Tuesday, November 22, 2011

December Reminders

We’d like to make you aware of a few reminders and clarifications.

• The amaryllis bulb project is a total cost of $10. There’s $5 for the bus/field trip and another $5 for the amaryllis bulb itself (a note was sent home asking that your child earn the $5 for the bulb).
• The bowling field trip is coming up on Dec. 19th and the cost for it is $9.
• Please visit our blog and sign up there to receive e-mail notifications by filling in your e-mail to the right where it says "Follow by email" www.lower-elementary.blogspot.com
• Early care begins at 7:00 am and ends at 8:00 am. If your child is dropped off at any time before 8:00 am, they will be asked to sign in for early care. Classes begin at 8:15 am and tardies begin to accumulate after 8:15am.
• Please send your child with an extra pair of socks to be kept in their backpack just in case they’re needed.
• Please update the office with any new and/or additional phone numbers and contact information including e-mail and emergency contacts.
• Photo Sharing for Lower El:
   Go to shutterfly.com
   Click on sign in (top, middle of page)
   Enter this e-mail: amy@jsbacademy.org
   Enter password: XXXXX (contact amy for password)
   Click sign in button
   Click on view all albums
   Click on Halloween to add pictures
• Calendar:
November
29 Shelby Ridge – Classroom III
30 Shelby Ridge – Classroom II

December
7 Children’s Theater – Classroom III
8 Children’s Theater – Classroom II
13 Christmas Program
14 Christmas Presentation
19 Holiday bowling – Classroom II and III
20 Dismiss at 1:00 – no aftercare

January
4 School resumes for children

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Resources for our parents

Dr. Ray Guarendi visited our school earlier this month and shared with us fabulous books he has written that will help you "raise great kids" and provide them the discipline they need. Visit his site for more: http://www.drray.com/ and here for his books: http://www.drray.com/order.htm

Books to help your child be successful in life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3WeQonFfI&feature=youtube_gdata_player (from Ms. Amy) and visit his site for his books here: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/products-resources/books/

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Jones Valley Urban Farm

On November 8, 2011 the 3rd grade students as well as Ms. Heather and Ms. Catherine visited Jones Valley Urban Farm in downtown Birmingham. While there the students were given a tour of the farm as well as harvesting several different types of vegetables. After picking the fresh foods the children were invited to create some healthy snacks in the kitchen. During this time our students were given many different task which resulted in several delectable dishes. The children were also given a lesson on choosing healthy foods from a local nutritionist. Below are the recipes so you and your family may enjoy them as well.
Kale Chips
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch kale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ cup of Parmigiano Reggiano chees
Directions
1.     Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2.     With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Then sprinkle with cheese.
3.     Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

Healthy Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt, or 1/3 cup nonfat Greek style yogurt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
  • Salt
Directions
1.     If using plain yogurt, place it in a strainer lined with a paper towel and place the strainer over a bowl. Let the yogurt drain and thicken for 20 minutes.
2.     In a medium bowl, combine the strained or Greek-style yogurt and the rest of the ingredients. Add salt, to taste
Great with any fresh vegetables!
Key Lime Fruit Dip
Ingredients
  • 1 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
  • 1 lime
Directions
1.     Zest the lime and combine with the yogurt in a medium sized bowl.
2.     Enjoy on apples, pears, and pineapple.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Pumpkins!

We've had a great time meeting with each of you for our conferences and look forward to another fabulous, focused nine weeks working with you and your children. 

This week our students are writing "how to" paragraphs explaining how to carve jack-o-lanterns.  We'll be following their "how to" directions on real pumpkins later this week.  If possible, would you please donate a pumpkin to your child's classroom for their "how to" paragraph?

Visit a few links below:
Beyond homework...what can you do to help? http://www.amshq.org/Family%20Resources/Montessori%20at%20Home.aspx

American Montessori Society's Family page: http://www.amshq.org/Family%20Resources.aspx

Introduction to Montessori Mathematics - use the links on the left to see how the materials and lessons are presented:
http://www.infomontessori.com/mathematics/introduction.htm

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Progress Reports and Conferences

     Please stop by the classroom and sign up for a conference if you haven't done so already.  There are still several times available for later this week or early next week.  Progress reports will be sent home by this Wednesday so please read them before your conference as this is a time set aside to discuss any questions you may have about it and your child's progress so far this year.  We're looking forward to seeing you!
     We have a field trip this Thursday and Friday so please ensure that all fees have been paid to the front office, permission slips have been returned, and plans have been made for your children for Thur. and Fri. as we dismiss at 1:00pm.


Reminders:
    • 20 – Symphony for 1st & 3rd grades at
      • return permission slips as soon as possible
    • 21 – Symphony for 2nd grade at
      • return permission slips as soon as possible
    • 20 & 21 – Parent/teacher conferences – 1st-8th grades DISMISS at
      • DISMISS at
    • 24 – Talent show auditions for grades 1st-8th
    • 25 – Make-up and sibling pictures
    • 31 – Parade (at 9:00am) and Lower Elementary Halloween party

Saturday, October 8, 2011

October fun

Parent conferences are coming up in a few weeks.  Please stop by the classroom to sign up for a 20 minute conference time which will be posted on the door.  You will receive your child’s progress report on the Wednesday before the conferences and we ask that you read it in its entirety before your conference.  The purpose of the conference is to discuss the progress report and address any questions or concerns you have regarding it.
October is a favorite month for the children. They love the changing color of the leaves, our annual fall festival, and the cool weather that makes recess even more enjoyable. October also brings our Lower Elementary Halloween traditions.  We invite children to dress up only as a character from a book, a historical figure, or in a costume from a different country.  We aim to keep Halloween light-hearted and fun for everyone, so we will not allow weapons, blood, or anything scary.  Our costume parade brings all ages together and we need to respect the needs of the younger children.  Your child will need to prepare a paragraph to read to the class about his/her character or costume. The lower elementary will meet in classroom III after the parade and pictures and parents are invited to come watch the parade at and to listen to the paragraphs. In the afternoon we will have a class party with games and activities.

Please keep in mind the following events and dates in October:
· 10 – No school for students (Columbus Day)
· 12 – Lower Elementary Picture day
· 14 – End of 1st quarter
· 14 – Alice in Wonderland play at
· 19 – Progress Reports sent home
· 20 – Symphony for 1st & 3rd grades at
· 21 – Symphony for 2nd grade at
· 20 & 21 – Parent/teacher conferences – 1st-8th grades DISMISS at
· 24 – Talent show auditions for grades 1st-8th
· 25 – Make-up and sibling pictures
· 31 – Parade (at 9:00am) and Lower Elementary Halloween party

Please continue to to bring in a new or "gently worn" pair of shoes to donate to
Soles 4 Souls.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Fall Festival Fun - 2011

Here are a few 'pics' from our Fall Festival!













Please continue to to bring in a new or "gently worn" pair of shoes to donate to Soles for Souls.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fall Festival this Sunday!

We are super excited about our upcoming Fall Festival this Sunday (Oct.2nd) at 1:30.  It's free for all and there will be fabulous games and fun for all ages.  Please bring a new or "gently worn" pair of shoes to donate to Soles for Souls.  Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Having a "blast"

We are having a “blast” in lower elementary studying volcanoes, the layers of the earth, our solar system’s eight planets including some dwarf planets, and so much more during our cultural lessons in the afternoons.  Ask your child to explain to you what they’re learning and researching during school and find out what they want to know more about.  It would be a great opportunity to take them to the public library to explore more.

Local Public Libraries:
Bessemer: http://bessemerlibrary.org/
Birmingham: http://bplonline.org/
Chelsea: http://www.ci.chelsea.ma.us/public_documents/ChelseaMA_LIbrary/index
Hoover: http://www.hooverlibrary.org/
Homewood: http://www.homewoodlibrary.org/
Pelham: http://www.pelhamlibrary.com/
Vestavia Hills: http://vestavialibrary.org/

Reminders for the year:
  • Early care begins at 7:00am and continues through 8:00am.  Students dropped off any time before 8:00am will be signed in for early care.  Classes begin at 8:15am.
  • Inside PE shoes are to be left at school daily and should have non-marking soles.
  • Please review the school lunch calendar with your child/ren daily and determine together if your child will buy or bring their lunch for that day.
  • Please keep an extra pair (or two) of socks in your child's backpack.
  • Homework is sent home on both Fridays and Mondays and is due the next Friday.
  • Reading logs are to be completed Monday through Thursday and at least one time over the weekend (Fri.-Sun.).

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Welcome back!

We've had quite a few good weeks of school and we're looking forward to many, many more!  We are beginning our cultural lessons this week and the teachers and students are very excited.  We'll be exploring the beginning of our universe, chemical reactions, volcanoes, and much more this week.

Please be patient with us as we make the switch to our new blog.  We'd love to hear from you with any comments or suggestions.  E-mail amy@jsbacademy.org