Algonkian Elementary
February Newsletter
Principal Page
We will have another parent/student pick up day on Monday, February 8. I will send a message out to families so they know what items need to be picked up. As always if you can't make that day, the office is open and you can schedule another time to come to school to pick up the items.
We have PTA bingo night on Friday, February 12. You will be able to pick up your bingo cards on February 8 at the school. We had a blast during our last bingo night so please join us for a fun night of Bingo.
This spring VDOE is requiring students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade to take SOL tests. They did cancel the 4th grade Virginia Studies SOL test, so 4th grade students will not need to take that test. Third graders and Fourth graders will take Math and Reading SOLs. Fifth grade students will take Math, Reading, and Science SOLs.
The SOLs will take place during the month of May and all SOL tests will be in person at the school.
Art Updates
Hello Bobcat Artists!!!
I hope that you all are doing well and having an ARTASTIC February!
For the month of February, the students will be creating a variety of
projects inspired by artists from diverse backgrounds.
Weekly Updates: I will be posting Updates on the Art Schoology each week about the supplies
needed for that week and information about that week's Art Class.
Please check Art Schoology Updates each Monday.
Art Supplies: We only need the standard school supplies: plain paper, pencil, eraser, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, and glue. We understand if your students need Art Supply assistance, if you do please email Ms. Michael, Ms. Ryan, or Ms. Smith the Parent Liaison.
Asynchronous Art Weeks: Unless otherwise directed on Art Schoology Updates Students will visit the Art Schoology Page-Click on the Art Activities Button (Rainbow Scissors) and CHOOSE an Art Activity you would like to do. There are Museum Websites to visit that have activities you can do, Art Starter topics, Calming Art Exercises, and Gratitude Scavenger Hunt Art Activity.
If you have questions, please contact me at Caryn.Michael@lcps.org
Music Updates
Algonkian Music in January with Ms. Comrie & Mr. Holmes
5th Grade- Students are in the process of choosing their music class for middle school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself, kim.comrie@lcps.org or Mr. Holmes at Ronald.Holmes@lcps.org. Students continue to work hard on playing the recorder. They are presently reviewing skills and notes that they had learned last year. Please continue to encourage your child to practice using good technique as we continue through the unit. Also, a reminder that if your child does not bring their recorder or music packet to class 3 or more times it will result in a lowered grade.
4th Grade- Students are working hard on learning how to play the recorder. They are learning the notes B, A, and G. Please encourage your child to practice with good technique as we continue through the unit. Also, a reminder that if your child does not bring their recorder or music packet to class 3 or more times it will result in a lowered grade.
3rd Grade- Students are demonstrating their knowledge of identifying music notation such as; note names on the staff and note values. Through repetition of games and a variety of activities this skill will continue to be reinforced.
2nd Grade- Students will be working on Valentine’s Day activities including singing, movement, and rhythm. They are going to be working on sol-la-mi-re solfege, half note rhythms, singing games, and movement concepts the rest the month.
1st Grade- Students have been working on the difference between steady beat, rhythm and form. We will continue working with quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rest rhythms for the month. They will also be working on sol-mi songs and movement concepts including statues (freezing) and improvisation.
Kindergarten- Students have been singing songs, doing fingerplays, and playing movement games that utilize their counting skills and identifying change. This month we will be continuing some wintery/snowy activities that include singing, movement, playing instruments, and dramatization of a story.
PE Updates
Activities in PE
Kindergarten
We worked on:
*Fundamental movement skills
*Gymnastics introduction – Animal walks and rolls
*Locomotor skills – Slide step and jumping
Coming up:
Continue gymnastics introduction – Candle stick and sling shot
Correct throwing technique
Basketball shooting
Research question for discussion: Who was Henry Aaron?
1st and 2nd Grade
We recently finish our Gymnastics unit -
Balances/Stands/Roll/Routines
Currently working on -
Heart Rate = Pulse
Different ways to check for your Heart Rate on your body
What is a Resting Heart Rate?
Exercises that increase Heart Rate Easy/Moderate/Intense
Dance - Cupid Shuffle
Learning steps and movements to the song Cupid Shuffle for our Valentine's Day theme
Upcoming -
Continued Dance Lessons moving to different types of songs
Basketball - Skills students can practice outside or appropriate area using any type of round ball
Regular Fitness workouts and Routines
3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
We worked on:
*Personal fitness goals
*Locomotor skills- slide step and jumping
*Manipulative skills – Correct throwing motion, throwing with accuracy.
*Games unit: Table top Football
Coming up:
Basketball unit- jump shot technique
Research question for discussion: Who was Henry Aaron?
Have a Great Month,
Mr. Terango and Mr. Goodwin
Algonkian P.E. Teachers
Parent Liaison-Susan Smith
I have a couple of resources that I would like to share. I see many requests on various Facebook groups looking for tutors. Loudoun County Public Schools has an extensive list of vetted tutors for all subjects and languages, K through 12. Visit www.lcps.org/Page/186523 to see the list of tutors. Fees and arrangements are between tutor and student/parent.
If you are in need or would like an opportunity to volunteer please visit Mobile Hope's webiste. www.Mobile-Hope.org, the website explains who they serve as well as volunteer opportunities.
The Pandemic has had an impact on all areas of helping those in need. Organizations are limited in what they offer, even taking donations and disbursing items comes with a risk. The resources have been limited.
If you have a need please contact me through email or call the school. All of our communications are strictly confidential.
Health Clinic
As winter marches on here are some tips to stay healthy.
Wash your hands often.
When washing your hands, remember to get a good lather of soap on your hands and scrub for at least 20 seconds with warm water.
Get a flu shot.
You can protect yourself and your family from getting sick by getting the flu vaccine.
Eat for immunity.
It’s important to eat healthy foods that support your immune system, including mushrooms, garlic, citrus fruits, herbs and spices, probiotics, prebiotics, and chicken soup.
Keep moving!
To stay active during the winter, be creative…try having a family dance party, a planking contest or see who can do the most sit-ups.
Get some sun.
Sunlight has been shown to help improve your mood by boosting the release of a hormone called serotonin.
Maintain good skin health.
To keep your skin moist and healthy through the winter, be sure to drink plenty of water, hydrate your skin with an ointment moisturizer, and use sunscreen whenever you’re out during the day.
If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at megan.tuma@lcps.org.
If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at megan.tuma@lcps.org.
Library
NEWS FROM THE ALGONKIAN LIBRARY
Students have continued their lessons on digital citizenship and reading Virginia Readers’ Choice Award nominees.
- Grades K-2 learned that biographies are books written about real people and read a biography about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Grades 3-5 learned about being an “upstander” when they see cyberbullying and how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an upstander in our world.
Permission Clicks to fill out for parents of students in grades 3-5:
Playaway Check-out: https://permission.click/NqNMj/us
Online Tools used in Library : https://permission.click/6qgJ5/us
CURBSIDE PICKUP
Algonkian offers curbside library book pickup at the school from 11-1 every Monday except holidays. This is a pre-order pickup only. No browsing of books will be offered.
To use the curbside library book pickup service, parents must join the Schoology "Algonkian Library Curbside Pickup" Group (same as the previous Book Bus Group, just a new name--no need to rejoin if you are already a member) and use the Google Book Request Form found in the Schoology group update.
Click the following link for directions about how to join the Algonkian Library Curbside Pick-up Schoology Group: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dsfD-4fk8j0NWKMgiL-YhJHgVnthjEpKyfEMMn2nsJg/edit?usp=sharing
RETURNING LIBRARY BOOKS
Have library books to return? Hand them to library staff during Curbside Pickup on Mondays from 11-1 OR drop them in our BIG RED BIN located outside the front doors of Algonkian every day during school hours.
CHAT-N-CHEW
Chat-n-Chew signups are still live for grades 2-5! Don’t worry if you missed the first two meetings...you can sign-up anytime throughout the year.
https://alg.ptboard.com/formvw/store?store=1624
READING UNDER THE STARS
Thank you to our staff readers and everyone who attended our first ever Reading Under the Stars and Hot Chocolate Night. We had over 120 participants! Great job Bobcats!
Please email Algonkian’s Librarian, Mrs. Whitehouse, with any questions: susanne.whitehouse@lcps.org
HAPPY READING!
Potomac Falls Cluster Schools- Got Talent
Algonkian Elementary School
Assistant Principal: Karen Shields
Bookkeeper:Gayle Cowden
Registrar: Peggy Franzen
Health Specialist-:Meg Tuma
Email: brian.blubaugh@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/algonkian
Location: 20196 Carter Court, Sterling, VA, USA
Phone: 571-434-3240
Twitter: @ALG_LCPS