K

Pre-K is learning about the season of Spring, weather, and will begin to do some planting in the classroom. Some of the skills we are working on in March and April are phonemic awareness (rhyming, hearing beginning sounds, and clapping syllables), letter and number identification and formation (we practice writing in air, on morning message, and by using playdough snakes to cover letter shapes), using scissors properly, counting to 20, making observations and doing observational drawing in the science center, and continuing to retell familiar stories.

The children retell stories all year as they pretend to read them in the library center and at the flannelboard center. They have been retelling Chicka, Chicka 123 and Chicka, Chicka ABC with flannel tree and magnets. We read the big book story There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly last week and practiced retelling it along with a stuffed puppet who eats the animals, as well as by singing the song, and reading the book as children played instruments for each animal in the story. The children practiced retelling in small groups by using stick puppets in the puppet theater center and by using their own old lady plastic bag puppet and set of animals (which they cut and colored in the drawing center). I would encourage you to buy a pair of child scissors (Fiskars is the brand we usually use) and allow your child to practice cutting at home, with supervision.

We sent home the old lady plastic bag puppets and words to the song (same as book) last week. I hope your child has shared the story with you already! Another activity we did was to put letter magnets in the puppet’s belly and sing a song to practice letter names and sounds. Feel free to try it at home too:

I know an old lady who swallowed a P.What would she say if she swallowed a P?

/p/p/p/p/p/p/p/p/ (Children say the sound letter P makes)What could she eat if she swallowed a P? (Children say any word that starts with p)

*Sing song with different letters and change underlined parts to match each letter.

Calendarof Events

April 18 – School is in session

April 19-April 22 – Spring Recess - No School

April 28 – ELL District Party - 5-7pm

May 2 – PTA Meeting - 7PM

May 3 – Photo Retake Day

May 5 – Grade 3 – Concert – 6PM

May 11 – PD Day – Early Release Day

May 12 – Grade 2 – Concert – 6PM

May 13 – Kindergarten – Concert – 6PM

May 19 & 20 – Book Fair

May 30 – No School – Memorial Day

Mary T. MurphyMary T. MurphyNewsletterNewsletter

April 2011April 2011Dear Parents/Guardians:

Everyone loves celebrations, especially small children. The tradition of bringing birthday cupcakes or holiday candy in to share with the class has become part of our culture. It’s hard to change tradition, but we feel it is time to look at the big picture. Childhood obesity is a growing issue in the United States. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical association recently reported that rates of obesity have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the past two decades. One quarter of children ages 5 to 10 show early warning signs of heart disease, such as elevated blood cholesterol or high blood pressure. Additionally, the frequency of type II diabetes in school age children is on the rise.

In our effort to support the wellness and development of our students, we are asking parents to provide healthy snacks for all classroom events. Please be conscious of the fact that every time you walk into a classroom with food you are feeding other people’s children. Your choice can either contribute to poor nutrition among our children or improve the nutrition of all those children.

Additionally, I ask that you think creatively about our short birthday celebrations in school. Healthy snacks or non-food items such as pencils, pens, bookmarks or stamps are a few alternatives to treats. I have found that when parents bring healthy snacks the kids are just as excited. Another option is to donate a book to the school library in your child’s name. The book will have a nameplate with your child’s name and your child will be the first student to take the book out. After that it will belong to the library.

Thank you for your continued support and assistance in providing our students with good nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Sincerely, Anthony Buono

Please visit the website at www.branford.k12.ct.usto view our newsletter in full color!

Notes fromthe Music

Room ♫♫♫As spring joyfully returns, so do spring concerts and programs! On Thursday, May 5, the third grade will present an Earth Day-themed concert. The evening performance starts at 6:00 P.M. in the Murphy gym. Students should meet in the library between 5:30-5:45 to warm up. Students will be bringing home letters with more concert information.

On Thursday, May 12, the second grade classes will present a program of pourquoi tales, created by the students, and accompanied by music. A pourquoi tale is a story that answers a question about nature, like “Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky” or “How Dalmatians Got Their Spots.” The students' evening performance also starts at 6:00, with a meeting time between 5:30-5:45 in their classrooms. The classes will present the answers to the following questions:Mrs. Beckquist – Why Penguins Cannot FlyMrs. Case – How Cheetahs Got Their WhiskersMrs. Cowey – How the Rattlesnake Got His PoisonMrs. Kelly – Why Monkeys are Crazy

The Kindergartners will be putting on informances during music class in lieu of a concert combining all classes. This is a great opportunity for special family members to come into a music class and experience and learn with their students. Informances are mini-performances put on by students to show parents and family what they have learned in class. This is a great way for students to become comfortable performing for others in the familiar setting of the classroom. Informances will take place Monday, May 16th – Friday, May 20th during all Kindergarten music classes. There will be no evening performance. More information will be sent home with students this month.

Mrs. Zehnertzehner@branford.k12.ct.us

Yes, we are getting a new playground!!!

I have served on the PTA Board for over 5 years and in that time we have been saving for a new playground. This year it will happen. All the hard work by the current PTA Board to find the right company and secure a terrific price in this economy was amazing. We hope to have an installation before the start of the next school year!!!!! A huge Thank You to the PTA Board and Mr. Buono for all their time and effort with this project!!!!

Spring into action by making chores around the house or by going outside as a family event. Challenge your child by timing them in sweeping the floor. How many leaves can they rake in 30 minutes for yard clean-up? Create a cool indoor game like blowing up balloons to see how long your kids can keep them aloft by hitting them with different body parts such as head, elbow, knee, etc. Make walks more entertaining by turning the route into an obstacle course or when going on hikes have them run and jump on the rocks and balance on the logs.

Students will be enjoying tumbling, climbing ropes and tennis/paddle type activities in Physical Education Class in April!!!! Let’s keep children active while having fun at home and in school!!!!!!

Miss Amodio

HAPPYSPRING!

Just a Reminde

r

Check It Out!

From the Library Shelves ofMiss Proto

We are ready for warmer weather

Just look around and you can see that spring has sprung with a wonderful array of Spring Themed titles.

Please help your child to be library book responsible. We have had many books this year that have been chewed by puppies, drawn or colored in, and had food/drinks spilled on them. We discuss with all grades book care at home and in the library. Please help your child to take care of their borrowed library book so that everyone at Murphy school can enjoy them. Please also help your child to return their book on time.

The reading incentive program will begin on Monday, April 25thth. The students will recreationally read for seven weeks. The program will end on Friday, June 10th with a culminating Reading Celebration Carnival on Friday, June 10th. Please mark these dates on your calendar and look for more information to follow regarding the details of the Incentive. If you are interested in helping out with the reading carnival, and/or making a game for the carnival - please email me at lproto@branford.k12.ct.us , or call (203) 483-1832.

Here is a snapshot of what we are working on in the library: Grade K: is working on retelling stories using the words beginning, middle, and end.  Grade 1: is working on putting fiction books in alphabetical order using the author’s last name.Grade 2:  is working on the parts of a fiction book and to inference the traits of a character based on their actions in the story.Grade 3: is working on putting together a nonfiction book to help them learn about the parts of a book and to learn about researching information. Grade 4: is working on finding the main idea of a nonfiction book and the details to support it.  The fourth graders are also reviewing reference sources.

From the Palette of Mrs. Riehl’s Art Room

I would like to thank the parents and grandparents who showed up to help with

the art show. You will never know how grateful I am to have had your assistance

with this enormous endeavor.Thank You Again!!!!

Kindergarten: We just completed our clay project; Empanada Rattlers. Mrs. Zehner now has them and is using them as instruments!

First Grade: We are working on using our imaginations to create a picture using geometric shapes. Their objective is to use 32 shapes to create something we can all recognize.

Second Grade: These kids are elbow deep in clay. They are working very hard on their coil pots. I am excited to see how they will all turn out.

Third Grade: Each class is working on different projects. Some are glazing bells, while others are creating Kimonos and re-creating Van Gogh’s Sunflowers using a quilling technique. They are doing an awesome job.

Fourth Grade: They are working on making their own personal Totem pole. Currently they are figuring out which animal best describes them. This is no easy feat since there are a lot of animals!

WISH LIST: Small toys • Wire • Jewelry • BeadsThank you!

Mrs. Riehl

NEWS

The groundhog predicted an early spring, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. We have been discussing weather in class and are keeping track of our lion/lamb days for the month of March. We will also be studying animals and their life cycles and will be getting a class pet soon.

In Math we are beginning to explore with tiles different ways to make numbers. Keep an eye out for their Arrangement book that will be coming home shortly. Students are having fun acting out story problems with addition and subtraction. They are also learning how to write addition/subtraction equations. This is an activity that is fun to do at home.

Literacy continues to be a focus of many of our work board centers. Continue practicing all sight words sent home and please read to your child nightly. Help your child build comprehension by asking them to retell the story from beginning to end, what the problem was in the story, name characters by name and what connection they can make to the story.

KindergartenNews

The first graders have grown as readers and some important skills that we continue to practice in school are retelling, reflecting, and connecting. You can help reinforce these skills when you share books at home. After your child reads a story or you read to him/her, ask him to retell the story from the beginning. Asking what is the most important part of the story and why, is a good way for your child to reflect. Try asking “What does this story remind you of?” This will help your child further comprehend the meaning of the story. Thank you for your support at home. In math the children have been busy working on their math fluency facts: plus 1, plus 2, doubles, plus 10, and near doubles. The children have been playing games during math workshop as well as at home with their families. Please keep practicing at home ! Please help your child in preparing for his/her share day. The topics are listed on the homework sheet.

The second grade has begun work on fractions. Fractions are equal parts of a whole. The children will explore this concept with geoblocks and fraction flags while learning to identify halves, thirds, and fourths. They will also be learning to find ½ of a set and to recognize that a fraction divides a whole into equal parts. As part of our ongoing review and routines, we will also continue to explore addition with missing addends and tens and ones. How can you help? Practice facts at home, particularly subtraction facts from 20. Play games that involve mathematical thinking and look for opportunities to use fractions around the house.

The weather has changed, but the heat is still on. Dress your child in layers and make sure he or she has a jacket or sweatshirt. Allergies have started up and cold and flu viruses continue to spread. If possible, please let your child have a day or two at home during the initial onset of a cold. The sneezing and the coughing are most pronounced then and second graders are NOT able to cover their mouths and wash their hands consistently. Thanks!

Field trips will commence soon. We will visit the Smart Living Center to reinforce our studies of recycling and energy conservation. Upcoming information will be sent home soon. Some of our second graders are making art projects or inventions from recycled trash. Maybe they'll grow up to save our world from our environmental troubles!

With the start of spring activities, children need help managing their time for homework completion. Our packets help you plan ahead. We still expect the children to turn in their homework packets every Friday. Please help your child learn to be a responsible time manager.

Reminder:

Don’t forget to callthe office if your child

will be out.

203-483-1832

Dear friends of Murphy School,

The past couple of months we have been very busy trying to support the students of Murphy school and our community. We have teamed up with the Mary T. Murphy Safety Patrol and have been traveling to classrooms to talk with students about the importance of bus safety.

The student council also held a “Jersey” spirit day. Thanks to all of your support we were able to collect 640 books for the “Read to Grow” program located in Branford. “Read to Grow” helps to distribute an average of 1,500 new and gently used children’s books weekly. The books find homes in the arms of children in hospitals, health care clinics, child care centers, schools, and library programs across the state. Thank you to all who donated and showed their Murphy school sprit.

This month the Student Council is also helping to raise awareness about the devastation from the Japan Tsunami. Our “Helping Hands for Japan” program is set to run through April 15th. This program allows students to show their care and concern for others by decorating a hand and donating to our collection. In addition we will also hold a “Color” spirit day in honor of all of the victims. Show your school spirit and wear your grade color to show your care and concern.

Grade -4 Red Grade 3 – Green Grade 2 – BlueGrade 1 Yellow Grade Pre K/K – White

Fondly, The Student Council

Thank you!!

Mr. Agress’ class has been hard at work as usual. As a matter of fact, his students know this is a very challenging time of year. We have been studying, and thinking deeply about, historical fiction texts, taking into account character’s feelings, theme and how ideas about text change as we progress through books. We have been looking for common threads between time periods and people, sharing all of our ideas in small groups and with the class. Very intense! In math we just finished a unit on 3D shapes and volume, and are now spiraling back to multiplication and division. In science we just finished a magnetism unit. Did you know you can turn a paper clip into a magnet? No! Ask your child to show you how, it’s very cool. Finally, we just started a new fiction unit in writing. All in all, lots to do for the rest of the year!

Miss Steele’s fourth grade class has been working hard to bridge the gap between February and April vacations.  What a lot of full school days!  We’ve certainly made the most of them. This month, we’re participating in the Great Mail Race. We are writing to schools all over the country to find out about their communities and schools.  We were invited by a school from Abilene, Texas!   We’re currently in the midst of writing some amazing realistic fiction stories, with complex characters who all have a pretty big problem!  Be sure to check them out on our bulletin board when they’re published at the end of April!  We’ve been exploring magnetism and electricity through lots of different hands-on activities.  We even discovered how to light up a light bulb with just some wires, a battery, and a bulb!    Just recently, we discussed how to understand some really complex characters in books.  We are reading The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo.  One of the characters, Rob, is a pretty complicated character, with lots of different moods and sides to him!  Here are two ways we found to describe Rob by comparing him to something: “Rob is just like a fog that settles over an area.  He is grey and cloudy and you can’t see into him.  But every now and then, the fog is lifted, and he becomes a little bit clearer!” ~ Bridget C.   “Rob is like an insulator.  He stops all the energy from flowing into him and out of him.  But sometimes, when Sistine is around, he is like a conductor, and energy just flows through him.” ~Will R. 

April is poetry month! Mrs. Ryan’s Class is writing, discussing and sharing a plethora of poems. Celebrated authors are Abby Boyle, Michael Carlson, Andrew DeBenedictis, Anthony Kenney, Sameed Khan, Tanayja London, Ashley Paprocki, Mena Salama, Carly Shea and Becca Toren who were all chosen to have their poems published in an upcoming edition of the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans . We would also like to congratulate Remy Welsh for winning first place in Branford’s Spelling Bee and Andrew DeBenedictis for being chosen for the Superintendent’s Award. In Social Studies, all of the students celebrated their knowledge of research and writing in the first person at an Explorer’s Convention which was held on the evening of April 7 th in the Queen’s Castle! As far as we could see out over the Atlantic Ocean, excitement grew as the explorers returned to share the tales of their adventures. It was a night to remember! Science has taken us to further heights, increasing our wisdom in a unit about magnets and electricity. All of the students have soared, in ways nonfiction readers Read with Power by looking for main ideas and supporting details. It’s amazng how much we have learned as we share out strategies that have certainly made us think!

Out with the old, in with the new is the best way to describe life in room 108 right now. Students in Mr. Heenan's class have been busily completing several project and units of study. Our authors have just completed and published their realistic fiction pieces. They've been sharing these stories, and have been entertaining each other with rich detail and unique plots. Our next writing focus will be a nonfiction piece. The students have also just completed Unit 7 in math. We've said farewell, for now, to geometric solids, and are gaining momentum with 2-by-2 multiplication. Lastly, we've just completed our Magnetism and Electricity unit in science, and will embark on our next social studies units within the next few days. Up, up, and away!

MTM PTA News GRADE

Third Grade Science News     Tuesday afternoons are exciting science afternoons for our third graders!  The students will take part in experiments or activities planned by their teachers over the course of 15 weeks. Each Tuesday afternoon the students rotate to a different classroom for hands on experiences in one of the three topics.  We already have completed the five rotations about the properties of matter.  We are currently studying the environment.  The children will learn about global warming, the importance of recycling, the impact of household cleaners, what four resources a deer needs to survive, and how this all adds up in our daily lives.  The third rotation topic is rocks and minerals.    As part of our environmental studies, our third graders will take a field trip to the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby and become garbage archaeologists.  They will learn about a fictitious family and the efforts the family uses  to conserve resources.  This activity will especially focus on the use of plastic in our lives.  The students will be asked to bring a 'trashless' lunch that day.  We continue to encourage the children to become good environmental stewards each day.  Thank you for supporting your child's efforts! 

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From the Desk of Nurse KathyA tick is part of the arachnid family, which also includes mites, spiders, and scorpions. A tick attaches itself to the skin of an animal and sucks blood. There are hundreds of kinds of ticks on the planet, and they can be found almost everywhere. The two types of ticks that many people talk about are the deer tick and the dog tick.

The deer tick is about the same size as the head of a pin, and it is found in many parts of the United States. One of the diseases that deer ticks can carry is Lyme disease, especially in New England and parts of the Midwest. (Lyme disease gets its name from the place where it was discovered — Lyme, Connecticut, which is in New England.)

Dog ticks are very common and can be up to ½ inch long. If you have a dog, chances are pretty good that you've seen a dog tick on its coat. One disease that this type of tick can carry is called Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

What a Tick Bite Looks and Feels LikeA person who gets bitten by a tick usually won't feel anything at all. There might be a little redness around the area of the bite.

If you think you've been bitten by a tick, tell an adult immediately. Some ticks carry diseases (such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever) and can pass them to people.

What You Should Do

*Students in grades K-4 are allowed to take out one book per week unless they are working on a special project.

*Students may renew or return a book on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday morning from 9:00-9:15. So if they finish a book early, were out sick on their library day or want to renew it for another week they may come in during this time.

*If your child loses a book, or it gets ruined – you can replace the same title of the book, or pay the cost of the book by cash or a check made out to the P.T.A.

*We are in need of tissues – if you would like to donate a box we would really appreciate it!

LIBRARY REMINDERS

For the safety of our

students, staff and parents…

please note there is no

double parking

allowed in the parking lot.

Thank You

Report

Your parent or another responsible adult should check you for ticks after you've been playing or hiking in the woods, especially on your head (including your scalp), back, neck, armpits, and groin area. If you ever find a tick on you, ask for an adult's help in removing it. Using tweezers, an adult should grab the tick as close as possible to your skin, and pull the tick off in one motion. Don't cover the tick with petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, or any other substance, since these don't help the tick come out and can make things more complicated.

If part of the tick stays in your skin, don't worry — it will eventually come out. But you should tell a parent if you notice any irritation in the area. Once the tick is removed, your parent may want to put the tick in a small container or zip-locked bag to show to your doctor.

What a Doctor Will DoDoctors don't need to treat most tick bites. But if the tick was carrying Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever and passed it on, any symptoms that might mean you are sick will be treated with antibiotics. Your doctor might ask to see the tick to help make a diagnosis. If these diseases are treated early on, it's rare for there to be any lasting changes to a person's health.

How to Avoid Getting BittenTicks like spending time in shrubbery, where they can remain close to the ground in order to jump on people or animals that pass by. If you are hiking in the woods, wear long sleeves and long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks. Wearing an insect repellent also might help.

Dogs are also very good at picking up ticks in their coats, so ask an adult to help you bathe your dog with a tick shampoo and give your dog a tick collar.