Classroom Updates

Four Squares Graphic Organizers in Art Class?

Last Wednesday, March 4th, our art teacher, Ms. Kuster, was very enthralled and proud to let me know that our class had a session of free draw day with her. The students were expected to complete an art assignment by drawing anything they want for the next 20 minutes. To help them narrow down their choices, she told the students to draw things that can be seen in the sky. Ms. Kuster has been in coordination with our team on our reading/ELA curriculum throughout the school year.  What the students did next got Ms. Kuster very excited! She saw that the students started creating their very own “Four Square” graphic organizers (it’s a new campus-wide writing graphic organizer implemented and used by teachers). Then, she also noticed that the students started drawing things that they see in the sky. What surprised her the most, according to Ms. Kuster, is when they all started writing sentences by sounding out the words and using their two-finger finger spaces! “I was really surprised and proud to see them working with their 4-squares and their finger spaces!”

So, Ms. Kuster started snapping pictures and shared them with me. Now, I would also like to share these snapshots of this very, special day of content alignment and integration happening in a kindergarten art class. Yes to content integration! Yes to great planning! Yes to teachers, like Ms. Kuster, who provide ample opportunities for students to use and practice their daily reading and writing skills in unexpected times and places! Thank you, Ms. Kuster, and thank you to all special area teachers who support our students in every possible way!

 

Enjoying Spring Break?

 

It is Friday, March 13th, and I am wishing everyone the very best as the spring break comes to an end in a few days. I hope that you are all safe, healthy and all geared up to start the last quarter of the school year on Monday, March 16th. 

Please take care now and see you all soon!

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Laveen Lion’s Penny Drive Champs 2019-2020

We did it… again! A few weeks ago, we received a surprise pizza delivery for a class party. As soon as I saw the 5 boxes of pizza and a certificate of recognition with the Laveen Lion’s Club logo, I knew that we bagged the championship for the penny drive that the club organized to help feed and support the needy families in our community. 

It was heart-warming to see my kindergarten students come to school with random amounts of pennies in their little hands or in small ziploc baggies with wide-eyed faces of joy and pride. Their words of excitement and pride that they are able to bring and put in a contribution to fill up our jar were priceless and unforgettable! 

I would like to thank the Laveen Lion’s Club and the Laveen school district for giving our students the opportunity to start the fire of philanthropy at such an early age. 

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Kate Knows Karate

On January 17th, Kate showed her karate skills to our entire class. This was in conjunction with our class conversations about making positive choices and keeping one’s self and others safe at all times.

Mrs. Alvarado, Kate’s mom, brought in her uniform and a couple of her karate paraphernalia and presented her moves in karate for a few minutes during morning work for the show and tell. Kate made me and her friends amazed at how important self-discipline is in learning how to defend one’s self. Thank you and great job, Kate!

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Fourth Week on Third Quarter

Yes, we will start our fourth week of the Third Quarter on Monday. This week, we will continue working and mastering our subtraction skills. in Math. In Reading, we will be learning about new Spalding phonograms “ie” at 7:28 and “dge” at 1:15. (Please click on the hyperlinked phonograms to listen to the sounds) We will also read and learn about cows from our Spalding Reader entitled, “Learning About Cows”. So get ready and let’s start it off with a big “Moo!”

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Thanksgiving Break 2019

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Thanksgiving Holiday is on Wednesday, November 27-29, 2019. May you and your families, loved ones and friends enjoy each other’s love, company and share your grateful hearts this Thanksgiving Day!

I will see you all back to school on Monday, December 2, 2019, at 7:20 a.m. Enjoy and stay safe this holiday break!

 

2019 MC Cash Turkey Trot

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Run for the turkeys!!!

On Tuesday, November 26, 2019, MC Cash hosted its annual Turkey Trot. All students from K-8th grade participated in a race. Each grade level was awarded a girl and boy champion and the declared winners brought home a frozen turkey for their families to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday.

It is with my greatest honor to announce that our class won the Girls’ Kindergarten Race! Dailyn Medina breezed through the race with so much energy and stamina. She got to the finish line with a huge smile and a big, wide-eyed face to her surprise that she won the competition. She made me and her classmates very proud! I would also like to mention Jayden Giron, a strong and determined kindergarten boy from our class who led the Boys’ Race for almost 95% of the competition. It was in the last 25 feet when Luis Velazquez from Ms. Galindo’s class zoomed by and took the winning title. Believe me, it was a “scream your lungs out” moment for me! Nevertheless, Jayden proved his dedication and true determination. Excellent job to both Jayden and Dailyn!

This event was made possible by our Special Area Department and school administrators. A gobble-ton of thanks to Mr. Epacs, Mr. Lee, Ms. Kuster, Mr. Patrick, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Cox, Ms. Sandomir, and Ms. Goodwin for all their hard work and excellent teamwork all for a great cause- all for the students and their families and the MC Cash community!

If all went tech-well, I have uploaded and created a gallery for this event. Kindly check the Gallery tab from my home page. Enjoy!

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Veteran’s Day 2019

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Happy Veteran’s Day to all!

Due to Veteran’s Day observance, there will be no school tomorrow, Monday, November 11, 2019. I hope to see you all bright and early Tuesday, November 12 at the same place, same time at 7:30 a.m. May you all enjoy this day off!

2019 Fall Parent Conferences

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Wednesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 24th, are this semester’s parent-teacher conferences. Conferences start at 4:00 pm on Wednesday and at 1:00 pm on Thursday. If you have not made an appointment with your child’s teacher, please do so as soon as possible. 

Please be reminded that Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th are early dismissal days. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 am. Students are also allowed to dress down on those days mentioned. Please make pick up arrangements for your child for the two early dismissal days. 

I hope to see you all at our conference nights!

Just in Case You Haven’t Noticed

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Hello all! Yes, I forgot to share with you that we have fall break on October 7th to the 11th. Classes resume on Monday, October 14th at 7:30 A.M.

May everyone enjoy this week off and be ready for a new chapter of learning for the second quarter. Be safe and see you all soon!