Elm Road Express April 2023

We are proud of all our excellent teachers and the tremendous work they do every day helping all students achieve their academic best. A special congratulations to Mr. James Howard, Discovery Middle School History Teacher, who was recently nominated as Indiana's middle school teacher representative for the "National History Day" Teacher of the Year. Click here for more details.

This month our third-fifth grade students will be taking ILEARN. This week students are doing practice testing and working on their test taking strategies in preparation for the ILEARN window opening next week. During this month, we ask that you hold off on scheduling any appointments for your student during the school day. Good attendance is key during our testing window. Students also cannot have phones in the testing environment. If a student brings a phone to school with them during the testing window, it will need to be checked into the office while students test.

It was great to see so many families here for the after school events this week! Thank you to PTO and our staff for the hard work that went into hosting these events this week!

We have some extra copies of our 22-23 yearbook for sale for $16 in our front office if you missed the purchase date this year and still want one!

• Visual Arts Academy (July 10 – 14, July 17 – 21, or July 24 – 28, 2023) In this award-winning one-week academy, current P-H-M Kindergarten – 5th grade students learn art history, art production and writing through a unique integration program. The program is based at Penn High School and in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame's Snite Museum of Art. Families may select the week that is most convenient for all of their children to attend, regardless of their grade. Click here to register.

• Junior STEM Academy - In this one-week academy, current P-H-M K – 5th graders will discover how math and science are applied in the real world. Each week is reserved for specific grades and will be held at Penn High School. Click here to register.

  • Kindergarten and 1st grade attend the week of July 24 – 28
  • 2nd and 3rd grade attend the week of July 17 – 21

  • 4th and 5th grade attend the week of July 10 – 14

• Junior Foreign Language Academy (July 10 – 14) This academy integrates the French language, social studies, culture, visual arts and music into an intensive and enriching learning experience. The one-week camp is held at Penn High School and is open to current P-H-M 3rd, 4th or 5th grade students. Click here to register.

April 21: Mobile Dentist at Elm *This is a date change from the original date

April 17- May 15: ILEARN Testing 3rd-5th grade

May 1: Running is Elementary 2:30-5pm (Rain Date May 3)

May 2: No School

Congratulations to the following

“Eagles” for their wonderful

“SOAR” behavior

Mrs. Barnes: Eliana & Keoni

Mrs. Gagyi:Braxton & Destiny

Mrs. Geyer: Hudson, William & Charlotte

Mrs. Hinton: Ian & Samuel

Mrs. Portolese: Alex & Clara

Mrs.Taylor: Theo & Evan

Mrs. Clark: Lindsey & Massimo

Ms. M.Miller: Robert & Miles

Mrs. Richard: Kizzy & Lauren

Mrs. Tornquist: Aurora, Neiko , AJ & El

Ms. Anderson: Amyah & Caleb

Ms. C. Miller: Trevor & Addie

Ms. Railton: Carter & Josiah

Mrs. Cook: Alondra & Abigail

Mrs. Freeman: Peyton & Nolan

Mrs. Newcomer: Natalia & Michael

Ms. Funkhouser: Peyton & Lucas

Mrs. Mellor: AJ & Natalie

Mrs. Napolitan: Lucas Ulrich

Mrs. Shreiner: Khamil & Andrew

The Penn PALS preschool students have been learning about transportation. We have been reading stories about buses, cars, trucks, trains, and planes and our dramatic play center has included pretending to ride and drive a bus. Our afternoon PK students got to get on a PHM school bus, (thank you, Shawna!) and sing the Wheels on the Bus song!

March was learning about famous women scientists, authors, etc. for Women's History month. We also learned about Ireland, built Leprechaun traps and bridges to hold the Leprechaun's gold. The fourth grade leprechaun traps were made using RUBE GOLDBERG machines. Third grade made OOBLECK and second through fifth grade made LEGO mazes.

April will be studying Earth, nature and celebrating Earth Day -- with visits from the St. Joe County Parks Department for all grades.

We have had some great lessons in March. The students in 4th and 5th grade enjoyed learning about some of the jobs in the secret service. We used Chromatography to separate the colors in 4 different markers to help us solve a mystery. We ended our lessons in March by looking at pond water using foldable paper microscopes. 2nd and 3rd grade spent a lot of time classifying different objects and shapes. They ended the month by making ice cream and discussing how matter can change when it is heated or cooled. In 1st grade we looked at different objects that can be used to measure with. We wrapped up the month by studying how colored water can jump from one cup to the next by being absorbed into paper towels. In kindergarten we learned about different types of homes people live in all around the world. We finished the month by talking about the importance of the sun and the effect it has on our world.

Ms. Pillow

ENL Teacher

Happy Spring!

During the month of March we had a blast celebrating Read Across America, Dr. Suess, St. Patrick’s Day and the success of our school with Kids’ Heart Challenge. Every grade level played “Leprechaun's Gold” and were told a little about the history and traditions of St. Patrick’s day. All grade levels also practiced numerous basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, offense, and defense through some lead up games. We also completed another round of “The fastest class challenge” This time Mrs. Napolitan/Mellor class won the fastest class trophy! (Congrats!)

Finishing up Kids’ Heart Challenge

Our school ended up leading the area in raising funds for the AHA!!! Way to go, we raised $14,560.000! Our second highest year to date!

Our top 5 fundraisers that will be attending a scavenger hunt.

• Finnegan (Cook)

• Ryan (Cook)

• Ethan (Shreiner)

• Kyle (Shreiner)

• Archer (Geyer)

Congratulations to all the students that demonstrated growth with their jump rope skills and to our endurance and jumps in a minute champions.

Endurance jump champions

5th : Kaylynn, Alex, & Natalie

4th : Harper, Finnegan & Zoey

3rd : Jordyn, Avery & Mary

2nd : Mya, Jackson & Laney

Jumps in a minute champions

5th: Gabby 155, Kyle 156 & Natalie 156

4th: Dominic 107, Zoey 139 & Zeke 144

3rd: Reagan 123, Caleb 128 & Zakayiah 134

2nd: Sophia 99,Miles 99, & Mya 107

1st: Corion 46,Noah 54,Marley 79 & Kensley 91

This month we will begin our Skating and Volleyball unit. We will also complete another round of fitness testing and check the growth with 3-5 grades.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: All 4th and 5th grade students have the opportunity to participate in the Running is Elementary program! This is a running club that will take place after school for four practices from 2:15-3:15 (4/13, 4/17, 4/19, 4/24, 4/28) and then a meet on May 1st. If you have any questions you can contact Mrs. Parisi (dparisi@phm.k12.in.us) or Mrs. Newcomer (snewcomer@phm.k12.in.us).

Great job to all 37 of our 4/5th grade boys basketball players! Mr. Marks and I enjoyed working with them to help develop skills over the past few weeks.

Please remind your child to bring tennis shoes with him/her when coming to school in boots. Tennis shoes are the best choice for a day in the gym or classroom! Thank you,

Debbie Parisi and Sarah Sime

dparisi@phm.k12.in.us

ssime@phm.k12.in.us

This month I want to encourage all parents and students to relax and enjoy the Spring!

With ILEARN this month I thought I would share some helpful tips. Remember to try your best and give it your all.

If you have any concerns or needs before the end of the year, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 259-3743. Thank you! - Mrs. Shell

Growing Readers

Marcie Ritchie, Title 1 Reading Specialist

MARCH 2023

Happy Spring Elm Road Families! March brought us interesting “spring” weather, as well as, the South Bend Cubs reading challenge program. It is always great to get kids excited about reading! Thank you for supporting your student through participating in this reading challenge. If your student hits a homerun (completes the program) they will be recognized before the game. Here are the details:

• We will meet at the top of section 101 (last section on the first base side) to line up for the recognition parade.

• Show your school spirit and wear your Soaring Eagles shirt.

I’m looking forward to seeing you at the game!! Keep SOARING Elm Road Eagles!!

~Marcie Ritchie

To celebrate success in reading, each classroom teacher has selected two readers as their March Readers of the Month. These readers will be recognized on our morning news, receive a book of their choosing, certificate, and bookmark, and have their picture displayed on our readers' bulletin board. Congratulations to the following March Soaring Readers.

Kindergarten

Mrs. Barnes: Alice & Tumpes

Mrs. Gagyi: Victoria

Mrs.Geyer: Emilee & Braxton

First Grade

Mrs. Bush: Paxton & Oliver

Mrs. Hinton: Quinn & Evelynn

Mrs. Portolese: Lincoln & Averie

Mrs. Taylor: Emma & Berkley

Second Grade

Mrs. Clark: Lindsey & Holden

Miss M. Miller: Zaiden & Jack

Mrs. Richard: Emmy & Ronan

Mrs. Tornquist: AJ & Gavin & Neiko

Third Grade

Ms. Anderson: Landyn & Anna

Mrs. C. Miller: Lucy & Jack

Miss Railton: Ava & Frida

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Cook: Ace & Ryan

Mrs. Freeman: Rivka & Henry

Mrs. Newcomer: Lain & Christian

Fifth Grade

Miss Funkhouser: Cooper & Hannah

Mrs. Mellor: Ella & Alex

Mrs. Napolitan: Landon & Georgia

Mrs. Shreiner: Mia & Jason

Website: elmroad.phmschools.org
Location: 59400 Elm Road, Mishawaka, IN, USA
Phone: (574)259-3743
Twitter: @ElmroadES