The Eagle Express

Happy December AES Friends and Families!

Just a reminder that with the change in weather, students need to be prepared to go outside in all kinds of weather. LABELED boots, coats, sweatshirts, gloves or mittens, and a hat are recommended. If you need support in getting any of those items, please feel free to email me, our school nurse (vmellon@conval.edu), or our school counselor (rgregg@conval.edu).

Last week, the Superintendent sent out a notice about the opportunity for us to provide rapid antigen testing in school. Shortly after, I sent an email that included a link to the consent for those who are interested in this as an option should your child present with Covid 19 symptoms. Please let us know if you did not receive my email. Only students with completed consent forms will be able to participate in testing. Feel free to contact Nurse Mellon with any questions.

Here are a couple of dates coming up in December that are important to note:

December 13 - Picture Retake Day

December 14- 17 Book Fair

Finally, we are looking for substitute teachers! If you are interested, please go to the Careers section on the Conval School District webpage, which can be found by clicking HERE.

Have a wonderful week,

Mrs. S-H :)

First Friends in Miss Jay’s class came to visit Mrs. Hill’s third and fourth grade drummers during Muzart class with Mrs. Storro. To quote a student, “I think we impressed them!”

The students in the 3rd and 3/4 classes have begun a bird study unit with naturalist Karen Rent from the Harris Center. The investigation question that both classes are exploring is Why do some birds migrate in the winter and why do others stick around (NH)? Students began by discussing, and then looking for evidence of "bird food" around the school grounds creating a map of good feeding locations which they will revisit throughout the unit. They also learned about specialized beaks of different types of birds and the types of food that they are adapted to eat through a hands-on investigation. On Friday the students observed bird mounts and created lifelike paintings or drawings of the bird of their choice in front of them. The students are really looking forward to the continuation of the unit.

Recent classroom counseling lessons have focused on strategies and tools that students can use for self-regulation when they are struggling with strong feelings. Students in second, third and fourth grade created classroom inventories of breathing techniques and other practices they can use to get themselves “back into the Green zone.” These lists have been long! Some examples of tools the students have learned and were able to identify include: balloon or belly breathing; washing machine; slow counting; taking a “brain vacation”; rainbow breath; square/box breathing; bumble bee breath; crazy eight breathing; drawing or coloring; reading; taking a walk; stretching; listening to music; exercising. Each student created a personal, individualized “tool-box” that includes at least two self-calming tools that work for them.

In the Kindergarten classes students began to explore what it means to be a “feelings detective” and reviewed how to follow directions and also the “why” of doing so (what are the reasons that it is important to follow directions?). Future lessons in all grades will focus on empathy, compassion and perspective-taking---noticing other people’s feelings and putting themselves in the other person’s shoes, so to speak.

Email: ssyre-hager@conval.edu
Website: aes.convalsd.net
Location: 10 School St, Antrim, NH, USA
Phone: 603-588-6371
Twitter: @aes_ssh