SCHOOL PAGES B R A I N E R D D I S PATC H
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M AY 2015
A Newspapers in Education Publication
In This Issue: ■ Baxter Elementary School ■ Brainerd Community Education ■ Crosby-Ironton Elementary ■ Crosby-Ironton High School ■ Garfield Elementary School ■ Harrison Elementary School ■ Learning Tree Preschool ■ Lowell Elementary School ■ Nisswa Elementary School ■ Pillager Charter School ■ Pine River-Backus School ■ Riverside Elementary School ■ Sacred Heart ■ Saint Francis ■ Stepping Stones Preschool
Memorial Day Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.[1] The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May,[2] was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.[1] It typically marks the start of the summer
vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
For more information on using or sponsoring BD School Pages, please contact Tammy Woitalla at (218) 855-5838 • Thank you for supporting Newspapers in Education!
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Baxter K-Kids Kiwanis Kids is an international service organization of upper elementary students that has 1,200 clubs all over the world. Baxter School K-Kids meet after school once a week to work on the K-Kids mission: Serving their school, neighborhood, and making the world a better place in which to live. This includes being part of the world-wide Kiwanis effort called “The Eliminate Project”, with the goal of eliminating natal tetanus. Our K-Kids are starting off 2015 by selling stamps for .25 cents (designed by our K-Kids) which are placed in an Eliminate stamp booklet. When the booklet is full (20 stamps) students get a K-Kids flashlight pen. ALL of the money raised goes to The Eliminate Project. We are “Stamping Out” tetnus! The K-Kids also put together Car Emergency Kits. Twelve kits were donated to the Women’s Shelter by the K-Kids.
Author John Coy visits Baxter School Author John Coy visited Baxter School to talk to students about writing their own stories. He met with the students in large groups and then again in the classrooms. John will be back in February to help students revisit stories they have started and help them to make them better.
January 12- 16 is Paraprofessional Week
K-Kids Donate Car Emergancy kits.
A great BIG THANK YOU goes out to all of Baxter Schools Paraprofessionals! We value everything you do for students everyday! Our Fabulous Para’s are: Beth Anderson, Jill Beste, Dee Bollinger, Linda Dosh, Paul Flansburg, Heather Friemann, Mary Jo Gruber, Kelli Hanson, Trisia Hughes, Patti Jones, Sue Lachelt, Kim Larson, Lori Miller, Cindy Moberg, Tammy Olson, Nancy Quick, Sanny Rangen, Shawn Rivard, Karen Rugloski, Cindy Stark, Ginnie Steichen, Teresa Stroot, Glenys WarnerHolman and Jean Wind. Mrs. Bender’s Second Graders with Author John Coy.
K-Kids Hard at work.
K-Kids Stamps For Eliminate Project.
John Coy Visits Ms. Mark’s Third Grade Classroom.
What’s Doin’ at Baxter School? Coming Up... Camp Baxter! February 2-6 get your flashlights and favorite books ready.
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7th Grade Cell Campaign These are pictures of the winners from the Cell Campaign in 7th grade Life Science. The cell campaign was a group project that happened before Christmas break. Each group had to campaign to their classmates that they were the best cell organelle. Students had to do a group presentation in which many students had presentations they created on the iPads and/or skits.
Ranger Care Opening!
7th grade cell campaign.
7th grade cell campaign. Ranger Care.
The Crosby-Ironton School District entered into an exciting new venture on Monday, January 5, 2015, with the beginning of Ranger Care at the Cuyuna Range Elementary School (CRES). Ranger Care is a before and after school childcare program for children in the grades kindergarten through sixth grade who attend our school. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents’ of Crosby-Ironton School District to have a safe place for their children to go before and after school. Ranger Care is a valued opportunity for working parents. The school district has received numerous requests from parents about the need for before and after school child care. As a result of a need for some type of “latchkey” program that was identified by parents, the school district has been working diligently to create this child-care opportunity. The typical day at Ranger Care consists of having a snack, structured activities with the participants, indoor gym time, outdoor activities, homework help, free play, library time, and computer and iPad activities. The Ranger Care provider also has the opportunity to meet with each child’s teacher when looking at individual homework needs. Each day is very structured with scheduled activities by the Ranger Care provider. The school district recently welcomed a new leader for its Ranger Care Program; Kalley Duggan. Kalley has had formal training in the area of child care and is currently attending school part-time to become a specialist in the area of early childhood education. Ranger Care is available in the mornings from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and again in the afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Ranger Care Program is located at CRES in the Family Center Wing. The registration forms and information can be obtained on the school district website, CRES office or Community Education office. Advanced registrations are required. For more information feel free to call: Molly Hoffarth @218-545-8800 ext. 6976, Kalley Duggan: 218-545-8800 ext. 6967 or Dale Sova: 218-545-8822.
Mitch’s Medal Recently, senior Mitch Stangel competed in the BSU Northern Mathematics Competition. For the last three years, he has been a member of the C-I team and has always placed among our top three scorers. This year he competed in the Senior Division. He received our team’s highest individual score. Mitch also received the 10th highest score out of 405 students from 32 school. For this effort, he received a medallion. Mitch’s plans after graduation include getting into the Naval Academy and pursuing aerospace engineering.
Mitch with his medal. 7th grade cell campaign.
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Geography Bee The Crosslake Community School middle school students held their Geography Bee on January 16. They have been working hard in their Social Studies classes preparing for this event. Each class had at least two participants qualify for the schoolwide event.
Cowles Center
Student council president Evan encourages Geography Bee students to do their best.
After winter break, the students at Crosslake Community School had the opportunity to partner with the Cowles Center in Minneapolis via videoconferencing to participate in a unit on Latin American Social Dances. The students learned basic steps in the Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia and the Samba. It was a great way to bring in the New Year!
Building Bridges BY BRADY D.
Korbyn and Isaak give a “thumbs up” while testing the strength of their bridge
Second place students Korbyn and Isaak and first place students Evelyn and Dylan show off their winning designs.
In 5/6 science students are studying the strengths of bridges. Teams of two built popsicle stick bridges using 100 popsicle sticks and 8 hot glue sticks. They then tested them with metal weights to see how strong they were. Evelyn’s and Dylan’s bridge held 130 pounds and could have held more, but they only had 130 pounds to test with. Korbyn and Isaak got second place because their bridge held 90 pounds. We were allowed to take home the pieces of bridges that we wanted to keep or the bridges that did not collapse.
Crosslake Trailblazers
Students in Mrs. Durham’s and Mrs. Klang’s first and second grade classes practice the Cumbia from Columbia.
Students in Ms. Graceffa’s and Mr. Swanson’s fifth and sixth grade classes practice a special turn in the Merengue.
After brainstorming ideas and a school-wide vote, it was decided to recommend to the board a change from the Lumberjacks to the Trailblazers. We are excited about the opportunity to more clearly define what it means to be a school of Trailblazers!
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Outdoor Adventure Day
Wolf Moon Kennels brought their dogs into school to help 5th grade students learn about dog sledding. Jay Strangis showed how animals adapt to the cold winters The students made s’mores around the campfire and campfire and learned how to build a shelter in the woods. Dean Makey taught the kids how to snowshoe.
An Author at Forestview!
Congratulations to Pam Warren, a fifth grade teacher at Forestview, on the publication of her book The Adventures of Penelope and CeCe! The book follows Penelope and CeCe who are sisters with so much in common. Both girls love to fish, have bonfires, and bake cookies. Their father tells scary stories and plays cards. Everything is perfect, except for one thing – Penelope and CeCe have never met. Pam says she’s been writing for as long as she can remember, but this story came from out of the blue. She had met two sisters who first met each other at 48 years old. Her story came from the idea of meeting her own sister for the first time when she was a kid. Pam had this to say to budding writers, “The only advice I offer is to write and to read. Read to see what writers do, and write every single day. It is like exercising - the more you do it, the better it becomes. Soon you’ll be seeing everything in life through the eyes of a reader and writer. The book may be ordered from Amazon.com.
Student of the Trimester
Fifth graders enjoy s’mores around the campfire.
Building a shelter during Outdoor Adventure Day. Grant Gardiepy, a recipient of a Student of the Trimester award. Pam Warren, a new author from our school!
Snowshoeing outside Forestview.
Each trimester, students are selected for special recognition based on academic achievement, good citizenship and classroom participation. The following students earned an award for the first trimester. 5th Grade Zach Matten-Baker, William Hansen, Grant Gardiepy, Landon Carey, Gavin Bunting, Kouper Seidl, Gracin Johnson, Baden Bastian, CaitlinMae Hamilton, Laura Wells, Hunter Bock, Brianna Hansch, Danielle Ahmann, Spencer Thompson, Livia Thompson, Ben Karlgaard, Jack Schafer, Lydia Rahn, Kamryn Peterson, Keaton Kearney, William Brant, Katie Foley, Anna Angland, Colten Dols, Brenna Voss, Aden Extrand, Cooper Jacobs 6th Grade Grace Peabody, Avy Sullivan, Aftyn Arnold, Charles Johnson, Kate Kurtzman, Allison Krantz, Jackson Dwyer, Malachi Stroot, Anna Pflepsen, Benjiman Schlegel, Byron Hong, Taylor Larson, Auni Jobe, Isaiah Petersen, Fayleigh Hausken, Ethan Jacobs, Taeana Evanson, Kenna Smith, Gabriella VanHorn, Hailey Ruhl, Cody Pickar, Kelsey Zugschwert, Grace Ernster, Eli Engelmeyer, Emma Buccholz, Mac Eigen 7th Grade Ammy Lin, Andrew Kirzeder, Anna Streed, Arica Caughey, Callie Knapp, Christian (Bubba) Kadolph, Connor Powers, Douglas Roger, Victor Mikkelson, Elizabeth Selisker, Elle Juranek, Emma Korhonen, George Gebhard, Grace Balsley, Grace Erholtz, Karlee Schuler, Maggie Bergren, Mandi Soderholm, Max Darkow, Nariah Fett, Nick Porish, Nick Schneider, Owen Davis, Patrick McDonald, Tyler Jordan, Verity McFadden 8th Grade Audrey Collins, Austin Aspros, Braden Kramer, Dengalo Busbey, Eleanor Peabody, Emily Daiker, Grace Erholtz, Grant Blosberg, Jayce Schroeder, Jayden Selisker, Joe Klang John Barr, Macey Peterson, Mason Hill, Max Walker, Mikaela Kadolph, Morgan Gibson, Natalia Chrisinger, Olivia Jackson, Peyton Wicklund, Taya Person, Trey Swenson
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Third Grade Happenings BY: ANNE, ALYSSA & KATE
We have been interviewing third grade classes recently, to see what they are doing this month. In Mrs. Smith’s class, they have been studying the story of the Earth. The kids are working hard to reach their AR goals. Math has been exciting as they have started multiplication and division. They have a GRFD news broadcast which features 10 students weekly who report to the class on the weather, high low temps, world news, local news, sunrise sunset, poems, jokes, and a commercial. They are working with their gym teacher Mr. Baloga on monitoring and recording their daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and water, as they work on healthy eating choices and being physically active young people. In writing, they are working hard at persuasive writing and using opinion words to “sell” an idea. Ms. Rojas’s class has been busy doing fun art projects! One they just finished was the cereal box book report. Students chose a chapter book to read and decorated a cereal box with a new book cover, summary of the book on one side of the cereal box, characters and setting on the other side, and favorite parts or highlights of the book on the back. Students then presented a commercial for their cereal to the class. They started writing persuasive papers/commercials, started science unit on measurement, and will be studying the artist Edward Hopper. 3rd grade students hard at work.
In Mrs. Dorn’s 3rd grade classroom the students have been learning about responsibility and what that looks like at a 3rd grade level. Students have been learning about the different types of graphs; how to create graphs with data, and how to find the mode and range from their data. In reading, students are learning about making connections with their books and the world around them. They have been engrossed in studying the story of Earth. Mrs. Dorn’s classroom is buzzing with students busily trying to earn their AR points to get on the AR Wall of Fame. Science class has students working on measurement and light. They will be starting Nutrition classes in February. It has been a great year so far!
Bone Chilling Cold BY: AN, MEGAN & ALEXIS
Working on math expressions.
Trying to keep warm on cold days.
Brrrrrrrr, it is sure cold and windy outside! So remember to bundle up! It seems like we have been having inside recess “forever,” due to the cold and brisk weather. All of our classrooms have been staying inside. In these temperatures, frostbite can occur in less than ten minutes on exposed skin! That’s pretty cold! Some quick guides to being safe in winter include: dress in layers, maybe have an extra set off gloves or mittens just in case and keep your ears and face as covered as possible. In these sub zero temperatures, you can throw a glass of hot water in the air and it will evaporate before it hits the ground. That’s COLD! We asked students from our school what they have been doing to keep themselves entertained during these cold winter days. Here are some ideas we received from them in case you are looking for things to do to keep from getting bored this winter. Read a book, make a puzzle with your family, make a blanket fort, play board games or watch movies. Some of us like to bake, help our parents make meals, draw, or create things with our legos or kinex. The one thing we DID NOT hear from anyone was, “staying inside has given me more time to clean my room!”
3rd grade learning.
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Harrison’s Third Grade Wishes for 2015 Bella: In 2015 I wish I can make the world a better place. I can help Africa and people that need a home. I can donate clothes, food, blanket, and shelter for people in need. Gillian: My wish for 2015 is for everyone to have a home to live in with kind parents and electricity and fresh water. Also, clothes to wear and money for food. Jon: In 2015 I hope to stop the wars. I wish to stop the suffering and stop the sadness. I wish to spent time with my family and friends. Wyatt: In 2015 I hope I can go to more places. I am going to cut bigger trees to burn for firewood and so we stay warm all night long and all morning and all afternoon. We can sell some of the wood, too. Eli: In 2015 I hope that wars will stop and there will be peace. I hope that there will be no killing for being a Christian and there will be no hungry people who do not have a house or clothing. Also, that Ebola will stop spreading or they will find a cure. Derek: My wish for 2015 is for all wars to end, for peace on Earth and for nobody to be alone. Madison: In 2015 I hope to make new friends and new
Mr. Svir’s Class at Minneapolis Children’s Theatre and Art Institute.
neighbors. I hope people will not throw trash on the ground. I hope I get a good degree for High School. Nick: In 2015 I hope to go to Disneyland in California and while I am there, I do not want to be hit by an earthquake. I hope that the people in wars would agree on everything and call it good. I hope that homeless people find a home. I hope everyone would live a long and happy life. Abby: In 2015 I hope to go camping in the summer, spend time with my family more, go exploring more at my grandmas, play with animals, go to my dad’s house more and make the world a better place. Allie: In 2015 I hope to have a better Halloween and be a better reader. I wish my mom will have a baby and this one is the last one. Aric: My wish for 2015 is to travel around the world and give the homeless people food, clothes, and money and the borders to be more secure and guarded. Joseph: I wish to learn to play the trumpet. My cousin plays the trumpet and my wish is for him to teach me how to play. Isabelle: I wish to play the drums and piano. I also wish to do better at math. I do wish to break my record on lots of friends. I’d love to speak Spanish. I’d want to take lessons on dance and I hope to get better at singing. Alexandra: My wishes are to learn how to speak Greek, French, Spanish, and Chinese. I want to play at my friends’ houses. I want to go fishing and play games with my family and friends. Delika: I want to eat more protein, go to my mom’s wedding, do more homework, and learn to speak Spanish. Kylie: I want to learn more division. I want to go on a trip to Florida with my family, my mom’s friend, and her son. I want to practice more at basket-
Mrs. Meyer’s Class at Minneapolis Children’s Theatre and Art Institute.
ball and piano. I want more homework. I want to make more cookies. Last but not least, I wish never give up. Reese: I need to spend more time with family. I’d also like to learn multiplication and division. I want to travel to more places. I want to become a faster runner and play less video games. Wait I have another wish to NEVER GIVE UP! Blake: I wish to stop eating so much junk food and get a new bike. I would like to be more active and learn how to play the drums and guitar. I also want to do more reading. Abigail: I want to learn to play the violin. I would also like to try to go to the public library more often and learn how to do a triple front-flip and back flip. I wish to clean up our house more than usual. Kaylin: I want to be better at doing my chores. I wish to spend more time with my family and not so much time on my tablet. I also wish to get better with my homework, math, and reading because its only going to get harder. Emily: I want to learn how to ride a horse properly and do back flips and front flips. I would also like to do well in reading and math. Tiana: I want to go on a vacation with my family and spend more time with them. I would like to have a neat desk and learn to do multiplication. I will always try harder and work to never give up. Wyatt: I want to learn how to swim, go to the lake, go camping, and go to Grandma and Grandpa’s more. Allison: I wish to get better at gymnastics, take a vacation with my family, and go to the public library more. I would like to learn how to play the guitar and piano. Kyra: I want to have more fun with family and snuggle with my mom everyday. In school I want to have lots of friends.
Five Wings Arts Council Grant
Thanks to a grant received from the Five Wings Arts Council, Harrison Third Grade students will have the opportunity to attend two professional plays. The first play was “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre with an additional tour of the Minnesota Art Institute. The second play will be “Tarzan” at Great Children’s Theatre in St. Cloud this spring. THANKS AGAIN TO THE FIVE WINGS ARTS COUNCIL!
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Lake Region Christian School
LRCS – “Triple A” School Lake Region Christian School is known for excellence in academics. But we don’t spend all our time in the books. Students round out their school experience with amazing athletic ability and proficiency in the arts.
Extracurricular at Lake Region Christian School
Preschool students love arts and crafts time!
LRCS girls performed during chapel service.
LRCS seniors showed good sportsmanship in a “just for fun” volleyball game.
Lady hornets go for the basket.
The boys’ basketball team honors the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.
There are plenty of extra activities to keep students growing and active during the school year at Lake Region. Seasonal sports – soccer and volleyball in the fall and basketball in the winter – keep students fit. Sports also provide our students with the opportunity to mature in competition, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and develop skill proficiency. Many of our programs allow students to express themselves artistically. While the youngest grades incorporate art into the classroom, older students take art lessons. Also, music is a huge part of our school. The halls are often filled with the sound of a piano playing, band members practicing, various instrument lessons, choirs, chimes and bells, or the lively tunes of the stringed orchestra.
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4th Grade CARE Team Ms. Nelson has a group of students who meet twice a week after school. Their goal is to finish homework and work on academic areas. Each student works extremely hard. Ms. Nelson is very proud of her students’ achievements this year. It is a joy for her to teach each week!
“Winter Nights” Art Mrs. Johnson’s class created these winter night scenes by blending blue and white tempera paint. They then used white and black paper to create the night silhouettes of their scene. In this project they studied how to blend and use contrasting colors to make objects stand out. They turned out beautifully!
4th grade Care Team.
Poinsettia Art
Winter Nights art.
Mr. Schamber’s students spent time before the long Christmas break creating a holiday themed project. Dana Chock, a parent volunteer came in to assist. One small group at a time met with Mrs. Chock to sponge paint the petals and leaves. Once dried, we added the background using tempera paint.
Math Art! Students in Mr. Meyer’s 4th grade class enjoyed making Tessellation art work. After studying reflections, rotations, and translations, students started with a square and learned how to tessellate the shape to fill an area. Creativity and imagination allowed for some interesting interpretations of the shapes that were made.
Poinsettia art.
Tessellation art.
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1st Grader’s Self Portraits Mrs. Rasmussen’s first graders worked with Michelle Pfeiffer, Artist- in- Residence, to create self portraits. They used a variety of media, including watercolor pencils and marker These will be used to create a First Grade Collage to be auctioned at the PTO’s fundraiser, The Bloom Fool’s Auction this spring.
1st Graders take Brain Breaks First graders from Mrs. Lambert’s class take a couple of minutes every day to relax their brains and bodies with Brain Breaks from GoNoodle. Mrs. Rasmussen’s first graders.
Cote Family Library Grant
Mrs. Rasmussen’s first graders.
Brain breaks.
Brain breaks.
Cote family Library Grant.
In November The Nisswa Library Board wrote a grant to the Cote Foundation (foundation that funded the building of the library) asking for funds to help replace and expand the book collection at the library. This month, Mark Ronnei, Julie Herubin and Heidi Skaaland of Grand View Lodge (owned by the Cote Family) presented Molly Raske (principal), Sheree Hanson (media specialist/ interventionist) and Janet Haeg (media secretary) with a check for $5000! Thank you to the Cote Family!
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Pequot Lakes
Middle Level Art Students – Empty Bowls
PATRIOTS
Middle School Art Students made and sold their art in order to give money to the lakes area food shelf this winter. Students used clay to build, and glaze their bowls. When they finished, bowls were sold at Lakes Latté the week of December 15-19th. There may be a few bowls left. Visit Lakes Latté if you’d like to purchase a bowl and help the cause. Bowls are $5.
Middle Level Art Class In middle school art, students are making choices about their art. In art students are participating in a T.A.B or Teaching for Artistic Behavior curriculum. Students are taught concepts, but then are given choices and freedom to be creative with what they have learned in class. The T.A.B. curriculum puts creativity and innovation as the center of the curriculum. Students still develop skills, but skills are a means to express the creativity. Like punctuation is a means to create great writing. T.A.B. also allows for easier differentiation within the classroom. 21st Century skills are asking that students develop the 4 C’s, or Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity. All of these 4 C’s are a big part of the T.A.B. art curriculum. The world is changing, and curriculum needs to change with it, so students are prepared for future careers; careers that may not even exist today. You can check out 21st Century Skills here: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/1.__p21_ framework_2-You can see more about T.A.B. here: pager.pdfhttp://teachingforartisticbehavior.org/
Empty Bowls.
Mission to Mars
Henry - Middle level art class.
Josh - Middle level art class.
Mirjana - Middle level art class. 8th grade science class.
Our eighth grade Science class, led by Mr. Ingman is planning a Mission to Mars. Well…sort of. Can you imagine? That would be quite a field trip, wouldn’t it? The students have researched the past explorations that have gone to Mars. They learned what the diffictulties were and what they need to make their own missions successful. The groups consisted of Team leaders, space craft designers. Habitat specialists, and bioscientists. They designed Mission Patches and typed proposals as if they were presenting them to NASA. We are ready to blast off on a “Mission to Mars”.
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PILLAGER
Home of the Huskies
Husky Happenings Mrs. Hall’s third graders spent the morning before Christmas break baking Christmas treats with the help of a few National Honors Society students. The class was divided into 5 groups, and each group made a double batch of their recipe. Once they were done making the treats, the students had to determine how many treats they could share with each of their classmates and the volunteers. Once that was determined, each group got to decide what they should do with the leftovers - all of the groups decided they should share the leftovers with various adults in the building! At the end of the day, each child got to take home 18 Christmas treats to share with their family. Pillager’s Teen Reading Advisory Committee, or T.R.A.C, is a book club that revolves around teen reading. Every Wednesday after school we meet and talk about what we are currently reading. We also try to encourage other teens to read. We raise money to buy books not only for ourselves, but for other teens to read and enjoy. T.R.A.C currently has twenty-two members and is open to all 6-12 graders. Last month we worked on saving for our end-of-the-year book-buying trip and planning for an Arbor Day fundraiser. We also had a little fun doing our yearly secret Santa gift exchange. You can visit our website at http:// pillagertrac.weebly.com On Thursday, January 8th, the Pillager Husky Special Olympic Unified Basketball team hosted the Menahga Braves Unified Basketball team in an exciting first game of the season. The Huskies were led by Tate Boelter, Andrew Tabor, and Nate Putnam with ten points each. Menahga’s top scorers, Nathan Fix and Grace Lee, had great performances both offensively and defensively, while Austin Holford wowed the crowd with his energy and hustle on the court. Husky defense was on fire with Alexa Wilson’s 9 rebounds and Jason Kritzeck’s 7. Emma Sebasky and Makenna Johnson amazed the crowd with numerous assists. The Braves also got big buckets from Henry Hultberg and Kaleb Kirsch, while their defense was led by Kevin Jones, Madison Patton, and Karlie Kirsch. However, it was not enough to halt the Pillager Huskies with a final score of 44-28. It was one amazing night had by all!
Special Olympics basketball.
Special Olympics basketball vs. Pillager staff.
Mrs. Cousino’s indoor recess.
In Pillager’s Drawing and Print class students are able to print original designs on shirts. This project connects well with the students and explores new challenges by motivating students to exert effort and overcome obstacles. Check out PHS Art Department Instagram Art_ Happens_Here for more photos about our program! Also, Pillager 7th graders glazed cups that are made to be given as a token of graduation as well as to thank the many parents, individuals, and local businesses that donate time or other help for the program. Mrs. Cousino’s first grade class has been passing the cold indoor recesses by putting the United States puzzle together. They have taught themselves states and capitals!
Mrs. Hall’s Christmas treats. Printmaking unit.
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December Students of the Month
Front Row: Olivia Schilling, Ariana Nelson, Gavin Hoyt, Annalynn Fairchild, Grady Sumption, Lucas Popham, Avalon Phoenix, Andrew Lofstrom 2nd Row: Matthew Nelson, Natalie Pikula, Gwendolyn Cordova, Leland Bexell, Claire Reilley 3rd Row- Anna Miller, Mikala Schuety, Laili Lakin, Jacob Scott, Shannafaye Arthur, Cole Desmith, David Herath, Stephanie Ruiz, Ayden Wheeler-Carranza 4th Row: Hannah Ross, Cole Anderson, Levi Rowland, Ashlee Buersken, Adrian Seibert, Bethany Litzinger, Justin Roxberg, Racine Schommer and Santa Claus! Back Row: Torsten Roscoe, Jenna Jensen, Sierra Krause, Collin Blakemore, Krista Kosloski, Brody Lund, Marcello Getty Not Pictured: Mikayla Kitchenhoff
Blue Ribbon Celebration
Students of the month character trait was perseverance.
Mrs. Bordwell’s and Mr. Kelm’s Reading and Writing Buddies.
History was made when all 6 Brained Elementary schools were awarded the highest honor of being selected as a National Blue Ribbon School. On November 26th, Riverside celebrated its Blue Ribbon Award in style as staff and students were honored for their hard work and dedication. Highlights of our celebration: Dr. Willert presented our Student Council with the Blue Ribbon Plaque and Flag. Dan Bzdok, a member of Brainerd Education Minnesota, presented a Blue Ribbon sign that will be displayed outside of Riverside School. The Brainerd Foundation gave each student and staff member a blue ribbon t-shirt. We also heard from our students and here is what they said about Riverside: RIVERSIDE - FUN - AMAZING - ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY!! The thing I like most about being a Riverside student is all the learning that happens here!!! Math and Science are my favorite subjects!! You ALL make learning fun for us! Marissa Svoboda The thing that makes Riverside STAND OUT as a great school is we get special guests to talk to us about character traits! We are lucky to have many great teachers and staff that help us! They make it fun and exciting for students to learn….they make you want to learn more! Alison Bachman The things I like most about being a Riverside student are my friends and teachers! My favorite things to do are gym and recess because I like to stay active! I feel we are the best school because we are taught to have great teamwork!!! Ashtyn Kubista The things that make Riverside stand out as a great school is all the Great Teachers, students, and ALL the fun activities - this school couldn’t be any better - Riverside is a true blue ribbon school! Drew Cerney The thing I like most about being a Riverside student is that the people are very welcoming! I was new on the first day of school and everyone made me feel like I belonged here! Riverside stands out as a great school because we are hard workers! Claire Erdal The thing I like most about being a Riverside student is that I get to be myself. I think that Riverside stands out as a great school because it has very special people here and everyone is different! Jake Stockinger The teachers are why being a Riverside student is fun, because they are kind, helpful, and awesome. We have great teachers and great kids at Riverside and I love it here! Aubrey Carey Riverside stands out as a great school because of all the fantastic teachers and students that make me look forward to go to school everyday! The friendships that I have made are what I like most about being a Riverside student! Riverside now has 2 Blue Ribbons – that is an achievement that we should all be proud of! Way to go Riverside! Lily Haglin
Third graders raise money for the holiday season.
The 3rd grade classrooms joined forces to raise money for those in need. Students did chores to earn money and raised $400 to help others in the community. Money was divided up among 3 groups, Toys for Kids received $150, HART received $150 and $100 went to Riverside families. Representatives from each organization came to accept the money and explained how it would help those in need. Thank you 3rd grade for your warm hearts to make it a great holiday for someone!
Third graders raise money for the season.
Reading and Writing Buddies Once a week we meet together. Sharing our love of books with each other.
Blue Ribbon School celebration.
Reading and writing buddies.
We think. We read. We create a draft. Looking forward to next week to talk and to laugh.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
Staples Motley
Independent School District #2170
A Newspapers in Education Publication
ECFE Celebrates Its 40th Birthday
Area families are invited to special open houses in Staples and Motley Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) will be celebrating 40 years of serving families with young children in January. The Staples Motley school district invites all area families with children ages 0-5 to special open houses the week of January 26th to celebrate this achievement. ECFE classes offer parents and young children a chance to play together, be social, and learn something new. For many children, the classes provide the first step to introducing a positive school environment. The specialized classes are loosely structured and provide time for creative projects, music, and imaginative play activities. For parents, ECFE classes offer the added benefit of meeting with their peers along with a parent educator to exchange ideas and discuss parenting topics. Four open houses are scheduled. In Motley, the open house will be held at the Motley Family Center on Monday, January 26th from 4pm-5:30pm. The Staples Family Center will be open on Monday, January 26th from 6:15pm-7:45pm; Thursday, January 29th from 5pm-6:30pm; and Friday, January 30th from 9:30am-11am. Area families will enjoy special open house activities such as crafts, games, songs along with the chance to win a door prize. Evening events will serve pizza during the first 30 minutes and the morning event will provide muffins during the first 30 minutes. Each child will receive a free book. ECFE classes are held throughout the school year and families may enroll at any time. Current classes are scheduled as follows: Fantastic Family Time (for families with children age birth to 5) is held on Mondays in both Motley (4pm-5:30pm) and Staples (6:15pm-7:45pm); Preschool with Parents (for families with children age birth to 5) is held in Motley on Tuesdays (9:30am-11:30am); Terrific Toddlers (for children 12 -35 months) is held in Staples on Thursdays (4:15pm-5:45pm) and on Fridays (9:30am-11am); and The WEE Three’s (for three-year-olds) is held in Staples on Thursdays (6:15pm-7:45pm) For more information on ECFE open houses or classes, please call Susan Estabrooks-Anderson, Director of Early Learning Services, at 894-5400 ext. 3531.
Great Coat Giveaway
C.A.R.E. Ministry is collecting clean and wearable coats (in all sizes) to be given away free to anyone needing them. Distribution sites are located at: Staples United Methodist Church and Motley United Methodist Church. Open Tuesdays from 4-6pm. All donations of coats can be left at one of these sites: All Lakewood Clinics Lakewood Health System; All School buildings Staples Motley Schools; Local Grocery Stores; Staples City Hall and Local Churches.
Fun in the snow!
Is School Closed?
This was a question rarely asked until the Governor closed schools across the state due to cold weather last year. The Governor’s decision has prompted many people, including superintendents, to ask the question, “When should we close school due to cold?” Student safety is always at the forefront of our decision making at school. We balance this with realizing we live in Minnesota and have school during winter months. School closing decisions are rarely easy. For our district the decision is based around NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather forecast and wind chill readings. The guide we utilize is a wind chill chart provided by NOAA. This chart takes into account wind speed and temperature to determine the time in which it will take someone to potentially suffer from frostbite. As a district, we utilize this chart for potential frostbite times. When these times reach the 10 minutes or less frostbite zone we delay or cancel school. You can find this chart at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/windchill.shtml Our Skyalert system has been a great communication tool for families. If you have a child attending school here and wish to receive weather related notifications please go to www.isd2170.k12.mn.us to update your contact information or contact your child’s school for assistance 218-894-5400.
Playing is learning!
Wrestling Team
Peter is ready to rumble! School Readiness Open House = family fun!
The Staples-Motley Cardinal Wrestling team traveled to Wadena to wrestle the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines on January 13th. The elementary wrestling team went with and wrestled Wadena-Deer Creek as well! The event was a successful night filled with K-12 wrestling! The JV/ Jr. High team also wrestled and did an awesome job! The varsity wrestled extremely well and we came away with a conference and section win against WDC. Team score: Staples-Motley 48 Wadena-Deer Creek 15
nie.brainerddispatch.com
Staples Motley
Independent School District #2170
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Fresh Fruit & Veggie program Fresh Fruit & Veggie program in full swing! The Staples Motley elementary students enjoy a daily snack thanks to a grant that allows them to eat healthy foods by providing a fresh fruit or vegetable during the school day. “Through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program, we can help improve student eating habits by introducing healthy foods as part of a snack for all children,” said Shelly Miller, Director of Nutritional Services. Students are introduced to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in the classroom, pairing snack time with nutrition education, silent reading, or another compatible activity. “This program helps our schools teach children about healthier eating habits,” Miller added. “Healthier students have fewer absences and that keeps them in school and able to achieve the knowledge and skills needed for success.” If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Staples Motley School District Office at (218) 894-5400. This year the favorites have been: Sugar Snap Peas, Apples, Grapefruit, Dragon fruit and Blackberries.
Ag Policy Experience
Juicy, ripe Red Bartlett Pears were a big hit with these 4th Graders!
Ag Policy Experience.
Motley Family Center Staples Motley preschoolers are able to enjoy many activities and exercise while climbing on the indoor playground at the Motley Family Center. Even though the weather has kept kids indoors for many days this winter, we are so fortunate to have the space and equipment to do the activities that helps students burn energy and help them focus later in the day. There’s little dispute that physical activity is good for kids: It not only helps develop muscles and fend off obesity, it also gives kids a chance to socialize and learn new skills. Can physical activity also help improve a child’s academic performance? “Physically fit kids do better in school,” says James Sallis, a professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of California at San Diego. Preschool classes are a great way to begin a positive association with school and build a solid foundation of skills before kindergarten. The Staples Motley School District offers many choices of preschool classes in both Motley and Staples. Please call to learn more about what classes are offered so you can find the right fit for you and your child. Call Sue Anderson at 218.894.5400 ext 3531.
Little Cardinal Academy kids having fun!
Little Cardinal Academy kids having fun!
Three Staples motley High School FFA members were accepted to attend the Agricultural Policy Experience January 12-13. This conference was made possible through the support of the Minnesota FFA Foundation and various partners. Mikayla Sauber, Katie Benson and Zach Strickland were chosen out of many statewide applicants to experience such a high learning opportunity. They surely left the conference in January a more prepared leader ready to actively engage in policy at the local, state and national levels. They were asked to research topics to prepare for a mock senate. They researched both sides of the issue and were prepared to debate on either side. The topics were: Genetically Modified Organism Food Labeling, Mn Wolf Hunt and a School Start time change in policy. It is pretty impressive that 30 high school students are invited to attend each year and 10% came from Staples Motley High School,” Reported Zach’s Mother, Jennifer Strickland. “They had an enjoyable and educational time in the cities for 3 days. They were able to attend a gala, they met with state representatives and had a tremendous experience.”
Little Cardinal Academy kids having fun!
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Childcare Learning Center Inc.
Stepping Stones activities Objectives for Development and Learning for the month of January were “The Arts”… -Explores the visual arts -Explores musical concepts and expression -Explores dance and movement concepts -Explores drama through actions and language Our classrooms had a great time Ringing in the new year with our emphasis on “The Arts” we also focus daily on all the other Objectives for Development and Learning each and every day in each of our classrooms. These objectives include but are not limited to: Social Emotional, Physical, Language, Cognitive, Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies, the Arts and English Language Acquisition. Along with our Preschoolers, our infant and toddler rooms also work hard on developmental skills daily. We want to wish everyone a safe, happy and prosperous 2015!
Preschooler’s New Year hats.
We have 3 locations in the Lakes Area: Brainerd, Baxter, and Pequot Lakes which are open Monday-Friday 6 a.m. 6 p.m. (hours may vary between locations). For more information please contact us at #218-270-3100 www. steppingstonesmn.com
Picture Captions:
Infant painting.
Preschooler’s New Year hats: The preschoolers created their own hats for an art project during station time and celebrated into the new year! Infant painting: The infants did some fun painting with puffy paint in bags on the windows. It was a sensory orientated project with out the mess!
Infant painting.
Preschool physical activity: The preschoolers were working on physical activity one day. They were trying to get from one side to the other with out touching the red “lasers” they then worked as a team to help guide each other through.
Preschool physical activity.
Preschool physical activity.