Granite Street Gazette
September 2024
Pre-K News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are off to a great start in Pre-K! This is an exciting time for new beginnings as young learners embark on their educational journey. Here, children have the opportunity to establish routines that help them feel secure and comfortable in their new environment. Making friends is an essential part of this experience, as social interactions are crucial for developing communication and cooperation skills.
In Pre-K, children will also learn the importance of safety in the classroom and on the playground, ensuring a safe and enjoyable space for everyone. They will be introduced to using school supplies appropriately, fostering independence and responsibility.
Additionally, participating in specials such as art, music, computer, library, and physical education will allow children to explore their interests and talents, making their Pre-K experience well-rounded and enriching.
Ms. McNally and Mrs. Pangburn
Kindergarten News
Dear Families,
Kindergarten has had a busy start to the new school year. We have been learning about classroom expectaions, rules and routines. In the first month of school we have been learning to read and write our first names with only the first letter as a capital and the rest as lowercase letters independently. We have started learning about the beginning sounds of words and our first word “a”. We have been practicing writing our daily message as a whole group and adding details to our illustrations to tell our story. In math we have started our brand new program. In the first unit we explored what math means to us and how we use it every day. The second unit focused on counting and identifying numbers 0-5 and the terms greater than, less than and equal. We count to 50 by ones and to 100 by 10s daily.
Please continue to send the baggies in daily and practice your child’s birthday, address and phone number at home.
Thank You,
Mrs. Hatch and Mrs. Anderson
First Grade News
Dear First Grade Families,
We are thrilled to welcome you all to the new school year! It has been a wonderful start, and we are grateful for your continued partnership in supporting your child's learning and growth.
Important Announcements
We have had a successful beginning of the school year learning routines and practicing daily expectations.
Open House was a great way to meet the families and make some connections.
We are excited to be working with a new math program. Stay tuned for lots of math talk and new math practices.
In reading, we are practicing short vowel sounds and blending words.
We will be working on Narrative writing.
Celebrations from the Month
First grade had perfect attendance on the first early release day of the year! We are so proud of our students for their dedication and commitment to their education.
Additional Information
Coming soon, we will be exploring pumpkins and learning about the fall season. We look forward to sharing this exciting new unit with your children.We are grateful for your continued support and involvement in your child's education. Together, we can ensure a successful and enriching year for all.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Waite and Mrs. Petrin
Second Grade News
Dear 2nd Grade Families,
We are thrilled to share that our students have had a fantastic first month of school. They have seamlessly adapted to our routines and schedules, demonstrating their dedication and enthusiasm. We are so proud of their hard work and positive attitudes.
Our students are currently learning about the life and legacy of Johnny Appleseed. They are excited to be writing their own biographical stories about this inspiring figure. In math, our students are exploring place value concepts up to 1,000, including expanded form, standard form, and word form. This foundational understanding will serve them well as they progress in their mathematical journey.
As we continue to navigate the school year, please remember that our doors are always open. We welcome your questions, feedback, and ideas, as we believe that strong school-family partnerships are the key to our students' success!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Michaud and Mrs. Osborne
Dear Grade 3 Parents,
Your child has a new math program called Reveal. We are in our second unit called Use Place Value to Add and Subtract with 1,000. In this unit, your child is learning to represent 3-digit numbers with standard form, expanded form, and word form. They are also learning properties of addition, for example, understanding that grouping addends and changing the order of addends does not affect the sum. Additionally, we are exploring strategies to add and subtract 3-digit numbers, such as decomposing numbers, adjusting numbers, and using related addition and subtraction equations. As with all new programs, we are all working hard as we learn this new math program.
In literacy, we are focusing on the skill of identifying character traits, feelings, and actions and how they contribute to the story. We are using mentor texts such as "Thunder Cake," "The Case of the Gasping Garbage," and "Location, Location, Location." Other skills we are working on include fluency and word meaning.
In writing, we are focusing on the genre of personal narrative. Your child has a writer’s notebook and has begun to draft their personal narrative. In our writing workshops, your child will be learning new skills to apply to their personal narrative to create their own masterpiece. We will cover elements such as creating engaging openings, using descriptive language, and structuring their narratives to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. This hands-on approach aims to foster a love for writing and help each student find their unique voice.
We are excited to support your child's growth in both math and literacy, and we appreciate your continued involvement and encouragement at home. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Mooney & Ms. Wheaton
Fourth Grade News
Dear fourth grade families,
Hello families! We made it through the month of September!
This month in math we are learning about adding and subtracting large numbers and starting our unit on multiplication. In literacy we are continuing to learn about becoming researchers and preparing for our Wax Museum project by reading and writing about a famous individual. The Wax Museum will be on October 30th. In science we are learning about animal and plant adaptations. In social studies we just finished learning about our Local Heroes, next students will be learning about Maine and Millinocket history and begin reading Lost on a Mountain in Maine and the graphic novel adaptation The Lost Trail.
Warm regards,
Miss Alley and Ms. DeSilva
Fifth Grade News
Dear 5th Grade Families,
We’ve had a busy first month of school, full of both academic and social-emotional learning. We have spent the month of September getting into the structure and routines of our classrooms, along with switching rooms. Students are adjusting well to the changes that come with being in 5th grade and laying the foundation for a successful final year of elementary school.
In math we just completed our first unit on volume and had our assessment this week. We have started unit 3, which will be looking at place value using decimals to the thousandths, comparing and ordering numbers, as well as rounding. Our first science unit is called Web of Life and we have completed 5 of the 7 lessons. There have been many hands-on activities to go on with each lesson. We have observed worms and discussed the role they play in ecosystems. We also investigated how the conditions of temperature, darkness, salt, and sugar impact mold growth on fruits and breads.
In 5th grade literacy, we kicked off the year with a short story unit. First, we read and analyzed the short story, “Eleven,” by Sandra Cisneros, which explores the struggle and true meaning of growing older. Students engaged in exciting discussions and narrative writing activities that challenged them to consider multiple perspectives and explore the importance of finding their own voices. Ask your students about the story to hear their fierce opinions regarding the "red sweater incident!" Next, we read “Shells” by Cynthia Rylant, which teaches powerful lessons about family, overcoming challenges, and building trust. Our favorite character in “Shells” turned out to be the small, yet mighty, Sluggo the hermit crab, who helps the two main characters bond despite their differences.
In social studies, we are learning about the five major regions of the United States. Students are engaged in both whole groups and self-directed learning on the major characteristics of each region. Be sure to ask your students about all of the popular tourist destinations they have learned about during the past few weeks. We have lots of 5th graders who can't wait to travel throughout our nation!
Reminders: Homework is assigned Monday-Thursday every week for Math. Literacy homework is assigned every Monday and is due on Friday. Students also have weekly spelling tests. Families, please aid in the success of your student by checking their binders daily for homework and other important information. Please encourage and remind students to complete their homework and study their spelling words. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via the Remind app or email.
Thank you for your support!
- Ms. Lazareva & Ms. Thibodeau
alazareva@millinocketschools.org
mthibodeau@millinocketschools.org
From the Nurse
Please stay home if you have a fever above 100.4, harsh cold symptoms, vomiting or diarrhea
- You may return to school once you are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, harsh cold symptoms have improved and no vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours
- No Covid tests are available at school this year and we are not requiring testing
- Covid is like any other common viral illness, you may return to school when fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication and symptoms are improving
Upcoming Events:
October 8, 2024 Early Release Day
October 8, 2024 Millinocket School Board Meeting at Stearns @ 4:30
October 14, 2024 Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 18, 2024 Flu Clinic Day
October 21-25, 2024 Scholastic Book Fair
October 24, 2024 Family Engagement Night 4:00-5:00
October 25, 2024 Full workshop day for Staff - no school for students
Reminders:
Please remember to stay in the pick up line at the end of the school day and not park in the lot.
Students should not be dropped off at Granite before 7:30 each morning unless your child has chorus practice.
Students should not have cell phones at school. We are also seeing more students wearing smart watches which is causing disruptions in learning. These should be left at home.
Please remove all objects hanging from student backpacks as they are a safety hazard on buses due to the possibility of them getting caught in the bus doors as your child exits a bus.