**Students!  Find a mistake on my Lorenzi Leads?  Let me know and I'll give you a Bear Necessity!!

 

Quick Note 5-13-13

Super Summer Math is designed to keep math fresh in the kids’ minds over the summer. The free program is held at Maze Library. We will be meeting Tuesday evenings 6-7 pm or Thurs mornings 10:30-11:30 am at the Maze Library from June 4-July 18. Come as often as you can! Kids earn prizes for doing math packets and will play fun math games. Parents/guardians can help coordinators distribute materials and volunteer to run math activities at the library.
Sign up by Friday, May 17

Quick Note 5-3-13

Physical Education happenings:
- ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) will take place Wednesday, May 8th.  All grades will participate in different activities.  Students need to wear gym shoes.
- The FUN RUN will take place on May 11th at 8am at Lindberg Park.  Sign up sheets went home, but Mrs. Patterson has extra ones.
- Olympic Day will be held on May 17th.  Students will participate in many activities including a climbing wall.  Please make sure your child wears gym shoes, shorts or pants, and sun screen.

 

Quick Note 4-29-13

Super Summer Math:  Super Summer Math is designed to keep math fresh in the kids’ minds over the summer. The free program is held at Maze Library   We will be meeting Tuesday evenings 6-7pm or Thurs mornings 10:30-11:30am at the Maze Library from June 4-July 18. Come as often as you can!  Kids earn prizes for doing math packets and will play fun math games. Parents/guardians can help coordinators distribute materials and volunteer to run math activities at the library. Please sign up by May 17 here:  Sign Up for Super Summer Math
 

Quick Note 4-15-13

Come out and support your classmates at the Spelling Bee tomorrow night at 6:00 PM!  Good luck to Michael, Mari, Zachary, and Sofia!  We are so proud of you!

Lorenzi Leads 4-5-13

April's Nourish to Flourish themes are hydration and bike safety. 

Our planned events include:

+Announcements
+Updated Bulletin Board outside of library
+Bike Safety Seminar for 2nd and 3rd grade students
+Reading selections with Mrs. Pearce during library time
+Lunchtime activity - students use sidewalk chalk to outline their body and then color in over half of it in blue (Your body is made up of about 60% water).
+April Motto - Fill-er-up!!!

District Fun Run:  Please know that this is not to be confused with the Fun Run we had in the Fall.  The District Fun Run is free of charge, run by the PE teachers and just for fun and exercise.  Everyone gets an award.  It is on Saturday, May 11th, at 8am at Lindberg Park, and over in about 30 minutes.  Three races:  0.5 miles for K-2, 1 mile for 3-5, and 1.5 miles for 6-8.  If you have children age K through 8, they are welcome to participate.

Longfellow Spelling Bee:  The third - fifth grade spelling bee is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16th in the auditorium.  The third grade bee will start at 6:00 PM, the fourth grade bee will start immediately after that, and the fifth grade bee will begin right after that.  Please come on out and cheer on our third grade spellers if you can!
Family Reading Night "Read, Recite, Recyle" is coming up soon: Thursday, April 18th from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Part of the evening will include a book swap. Students are encouraged to start bringing in gently used children's books. Chapter books are always needed. That evening your child will be able to take home "new" books.

Longfellow Science Night:  Come engulf yourself in the world of science on the evening of Wednesday, April 24th.
Schedule of evening’s events:
5:45-6:15:  2nd grade science fair projects on display in classrooms
6:00-7:00:  Hands-on scientific investigations in the gym
7:00-7:30:  Feature presenters in the auditorium
7:30:  Raffle
Sports night on May 1st is in danger of not happening because we don't have enough volunteers.  Below are the areas where we still need volunteers, as well as the links to sign up.  If you are able to join us, please consider volunteering.  You can volunteer by clicking the following link  https://docs.google.com/a/op97.org/document/d/1m-5UmHRwfqMjoFDXabci2-RMzIpS1auxRRpc2PoNQOk/edit?usp=sharing

Longfellow Sports Night:
This will take place on May 1st and we need volunteers to help man stations.  You can volunteer by clicking on the following link Sigh Up Genius http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BABA72CA20-longfellow
Stations Still Needing Volunteers

2 people for scooters in the mini gym
2 people for lets dance in the gym

1 person for basketball/hula hoops  on blacktop
2 people for parachute games in the field

3 people for kid games in hallways

Quick Notes 4-2-13

Summer School Programs

Parents, please note that there is a website for all of the summer programs being offered by the district.  There will be no paper forms sent out for any of the programs, except for Prep for Success.  The sign-ups for the following programs can be found at http://www.op97.org/summer/
• Middle School Math (Math Enrichment for 5th graders is an option)
• Summer Music Camp (Chorus for students in 4th grade and band, orchestra, or chorus for students in 5th grade)
• BRAVO Summer Camp
• CAST Summer Camp
• As well as a variety of outside programs being offered (i.e. OPEF, Park District, Oak Park Arts District, Dominican University, and West Cook YMCA)

Student Council Presents:
Fantastic Fridays and a couple of Terrific Thursdays

Stuffed Animal Day (April 5)
Bring your favorite inanimate fuzzy friend to school.

Mismatch Day (April 12)
Wear clashing clothes, like stripes with plaid or polka dots.

Weird Hair Day (April 19)

Gravity defying do’s? Pink, green or blue streaks? Give it a try!

Mustache Day (Thursday, April 25)
Handlebar, horseshoe, Dali, Fu Manchu: try a mustache on for size!

PJ Day (May 3)
Come dressed in your pajamas. (Make sure they are appropriate for school.)

Tie-Dye Day (May 10)
Break out your favorite tie-dye T-shirt!

Sports Day (May 17)
Now is the time for all that sports paraphernalia!

Twin Day (May 24)
Did you ever want to be a twin?  This is your chance!

Flip-Flop Day (Thursday, May 30)
Celebrate the end of the school year by wearing your favorite flip-flops!

 

Lorenzi Leads 3-12-13

Now that ISATs are over, we will be getting back into more of a routine.  I think the kids are as ready as I am for that!  Thanks again to everyone who sent in snacks for the week!

Important Upcoming Dates:

*Monday, March 11th - Friday, March 15th - Nourish to Flourish P.A.C.K. Week

*Tuesday, March 12th - Common Core Public Forum at Brooks Middle School (325 S. Kenilworth) - 7:00 PM

*Friday, March 15th - second trimester report cards go home.  Signed envelopes DUE Monday, 3/18

*Sunday, March 17th - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

*Monday, March 18th - Spring Picture Day - 10:35 AM

*Monday, March 18th - Spring Arts Fiesta - 7:15 PM

*Wednesday, March 20th - $6 recorder payment for music class DUE

*Tuesday, March 19th - Second trimester PBIS celebration: bounce house in P.E!

*Monday, March 25th - Friday, March 29th - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break!

*Monday, April 1st - School Resumes

*Tuesday, April 2nd - Bike safety assembly

*Thursday, April 4th - Field Trip to the Museum of Science and Industry - Disposable bag lunch and drink needed!

*Friday, April 12th - Beverly Cleary Birthday Celebration Reading Assembly - 8:15 AM

*Tuesday, April 16th - 3rd - 5th Grade Spelling Bee (Congrats to our class's finalists: Sofia, Michael, Mari, and Zachary!) - 6:00 PM

*Monday, April 22nd - Earth Day

*Friday, April 26th - NO SCHOOL - Staff Institute Day

*Wednesday, May 1st - ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) - 10:00 AM

*Saturday, May 11th - District 97 Fun Run - 8:00 AM

*Sunday, May 12th - Happy Mother's Day!

*Friday, May 17th - Olympic Day

*Tuesday, May 21st - Talent Show (9:00 AM for students, 7:00 PM for families)

*Wednesday, May 22nd - Larks concert for classmates - 10:00 AM

*Monday, May 27th - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

*Tuesday, May 28th - 3rd and 5th Grade Pool Party at Rehm Pool - 12:30 - 2:30 PM

*Tuesday, May 28th - Larks concert for families - 7:00 PM at Julian Middle School

*Thursday, May 30th - third trimester report cards go home

*Thursday, May 30th - Last day of school

Math:

Now that ISAT testing is over, we will be going back to Unit 5 in Everyday Math.  The topic of unit 5 is Place Value in Whole Numbers and Decimals.  This week we will begin working with decimals. 

 

Reading:
Common Core State Standards for the Month of March:

We will be focusing on the following Common Core Reading Literature standards for the month of March:

*Asking and answering questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text.

*Describing characters in a story (their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

*Explaining how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (create a mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting, etc.)

We will be focusing on the following Common Core Reading Informational standards for the month of March:

*Describing the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

*Using information gained from illustrations (maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (where, when, why, how) and how key events occur.

Stories for this week include:

*Max the Amazing Hamster (whole group)

*The Lion and the Mouse (whole group)

 

*The Elephant's Boast (orange reading group)

*Mike's Surprise (blue reading group)

 

*The Grizzly and the Frigate Bird (green reading group)

Students will complete a cold-read assessment that covers the March Common Core reading standards (listed above) on Wednesday, March 20th and Thursday, March 21st.

 

Vocabulary:

Some of the words we will be focusing on over the next two weeks include: conversation, scrambled, interrupted, boasting, seized, rebuild.

 

We will also be working more with word parts by breaking down compound words in order to determine prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

ConnectEd:  Students are able to log on to the Connect Ed website, which is the home of our Treasures reading series.  Students are able to read their Treasures stories online and complete many great activities that correspond to each week's lesson.  You can simply click on the ConnectEd link to take you to the website.

 

Spelling/Grammar:

The grammar focus for this week will be action verbs and using commas in dates and places.

 

Next week's spelling pattern is: r-controlled vowels (er, ir, ur)

Science and Social Studies:

In Science, we will investigate our final simple machine: the screw.  We will review all of the simple machines that we have studied during this unit and students will begin to work together in groups to develop a useful invention that uses several types of simple machines.

Biography of Sir Isaac Newton

Newton's first law: Inertia

Gravity and Intertia

Newton's second law: Acceleration

Force and Motion

Newton's third law:  Action and Reaction

 

In Social Studies, we will continue to discuss Immigration throughout chapter 6.  This week's lessons focus specifically on Brazil.

Odds and Ends:

 

*BEAR (Be Enthusiastic About Reading) monthly reading program
- Your child is expected to read for 25 minutes daily. Record this progress (with a smiley face or a star) on the monthly calendars that were sent home to you. At the end of the month, sign the calendar and return it to me. Each student who turns in a signed calendar showing that they read for 25 minutes almost every day during the month will receive a bookmark. This program is replacing the Pizza Hut Book-It program that we have participated in the past. Students should be recording their daily reading on their March reading calendars.

*Please replenish your child's school supplies (pencils, folders, notebooks, etc.) as necessary.

 

*Red take-home folder and assignment notebook - You should be seeing these go home every day.  Please check the assignment notebook daily and sign off each night indicating that you have seen it.  I check them at the end of each day (and star them) to show that I have seen them and that every student has written down his/her assignments accurately.

*Each week children at Longfellow may turn in their Bear Necessities to participate in a raffle (grades k-5) or visit the Bear's Den to purchase prizes (grades 4 & 5). Donations of items that can be used as prizes are always appreciated. If you would like to help out, please see the Wish List on the PBIS blog.

 

*Healthy Snacks can be eaten during morning recess.  Healthy snacks might include fresh fruits or vegetables, string cheese, Goldfish crackers, pretzels, etc.  The only beverage that is acceptable for the classroom is water.  Please feel free to contact me if you have a question or concern about the acceptable snacks.

*Remind your child of the importance of completing all homework assignments at home. 

 

 

Valentine's Day Party Sign Up!  Click here

Quick Notes 2-27-13

Winter Carnival:  The Carnival is this Saturday, March 2nd from noon-4 with the Pie in the face being done at 3:30.

We are still in need of raffle items, volunteers and homemade or store bought cakes for the cake walk. To make things easy here is the link to our Amazon wish list so you can just click, buy and send right to us. Either click on the link below or go to Amazon, click on wish list and enter: longfellowwintercarnival. Please email Karin Riggs at kriggs@uic.edu with questions.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&id=3RAAQ99EX7ZLH&type=wishlist

If you can volunteer or make a cake please press the link below to sign up.  Contact Justine Scatton at jmscatton@hotmail.com with questions about volunteering.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F084EAEA72AA46-longfellow

 

Nourish to Flourish:  Longfellow's Nourish to Flourish theme for March is "nutrition." We will be celebrating P.A.C.K. (Pack Assorted Colors for Kids) Week on March 11th-15th.  During this week, kids are encouraged to both eat (a fruit/vegetable) and wear the color of the day.

Monday:Green
Tuesday:White
Wednesday:Yellow/Orange
Thursday:Purple
Friday:Red

Quick Notes 2-4-13

-Thanks again for all of your support with the Mathathon.  Our class did an excellent job raising money.  We were the third highest in the school with a total of $529!  And our school raised a total of $3851.91!

-New for 3rd-8th graders -- GAME DAY!

All day, Monday, March 4 (no school, Casimir Pulaski Day), 3rd-5th grade kids will play some new games and make up others.  They'll construct their own mini-golf course out of LEGOs, play improv games to make each other laugh, create an artsy board game to take home, and cut loose with games in the gym.  6th-8th graders will spend the day designing and constructing a cardboard arcade, which the younger kids will play at the end of the day. And there will be cheesy prizes to be won!

Limited to first 80 kids in 3rd/4th/5th grade, and 20 kids in 6th/7th/8th grade.  Limited number of scholarships also available. Grab a friend and sign up today!  See registration info below.

Summary:
Monday, March 4, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
at Julian Middle School
Open only to District 97 kids
Pizza or sack lunch option
Cost $60

Register using the form included in the brochure, or online here:
http://www.opef.org/basecamp/

If you have any questions about Game Day or registration, please contact Jenny Roen, BASE Camp Coordinator, jroen@opef.org.  Looking forward to a day of fun and games!

Lorenzi Leads 1-23-13

Thank you to all of those parents who have volunteered to send in healthy snacks for our breakfast on Friday morning.  It is very much appreciated.

If anyone is interested in coordinating the Valentine's Day party or ISAT snacks, please let me know.  Thank you!

Thanks for sending in your conference confirmation slips, I look forward to meeting with all of you next week.

The students had a great time wearing pajamas and playing games last Friday.  This celebrated our success with the box top competition.  We were the winners of the third grade level competition.  Way to go!

A special thank you to Dr. Block (Madeline's dad) for coming in to talk to us about cartography, or map making.

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

*Friday, January 25th - All-School Pajama Day and healthy breakfast

*Monday, January 28th - Friday, February 1st - Parent/Teacher/Student Conference Week and Scholastic Book Fair

*Thursday, January 31st - Friday, February 1st - Early Dismissal (11 AM) due to conference week

*Thursday, February 14th - Valentine's Day - classroom party - 12:00 - 1:30 PM

*Friday, February 15th - MSI field trip permission slip and $6 DUE

*Monday, February 18th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day

*Friday, March 1st - Last day of second trimester

*Saturday, March 2nd - Longfellow Winter Carnival - noon - 4:00 PM

*Monday, March 4th - NO SCHOOL - Casimir Pulaski Day

*Tuesday, March 5th - Friday, March 8th - ISAT Week

*Friday, March 15th - second trimester report cards go home.  Signed envelopes DUE Monday, 3/18

*Monday, March 18th - Spring Arts Fiesta - 7:15 PM

*Monday, March 25th - Friday, March 29th - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break!

*Tuesday, April 2nd - Bike safety assembly

*Wednesday, April 3rd - Field Trip to the Museum of Science and Industry

*Friday, April 26th - NO SCHOOL - Staff Institute Day

*Sunday, May 12th - Happy Mother's Day!

*Friday, May 17th - Olympic Day

*Friday, May 24th - Talent Show

*Monday, May 27th - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

*Thursday, May 30th - third trimester report cards go home

*Thursday, May 30th - Last day of school

 

Language Arts:

 

We are continuing Unit 2 in Treasures.  The general theme that we are focusing on is "Neighborhoods and Communities."  The specific theme for this week is "Working Together."

Stories for this week:

*"Gorilla Garden" (vocabulary preview)

*"Here's My Dollar" (expository)

*"Neighbors" and "Recycling"  (poetry)

Comprehension Strategy of the week: Author's purpose

Vocabulary Strategy for the week: using examples as context clues for unknown words

Vocabulary Words: deserve, slogan, thrilled, tour, volunteers

ConnectEd:  Students are able to log on to the Connect Ed website, which is the home of our Treasures reading series.  Students are able to read their Treasures stories online and complete many great activities that correspond to each week's lesson.  You can simply click on the ConnectEd link to take you to the website.

Spelling/Grammar: this week's focus will be words with the letters ch, tch, th, sh, wh (digraphs)

The grammar focus is: possessive nouns

 

Quick Note 1-16-13

Children's book illustrator Kadir Nelson is doing a presentation at the Oak Park Library on Monday 1/21, 7:00 pm.

It is sponsored by Magic Tree Bookstore. It is free, but tickets/reservations are needed.
708-848-0770 or at www.magictreebooks.com

We have several of the books he has illustrated in the library including:

Henry's Freedom Box
Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Salt in his Shoes
I Have a Dream
Please Baby Please
Dancing in the Wings
Abe's Honest Words

Quick Note 1-14-13

Each year, our Longfellow Wellness Committee sponsors monthly "Nourish to Flourish" themes.  Our "Nourish to Flourish" themes for January are adequate sleep and a healthy breakfast.

Planned Activities:

+Announcements made periodically from Jan. 14 -Feb. 1

+Trivia Contest – week of Jan. 28th.  Trivia forms will be distributed the last week of January.

+All school Pajama Day and healthy classroom breakfast– January 25th

+Themed games in PE

+Wellness Bulletin Board - located outside of Library.

+ Optional activity - I will send home sheets so that the kids can log/graph/analyze their hours of sleep.

Quick Note 1-9-13

Don't forget to send in your mathathon money!  Money is due by Friday, January 25th.  The classroom with the most money raised will win 10 bear necessities for each student!

Lorenzi Leads 1-7-13

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

Important Upcoming Dates:

*Tuesday, January 8th - MAP Reading Test

*Wednesday, January 14th - DIBELS Mid-Year Fluency & Comprehension Testing as well as MAP Math test

*Monday, January 21st - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

*Monday, January 28th - Friday, February 1st - Parent/Teacher/Student Conference Week (notes will be sent home soon)

*Thursday, January 31st - Friday, February 1st - Early Dismissal (11 AM) due to conference week

*Thursday, February 14th - Valentine's Day - classroom party - 12:00 - 1:30 PM

*Monday, February 18th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day

*Friday, March 1st - Last day of second trimester

*Monday, March 4th - NO SCHOOL - Casimir Pulaski Day

*Tuesday, March 5th - Friday, March 8th - ISAT Week

 

Language Arts:
We are continuing Unit 2 in Treasures.  The general theme that we are focusing on is "Neighborhoods and Communities."  The specific theme for this week is "Communities."

Stories for this week:

*"Living in the Cliffs," "Clues in a Cave," and "Lone Star Attractions" (vocabulary previews)

*Go West! (expository

*Double Good  (test prep)

Comprehension Strategy of the week:

Main ideas and details

Vocabulary for the week:

Strategy:  antonyms

Words: established, immigrants, culture, traditional, communities

ConnectEd:  Students are able to log on to the Connect Ed website, which is the home of our Treasures reading series.  Students are able to read their Treasures stories online and complete many great activities that correspond to each week's lesson.  You can simply click on the ConnectEd link to take you to the website.

Spelling/Grammar:

This week's spelling focus will be words with the letters thr, spr, scr, and str.

The grammar focus is irregular plural nouns.

We will be focusing on expository writing as we continue to work on "showing" instead of "telling" in our writing.

 

As always, please refer to the family letters for math and social studies units.

 

Odds and Ends:

*BEAR (Be Enthusiastic About Reading) monthly reading program - Your child is expected to read for 20 minutes daily. Record this progress (with a smiley face or a star) on the monthly calendars that were sent home to you. At the end of the month, sign the calendar and return it to me. Each student who turns in a signed calendar showing that they read for 20 minutes almost every day during the month will receive a bookmark. This program is replacing the Pizza Hut Book-It program that we have participated in in the past. Students should be recording their daily reading on their green December reading calendars.  December calendars can be turned in after Winter break.  New January calendars went home just before break.

*Red take-home folder and assignment notebook - You should be seeing these go home every day.  Please check the assignment notebook daily and sign off each night indicating that you have seen it.  I check them at the beginning and end of each day  to ensure that I have seen them and that every student has written down his/her assignments accurately.

*Healthy Snacks can be eaten during morning recess.  Healthy snacks might include fresh fruits or vegetables, string cheese, Goldfish crackers, pretzels, etc.  The only beverage that is acceptable for the classroom is water.  Please feel free to contact me if you have a question or concern about the acceptable snacks.

*Remind your child of the importance of completing all homework assignments at home.  Students who have their assignments completed and at school on the day they're due will have the opportunity to earn their daily sticker on our star chart.

 

Quick Notes 12-18-12

Shop at Ten Thousand Villages-Oak Park on Thursday, December 20, 6pm-9pm, to benefit D97's Multicultural Resource Center. Ten Thousand Villages will donate 15% of Thursday evening's profits to the MCRC, which is home to thousands of fantastic artifacts, books, and resources about languages and cultures from around the world. Lynn Allen, MCRC Director, shares the center's treasures with D97 students and local groups to spread the word about multicultural awareness and diversity. She also organizes after-school programs and D97's Ethnic Fest. Have fun shopping!

Lorenzi Leads 12-6-12

Important Upcoming Dates:

*Friday, December 7th - Last day to turn in BOX TOPS for Education for the school-wide competition!

*Friday, December 14th - Nutcracker Field Trip - 9:30 AM - 12:15 PM (Bring a lunch and drink!)

*Friday, December 14th - Mathathon consent forms DUE

*Wednesday, December 19th - Larks Concert for classmates - noon

*Thursday, December 20th - Larks Concert for families - 7:00 PM at Julian Middle School

*Friday, December 21st - Classroom Holiday Party -12:00 - 1:30PM

*Monday, December 24th - Friday, January 4th - NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

*Monday, January 7th - School Resumes

 

Science Alliance: Check out some great photos of students using their astrolabes as well as words of wisdom from astrophysicist Sally Laurent-Muehleisen.  www.opef.org.

BEAR (Be Enthusiastic About Reading) Program: Your child is expected to read for 20 minutes daily. Record this progress (with a smiley face or a star) on the monthly calendars that were sent home to you. At the end of the month, sign the calendar and return it to me. Each student who turns in a signed calendar showing that they read for 20 minutes almost every day during the month will receive a bookmark. This program is replacing the Pizza Hut Book-It program that we have participated in in the past. 

Mathathon: Longfellow School is participating in the Mathathon again to help raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Over the past 6 years we have participated, Longfellow has raised a grand total of $35,474.26!!! If you would like your child to participate in the mathathon by doing fun, math problems, please sign and return the consent form by Friday, Dec. 14th to Ms. Smith. You can check on the consent form if you would like your child to receive a printed funbook or do the problems online. If you choose a printed funbook, these will be delivered before winter break. If you do online, you can set up an online account and start ASAP. Depending on how much money students raise, they may win prizes. (Please see consent form for the list or prizes.) Regardless of how much students raise, they will earn 1 bear necessity for participating. The class with the most money raised will win 10 bear necessities per student! All money will be due by Friday, Jan. 25th so students have all of winter break to participate and collect money. If you have any more questions, please email Ms. Smith at esmith@op97.org or visit www.mathathon.org.
 

Food Drive: The Student Council is sponsoring a PROTEIN and BABY & TOILETRY ITEM drive to benefit the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry.  The students have set a goal of 1000 items. The delivery date is Friday, 12/14.

The Food Pantry is asking for protein items such as peanut butter, canned meats, tuna, salmon and beans (canned or dry). In addition, baby items or toiletry items such as diapers, baby food, baby formula, bar soap, shampoo, and deodorant.  As always, any other items are acceptable as well.  Cash and checks are welcome, too.  The class that collects the most food and/or money will win 5 Bear Necessities for each student.
 

Quick Note 11/15/12

-The Sun Times released their rankings of schools based on the schools’ average scores on state achievement tests.  Longfellow ranked 80 out of 2,202 elementary schools.  http://fh.suntimes.com/reportcards/results/index/489

Quick Note 11/14/12

-Don't forget that your child can bring in board games on Tuesday, November 20th for our end of the trimester PBIS celebration.

-Please note that report cards will be sent home on December 4th.

Quick Note 11/13/12

-If your child signed up for Rainbows, it will start the week of November 26th.  If you have additional questions please contact our School Social Worker, Canika Prescott.

Quick Note 11/12/11

-Magic Tree Bookstore is hosting a Sports Nuts and Poetry Fans Event.  Join Heidi Bee Roemer and her Poetry Team U.S.A for a fun hour of sports poems, prizes, and fun surprises.  The event is being held on November 17 at 1:00 PM at Magic Tree Bookstore.

For more information visit: http://www.op97.org/digital-backpack/documents/ChildrensBookParty.pdf

 

Lorenzi Leads 11/5/12

Upcoming Dates:

*Tuesday, November 6th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Institute Day)

*Sunday, November 11th - Veteran's Day

*Tuesday, November 13th - Science Alliance activity with Scientist Sally

*Wednesday, November 14th - PTO Meeting - 7:00 PM - Longfellow Library

*Friday, November 16th - Last Day of First Trimester

*Tuesday, November 20th - PBIS First Trimester Celebration - All-School Game Day!

*Wednesday, November 21st - Friday, November 23rd - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

*Tuesday, November 27th - Science Alliance comet making with Scientist Sally

 

 

Math:

Unit 3: Linear Measures and Area *The students took their pretest today, the family letter will be sent home on Wednesday.

Please practice measuring with a ruler to the nearest half and quarter inch with your child at home. 

Reading:

We are finishing up Unit 1 in Treasures.  The general theme that we will have been focusing on is "Let's Learn."  The specific theme for the next two weeks is "Special Places"

Students will begin to take the end-of-unit (1) assessments next week.

Stories for this week:

*Pond Street Clubhouse (vocabulary preview)

*My Very Own Room (fiction)

*Frank Lloyd Wright  (biography)

Comprehension Strategy of the week:

Making and confirming predictions; Summarizing

Vocabulary for the week:

Strategy:  suffixes er and est

Words: determination, ruined, exact, separate, luckiest, storage

Spelling/Grammar:

This week's focus will be the sound of long i spelled i, ie, y, and igh.

The grammar focus is: compound sentences.

 

 

Lorenzi Leads 10/31/12

-Congratulations to Michael Drobot for winning third place in the Pioneer Press Scary Story Contest!  Click here to read his story. 

-Thank you to those families who have sent in donations the soldiers.  All donations should be sent in by Friday, November 9th.  We will be writing letters in class, and if you have younger children, you may want to have them draw a few pictures to include with the letters. 

Additions:

-All 1st and 3rd Graders and their families are invited to a Library Art Show Celebration!
Oak Park Main Library, Friday, October 26th  4-5 p.m. in the Children's Section on the Main Floor.

Please join us for cookies and juice provided by the Library.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, every 1st and 3rd Grade student has artwork on display at the Oak Park Main Library for the month of October. 1st Graders made Mayan Sun Collages and 3rd Graders designed colorful Jaguar Masks. Be sure to view their amazing creations!

-Boot Swap--Don't forget to bring in your boots!  Drop-off is the week of October 29-November 2nd from 7:30 am until 8:00am.  Swap Day will take place on Saturday, November 3rd from 2-5pm in the front lobby at Longfellow.  A flyer was emailed yesterday and is also in the digital backpack.

Lorenzi Leads 10/22/12

Important Upcoming Dates:

*Monday, October 22nd (TODAY!!)  All Fun Run Donations/Pledges DUE!

*Tuesday, October 23rd - Science Alliance activity with Scientist Sally

*Wednesday, October 24th - Opera for the Young Performance of Cinderella - 9:30 AM

*Friday, October 26th - Mock Election

*Wednesday, October 31st - Nutcracker field trip permission slip and $11 cash DUE Click here to print a copy of the permission slip.

*Wednesday, October 31st - Halloween (Lunch: 10:30 - 11:25, Parade: 12:15 - 12:45ish, Classroom Party:  12:45ish - 1:45)

*Thursday, November 1st - Anti-Bullying Assembly - 9:00 AM

*Friday, November 2nd - 3rd - 5th Grade Turkey Trot - 1:50 - 2:55 PM

*Sunday, November 4th - Daylight Saving Time Ends (set clocks back one hour)

*Tuesday, November 6th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Institute Day)

*Sunday, November 11th - Veteran's Day

*Tuesday, November 13th - Science Alliance activity with Scientist Sally

*Friday, November 16th - Last Day of First Trimester

 

Language Arts:

We are continuing Unit 1 in Treasures.  The general theme that we will be focusing on is "Let's Learn."  The specific theme for the next two weeks is "Wolves"

Stories for this week:

*The Boy Who Cried Wolf (vocabulary preview)

*Wolf!  (fantasy)

*The Truth About Wolves (scientific persuasive text)

Comprehension Strategy of the week:

Comparing and Contrasting

Vocabulary for the week:

Strategy:  Words with more than one meaning

Words: ached, admire, bothering, concentrate, splendid, passion

ConnectEd:  Students are able to log on to the Connect Ed website, which is the home of our Treasures reading series.  Students are able to read their Treasures stories online and complete many great activities that correspond to each week's lesson.  You can simply click on the ConnectEd link to take you to the website. 

Spelling/Grammar:

This week's focus will be the sound of long o spelled o, ow, and oa.

The grammar focus is: subjects, predicates, and run-on sentences.

 

Odds and Ends:

*Scientist Sally will be coming in this week to help us make astrolabes, an ancient astronomical (and nautical) instrument used to measure the height of something above the horizon.  Continue to observe the moon whenever possible at night, and during the day.

*Box Tops for Education - Continue to collect those!  There will be a competition to see which classroom can collect the most Box Tops, coming up in November.  And thank you so much for all of your help in making the Box Tops/Book Fair Raffle a success.  We raised over $300 for Longfellow just in Box Tops!

*There will be a CAST performance of "The Boy Who Talked With Whales" at Longfellow TOMORROW (Tuesday, 10/23) at 7:30 PM.  The show is open to the public and cost for students is $5.  The cost for adults is $7.  All Longfellow students will receive a bear necessity that will serve as free admission to the show.

*BEAR (Be Enthusiastic About Reading) monthly reading program - Your child is expected to read for 20 minutes daily. Record this progress (with a smiley face or a star) on the monthly calendars that were sent home to you. At the end of the month, sign the calendar and return it to me. Each student who turns in a signed calendar showing that they read for 20 minutes almost every day during the month will receive a bookmark. This program is replacing the Pizza Hut Book-It program that we have participated in in the past. The signed and filled out October calendar will be due to me by Thursday, 11/1.

*Red take-home folder and assignment notebook - You should be seeing these go home every day.  Please check the assignment notebook daily and sign off each night indicating that you have seen their completed homework.  I check them at the every morning and at the end of each day to see that every student has written down his/her assignments accurately.

*Each week children at Longfellow may turn in their Bear Necessities to participate in a raffle (grades k-5) or visit the Bear's Den to purchase prizes (grades 4 & 5). Donations of items that can be used as prizes are always appreciated. If you would like to help out, please see the Wish List on the PBIS blog.

*Healthy Snacks can be eaten during morning recess.  Healthy snacks might include fresh fruits or vegetables, string cheese, Goldfish crackers, pretzels, etc.  The only beverage that is acceptable for the classroom is water.  Please feel free to contact me if you have a question or concern about the acceptable snacks.

*Bring a full, cold water bottle to school daily.

*Remind your child of the importance of completing all homework assignments at home.

 

Lorenzi Leads 10/11/12

Dates to Keep in Mind: (additional dates on my calendar link)

*Friday, October 12th - Kids on the Block Disability Awareness Assembly - 10:25 AM

*Tuesday, October 16th - Thursday, October 18th - Fall Parent/Teacher/Student conferences

*Monday, October 15th - Fun Run - 9:45 AM - Wear a PURPLE shirt! - Click here to register and collect pledges!

*Thursday, October 18th - Friday, October 19th - 11:00 AM Dismissal due to conference week

*Tuesday, October 23rd - Science Alliance activity with Scientist Sally

*Wednesday, October 24th - Opera for the Young Performance of Cinderella - 9:30 AM

*Friday, October 26th - Mock Election

*Wednesday, October 31st - Nutcracker field trip permission slip and $11 cash DUE Click here to print a copy of the permission slip. (I will send home paper copies shortly.)

*Wednesday, October 31st - Halloween (Lunch: 10:30 - 11:25, Parade: 12:15 - 1:00, Classroom Party:  1:00 - 1:45)  Please contact Susan Stanislaw or Meghan N'Cho-Allepot if you would like to help out or donate items.

*Thursday, November 1st - Anti-Bullying Assembly - 9:00 AM

*Friday, November 2nd - 3rd - 5th Grade Turkey Trot - 1:50 - 2:55 PM

*Sunday, November 4th - Daylight Saving Time Ends (set clocks back one hour)

*Tuesday, November 6th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Institute Day)

*Sunday, November 11th - Veteran's Day

*Tuesday, November 13th - Science Alliance activity with Scientist Sally

*Friday, November 16th - Last Day of First Trimester

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

*Please continue to encourage your child to fill in their reading log with their chapter books.  Two chapter books (or two credits) will once again be due by the end of the month.

Unit Theme: "Let's Learn" 

Weekly Theme: "Building Schools"

Stories for this week:

*Play Ball! (vocabulary preview)

*Earth Smart (expository)

*Summer Break (test prep)

Comprehension Strategy of the week: Main Idea and Details

Vocabulary Strategy:  Using a thesaurus to find synonyms

Vocabulary Words: donate, unaware, members, contribute

Spelling: words with the long a sound, spelled ai and ay

Grammar: identifying the subject in sentences and understanding the difference between complete sentences and sentence fragments

Odds and Ends:

*BEAR (Be Enthusiastic About Reading) monthly reading program - Your child is expected to read for 20 minutes daily. Record this progress (with a smiley face or a star) on the monthly calendars that were sent home to you. At the end of the month, sign the calendar and return it to me. Each student who turns in a signed calendar showing that they read for 20 minutes almost every day during the month will receive a bookmark. This program is replacing the Pizza Hut Book-It program that we have participated in in the past. The signed and filled out October calendar will be due to me by Thursday, 11/1.

*The Longfellow Larks Chorus has begun! Many of our students are participating in this wonderful program.  If you have any questions, please go to the Larks blog at www.longfellowlarks.blogspot.com or contact Ms. Vietzen at svietzen@op97.org

 

Lorenzi Leads 9/21/12

-The picnic is still on!  This will take place inside due to the weather. 

 

Looking ahead to next week.............

 

Treasures Unit Theme:

  "Let's Learn" 

Treasures Weekly Theme:

"The Power of Books"

Stories for the week:

*The Big Show (vocabulary preview)

*Amazing Grace (fiction)

*The Storytelling Stone (legend)

Comprehension Strategy of the week:

Cause and Effect

Vocabulary for the week:

Strategy:  Using a dictionary when working with unknown words

Words: auditions, sparkling, adventure, fantastic, exploring, success

Spelling Focus for the week:

words with long vowel sounds and final e, such as:  make, kite, and hope

**I will have the on level and beyond level word lists uploaded to spellingcity.com each week.  I encourage your child to practice their words on the site each week.  The weekly vocabulary words will be uploaded as well.

Grammar Focus for the week:

commands and exclamations

****Students are able to log on to the Connect Ed website, which is the home of our Treasures reading series.  Students are able to read their Treasures stories online and complete many great activities that correspond to each week's lesson.  You can simply click on the ConnectEd link to take you to the website.

 

Odds and Ends:

-Fall conferences will take place the week of October 15th.  A conference form will be coming home shortly so that you can fill out your preferences for times and dates.   Once I collect all of the forms and create my schedule, I will send you a confirmation with your time.

-The Fun Run will take place Monday October 15th. Students can begin to make plegdes from now until one week after the Fun Run, October 22. Visit the Fun Run web site at www.thegetmovincrew.com and register your child. You will then be able to send out emails to family and friends to collect pledges.  If our class reaches our goal ($25 X # of students in class) then we will get a picnic lunch together.  For the top two classes with the highest average per student, Mrs. Dolezal or Mrs. Helm with teach the class for half a day!

-The Longfellow Larks Chorus is starting again!  All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders are welcome to join.  Please go to the Larks blog at www.longfellowlarks.blogspot.com for information and to sign up.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Vietzen at svietzen@op97.org

-Please remember that only healthy foods are to be sent in for birthday celebrations.  There is a list of suggested food items under "useful links" on my page.  Thank you!

-On Wednesday, October 3rd, we will once again participate in International Walk to School Day.  Students who walk will earn stamps and shoes to decorate.  If walking to school is not possible, your child may still earn the rewards by walking around the block during the lunch hour.
Why walk?
It's fun!  Walking brings a sense of joy and independence. 

It's healthy!  The trip to school is a chance for children (and adults!) to get the physical activity they need.

Cleaner Environment!  Replacing car trips to school with walking can reduce congestion and air-polluting emissions.

Promoting Safety!  Building sidewalks, providing education programs and adding traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve safety. Encouraging walking to school can help build support for infrastructure improvements in the broader community.

Community Benefits!  Reducing traffic congestion, boosting a sense of community, and improving neighborhood connections benefit the community.

 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*Tuesday, September 25th - Bus Evacuation Drill

*Wednesday, October 3rd - Walk to School Day

*Thursday, October 4th - Picture Day

*Monday, October 8th - NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)

 

 

 

Lorenzi Leads 9/17/12

(I promise they won't always be this long!)

Thank you to those of you who attended curriculum night.  I hope that many questions were answered pertaining to this school year.  I sent home packets to those families who were not able to attend.  The presentation is also posted on my webpage for you to peruse at your leisure.

Thank you to those of you who filled out volunteer forms; I will be contacting you as activities and projects arise.  We do not have regularly scheduled parent volunteers like you may have had in second grade.

Homework assignments will be posted on my webpage daily.  Once you have logged onto my webpage, you will see a link for assignments. At this point, students are responsible for reading 20 minutes per night and filling out their reading log (back of the assignment book), studying rocket math multiplication facts (5 min per night), completing any assigned language arts and/or math pages, and studying the weekly spelling words.  Students can also work on Custom Typing online and/or Connect Ed.  I will be introducing Custom Typing to the students this week. 

 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*Monday, September 17th - Fun Run Kick-Off Assembly - 2:00 PM

*Thursday September 20th-Fast ForWord Begins

*Friday, September 21st - PTO Back-to-School Picnic - 5:30 - 7:30 PM (postponed from 9/7)

*Wednesday, September 19th - PTO Meeting - 7:00 PM

*Tuesday, September 25th - Bus Evacuation Drill

*Wednesday, October 3rd - Walk to School Day

*Thursday, October 4th - Picture Day

*Monday, October 8th - NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)

Assignment Notebook/Homework: Please continue to sign off nightly in the assignment notebook. I check it each morning for notes and signatures. Students are responsible for writing down their homework assignments each day; they have 10-15 minutes at the end of the day to write down any assignments. To help students get organized, I also list the materials they will need to take home that day on the board. Students may have extra time during sign off to work on homework if they have used their time wisely. If an assignment has been completed in class, you will see a check mark next to it. Although your child may have completed homework in class, I still ask that they bring those assignments home. Please look for papers coming home in your student's red take home folder. The folder pockets are labeled "left at home" and "bring right back."  This folder should be taken home each evening and brought back to school each morning along with the assignment notebook and chapter book.

Language Arts: The first few weeks of the program focused on teaching students instructional routines and reviewing previously taught skills. We began our first story last week and a family letter, highlighting the weekly story, went home last Monday.  In these letters you will find a brief synopsis of the story plot and the weekly vocabulary words. Please discuss the story and the new vocabulary with your child. 

We will be working with the same stories and comprehension strategy that we worked with last week, for a second week.  Following this model as the year goes on, we will be better able to align our Treasures curriculum with the Common Core State Standards, and we will also be able to provide more in-depth enrichment and re-teaching opportunities for all skills covered.  The second week spent on each set of stories and strategies will be used for more guided reading, non-fiction studies using Time for Kids and other resources, as well as going more in-depth with our writing connections, word studies, and a variety of other activities.

Students will take a Treasures "warm-read" test on the Friday of the first week.  The "warm-read" test will have questions specifically about that week's main selection in Treasures.  On the Friday of the second week, students will take a "cold-read" test, in which they read a new 1-2 page selection that they have never seen before.  The questions will be about this new selection, but will cover the same skills and strategies and use the same vocabulary words that we have been working with for the past two weeks.  On the "cold-read" reading tests, you will see four separate scores.  The test will focus on vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and a short answer.  After you view your child?s test, please sign and return it.  All reading tests will be filed and reviewed during conferences.  We are currently working on the "warm read" test together and will continue this tomorrow.  I am modeling for the students how I would like them to label each question with page numbers, etc?  You will see this model test come home in the next day or two. 

Reading Log: In the back of your child?s assignment notebook is a reading log. Students must record all of their chapter books in the log.  Please urge your child to bring their chapter books to and from school each day so that they can stay on top of their independent reading and book recording. Books that are being read, together, at home can also be recorded in the log.  I will check the reading log on the first of every month. Therefore, I will check reading logs on Monday, October 1^st.  By this time, students should have two chapter books (or two credits from a longer book) read and recorded in order to earn a grade of a "3."  If they have more than two books (or credits) recorded, they would earn a "4." The reading log also comes in handy throughout the year when I ask students to share some of the wonderful books they have read.  I will also continue to read "book hooks" in class to try and get the kids motivated to check out various chapter books. 

Passport: We have completed our DIBELS reading testing and will be dividing all of the third graders into passport skill groups so we can meet their individual reading needs. These groups are flexible, and students will have opportunities to move in and out of skill groups every six-weeks.  Passport will begin the week of October 1^st.

Spelling: In spelling, there are three different lists that students are working from, depending on how they did on the pre-test.  Please note that we will work with the same list of spelling words for two weeks.  Students will take a spelling post-test every other Friday, rather than weekly.  Students took a spelling test on Friday over the words they had been studying last week.  This week, students will use the same word lists, in addition to a few more words, but there will be no test, instead, we will work on a variety of word study activities to dig deeper in using these words, as well as our vocabulary words. It is the student?s responsibility to study for the weekly spelling test and to find out the meaning of any unfamiliar words.  Each week I will upload the word lists to a website called spellingcity.com.  Students can go to this website: www.spellingcity.com, click on "find a list", type in my name "Lorenzi", and select the weekly list.  The website offers a variety of spelling games to help students study.  This site can also be accessed through my webpage.

Math: We have had an excellent start in math. At the beginning of each unit, a family letter will be sent home. The letter explains the upcoming unit and includes the answers to your child?s Homelink math pages.  Prior to starting each unit, students will take a pre-test, which allows me to see if students have mastered certain concepts pertaining to that unit. Students who have ?tested out? of a lesson will be able to work on challenge activities and/or enrichment work during that particular lesson. 

Rocket Math: We have also started practicing our multiplication facts. Students should be taking home a rocket math sheet each night.  I am sending home an answer key for your child to keep at home.  This will help you when they are orally practicing their facts.n Please encourage your child to set aside at least five minutes to read each fact aloud and then say the answers to you.  Each day, students will have an opportunity to ?pass? the set of facts they studied the previous night. 

Writing: Beginning this week students will be developing narratives.  We will begin exploring the first of our six writing traits which is ?ideas?.  The first lesson involves writing a strong, focused sentence.  Once students feel confident writing strong sentences that focus on a single moment, we will work on writing short paragraphs with descriptive details and strong verbs. Each of the above mini-lessons will ultimately prepare students to write a personal narrative.

Social Studies: Please be sure to read the family letter that was sent home today.  Students can read the books listed for extra credit points and bear necessities.  You will just need to jot me a note in the assignment notebook letting me know that they found the book and read it.

Odds and Ends:

-Gym Shoes: Students must have gym shoes with them for P.E. (Tuesday) or they will not be allowed to participate.

-Water bottles/snacks: Please have your child bring a cold water bottle to school each morning. Also, please consider sending in a healthy snack for your child to eat during our morning recess.

-Thank you to Madeline's mom Marta Block for coming in and talking with us about the Jewish High Holidays.  The students were also able to enjoy a tasty treat of apples and honey. 

-Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring our visit from Chris Fascione last week!  The students had a wonderful time listening to his stories!

-Just so you know, I have moved my links on my webpage.  They are now on a separate page found under the tab "useful links."

 -The Fun Run kick-off assembly was today.  Please be sure to check out the flyer that was sent home.

-Sunrise Study Hall is back!  Students are invited to attend Sunrise Study Hall from 7:30 ? 7:55; they are to do homework or read, and will be dismissed to their lines from the library.  They come into the office, get a pass from on top of the bookshelf, and then go straight to the library.  Students are not allowed to go to their lockers or their classrooms.

-The 5^th Grade will be doing a RECYCLED ART PROJECT using plastic caps. Caps from milk jugs, Gatorade bottles, pop bottles, water bottles- any color any size- are ideal. Please collect caps and send them in. They will be using them to create outdoor mosaics for Longfellow?s garden and field.  Thank you.

-Thanks to Longfellow PTO and their sponsorship, Student Council is holding its annual Candy Gram Sale. This year, they are selling BRAINS!  The BRAINS will be available at the Longfellow Back-to-School Picnic on Friday, September 21.  While the brains are 75 cents this year, they are bigger and better than ever!

 

 

Lorenzi Leads 8/26/12

-Curriculum Night will be Thursday, August 30 from 7:00-8:00PM.  The first portion from 7-7:15 will take place in the auditorium and then we will head up to our classroom (314)

-The picnic will be on Friday, September 7 at 5:30.  We will hold the picnic at Longfellow Park. 

-A few notes from the PTO:

Welcome to the new year.  This is to let you all know about a great promotion going on at Meijiers that will benefit our school.  They are having a great promotion for Boxtops.  The promotion is buy 10 boxtop products and our school gets a certificate for $60 to use for school supplies.  Please keep this in mind and save those boxtops.  They can be handed via your child and I will pass it onto our Boxtop chairperson.  Thank you for participating.

Market Day ? http://www.marketday.com/index.aspx

Avery Box Tops ? http://givebacktoschools.avery.com/schools/index

Vote Target on Facebook ? https://givewith.target.com/schools

 

Quick Note 2/8/11

Longfellow Student Council is selling candy grams again this year. They are 50 cents and come in sweet and sour shaped lips.

All proceeds go "Haiti Exchange of Hope" http://haitiexchangeofhope.blogspot.com/  This organization is supported in part by various Oak Park schools through fundraisers and donations. 
Please consider supporting this organization and "Lend a Hand to Haiti"

Weather permitting, the sale will be on the playground immediately after school, starting Wednesday afternoon.  The sale will continue until we run out of candy grams.

Quick Note 1/24/12

Vex Robotics Competition: Join us for the Oak Park Education Foundation's 7th annual Vex Robotics competition between Julian & Brooks students, who have been designing, building and programming their robots since October. The competition will take place at 9:00 am on Saturday, January 28 in the Julian gym, 416 S. Ridgeland in Oak Park. It's an exciting event that you and your students won't want to miss!During the Robotics competition, OPEF is also holding an Open House showcasing our art, science, architecture and engineering programs in the Julian Commons from 10-noon. It's free and features hands-on projects for kids ages 5-12.  Come one, come all, and bring the kids! The gym will be filled with cheering onlookers. We'll have a projection screen for great viewing, an emcee and DJ, food for sale, and hands-on projects for kids at the Open House.The day's events are sponsored by Aria Group Architects, Forest Park National Bank, Hoy Landscaping, It's A Sign, and Starship Restaurant & Catering.

Healthy Breakfast:  This Friday (1/27) we will have a healthy breakfast in our classroom.  Thanks to those parents who are sending in contributions.  Students can wear pajamas to school that day as well.  A letter about our "Nourish to Flourish" program was sent home last week. 

Valentine's Day Party:  This will take place on Tuesday, February 14th from 12-1:30.  Please email me if you are interested in helping us out with the party.  Thank you.  Students are welcome to bring in V-Day cards, just please be sure that they bring one in for each student in our class.  I will send home a class list next week.

ISAT Snacks:  ISAT testing will take place the week of March 5th.  I will be sending out an email shortly asking for healthy snack donations for each day of testing.  Please keep an eye out for this. Amy Werthmann will be the coordinator of our ISAT snack schedule.  Thank you Amy!

Upcoming Presentation:  A special thank you to Lara Vergoth who will be coming in to our classroom on Friday to discuss the process in which a book is made.  We are very excited to have you!

Conferences:  Thank you for returning your conference slips in a timely fashion.  Confirmation slips are going home today.  Please return the bottom portion of this slip by Thursday, January 26th. 

Arts Fiesta:  This year's Arts Fiesta will take place on February 23rd for second and third graders.  The second graders will perform at 6:30 PM and the third graders will perform at 7:15 PM.  Third graders will need to meet in the mini-gym at 7:00 that evening.

Winter Carnival: It?s time again for the annual Longfellow Winter Carnival. This year?s event will be held on Saturday, March 3rd from noon until 4 and the theme is the ?Longfellow Luau!?  The Longfellow PTO will turn our school into a tropical paradise for an afternoon of games, prizes, snacks, the Cake Walk and, every teacher?s favorite fundraising event: the Pie-In-The-Face Contest. 

Upcoming Dates:

1/27: Pajama Day/ Healthy Breakfast in our classroom

2/2 and 2/3: ½ day due to spring conferences
2/14: Valentine?s Day card exchange and party (12-1:30)
2/20: President?s Day (school closed)

2/23: Arts Fiesta
3/2: Trimester 2 ends

3/3: PTO sponsored Winter Carnival
3/5-3/9: ISAT Week
3/16: Report Cards go home

 

Quick Note 1/11/12

Online MAP Testing: The second round of MAP tests are just around the corner.  We will take our math MAP test on Tuesday, January 17th and then our reading MAP test will take place on Tuesday, January 24th.

Family conferences:  These will take place during the week of January 30th.  A majority of my conferences will be held on Thursday, February 2nd (half day).  I plan to have the classroom substitute who will be taking over for me attend most of these meetings.  A letter concerning conferences will be sent home shortly. 

DIBELS Testing:  Fluency will be checked for our class on Thursday, January 26th.  Passport classes will be cancelled during the weeks of January 16th and January 23rd due to the testing window.

Nourish to Flourish: January?s Nourish to Flourish themes at Longfellow are ?adequate sleep and a healthy breakfast.?  Getting enough sleep and starting the day out with a nutritious breakfast are keys to academic success.  We will culminate the month with a school wide Pajama Day on January 27^th.

Yoga: An after school Yoga class at Longfellow is available to students in grades 2-5.  Please see the yellow flyer that will be sent home today for additional information.  Please contact Mr. Pod at epodlasek@op97.org with any questions.

PTO Fundraising Events:

• Box Tops:  Earn cash for our school by clipping Box Tops for Education coupons from products our families already have in their home.  Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10 cents.  And, of course, the class that has the most will win the upcoming contest.  We need every last Boxtop we can get!! 
• Escrip: If parents use their portal to access other stores for things they are already buying, Longfellow earns a percentage.  They can sign up for Escrip, shop Amazon, Best Buy, Drugstore.com and more.  It's easy. (http://www.escrip.com/)
• Dining for Dollars:  Everyone enjoys a night with the family without the hassle of cooking.  The January Dining for Dollars night is at Homemade Pizza Company on January 17th (please note the new venue this year!)
• Winter Carnival:  Last year we made $5,000 on this wonderful event.  This year it will be on March 3rd and the families love the opportunity to hang out, meet other families and watch the kids have a blast. We need the greatest possible participation from Longfellow families and we need a large turnout at our annual Winter Carnival. 
• Market Day:  Our promotion of this has been dismal and we are stepping it up.  The products are wonderful and delicious and save on time and money by having everything delivered to the school.

 

 

 

 

Quick Note 12/8/11

-Newspaper Article on Scientist Sally in our classroom!  Click here!

-Food and Toiletry Drive: The Student Council is sponsoring a PROTEIN and BABY & TOILETRY ITEM drive to benefit the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry.  The Longfellow students have set a goal of 1000 items.  The Food Pantry is asking for protein items such as peanut butter, canned meats, tuna, salmon and beans (canned or dry).  In addition, baby items or toiletry items such as diapers, baby food, baby formula, bar soap, shampoo, and deodorant.  As always, any other items are acceptable as well.  Cash and checks are welcome, too.  The class that collects the most food and/or money will win 5 Bear Necessities for each student.  Food and toiletry items are due on Friday 12/16.

-Please continue to read the math, reading, and social studies family letters that are coming home.  The unit 2 social studies family letter was just sent home and the reading family letters are sent home every Monday.

-Our winter celebration will take place on Friday, December 23rd from 12-1:30 in our classroom.  I sent an email out earlier this week with the names of our room parents in case you are interested in helping out.  Thank you!

-Report cards go home this Friday.  Please sign and return the report card envelope by Monday December, 12th.

-We will be heading to see the Nutcracker this Friday at 9:15.  Don't forget to send in a lunch and drink that day since we will not be back in time to eat in the lunchroom.  We will eat in our classroom once we return.

-The Longfellow Larks will perform on December 21st at 12:00.

-Winter Break will take place this year from December 24th until January 8th.

 

Quick Note 11/29/11

-Thank you to Sally Laurent-Muehleisen, our Global Village Scientist, for coming in last week to make comets with our class!  It was an awesome experience for all involved.  Thank you to those parents that were able to help us out as well.  I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures that I emailed.

-Mathathon: Mathathon forms went home today in your child's take home folder.  Every year our school participates in the Mathathon, which raises money for St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital. This will be our sixth year participating, but in the last 5 years, Longfellow has raised about $30,000! While it is completely optional to participate in, I have found that many students enjoy it because they are able to do fun math problems while raising money to help kids who are sick and win prizes! Information will be sent home this week along with the consent form to participate. Consent forms are due no later than Friday, Dec. 9th  and math funbooks will be sent home before winter break. (Students may also do the online funbook.) Money raised will be due at the end of January so students have all of winter break to complete the math problems and collect the money. If you have any more questions about this, please contact Ms. Smith at esmith@op97.org.

-Trick or Treat for UNICEF: Longfellow raised $1,209.96 for UNICEF this year! Thank you to all that participated in this worthy event. You've made a difference in the life of a child.

Quick Note 11/21/11

-Don't forget that the students have an VERY LARGE extra credit opportunity in Social Studies coming up.  Our states/capital quiz will take place on Tuesday, November 29th (Monday, November 28th for Flowers and Ibarra).  I have added a great website above to help them practice.  The kids really enjoyed the site in class today.

-The kids had a great time at the PBIS dance celebration today!  This was a reward party to recognize them for being safe, respectful, and responsible throughout the first trimester.
 
-We will be making comets with Scientist Sally tomorrow.  Thanks to those parents who have volunteered to
help us with this project.

-The students are making cards this week for the "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program sponsored by the American Red Cross.  The students are making cards to members of our U.S. military, veterans and their families....many of whom will be far away from home this holiday season. 

-Please check out the letter below about Homework Hub at the Oak Park Public Library.

Hi, everyone,

My name is Shelley Harris and I'm a children's librarian at Oak Park
Public Library. We recently turned one of our study rooms into a Homework
Hub for Oak Park kids through fifth grade.

Our new computer has a touch screen and switch adapter and the following
software:
Boardmaker
Earobics
Lexia
Typing Instructor for Kids

The room is also stocked with tri-write pencils, pencils with grips,
raised line paper, white boards and workbooks for preschool through grade
5. Kids can sign up to use the room for up to two hours at a time if they
(or a parent) have an Oak Park Public Library card. Parents can use the
computer for Boardmaker if they have their child with them.

Please share this information with your school's teachers and families who
would be interested in our new offerings. If you have any questions,
please let me know!

Shelley Harris
Children's Librarian
Oak Park Public Library
708/452.3426

Quick Note 11/14/11

 

A few upcoming dates:

11/14: Math Response to Intervention for selected 3^rd graders (Mondays from 3:00-4:00 and Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00)

11/15: Turkey Trot from 2:00-3:00 (grades 3-5-during school hours this year)

11/16: Math Response to Intervention for selected 3^rd graders

11/18: School picture re-take day

11/21: PBIS 1^st trimester celebration dance

11/23: Institute Day (school closed)

11/24-11/25: Thanksgiving Break and Mrs. Lorenzi's birthday :) (school closed)

 

Quick Note 11/1/11

Just a little reminder that Spelling Get to 30 began this week.  Those students with the beyond spelling list will need to choose activities from the neon green sheet stapled to their writer's notebooks.  Due to Halloween on Monday, I shortened the activity so that students only need to add their point totals up to 20.  Those students who are working with the approaching or on level spelling lists will continue to complete the packet.  All assignments are due on Thursday.

Quick Notes 10/26/11

Opera for the Young:  Students enjoyed our performance of Hansel & Gretel today!  Please ask your child to give you a quick summary of this performance.

Turkey Trot: The Turkey Trot will take place during school hours on Tuesday, November 15th, from 2:00 to 3:00pm.  All 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will participate in this event.  They will run, trot or walk for one mile.  The fastest boy and girl in each grade will receive a medal.  All participants will receive a small prize.  Fifteen turkeys, all of them donated by local businesses, will be raffled off among all participants.  If a vegetarian wins, he or she will receive a tofurkey.  All students are practicing long distance running in Physical Education and the turkey trot will be our culminating event.  You are welcome to come and cheer on your child.

Lorenzi Leads 10/25/11

Connect Ed:  If you have Internet access, please encourage your child to read each selection from our Treasures book at home.  The link can be found above.   Students' Connected Login and Password have been written on the back cover of their assignment book. They have all been shown how to login:

1) Click on the book with a butterfly on it (there is one book with a tiger and one with a butterfly).

2) On the next screen, you will need to click on the "butterfly" book again.

3) The next screen will read BOOK AND CONTENT. Click on the book and it will open to the Table of Contents. At that point you can click on the weekly story.  Students may listen to the story being read aloud or read it independently.

We have discussed many different activities that can be found on this website as well.  Please have them do practice activities that go along with the skill and/or strategy that we are working on that week.  These strategies and skills can be found in the family letter that is sent home each Monday.

Custom Typing:  I have added a link for Custom Typing.  I will be introducing the students to this website in class, but they will not be working regularly on it during the school day.  I encourage your child to get into the program and practice their typing 3 times a week at home.  There is an informational page attached to Longfellow's homepage which gives directions on how you can help your child at home.  Their usernames and passwords are the same as they use for ConnectEd.

New Links:  Please check out the new links above.  There are some fun games the students can play for math, activities to study for spelling tests, etc....

Fun Run: Thank you all so much for a very successful Fun Run! Our grand total was over $16,500! That is a great achievement for Longfellow.  I have posted some pictures from the Fun Run in our webpage gallery.

Halloween Party and Parade:  Our Halloween Party and Parade will take place on Monday, October 31st.  Thanks to all of those parents who are working on our party plans!  The party will take place immediately after lunch at 12:00.  The kids will have a few minutes to change into their costumes just before the party.  Any parent help with costumes would be greatly appreciated.  The party will last until approximately 1:00 in which we will then head out for the Longfellow parade.  Students will then head to art class at 1:44 until the end of the day.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF:  Students brought home their orange UNICEF collection boxes today.  Please visit trickortreatforunicef.org for more information on this great fundraiser.  A parent letter will be sent home shortly as well concerning this worthy cause.  Our Student Council has set a goal of $1,000.00 and all collection boxes will be due by Friday, November 4th.  Thank you!

How well do you know the staff here at Longfellow?  Click below to find out!

Staff Favorites Matching Game- Week 1

Last but not least, a special thank you to all of the families who donated a book from the book fair to our classroom.  I am excited to start reading these to the kids!