Greetings,

This week students discovered there are more than 100 seeds in a marigold flower - what a super producer ensuring the life cycle continues of its species!  Next spring we plan to spread this colorful plant all over the school grounds!

In Literacy, Kindergarten and First graders continue to explore stories and retell them in all sorts of exciting ways.  Students are noticing the sequence of a story and the characters. This week we prepared masks for a show we put on in the woods. Students were thrilled to put on this performance together.

Ask your child about this week's Word of the Week!  It was contemplate, to carefully think about something.  We read a silly story where the characters contemplated various things, one being how to get a banana from a tall tree when you have the neck of a turtle.  

First grade Math:  This week students learned subtraction strategies. We focused on the meaning of these signs and how to write an equation.  In addition, students worked to solve subtraction problems using a number line, modeling, and counting backwards.  We will continue working with subtraction next week. 

K Math:  Students participated in counting games and activities. Students have been introduced to the iPads, please know this time is limited. They are getting used to navigating these tools and soon will begin using them for Happy Numbers and Lalilo, our district math and literacy programs.

A note from Nurse Tara:  Head lice are tiny, crawling insects that live in the human hair. They do not fly or jump. The females lay eggs called nits on the hair shaft close to the scalp, often at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. The nits are small, oval-shaped specks that can vary from whitish to brownish in color, and are firmly cemented in place and cannot be brushed or flicked away. Persistent itching of the head and back of the neck can indicate head lice. Most important is examining the hair and scalp, especially the nape of the neck and behind the ears, for nits.Lice outbreaks are common in school-aged children. Even the cleanest child can become infested. It is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty.  If you discover lice or nits, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about treatment options. School nurses can also answer questions about head lice

A note from Mrs. Auctor: Over the course of this year, I will be working in small groups with all kindergarten students on focused fine motor activities. Children ages 5-6 are at a formative stage in their fine motor development. In other words, some extra practice can go a long way! The goal is to further strengthen your child’s fine motor abilities (cutting, drawing, writing) through fun and engaging art projects and activities. Feel free to contact me with any questions at kim.aucter@mmuusd.org