Chapman Hills Newsletter
May 2016
Classroom Happenings
The kindergarten students have been working on community helpers . They also recently studied about life cycles of a butterfly and a frog. All students have been working on improving their writing focusing on our curriculum Write From the Beginning and Beyond.
First Grade
It’s a great time to be a first grade Bobcat!
As teachers, this time of year is so rewarding because the social and academic growth the children have made is amazing. For the children, they are in tune with routines and know that they play an important part in our “class families.”
Our grade level has started to work on our science play that will be performed June 9. Social Studies finds us learning about how the past influences our futures. Our third wheel has been all about nutrition, in line with the healthy choice challenges issued by KROC. In technology we have experimented with self-checking worksheets using QR codes. We had super participation on our field trip to the Shipley Nature Center, 100% of student attendance and lots of parent helpers. We learned all about plants and one of the docents was even a former student of Ms. Bridge’s!
We are all so grateful for our Chapman Hills Community that allows us to teach using Best Practices, collaboration, and creativity. Thank you parents! Second grade – here we come!
Second Grade
2nd grade students are learning about rocks and minerals. On February 26th, we were visited by Discovery Science Labs. This was a virtual learning experience provided by Chapman Hill's generous PTA. Our students were able to learn about Earth Science, firsthand, while a geologist entertained us with hands-on experiences. Children could touch, feel, and see examples of the rock cycle, the three basic rock types and experienced how rocks and minerals interact personally with our world. This month we also are working on a patriotic unit, learning about our government system and democracy. Finally, we look forward to seeing all of our wonderful families at Open House on May 24th from 5:00 - 6:30.
Third Grade
Our 3rd grade students have started their SBAC assessments and this assessment process will continue through next week. They are really working diligently on their assessments.
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade wrapped up their California Missions unit with a trip to the San Juan Capistrano mission. They experienced what daily life was like during that time. The mission explained how the Native Americans worked along side the Spanish missionaries. The students really enjoyed touring the dwellings and worship areas. Despite the rain the fourth graders came back with a new understanding of missionary life and loved seeing a real example of their classroom learning. Thank you PTA for your support towards our field trip!
Fifth Grade
Fifth-grade students have now completed their second week of testing. One more week to go before we can breathe a collective sigh of testing relief! In science news, each fifth grader adopted, researched, and reported on a special element from the Periodic Table of Elements. Here’s a little bit of chemistry humor for you. What do Uranium, Nickel, Cobalt, and Radon spell? UNiCoRn! Never trust an atom! They make up everything! Who knew science could be so much pun? And speaking of fun, our fifth graders are thrilled that softball season has begun! So happy we’re keeping this spring tradition alive here at Chapman Hills! In class, our students are really enjoying their state book projects! We teachers can’t wait to see their finished books and state floats at Open House on May 24th! Hope to see you there!
6th Grade STEM activity
6th grade continues with STEM
In this activity, students had to build an earthquake-proof structure and design a working scale to measure the strength of the earthquake. They came up with a scale using the number of sixth graders causing the earthquake, up to a 5-sixth grader earthquake. The students were required to use all fifty wood planks to build the tallest structure possible that could withstand a 5-sixth grader earthquake with minor damage.
Parents Please Take the 2015-2016 Chapman Hills Survey
If you fill the survey out prior to Friday May 6th your student will receive and extra recess on Monday May 9th.
The survey can be accessed on line at http://goo.gl/forms/FVm5iZDlzw
Paper copies are available in the office however, electronic submission is preferable.
We appreciate any feedback that you can give.
School Happenings
Jog-a-Thon--Our 2016 jog-a-thon was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who volunteered and donated. The students had a so much fun and really all were out there running during the jog-a-thon. It is so much fun to see the students excited about all their new PE equipment that they earned through the jog-a-thon.
Muffins with Mom--all are welcome to attend this wonderful event celebrating our fantastic Chapman Hills moms. Muffins with mom will begin at 7:30 am on Friday May, 6th.
Chapman Hills Angels Night-Friday May 6th-- tickets were pre-ordered and can be picked up int he office starting May 2nd.
Carnival -- Families please come to our school carnival on Friday, May 20th 4:00-7:00 pm.
Open House--Parents, grandparents, caregivers, guardians please come to enjoy a fun night at Chapman Hills where your student's work is the centerpiece. Chapman Hills' students have been working hard all year long and it is their time to shine. Please come join us for a fun evening on Tuesday, May 24th from 5:00-6:30 pm.
Book Fair-- The book fair will be held May 24th-May 27th. If you would like to come with your child you may visit after school and during the Brown Bag Lunch on Friday May 27th.
NO SCHOOL- Monday, May 30th--in observance of Memorial Day.
Donuts with Dad--this fun-filled event will be held on Friday June 3rd @ 7:30 am.
Foundation Games
Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year Orange City Foundation Games. This year's event was hot and windy but all student athletes did an amazing job. Below are the medal winners from Chapman Hills! Great job Bobcats!
Laila Davenport - 3rd 800M, 4th 400M
Damian White - 3rd 50M, 4th 100M, 3rd Softball Throw
Cristian Ramos - 4th 400M, 1st High Jump
Paige Harrisberger - 3rd 400M, 3rd Long Jump
Alyssa Marino - 2nd 100M, 3rd 200M
Kai Remigio - 2nd 100M
Cooper Nagele - 2nd 200M, 1st Long Jump
Malia Law - 4th Long Jump
Jesse Covarubias - 1st High Jump
Kindergarten Registration
Digital Citizenship
BOYD 3rd-5th grade Family Night
The 21st Century learner needs access to the digital world and digital tools to be prepared for college and career readiness. Come join us for a brief presentation on how Orange Unified will implement Bring Your Own Device here at Chapman Hills Elementary in grade 4-6 for the 2016-2017 school year. We will share important program information and hold a question and answer session.
ALL 3rd-5th grade families are invited to join us on
Tuesday May 31st from 6:00-7:00 (3rd and 4th graders) and 7:15-8:00 for 5th graders.
Digital Literacy allows students to apply their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in authentic learning situations (Donohue, 2010). With digital literacy we are able to go beyond the classroom and into the world.
Reviews of research from 2003 into literacy and technology suggested that relatively few empirical studies have explored digital literacy in elementary schools, they address instead the use of technology to support the curriculum which is in print (Andrews, 2003; Lankshear & Knobel, 2003). More recent research into literacy and technology is showing that digital devices are having an impact on student scores (Harmon, 2008). Digital devices such as tablets, e-readers, video, and web browsing devices with instant access to thousands of apps are gradually replacing the physical textbooks. Technology can be a powerful tool for helping individuals achieve their goals, it can limit human suffering, help promote social justice to helping people “make a difference” in their worlds (Hansen, 2003, pg.117). Researchers wonder why more classrooms have not adopted available digital technologies into their curriculums (Abadiano & Turner, 2007; Hew & Bush, 2007; Wepner et al, 2007). The use of technology is transforming literary instruction. Students are excited to use these tools in the classroom (Harrold, 2012). Digital devices allow students to collaborate with others in the class, other classrooms, across town, around the world when working on research and writing activities (Donohue, 2010, Harrold, 2012
An important part of literacy is that of communication. The ability to share information, collaborate and gather information. Students need to share this need to communicate with their family, peers, and friends. They speak, they listen, they negotiate. They need to connect to the world, communicate with others, add their voices to issues as they happen. They experience world events as they happen. Digital devices allow students to connect to with world without leaving the classroom (Donohue, 2010).
Common Sense Media is a San Francisco based non-profit organization that provides education and advocacy to families to promote safe technology and media for children. Founded by Jim Steyer in 2003, Common Sense Media reviews books, movies, TV shows, video games, apps, music, and websites and rates them in terms of age-appropriate educational content, positive messages/role models, violence, and profanity, and more for parents making media choices for their kids. Common Sense Media has also developed a set of ratings that are intended to gauge the educational value of videos, games, and apps..
Common Sense Media
At our recent Digital Citizenship family night hosted by the OCDE a free resource was discussed called Common Sense media. This is a requirement for teachers to teach a minimum of three lessons from this source to ensure student safety and help to promote 21st century researchers and learners. Please feel free to visit the following site for more information that you can use at home
Library Resources to Use at Home
6th Grade Tdap
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, has reached epidemic levels in California. Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that is spread through the nose and throat secretions of someone with Pertussis when they cough or sneeze.
Assembly Bill 354 was signed on September 29, 2010. This bill took affect July, 1, 2011, and requires that all students entering grades 7 provide proof of immunization for Pertussis before starting the 2016-17 school year.
This requirement can be met by receiving one dose of Tdap vaccine, the tetanus and Pertussis booster, on or after the student’s 7th birthday. If your child has not received the Tdap vaccination, please call your doctor’s office or the Orange County Health Care Agency and make an appointment to have your child vaccinated.
Adults are also advised to get the Pertussis booster in order to protect themselves and their family. This is particularly important if they are pregnant or in contact with children under the age of 12 months. Infants less than a year old have the highest rate of reported disease. Pertussis can be a serious illness in infants, children, and adults who have a weakened immune system or other diseases such as chronic lung disease.
Avoid the rush! Protect your child now! Get your child immunized before the start of the 2016-17 school year!
Chapman Hills Elementary
Email: ChapmanHillsPrincipal@orangeusd.org
Website: http://www.orangeusd.org/chapman_hills/index.asp
Location: 170 Aspen, Orange, CA, United States
Phone: 714-532-8043