Thank You’s
Thank you Charma Brian and Nancy Denison for working on the school gardens over spring break. The gardens look beautiful!

Thank you to Sandie Ramsay for organizing the Eastern “Star Writers” book. This publication of student writing is a treasure and would not happen without Sandie’s hard work!

Thank you Heather Asiala for stepping up to organize the upper elementary talent show, scheduled for May 30.

Eastern Choice Award Winners Announced
The Eastern Choice Awards were held on Friday, April 20. Thank you to Suzanne VanderKlipp and the library club making this special event. And special thanks to Sue Miles for all her help.

The winners are:

• Best Performance by Cooperating Animals in a Picture Book: Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship
• Best Performance by a Dr. Seuss Book: Green Eggs and Ham
• Best Performance by a Firefighter in a Picture Book: Clifford, the Firehouse Dog
• Best Performance by End Papers in a Dr. Seuss Book: There’s a Wocket in My Pocket
• Best Performance by a Pig in a Picture Book: Elephant and Piggie: I Am Going
• Best Performance by a Penguin in a Picture Book: Don’t Be Afraid, Little Pip
• Best Performance by an Animal Character in a Mo Willems Book: Pigeon in Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
• Best Performance by an Animal in a Chapter Book: Dolphin Tale: A Tale of True Friendship
• Best Performance by a Talking Animal in a Folk or Fairytale (tie): The Three Swingin’ Pigs AND Zomo the Rabbit
• Best Performance by a Toy in a Chapter Book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
• Best Performance by a Comedy in a Chapter Book: How to Eat Fried Worms
• Best Performance by a Book’s Cover: Guiness World Records 2012

End-of-Year Activities Scheduled
The All-School Picnic will be held Wednesday, May 30, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Please note that the food line will only be open from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM – so please plan accordingly. Look for order forms to come home later this month.

The Upper Elementary Talent Show, for students in grades 4-5, will be held Wednesday, May 30, at 1:15 PM. Parents are encouraged to stay after the picnic for the talent show.

Field Day will be held Thursday, May 31.

Eastern will be hosting a “Walk to School” day on Wednesday, June 6. Please plan to walk to and from school that day!

Wings of Wonder Visits Eastern

 
Wings of Wonder visited Eastern’s 4th grade science classrooms last month. Wings of Wonder is a non-profit raptor sanctuary located in Empire, Michigan. Active since 1990, their primary mission is education. Wings of Wonder presents almost 150 educational programs annually throughout Michigan, reaching almost 10,000 people each year. Rebecca Lessard’s presentations are designed to foster appreciation, understanding, honor, and respect for raptors and the important role these birds play in healthy ecosystems. Wings of Wonder is also a raptor rehabilitation and release facility. This was an amazing visit that worked wonderfully with our current "Relations & Requirement of Living Things" Science unit. This warm welcome from Rebecca Lessard and her raptors (3) was an amazing way for students to see, up-close our wildlife in Michigan relating to our curriculum.

 

Star Writer Artists Announced
The winners of the “Star Writers” art contest were announced. The “Star Writers” book will be published later this month. The following students will have their artwork displayed in the book:

• Front Cover: Emma Bowes, 4th grade
• Back Cover: Emma Dutmers, 5th grade
• Dividers: 
  • Georgia Heintz, 3rd grade
  • Olivia Niessink, 3rd grade
  • Sara Fox, 3rd grade
  • Stevie Mast, 3rd grade
  • Taylor Norton, 4th grade
  • Sydney Zrimec, 3rd grade

Make sure to return the order forms for the books!

Eastern Students Hit Homerun with Beach Bums
Eastern had 172 students participate in the Beach Bums reading program. Out of the 172 students, 143 hit homeruns! Earning a homerun means that a student read 20 books or 2,000 pages. Way to go Eastern stars!

Teacher Academy Host Teachers
Five Eastern teachers are hosts to the TBA’s Teacher Academy program. This program pairs high school students interested in pursuing a career in teaching with established teachers. Participating in this program were Ms. Israel, Mrs. Radakovich, Mrs. LaBarre, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Welch.

Way to Grow Playgroup
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month & offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too.

Wear you comfy shoes and join us at playgroup on Tuesday, May 15, from 10:00 AM -11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 231-360-7572.

Important Safety Issues in Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to drop off their kids in front of the school doors. You must drop off from the opposite side of the island; you cannot pull into the bus lane.

Cars are not allowed to park in front of the paved path (at the bottom of the hill). This is dangerous to bikers. Also, bikers must walk their bikes on school property. These are rules that help keep bikers, drivers, and walkers safe, and we expect everyone to follow these rules.

End-of-Day Phone Calls
Please remember that phone calls made to the office for change in dismissal plans need to be made no later than 3:00 p.m. While we strive to accommodate last-minute changes, we ask that you make every effort to call by 3:00 p.m., as we cannot guarantee that messages left after that time will be heard.

Preschool Openings for 2012/2013
Do you have a wee one at home who would love to attend preschool next year? There are openings for this fall at Eastern. If you want more information, please contact Tracy Welch at 933-1665.

The Bullycide Project - May 22, 6:00 PM

 

The Bullycide Project is a play based on the book Bullycide in America, written by mothers who have lost a child to suicide due to excessive bullying. The play chronicles stories of bullycide, as well as additional stories from the perspectives of the bully, the bystander, the person who stands up to bullying, and the parents.

The play is showing at Lars Hockstad Auditorium, Central Grade School, 301 W. 7th Street. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Show starts at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Orchard Creek Assisted Living on Cherry Bend Road, The Copy Shop on 8th Street, and Floor Covering B rokers on South Airport Road.

Proceeds from this event will benefit TCAPS anti-bullying initiatives. Contact Dale Chilcote at dale@orchardcreektc.com or visit www.thebullycideproject.com for more information.

Eastern LEAP Updates
Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins at tony.jenkins@charter.net, 944-8487 or 929-9176.

Grand Slam for TCAPS – 1st Annual Wuerfel Park Fundraiser for TCAPS K-12 Sports: Saturday, July 28, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Come join the fun at Wuerfel Park on Saturday, July 28th, and help raise funds for TCAPS sports programs. Enjoy carnival games, sports clinics, and a silent auction at this rain or shine event. Tickets are only $5.00. Every ticket is an entry for the Grand Slam Grand Prize! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to TCAPS K-12 sports as well as 100% of the silent auction proceeds. Call 231.943.0100 for more information or to order your tickets today! Click here to learn more or purchase tickets.  

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
Estimadas Eastern Familias,

¡Buenos (as)! It seems amazing we are wrapping up the school year already! The students have soaked up so much Spanish it has been fun to watch. They have a great number of questions that they can ask and answer, such as:

¿Cuál es tu nacionalidad? What is your nationality? 

¿Dónde vives? Where do you live? 

¿Te gusta Michgan State? Do you like Michigan State?

¿Cuál es tu numero de teléfono? What’s your phone number?

¿Cuál es tu color favorito? What’s your favorite color?

¿Qué es esto? What’s this?

¿Cuál es tu nombre? What is your name?

¿Dónde esta…? Where is…?

The students have wrapped up their work with La entrevista (the interview) and many of them even memorized it! Upper Elementary students wrote & performed their own interviews. You can share it with your child by going to Moodle-SOL lesson #15.

Upper Elementary has also learned how to use a headset to record their voices on Moodle-SOL. Energy levels were high as they spoke into the microphones and subsequently listened to themselves speak Spanish. There is one more CAAP assessment this year in which the speaking and listening portions will be completed on the laptops, with Moodle-SOL- an exciting technology application for TCAPS Elementary World Language.

The students have enjoyed their writing activities in “El Diario.” It has given them an opportunity to write simple sentences and to express them in Spanish- something they do proudly. They even had a chance to report “Nieve” (snow) as the weather in mid-April!

As always, if you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me (ruckertr@tcaps.net) or check out my classroom website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com

Hasta Luego,

Señora Rucker

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Shelly Morey and Leslie Howard for pinch-hitting in the lunchroom. You were both a tremendous help and we very much appreciate that you volunteered to help us! And welcome to Tim Pence for joining the noon duty squad!

Thank you Fern Spence, Karen Windholz, and Sonja Olshove for organizing the lower el talent show. Congratulations to the participants, too. What a talented crew we have at Eastern! Also, special thanks to Heather Asiala for her help with the show!

Thank you Sue Chang for organizing the Eastern Garage Sale on April 14.

Vote for Eastern PSAs This Month!
Help our Eastern filmmakers earn money for the classroom by voting everyday for their Public Service Announcements! Voting runs from April 6 through April 27. The PSAs were created by students in Mrs. McDougall and Mrs. Nelson’s classes as part of the Eastern Heroes project.

You can vote for the Eastern PSAs by going to the following website: www.meijergreatchoices.com. You can vote more than once, but you can only vote once a day. So be sure to get online everyday and vote – because the winners are selected by online, popular vote.

First place is awarded a $500 classroom grant and a visit to the winner’s banquet. Second through fourth place receives a $200 classroom grant.

Congratulations to Mrs. Kolle

 
Eastern teacher Renee Kolle, along with her husband, Bryant, welcomed daughter Gisella Summer on February 24. Baby Gisella was 9 pounds, 7 ounces and 21.5 inches long. Congratulations to your beautiful family!

Prince and Princess Announced

 
First graders Joe Muha and Isabella Covert will be representing Eastern Elementary this year in the Cherry Festival. Special thanks to the Muha and Covert families for taking on the responsibility of creating the float for this year. And thanks, too, to the many first-grade families who we know will volunteer to help with the float!

Eastern Choice Awards April 20
The 4th Annual Eastern Choice Awards are scheduled for April 20, at 2:10 p.m. To check out the nominees, just visit the Eastern Library Facebook page. Some of this year’s categories include “Best Performance by a Pig in a Picture Book,” “Best Performance by a Talking Animal in a Folk or Fairytale,” and many, many more.

Library club members will present the awards. Families are strongly encouraged to attend the event.

Trash to Treasures Sale Slated for April 14
Clean out your closets and help Eastern at the same time! We’re having an all-school garage sale Saturday, April 14, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern families can start dropping off items Friday, April 13, at 9:00 a.m.

Please consider volunteering to help with this event. Call Sue Chang at 947-8946 to volunteer.

Star Writers Books Need Artwork
Eastern will once again be publishing the Star Writers book. As in previous years, students will be able to enter an art contest for the front and back covers of the book. All art entries must include the title of the book (Eastern Star Writers) the school year (2011-2012), and the student’s name and grade. Entries are due by April 13 and will be selected by April 20.

Thank you to Sandie Ramsay for volunteering to coordinate and organize this wonderful collection of student writing.

Eastern OM Teams Shine
Congratulations to Eastern’s three Odyssey of the Mind teams for shining performances at the regional competition. Special kudos go to the 4th grade team for advancing to the State Meet in April. Team members include: Maggie Cooney, Ella Stepan, Henry Parvel, Nick Sommerfield, and Macey Waskiewicz. This team is coached by Karin Cooney and Cathy Sommerfield. Break a leg!

Eastern’s 3rd grade team also performed well. Team members include: Oliver Phillips, Libby Hall, Jesse Russell, Evelyn Allen, Kyle Naperela, Rachel Raniszewski, and Kyla Welch. Coaches were Jennisse Phillips and Heather Allen.

The Eastern primary team also had a great first experience with OM. Team members were Olivia Strom, Zoe Galan, Parker Waskiewicz, Lily Jenkins, George Parvel, Scott Harvey, and Emily Hart. Coaches were Amy Strom and Missy Waskiewicz.

Sock Drive a Hopping Success
Mrs. Turnquist and Mrs. LaCross would like to thank everyone for the successful sock drive. Eastern families donated over 400 pairs of socks. The socks were donated to the Goodwill Inn and Women’s Resource Center.

Congratulations to the classes of Mrs. Radakovich, Mrs. Feaster, and Mrs. Welch for donating the most socks – and for winning the pizza party. Big thanks to Hungry Howie’s for donating the pizza for the party.

Way to Grow Playgroup
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month & offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too.

Wear you comfy shoes and join us at playgroup on Tuesday, April 17 and May 15, from 10:00 AM -11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 231-360-7572.

Important Safety Issues in Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to drop off their kids in front of the school doors. You must drop off from the opposite side of the island; you cannot pull into the bus lane.

Also, cars are not allowed to park in front of the paved path (at the bottom of the hill). This is dangerous to bikers. Also, bikers must walk their bikes on school property. These are rules that help keep bikers, drivers, and walkers safe, and we expect everyone to follow these rules.

Preschool Openings for 2012/2013
Do you have a wee one at home who would love to attend preschool next year? There are openings for this fall at Eastern. If you want more information, please contact Tracy Welch at 933-1665.

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Feliz Primavera! Happy Spring, it is hard to believe we are in our last trimester of the school year... time flies when you having fun! Before Spring Break we were working on La Entrevista (the interview) with a partner and performing it in front of the class. Students are also continuing to write in Mi Diario (my diary) on a regular basis. We are introducing new conversation starters with questions and answers like ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?) and ¿Qué necesitas? (What do you need?). It is wonderful to see the kids incorporating the Spanish words they are comfortable with into their daily routines. We finished up with the body parts. Did you get a chance to hear them sing the song? It is a lot of fun when they point to the body parts and sing along with the song.

CAAP II Scores: The second CAAP assessment was given at the end of February and this time you received a letter from the World Language Department with your children’s II CAAP scores. We will take one more CAAP assessment in May for this school year.

SOL: I encourage the children to review the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing SOL (Spanish on Line) lessons on Moodle. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assigned lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time is provided at school to access the site. We plan to continue to use one class per month to work on these lessons at school.

As always, if you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me (ruckertr@tcaps.net ) or check out my classroom website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com

Happy Spring,

Señora Rucker

Eastern LEAP Updates
Congratulations to Eastern’s volleyball teams for a successful season. One 4th grade team and one 5th grade team advanced to the semi-final round – yahoo!

Track season started Monday! Thank you Tess Hetzel and Shelly Morey for volunteering to coach this great group of kids. If you are interested in watching the Eastern kids run, head out to East Middle School on one of the following Thursdays: April 19, April 26, May 3, and/or May 10. All meets start at 5:00 PM. The All-City meet is scheduled for May 14-16.

Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins at tony.jenkins@charter.net or 929-9176.

Registration for Grades 2-5 Co-ed Spring Tennis is now open. Sign up by Friday, April 13.

Grades 2-3 Tennis will begin Friday, May 4. Cost is $25 Practices run after school on Friday afternoons for the month of May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

Grades 4-5 Tennis will begin Wednesday, May 2. Cost is $60. Practices run after school on Wednesday afternoons for the month of May. Matches will be held on three Fridays in May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

To register, pay online, or for additional information for any LEAP program, please visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP. Registration deadlines are final. No late registrations will be accepted. Scholarships are available to those with specific financial needs. For additional questions please contact the LEAP office at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722.

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Karen Mast for organizing the Eastern carnival. This was a fun night for families and a terrific fund-raiser for the 5th grade.

Thank you Fern Spence for organizing the Lower El Talent Show. This is a great opportunity for our young students to show off their talents!

Thank you to the many, many families who supplied dinner for teachers during parent-teachers conferences. These delicious meals were very much appreciated. Special thanks to Amy Strom for coordinating these meals.

Important Safety Issues in Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to drop off their kids in front of the school doors. You must drop off from the opposite side of the island; you cannot pull into the bus lane.

Also, cars are not allowed to park in front of the paved path (at the bottom of the hill). This is dangerous to bikers. Also, bikers must walk their bikes on school property. These are rules that help keep bikers, drivers, and walkers safe, and we expect everyone to follow these rules.

End-of-Day Phone Calls
Please remember that phone calls made to the office for change in dismissal plans need to be made no later than 3:00 p.m. While we strive to accommodate last-minute changes, we ask that you make every effort to call by 3:00 p.m., as we cannot guarantee that messages left after that time will be heard.

Congratulations to Ms. Stremlow
Kindergarten teacher Jackie Stremlow recently earned funding through DonorsChoose.org for a classroom project called “Help Me Retell Some of My Favorite Stories.” Items included in this project are various storytelling kits and puppets. Congratulations to Ms. Stremlow!

Lower El Music Program March 15
The music program for grades 1-2 is scheduled for March 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be a dress rehearsal at 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon; parents and community members are welcome to attend.

Star Writers Books Need Artwork
Eastern will once again be publishing the Star Writers book. As in previous years, students will be able to enter an art contest for the front and back covers of the book. All art entries must include the title of the book (Eastern Star Writers) the school year (2011-2012), and the student’s name and grade. Entries are due by April 13 and will be selected by April 20.

Thank you to Sandie Ramsay for volunteering to coordinate and organize this wonderful collection of student writing.

Preschool Openings for 2012/2013
Do you have a wee one at home who would love to attend preschool next year? There are openings for this fall at Eastern. If you want more information, please contact Tracy Welch at 933-1665.

Congratulations Marek Family

Kindergarten teacher Sarah Marek welcomed a new addition to her family. Austin Kenneth Marek was born January 24th. He was 9 lbs 4 oz. Sarah and husband Paul also have a two-year-old son, Alex. We look forward to welcoming two more Eastern stars in the future!

Spelling Bee Stars

Congratulations to the following Eastern stars for their stellar performance in the Grand Traverse County Spelling Bee: Marley Meindertsma, Alex Olin, Taylor Norton, Emma Dutmers, Jazmyn Correll, and Ryan Zrimec.

Lower El Talent Show March 22
The talent show for students in grades 1-3 is scheduled for March 22, at 2:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to attend this very popular event!

Way to Grow Playgroup
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month & offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too.

Wear you comfy shoes and join us at playgroup on Tuesday, March 13th, from 10:00 AM -11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 231-360-7572.

Spring Break is Almost Here
Just a reminder: Thursday, March 22, is a full day, and there will be no school on Friday, March 23. Students will be on break the following week and will return to school April 2. Have a safe and enjoyable time with your family!

Daylight Savings Time
Daylight Savings Time will begin Sunday, March 11. Remember to set those clocks ahead one hour!

Open Gym Nights in March
Open gym nights will continue through March on the following Tuesdays: March 6, 13, and 20. These events run from 7:00 o.m. to 8:15 p.m. Please remember that parent supervision is required; this is not a “drop off” event.

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
Estimadas Eastern Familias,
¡Buenos(as)! Isn’t it difficult to believe that March is upon us? The school year will be over before we know! It has been such an honor to witness the enthusiasm the students have to further their Spanish vocabulary. How remarkable it is that for some students, Spanish is the third language they are learning to speak. It is no wonder the libraries are embracing a GO GLOBAL theme for the month of March! Whether it is their second or third language, the students’ progress to date has been impressive. How lucky I feel to be on this journey with them!

I enjoyed seeing some of you at conferences, as well as meeting some of you for the first time. If you were not able to visit please feel free to email (ruckertr@tcaps.net) or a voice message (933-7894) with any questions or concerns you might have.

The second CAAP test was given last month! Hopefully your child(ren) shared the results with you. If not, the blue test copy should have been sent home. Unlike the first test last November, this test required the students to speak and write in Spanish - a bit more challenging! If you see room for improvement encourage your child(ren) to practice online using the SOL lessons: http://moodle.tcaps.net. I plan to continue to use one class per month to work on these lessons at school.

The students have been honing their acting skills during their work with La Entrevista (The Interview) skit over the last couple of weeks. The skit is set-up as a question/answer session between two people and conveniently includes much of the vocabulary they have learned to date. In order to prepare, they watched a DVD of the skit being performed while lip-syncing the words in the subtitles, repeated the dialogue together as a class, and practiced reading and performing it with a partner. Hollywood here they come!

The students have added Diario sheets to their binders to act as an informal writing journal. Each entry will allow them to practice writing the date in Spanish, circle an appropriate weather condition for the day, indicate how they are feeling, as well as offer space for them to respond to a teacher-prompted question. Don’t expect a novel or even a paragraph at this point! A simple sentence that allows them to express their opinion is the goal.

Think spring,
Señora Rucker
http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
On March 6, Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver a presentation on “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents” from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. The presentation will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

Eastern LEAP Update
The volleyball season will be wrapping up the weekend of March 17. Congratulations the 4th and 5th grade students who participated in this fun season. Special thanks to following parents who volunteered to coach: Jon Asiala, Kristin Sonnemann-Grams, and Steve Pierce.

4th & 5th Grade Track & Field: Elementary Track & Field begins Monday, April 2nd. Cost is $50 per student. Registration and payment deadline is Thursday, March 22nd. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Tony Jenkins.

Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins at tony.jenkins@charter.net or 929-9176.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

 

Student Count Day – February 8th
Every school day is important to your child’s learning! Count Day on Wednesday, February 8th, determines funding amounts, based on student attendance, that help schools pay for many academic programs and services. Help your school by being in school on Count Day. In the event school is closed on Feb. 8th, then count day will take place on the following school day.
 

Thank You’s
Thank you to Jackie Stremlow and Heather Asiala for organizing Sue Miles’s farewell assembly. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to give Mrs. Miles a proper goodbye.

Thank you Terri Lutes for working so hard to create beautiful messages on Eastern’s outdoor chalkboard. Who knew messages could look so artistic!

Parent Meeting for 2012/2013 Kindergarteners
If you have an incoming kindergarten student for next school year, then please plan to attend Eastern’s informational parent meeting on Tuesday, February 21, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Families will learn about the kindergarten curriculum, meet Eastern teachers and staff, and sign up for round-up times and classroom visitation times. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like more information, please contact the main office at 933-1660.

Congratulations to Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Karen Smith worked with DonorsChoose.org to earn a grant for a classroom project called “Tuning into the Cyber World.” Supplies for the project included 25 headphones and a microphone. Mrs. Smith and her third grade students are grateful for the generous support of this organization and look forward to utilizing this technology in the classroom.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Please make every effort to attend your scheduled parent-teacher conference. Communication is a key component of a strong parent-teacher relationship. Let’s work together to provide the best for our students.

Eastern Carnival - February 17
Get ready for fun at Eastern’s annual carnival. The carnival, hosted by the 5th grade class, is scheduled for Friday, February 17, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. There will be many great activities, including a bounce house, cake walk, superstar salon, and more. Pizza will also be sold. Tickets for the event will be sold at the door.

If you have any gently used stuffed animals that haven’t been getting the love they deserve lately, please donate them to our critter cave. There will be a box labeled in the lobby of the school. As a courtesy, we ask that you only donate those that you wouldn’t mind if your own child brought home.

Please call Karen Mast for more information (929-7180).

Lost and Found Items to be Donated
Please make sure to check the lost and found table regularly! We will be donating everything after the last parent-teacher conference date (February 16). And remember to label your child’s clothing – that makes it much easier for us to make sure things get returned.

Sock Hop Lunch - February 24
Eastern’s fabulous kitchen staff is organizing a special sock hop-themed lunch for Friday, February 24. This will also be Eastern’s Hungry Howie Pizza Day – so it’s sure to be a fun lunch. To go along with the sock hop, the kitchen is also organizing a sock drive for the month of February. If you are able to donate new socks, we would greatly appreciate it. Please bring the socks in to your child’s classroom teacher.

Students are encouraged to dress up for the sock hop, too – so break out those poodle skirts and peg those jeans. A big thanks to JoEllen Turnquist and Vicki LaCross, our kitchen staff, for taking the time to plan this special event for Eastern students!

Open Gyms Scheduled
Students in grades 3-5 are invited to attend family open gym nights from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM on the following Tuesday evenings: February 7, 14, and 21. There will be no open gym on February 28. Remember, students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Help Needed for Lower El Talent Show
The talent show for students in grades K-3 is scheduled for March 22 at 2:30 p.m., but we currently have no volunteer to organize the show. Without a volunteer, the talent show will not be held. If you are interested in helping with this wonderful, popular event, please contact the front office at 933-1660. Thanks in advance for your support!

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Hola! This month, students will be taking the second CAAP assessment of the school year. I encourage all students to practice the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing Señor SOL lessons on Moodle at http://moodle.tcaps.net. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assign lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time can be provided at school to access the site. Please remember that you may just initial the lessons completed in your child’s Communicator. Please be sure your child writes the lesson number down that was completed. Please continue to sign your initials as your child completes the weekly lessons.

I will be at EASTERN on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, from 4:40 PM to 7:40 PM for parent/teacher conferences. My office is located in the gym. If you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me at ruckertr@tcaps.net or leave a message on my office phone (933-7894). You may also refer to the class website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com.

¡Saludos!
Señora Rucker

Heroes In Our Community Information
Heroes In Our Community is back and in full swing. For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, Heroes started last year and is an initiative that brings students, teachers, staff, and parents together to learn about civic responsibility, take social action, and make a difference in the Traverse City community and/or in communities around the world.

Teams (grouped by classes) have identified topics/causes they are interested in learning about and supporting. Each team develops a curriculum and service project to help support their topic/cause. Guest speakers and readers support our team with information that educates, motivates, and assists the team with their project. Parent volunteers support with both the curriculum and service project. We are in need of parent help with every project. If you are able to volunteer your time, please contact Jen Dutmers at 631-1845, or via email at jigsduts@gmail.com. To view detailed project overviews and event calendars for each team, go to our PTO website at http://easternpto.weebly.com/heroes-in-our-community.html.

Here is a list of this year’s Hero teams and their projects!

Mrs. Feaster’s & Mrs. Welch’s Preschool Team: The Nature Nurturers
Our preschoolers are teaming up again this year to learn about and help the environment. The group will learn about different types of habitats and their importance in our ecosystem, and how we can support the stewardship of our environment. Through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, they will learn about work being done to support the connection of people and nature and will execute a project to support the Conservancy’s efforts.

Miss Stremlow’s & Mrs. Marek’s Kindergarten Team: Kinder Cares
Our Kindergartners will form a connection with a Senior in our community through a partnership with Hope Village. Each week, the Kinder Cares team will receive a visit from their “Kinder Buddy” (a resident from Hope Village). The team will learn about history related through the personal experience of their Kinder Buddy. They will get a glimpse of the mutually beneficial relationship that can be achieved between people of different ages, and they will celebrate their friendship at a Kinder Cares-sponsored bingo tournament at Hope Village in March.

Mrs. Mueller’s 1st Grade & Mrs. Radakovich’s 1st/2nd Grade Team: Pals for Peace
Pals for Peace is partnering with Jeff Haas and his organization called Building Bridges With Music. Building Bridges with Music impacts attitudes and behaviors of youth and adults through interactive workshops and accompanying curriculum. Their purpose is to promote open-mindedness, tolerance, understanding, acceptance and peace, thereby reducing bullying, prejudice, hatred, and violence. Our Pals will learn about and understand diversity and the importance of open-mindedness. Working with Jeff and his group, they will help promote open-mindedness, tolerance, understanding, acceptance and peace in order to reduce bullying and prejudice.

Mrs. LaBarre’s 2nd Grade Team, Helping Hoofs & Mrs. Rogers’ Fourth Grade Team: Horse Rescue Force
Supporting Animals and People in Need
Our second and fourth grade teams will partner with Peace Ranch. Peace Ranch is a equine assisted therapy center committed to the restoration and transformation of people struggling with psychological, emotional, and physical challenges. They use rescued and “throw away” horses that have been rehabilitated through natural, relationship based training for use in therapy programs. Working with Peace Ranch, our teams will learn about rescue animals – how they are found, rescued, and rehabilitated. They will also learn about Peace Ranch – how they find their horses, how they train them and take care of them, and how the horses are used to help people. The Helping Hoofs and the Horse Rescue Force will co-host an event with Peace Ranch to share what they’ve learned, and to support the efforts of Peace Ranch through a student art auction.

Mrs. Mattarella’s & Mrs. Smith’s Third Grades: Food Forever
Our Third graders will partner with Food Rescue (an arm of Goodwill Industries), MSU Extension Program, Michigan Land Use Institute, Food Corps, and local farmers from Leelanau County to learn about the issues of nutrition, farming, hunger, and about what is being done in our community to feed and educate people in need. They’ll have lesson and hands-on training on nutrition and cooking to learn about feeding your body and brain for health and energy. They will meet with local farmers to learn how farmers are helping support people in need. Finally, they will co-host an event with Food Rescue to share what they’ve learned and to support the efforts of Food Rescue through a student art auction.

Mrs. Kolle & Mrs. Nelson’s 4/5 Team: The Bandaids
Mrs. Kolle’s 4/5th grade class and Mrs. Nelson’s 5th graders will work together this year to help children who are suffering from illness and disease. Our team will be partnering with a regional children’s hospital to meet children being cared for by the hospital, to learn about what they are being treated for and treatments/cures, and to build relationships and offer support to these children and their families through letters and cards, poems, homemade videos, and more. The team will host a fundraiser this spring to benefit either the hospital unit or organizations picked by children from the hospital.

Winter Weather Clothes Policy
Please make sure your children are well prepared for the cold winter weather.

During snowy weather, grades preschool-2 must wear snow pants and boots in order to leave the blacktop area.

In grades 3-5, students will suffer the “natural consequences” of their clothing choices. In other words, they will not be disciplined or restricted because of their winter clothing choices, but they will also not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items or call home for dry clothing. (May we suggest extra dry socks, etc. in the backpack or locker?)

If the student’s choices begin to interfere with his or her learning, we will impose consequences and work with parents to ensure that productive learning can take place. Thanks for your help with this matter.

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver presentations from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. Presentations will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, on the following dates:

February 7, “Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents”

March 6, “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents”

All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

Eastern LEAP Update
Volleyball season starts Monday, and we hope students, coaches, and parents have a wonderful season. Check the newsletter next time as we thank those who volunteered to coach. And it’s never to soon to start thinking about track. If you are interested in coaching, let us know.

Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins (tony.jenkins@charter.net or 929-9176).


District LEAP Updates
4th & 5th Grade Co-Ed Volleyball practice begins Monday, February 6th.

Baseball Pitching Clinics available for students in Grades 2-12. Clinics begin Saturday, January 28, and are offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons through March 18. Students can participate anytime throughout the clinic dates, however parents should register prior to students attending their first clinic.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Kate Parvel for coordinating the Wish List Stockings for Eastern staff. Thanks, too, to the many families who purchased items for staff members. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to fourth-grade student Taylor Norton for winning this year’s Eastern Spelling Bee. Kudos, too, to fifth graders Emma Dutmers and Marley Meindertsma who finished second and third, respectively. Also representing Eastern at the County Bee will be fourth graders Jazmyn Correll and Alex Olin and fifth grader Ryan Zrimec. Jonah Elkins is the alternate. The County Bee will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 6:00 PM.

Special thanks to Terri Lutes and Heather Asiala for conducting the Bee and to Nancy Korbel for organizing it. Congratulations to every student who participated in the Bee. You should be very proud of yourselves!

Upper Elementary Music Program Scheduled
Be sure to mark your calendar for Eastern’s Upper Elementary Music Program. The program is scheduled for January 24, 2012, at 7:00 PM in the Eastern gym. Grades 3-5 will be participating. Please look for more information to be sent home soon. Along with singing, the students will also showcase recorders and play-party games. Please note that while the evening performance is the official show, the afternoon rehearsal that same day is open to family members.

K-9 Assembly Entertains Kids
Jet, a nine-year-old dog that is part of the Michigan State Police K9 unit, showed Eastern students his special skills at an assembly last month. Students loved watching how disciplined Jett was and how he was able to find hidden items in the Eastern gym. Students in grades preschool-2 saw a 30-minute presentation while students in grades 3-5 saw a 45-minute presentation.

Cherry Capital Chorus Sings for Eastern Students
Eastern students were entertained last month by the Cherry Capital Chorus. The men’s chorale group sang some holiday favorites, and the children very much enjoyed the show. The group put a fun twist on some classic carols and invited the kids to join in the singing.

Heroes Quilt for “Patches” on Display in Lobby
A quilt that Eastern students helped create last year as part of the Eastern Heroes Program will be on display in the school lobby for a limited amount of time. Last year’s second and third grade classes raised money for Patches, a stuffed bear distributed to military families with children who have either lost a parent in war or have a parent serving a long deployment. The bear is meant to help children express their feelings.

Along with raising approximately $4,000 for this project, student artwork was used to create a quilt. After the quilt leaves Eastern, it will travel to military bases and military support organizations. For more information, contact Jen Dutmers at 933-0907.

Way to Grow Play Date January 17
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month and offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too. Wear your comfy shoes and join us on Tuesday, January 17th from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 360-7572.

Odyssey of the Mind Teams Formed
Eastern Elementary will have three teams representing it at the March Odyssey of the Mind competition. Thank you to the following parents who volunteered to coach teams: Missy Waskiewicz and Amy Strom, 2nd grade; Heather Allen and Jennise Phillips, 3rd grade; and Cathy Sommerfield and Karin Cooney, 4th grade. Best of luck to all of the participants!

Open Gyms Scheduled
Open gym nights for January will be January 3, 10, 17, and 31. These nights are open to students in grades 3-5. There is no open gym on January 24. Remember, students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Winter Weather Clothes Policy
Please make sure your children are well prepared for the cold winter weather.

During snowy weather, grades preschool-2 must wear snow pants and boots in order to leave the blacktop area.

In grades 3-5, students will suffer the “natural consequences” of their clothing choices. In other words, they will not be disciplined or restricted because of their winter clothing choices, but they will also not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items or call home for dry clothing. (May we suggest extra dry socks, etc. in the backpack or locker?)

If the student’s choices begin to interfere with his or her learning, we will impose consequences and work with parents to ensure that productive learning can take place. Thanks for your help with this matter.

Cold Weather Clothing
Parents: Please, please make sure your students are well prepared for the colder weather that hits us sporadically. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items once they are out to recess. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation from home. And remember to label your child’s clothing – items on our lost and found table are already piling up!


Eastern LEAP Update
Games for boys’ basketball season will kick off on Saturday, January 7. Eastern has 49 boys participating from grades 2-5. Thank you to the following parents for volunteering to coach: Matt Bourdo, Doug and Fern Spence, Todd Stachnik, Brian McCall, Chris Chang, Jennifer Gerling, and Frank Lyon.

If you have any questions, please contact LEAP reps Jill and Tony Jenkins (jilljenkins5@charter.net  or 929-9176).

4th & 5th Grade co-ed Volleyball registration is now open! Practice begins Monday, February 6th. Registration and payment deadline is Friday, January 27th by 3pm. No late registrations will be accepted.

Please visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP to register online or contact your LEAP School-Based Liaison for additional information.

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Bienvenido! Welcome back!

We are having a great time in Spanish. We spent this week reviewing what we learned before vacation. Students were introduced to shapes and emotions vocabulary. They learned that words in Spanish are either masculine or feminine. Usually masculine adjectives end in –o and feminine adjectives end with an –a. Students also learned how to answer some new questions: ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What is your favorite color?), ¿Te gusta…? (Do you like?) and ¿Qúe color es…? (What color is…?). We continue to review what we have learned since the beginning of the year.

Next month, students will be taking the next CAAP assessment. I encourage all students to practice the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing SOL lessons on Moodle. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assign lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time is provided at school to access the site.

If you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me at: ruckertr@tcaps.net or leave a message on my office phone (933-7894). You may also refer to the class website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com.

¡Saludos!

Señora Rucker

Indian Education Update
by Mrs. Chang, IE Teacher Instructional Assistant

November was Native American Heritage Month, giving us an opportunity to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Mrs. Miles, Eastern LMC Paraprofessional, created a library window display for Native American books and artifacts. The Indian Education department very generously donated 5 copies of five different books to all TCAPS elementary school libraries. The following books are now available in the Eastern library for all students to check out:
Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws, Boozhoo, Come Play With Us, Life In An Anishinabe Camp, Nations of the Western Great Lakes, and The Seven Fires, An Ojibway Prophecy.

New Native American Stories for the Eastern Elementary Library! Pictured: front row: Matthew G., Michael D., Nishiimeneh D., Destiny G.; second row: Dustin W., Christopher M., Matthew O., Jason O., Mrs. Miles. Not pictured: Abigail W., Seth J.

 

Thank You’s
Thank you to Jen Galan for organizing the Gift of Giving Auction. Everyone who attended had a fabulous time socializing with Eastern families and raising money for our PTO.

Thanks, too, to Heather Allen for coordinating Eastern’s tree in the Zonta Festival of Trees last month. And just in case you didn’t get a chance to see the tree while it was on display, we’ve included a photo for you in this newsletter. Great job everyone!

Thank you to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments for their generous donation of books to TCAPS students. Our first and second graders received a copy of Jennifer Karen Sidford’s book, The Bear Who Loves Halloween. Also, all PreK teachers were given a copy of the book for their classrooms and three copies were given to each of the elementary school libraries.

All-City Choir Members
Congratulations to the following Eastern students for their participation in the All-City Choir: Eleanor Stevenson, Hannah Pierce, Taylor Norton, and Cameron Dalley. You did a wonderful job representing Eastern!

Book Fair/Family Friday
Winter weather is perfect for snuggling up with a good book – so be sure to stop in at Eastern’s Book Fair. This event begins December 5 and runs through December 16. Proceeds benefit the library. New this year is an online shopping option. Please look for more detailed information soon.

Eastern’s PTO will also hold a Family Friday on December 9. This is a great opportunity to shop in the library and enjoy family activities in the gym. Family Friday will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Please call Heather Asiala (947-2565) or Jill Jenkins (929-9176) for more information.

Eastern Students Create Holiday Cards for Residents
Eleven Eastern classes are making holiday cards for the Commission on Aging. Eastern students are making over 250 cards to be delivered to local seniors this holiday season. Several classes have partnered up together to make their cards as a "big buddy" event, and students are really enjoying the opportunity to spread a little holiday cheer to other people in our community. Eastern’s “Big Buddy” program allows our Upper Elementary students to work with Kindergarteners on a variety of projects throughout the year.

The Commission on Aging will be picking up our cards on December 2. Eastern’s coordinator for this project, Jackie Stremlow, said: “This is the biggest turnout we've had with the card making and it is greatly appreciated!”

Thanks to Ms. Stremlow for working so diligently on this project.

Teacher Wish Lists
Looking for that perfect holiday gift for a teacher or other staff member but not sure what to buy? Please check out the “Teacher Wish Lists” stockings in the school’s front hallway. Finding the perfect gift will be a snap. Teachers have made their wish lists based on classroom needs.

Please note that the Teacher Wish Lists are simply suggestions and ideas. Participation in this Eastern holiday tradition is completely voluntary. No child or family should, in any way, feel obligated to purchase gifts for staff members.

Thank you to Kate Parvel for organizing this event.

Winter Weather Clothes Policy
Please make sure your children are well prepared for the cold winter weather.

During snowy weather, grades preschool-2 must wear snow pants and boots in order to leave the blacktop area.

In grades 3-5, students will suffer the “natural consequences” of their clothing choices. In other words, they will not be disciplined or restricted because of their winter clothing choices, but they will also not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items or call home for dry clothing. (May we suggest extra dry socks, etc. in the backpack or locker?)

If the student’s choices begin to interfere with his or her learning, we will impose consequences and work with parents to ensure that productive learning can take place. Thanks for your help with this matter.

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Tricks for Troops Results
Congratulations Eastern families! We surpassed our candy goal for the Trick-or-Treat for Troops program by collecting 120 pounds of candy. Last year we collected 76 pounds and this year we had hoped to collect 100 pounds. Thanks so much to all of the students – and community members – who brought in candy. And a BIG thank you to Jackie Stremlow and her kindergarten class for organizing this effort and weighing the candy. Special, special thanks to Owen Hansen and his family for starting this project three years ago.

Preschool Holiday Program
Save the date for the Preschool Holiday Music Program: Tuesday, December 6, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The concert will take place in the gym; light refreshments will be served in the cafeteria immediately following the performance. The music portion of the event will last about 20 minutes.

Open Gyms Scheduled
Open gym nights for December will be December 6, 13, and 20. January dates are the 3, 10, 17, and 31. These nights are open to students in grades 3-5. Remember: Students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Cold Weather Clothing
Parents: Please, please make sure your students are well prepared for the colder weather that hits us sporadically. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items once they are out to recess. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation from home. And remember to label your child’s clothing – items on our lost and found table are already piling up!

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Hola EASTERN Familias! We have had another busy month in Spanish class. We have finished our first unit of study by introducing shapes, emotions and articles. Later this month, we will be discussing the Hispanic holiday of Las Posadas and studying The Legend of the Poinsettia.

CAAP ASSESSMENT: In the middle of November students completed the first CAAP for Spanish class. The children were given random colors, letters and numbers to tell a teacher. They were also asked four greeting questions. They LOVED showing off all the Spanish they know! Look for El Pasaporte (the passport) coming home with your child’s CAAP score. If your child scored low on an area, SOL would be a great way to gain practice!

REPORT CARDS: You will find your child’s grades for Spanish class on the Classroom Report Card. Please take note, that at this early stage of second language learning, it is very common for MOST children to be at a “developing and learning” level.

MOODLE: SOL (Spanish On-Line) assignments have included lessons 1 through 10. These lessons can be done at least twice a week for extra practice. Remember that lessons will be assigned on the last day of your child's weekly Spanish class. PLEASE HELP REMIND YOUR CHILD TO BRING BINDERS HOME AND RETURN THEM TO SCHOOL BEFORE NEXT SPANISH CLASS! The binder is an important resource your child will use, throughout elementary school, while learning Spanish.

EASTERN STARS (3rd-5th Graders) Binders’ home on THURSDAYS and return to school by TUESDAYS.

Please check out our new Elementary World Language Class Website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com. Here you will find weekly SOL lessons, classroom happenings, & the link to Moodle. If you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me at: ruckertr@tcaps.net or call voice mail at: 933-7894.
I wish your family love and peace this holiday season!
Feliz Navidad,
Señora Rucker ☺

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Charma Brian and Nancy Denison for working on the school gardens over spring break. The gardens look beautiful!

Thank you to Sandie Ramsay for organizing the Eastern “Star Writers” book. This publication of student writing is a treasure and would not happen without Sandie’s hard work!

Thank you Heather Asiala for stepping up to organize the upper elementary talent show, scheduled for May 30.

Eastern Choice Award Winners Announced
The Eastern Choice Awards were held on Friday, April 20. Thank you to Suzanne VanderKlipp and the library club making this special event. And special thanks to Sue Miles for all her help.

The winners are:

• Best Performance by Cooperating Animals in a Picture Book: Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship
• Best Performance by a Dr. Seuss Book: Green Eggs and Ham
• Best Performance by a Firefighter in a Picture Book: Clifford, the Firehouse Dog
• Best Performance by End Papers in a Dr. Seuss Book: There’s a Wocket in My Pocket
• Best Performance by a Pig in a Picture Book: Elephant and Piggie: I Am Going
• Best Performance by a Penguin in a Picture Book: Don’t Be Afraid, Little Pip
• Best Performance by an Animal Character in a Mo Willems Book: Pigeon in Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
• Best Performance by an Animal in a Chapter Book: Dolphin Tale: A Tale of True Friendship
• Best Performance by a Talking Animal in a Folk or Fairytale (tie): The Three Swingin’ Pigs AND Zomo the Rabbit
• Best Performance by a Toy in a Chapter Book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
• Best Performance by a Comedy in a Chapter Book: How to Eat Fried Worms
• Best Performance by a Book’s Cover: Guiness World Records 2012

End-of-Year Activities Scheduled
The All-School Picnic will be held Wednesday, May 30, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Please note that the food line will only be open from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM – so please plan accordingly. Look for order forms to come home later this month.

The Upper Elementary Talent Show, for students in grades 4-5, will be held Wednesday, May 30, at 1:15 PM. Parents are encouraged to stay after the picnic for the talent show.

Field Day will be held Thursday, May 31.

Eastern will be hosting a “Walk to School” day on Wednesday, June 6. Please plan to walk to and from school that day!

Wings of Wonder Visits Eastern

 
Wings of Wonder visited Eastern’s 4th grade science classrooms last month. Wings of Wonder is a non-profit raptor sanctuary located in Empire, Michigan. Active since 1990, their primary mission is education. Wings of Wonder presents almost 150 educational programs annually throughout Michigan, reaching almost 10,000 people each year. Rebecca Lessard’s presentations are designed to foster appreciation, understanding, honor, and respect for raptors and the important role these birds play in healthy ecosystems. Wings of Wonder is also a raptor rehabilitation and release facility. This was an amazing visit that worked wonderfully with our current "Relations & Requirement of Living Things" Science unit. This warm welcome from Rebecca Lessard and her raptors (3) was an amazing way for students to see, up-close our wildlife in Michigan relating to our curriculum.

 

Star Writer Artists Announced
The winners of the “Star Writers” art contest were announced. The “Star Writers” book will be published later this month. The following students will have their artwork displayed in the book:

• Front Cover: Emma Bowes, 4th grade
• Back Cover: Emma Dutmers, 5th grade
• Dividers: 
  • Georgia Heintz, 3rd grade
  • Olivia Niessink, 3rd grade
  • Sara Fox, 3rd grade
  • Stevie Mast, 3rd grade
  • Taylor Norton, 4th grade
  • Sydney Zrimec, 3rd grade

Make sure to return the order forms for the books!

Eastern Students Hit Homerun with Beach Bums
Eastern had 172 students participate in the Beach Bums reading program. Out of the 172 students, 143 hit homeruns! Earning a homerun means that a student read 20 books or 2,000 pages. Way to go Eastern stars!

Teacher Academy Host Teachers
Five Eastern teachers are hosts to the TBA’s Teacher Academy program. This program pairs high school students interested in pursuing a career in teaching with established teachers. Participating in this program were Ms. Israel, Mrs. Radakovich, Mrs. LaBarre, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Welch.

Way to Grow Playgroup
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month & offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too.

Wear you comfy shoes and join us at playgroup on Tuesday, May 15, from 10:00 AM -11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 231-360-7572.

Important Safety Issues in Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to drop off their kids in front of the school doors. You must drop off from the opposite side of the island; you cannot pull into the bus lane.

Cars are not allowed to park in front of the paved path (at the bottom of the hill). This is dangerous to bikers. Also, bikers must walk their bikes on school property. These are rules that help keep bikers, drivers, and walkers safe, and we expect everyone to follow these rules.

End-of-Day Phone Calls
Please remember that phone calls made to the office for change in dismissal plans need to be made no later than 3:00 p.m. While we strive to accommodate last-minute changes, we ask that you make every effort to call by 3:00 p.m., as we cannot guarantee that messages left after that time will be heard.

Preschool Openings for 2012/2013
Do you have a wee one at home who would love to attend preschool next year? There are openings for this fall at Eastern. If you want more information, please contact Tracy Welch at 933-1665.

The Bullycide Project - May 22, 6:00 PM

 

The Bullycide Project is a play based on the book Bullycide in America, written by mothers who have lost a child to suicide due to excessive bullying. The play chronicles stories of bullycide, as well as additional stories from the perspectives of the bully, the bystander, the person who stands up to bullying, and the parents.

The play is showing at Lars Hockstad Auditorium, Central Grade School, 301 W. 7th Street. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Show starts at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Orchard Creek Assisted Living on Cherry Bend Road, The Copy Shop on 8th Street, and Floor Covering B rokers on South Airport Road.

Proceeds from this event will benefit TCAPS anti-bullying initiatives. Contact Dale Chilcote at dale@orchardcreektc.com or visit www.thebullycideproject.com for more information.

Eastern LEAP Updates
Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins at tony.jenkins@charter.net, 944-8487 or 929-9176.

Grand Slam for TCAPS – 1st Annual Wuerfel Park Fundraiser for TCAPS K-12 Sports: Saturday, July 28, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Come join the fun at Wuerfel Park on Saturday, July 28th, and help raise funds for TCAPS sports programs. Enjoy carnival games, sports clinics, and a silent auction at this rain or shine event. Tickets are only $5.00. Every ticket is an entry for the Grand Slam Grand Prize! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to TCAPS K-12 sports as well as 100% of the silent auction proceeds. Call 231.943.0100 for more information or to order your tickets today! Click here to learn more or purchase tickets.  

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
Estimadas Eastern Familias,

¡Buenos (as)! It seems amazing we are wrapping up the school year already! The students have soaked up so much Spanish it has been fun to watch. They have a great number of questions that they can ask and answer, such as:

¿Cuál es tu nacionalidad? What is your nationality? 

¿Dónde vives? Where do you live? 

¿Te gusta Michgan State? Do you like Michigan State?

¿Cuál es tu numero de teléfono? What’s your phone number?

¿Cuál es tu color favorito? What’s your favorite color?

¿Qué es esto? What’s this?

¿Cuál es tu nombre? What is your name?

¿Dónde esta…? Where is…?

The students have wrapped up their work with La entrevista (the interview) and many of them even memorized it! Upper Elementary students wrote & performed their own interviews. You can share it with your child by going to Moodle-SOL lesson #15.

Upper Elementary has also learned how to use a headset to record their voices on Moodle-SOL. Energy levels were high as they spoke into the microphones and subsequently listened to themselves speak Spanish. There is one more CAAP assessment this year in which the speaking and listening portions will be completed on the laptops, with Moodle-SOL- an exciting technology application for TCAPS Elementary World Language.

The students have enjoyed their writing activities in “El Diario.” It has given them an opportunity to write simple sentences and to express them in Spanish- something they do proudly. They even had a chance to report “Nieve” (snow) as the weather in mid-April!

As always, if you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me (ruckertr@tcaps.net) or check out my classroom website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com

Hasta Luego,

Señora Rucker

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Shelly Morey and Leslie Howard for pinch-hitting in the lunchroom. You were both a tremendous help and we very much appreciate that you volunteered to help us! And welcome to Tim Pence for joining the noon duty squad!

Thank you Fern Spence, Karen Windholz, and Sonja Olshove for organizing the lower el talent show. Congratulations to the participants, too. What a talented crew we have at Eastern! Also, special thanks to Heather Asiala for her help with the show!

Thank you Sue Chang for organizing the Eastern Garage Sale on April 14.

Vote for Eastern PSAs This Month!
Help our Eastern filmmakers earn money for the classroom by voting everyday for their Public Service Announcements! Voting runs from April 6 through April 27. The PSAs were created by students in Mrs. McDougall and Mrs. Nelson’s classes as part of the Eastern Heroes project.

You can vote for the Eastern PSAs by going to the following website: www.meijergreatchoices.com. You can vote more than once, but you can only vote once a day. So be sure to get online everyday and vote – because the winners are selected by online, popular vote.

First place is awarded a $500 classroom grant and a visit to the winner’s banquet. Second through fourth place receives a $200 classroom grant.

Congratulations to Mrs. Kolle

 
Eastern teacher Renee Kolle, along with her husband, Bryant, welcomed daughter Gisella Summer on February 24. Baby Gisella was 9 pounds, 7 ounces and 21.5 inches long. Congratulations to your beautiful family!

Prince and Princess Announced

 
First graders Joe Muha and Isabella Covert will be representing Eastern Elementary this year in the Cherry Festival. Special thanks to the Muha and Covert families for taking on the responsibility of creating the float for this year. And thanks, too, to the many first-grade families who we know will volunteer to help with the float!

Eastern Choice Awards April 20
The 4th Annual Eastern Choice Awards are scheduled for April 20, at 2:10 p.m. To check out the nominees, just visit the Eastern Library Facebook page. Some of this year’s categories include “Best Performance by a Pig in a Picture Book,” “Best Performance by a Talking Animal in a Folk or Fairytale,” and many, many more.

Library club members will present the awards. Families are strongly encouraged to attend the event.

Trash to Treasures Sale Slated for April 14
Clean out your closets and help Eastern at the same time! We’re having an all-school garage sale Saturday, April 14, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern families can start dropping off items Friday, April 13, at 9:00 a.m.

Please consider volunteering to help with this event. Call Sue Chang at 947-8946 to volunteer.

Star Writers Books Need Artwork
Eastern will once again be publishing the Star Writers book. As in previous years, students will be able to enter an art contest for the front and back covers of the book. All art entries must include the title of the book (Eastern Star Writers) the school year (2011-2012), and the student’s name and grade. Entries are due by April 13 and will be selected by April 20.

Thank you to Sandie Ramsay for volunteering to coordinate and organize this wonderful collection of student writing.

Eastern OM Teams Shine
Congratulations to Eastern’s three Odyssey of the Mind teams for shining performances at the regional competition. Special kudos go to the 4th grade team for advancing to the State Meet in April. Team members include: Maggie Cooney, Ella Stepan, Henry Parvel, Nick Sommerfield, and Macey Waskiewicz. This team is coached by Karin Cooney and Cathy Sommerfield. Break a leg!

Eastern’s 3rd grade team also performed well. Team members include: Oliver Phillips, Libby Hall, Jesse Russell, Evelyn Allen, Kyle Naperela, Rachel Raniszewski, and Kyla Welch. Coaches were Jennisse Phillips and Heather Allen.

The Eastern primary team also had a great first experience with OM. Team members were Olivia Strom, Zoe Galan, Parker Waskiewicz, Lily Jenkins, George Parvel, Scott Harvey, and Emily Hart. Coaches were Amy Strom and Missy Waskiewicz.

Sock Drive a Hopping Success
Mrs. Turnquist and Mrs. LaCross would like to thank everyone for the successful sock drive. Eastern families donated over 400 pairs of socks. The socks were donated to the Goodwill Inn and Women’s Resource Center.

Congratulations to the classes of Mrs. Radakovich, Mrs. Feaster, and Mrs. Welch for donating the most socks – and for winning the pizza party. Big thanks to Hungry Howie’s for donating the pizza for the party.

Way to Grow Playgroup
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month & offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too.

Wear you comfy shoes and join us at playgroup on Tuesday, April 17 and May 15, from 10:00 AM -11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 231-360-7572.

Important Safety Issues in Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to drop off their kids in front of the school doors. You must drop off from the opposite side of the island; you cannot pull into the bus lane.

Also, cars are not allowed to park in front of the paved path (at the bottom of the hill). This is dangerous to bikers. Also, bikers must walk their bikes on school property. These are rules that help keep bikers, drivers, and walkers safe, and we expect everyone to follow these rules.

Preschool Openings for 2012/2013
Do you have a wee one at home who would love to attend preschool next year? There are openings for this fall at Eastern. If you want more information, please contact Tracy Welch at 933-1665.

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Feliz Primavera! Happy Spring, it is hard to believe we are in our last trimester of the school year... time flies when you having fun! Before Spring Break we were working on La Entrevista (the interview) with a partner and performing it in front of the class. Students are also continuing to write in Mi Diario (my diary) on a regular basis. We are introducing new conversation starters with questions and answers like ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?) and ¿Qué necesitas? (What do you need?). It is wonderful to see the kids incorporating the Spanish words they are comfortable with into their daily routines. We finished up with the body parts. Did you get a chance to hear them sing the song? It is a lot of fun when they point to the body parts and sing along with the song.

CAAP II Scores: The second CAAP assessment was given at the end of February and this time you received a letter from the World Language Department with your children’s II CAAP scores. We will take one more CAAP assessment in May for this school year.

SOL: I encourage the children to review the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing SOL (Spanish on Line) lessons on Moodle. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assigned lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time is provided at school to access the site. We plan to continue to use one class per month to work on these lessons at school.

As always, if you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me (ruckertr@tcaps.net ) or check out my classroom website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com

Happy Spring,

Señora Rucker

Eastern LEAP Updates
Congratulations to Eastern’s volleyball teams for a successful season. One 4th grade team and one 5th grade team advanced to the semi-final round – yahoo!

Track season started Monday! Thank you Tess Hetzel and Shelly Morey for volunteering to coach this great group of kids. If you are interested in watching the Eastern kids run, head out to East Middle School on one of the following Thursdays: April 19, April 26, May 3, and/or May 10. All meets start at 5:00 PM. The All-City meet is scheduled for May 14-16.

Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins at tony.jenkins@charter.net or 929-9176.

Registration for Grades 2-5 Co-ed Spring Tennis is now open. Sign up by Friday, April 13.

Grades 2-3 Tennis will begin Friday, May 4. Cost is $25 Practices run after school on Friday afternoons for the month of May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

Grades 4-5 Tennis will begin Wednesday, May 2. Cost is $60. Practices run after school on Wednesday afternoons for the month of May. Matches will be held on three Fridays in May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

To register, pay online, or for additional information for any LEAP program, please visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP. Registration deadlines are final. No late registrations will be accepted. Scholarships are available to those with specific financial needs. For additional questions please contact the LEAP office at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722.

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Karen Mast for organizing the Eastern carnival. This was a fun night for families and a terrific fund-raiser for the 5th grade.

Thank you Fern Spence for organizing the Lower El Talent Show. This is a great opportunity for our young students to show off their talents!

Thank you to the many, many families who supplied dinner for teachers during parent-teachers conferences. These delicious meals were very much appreciated. Special thanks to Amy Strom for coordinating these meals.

Important Safety Issues in Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to drop off their kids in front of the school doors. You must drop off from the opposite side of the island; you cannot pull into the bus lane.

Also, cars are not allowed to park in front of the paved path (at the bottom of the hill). This is dangerous to bikers. Also, bikers must walk their bikes on school property. These are rules that help keep bikers, drivers, and walkers safe, and we expect everyone to follow these rules.

End-of-Day Phone Calls
Please remember that phone calls made to the office for change in dismissal plans need to be made no later than 3:00 p.m. While we strive to accommodate last-minute changes, we ask that you make every effort to call by 3:00 p.m., as we cannot guarantee that messages left after that time will be heard.

Congratulations to Ms. Stremlow
Kindergarten teacher Jackie Stremlow recently earned funding through DonorsChoose.org for a classroom project called “Help Me Retell Some of My Favorite Stories.” Items included in this project are various storytelling kits and puppets. Congratulations to Ms. Stremlow!

Lower El Music Program March 15
The music program for grades 1-2 is scheduled for March 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be a dress rehearsal at 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon; parents and community members are welcome to attend.

Star Writers Books Need Artwork
Eastern will once again be publishing the Star Writers book. As in previous years, students will be able to enter an art contest for the front and back covers of the book. All art entries must include the title of the book (Eastern Star Writers) the school year (2011-2012), and the student’s name and grade. Entries are due by April 13 and will be selected by April 20.

Thank you to Sandie Ramsay for volunteering to coordinate and organize this wonderful collection of student writing.

Preschool Openings for 2012/2013
Do you have a wee one at home who would love to attend preschool next year? There are openings for this fall at Eastern. If you want more information, please contact Tracy Welch at 933-1665.

Congratulations Marek Family

Kindergarten teacher Sarah Marek welcomed a new addition to her family. Austin Kenneth Marek was born January 24th. He was 9 lbs 4 oz. Sarah and husband Paul also have a two-year-old son, Alex. We look forward to welcoming two more Eastern stars in the future!

Spelling Bee Stars

Congratulations to the following Eastern stars for their stellar performance in the Grand Traverse County Spelling Bee: Marley Meindertsma, Alex Olin, Taylor Norton, Emma Dutmers, Jazmyn Correll, and Ryan Zrimec.

Lower El Talent Show March 22
The talent show for students in grades 1-3 is scheduled for March 22, at 2:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to attend this very popular event!

Way to Grow Playgroup
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month & offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too.

Wear you comfy shoes and join us at playgroup on Tuesday, March 13th, from 10:00 AM -11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 231-360-7572.

Spring Break is Almost Here
Just a reminder: Thursday, March 22, is a full day, and there will be no school on Friday, March 23. Students will be on break the following week and will return to school April 2. Have a safe and enjoyable time with your family!

Daylight Savings Time
Daylight Savings Time will begin Sunday, March 11. Remember to set those clocks ahead one hour!

Open Gym Nights in March
Open gym nights will continue through March on the following Tuesdays: March 6, 13, and 20. These events run from 7:00 o.m. to 8:15 p.m. Please remember that parent supervision is required; this is not a “drop off” event.

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
Estimadas Eastern Familias,
¡Buenos(as)! Isn’t it difficult to believe that March is upon us? The school year will be over before we know! It has been such an honor to witness the enthusiasm the students have to further their Spanish vocabulary. How remarkable it is that for some students, Spanish is the third language they are learning to speak. It is no wonder the libraries are embracing a GO GLOBAL theme for the month of March! Whether it is their second or third language, the students’ progress to date has been impressive. How lucky I feel to be on this journey with them!

I enjoyed seeing some of you at conferences, as well as meeting some of you for the first time. If you were not able to visit please feel free to email (ruckertr@tcaps.net) or a voice message (933-7894) with any questions or concerns you might have.

The second CAAP test was given last month! Hopefully your child(ren) shared the results with you. If not, the blue test copy should have been sent home. Unlike the first test last November, this test required the students to speak and write in Spanish - a bit more challenging! If you see room for improvement encourage your child(ren) to practice online using the SOL lessons: http://moodle.tcaps.net. I plan to continue to use one class per month to work on these lessons at school.

The students have been honing their acting skills during their work with La Entrevista (The Interview) skit over the last couple of weeks. The skit is set-up as a question/answer session between two people and conveniently includes much of the vocabulary they have learned to date. In order to prepare, they watched a DVD of the skit being performed while lip-syncing the words in the subtitles, repeated the dialogue together as a class, and practiced reading and performing it with a partner. Hollywood here they come!

The students have added Diario sheets to their binders to act as an informal writing journal. Each entry will allow them to practice writing the date in Spanish, circle an appropriate weather condition for the day, indicate how they are feeling, as well as offer space for them to respond to a teacher-prompted question. Don’t expect a novel or even a paragraph at this point! A simple sentence that allows them to express their opinion is the goal.

Think spring,
Señora Rucker
http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
On March 6, Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver a presentation on “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents” from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. The presentation will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

Eastern LEAP Update
The volleyball season will be wrapping up the weekend of March 17. Congratulations the 4th and 5th grade students who participated in this fun season. Special thanks to following parents who volunteered to coach: Jon Asiala, Kristin Sonnemann-Grams, and Steve Pierce.

4th & 5th Grade Track & Field: Elementary Track & Field begins Monday, April 2nd. Cost is $50 per student. Registration and payment deadline is Thursday, March 22nd. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Tony Jenkins.

Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins at tony.jenkins@charter.net or 929-9176.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

 

Student Count Day – February 8th
Every school day is important to your child’s learning! Count Day on Wednesday, February 8th, determines funding amounts, based on student attendance, that help schools pay for many academic programs and services. Help your school by being in school on Count Day. In the event school is closed on Feb. 8th, then count day will take place on the following school day.
 

Thank You’s
Thank you to Jackie Stremlow and Heather Asiala for organizing Sue Miles’s farewell assembly. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to give Mrs. Miles a proper goodbye.

Thank you Terri Lutes for working so hard to create beautiful messages on Eastern’s outdoor chalkboard. Who knew messages could look so artistic!

Parent Meeting for 2012/2013 Kindergarteners
If you have an incoming kindergarten student for next school year, then please plan to attend Eastern’s informational parent meeting on Tuesday, February 21, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Families will learn about the kindergarten curriculum, meet Eastern teachers and staff, and sign up for round-up times and classroom visitation times. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like more information, please contact the main office at 933-1660.

Congratulations to Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Karen Smith worked with DonorsChoose.org to earn a grant for a classroom project called “Tuning into the Cyber World.” Supplies for the project included 25 headphones and a microphone. Mrs. Smith and her third grade students are grateful for the generous support of this organization and look forward to utilizing this technology in the classroom.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Please make every effort to attend your scheduled parent-teacher conference. Communication is a key component of a strong parent-teacher relationship. Let’s work together to provide the best for our students.

Eastern Carnival - February 17
Get ready for fun at Eastern’s annual carnival. The carnival, hosted by the 5th grade class, is scheduled for Friday, February 17, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. There will be many great activities, including a bounce house, cake walk, superstar salon, and more. Pizza will also be sold. Tickets for the event will be sold at the door.

If you have any gently used stuffed animals that haven’t been getting the love they deserve lately, please donate them to our critter cave. There will be a box labeled in the lobby of the school. As a courtesy, we ask that you only donate those that you wouldn’t mind if your own child brought home.

Please call Karen Mast for more information (929-7180).

Lost and Found Items to be Donated
Please make sure to check the lost and found table regularly! We will be donating everything after the last parent-teacher conference date (February 16). And remember to label your child’s clothing – that makes it much easier for us to make sure things get returned.

Sock Hop Lunch - February 24
Eastern’s fabulous kitchen staff is organizing a special sock hop-themed lunch for Friday, February 24. This will also be Eastern’s Hungry Howie Pizza Day – so it’s sure to be a fun lunch. To go along with the sock hop, the kitchen is also organizing a sock drive for the month of February. If you are able to donate new socks, we would greatly appreciate it. Please bring the socks in to your child’s classroom teacher.

Students are encouraged to dress up for the sock hop, too – so break out those poodle skirts and peg those jeans. A big thanks to JoEllen Turnquist and Vicki LaCross, our kitchen staff, for taking the time to plan this special event for Eastern students!

Open Gyms Scheduled
Students in grades 3-5 are invited to attend family open gym nights from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM on the following Tuesday evenings: February 7, 14, and 21. There will be no open gym on February 28. Remember, students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Help Needed for Lower El Talent Show
The talent show for students in grades K-3 is scheduled for March 22 at 2:30 p.m., but we currently have no volunteer to organize the show. Without a volunteer, the talent show will not be held. If you are interested in helping with this wonderful, popular event, please contact the front office at 933-1660. Thanks in advance for your support!

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Hola! This month, students will be taking the second CAAP assessment of the school year. I encourage all students to practice the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing Señor SOL lessons on Moodle at http://moodle.tcaps.net. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assign lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time can be provided at school to access the site. Please remember that you may just initial the lessons completed in your child’s Communicator. Please be sure your child writes the lesson number down that was completed. Please continue to sign your initials as your child completes the weekly lessons.

I will be at EASTERN on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, from 4:40 PM to 7:40 PM for parent/teacher conferences. My office is located in the gym. If you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me at ruckertr@tcaps.net or leave a message on my office phone (933-7894). You may also refer to the class website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com.

¡Saludos!
Señora Rucker

Heroes In Our Community Information
Heroes In Our Community is back and in full swing. For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, Heroes started last year and is an initiative that brings students, teachers, staff, and parents together to learn about civic responsibility, take social action, and make a difference in the Traverse City community and/or in communities around the world.

Teams (grouped by classes) have identified topics/causes they are interested in learning about and supporting. Each team develops a curriculum and service project to help support their topic/cause. Guest speakers and readers support our team with information that educates, motivates, and assists the team with their project. Parent volunteers support with both the curriculum and service project. We are in need of parent help with every project. If you are able to volunteer your time, please contact Jen Dutmers at 631-1845, or via email at jigsduts@gmail.com. To view detailed project overviews and event calendars for each team, go to our PTO website at http://easternpto.weebly.com/heroes-in-our-community.html.

Here is a list of this year’s Hero teams and their projects!

Mrs. Feaster’s & Mrs. Welch’s Preschool Team: The Nature Nurturers
Our preschoolers are teaming up again this year to learn about and help the environment. The group will learn about different types of habitats and their importance in our ecosystem, and how we can support the stewardship of our environment. Through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, they will learn about work being done to support the connection of people and nature and will execute a project to support the Conservancy’s efforts.

Miss Stremlow’s & Mrs. Marek’s Kindergarten Team: Kinder Cares
Our Kindergartners will form a connection with a Senior in our community through a partnership with Hope Village. Each week, the Kinder Cares team will receive a visit from their “Kinder Buddy” (a resident from Hope Village). The team will learn about history related through the personal experience of their Kinder Buddy. They will get a glimpse of the mutually beneficial relationship that can be achieved between people of different ages, and they will celebrate their friendship at a Kinder Cares-sponsored bingo tournament at Hope Village in March.

Mrs. Mueller’s 1st Grade & Mrs. Radakovich’s 1st/2nd Grade Team: Pals for Peace
Pals for Peace is partnering with Jeff Haas and his organization called Building Bridges With Music. Building Bridges with Music impacts attitudes and behaviors of youth and adults through interactive workshops and accompanying curriculum. Their purpose is to promote open-mindedness, tolerance, understanding, acceptance and peace, thereby reducing bullying, prejudice, hatred, and violence. Our Pals will learn about and understand diversity and the importance of open-mindedness. Working with Jeff and his group, they will help promote open-mindedness, tolerance, understanding, acceptance and peace in order to reduce bullying and prejudice.

Mrs. LaBarre’s 2nd Grade Team, Helping Hoofs & Mrs. Rogers’ Fourth Grade Team: Horse Rescue Force
Supporting Animals and People in Need
Our second and fourth grade teams will partner with Peace Ranch. Peace Ranch is a equine assisted therapy center committed to the restoration and transformation of people struggling with psychological, emotional, and physical challenges. They use rescued and “throw away” horses that have been rehabilitated through natural, relationship based training for use in therapy programs. Working with Peace Ranch, our teams will learn about rescue animals – how they are found, rescued, and rehabilitated. They will also learn about Peace Ranch – how they find their horses, how they train them and take care of them, and how the horses are used to help people. The Helping Hoofs and the Horse Rescue Force will co-host an event with Peace Ranch to share what they’ve learned, and to support the efforts of Peace Ranch through a student art auction.

Mrs. Mattarella’s & Mrs. Smith’s Third Grades: Food Forever
Our Third graders will partner with Food Rescue (an arm of Goodwill Industries), MSU Extension Program, Michigan Land Use Institute, Food Corps, and local farmers from Leelanau County to learn about the issues of nutrition, farming, hunger, and about what is being done in our community to feed and educate people in need. They’ll have lesson and hands-on training on nutrition and cooking to learn about feeding your body and brain for health and energy. They will meet with local farmers to learn how farmers are helping support people in need. Finally, they will co-host an event with Food Rescue to share what they’ve learned and to support the efforts of Food Rescue through a student art auction.

Mrs. Kolle & Mrs. Nelson’s 4/5 Team: The Bandaids
Mrs. Kolle’s 4/5th grade class and Mrs. Nelson’s 5th graders will work together this year to help children who are suffering from illness and disease. Our team will be partnering with a regional children’s hospital to meet children being cared for by the hospital, to learn about what they are being treated for and treatments/cures, and to build relationships and offer support to these children and their families through letters and cards, poems, homemade videos, and more. The team will host a fundraiser this spring to benefit either the hospital unit or organizations picked by children from the hospital.

Winter Weather Clothes Policy
Please make sure your children are well prepared for the cold winter weather.

During snowy weather, grades preschool-2 must wear snow pants and boots in order to leave the blacktop area.

In grades 3-5, students will suffer the “natural consequences” of their clothing choices. In other words, they will not be disciplined or restricted because of their winter clothing choices, but they will also not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items or call home for dry clothing. (May we suggest extra dry socks, etc. in the backpack or locker?)

If the student’s choices begin to interfere with his or her learning, we will impose consequences and work with parents to ensure that productive learning can take place. Thanks for your help with this matter.

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver presentations from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. Presentations will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, on the following dates:

February 7, “Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents”

March 6, “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents”

All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

Eastern LEAP Update
Volleyball season starts Monday, and we hope students, coaches, and parents have a wonderful season. Check the newsletter next time as we thank those who volunteered to coach. And it’s never to soon to start thinking about track. If you are interested in coaching, let us know.

Tony and Jill Jenkins will not be returning as Eastern LEAP liaisons next year. In order for Eastern to have sports teams, though, we need someone to volunteer for this position. To learn more, please contact Tony Jenkins (tony.jenkins@charter.net or 929-9176).


District LEAP Updates
4th & 5th Grade Co-Ed Volleyball practice begins Monday, February 6th.

Baseball Pitching Clinics available for students in Grades 2-12. Clinics begin Saturday, January 28, and are offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons through March 18. Students can participate anytime throughout the clinic dates, however parents should register prior to students attending their first clinic.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

 

Thank You’s
Thank you Kate Parvel for coordinating the Wish List Stockings for Eastern staff. Thanks, too, to the many families who purchased items for staff members. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to fourth-grade student Taylor Norton for winning this year’s Eastern Spelling Bee. Kudos, too, to fifth graders Emma Dutmers and Marley Meindertsma who finished second and third, respectively. Also representing Eastern at the County Bee will be fourth graders Jazmyn Correll and Alex Olin and fifth grader Ryan Zrimec. Jonah Elkins is the alternate. The County Bee will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 6:00 PM.

Special thanks to Terri Lutes and Heather Asiala for conducting the Bee and to Nancy Korbel for organizing it. Congratulations to every student who participated in the Bee. You should be very proud of yourselves!

Upper Elementary Music Program Scheduled
Be sure to mark your calendar for Eastern’s Upper Elementary Music Program. The program is scheduled for January 24, 2012, at 7:00 PM in the Eastern gym. Grades 3-5 will be participating. Please look for more information to be sent home soon. Along with singing, the students will also showcase recorders and play-party games. Please note that while the evening performance is the official show, the afternoon rehearsal that same day is open to family members.

K-9 Assembly Entertains Kids
Jet, a nine-year-old dog that is part of the Michigan State Police K9 unit, showed Eastern students his special skills at an assembly last month. Students loved watching how disciplined Jett was and how he was able to find hidden items in the Eastern gym. Students in grades preschool-2 saw a 30-minute presentation while students in grades 3-5 saw a 45-minute presentation.

Cherry Capital Chorus Sings for Eastern Students
Eastern students were entertained last month by the Cherry Capital Chorus. The men’s chorale group sang some holiday favorites, and the children very much enjoyed the show. The group put a fun twist on some classic carols and invited the kids to join in the singing.

Heroes Quilt for “Patches” on Display in Lobby
A quilt that Eastern students helped create last year as part of the Eastern Heroes Program will be on display in the school lobby for a limited amount of time. Last year’s second and third grade classes raised money for Patches, a stuffed bear distributed to military families with children who have either lost a parent in war or have a parent serving a long deployment. The bear is meant to help children express their feelings.

Along with raising approximately $4,000 for this project, student artwork was used to create a quilt. After the quilt leaves Eastern, it will travel to military bases and military support organizations. For more information, contact Jen Dutmers at 933-0907.

Way to Grow Play Date January 17
Did you know there are opportunities for even the youngest child at Eastern? The Way to Grow program offers gym playgroups for families who have children birth to five years of age. Playgroups are scheduled once a month and offer opportunities for you and your child a place to run, jump, play, and learn. It is also a great place for you to meet other parents with young children while giving your child experience in socializing too. Wear your comfy shoes and join us on Tuesday, January 17th from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM. For more information, please call Kelly BeVier at 360-7572.

Odyssey of the Mind Teams Formed
Eastern Elementary will have three teams representing it at the March Odyssey of the Mind competition. Thank you to the following parents who volunteered to coach teams: Missy Waskiewicz and Amy Strom, 2nd grade; Heather Allen and Jennise Phillips, 3rd grade; and Cathy Sommerfield and Karin Cooney, 4th grade. Best of luck to all of the participants!

Open Gyms Scheduled
Open gym nights for January will be January 3, 10, 17, and 31. These nights are open to students in grades 3-5. There is no open gym on January 24. Remember, students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Winter Weather Clothes Policy
Please make sure your children are well prepared for the cold winter weather.

During snowy weather, grades preschool-2 must wear snow pants and boots in order to leave the blacktop area.

In grades 3-5, students will suffer the “natural consequences” of their clothing choices. In other words, they will not be disciplined or restricted because of their winter clothing choices, but they will also not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items or call home for dry clothing. (May we suggest extra dry socks, etc. in the backpack or locker?)

If the student’s choices begin to interfere with his or her learning, we will impose consequences and work with parents to ensure that productive learning can take place. Thanks for your help with this matter.

Cold Weather Clothing
Parents: Please, please make sure your students are well prepared for the colder weather that hits us sporadically. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items once they are out to recess. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation from home. And remember to label your child’s clothing – items on our lost and found table are already piling up!


Eastern LEAP Update
Games for boys’ basketball season will kick off on Saturday, January 7. Eastern has 49 boys participating from grades 2-5. Thank you to the following parents for volunteering to coach: Matt Bourdo, Doug and Fern Spence, Todd Stachnik, Brian McCall, Chris Chang, Jennifer Gerling, and Frank Lyon.

If you have any questions, please contact LEAP reps Jill and Tony Jenkins (jilljenkins5@charter.net  or 929-9176).

4th & 5th Grade co-ed Volleyball registration is now open! Practice begins Monday, February 6th. Registration and payment deadline is Friday, January 27th by 3pm. No late registrations will be accepted.

Please visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP to register online or contact your LEAP School-Based Liaison for additional information.

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Bienvenido! Welcome back!

We are having a great time in Spanish. We spent this week reviewing what we learned before vacation. Students were introduced to shapes and emotions vocabulary. They learned that words in Spanish are either masculine or feminine. Usually masculine adjectives end in –o and feminine adjectives end with an –a. Students also learned how to answer some new questions: ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What is your favorite color?), ¿Te gusta…? (Do you like?) and ¿Qúe color es…? (What color is…?). We continue to review what we have learned since the beginning of the year.

Next month, students will be taking the next CAAP assessment. I encourage all students to practice the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing SOL lessons on Moodle. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assign lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time is provided at school to access the site.

If you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me at: ruckertr@tcaps.net or leave a message on my office phone (933-7894). You may also refer to the class website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com.

¡Saludos!

Señora Rucker

Indian Education Update
by Mrs. Chang, IE Teacher Instructional Assistant

November was Native American Heritage Month, giving us an opportunity to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Mrs. Miles, Eastern LMC Paraprofessional, created a library window display for Native American books and artifacts. The Indian Education department very generously donated 5 copies of five different books to all TCAPS elementary school libraries. The following books are now available in the Eastern library for all students to check out:
Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws, Boozhoo, Come Play With Us, Life In An Anishinabe Camp, Nations of the Western Great Lakes, and The Seven Fires, An Ojibway Prophecy.

New Native American Stories for the Eastern Elementary Library! Pictured: front row: Matthew G., Michael D., Nishiimeneh D., Destiny G.; second row: Dustin W., Christopher M., Matthew O., Jason O., Mrs. Miles. Not pictured: Abigail W., Seth J.

 

Thank You’s
Thank you to Jen Galan for organizing the Gift of Giving Auction. Everyone who attended had a fabulous time socializing with Eastern families and raising money for our PTO.

Thanks, too, to Heather Allen for coordinating Eastern’s tree in the Zonta Festival of Trees last month. And just in case you didn’t get a chance to see the tree while it was on display, we’ve included a photo for you in this newsletter. Great job everyone!

Thank you to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments for their generous donation of books to TCAPS students. Our first and second graders received a copy of Jennifer Karen Sidford’s book, The Bear Who Loves Halloween. Also, all PreK teachers were given a copy of the book for their classrooms and three copies were given to each of the elementary school libraries.

All-City Choir Members
Congratulations to the following Eastern students for their participation in the All-City Choir: Eleanor Stevenson, Hannah Pierce, Taylor Norton, and Cameron Dalley. You did a wonderful job representing Eastern!

Book Fair/Family Friday
Winter weather is perfect for snuggling up with a good book – so be sure to stop in at Eastern’s Book Fair. This event begins December 5 and runs through December 16. Proceeds benefit the library. New this year is an online shopping option. Please look for more detailed information soon.

Eastern’s PTO will also hold a Family Friday on December 9. This is a great opportunity to shop in the library and enjoy family activities in the gym. Family Friday will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Please call Heather Asiala (947-2565) or Jill Jenkins (929-9176) for more information.

Eastern Students Create Holiday Cards for Residents
Eleven Eastern classes are making holiday cards for the Commission on Aging. Eastern students are making over 250 cards to be delivered to local seniors this holiday season. Several classes have partnered up together to make their cards as a "big buddy" event, and students are really enjoying the opportunity to spread a little holiday cheer to other people in our community. Eastern’s “Big Buddy” program allows our Upper Elementary students to work with Kindergarteners on a variety of projects throughout the year.

The Commission on Aging will be picking up our cards on December 2. Eastern’s coordinator for this project, Jackie Stremlow, said: “This is the biggest turnout we've had with the card making and it is greatly appreciated!”

Thanks to Ms. Stremlow for working so diligently on this project.

Teacher Wish Lists
Looking for that perfect holiday gift for a teacher or other staff member but not sure what to buy? Please check out the “Teacher Wish Lists” stockings in the school’s front hallway. Finding the perfect gift will be a snap. Teachers have made their wish lists based on classroom needs.

Please note that the Teacher Wish Lists are simply suggestions and ideas. Participation in this Eastern holiday tradition is completely voluntary. No child or family should, in any way, feel obligated to purchase gifts for staff members.

Thank you to Kate Parvel for organizing this event.

Winter Weather Clothes Policy
Please make sure your children are well prepared for the cold winter weather.

During snowy weather, grades preschool-2 must wear snow pants and boots in order to leave the blacktop area.

In grades 3-5, students will suffer the “natural consequences” of their clothing choices. In other words, they will not be disciplined or restricted because of their winter clothing choices, but they will also not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items or call home for dry clothing. (May we suggest extra dry socks, etc. in the backpack or locker?)

If the student’s choices begin to interfere with his or her learning, we will impose consequences and work with parents to ensure that productive learning can take place. Thanks for your help with this matter.

Weather/School Updates
When the weather outside is frightful, just call 933-1955 to find out if school is open or closed. This number is the TCAPS Transportation Hotline, and it will have the most up-to-date information – not only about school closings but also about bus delays.

Tricks for Troops Results
Congratulations Eastern families! We surpassed our candy goal for the Trick-or-Treat for Troops program by collecting 120 pounds of candy. Last year we collected 76 pounds and this year we had hoped to collect 100 pounds. Thanks so much to all of the students – and community members – who brought in candy. And a BIG thank you to Jackie Stremlow and her kindergarten class for organizing this effort and weighing the candy. Special, special thanks to Owen Hansen and his family for starting this project three years ago.

Preschool Holiday Program
Save the date for the Preschool Holiday Music Program: Tuesday, December 6, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The concert will take place in the gym; light refreshments will be served in the cafeteria immediately following the performance. The music portion of the event will last about 20 minutes.

Open Gyms Scheduled
Open gym nights for December will be December 6, 13, and 20. January dates are the 3, 10, 17, and 31. These nights are open to students in grades 3-5. Remember: Students must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Cold Weather Clothing
Parents: Please, please make sure your students are well prepared for the colder weather that hits us sporadically. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the building for clothing items once they are out to recess. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation from home. And remember to label your child’s clothing – items on our lost and found table are already piling up!

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS
¡Hola EASTERN Familias! We have had another busy month in Spanish class. We have finished our first unit of study by introducing shapes, emotions and articles. Later this month, we will be discussing the Hispanic holiday of Las Posadas and studying The Legend of the Poinsettia.

CAAP ASSESSMENT: In the middle of November students completed the first CAAP for Spanish class. The children were given random colors, letters and numbers to tell a teacher. They were also asked four greeting questions. They LOVED showing off all the Spanish they know! Look for El Pasaporte (the passport) coming home with your child’s CAAP score. If your child scored low on an area, SOL would be a great way to gain practice!

REPORT CARDS: You will find your child’s grades for Spanish class on the Classroom Report Card. Please take note, that at this early stage of second language learning, it is very common for MOST children to be at a “developing and learning” level.

MOODLE: SOL (Spanish On-Line) assignments have included lessons 1 through 10. These lessons can be done at least twice a week for extra practice. Remember that lessons will be assigned on the last day of your child's weekly Spanish class. PLEASE HELP REMIND YOUR CHILD TO BRING BINDERS HOME AND RETURN THEM TO SCHOOL BEFORE NEXT SPANISH CLASS! The binder is an important resource your child will use, throughout elementary school, while learning Spanish.

EASTERN STARS (3rd-5th Graders) Binders’ home on THURSDAYS and return to school by TUESDAYS.

Please check out our new Elementary World Language Class Website at: http://senoraruckerspanishclass.weebly.com. Here you will find weekly SOL lessons, classroom happenings, & the link to Moodle. If you have any questions regarding la clase de español please email me at: ruckertr@tcaps.net or call voice mail at: 933-7894.
I wish your family love and peace this holiday season!
Feliz Navidad,
Señora Rucker ☺