South Maple Elementary Newsletter

November 25 and 26............................Thanksgiving Break

December 3...........................Schoolwide Reward/Hat Day

December 10..........Report cards sent home with students

December 21.........................................................PTO/6PM

December 22.............Snowy Snuggles/Sponsored by PTO

December 23-January 2..............No School/Holiday Break

January 3...................................................School Resumes

Music -All grades have been learning songs about fall (Autumn), Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other age-appropriate songs. All students have been learning and drawing music notation appropriate to their grade level. All grades have been learning how to perform on various musical instruments, including the xylophone, metallophone, tambourine, triangle, and other small instruments. Our 3rd graders will be getting their FREE recorder and music to take home and practice at home (purchased by our SME PTO). Due to school Covid policies, students will not be allowed to play their recorders in school.

We are hoping to put together virtual Winter Holiday Concerts for parents to view in December. Additional specific information about these concerts will be sent home with your child in early December.

Computers - We spent the first few weeks reviewing the rules and expectations. Below is what we have been working on in each grade:

• Kindergarten - Mouse skills, navigating websites, and logging in and out of the computer. Tuxpaint.org is the program we have been using and it is available for a free download if you wish to add it to your home computer.
• 1st grade - Identifying computer parts including monitor/screen, keyboard, tower, mouse, speakers, printer, headphones, tablet/I-Pad, and laptop.
• 2nd grade - Reviewing computer parts and learning the flash drive/pen drive, microphone, webcam, USB port, and CD/DVD drive.
• 3rd grade - Reviewing computer parts and learning the router, power cord, motherboard, hard drive, and computer fan.

Literacy - This fall, all grades have been learning about our brains and its influence over our learning and emotional well being. We have learned some key vocabulary about our brains including: amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. We have learned ways to calm ourselves down when upset including taking deep breaths and also thinking of a favorite smell. We have practiced being mindful through our five senses and are learning how the senses relate to our brains. We have read books and will continue to read books that relate to our topic each week.

Physical Education- All grade levels have spent the past few months working on locomotor skills such as, running, jogging, hopping, skipping and leaping. We completed a unit on soccer and will be moving into basketball skills in the coming weeks. We have worked on and will continue to work on a variety of games that focus on strategy, teamwork, taking turns, and good sportsmanship. We are so excited that we received a grant from the USA Baseball Fun At Bat Program! Fun At Bat is an entry-level bat and ball program for kids with an emphasis on character development, functional movement, active play, and fun. They have provided us with all of the necessary equipment to add this to our units of study!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher:

Music: Mr. Jarve, jarvep@gaylord.k12.mi.us

Computers: Mrs. Buyze-Smith, buyze-smitha@gaylord.k12.mi.us

Literacy: Mrs. Johnson, johnsona@gaylord.k12.mi.us

Physical Education- Mrs. Keck, keckm@gaylord.k12.mi.us

The SME monthly school-wide behavior target for December is We Can Listen and Follow Directions the First Time.

Thank you for sending your child prepared to enjoy recess outside during the cold and snowy weather. We appreciate you labeling their coat, snow pants, boots, hat and mittens.

Wednesday, December 22 all students will be able to wear pajamas and bring a small stuffed animal. SME PTO will provide hot cocoa and an allergy-free treat.

• As many of you are aware morning and afternoon traffic is very congested in our area. Please drive safely and follow traffic laws.
• The student day will begin at 8:00AM and ends at 2:58PM. Students will not be allowed to enter the building before 8:00AM. Latchkey information is available at Latchkey
• Students will eat breakfast in their classroom.
• In an effort to keep traffic flowing efficiently, please do not arrive early for drop off or pick up. Please do not park in the traffic lane by the front sidewalk. Students must exit and enter vehicles on the school side. Please see dismissal attachment below.

Students will receive one breakfast and lunch per day for the 2021-2022 school year at no cost. All 7-12 grade students may purchase an additional Ala carte item or entree. Gaylord Community Schools have mailed the free and reduced lunch applications. If your child qualifies, please fill out the application and return via mail, email, or applications may be done online by visiting www.gaylordschools.com. The applications will be saved and used to determine student eligibility for the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

For questions, please call 989-731-0969, ext. 1254.

The South Maple Elementary office is open to assist you Monday-Friday from 7AM-3:45PM.

989.731.0648

South Maple Elementary

650 East Fifth Street

Gaylord, MI 49735

989.731.0648