What a great start!
We’re off to a fantastic start to the new school year! It’s been wonderful to see so many bright smiles, new friendships forming, and a buzz of excitement in the classrooms. Our students are already showing curiosity and enthusiasm as they dive into learning new things every day. We can't wait to see all the amazing accomplishments they'll achieve this year! Here's to a joyful and successful year ahead!
Thank you for the warm welcome!
I want to thank you for welcoming me to Eagle Heights Elementary. It is with a happy heart that I join this wonderful community, and I look forward to getting to know each of you and your children in the days ahead.
Having worked in education for 33 years (22 as an elementary principal), I am passionate about fostering a positive learning culture where every child can thrive. I truly believe that a strong partnership between school and home is essential and I am committed to building meaningful relationships with students, parents, and staff. My main goals are to keep our children and staff safe and to have a positive environment for our kids to learn.
I am here to listen and support, and I welcome your feedback and ideas. I would certainly appreciate your support for our staff. Together, we will create an environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and excited to learn. I am confident that with your support, we can make this school year one of growth, joy, and success for all our students.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. I look forward to an incredible school year ahead!
-Ms. Stewart, Principal
Our dismissal is working really well, thanks for your patience as we train our students and practice our procedures. A few reminders:
- If dismissal plans are changing, please contact the office before 3:00pm.
- If putting a child in a car or booster seat, please get the child and then pull into a parking spot.
- If you check a student out at the end of the day, even just 5 minutes early, they will have a partial absence in PowerSchool.
Grades 3-6 Chromebook Insurance
https://www.smithvilleschooldistrict.net/o/ssd/page/technology-insurance-registration
Art with Ms. Aeschliman
Hello Eagle Heights families! I am so excited to have your student(s) in the art studio. We started the year by making a seat sheet (like a placemat) for each K - 6th grader because we have white table tops in the art room and it’s tough to keep them clean if we don’t have something underneath when we start our art making.
K-2nd is starting the year with Peter H. Reynolds “The Dot”. We will read the story and create works of art using a dot(s). We will be celebrating Dot Day on Friday, Sept. 13 so please plan to have your student(s) dress up for dot day if they would like! They can wear anything with dots! Feel free to even make your own dot day attire!
3rd-5th we are beginning the year with our school-wide theme “Surf Into Learning”. We are using a brainstorming activity to come up with different things that we could draw that go along with our theme. Then we will spend some time creating a work of art using some of those ideas.
In 6th grade 2D art this year I have created a “2D Art Game” that they enter on Google Classroom. Students can choose a project, complete it and then earn a badge upon completion. The badges are digital on their game. Once they have completed 4 badges they can level up to the next group of badges to start earning them and so on. It gives them voice and choice on what they would like to create but also gives them some parameters and guidance.
I will be using Artsonia again this year for students’ portfolios. It is very private with only their first name and a number assigned to them online. No private identifiable information is published online and you can see your students’ work, along with visiting the gift shop and purchasing products that have your students' work printed on it. If you signed up last year, you don’t need to sign up again, it will roll over to this year! If you are new or didn’t sign up last year, it’s not too late, you can still sign up and you should be receiving an email from Artsonia soon, if you haven’t already. Artsonia is an amazing company that also offers you the option to invite other family members (think grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) to become a part of your student(s) fan club, so even if they do not live nearby they can see what is being created at school!
I do have an Amazon wish list for EHE because the yearly budget only affords me the basics in art supplies. If you would like to help support our art studio and the EHE artists go to my wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/TAO5QQQYZRM2?ref_=wl_share
THANK YOU so much for all of your support! Here’s to another creative year!
Ms. Aeschliman, Eagle Heights Elementary PreK - 6th grade Art Educator
Innovation Lab: with Mrs. Thompson
It has been so fun to see all of the kids fill up the hallways and classrooms with their smiles and stories! Your students are doing a wonderful job getting into the swing of things in our innovation lab. We have already jumped into engineering challenges as well as some of our digital citizenship lessons.
If you ever need to reach me or simply have questions about how your student is doing in the technology and innovation classroom, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! My email is thompsoa@smithville.k12.mo.us or you can reach me by phone at extension 7628.
Have you registered for our free Screen Sanity Parent Night yet? Join Mrs. Downey and myself on Tuesday, September 10 from 5:30-7:00 pm for a presentation of this highly acclaimed program, designed to help parents navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AEAE2BA5FACF8-49799930-screen#/
Music: with Mr. Venner
Eagle Heights Music Notes
The good times keep coming in the music room at EHE!
Dear Eagle Heights Parents,
Welcome to the latest edition of Eagle Heights Music Notes! We are excited to share what’s happening in the music room this month. Here’s a sneak peek into our musical adventures: **Drum Circle**
We are kicking off the month with our energetic Drum Circle! Students will explore rhythm, teamwork, and creativity while learning to play various percussion instruments. It’s a fun way for students to express themselves and work together as a musical community.
**Mallet Madness**
Our students are diving into Mallet Madness, where they’ll be exploring xylophones, metallophones, and other mallet instruments mixed with hand percussion from all over the world. This activity helps students develop coordination, melody-making skills, and a deeper understanding of musical patterns.
**6th Grade Recording & Music Electronics**
Our sixth graders are stepping into the world of recording and music technology! They will be learning how to record and play bass, guitar and drums while also exploring the basics of music electronics. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to engage with the technical side of music-making, enhancing their skills in rhythm, production, and sound design. We’re thrilled to see our students grow as musicians and look forward to sharing more of their musical journey with you!
Warm regards, Mr. Venner, Music Teacher at Eagle Heights
P.E. with Coach Parker
🦅 Eagle Heights Elementary PE Newsletter - Keeping You in the Loop! 🏀
I hope this newsletter finds you well and excited for the upcoming adventures in our Physical Education program at Eagle Heights Elementary! Our students have been engaging in a variety of fun and active activities, and we wanted to keep you updated on all the exciting developments.
**K-1st Grade Tag Games:**
Kindergarten and 1st grade have been having a blast with tag games! Not only are these games great for physical activity, but they also help improve coordination and social skills. It's wonderful to see them run around and have so much fun while staying active.
**2nd-6th Grade Capture the Pin:**
For our older students in grades 2 through 6, the adventure is taking a competitive turn as they delve into the world of "Capture the Pin." This classic game encourages teamwork, strategy, and communication among peers. It's not just about winning – it's about working together and having a blast while doing it.
**Station Activities Galore:**
In the upcoming weeks, we're thrilled to introduce station activities for all grades, from Kindergarten to 6th grade. These activities will provide a well-rounded experience in various sports and physical activities. Our students will have the opportunity to try their hand at basketball, frisbee, football, volleyball, scoops, and scooters. Each station is designed to enhance different skills, such as hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and motor skills.
**Benefits of PE:**
Physical Education plays a vital role in the overall development of your child. Not only does it promote physical fitness, but it also boosts cognitive function, improves concentration, and fosters a sense of sportsmanship and fair play. We're committed to ensuring that your child's time in PE is both enjoyable and educational.
**Get Involved:**
We encourage parents to get involved in their child's physical education journey. Whether it's practicing skills at home, encouraging regular physical activity, or attending school events, your support makes a difference.Thank you for entrusting us with your child's physical education. We're excited to witness their growth and development as they continue to explore new activities and games. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Stay active, stay healthy, and keep soaring!
Sincerely,
Coach Parker
Library with Mrs. Rice
Library News:
EHE Library has been busy with the start of the school year! We have been reviewing expectations in the library and the Library Points system, where classes compete against one another to earn an extra recess by the end of the quarter!
All classes have covered the importance of book care and properly caring for the books from the library! I am so happy to see students get excited to find their next adventure in the library books that they are checking out! In September, we will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by covering different influential figures as well as introducing the Mark Twain and Truman Nominees for the 2024-2025 school year! You can get a sneak peek by visiting the EHE Media Center site here: https://www.smithvilleschooldistrict.net/o/ehe/page/media-center
Grades 4, 5, and 6th: Be on the lookout for information about MT/Truman Nominee information as students who participate get a chance to vote for the winning Missouri book, go to the Children's Literature Festival in Warrensburg to meet authors, and get books signed, and have a chance to be entered into a grade level drawing for a $50 Scholastic Book Fair gift card!
What are we learning in Library Class:
PreK: Learning how to use the library and take care of our books!
Kinder: Learned all how to take care of their books and checked out their FIRST library book! We got to discuss the things that can harm books through the No No Never Bucket!
1st: Discussed what is good for library books and what is not so good for library books! As well as learning how to use a shelf marker in the library!
2nd: Reviewed Book Care rules by participating in a Book Care Scavenger Hunt throughout the library and of course - checked out books!
3rd: Students reviewed book care just like the other grades and they created a backpack with all things that are good for books!
4th: Fourth grade also discussed Book Care, checked out books, and participated in a Library Breakout - 4 tasks to "escape" the library!
5th: To review Book Care in the grade, they play the coveted "Boom, Snatch, Clap" - an interactive game that requires patience, reading, and great teamwork!
6th Grade Encore: The Books to Movies class is off to a great start! We are reading our first chapter book, Wonder, and will watch the movie after to see the comparison between the two. Each student takes a Quick Little Quiz once we read a section to test their comprehension and at the end of the book, we will complete a novel study choice project!
Message from Mrs. Rice: Thank you for ALWAYS supporting the library! If you would like to purchase items for the EHE Library, the Amazon Wish List is here. As always feel free to reach out with any questions ricel@smithville.k12.mo.us.
Happy Reading!
