News from Mr. Hennessey

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES!  If you'd like to have the Wise Owl sent to you, please send your email address to chrish@mpsvt.org.  I'll be updating the Owl at least once a week with both news and celebrations, and I'd love to be able to send it directly to you if
that's what you'd like.  Here are some very important updates that you’ll need to know:

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM AT UES!  Beginning on the morning of Monday, December 2, the UES community will enter a new era of security and safety as we continue to do our best to keep our children and staff safe.  Faculty and staff will be issued photo ID cards today, and these cards will each have a chip embedded in them allowing entry into the building. Keys will no longer be necessary.

Exterior doors will now be locked at all times before, during, and after school.  Guests visiting UES will now enter the building through the main, front entrance using a video/buzzer system linked to the front office.  Upon entry, guests (parents, contractors, etc.) will sign in at the front office and be given a guest ID pass.  From December 2 on, all faculty, staff, and guests must have an ID or guest pass visible at all times while in the building.  If you don't have an ID and are in the building, an adult (or maybe even a student!) will ask you to return to the office to get one.

We fully recognize that this is an entirely new way of allowing access to our school for the community, but we hope that you can all understand that these changes need to happen.  As we all get used to this new system in the coming weeks, we welcome your questions, suggestions, and feedback.  Please let us know what you think!

SCHOOL EXPERIENCE SURVEY:  In an effort to get more feedback from UES families, we've put out a School Experience Survey on our website.  The survey will only take a few moments to fill out, so please look at it when you have a chance.   We really want to know how you think we're doing!

You can click here to take the survey right now!

NOVEMBER ASSEMBLIES:  RESPONSIBILITY!  If you happened to stop by our assemblies before or after your Thanksgiving lunch last week, you got to see quite a show!  Ms. Kelley's class had the task of putting together a show with the theme of Responsibility, and did they ever come through!  The students presented a well rehearsed and planned out show that was both informational and entertaining.  Outstanding job!

Please check out the Wise Owl Blog on the UES website to see some great photos from the assemblies!

8:00 START TIME:  With the cold weather and new security system going into effect after Thanksgiving, we think it's a good time to remind the community that Union Elementary does not open its doors until 8:00.  As of December 2, the doors to the school will be locked and staff will not be available until that hour, so it's very important to make sure your child isn't dropped off before that time. Adult supervision inside and out will begin at 8:00 in the cafeteria for those who want breakfast, the playground, and "Quiet Start" in the library (which is limited to the first 40 students who choose to go to the library).  The bell rings at 8:20 for the official start to the day. The half hour between 7:30 and 8:00 is always busy for our faculty and staff preparing the day and participating in meetings, so we really appreciate all of your cooperation with this!  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Magic and Muffin Man

The children have been working on a synchronized dance unit in PE.  Check out these videos (if you get updates on email - check the blog for videos).  

Birthday Breakfast

This morning we celebrated students with a birthday in November.  This is a great opportunity to join in our morning meeting and stop by the classroom. If you missed today's breakfast, feel free to come December 20th at 830!  Thank you to all parents for helping to supply snack items for the celebration. 

Independent Project

 Where in the World?

Optional Independent Project

Thank you for supporting your first grader’s interest learning through independent projects this school year. We will continue to explore the concept of place through our social studies unit about community. We have been to walking to different places in our community and students are making connections and learning about point of view. We are beginning to identify important landmarks, and key features of our school community and our downtown community. Students are mapping their local world!

Our new independent project will give your child an opportunity to think about maps, and the places they’ve visited, or wish to visit someday. This project is also optional and can be done as a family or individual.

Here’s what we would like to have included in the final project. Your child can present it any way they choose. We would like to see students demonstrate the following components:

1. Choose any place you have been, or wish to visit, that can be found on a map (Montpelier, Hubbard Park, Montreal, your house/backyard, office building or structure, waterway, vacation destination, etc.)

2. Get a map of the location or make a map of the location  (print from the internet, Chamber of Commerce, photos, etc.)

3. Label the place or places on the map, include landmarks.

4. Include why you visited, who you saw or what you did, and some interesting facts about the place (photos, drawings, labels, fact bullets or charts)

5. Recall, then retell the visit with your family so you can share your story with the classmates

6. Have fun!

If you have any questions about this project, please send us an e-mail! Enjoy learning with your child.

The First Grade Team

*Please note that projects are due by December 13th, but if finished sooner, please send it in.              

Thanksgiving

We had an impressive turnout for the annual Thanksgiving Day luncheon - 100% participation!  Each student had a family member join them for lunch.  Enjoy pictures on the "Thankful Families" page on the blog - found on the tab on the top.  We have so much to be thankful for this season. Please enjoy your break next week with your families.

This week, we have continued learning about the story of the first thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.  We have looked closely at the life of the Pilgrims and the hardships they faced and made connections to our community unit.  Students noticed that the Native Americans showed empathy toward the Pilgrims when life was not going well for them and together they created a community that lived, worked, played, and celebrated life together.  Throughout this mini writing unit students are learning to use public notes, make their own notes, and are increasing their knowledge of complete sentences, and proper punctuation while thinking deeply about the events of the past and how they relate to today.  INQUIRE with your child about the book, "The Story of the Pilgrims."

Guidance

After thanksgiving break, students will begin their 2nd rotation of their Library/Guidance/Technology split.  Ms. Baker, our school guidance councilor will be leading the class with lessons on a number of topics including, but not limited to:  guidance councilor's role, emotional literacy, coping skills for anger, worry, frustration, C.A.R.E.S. with the main focus devoted to Assertion and Empathy, conflict and conflict resolution (how do we solve problems on our own? when do we need help from a teacher?) passive vs. assertive vs. aggressive communication, friendships (my friend loves me one day and says I can't go to his birthday party the next! What is one to do?!), and also "similarities and differences".  Students will continue to visit the library to check out books on Thursdays.  

Birthday Breakfast - THIS FRIDAY

On Friday, we will be hosting our second birthday breakfast.  We will be celebrating students who had a birthday in November.  We will meet for morning meeting, sing happy birthday, and enjoy a light birthday snack.  Please email me if you plan to attend - all immediate family members are invited - whether you have a birthday child or not!  You are welcome to bring younger siblings to these monthly birthday breakfasts (during other parts of our day, we ask that you leave younger siblings at home).

Slippers

Check out what our first graders have been doing in Art with Mrs. Kane.  INQUIRE with you child about this project!

Police Station Visit

Corporal Kniseley graciously toured us around the Montpelier Police Station this morning. Students learned about the holding cells, fingerprinting, locked entries, dispatch, the cruisers and so much more! We learned all about how police officers help our community and keep us safe.  Police officers ensure that all people follow rules and help community members that have a hard time doing so.  One police officer we visited with shared how he had just got back from a traffic accident and how sometimes they  help with the traffic - especially in Montpelier these days!  We heard from many children about the times their parents were pulled over for speeding after learning about how police can track how fast cars are traveling! Students loved hearing about how the police have a dog who helps them in the evenings.  INQUIRE with your child what they enjoyed at the police station!

As we waited for a tour of the cruiser, we took a walk through city hall.  

Mapmaking and Trailmaking

Last week students looked at UES' first and second floor maps to navigate their way around the building. We discovered the routes we take to various places around the school - big gym, cafeteria, music room, etc.  Throughout the week, we learned more about what maps help us do, about legends/keys, and landmarks on maps.  

On Thursday morning, students walked up the hill on Hubbard St and got a birds eye view of UES from above the small playground.  Students made maps of this view and identified various places in the community that they could see from above.  We even spotted Harrison Forest - the backside.  Students used maps to find a new route to Harrison that morning and were navigating their way around using just a map!  

Once in Harrison, the focus changed a bit and students went back to a service learning project that began in Kindergarten.  Last year, it was determined that the hillside was being ruined each time students tramped up the hill.  Students thought that Harrison needed some trails that all children and visitors could use.  On Thursday, this became the focus as children thought about the safest and least harmful way to get to the ridgeline.  All students helped to create a path with switchbacks up to the top.  Children moved leaves, debris, logs, etc to establish this 2 foot wide path.  Once the trail was cleared, children used ribbon to mark it so others could easily follow the path.  Mrs. Dostie's class tried out the trail we made and they found it easy to follow! YAAY! 

1000 HOOTS!

1000 HOOTS!

Miss Closter’s class has reached their goal of earning 1000 hoots. As a reward, we chose to have stuffy and pajama day!  Please help your child choose suitable PJ’s and small stuffies that can fit in their backpack. 

CONGRATULATIONS ROOM 5! 

Board Games with Buddies

This afternoon, students spent time with their buddies playing board games.  All children showed good sportsmanship, cooperation, and had a great time.  INQUIRE with your child if they learned a new game this afternoon!  What are the rules?