24-25: Week 14 Classroom News

Hello Families,

We are wrapping up a very busy season before winter break Dec. 23rd-Jan. 6th. Two new students, Maelynn (8th) & Matthew (7th), started on Monday and two more students (Indiana & August) will begin after the break.

BBS wishes you all happy holidays and safe travels! We will look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Read on for more news and updates.

Whole School:

• Dec. 20: Pajama Day!
• After school pick up: Due to decreased visibility with the two mobile units, please walk up to the front door to pick up your student OR wait till the bus has departed and drive forward in  your vehicle. Teachers and students will wait by the front door until they see a parent.
• Report Cards: Look for these in the mail during winter break
• Winter Storytime Photos: All pictures available at this link and are free to download.
• K-2 Art Club – Winter Music Session: If you have a K-2 student, mark your calendar for Wednesdays 1:30-3pm, Jan. 22 – Mar 12. This 8 week course will be taught by local music teacher Susan Sheets. Students will learn about different types of instruments (including the voice!) and how they make music, as well as explore movement, dance, and beats.
• Fun, free, local holiday events happening this weekend! See details at bottom of the post.

 From Ms. Steele: ssteele@blackbutte.k12.or.us

• Administrators (5th-7th): The Administrators have had a really busy week, welcoming two new students, Matthew and Maelynn and settling into a new space.  Cheers to these students for their patience and flexibility.  The 5th and 6th grade students have left division behind (YEAH!) and moved on to expressions and the distributive property.  The 7th and 8th graders are going to start a new unit tomorrow on all things linear.  
  We are going to watch a movie on Friday (in our PJ’s if anyone wants to) and enjoy snacks.  Hopefully students can bring some snacks from home.  Chips, popcorn, crackers.  Whatever is handy.

From Ms. Kassie: kdemarsh@blackbutte.k12.or.us

I am so full of joy from being the teacher of these sweet students. Thank you for a wonderful fall! Watching your children grow and learn is such an honor. I have had the pleasure of singing, laughing, playing, and learning side by side with them each day and it is amazing to see all these little ones are capable of. Have a wonderful break and enjoy this special time of year with your wonderful, fun, smart children. ♥

• K-1 Literacy: We have been doing a lot of reading, and spelling to check what we have learned so far this year. On top of that, kinder students have been working with the new letters D, F, R, and O. We did some work in our portfolios to show what we are learning with letters and digraphs.  
• K-1 Math: In math 1st grade students are wrapping up jumping back to 10 using number lines and other strategies. Kinder students have also played with number lines and linking cubes to help understand addition and subtraction. 

⇒  K/1 Literacy & Math work & play to try at home ⇐

• • Find good stories to read. All students are readers! Have them show you what you know, focusing on reading well. If they don’t know a word, tell them. Reading should be JOYFUL!  

  • Play with math. Play dice games and card games to help students with their mental math. 

• K-2 Science: We are wrapping up learning about winter celebrations around the world. We have learned why people celebrate this time of year and how they celebrate. There are a lot of overlapping themes including time with family, enjoying good food, giving gifts and cherishing light. As a way to celebrate the light we are making luminaries that students will bring home on Friday. I hope they help bring joy and light to your homes in this dark time of year.

From Mr. B: ebarrons@blackbutte.k12.or.us

• Bebop (2nd-4th) Math & Literacy: Beboppers are turning in essays, determining how an average can help with a prediction, completing math and reading diagnostics, figuring out the ‘schwa’ in multisyllabic words, solving 3-step math problems, working on a Scrooge logic puzzle and tidying up literacy and math folders before the two-week break! Huzzah! 

From Mr. Sharp: dsharp@blackbutte.k12.or.us

We are back to our classroom routines this week after a big week with the performance last week. We were very impressed with the effort and attitude throughout the process of putting on the show. Great work BBS students!

The big news this week in the older group was the addition of two new students. It was fun to have some new energy in the room and get to know them.

• Field Studies: We have been wrapping up our forestry unit in Field Study class. Students are reflecting on the characteristics of a healthy forest including all the interconnections we saw. We also spent time learning about the value of a forest in regards to our global climate.
• PE/Health: In class yesterday we had a visit from Rachel Visser from the Kids Center. She gave a great presentation about internet safety to both age groups. This is a topic we are starting to spend more time discussing at school. Learning how to safely use the internet is one of the biggest challenges this generation is facing.
• We have just a couple more days of school to wrap up the fall term. We are hoping to end on a positive note before we head off for a 2 week break. Thanks everyone for a great fall!

From Ms. Sharp: jsharp@blackbutte.k12.or.us

• Performing Arts: After an incredible performance, this week we are reflecting on the performance and playing fun holiday-themed improv games.