School notes

SOAR students of the month

The SOAR students of the month for January are:

• Courtney McLaren, eighth grade, was nominated by Nikki Roschen. "Courtney consistently has a positive attitude about the classroom activities we are doing,” Roschen said. “She's creative and enthusiastic, is a positive influence on those around her, and always turns in exemplary work."

• David Benson, eighth grade, was nominated by Lisa Donald. "David is willing to answer difficult questions in class and read out loud in front of his peers in history class,” Donald said. “His recent efforts in class will make school a lot more fun and enjoyable."

• Emily Meier, ninth grade, was nominated by Nikki Roschen. "This is the second year I have had Emily in one of my classes. She is so fun to have in class because she always has a positive outlook and is very kind to everyone around her,” Roschen said. “In addition, she asks great questions, not only because she wants to get the best grade possible, but also just because she enjoys learning."

• Ben Munson, ninth grade, was nominated by Clair Austin. "Ben has showed improvement in all facets of my science class. Keep up the great work,” Austin said.

• Amy Otteson, 10th grade, was nominated by Rachel Sager. "Amy at all times is prepared for class and works hard to turn in exemplary work,” Sager said. “Her thoughtfulness and attention to detail make her a super star in the classroom and a leader among her peers."

• Yue Pheng Xiong, 10th grade, was nominated by Rachel Sager. "Yue always has a smile on his face, a great attitude and continuously turns in high quality work,” Sager said. “He is a super student and deserves to be recognized for giving 100 percent, 100 percent of the time!"

• Katie Campbell, 11th grade, was nominated by Chad Bray. “Katie did an excellent job in Algebra 2 first semester,” Bray said. “She has a great attitude and a strong work ethic. I really enjoy having her both in class and in advisory.”

• Teagan Olin, 11th grade, was nominated Jesse Nelson. "Teagan is doing a great job in AP biology," he said.

• Macy Kelly, 12th grade, was nominated by Kraig Ulveling. "Macy is a hard worker and is a good role model,” Ulveling said.

• Abe Strickland, 12th grade, was nominated by Hattie Ekholm "Abe has been doing a great job the last month participating in pre-calculus. He asks great questions and really wants to understand the concepts we are learning,” Ekholm said. “He really put in a lot of time and effort studying for his final exam and did extremely well. Keep up the great work!"

2013-14 registration

Materials will be distributed to current high school students the week of Feb. 19. A registration information meeting for parents will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Parents of incoming eighth-graders will meet in Hovda Hall, and all other parents meeting in the CFI. Registration materials must be returned no later than Feb. 27.

Explore and PLAN

Jill Rivard, district assessment coordinator, will offer a session to parents on how to read and interpret the Explore and PLAN tests results received by students in grades eight and ten respectively. The session will be at 6 p.m. March 5 in the CFI.

College information session

Jill Rivard will offer an information session on preparing for college to any interested parent 6 p.m. March 7 in the CFI.

Twin Bluff Middle School

High school registration

Registration materials are due Feb. 27. There will be an informational meeting for all current seventh-graders and their parents at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Red Wing High School.

Author visits

Author John Coy will give a presentation Feb. 19.

Students of the month

Students of the month for February are David Scheerer, Justin Scheerer and Ben Neuffer (fifth-grade), Avy Benson and Cayanne Korder (sixth grade) and AJ Marroquin and Logan Johnson (seventh grade).

Sunnyside School

Walking Wednesday

On Feb. 13, 18 students participated in Sunnyside Sneaker program. The winner was Nick Wooden from Ms. Maki’s first grade.

Family read time

Parents are invited to come to their child’s classroom before school to read together from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Friday Feb. 22.

Library news

High school interns to Sunnyside Elementary for second semester are Trystin Angell with Mrs. Pam Dressen, Mary Anthony with Mrs. Brenda Blahnik, Hayley Bodin with Mrs. Michelle Swanson, Latesha Buck with Ms. Jill Wells, Megan Clemons with Mrs. Marge Fagerlund, Kennedy Johnson with Ms. Michelle Kelley, Danielle Nelson with Mrs. Erin McDonnell, Kelsey Reding with Ms. Carrie Hansen, McKenna Schaffer with Mrs. Renee Warrington, Tricia Simonson with Ms. Shelby Hicks, Kelsey Wedrickas with Ms. Kate Maki and Tiffany Wiech with Mrs. Anna Jean Johnson.

Author/illustrator visit

Author/illustrator Rick Chrustowski drew a honey bee as Sunnyside students watched at the school’s annual author visit. Chrustowski is working on a new book about honeybees, and students created an alphabet book about honeybees to present to him.

Burnside School

I Love to Read Month

Many classrooms are coming up with fun ways to celebrate “I Love to Read Month” in February. Some are having a “read to a stuffed animal” day, a read at the beach day and share your favorite book day. Check with your child’s teacher to find out any special happenings in the classroom.

Chinese New Year

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, the third-graders in Sue Busch‘s classroom had a special treat. Matthew Lu and his mother, Angela, talked about some of the traditions and special foods that are eaten during this time. Students enjoyed sampling a Chinese dumpling as part of this experience.

Grade 4

Fourth-grade students begin their next science rotation this week. Students travel to a different teacher’s classroom to learn about a variety of science topics, including electricity and magnetism, rocks and minerals, the immune system, and the water cycle and states of matter.

St. John's School

Spirit Week

Spirit Week is Feb. 19-21. Tuesday is duct tape day, Wednesday is hat day and Thursday is orange and black day.

No School

There is no School Monday Feb. 18 and Friday Feb. 22.

Pepfest

There will be a pep fest 1 p.m. Thursday at the YMCA. Parents are welcome to attend.

Colvill School

Colvill Kids Mixed Ages

Ms. Lila’s classes will be talking about dental health. They will read “Going to the Dentist” by Cindy A. Bailey. During the week, the class will talk about healthful and unhealthful foods for their teeth and will paint a tooth with a toothbrush. They will practice flossing using a Lego, play dough and yarn. A dentist will talk to the class about dental hygiene Friday.

Colvill Kids 3’s

Miss Katie’s classes are reading “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. They talked about what they do to get ready for bed. The class will play the Little Mouse Shape Game and talk about the differences between day and night. They will create a night sky with crayons and water paint.

Colvill Kids 4’s

Miss Catie’s classes will be reading “Tikki Tikki Tembo” by Arlene Mosel. They will be making Chinese lanterns and will learn the letter Bb with Benny Bear.

Screening

Upcoming screening dates are Feb. 21 and March 14. The state of Minnesota requires Early Childhood screening for all children before they enter kindergarten. Call 651-385-8000 to schedule a screening time for your child age 3 or over.

Red Cottage Montessori

Chinese New Year

For Chinese New Year, Mary Ellen brought in a dragon doll for the children to manipulate and special pastries filled with sesame filling. They recognized that many holidays have traditions. They learned traditions for Chinese New Year like giving red envelops with money inside as good luck, cooking special foods like Chinese dumplings and spending time with family.

Extended Day

Many extended-day children are using manipulatives such as decimal beads and cards as well as the stamp game to add and subtract large numbers such as 2483 + 4314 = 6797. A few of the children are working on large number multiplication. They have discovered it is like adding, only you take the same number a set amount of times.

Literature

Extended-day children have also been finding examples of friendship in literature. They have collectively decided that “Frog” is the best friend in Arnold Lobel's stories of "Frog & Toad" because he is kind, giving, patient and funny.

Under the Rainbow

Preschool 1

Karmen's children made shiny valentines, decorated bags to hold their valentines, and finger-painted hearts. Karmen and the children talked about Valentine's Day and what it means. They played some fun games and passed out valentines.

Preschool 2

Mary Ann's 3-year-olds read books about Valentine's Day including “Valentine Express,” “Love Bugs,” “The Day It Rained Hearts,” “Olive My Love,” and “Clifford's 1st Valentine's Day.” They are learning about the colors red and pink, hearts, number 7 and letter Vv. They are also learning what red and white mixed together will make. Children also had a party day.

Laurie's Jumpstart Team

In Laurie's 4- and 5-year-old Jumpstart class, the children discussed how we show people we love them, and were asked why they love themselves and why they love their families. Their answers were displayed on the wall for everyone to see. During sensory activities, they played with sand and hearts. During art they made heart collages did and heart tracing. On Thursday for Valentine's Day. the Jumpstart Team had a party and passed out valentines.

Tags: lifestyle, education