Greetings Spotswood Families!

I hope that this first edition of our school newsletter finds you and your child transi-

tioned into the new school year! We have a great group of students at Spotswood and

we promise that we will continue to work hard every day to provide the best education

possible for all of our students!

We are very excited to celebrate that Spotswood continues to be fully accredited by the

State of Virginia, in addition, to meeting all Federal Annual Measurable Objectives

established by the United States Department of Education. Way to go students and

staff!

We will continue to hold high expectations for all of our students, while ensuring that

we provide learning activities that are effective, appropriate, and engaging for all stu-

dents. We will monitor student progress on a regular basis in all SOL core areas, with

an emphasis on reading and mathematics. It is our belief that basic reading and math

foundations are critical in order for your child to be successful throughout their educational career. We will communicate

with you throughout the year regarding the progress your child is making in all areas.

One of the earliest school routines that is key to success in school is punctuality

and attendance. Our school day officially begins at 8:45 a.m. and students should be in their classroom by this time. The

school day ends at 3:35 p.m. Arriving to school late or leaving early on a regular basis cuts drastically into a child's school

day and reduces the overall amount of instructional time they have during each nine weeks, each semester, and for the entire

school year. This adversely affects the learning and achievement of students.

Another critical component to academic success is parent involvement. We would like to encourage all of our families to

participate in evening events, volunteer at school, attend our Community Advisory Council and PTO meetings, have lunch

with your child, or attend field trips or other school events. Your children do notice your interest in their school and it does

make a difference!

Best wishes for another successful school year!

Joy Blosser

Volume 9 Issue 1

From the Desk of the Principal

November 2015 Spotswood E lementary Schoo l

Knightly News Title I School

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER

24 4th Grade culture lunch at 12:00

pm

25-27 Thanksgiving Holiday

DECEMBER

1-4 Winter Knight Bucks Store

4 Fourth Grade to Frontier Culture

Museum 9:00-1:30

Office Information The school office will be opened from 8:10 AM to 4:30 PM on regular school days. On teacher workdays, the

office will close for lunch from 12:00-12:30 PM. In order to ensure we are meeting any transportation ar-

rangements, we encourage you to call our office prior to 3:20 PM so that we are able to communicate with

your child’s teacher. Please also make sure you call our school office in the morning if your son/daughter

will be absent or tardy for the day.

Thank you very much for your support with this matter!

Volume 9 Issue 1 Knight ly News

A few weeks ago Harrisonburg City Public Schools launched an official

HCPS Facebook page. You can access this Facebook page from our school website or using

the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/HarrisonburgCityPublicSchools

HCPS follows specific guidelines for the use of student photos on this site (as detailed in

the division's student handbook). This is an officially endorsed and carefully managed divi-

sion-level site, which is different from Facebook or other social media accounts that might

be created by staff members.

Please Visit our Facebook Page!

A Note from the Art Studio

The art room has been a very active place over the past nine weeks filling up with projects and lots of fantastic ideas. All Spotswood artists have been learning about lines and shapes. Grade 4 has been creating colored pencil masks while learning about proportion and symmetry. Grade 3 and Grade 2 have been making construction paper masks, also learning about symmetry and two-dimensional art versus three-dimensional art. Grade 1 has been inspired by the artist Wassily Kandinsky and has been making line trees and circle shapes. Kindergarten has been creating "Mouse Houses" using shapes in space, as well as line sculptures that go over, under, next to, and above one another. It's been an ex-citing time! All students in grades 1-4 constructed a Monumental Paper Chain (inspired by the artist El Anatsui from Ghana) at the beginning of the year that now hangs in our hallway. This project was turned into a school-wide estimation contest where every student or class could submit a vote regarding how many links make up the paper chain. Congratulations to the following students for thinking up the closest guess: Mrs. Danaher's Kindergarten class, Isaiah and Nate from Mrs. G-T's class, Kimberlyn from Mrs. Stearn's class, and Joel, Roger, and Gerson from Mrs. Baugher's class. Thanks to every student's participation and creativity, an abundance of colors, line designs, and wishes add happiness to our school every day! Lastly, as we move toward the winter season, the art room is running low on glue sticks and construction paper (red, blue, and black). Thank you in advance for your consideration of our students' needs, as any donation would be most appreciated!

Page 3 Knight ly News

Music Notes from Ms. Eberly

We’ve had a great start to the year in the music room. The kindergarten classes always look forward to their

weekly “journeys” in music through singing, chanting, moving, and playing instruments. This quarter, we focused

on using our voices in different ways as well as keeping the beat. The first grade classes demonstrated dif-

ferent voice choices such as singing, whispering, and speaking. We performed songs that include faster/slower

and louder/softer concepts. Each week, our lesson highlights a particular letter, and we explore instruments

and songs that connect to that letter. The first grade classes will perform in our “Knight of Art and Music”

on December 17.

Second grade students have been singing songs that include verse/refrain form. We began to look at

melodies and how they relate to notes on the music staff. We reviewed reading, writing and performing

rhythm patterns that include quarter notes and eighth notes. In third grade, students discovered how we

create harmony through canon form. We also reviewed rhythm patterns that include quarter and half notes.

The fourth grade classes read and performed music at various dynamic levels. We also explored multiple ways

to perform an ostinato (repeated pattern). We will continue to practice creating harmony through canon, des-

cant, and partner song forms. In preparation for recorders in January, we will read, write, and perform vari-

ous melodic patterns using traditional and non-traditional notation.

This fall, the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir partnered

with Spotswood in offering a weekly music explorers class after

school. Twenty students in grades K-2 have enjoyed the extra experi-

ence in making music with Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Hostetter in the

“Little Knight Music” group. It will conclude in November. Our first

concert with the Spotswood Singers, Orff Ensemble, Violin Stu-

dents, and First Grade classes will be our annual “Knight of Art and

Music” on Thursday, December 17.

A Note From Nurse Sarah

Influenza (“The Flu”) is a very contagious respiratory illness (meaning that it can spread easily from one person to another, often affecting your lungs and ability to breath). Common symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, tiredness, and maybe a fever. Washing your hands is the best way to avoid spreading the germs! It is also the time of year to get a Flu Shot, which will strengthen your body against the in-fluenza virus. You can get it from your primary doctor, a local pharmacy, or the Health Depart-ment! REMINDERS: ***Call the school at any time of day when your child is absent (we have an answering machine!). ***Please bring a doctor’s note if your child misses more than 2 days of school for being sick. ***Do NOT send medications to school with your child…the adult responsible needs to bring medications to school, give medication to the nurse for admin-istration, and sign a permission form. Thanks for your help in keeping our students safe!

Nurse Sarah (540) 434-3429

Page 4 Knight ly News

School Report Card

The new school report cards have been posted on the Virginia Department of Education

website. You can access our report card using the following address: h�ps://

p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/report.do?division=113&schoolName=401

You can also find it on the Spotswood Elementary School webpage under the parent tab or from Joy Blosser’s webpage. She has a tab entitled “School Report Card”. If you do not have internet access, you can obtain a copy of the report card in our school office.

Just come on in and ask one of our office staff members for a copy.

A Message from Ms. Gutierrez:

All students began their year in Spanish class by

exploring why being bilingual is an advantage.

Research shows that students who are bilingual

have stronger listening skills, can focus more eas-

ily, and have a positive perspective on diversity.

Every student should be able to share with you

why they are glad to be bilingual or why they

would like to be bilingual.

Here at Spotswood we recognized Hispanic Her-

itage Month from September 15- October 15 in

several ways. Volunteers from JMU worked

with some 3rd and 4th graders to research a famous Hispanic person. They created posters in

Spanish to share information they learned. Several students also helped with the morning an-

nouncements by introducing themselves, telling where their family came from and sharing a

“dicho” or saying in Spanish. One of my favorites was…”el que va despacio llega lejos” He

who takes his time goes far.

Students will soon be bringing home work they have completed in Spanish during this marking

period. I am very proud of their hard work. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns

please feel free to contact me by telephone at school or by email.

Page 5 Knight ly News

A Message from Our Advanced Learning Specialist

My name is Tonia Campillo and I am the Advanced Learning and I-STEM specialist at Spotswood. I

work with classroom teachers to support the implementation of I-STEM units in grades K-4. These units

integrate science, technology, engineering

and mathematics. I-STEM units give students an opportunity to work in teams to solve real-world prob-

lems using a simple design process. Students gain a deeper understanding of content as they re-

search, analyze problems, design and test solutions and present information one another.

All Spotswood students have been busy learning through I-STEM this quarter. Fourth graders used their

knowledge of weather to design structures that could withstand severe storms. Each team was excit-

ed to see if their structure could stand up to our hurricanes, tornadoes and thunderstorms. In third

grade, students worked as ornithologists to create beaks for injured birds. They learned about different

types of beaks and prey in order to create a beak that would allow an

injured bird to pick up its prey. Second grade scientists conducted experi-

ments to learn what kind of habitat is best for a worm. Each team then

designed a habitat that would provide everything that their worms need-

ed to live and be healthy. Their worms are now enriching the soil in the

school courtyard. First grade students learned about UV rays as they con-

ducted experiments to find out what made their mystery bead change

colors. Then our young engineers took on the challenge of designing a

boat that would protect their bead from the sun as it sailed off on our little

lake. In Kindergarten, our youngest engineers examined which of three

solutions created the best bubbles. Designing their own wands of all

shapes and sizes created lots of bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.

Gifted Referrals

All students in grades K-12 are considered each year for referral for gifted services using multiple criteria. Re-ferrals may be made by parents/guardians, students, teachers, other persons who may have knowledge or ex-pertise to make such a referral including community members, or by any other appropriate school personnel.

Division-wide eligibility testing will begin in late January. A referral form is available from our school’s Ad-vanced Learning Specialist or your home-school liaison.

Advanced Learning Opportunities

The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth identifies and develops the talents of the most advanced K-12 learners worldwide. CTY’s Talent Search for grades 2 – 8 is the bridge to CTY, including CTY’s highly regarded summer programs, online courses, and other services and resources designed for advanced young learners. For more information, please contact Tonia Campillo, tcampillo@harrisonburg.k12.va.us.

UVA Saturday Enrichment

In conjunction with the Curry School of Education Gifted Education Department, the University of Virginia announces the 32nd year of the Saturday Enrichment Program. This program serves gifted and/or high ability students who are in K-5th grade. Applications for this program are available now at their website, http://curry.virginia.edu/community-programs/student-enrichment/sep/saturday. Ap-plications are due December 1, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Tonia Campillo at tcampillo@harrisonburg.k12.va.us.

Page 6 Knight ly News

One Court Square • Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Phone: 540.434.9916 • Fax: 540.434.5196

“A place where learning has no limits and together we work for the success of all.”

Recommendations for School Names

The Harrisonburg City School Board is asking residents of Harrisonburg City to submit

recommendations for names for the new elementary school being built on Garbers Church

Road AND the new preschool center being built at Smithland Elementary School.

Applications for submitting name recommendations can be found on the Harrisonburg

City Public Schools website at www.harrisonburg.k12.va.us or picked up at the Harrison-

burg School Board Office at the address below. Applications can be submitted online or

to Lisa Knupp, school board clerk, at:

Harrisonburg City Public Schools

One Court Square

Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Email: lknupp@harrisonburg.k12.va.us

If any questions, contact Lisa Knupp at 434-9916.

Recommendations must be received by 4:00 p.m. on December 10, 2015. The School

Board will begin discussion on this matter at the January 19, 2016, school board work

session.

Page 7 Knight ly News

Congratulations to the Following students for earning straight A’s the first nine weeks of the year:

Third Grade:

Eyven Cardoso-Torres

Eliza Malcolm

Adrian Reyes-Morales

Jalen Stallworth

Dominic Masi

Emerson Molina

Fourth Grade:

Jennifer Carranza-Ochoa, Estefany Castro-Arevalo, Ashley Flores-Soto, Yadalis Gomez-

Ayala, Adam Hoover, Kayden Hottle-Madden, Fredy Pineda-Rodriguez, Malachi Catt, Jade

Chao, Ariana Knight, Tzeviya Morris-Dean, Haley Santiago-Ortiz, Claire Tieszen, Jazmin

Breeden, Safa Khalaf, Kanah McClay, Cesia Portillo, Oscar Romero, Julie Thomas, Anna

Campillo