A Message from Kathy Baumgardner, Principal

The Barack Obama Bulletin

October 23, 2014

1300-1400 Bangs Ave.

Asbury Park, NJ 07712

732-776-2545

The Barack Obama

Bulletin Created By

Amanda Napolitani, 3rd

Grade Teacher

Important Dates:

10-27 Drug Free Pa-

rade 1:00

10-28 Grade 3 Trip to

Camden Aquarium

10-29 Full Day Teach-

er In-Service-No

School for the Stu-

dents

10-31 Halloween

11-6 & 7 No School

Teachers’ Convention

Week of 11-10 Book

Fair

11-17 Make up Picture

Day

11-18 & 19 Mobile

Dentist

Welcome all parents and students to the 2014-2015

school year! I am very excited to be back home here at Barack

Obama Elementary School! We have a newly refurbished build-

ing and it is beautiful! Special thanks to Mr. Mahon, Ms. Beau-

ford and the custodial staff for all of their diligence and hard

work.

Barack Obama Elementary School is dedicated to increas-

ing student learning and achievement through research-based in-

structional methods, best practices and curriculum, while meeting every individual child’s needs

socially, emotionally, and academically. All stakeholders in the learning community are provided

with on-going professional development opportunities ensuring that they acquire the knowledge

& skills necessary for classroom applications that result in improved pedagogical methods. Fur-

thermore, we look forward to working in partnership with parents and the community to

strengthen the lines of communication between the home, school and community.

Barack Obama Elementary School’s current population is 371 students serving grades

kindergarten thru fifth grade. Our goal is to create a partnership with faculty, staff, and parents

to provide the highest quality of education for all students. By offering rigorous instruction and

the social and emotional supports needed, my staff hopes to bestow upon our students a foun-

dation that will allow them to adequately face any challenges in life they may encounter. The

compassion and dedication that is exhibited by the teachers of Barack Obama Elementary

School on a daily basis inspired this year’s theme which is “Superheroes!” We are excited to be

“back home” and will strive to reach our goals by implementing Young Scholars Academy, which

incorporates small group differentiated instruction in a structured after school setting, to

providing low performing 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students with additional language arts literacy,

math, and technology skills needed to achieve proficiency on the PARRC exam. (Continued on

page 5)

SUPER HERO Students of the Month

Each month our teachers awards a student with

the “Student of the Month Award.” These stu-

dents are chosen for their contributions to their

class, school, and the community.

They are also recognized for be-

ing a Super Hero student who

have shown to be a good role

model for other students.

Room 313 Ms. Watkins Grade 4 Our class has started their exploration of Space. Students

are learning about a variety of informational texts, resources

and websites that enhance their understanding/knowledge

of outer space. Over the next few weeks they will be devel-

oping concepts of the Solar System,

Galaxies, Moons and the Sun through

videos, applications and research to

record their findings and discoveries.

Come visit our room and watch the

night sky come alive as the students

complete their findings and projects

displayed in the classroom.

The Barack Obama Playground!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 Ribbon Cutting

Myra Campbell, Mayor, Lamont Repollet, Superinten-

dent, Ms. Baumgardner, Principal, and Super Star Stu-

dents of the Month, are the first to enter the new play-

ground area at the Barack Obama Elementary School.

First Grade News! It's "apple season" and the first grade clas-

ses are having fun with it. We have been eating

apples, counting apples, making tally charts with

apples, cooking with apples and reading about

apples. We even read a book about Johnny Ap-

pleseed. We learned how he planted apples all

over our country.

Did you know that

an apple can stay fresh

for up to a year if it is

refrigerated? Maybe

we can have apple fun

all throughout the

year!

October is Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

Fire Safety with Fire Marshall Giberson

During an assembly presented by Fire Marshall Giberson from the

Asbury Park Fire Department, the following was reviewed with our

students:

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the base-ment.

Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.

Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.

Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.

(Continued from page 1) The instructional staff at Barack Obama Elementary School continues to

address the needs of all students, both regular and special needs, as well as ELL through the use of

data which drives differentiated instruction and facilitates learning in all subject areas. Teachers use

results from standardized test scores, running records and other multiple measures of diagnostic as-

sessments to determine the needs of our population.

Literacy and writing are still top priorities for our school. Teachers are implementing the

Treasures Reading series which provides all students with materials that are motivating and chal-

lenging and that build encourage and support success; provide opportunities for measurement of pro-

gress; provide opportunities for multiple learning experiences; prepare students to be life-long learn-

ers and good citizens in a diverse and changing world. The EnVisions Math series is a daily prob-

lem-based interactive math learning program, followed by visual learning strategies that deepen con-

ceptual understanding by making meaningful connections for students and delivering strong, sequen-

tial visual/verbal connections through the Visual Learning Bridge in every lesson. Ongoing diagnosis

& intervention and daily data-driven differentiation ensure that EnVisions MATH gives every stu-

dent the opportunity to succeed.

Teachers are continuously provided with ongoing professional development to scaffold their

techniques in the classroom. We will continue to utilize Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI

seeks to prevent academic failure through early intervention, frequent progress measurement, and in-

creasingly intensive research based instructional interventions for children who continue to have diffi-

culty. Student progress is monitored through (3) three tiers of scientifically researched based interven-

tions of increased intensity. Tier I and II students are serviced through the core curriculum in the

classroom and pull-out instruction by the reading tutor. The reading specialist, reading tutor and in-

structional coach provide struggling students with intensive tutoring in addition to their daily reading

block using the Wilson-Fundations Reading Program. Wilson-Fundations Reading Program

is a highly-structured remedial program that directly teaches the structure of the language to students

who have been unable to learn with other teaching strategies, or who may require multisensory lan-

guage instruction. These students must be at least two years below grade level in reading. These strug-

gling students are given intensive tutoring in addition to their daily reading block. Successmaker is a

reading and math software intervention that singularly focuses on the needs of the individual learner.

The reading specialist will address Tier III students with individual pullout tutoring in addition to the

above mentioned services.

Our mission is to provide a safe and pro-

ductive learning environment and to develop

the “whole” child. The culmination of our ef-

forts will be to instill in our students a life-long

love of learning in an ever-changing world.

“The object of teaching a child is to enable

him/her to get along without a teacher.” Pur-

pose plus planning equals Success! That is our

ultimate goal. If you have any questions or re-

quire any further assistance, please contact Mrs.

Kathy Baumgardner, Principal at (732)776-2545.

“Our students are superheroes in disguise!” Our class has begun the new school year with great enthusiasm and high expectations. They have em-braced our mathematics interactive pro-gram, enVisionMATH, and are becom-ing familiar with all the technology in our classroom. Our new phonics pro-gram, “Fundations,” has been well re-ceived by both students and parents.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------———-

¡Nuestros estudiantes son súper héroes en disfraces!” Nuestra clase ha comenzado el nuevo año escolar con mu-cho entusiasmo y grandes expectaciones. Nuestro programa de matemáticas interactivo, enVision MATH, el cual les da la oportunidad de usar tecnología y computaciones prácticas, ha sido un éxito con los estudiantes. Están familiarizándose con nuestra pizarra electrónica y todas las interacciones que les ofrece. Nuestro nuevo programa de fonética, “Fundations,” también ha sido recibido con entusiasmo por ambos padres y estudiantes.

Mrs. Ruiz/Ms. Garcia’s Bilingual Kindergarten Class

Page 6 Barack Obama Bul let in

A SUPER “Super Hero” School Opening!

Inside Story Headline

Ms. Stewart-Chance, Grade 5

The following students were awarded with gift

bags for just being students. They earned the

most stickers for having homework completed

most of the time or all the time, and for display-

ing appropriate behavior in and out of the class-

room. They are ranked as

follows: Jadah Montgom-

ery; (43 stickers); Lizeth

Garcia (38 stickers);

Mirvlyne Desroches(38)

points; Gustabo Roque (35)

stickers; Edwin Lopez (31)

stickers, and Bre"Asia

Ivery.

Page 7 Barack Obama Bul let in

Using Magic to Keep Bullying Out of Our School

Respect...Responsibility...Caring

Below is an outstanding

comprehension strategy to

help your child.

UNRAAVEL A Reading

Comprehension Strategy

U nderline the title N ow predict the passage R ead through the pages A re the important words circled? A re you reading the questions? V enture through the passage E liminate wrong answers L et the question be answered (ALWAYS have them double check their work!)

Important words are :

Bold italics

underlined

Highlighted

ALL CAPITALS (in parenthesis)

“in quotation

marks”

*marked with an asterisk

in a different color

Page 8 Barack Obama Bul let in Art & Math, By Mrs. Feddeler, Art Teacher

Girl Scouts at Barack Obama Elementary School

The Girl Scout Program at the Barack Obama School is off to a great start. We

have 35 girls registered to participate in the program. The Daisies and Brownies in

grades 1, 2, and 3 are learning about the importance of sisterhood. After reciting

the Girl Scout Promise, the girls discussed the importance of sisterhood and what

it means. They created a picture entitled, “What Sisterhood Means to Me.”

The 4th and 5th grade Juniors, are working on an anti-bullying program called,

Be A Friend First (BFF). They discussed bullying and what it means. They also

completed a group project where they had to squeezed glue and sprinkle glitter

onto a plate. Then they discussed how it is like the words we speak. They tried to

put the glitter and glue back into the

tube, but it was impossible. They com-

pared this to words and how if hurtful

words are spread, you can never take

them back.

The meeting ended with a friendship

circle. The circle represents the unbro-

ken chain of friendship among Girl

Scouts.

ART is one of those subjects that

incorporates many different disci-

plines. It is based on simple ele-

ments like lines, shapes, patterns,

and space. These are also the

basic principles of MATH. The

vocabulary is often the same.

Words like vertical, diagonal, horizon-

tal , geometric, or three- dimensional

are just a few examples. Some-

times, it is hard to separate the

two.

Our fourth graders at Barack Obama have just completed a wonderful art pro-

ject using all of these math principles. They have designed various patterns using

lines, shapes, and colors, and have constructed three-dimensional triangular pyramids

to demonstrate all of their manual art skills.

Our fifth graders are currently working with these same principles and ele-

ments to create spherical polyhedrons. As our students develop and grow, and refine

their skills and knowledge, they will come to realize that “Art” is an integral part of

our world and our lives. Congratulations 4th and 5th graders for doing such a fine job!

September began with a whirlwind of media and special vis-

its. The reopening of the Barack H. Obama Elementary

School was featured in an Asbury Park Press Photo Shoot,

Video, and Article. The state’s NJDOE RAC Team gave

the school a visit as well. This year’s theme is “Superheroes,”

in fact Batman was sighted on the school’s second floor Au-

ditorium stairwell. The summer brought many changes to

the interior of our school; in fact, it compares to an HGTV

makeover. The majority of the halls, walls and floors have

been either cleaned or repainted, or replaced. Many teachers

came in over the summer to prepare for the influx of stu-

dents. Bright bulletin boards, new library books and learning

centers are in each and every classroom.

The principal, Mrs. Kathy Baumgardner has met with numerous stakeholders and is very visible around the build-

ing as is her vice principal, Mr. Gavin McGrath. This contact with students remains invaluable in assessing the

school’s climate. We have a number of new teachers, Ms. Marci Ferber, grade 4, Ms. Tierra Hamilton, grade 3,

and our new librarian Ms. Letitia Dortch. Each has been a perfect fit for our new and improved school. Everyday

our librarian is stacking brand new books on our library shelves. Teachers have weekly professional development

training on assessing students, using data to drive instruction and developing and implementing new teaching

strategies for more effective delivery of instruction. Lastly, all three elementary schools are proud participants in

the NJEA sponsored Priority Schools Initiative grant. Each school will have a consultant that will work with both

the teachers and administration. Barack Obama Elementary School is happy to welcome Ms. Donna Adams as

our Priority Schools consultant. This year will be filled with many exciting activities and programs, below are just

a few of the October Highlights.

News Flash From Gavin McGrath, Vice Principal

Page 9 Barack Obama Bul let in

Third Graders are Training to be Super Heroes

Every year, millions of children in the United States get enterovirus infections that can cause coughing, sneezing, and

fever. This year, children throughout the country have gotten sick with respiratory illnesses caused by enterovirus D-68 (EV-

D68). EV-D68 is one of many enteroviruses that often spread in the summer and fall. It’s not a new virus, but it hasn’t been very

common in the past. However, this year, EV-D68 is the most common enterovirus that’s going around.

Since you may not have heard of EV-D68 before, better understanding of how to prevent the virus and the symptoms that this

virus can cause can help you protect your children.

What are the signs and symptoms of EV-D68?

Most children who get infected with EV-D68 may have cold-like symptoms, like fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and body and muscle aches. More severe symptoms include wheezing and difficulty breathing. Children with asthma are at risk for severe symptoms from EV-D68.

How can I protect my children?

You can help protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses, including EV-D68, by following these steps:

Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils, with people who are sick, or when you are

sick

Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick

Stay home when you are sick and keep sick children home from school

Could my child get EV-D68?

EV-D68 spreads when people infected with the virus cough, sneeze, or touch surfaces that are then touched by others. In gen-

eral, infants, children, and teenagers are at higher risk than adults for getting infected and sick with enteroviruses like EV-D68.

That's because they have not been exposed to these types of viruses before, and they do not yet have immunity (protection) built

up to fight the disease. If your child has asthma, he or she may be at greater risk for severe respiratory illness from EV-D68.

If your child has asthma, CDC recommends you do the following to help maintain control of your child’s asthma during this time:

Discuss and update your child’s asthma action plan with your child’s doctor (usually pulmonologist or pediatrician).

Make sure your child takes prescribed asthma medications as directed, especially long term control medication(s).

Make sure your child knows to keep asthma reliever medication with him or her or has access to it at all times.

Get your child a flu vaccine, since flu can trigger an asthma attack.

If your child develops new or worsening asthma symptoms, follow the steps in his or her asthma action plan. If your symp-

toms do not go away, call your child’s doctor right away.

Make sure caregiver(s) and/or teacher(s) are aware of the child’s condition, and that they know how to help if the he or she

experiences any symptoms related to asthma.

Call your child's doctor if he or she is having difficulty breathing, if you feel you are unable to control symptoms, or if symp-

toms are getting worse.

There is no specific treatment for EV-D68. Talk to your child's doctor about the best way to control his or her symptoms. Re-

member, that while this has been a big year for EV-D68 infections, CDC expects the number of cases to taper off by late fall. But

even after cases of EV-D68 begin to decrease, parents and children should continue to follow basic steps to stay healthy, such as

frequent hand washing and avoiding touching their faces with unwashed hands. To help your family stay healthy this fall and win-

ter, CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.

For more information on: EV-D68, visit http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html Enteroviruses, visit

http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/ EV-D68 in the U.S., visit http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/outbreaks/

EV-D68-outbreaks.html

Parents: Learn the Facts about Enterovirus D68