BUBBLES’ BLOG

FEBRUARY 2017 NEWS

S. B. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fri, Feb 3rd Roller Skating with NEA 5-7pm

Sat, Feb 11th 5th Grade Applebee’s Fundraiser 8-10am

Tue, Feb 14th Teaching & Learning InitiativeEarly Dismissal for Students 1:12pm

Wed, Feb 15th PTO Meeting – Media Center 6:30-7:30pm

Thurs, Feb 16th New Mentor Training 5:30pmGroton Public Library

Feb 20th & 21st President’s Day Recess – No School

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Sat, Mar 4th Chorus to Hartford Wolfpack 3pm

Fri, Mar 10th Professional DevelopmentNo School for Students

Wed, Mar 15th PTO Meeting – Media Center 6:30-7:30pm

Thurs, Mar 16th Rollerskating with NEA 5-7pmGalaxy Roller Rink

Fri, Mar 17th After School Bingo 3:30-4:45pm

Fri, Mar 24th 5th Grade Invention Convention

Mon, Mar 27th – Fri, Mar 31st Book Fair

Wed, Mar 29th – Fri, Mar 31st Early Dismissal Days 1:12pmParent Teacher Conferences (Elem only)

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

Dear S.B. Butler Families,

My best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy New Year! We are looking forward to the new learning that will take place during 2017.

We have kicked off our Winter Reading Challenge at S.B. Butler. This year’s theme is a “Passport to Reading.” Students were given mini-passports that are stamped at school when they have read a book from the various different genres/categories that are presented in the passport. (There are 15 total) The challenge runs from January 13-March 20. It is great to see passports coming in to school daily for stamping. Please encourage your children to read nightly and to choose different kinds of stories to enjoy.

Our Crazy 8 math and reading clubs are off to a great start. We had a lot of interest from students wanting to participate in both. We will be looking into offering a second session for both clubs, allowing for more opportunities.

Since the start of the New Year, our character education program has taken on a new look. We replaced the “bricks” and designed a “bubble” that will be given to students for exhibiting any of the 7 Pillars of Character OR the 3 pledges from the Butler Promise. (Respectful, Responsible, Safe) We now call it, “Catch a Bubble” for good character. A large Fishbowl was painted on the wall outside the office with our mascot “Bubbles” the fish inside. Bubbles can be awarded to students, a whole class, or a group of students. “Bubbles” will be passed out to all school staff, recess helpers, bus drivers, and cafeteria helpers to catch students exhibiting great character in all areas of the school community. Students are very excited and the fish bowl is filling up fast!

In Partnership,

Mr. WheelerPrincipalS.B. Butler Elementary School

Health RoomMrs. Grater & Mrs. O’Connor

Winter is here, even though the weather has been warmer than usual this month. Please remember to dress your child appropriately for cold weather. Proper attire for cold weather includes: warm jackets, hat, gloves or mittens, and scarves. On snowy days add snow pants and boots. There are students showing up in our health room without hats, gloves, and warm jackets. We simply do not have enough warm weather gear to outfit the many students who come requesting them. Please make sure child is dressed adequately for the cold weather. We still have outdoor recess in winter, unless temperatures are below acceptable levels.

Continue to practice good health habits: wash hands often, eat healthy, exercise, rest as needed, get a good night’s sleep – at least 8 hours. Remember, by keeping our bodies strong and healthy we will be better equipped to make it through this cold and flu season.

The health room is in need of extra clothing:Boys and girls sweat pants sizes 6-8 and 10-12Sweat shirts size Large.Underwear: girls and boys: small-medium

Special Education Teachers and Speech-Language PathologistsMrs. Salovitz, Mrs. Harris,

Miss Kasparek & Mrs. Stillwell

For such a short month, February is certainly packed with holidays! In order to celebrate these holidays here are a list of books to read with your child. While reading you can ask your child questions about the characters, where the story takes place, and what is happening in the story.

Groundhog Day: Brownie Grounghog and the February Fox by Susan BlackabyChinese New Year: The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang CompestineValentine’s Day: A String of Hearts by Laura Malone ElliiotPresidents’ Day: Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln by Patricia Polacco

Math NewsMrs. Fleming

We had an overwhelming response to our first ever Crazy 8’s Math Club which started in January! It is wonderful to see so many kids excited about math! A lottery was held to select 16 students in grades K-2 and 16 students in grades 3-5 to participate. We’ve had lots of fun each week! The first week we learned about the properties of shapes and repeating patterns by creating shapes in the dark using glow sticks. In week two, we learned about sound and how to measure it using decibels. We built pan flutes out of milkshake straws and measured how loud we could make them. In our third week, we learned about time. Students timed each other doing silly stunts, put themselves in order by their birthdays, and used their bodies to form the hands of a clock on the floor. Who says math can’t be fun?!!

Art with Ms. WMs. Whitchelo

I’m very excited to announce that illustrator Eric Sturtevant will be visiting the art room again this year on March 8th and 9th. Last year Eric told us about his process for creating books and helped us make some art of our own. I will be sending out information soon to purchase his book Ducky Ducky (a personal favorite!)

Also please follow the art room on Instagram at sbbutler_artroom or Facebook at SBB Artroom. You will see the daily creations that are made by our wonderful artists!

Media CenterMs. Harper

Students in the 3rd grade are learning about the Dewey Decimal System and how the 10 Classifications work in our library. We will be using Wordle.com to build word clouds with the subjects.

Snow, Groundhog Day and teeth are the subjects that K-1st students are concentrating on this month. Fourth graders are writing their letters to authors using 3 Literature Response criteria and they should be ready for mailing soon.

Fifth grader students are getting ready for independent research projects which will get them prepared for their Google Presentation in the Spring.

KindergartenMrs. Horler & Mrs. Whitten

While February is a short month, it is a busy month in Kindergarten! We will focus on what it means to be a good friend and we will celebrate random acts of kindness. We emphasize keeping in contact with family and friends through our writing lessons that focus on writing friendly letters. We will also practice making lists. We will continue to compare fiction and non-fiction works during literacy. We will also take a closer look at books and determine who the characters are in a story, what the setting is, and the main events of the story. Our sight word vocabulary continues to grow weekly! We are blending and reading 3 sound words (CVC).

In math, we are building and decomposing teen numbers into groups of ten and the extra ones. We continue to work on five groups as part of a number. We are working on our fluency with addition and subtraction facts to five. We are comparing groups to determine if they are equal or unequal.

Our science time is focused on winter – brrr! In social studies, we are learning about friendship and making positive choices.

We would like to remind our Kindergarten families to label all coats and items of clothing. A change of clothing to be kept at school is a very good idea as we are into the muddy time of year.

First Grade

Mrs. Celtruda & Mrs. Grigg

The 100th Day of School is fast approaching! If there are no snow days, the 100th day should be February 6. First graders have their at-home tee shirt project decorating a tee shirt with 100 of something. It can be drawn with fabric markers, glued on, etc. They are also learning a fun 100 th Day song.

Please remember to have your son/daughter bring a hat and gloves/mittens for outdoor recess as it can get quite windy out on the playground.

Second GradeMrs. Bailey & Mrs. Westkott

Over the next few weeks the second graders will be carrying out a variety of activities in Math that include subtracting two digit numbers. We will also be working with money and counting sets of coins greater than a dollar in value. At home please have your child practice counting coins. Have your child show the same amount in two different ways. Discuss what is different about each way. If the coins do not equal a dollar, try to figure out how much more money is needed to equal a dollar. If there are coins left over, ask your child to try to make another group of coins that equal a dollar. Using coins is just one way that second graders can show their thinking in Math.

Don’t forget that the students can access STMath from home. Simply log on to the GPS website and click on the SBButler homepage to find the link!

Just a friendly reminder: All students need a snack from home each day. All lunch money should be labeled with your child’s name and teacher so the kitchen

staff can credit the correct account.

Have Fun!The Second Grade Teachers

Third GradeMrs. Gwaltney & Mrs. Zuliani

In Reading, we have been examining non-fiction texts. We have studied how to use text features to enhance comprehension. We have also explored biographies as a special kind of non-fiction text. Students used narrative story elements to determine the central idea in biographies.

We have been working on measurement concepts in math. Elapsed time has proven to be tricky for our third graders. This is something you can practice at home. Ask your child to figure out how long it takes for a desired activity at home. They have been practicing strategies to solve these types of problems. See if they can figure out how much time it takes to do something around the house. You can even turn it into a fun game!

In Science, the third grade classes had a visit from the Pequotsepos Nature Center. We took an in-depth look at life structures and ecosystems in Connecticut. We loved seeing the turtle, bullfrog and snake that visited our classrooms!

Fourth GradeMrs. Genovese & Mrs. O’Connell

In reading, we will switch our focus to reading about history. We are beginning a unit on informational writing. Fourth graders finished a unit on division, and have begun a unit on fraction concepts and operations. Our travels through the regions of the United States in social studies will soon take us to the Midwest Region, and in science, we will beginning our study of the water cycle.

Please continue to have your children practice their basic math facts daily.

Fifth GradeMrs. Burdick & Mrs. Wilson

Our fifth graders are a very busy bunch. We just held our kick-off for the Invention Convention where we explored and thought about current objects, but in different ways as well as exploring how things work. We have begun the Invention Convention process. In math, we are beginning our unit about adding and subtracting with decimals. Our topic for writing and reading is Argument.

Upcoming events include: Feb. 11th – Saturday morning at Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser – 8 a.m. - 10a.m.,

tickets are $5.00 each and help raise money for our 5th grade trip to Old Sturbridge Village.

March 24th – S.B. Butler Annual Invention Convention – Students have received their Invention Logs and should be starting the inventing process. More specific information about what the Invention Convention entails to come.

Building a Reading Life!Mrs. Fridinger & Mrs. Pombrio

The Winter Reading Challenge is ON!Students at SBB attended an assembly on January 13th to hear all about the 2017 Winter Reading Challenge. They were given a Reading Passport and Guidelines describing the expectations of the challenge. Our hope is that students and families will enjoy reading and talking about all kinds of books this winter.

As students finish a book at home, they write the title of the book and the author in the appropriate box on the passport and bring it to school to be stamped by our “Passport Officer”. By the end of the day, the passports are returned to students, who will move onto their next book of choice in a different genre. We are encouraging students to read as many genres as possible by the last day of winter, March 19th. All passports MUST be turned in by the deadline Monday, March 20th. Students who take on the challenge will be recognized in a special celebration.

If your child has misplaced or lost their passport, a new one can be downloaded from the SBB website on legal sized paper, or requested from the office.

Good luck and happy reading!

PE/Health - Motivating Kids to Get FitMr. DeMario

With childhood obesity increasing at staggering rates, parents and caregivers must play an active role in protecting children’s health. Eating healthy foods is a key factor in maintaining their overall well-being. But, this has to be balanced with regular physical activity.

Children who are physically active on a regular basis will reap enormous benefits. Studies have shown that they:

Are less likely to become overweight Have a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes Have reduced blood cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure Have higher self-esteem and reduced incidences of depression and anxiety Are more likely to build strong bones and muscles Are more attentive in school

Now that we know why children need to be active, it’s time to get them up and moving. Here’s how:1. Focus on fun. You don’t have to call it “exercise,” just consider it an activity. Find out which ones

your child likes and encourage those.2. Limit TV and computer time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than

“two hours of daily media exposure” for children ages two and older. When they are watching or clicking, make sure they take breaks and move around.

3. Schedule play dates. The key word here is “play.” Have your child get together with a friend and play a game of tag, race down the block or kick a ball around.

4. Get fit as a family. Create some funny dance moves. Put up a net and shoot hoops. You could also visit a zoo, play miniature golf or enjoy other activities where a lot of ground is covered on foot.

5. Choose fitness-oriented gifts. For your child’s next birthday, consider giving him or her a jump-rope, mini-trampoline, hula-hoop — something that will encourage movement.

6. Clean up. Chores don’t have to be a bore. Sing a silly song with your child as you both wipe tables and counters. See how long both of you can hold a funny face while folding and putting away clothes. Older kids can help wash the car. On a hot day, this can turn into water play.

7. Skip the mall. Go to the playground. Sure, most malls have kids’ play areas. But, when the weather is nice, enjoy a local park or playground instead. Fresh air always does a body good; especially a little one.

8. Be a model of fitness. It’s much easier to motivate kids to be active, if you lead an active lifestyle. Whether you follow a structured fitness program or are lucky to get in some morning stretches, let them see you moving. It will likely inspire them to do the same.

9. Encourage walking or biking whenever feasible. This is easy to accomplish if you live near stores, libraries or other places you visit regularly. If you live in a remote area, establish a safe route to tour on bike or on foot with your child.

10. Be a fitness advocate at your child’s school. Do you know how much physical activity your child gets at school? Now’s the time to find out. If you don’t like the answer, gather support from other parents to enforce positive changes.

Notes: The American Heart Association recommends: All children age 2 and older should participate in at least 30 minutes of enjoyable, moderate-

intensity physical activities every day. These activities should be developmentally appropriate and varied.

If your child does not have a full 30-minute activity break each day, try to provide at least two 15-minute periods or three 10-minute periods in which they can engage in vigorous activities appropriate for their age, gender and stage of physical and emotional development. Any concerns about your child’s physical or overall health should be discussed with their pediatrician.

From the website, PBSparents……Music Classes Are Making Lovely Music at SBB!

Mrs. Martelle, Mr. Kasle & Mr. Schneider

Preschool classes w are discovering music through echo songs, call and response, simple songs, rhythm instruments, fingerplays, action songs, and circle games. Kindergarteners are learning music concepts such as rhythm vs. beat, loud/soft, high/low, and fast/slow. Themes include making friends, following directions, letters, colors, numbers/counting, health/safety and shapes. We are also looking specifically at songs for Winter.    

In first grade, we are learning about beat, high/low, fast/slow, and loud/soft. Students are also working on creating their own movements and words to songs.  We are also looking at songs for Winter.  The students did an awesome job creating their own verses for "Down By the Bay". Our second grade students are learning about beat, high/low, fast/slow, loud/soft.  We are also starting the music for the 2nd grade play which will be in May.   In grade three, the students are earning belts playing their recorders. Fourth and fifth grade students are learning about different composers and following listening maps. They are creating movements for pieces of music and have centers they can work on. The SB Butler Chorus is comprised of fourth and fifth grade students.  We rehearse every Friday from 2:30-3:15. The Chorus performs two concerts every year. The spring concert will be in May, following the 2nd grade play, in the SB Butler gym.  These concerts include a wide variety of music plus movement. The chorus will once again perform at the Hartford Wolfpack game on Saturday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m. 

Band News-Mr. Schneider

The 5th Grade Band did a fabulous job at Celebrate the Arts!  Look for it to be broadcast on Channel 19 in the near future. We have now started rehearsals for the 5th grade jazz band.  We rehearse every Friday during recess time. 

If you are nearing the end of your child’s trial rental period from Music and Arts, please contact me or the store directly to discuss your options to continue.  Thank you!

What Parents Can Do: Your Child’s Social Life

Nancy E. Anderson, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist

While you can’t live your child’s social life for him or her, there are some things you can do to help – or help yourself stay out of the way.

Trust the power of friendship. Most kids figure out how to handle their close friendships and circle of friends quite well. Most will get through some rejection and even betrayals without long-term scars, particularly when they have parents who are good listeners, but not fixers.

Meet the parents of your child’s friends. Whether you have preschoolers or 4th-graders, get to know the parents of your children’s friends. Be a good host and invite them over. Make friends with the parents of your children’s friends (and of the kids they don’t like, too.) If you are shy about meeting new people, your child may be shy, too.

Value friendships over popularity. You cannot make your child become a popular kid. But you can make sure your child has friends by inviting them over. Try not to get pulled into the popularity wars. Focus on nurturing friendships instead, and remember that a crisis over not being in the “cool group” will usually subside over time.

Interview for coping, instead of pain. When children experience social rejection, we often experience it with them. But it doesn’t help when you dwell on it by asking excessive questions, or trying to figure it out for them. Instead of “interviewing for pain,” ask what they’ve done to solve the situation, compliment their efforts, and let your child know you are there. Keep in mind that best friends will get along, fight, and make up faster than adults. They are simply more flexible and resilient.

Ask your child empowering questions. Encourage your child to solve social problems himself by asking instead of telling him what to do. If your child complains about an incident at school or a problem with a friend, ask, “What did you do (or try)?” “How did that work?” or “What else can you try?”

Only help when your child truly needs or asks for help. When this happens, you might simply ask, “What would you like me to do to help?” or make a direct suggestion to a younger child, like, “Would you like to talk to Billy with me?” Try to help your child figure out his own solution. If your child has trouble verbalizing his feelings, you might help by putting words to them, like, “You seem like you feel left out” without imposing your feelings on the situation.

Consider both sides of a story. As much as you love and trust your child, you should listen to both versions of a conflict if it’s one that needs your intervention or assessment.

Figure out if your child is at risk. If you have a child who is an extreme loner, a bully, or someone who gets frequently bullied, you should talk to your child’s teacher or the school psychologist. Describe what you observe, find out what they see, and get some advice on how to help.

This information is excerpted from the PBS Parents article, “What Can Parents Do? Your Child’s Social Life.”

Dr. Nancy Anderson, school psychologist at Butler Elementary School, provides consultation to any parent requiring help for issues related to their child’s educational achievement. Contact Dr. Anderson at nanderson1@groton.k12.ct.us.

Groton Public SchoolsMentoring Program

Helping Groton's Children...One Student At A Time

New MENTOR TrainingThursday, February 16, 2017

5:30 PMGroton Public LibraryMeeting Rooms 1 & 2

52 Newtown RoadGroton, CT 06340

The Power of An Hour!  The Groton Public Schools Mentoring Program is looking for people who would be interested in volunteering as a mentor and making a difference in a child's life. Mentors spend one hour a week, each week, with a student, at school during school hours, developing a trusting friendship. Mentors are role-models, encouragers, and listeners for the students. The next training for New Mentors is Thursday, February 16, 2017 @ 5:30PM (dinner included) at The Groton Public Library Meeting Rooms 1 & 2. In case of SNOW, New Mentor Training will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at West Side Middle School.

If you or someone you know is interested in having a positive influence on a student, and to begin the application process, RSVP to our Groton Public School's District Mentor Coordinator– Sharon A. Schick 860-514-2977 or schicksa@sbcglobal.net . You may also contact a Mentor Steering Committee Representative at any of the Groton Public Schools.

The Power of An Hour School Based Mentoring:

One hour a week, each week, during the school year. Elementary, Middle, and High School.

Come Join the FUN!VOLUNTEER!Be A MENTOR!A Rewarding and Enriching Experience

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