’m glad I’m happy. Because I know that things can and will change, I will appreciate this happy moment.” Understanding that feelings are fleeting will ultimately lead us to a calmer mindset.
We noticed a story on the news this week about the 2020 National Teacher of the Year. Her name is Tabatha Rosproy and she is a preschool teacher from Kansas.
What we loved about her interview was that she said she prioritizes teaching empathy and helping her students to understand their own emotions.
"I think that social emotional learning is one of the most important things that we can offer our students - in preschool and at all ages. It is something that every person needs and something that I plan to advocate for as National Teacher of the Year," she said. It’s so exciting to hear this important message being spread!
We’ve been so pleased with the efforts you have been putting into the social emotional lessons we have been posting for our students! Thank you for continuing to make this a priority for your family! Remember, these resources are available whenever you may need them – you can go back to the videos or other information anytime you believe your child could benefit from the message or the extra practice.
As an added resource, one of our PBIS colleagues at Prudence Crandall school has started a video series for parents centered around the struggles of distance learning. She has great information and easy-to-follow steps for handling even the most challenging situations with your children. You can find her videos by clicking on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3E6uW2ud3UvL3NNe5SeVDQ?view_as=subscriber
School Counselor Corner
Mrs. Lappen - School Counselor
SCHOOL COUNSELOR CORNER
Greetings Enfield Street Families!
With great effort, resilience and abundant good humor, you and your children have made it to June. The end of the school year is in plain sight. As you enter this final phase of distance learning, I wanted to share some information about a weekly podcast that I recently learned about. It is directed toward all of those families whose lives have been turned upside down by the coronavirus.
Launched by Common Sense Media, this free resource entitled Parent Trapped, offers “advice and comic relief” and features expert commentary, humor and good tips for parents and caregivers who are trying to juggle work, family and distance learning. Parent Trapped was launched on May 6th and subsequent episodes are released each Wednesday. This podcast grew out of the stories and tips that many working parents at Common Sense Media began sharing with their co-workers as a way to find some laughter in the not so humorous reality in which they found themselves.
Hosted by Ann Marie Baldonado, the director of talent development at Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR and a former talent producer on the Comedy Central show “The Opposition”, the podcast captures candid stories, the joys as well as the “absurdities of families getting more family time than they ever expected-or wanted.”
Below is a synopsis of the already released episodes of Parent Trapped:
Episode 1: Screen Time, Scribble Time, Space Out Time
Ever since schools closed due to social distancing requirements, many kids have been spending a lot of time online. Is all that screen time harmful?
Episode 2: Unveiling invisible Work, Husband Education, Edible Surprises
What happens when the invisible work of mothers becomes visible during a pandemic? Better Life Lab director Brigid Schulte says now is the perfect time for couples to dream up better ways to share responsibilities at home.
Episode 3: Managing Pandemic Anxiety, Stress-Free TV, Hug a Tree
During a pandemic, there’s so much to be stressed about. Dr. Dave Anderson of the Child Mind Institute offers some strategies for keeping your anxiety in check-including one that involves eating a sandwich.
Episode 4: Rob Huebel, Grace Lin, and the COVID Slide
Over the summer, kids tend to lose some of what they learned during the academic year—and that slide maybe even greater this year with schools being shut for months during the pandemic. Today we’ll get some tips on how to manage the “COVID” slide. Plus, award-winning children’s book writer Grace Lin brings author visits to your home and comedian Rob Huebel has some tricks for getting through the monotony of spending every day with your kids.
To listen to Parent Trapped, you can subscribe or download the podcast using Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.
For more information about Parent Trapped, please visit:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parenttrapped
As we enter the home stretch, do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Stay safe and healthy,
Miriam Lappen
School Counselor
mlappen@enfieldschools.org
District List of Available Activities
School-Wide Activity
Teacher Spotlight
Mrs. Carroll - Kindergarten
The end of this school year is coming! This is one we will NEVER FORGET for many reasons! While it was not what anyone could have ever imagined, I want to point out some positives…
There was a good amount of quality family time.
There was a good amount of quality teacher - student communication and connection time.
There was a good amount of quality teacher - parent communication and connection time.
There was a lot of kindness being spread around.
There was a clear presentation of everyone doing the best they can with what they have in front of them during these unprecedented times.
As we look forward to the fall, it is my hope that all these things come with us, no matter what that time looks like. It is also my hope that we take this summertime to relax, renew and refresh ourselves so that we are in a positive mindset for whatever comes our way!
With the greatest amount of respect,
Mrs. Cathy Carroll, Kindergarten ~ ESS
Mrs. Hulevitch - First Grade
Hello Enfield Street School Friends and Families! I hope the edition of this newsletter finds you healthy and well. I am so happy that we have finally been having good weather. I wanted to take this opportunity to teach you about a special day. I like teaching about this day every year in my classroom. Here are some fun facts about Flag Day:
Flag Day occurs on June 14th every year, but it is not an official federal holiday.
Even though it is not a federal holiday, many cities and towns hold festivals and parades to honor the American Flag.
Flag Day was originally the celebration of the adoption of United States Flag.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson is recorded as officially setting June 14, as Flag Day. Even with Wilson’s act, on a federal level the holiday was not passed by Congress.
Flag Day honors the American Flag and all its traditions. Historically, the story that Betsy Ross created the first flag has been passed down through the generations. However, it is actually believed that a United States Congressman named Francis Hopkinson created the first flag.
The design of the American Flag was not made official until 1912. At that time, a governmental order adopted the current design.
The nickname for the American Flag is the “Stars and Stripes.”
The thirteen stripes on the flag represent the thirteen original colonies and the colors of the stripes, red and white, stand for the courage and purity of our nation. The stars stand for the fifty separate but united States of our nation.
Over the past years the flag has changed 27 times. The last change was on July 4, 1960 to include the 50th state, Hawaii.
There are many customs and traditions surrounding the American Flag. Flag Day is a day set aside to teach and remember the history and these customs and traditions.
If you’d like to celebrate Flag day with a craft here is a simple and easy one to do.
1. Make a star out of blue paper and cut it out. Or make a star, cut it out, and then color it
blue.
2. Take a paper plate and paint red stripes on it.
3. When dry cut out the plate in a spiral.
4. Punch a hole in the bottom of the star and the biggest part of the spiral. Using a string
tie the two ends together.
5. Punch a hole in the top of the star. Use the string to tie a loop at the top and hang from your favorite spot!
Mrs. Schmidt - Second Grade
Hello Enfield Street School Families,
I can’t believe that we are already in the month of June! What a whirlwind of a school year it has been. I want to thank you for all of the support that you have given to not only your children, but to the Enfield Street staff as well. We never expected the school year to go quite like this, but we all got through it together. I really appreciate you and all that you do! Please take the next few months of summer to relax and enjoy some much needed down time from school. I will really miss seeing the soon- to- be 3rd graders and their smiling faces at ESS. Good luck at Parkman School!
To the 2nd graders at ESS. Here is a poem that I wanted to share with you:
I’m so proud
I was your teacher.
I’ve watched you
learn and grow.
We worked so hard,
and had so much fun!
How fast the time did go!
Our year was interrupted,
and it seemed too soon to part.
Just know that you will
always have a special place
within my heart!
Love,
Mrs. Schmidt
Specialist Spotlight
Mrs. Jennings-Reading
Hello Families! We finally made it to June! Kudos to you for all that you have been doing to support your children each day with distance learning. We know that this has not been easy but keep up the great work, you are almost there!
As summer break approaches, make sure that you take the time to have fun with your child/children. Get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer. Here are a few suggestions of some fun things to do suggested by Parents Magazine:
Have a star party. The sky is the perfect place for a scavenger hunt. First, visit spaceplace.nasa.gov/starfinder to download the current month’s star finder. Print it, cut it out, and then follow the directions to make it into a cootie catcher. Pick a number, then follow the directions that will lead you to a constellation in the sky.
Play Firefly Tag. Choose one person to start as the firefly “catcher.” Everyone else gets a flashlight and hides. The hiding fireflies must flash their light once every 30 seconds (counting silently in their head). The catcher tries to find all the fireflies. The last person tagged is the next catcher.
Chalk and bubbles are always fun!
Please make sure that you take some time to read with your child/children over the summer. You may choose to read to your child, take turns reading or have your child read independently. Below is a fun Bingo Board to use with your child over the summer! Lastly, make sure to check out the Enfield Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. It may be somewhat different than we are used to, but I know it will be great!
Mrs. Hatfield - Technology
Brain Breaks to Power
Through Distance Learning
Throughout distance learning it is important to give children a break in between assignments as to not lose focus. Did you know that playing opens the parts of the brain that help you learn? Doing something fun will lead to learning. You want to use a brain break before fatigue, distraction, or lack of focus sets in. Generally, that’s typically after 10 to 15 minutes of work. Below are some quick brain breaks that will make a big difference in helping kids stay focused on their distance learning work!
1. Ear-Nose Switcheroo.
This is a quick and easy challenge to reset the brain. Instruct kids to touch their left ear with their right hand and at the same time touch their nose with their left hand. Then have them switch their hands and touch their right ear with their left hand and their nose with their right hand. Switch back and forth a few times. Then have them close their eyes, take a deep breath, and blow it all out.
2. Stir the pot.
Have kids visualize they are standing in front of an enormous cauldron. Inside the cauldron is an ooey-gooey pot of caramel. Take hold of a large stirrer and plunge it to the bottom of the pot. Slowly begin to stir in a clockwise direction. Have them use their whole body to help get a full range of motion in their wrists and shoulders. Instruct them to throw their hips into the action. After a minute or two, reverse the direction.
3. Make it rain.
Conjure up a rainstorm! Sitting or standing at a desk or table, have kids tap 1 finger on the desk, then 2, then 3, then 4, then their whole hand until you all feel like you’re in the middle of a deluge. Work your way backward from 5 down to 1 as the storm ebbs away.
4. Take a cruise on an imaginary skateboard.
Have your kids line up next to a wall and place one hand on the wall. Tell them to plant the foot closest to the wall and swing the other leg, as if pushing off the ground on a skateboard. Start slowly, with tiny swings, moving up to power pushes. Repeat on the other side.
5. Brain Break Jar
Create a brain-break jar, with activities, variations, and places. Choose a few and perform the task, like "Hop 10 times / on one foot / in the kitchen."
Helpful Links
www.Newsela.com -This site has hundreds of articles for children to read. They begin at grade 2. This is a wonderful resource to challenge an advanced reader.
Don’t forget to practice your facts. Do you have a deck of cards? These 16 games are a fun way to practice at home.
https://www.weareteachers.com/math-card-games/
Starfall
For social studies and science videos check out brain pop junior. They are offering free access because of school closures.
This is a link for Math Strategy practice. It is lengthy, but has some great things that you can print off for all grade levels. https://community.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=n2ZHaEprrfs%3D&tabid=6036&mid=14879
Scholastic Grade K
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome/grades-prek-k.html
Scholastic Grades 1 & 2
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome/grades-1-2.html
Spin a Word Game https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3q9lZGd46F0OTQwMTMxNzktYzVmYi00NTUyLWExYmQtMDc0ZTZhYTdkMzM2
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
This link will take you to a great resource for Virtual Field Trips! https://www.weareteachers.com/best-virtual-field-trips/
You can access everything from zoos, planetariums, national parks, volcanoes, museums, aquariums, and even Mars – there seems to be something for whatever interests your young learners! It might be a nice break for the whole family!