WORLD PREMIERE: Information Writing Celebration! #tcrwp

We've spent many weeks gathering ideas, drafting chapters, and editing to make our information books the BEST they can be!  To celebrate, we're sharing our favorite parts with YOU!

We hope you enjoy hearing our writing!

And just in case the video above doesn't work, here's the link!

Cougar Chronicle

Lost and Found

Missing a water bottle or socks?  Maybe a sweatshirt?  Or even a sneaker or two?

Be sure to stop by RES and check out the LOST and FOUND...all items not collected by December 21st will be given to Goodwill!

RES Used Book Sale Tomorrow

Don't forget your quarters -- the annual RES Used Book Sale is tomorrow!

Students will have the opportunity to "shop" for new-to-them books collected from others in our community.

RES Cougar Cub Inventors' Workshop

We had approx 75 families in attendance and more than one hundred students making, creating and building.  Students made jitterbots, launched rockets, created spin art, shot scarfs through a giant (!) wind tunnel, played with PinBox3000, raced cars on a lego track, built wooden plant stands, made a giant marble maze, coded in Scratch, learned about 3D printing, and built with blocks and cardboard! I heard many families exclaiming that they were amazed at the diversity of activities.  I am so thankful for how much time and effort you all put into supporting this event and our school community. 

A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Rankin for planning, organizing and supporting makers and creators at RES!  Our school wouldn't be the same without you!  

RES Used Book Sale 2018

RES Used Book Sale 2018

Dear Families,

It’s that time of year again!  RES is holding its Annual Used Book Sale!  On Thursday, December 6th, children in grades PreK-4 will have the opportunity to come to the Art Room and purchase gently used children’s books for $.25 each!  It’s an exciting day at school, and it’s been a yearly treat to see the faces of the children as they gather new stories to read and share with their families!

We are still welcoming donations of gently used books (children’s picture books AND chapter books).  Please check in at the front office, and then bring your boxes and bags of books directly down to Maribeth Berliner’s classroom  - Room 35.  This sale is a great opportunity to clean out your collections before the holidays, and keep your books in the hands of our community’s children!  

Money raised from this sale will be used to help support students within our RES learning community, and a portion of the money will be used to purchase some new gift books for the University of Vermont Pediatric Unit.

Thank you for your support with this project!  

Best,

Maribeth Berliner, M.Ed.

Gr.4 Teacher, RES

*Any questions about the sale? You can call school and ask for Maribeth Berliner, or email :  maribeth.berliner@cesuvt.org

Cougar Chronicle Issue 11.5.18

RES Circus Night!

Big Truck Day This Saturday!!

A Huge Thank You to Parents

We Added So Many New Books

Thank you to all my families that purchased books for your children through my book order the week before.  Everytime families buy through my Scholastic account, I earn points towards new books.  The students were so excited to see all the new books go into our class library!

Marie Ayer

Help Wanted: Tie-Dye T-shirt Celebration

Volunteers Needed!!

Ms. Morrison and Mrs. Touchette are looking for volunteers to help with our school wide tie dye t-shirt project. If you are unable to come in and help out in the Art classes during the day, we are also seeking volunteers to help dye and wash t-shirts in your washing machine at home. We are using the same dying process this year as last year, and it involves dying the t-shirts in the washing machine. 

To volunteer, you may sign-up here on the Sign-Up Genius Link:!

Any help is very much appreciated! 
Thank you! 

Repost of Math Links that Now Work

We apologize for repeat, but as we figure out our new program we had the wrong link for families in this previous post.  In order for it to send out again to all we made a duplicate. :)

This year as we will be posting videos that reinforce the concepts we are teaching in class for the week.  This will allow you and your child to watch together and have conversations about what they are learning.  It also is a great opportunity for you to see and hear the ways in which you could support your third grader at home with their math.

Our first math unit is multiplication and division.  We will be teaching this unit through at least the first week of October.  The focus is on students developing a solid understanding through models and strategies.  This unit lays the foundation for our future units in multiplication and division.

The following videos are concepts we have learned so far.  When there is a pause in the video, that is the opportunity for the viewers to stop and talk to solve the problem before hitting play again.  Please click on the following links:

Solving Multiplication Problems

Skip Counting

Related Multiplication Problems

RES Fall Book Fair is Coming Soon!

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to RES!!!

The RES Scholastic Book Fair will be open:

Wednesday, 9/26 -7:15-8:10 am, 2:45-3:30 pm & 5:00-6;30 pm. 

Thursday 9/27 -7:15-8:10 am, 2:45-3:30 pm & 5:00-6:30 pm. 

 We will have a raffle for a basket of books during the fair. 1 ticket for $0.25 or 5 for $1.00. Books can be purchased online between September 17 and September 27. Information will be placed on our school home page and the book fair link is http://www.scholastic.com/bf/richmondelementaryschool6.

Cougar Chronicle Issue 16

Our New Math Program

   

     We are excited to be using the new Investigations 3 math program.  It has been aligned to Common Core and there are some new features that we will be rolling out.  One nice feature is that we can link out the family letters to you via our blog.  A second feature that we will be sending out soon is a link to play the games we play in the class with your child at home.  This will allow students to have more time to practice the games that really support the learning of important math concepts.  These games are meant to be played with a partner and to encourage math dialogue as they will not let you know if the answer is correct. 

Family Math Letter

Summer Greetings!

Families of entering third graders should have received a letter from us in the mail to prepare for the start of the school year...don't worry, it's still a few weeks away!  Just in case it didn't arrive in the mail, you can find it here:  Summer Letter to Families & My Child as a Learner.

In the meantime, have a wonderful summer...we're looking forward to seeing you all on August 29th!

Move-Up Day 2018

This afternoon, we met with our future 3rd graders and had the best time getting to know one another and talking about what to look forward to at the start of next school year.

Each child came home with the documents below (included here just in case they go missing!) with some information for YOU and a Summer Reading Challenge to encourage students to continue reading all summer long!

We'll be in touch later in the summer with more information for the start of the school year.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or even stories from summer!  We likely won't get back to you right away, but we'll do our best!

Cougar Chronicle #12

Cougar Chronicle Issue #11

Interested in Cockroach Sitting for Summer?

Our kind and friendly Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are in need of a home for the summer.  They promise to be quiet and unobtrusive!  They require very little care: simply water every day or so and add some fresh fruits and veggies every now again (apple cores are a favorite!).   Their ten-gallon (well covered) tank needs to be placed in a cool location.  That's it!  Simple!


If you are interested, please email your child's teacher or write a note and we'll be in touch.  (Please indicate if there are weeks to avoid -- cockroaches are fine on their own for long weekends.)  We would love to create a schedule to share the cockroaches among families to accommodate travel plans, etc.

Reminder: Shelburne Farms Field Trip

Shelburne Farms Field Trip

(Image Credit: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/02/10/41/schoolbus-304249_960_720.png)

On Wednesday, third graders will be traveling to Shelburne Farms to explore Spring at the Pond & Forest, a hands-on link to our study of interdependence in Science.  We'll be leaving RES around 8:45 and returning around 2:00.  

Our plan is to be outdoors all day, so students should come prepared with the following:

• layers of clothing
• sneakers or sturdy shoes (no flip-flops or sandals)
• a snack
• a lunch from home (or let us know and we can order one from the cafeteria)
• a water bottle 
• sunscreen and/or bug spray (to be applied by your child)

We're looking forward to a day of outdoor learning at the Farms!

Chaperones:  Please plan to join us at school by 8:30.

Cougar Chronicle Issue #10

A Chick is Born #uvmembryology

This week has been very exciting as 55 of our chicken eggs have hatched.  Here's a video of just one of our chick's making their appearance!

At the end of the week, our cornish cross chicks will be off to farm in Fairfield where they will live happily til the end of their days.

A Celebration of the Arts

You are Cordially Invited to… 

A Celebration of the Arts 

 Who RES students: Grades 3 and 4 

 When Wednesday May 23rd Art Show Begins at 5:00 pm 

A light snack, prepared by Chef James, will be served. 

Concert Begins at 6:00 pm (Please note: students should gather for the concert by 5:50) 

 Where Art Show: Inside Richmond Elementary 

             School Concert: On the Field between RES and CHMS 

             CONCERT RAIN LOCATION: Camel’s Hump Middle School Gym 

 *Please plan to bring a blanket or chair to sit on during the concert.* 

 What The art show will feature a variety of work by all students. This will include an amazing array of clay pieces, origami, self-portraits, batik, and even shoes! 

 The outdoor concert , “Bon Voyage”, will celebrate the imagination of Robert Louis Stevenson, and the adventures of ocean travel around the globe, as we sing, dance, and play for you.

Cougar Chronicle Issue #9

C

The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!

RES will be having another school wide

Scholastic Book Fair

on Tuesday, May 22 & Wednesday, May 23

in Room 10.

This is a BOGO sale.  Buy one book at the regular price and get another of equal or lesser value free.  Students and families can also buy raffle tickets to win a basket of books. 1 ticket for .25 or 5 for $1.00.    

The RES Scholastic Book Fair will be open:

Tuesday,  May 22, 7:15-8:15 am & 2:45-5:45 pm.

Wednesday, May 23, 7:15-8:15 am & 2:45-5:45 pm.

NEW digital payment option for students: eWallet! Now families can send their child to shop the fair cash-free! Below is a link to our Book Fair Homepage:

http://www.scholastic.com/bf/richmondelementaryschool9

Questions:  Contact Ileen Gilbar

Coming Soon: RES Powder Run

3rd Annual Richmond Powder Run 

Friday, June 8th 2:45-4:00 

The cost for the Powder Run is $20. (Mr. G is happy to give out scholarships to anyone that needs one.) T-Shirt is included with registration. There will be food, music, and lots of family fun. All proceeds from this event go back to grade level teams to promote learning in their classrooms.

Registration Info http://tiny.cc/r6eksy
Registration Options *Powder Run ($20)
Please make checks payable to RES attn Run Club
Scholarships or Questions contact brian.godfrey@cesuvt.org

Hatching Chicks!

Over the weekend, the eggs that we've been incubating since May 1st will be entering their final growth phases and may be ready to hatch.  You can keep up on all the action over the weekend and next week LIVE by checking out the following links:

Mrs. Ayer's Webcam

Mrs. Girouard's Webcam

Ms. Poncelet's Webcam

You can download the Ustream TV app to your device, too.  Search for your teacher's name (or Third Grade Chick Hatching) to find our LIVE broadcast.

Upcoming Third Grade Events

Upcoming Third Grade Events

Mrs. Ayer, Mrs. Girouard & Ms. Poncelet

Week of May 14th → Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC)

• 

  Scholars will be taking these assessments each day (Monday thru Thursday) from 10:00-12:00.  
• Be sure your child has a healthy, hearty breakfast and comes to school with a snack.   (Helpful test-taking “tools” will be provided.)
• Make-ups will be on Friday, May 18 and the week of May 21st.

Afternoons, Week of May 14th  → Outdoor Science Activities

• Please send students with socks & sneakers, as well as a light pair of pants to wear while hiking outdoors.  There have been some ticks spotted already this season, so we want students to be dressed appropriately to avoid contact!
• Sunscreen and/or bug spray may be applied by students.

May 30, 2018 → Shelburne Farms Field Trip

• Permission slips were sent home last week.  Due Friday, 5/11.
• Please contact your child’s teacher if you need another form.

Save the Date: Field Trip to Cedar Knoll Country Club

This spring, 2nd and 3rd graders will be doing a golf unit during P.E. class.  The unit will focus teaching proper grip, safety awareness, etiquette of the game, and how to putt, chip, pitch, and drive.  On June 12th, we will be taking a field trip to Cedar Knoll Country Club in Hinesburg. The rain date is scheduled for June 19th.

Second Grade will be golfing in the morning from 8:30-10:30 after which they will return to RES.  Third grade will be golfing from 10:30-12:30 and then return to RES.

I’m looking for a few volunteers to help me run stations.   No experience required! I’ll fill you in on everything that you need to know.  I will need lot of help to ensure that all proper safety protocols are being followed by scholars and appropriate spacing is given when swinging clubs.

Please make sure to have your child bring a snack and water bottle, and apply sunscreen and bug spray at home.

Congratulations to Cassidy!

Cassidy won honorable mention in the Casella Waste Poster Contest.  She just received her picture back in the mail today!

Artist-in-Residence: Jeh Kulu

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE:  JEH KULU

Coming to RES  April 17th -20th

Dancing and Drumming with the West African Musical Troop during physical education classes.

Students should bring sneakers and comfortable clothes.

This artist in residence was supported by many people, including:

Vermont Art Council

Community Go Fund Me Contributors

RES Enrichment Program

RES Art Program

RES PTO

THANK YOU!

Questions?  Contact Darcie Rankin, Enrichment Teacher at darcie.rankin@cesuvt.org

Using MobyMax from Home

     Students are encouraged to use MobyMax from home to work on mastering their basic math facts.  They are set to the facts they first need to work on and the program or teacher adjusts them as they master facts. 

Steps for Logging on at Home

1. Log into our school website at https://richmond.cesuvt.org/
2. Under the link: STUDENTS choose MOBYMAX
   
3. Next students will see this log in screen where they type in their username and password:
4. Students type in: first name.last name (username with no capitals or spaces).  Their password is their lunch number.
5. Students then need to be choosing the fact fluency icon.

If students have trouble logging in at home, have them check with their classroom teacher to make sure they have the correct password.  

Thanks for all of your support!  While we are hoping students are logging in at least three times a week, they can always log in daily for frequent practice!

Ways to Support Your Child at Home with Math

                                                                                  
      At this point in a third grader's math career, we are working on efficiency, precision and flexibility.  One area that can really hamper this goal is when a student isn't solid in their fact fluency.  Students that are automatic in their basic facts are more efficient when solving 3 and 4-digit problems in addition and subtraction and in solving multiplication and division problems.
      Fact fluency is something that students have been working on in a variety of ways throughout their years at RES.  The research shows that students that have mastered their facts can recall them in about 3 seconds.  Every student develops at their own pace and some need more time to achieve mastery.  So, we are giving you some ways to help support your child at home with the mastery of their basic facts.
    One way for this is to find time to go over flash cards with your child or to simply use that time in the car when you are driving to appointments or activities to call out facts for your child to answer.  Some students also need paper pencil to also learn them.  The following are some websites that you could use:

• https://www.math-drills.com/
• http://www.math-aids.com/

   Also, games are really a fun way for students to practice their facts.  This can be done with some games such as:

• Snap It Up
• Learning Resources Pop for Addition & Subtraction Game
• Math Dice by Thinkfun
• Flip It
• Learning Resources tri-FACTa Multiplication & Division Game
• Learning Resources tri-FACTa Addition & Subtraction Game

Finally, our district no longer uses FASTT Math, but instead uses MobyMax.  This is a great site that we customize for each student.  They log into it through our RES website and then type in their passwords.  Students would benefit from logging into this program at least three times a week at home.

Artist-in-Residence @ RES #gofundme

Performance art and physical movement is so important to the RES community! For the last three years, we have dedicated our resources to hosting an artist-in-residence to our school to work with students in Grades K-4. 

We have had Jeh Kulu (African Dance and Drumming) in 2015, Troy Wunderle (Circus) in 2016, and Gowri Savoor (Lantern Making) in 2017. The scholars and their families have learned from and loved each artist and we're excited to be continuing this great program.

Due to popular request, we are bringing Jeh Kulu back! This traditional West African Dance and Drum company will be coming to Richmond Elementary School in April 2018 for four days.  During this time, students in Grades K-4 will have an opportunity to learn from these amazing Vermont artists during their physical education classes.   Our third grade classes will be using this opportunity to further connect with our World Cultures unit and our hope is to have a special performance-celebration with Jeh Kulu at the end of the week to conclude our learning!

We have raised a portion of the artist fee through grant fundraising, but are seeking your help to ensure that the artists can be here all four days and visit with every classroom! Thank you for supporting the performance arts and physical movement at RES! 

You can support this program at RES by visiting this site:  https://www.gofundme.com/artistsatRES

Learn more about Jeh Kulu, Vermont Council-endorsed Artist-in-Residence at:
http://www.jehkulu.org/

RES Spring Fling

Annual RES Spring Fling 

Friday March 23rd 

5:30 - 8:00pm

Parents/Guardians!! Enjoy an evening out while your kids have fun attending the 2nd annual Spring Fling at Richmond Elementary School. There will be dinner/pizza, movement games, dance party, face painting, spring crafts, cup stacking, and makerspace fun. This evening is hosted by the RES PBIS Committee and staff. All proceeds go directly toward our RES Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Please use this form to sign your child up for this fun event.

Cougar Chronicle Issue #8

Girls on the Run Vermont

Girls On The Run

Registration is now open at Richmond Elementary Girls on the Run® is dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

At Girls on the Run, we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Our 10-week, 20-lesson program, will be held right here at RES! Trained volunteer coaches will foster girls’ physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being, culminating in a wonderfully uplifting 5k Run/Walk where everyone is #1!

Why It Matters
A recent national independent longitudinal study led by Dr. Maureen Weiss, an expert in positive youth development, found that the combination of Girls on the Run’s intentional life skills curriculum and highly trained coaches is key to our program’s impact.

• 97% of participants said they learned critical life skills including managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others or making intentional decisions that they can use at home, at school and with their friends
• Girls who were the least active at the start of the program increased their physical activity by more than 40%
 • Girls on the Run made a stronger impact on teaching life skills to participants than did organized sports or physical education

Overall, the study showed that participating in Girls on the Run transformed girls’ lives by helping them increase their self-confidence, develop healthy relationships, and feel good about themselves, inside and out.

What You Need to Know

Our season begins on Wednesday, March, 28th and we will meet twice per week, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 3pm -4:30pm at Richmond Elementary School in Room 1 for 10 weeks culminating with our 5k event (TBD).

Registration for GOTR is open now for RES’s Spring 2018 season! See Ms. Powers (preschool) if you want to join!

Registration is offered by paper for the 2018 season. For online registrations, payment plans are offered and we accept debit, credit, and e-check payment options. Girls on the Run Vermont has limited financial assistance available to those who truly need it. GOTR is committed to being accessible to any girl who wants to participate, and is dedicated to ensuring that the program cost is not a barrier to participation. 

Cougar Chronicle #7

Snow Motion Family Ski and Ride Day at Cochran's

Snow Motion Family

Ski & Ride Day

Family and friends are invited for a FREE Ski & Ride Day at Cochran’s Ski Area thisSunday, March 11th from 10am-2pm. It’s been a great winter on the slopes atCochran’s, and we would like to invite all family members to celebrate the end ofSnow Motion with us. Feel free to bring your skis/board or just stop by and watchyour child take a few runs.

If your child needs equipment, please contact Brian Godfrey at brian.godfrey@cesuvt.org ere is a large white trailer near the Mighty Mite li with rental equipment for SnowMotion. Please stop by and check in with Mr. G (I’ll have a blue coat), so we can keep track ofhow many people attended the event.

What: Free Family Ski & Ride Day
Where: Cochran’s Ski Area
When: Sunday, March 11th, 10am-2pm


Questions: email Mr. G at brian.godfrey@cesuvt.org

Cougar Chronicle #6

Snow Motion Updates

Well, it looks like sugaring season is starting early this year (yaay maple syrup!), but this means that Snow Motion on Thursday is cancelled -- bummer.  

Thank you to all of the families for volunteering this year to help supervise our students on the slopes and for contributing financially to the program.  And, of course, a HUGE thank you to Cochran's Ski Area and Mr. G for making it all happen!

See you on the slopes next year!  

No Skiing Tuesday, February 20th!

Due to the weather, Snow Motion at Cochran's, has been postponed tomorrow.  There is a possibility that we may be able to go Thursday.  If you haven't heard back from us by Wednesday night, then it won't be a go on Thursday either.

Cougar Chronicle Issue #5

Cougar Chronicle Issue #4

Coming Soon: The 18th Annual RES Science Fair

RES SCIENCE FAIR

Thursday March 15th, 2018

Students in Grades K- 4 will be sharing their great science projects in the RES gym!  The Farm to School program will be offering a dinner during the event so that both participating families and those looking for a night out can grab a great meal!   Raffle prizes will be awarded to students who ask great science questions! Everyone is welcome!

RES Farm to School Dinner

Time: 5-6:30pm

Location: RES Cafeteria

SIgn Up To Help Us Meal Plan at:  

https://goo.gl/forms/nqQ6ReYT4s3s0Eu92

RES Science Fair

Time: 5:45 – 6:45 pm

(participants may set up projects any time after 5:15pm and should complete entry forms by 2/23)

Location: RES Gym