Dear KRS families,
Sincerely,
Kathy Koop
Important Dates
May 13, 2024 - May 17, 2024 - NJSLA Grades 3-5 Testing
May 20 and 21, 2024 - NJSLA Science Testing for Grade 5
May 14, 2024 - Band, Chorus, and Orchestra, Spring Concert - Madison Junior School 6:00 PM
May 27, 2024 - Schools are Closed
May 28, 2024 - Schools Closed for Students, Staff In-Service
May 30, 2024 - Field Day
June 14, 2024 - Fifth Grade Celebration Ceremony 9:30 AM KRS Black-Top
June 19, 2024 - Schools Closed - Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 20, 2024 - Last Day of School
One School, One Book Finale!
Hello Families!
Yesterday, we officially finished our One School, One Book Charlotte’s Web trivia during each lunch wave. Congratulations to the following “grand prize” winners from each lunch wave who were correctly able to answer the additional 2 part bonus question:
Kendall Richards 4/5 lunch
Hailey Perel K/1 lunch
Chloe Ford 2/3 lunch
Each of those winners took home an oversized poster of the Charlotte’s Web book cover. Congratulations also goes out to each and every trivia winner this month, and a special thanks to all the families who supported this schoolwide literacy mission by setting aside special time to read together! We had a lot of fun with the trivia and look forward to continuing this literacy experience once again next year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sims
Fifth Grade Celebration and Coach Stroker
The KRS Class of 2024 Fifth Grade Celebration Ceremony will take place on June 14, 2024 at 9:30 AM on the black-top behind the school. The ceremony will focus on celebrating every KRS fifth grader as special, contributing, individuals. The ceremony will last approximately 1 hour and the fifth graders are expected to remain at school for the duration of the school day.
This year on the day of the Fifth Grade Celebration, we have a very special afternoon planned for our soon to be sixth graders. With great thanks to the KRS PTO, Coach Stroker will visit to speak to the fifth graders. Coach Stroker is an excellent inspirational speaker for children and adults. We are thrilled that he will be presenting to inspire and empower the fifth graders as they prepare to transition into the next chapter of their educational journeys.
We are looking forward to celebrating our 2024 Fifth Grade Class!
Library Update from Mr. Locke
Before spring break, students concluded their study of literary genres by recording their classmates' favorite genres with tally marks and creating an infographic by graphing the results. Grades 3-5 wrote about their favorite genres, and new genres they want to read and why.
Students began the week after spring break learning about the solar eclipse on Monday. Students created models of the sun and moon to show the spatial and causal relationship between them to create a solar eclipse.
After the eclipse, we began studying poetry to celebrate National Poetry Month (April). Students read grade-specific poems out loud together in class to practice public speaking and develop confidence in reading poetry in public. Students analyzed the meaning and form of the poems, learning about figurative language in the process. Younger students enjoyed themselves identifying words that rhyme in the poem. Older students analyzed Shel Silverstein and Billy Collins poems that examined the figurative masks people wear as well as the relative value of time, and applied those concepts to their own lives and the world around them.
Students were also introduced to the Dewey Decimal number for the poetry section (811) and its subdivisions.
In the following two weeks, students studied the categories of the Dewey Decimal System, call numbers, the online catalog, shelf reading and book location within their school libraries. Students reviewed and reinforced the Dewey Decimal System lessons by playing a fun, interactive video quiz game called Blooket, in which they answered questions requiring the subjects of books to be matched to Dewey Decimal numbers. Students consulted a chart of Dewey Decimal numbers and subjects to help answer the questions.
Most recently, students have begun studying a digital citizenship unit (Common Sense Education). Younger students are learning about how to moderate and balance screen use as well as learning about the difference between personal and private information, and which to share online. Older students started the unit by learning about how to identify and avoid “clickbait” and phishing scams.
On April 30, Doug West and Molly McCarthy of the New Jersey Shakespeare Theatre Company (located in Drew University) visited Torey J. Sabatini School and read a short story adaptation of A Midsummer’s Night Dream to the 5th grade students. The students then learned the basics of voice projection and body language as they read and acted out Puck’s monologue in groups. Doug and Molly visited the Kings Road School in March and treated the students to the same program.
JA Biztown
The fifth graders were all dressed-up this morning to participate in JA Biztown today. Every fifth grader assumed a role in a simulated town and performed the specific responsibilities of their role. Students prepared in advance to learn about their roles and about the functioning of the simulated town. Thank you to the fifth grade teachers Mrs. Nicolette, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Sullivan for arranging such an enriching experience for the fifth graders. Thank you also to the many parent volunteers for working side-by-side with the students.
From the Junior Achievement Website:
JA BizTown combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town. This popular learning experience allows elementary school students to operate banks, manage restaurants, write checks, and vote for mayor. Students are able to connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.
Following participation in the learning experience, students will be able to:
-- Discuss the roles they play as citizens, workers, and consumers in their community and relate those roles to the free enterprise system.
-- Discuss the importance of citizen rights and responsibilities in a community.
-- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the free enterprise system.
-- Build money management skills through a practical knowledge of economic concepts and banking practices.
-- Develop an understanding of basic business practices and responsibilities.
-- Display the soft skills necessary for successful participation in the world of work.
Spring Concert - Chorus, Band, Orchestra - May 14, 2024 6:00 PM - Madison Junior School
Mr. Rossi, Ms. Quinlan, and Mrs. McEachern are excited about our upcoming KRS Spring Concert! The date of our concert is Tuesday, May 14th. There will be two performances: one school assembly at 2:00 PM and one Family & Friends Concert at 6:00 PM at Madison JUNIOR School.
