Principal Henderson's Message
Next week, GHESAS will begin the implementation of Second Step Elementary, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve children's social emotional skills. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help children both in and out of school. Four units we will cover this year include:
Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting: Children will learn how to pay attention and manage distractions, develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
Emotion Management: Children learn how to recognize and label emotions and use emotion-management strategies - including stress management for older students; to calm strong feelings. This is also referred to as self-management and self-regulation.
Empathy & Kindness: Children learn how to recognize kindness and act kindly, have empathy for others and take others' perspectives, and recognize kind acts and empathy as important elements of building and maintaining relationships.
Problem-Solving: Children learn how to identify and state a problem, recognize if a problem is an accident, and use a problem-solving process.
At times, you will receive communication and updates from our school that will help you reinforce Second Step language, skills, and goals at home. If you have questions about Second Step Elementary, please reach out for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and inclusive learning community where all are welcome.
From the Desk of Ms. Grimsrud, Multimedia Art Specialist
Welcome to new families to Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science and welcome back to everyone who was distance learning last year. Students are learning about the tools and procedures of our classroom. I’m thrilled to welcome your child into this Multimedia Art Program - which is the only one in District 196 offered to elementary students.
My work with K-5 students is rooted in helping students practicing the Artist Habits of Mind, and grow from where they are at in their journey as a child, artist and “creative”. Another part of my position is to support our magnet curriculum through art and technology. All students keep a sketchbook, which we use regularly to practice skills, explore our ideas and express ourselves. I’m passionate about sharing my love of art with students, and feel that exposure to diverse artists is just one of the ways I can help promote empathy & foster learning in a community of art students who care about each other and can learn together in a safe environment.
Students in Multimedia Art also learn about our “Calm space" - which is equipped with tools students can explore if feeling overwhelmed or need a break from the activities of the day. I hope to keep you posted on happenings in Multimedia Art once a trimester. If you need to contact me, email is best. holly.grimsrud@district196.org
News from the STEAM Room - Ms. Hosek, Science Specialist
The first month of school has been very exciting and busy in the STEAM room. Every grade level will have had the opportunity to participate in indoor or outdoor learning activities with their class. Here is what is happening at every grade level.
Kindergarten
During kindergarten back-to-school days, students came to the room briefly and were able to use some science tools to introduce them to things they may do in the STEAM room this year. Next week, kindergarten students will be discussing manmade vs. natural materials in the STEAM Room. They will then head outside to find various natural materials that they will use to “write” out their name on a painted piece of cardboard. It will be an awesome art and science connection!
First Grade
Students spent some time in the STEAM room learning about scientific observations. They then used the skills they learned to observe our different Glacier Hills’ outdoor environments; we visited the prairie, the forest and the rain garden.
Second Grade
Second graders participated in four different STEAM challenges where they had to make a plan, discuss their plan with their team, come to an agreement together and then build something with different materials to reach a certain goal. Ask your second grader what their favorite challenge was and why they liked it (note card towers, paper chains, paper tubes or building a playground).
Third Grade
Our third grade students created a self-portrait using materials in the STEAM Room. They got to spray paint a wood block and then use a variety of tools to add screws, nails, keys, and other metal pieces to make their face. They look amazing and are on display at school.
Fourth Grade
The fourth grade students walked to Patrick Eagan Park during September. While we were there, students made a scientific drawing and participated in an outdoor scavenger hunt. It was a great opportunity for students to connect with their classmates and do science at the same time.
Fifth Grade
Students started their last year of elementary school with a quick visit to the STEAM Room to introduce themselves to their classmates. They used a variety of tools and materials in the room to make something to tell us about themselves.
Eagan Art Block, 2021 - A Great Success!
The GHESAS community enjoyed the Eagan Art Block event, “A Celebration of Music Featuring Torres-Pena”! Almost 200 attendees enjoyed the outdoor gathering and some participants brought their make and take “create your own instrument” from the Wescott Library. Glacier Hills Elementary and the Dakota County Library co-presented the event, which was partially sponsored by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage fund.
A special thank you to Amanda Fiest and Laura Mesjak from the Dakota County Wescott Library and the following volunteers who dedicated their time and service to help in hosting this wonderful event: Heidi Anderson, Alyssa Bartosh, Chris Bates, Ann Berg, Holly Grimsrud, Kathryn Finkle, Clare Henderson, Lisa Lyons, Christine Mulcare, and Erin Paulson.
Site Council & Booster Club News and Updates
Our next Site Council/Booster Club meeting is Monday, October 18 at 4:15 p.m. via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please email glacierbooster@gmail.com for the meeting information. All are welcome!
Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts & Science
Email: GH.Attendance@district196.org
Website: https://gh.district196.org/
Location: 3825 Glacier Drive, Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-683-8570
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlacierHillsArtsandScience
Twitter: @GlacierHills