First grade collaborators used their science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills to construct models showing how days and nights occur.
After reading Rocket Says Look Up in STEAM, second graders were challenged to construct cots for the girl in the story named Rocket because her neck was hurting from looking up at the night sky so much. They used their problem solving skills and cardboard connectors to keep Rocket up off the ground and comfortable!
Please plan to join us for our Annual Title 1 Night on Thursday September, 28th from 6:00-7:00 at South Elementary to learn about our Title programs at both schools!
We will have pizza and refreshments.
Students who turned in their Scholastic Summer Reading Journals will receive their certificate and prize. It's not too late to turn them in! Please do so by 9/27!
We will be giving away family novels.
Mrs. Hindbaugh-Marr will have the "blue blocks" to enjoy as well!
Our staff spotlight this week is on Jessica Baxter. This is Mrs. Baxter's second year at South Elementary, where she works as a paraprofessional in one of our GSRP classrooms. Jessica has lived in Ithaca all of her life and graduated from IHS in 1999.
Mrs. Baxter loves to travel and vacation with her family and she loves watching her son play football for the Ithaca Yellowjackets!
We are proud to announce that Mrs. Sarah Smith, our Title I/Reading Specialist here at South Elementary, has been selected as the 'Teacher of the Week'. WMLM and Michigan 1 Credit Union have teamed up to honor amazing teachers. Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Smith!
Mr. Whitford's classroom is truly blessed this year with resources from three different programs! Joining us throughout the week are Grandma Gayla from the Foster Grandparent Program, Miss Ellie Martyn from Alma College, Mr. Landon Styka, and Hayden Whitmore from the leadership class at Ithaca High School!
Welcome to Room #139!
Mr. Whitford's classroom recognized Constitution Day today!
We made our own rules and each student signed the contract!
Our staff spotlight this week is on Mrs. Groeneveld. She is a first grade teacher at South Elementary. Mrs. Groeneveld is excited to share that she and Mr. Groeneveld are expecting their first child in November!
Very proud of these kiddos in Mr. Whitford's classroom as they earn the "Cleanest Room" challenge this week! They have been encouraged to help Mr. Larry, our custodian, to keep their room clean before leaving at the end of each day! The trophy dust pan ("Mr. Dusty") gets to be displayed in the room this week as reminder of their accomplishment!
Join us at NORTH Elementary for the first PTO meeting of the year on Monday.
Second graders created and tested "smelling tools" like Ada did in the story Ada Twist, Scientist. This challenge was filled with many opportunities to use STEAM skills...and chuckle with each other!
Kindergarteners tackled their first STEAM challenge of the year by building scooters like the one created in the story The Most Magnificent Thing!
South Elementary Staff Spotlight:
Ms. Kayla Howey
Ms. Howey is our new 2nd grade teacher. She recently graduated from SVSU, but grew up in Gratiot County. One fun fact about Ms. Howey: she recently got engaged!
Meet Ms. Buzzy! She is Mrs. Vozar's special helper in the hallways, at pick up and drop off, at recess, and at lunchtime. Ms. Buzzy is helping our Junior Jackets learn our school rules:
Bee Respectful
Bee Responsible and
Bee Safe
These kindergarteners in Mrs. Simcox's class have been learning routines and settling in at South this week.
South Families: Our School Dismissal App is live. Please check your email inbox and/or spam folder for an invite from School Dismissal Manager. This email will outline instructions on how to set-up for login to your account. You should be able to access your child's account and make changes to their transportation each day when you have downloaded the app. We will also begin using the app during our Pick-Up time at the end of the school day. Thank you for your patience!
South Families:
We have had unexpected delays with our School Dismissal App. We cannot rely on the app for dismissal on Monday. Please email your child's teacher or send a note to school if you need to make a change to your child's transportation.
We will notify families once the app is up and running. Thank you for your patience.
We have good news! Latch Key WILL begin on Tuesday, August 29th. We will have paperwork available at Open House for you to sign-up your child so that they can begin attending. (Please note, there will not be Latch Key the first day of school.)
Latch Key Hours: 3:15-5:15 p.m., Monday-Friday
Latch Key Pricing: $4.00 an hour for first child and $2.50 for each additional child.
We can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!
We know you are starting your back to school shopping. Here are supply lists to get you started.
