Deer Flat Refuge - Identifying Organisms With SAC 4th Grade

 

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge and Sacajawea have been partnering to teach students science standards. Earlier this month Deer Flat visited our 4th grade classrooms.  Students participated in  a "Who Am I?" lesson focused on learning how to identify organisms using field guides and keys. This classroom visit was in preparation for field experiences we hoped to do later this school year.  Here's to more exploration of our natural world!

CSD Breakfast and Lunch Distribution

Thanks to the volunteers from across CSD who have volunteered distributing breakfasts and lunches to kids across the district.  They will distribute breakfast and lunch tomorrow as well, from 10 to 11 at Sacajawea and in other locations across town.

Talking to Your Kids About Corona Virus ~ Hablar con sus hijos sobre Corona Virus

Sacajawea parents and families,

We understand that there is a lot of uncertainty right now surrounding COVID-19 and that can lead to feelings of anxiousness and fear, so your students may be looking for reassurance and answers. Below are some tips on talking to your kids about COVID-19 as well as a potentially helpful video for you to watch with them.

• Stay calm - our students are looking to us as the trusted adults in their life to know how to react.
• Talk and listen - give your student factual information that you choose in a kid friendly way, stick with the facts and then listen to their concerns and thoughts. However, avoid 24/7 discussion on the topic or 24/7 media coverage. 
• Help them cope - if through discussion your child lets you know they are feeling anxious or scared, help them with healthy coping strategies such as coloring, drawing, playing, or writing. 

Baylie Bunn, LPC, NCC, CCTP
Counselor
Sacajawea Elementary
bbunn@caldwellschools.org

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Sacajawea padres y familias,

Entendemos que hay mucha incertidumbre en este momento que rodea a COVID-19 y que puede conducir a sentimientos de ansiedad y miedo, por lo que sus estudiantes pueden estar buscando tranquilidad y respuestas. A continuación se presentan algunos consejos para hablar con sus hijos acerca de COVID-19, así como un video potencialmente útil para que usted pueda ver con ellos.

• Mantenga la calma - nuestros estudiantes están mirando a nosotros como los adultos de confianza en su vida para saber cómo reaccionar.
• Hablar y escuchar - dar a su estudiante información fáctica que usted elige de una manera amigable para los niños, seguir con los hechos y luego escuchar sus preocupaciones y pensamientos. Sin embargo, evite la discusión 24/7 sobre el tema o la cobertura de los medios de comunicación las 24 horas del tiempo del 7 días de la semana.
• Ayúdalos a sobrellevar - si a través de la discusión su hijo le permite saber que se siente ansioso o asustado, ayudarles con estrategias de afrontamiento saludables como colorear, dibujar, jugar o escribir.

Baylie Bunn, LPC, NCC, CCTP
Consejera
Sacajawea Elementary
bbunn@caldwellschools.org

Sacajawea's New Joia Tubes

Mrs. Evans music classes have been collecting General Mills box tops to purchase new and interesting instruments for their classroom.  After one semester, they have earned 4000 box tops, which was enough to buy a set of Joia Tubes.  They look somewhat like a marimba made out of PVC pipe.

You can now scan your cash register receipt with a "Boxtops for Education" app on your smartphone.  The money goes directly to our school account for future purchases. Let's keep the box tops rolling into our school!

Top 5 Classes - Attendance - Week Ending 3/6/2020

These are our Top Five Classes for attendance last week.

• 1st Place - Team Friddle - 2nd Grade - 99% Attendance (1 Absence)
• 2nd Place - Team Prall - 2nd Grade - 98% Attendance (2 Absences)
• 3rd Place - Team Cataline - 3rd Grade - 98% Attendance (3 Absences)
• 4th Place - Team Maughan - 2nd Grade - 97% Attendance (3 Absences)
• 5th Place - Team Hunt - 1st Grade - 96% Attendance (4 Absences)

*Teacher attendance also included in class averages.
*Number of absences are for the whole week.

Why do we recognize top classes for attendance?
Consistent attendance at school (95% or better) is closely tied to both reading and math skills.  Good attendance looks like fewer than about 9 days absent in a year, or about 4 or 5 per semester.  Perfect attendance isn't super important, but consistent attendance is.  Research shows that kids with poor attendance (less than 90% or more than 18 absences in a year) are much less likely to be proficient in reading and math.  Poor attendance in upper elementary school and middle school are also correlated with the likelihood of dropping out of high school before graduation. 

We make a big deal about consistent attendance because consistent attendance matters to learning and success.

When your class is in 1st place you get the honor of wearing the Attendance Hard hat around for the week.  Pure silliness.

Reading Buddies - 2nd and 5th Grade

Mrs. Rudan's 5th graders got a visit from 2nd grade reading buddies from Ms. Burton's class last week.

STEMatSAC On Mustache Day

Caught our 1st grade engineers (Mrs. Hunt's Class) in the SAC STEM center on Thursday, Mustache Day for reading week.  Even with mustaches they were hard at work (and play).  That's the wonderful thing about STEM.  It's so hard to tell the difference between work and play.

Dr. Seuss Week Reading Buddies

Third graders in Mrs. Cataline´s class were excited to be invited to read to Mrs. Kershś kindergarteners. They shared their favorite Dr. Seuss books with their reading buddies. A few brave kinder students even read a book to the third graders.

Top 5 Classes - Attendance - Week Ending February 28th

These are our Top Five Classes for attendance last week.

1st Place - Team Friddle - 2nd Grade - 100% Attendance (0 Absences)

2nd Place - Team Rudan - 5th Grade - 99% Attendance (2 Absences)

3rd Place - Team Washburn - 4th Grade - 99% Attendance (2 Absences)

4th Place - Team Burton - 2nd Grade - 98% Attendance (2 Absences & ZERO Tardies)

5th Place - Team Braun - Kindergarten - 98% Attendance (2 Absences)

*Teacher attendance also included in class averages.

*Number of absences are for the whole week.

Why do we recognize top classes for attendance?

Consistent attendance at school (95% or better) is closely tied to both reading and math skills.  Good attendance looks like fewer than about 9 days absent in a year, or about 4 or 5 per semester.  Perfect attendance isn't super important, but consistent attendance is.  Research shows that kids with poor attendance (less than 90% or more than 18 absences in a year) are much less likely to be proficient in reading and math.  Poor attendance in upper elementary school and middle school are also correlated with the likelihood of dropping out of high school before graduation.  

We make a big deal about consistent attendance because consistent attendance matters to learning and success.

#EveryStudentCounts #TogetherWeAreGreat

Skyhawk Awards - February

We got the opportunity to celebrate our Skyhawks of the Month this last Friday at our Skyhawk lunch. Students are selected for a Skyhawk Award for demonstrating character traits such as zest, perseverance, and gratitude, as well as for showing academic achievement or growth. Only two get this honor per class, so this is a pretty big deal.

Here are a few examples of the reasons they were selected.  These are actual snippets from their awards:

• ________ is a prime example of what Grit looks like in the reading classroom.
• ________ is being presented this award for always trying her hardest. She is always very focused...
• ________ has a knack for knowing how to break things apart in order to better understand... She accepts feedback with grace, and works to apply it consistently. The honest effort she puts into her learning will help her continue to blossom into a successful learner. 
• ________ is getting this award for self-control and grit.
• You show grit in a way few other first graders display.  You always try your best.  It takes bravery to speak up and be heard.  Y
• Your kindness is without comparison!

  

Thanks to our fantastic Sacajawea families for raising great kids, and for allowing us the privilege of watching them grow up into great human beings.  It is a joy!

#SkyhawkLeaders #SkyhawkAwards #SoProud

Reading Week - Hair Day

Our custodian, Luz Vidales, is the best.  She kicked off our Reading Week celebration with some crazy hair.  Maybe a Martha Washington impression?  Thanks, Mrs. Vidales! You help make Sacajawea a great place to be.

Happy National Breakfast Week

A good breakfast every day makes a difference.  Thanks to our Sacajawea Food Service team!
Breakfast at Sacajawea is a great place to start your day.  Kelly Penner is the creative genius behind the food service robot. Sacajawea is a safe and supportive community for kids, adults, and families.