Arbor Day!

Happy Arbor Day !

Students at CIS received seedlings from the NRD as part of the Arbor Day Celebration across the state.  A special thanks goes out to Lorna Eliason and Sherri Daniels for organizing this event.

4th Grade visits the Oregon Trail on Wednesday

 

April 13, 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Fourth graders in the Chadron Public Schools are being given the opportunity to see and experience an important part of their history, the Oregon Trail.  On Wednesday, April 25th, students will be taken to Bayard, Nebraska, to participate in the Living History experience presented by Mr. Rick Bayne.  They will see Chimney Rock, an important landmark on the Oregon Trail, and visit the Chimney Rock Museum.  They will also travel to Scottsbluff Monument, another landmark on the trail.

We will leave the school at 7:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 25th.  It is essential that your child be here on time as we are on a schedule.  Each child is to bring a sack lunch, plus nutritious snacks.  Please include at least 2 drinks.  We would prefer that they are not both pop.  Have lunches and drinks well labeled before coming to school.

Please see that your child is dressed appropriately.  Students need to wear good walking shoes.  Long pants are preferred unless it is extremely hot.  Students should wear layers of clothing to accommodate any kind of weather, as this trip does not have an alternate date.  Everyone should bring a jacket. 

It is permissible for the students to bring a camera or binoculars, but they will be responsible for those items.  No money is necessary for the trip.  There are gift shops at the museums.  We do not encourage the shopping, but recognize that if time permits they will shop.  Students are not to bring music devices, toys, or other unnecessary items.

We plan to return to Chadron around 5:30-6:00 P.M.  Please make sure your child knows what he/she is to do upon returning. (They are to walk, you are picking them up, etc.)  It will be a full day, but should be a great learning experience for all involved.

Please stress proper behavior with your child, including bus manners, being good listeners, not pushing and shoving, etc.  A positive team effort will make this a memorable trip.  If you have questions, or would like to travel with us, please contact us at 432-0717.

Sincerely,

4^th Grade Teachers

Nancy Anderson

Donna Piercy

Mark Rutter

Chadron Preschool Newsletter April 16-19

Parent Newsletter

Chadron Preschool

April 16-19, 2012

                        Hello!  It has been a “funny farm” this week at our school! We have been MOOOVIN’ and going QUACKERS learning more about the topic of farms and the different types of animals that there are on farm.

            On Monday, the children were greeted by Bessie the cow.  Bessie doesn’t “moooove” much but she does have a full udder most of the time! The children got a “kick out” milking a cow.   Ask your child about this experience. Feel free to come in and give Bessie a “squeeze” also! J  We had to put the horses, Blacky, Spots, and Cinnamon in another pasture so they would not bother Bessie!  ( advice from a child)

            We have played several familiar games such as “Farmer in the Dell” and “Old McDonald had a Farm.”  Some of the children enjoyed playing the matching game, “Momma and her Baby” using the large wipe-off board.  They also made a BIG picture on that board, of what a farm looks like!  We have some very fine actors and actresses in our class!  We observed this talent when the children performed two stories, “Billy Goats Guff” and “The Three Little Pigs.”

 One Tuesday, we went “hog-wild” with an activity that had to do with pigs/hogs and the joys of mud.  This muddy activity was good to eat too!  Ask your child what flavor the muddy pigs are!   Mrs. Hoffman also showed us at snack how to make and eat a pink pig (cookie).  (recipe on back.)

 On Wednesday, for Show and Tell, Mrs. Wollesen brought in a bouquet of Lilacs.  The children admired these flowers and they smell “oh-so-good” in our classroom.   We think Spring is officially here now! 

The children were delighted to watch how Mrs. Hoffman made homemade ice cream.  We had this wonderful treat and chick cookies for snack.  Ask your child how ice cream is made!

Billy and his peers LOVED the book, Why the Chickens Crossed THE ROAD

by Mark D’Arcy.   A good read for some GREAT belly laughs!

            Reminder:  Last DAY OF PRESCHOOL is May 10^th.  This date is different than the Chadron Public Schools.   Our preschool graduation day is May 8^th and there will be a short ceremony and then a family BBQ at the preschool.  INVITATIONS will go out NEXT WEDNESDAY, 4/25 which will include more details!

Have a great weekend!!

Tornado Drill

The week of March 19-23 has been designated as Severe Weather Awareness week in Nebraska.  Chadron Schools and its students participated in the City Wide Tornado Drill.  Practicing what to do in case of a real tornado is vitally important for students at school and at home.  CIS students are directed to the 1st floor commons area during tornado drills.  Students are taught to use basic duck and cover techniques.  At home, families should discuss their "shelter area" and practice getting there so children know what to do.  Remember that a Tornado Siren is a loud "Steady Blast".

CHADRON PRESCHOOL APRIL NEWSLETTER

Parent Newsletter

Chadron Preschool

April 10-12, 2012

            Howdy Partners!  We hope that you and your family had a nice Easter break.  This short but fun-filled week had us learning more about pioneers, cowboys and the Oregon Trail.  Saddle up…for a fun read! (giggle)

            Pioneers are the intrepid travelers who set out into the great unknown and settled our American West.  These brave people were looking for a better life and a new place to call home.  One such pioneer was the beloved author, Laura Ingalls Wilder.  We introduced our students to pioneer life through her books. Most of us are familiar with Mrs. Wilder’s young adult books but there is now a series of children’s books known as My First Little House Books.   The children really enjoyed these wonderful stories and this series can be found at the library.

            The children have been so excited about having a “real” covered wagon that we could try out. (Thanks to Mr. Wollesen for building this covered wagon!)  We also have a “Soddy” (house made out mud and straw) or a log cabin set up in our room.  We have gathered up cattle with our stick horses, “Blacky,”“Spots,” and “Cinnamon” and learned the different ways to stop and start a horse!  Giddddy-Yap!  Whoooa!  Ask your child the 3 different kinds of animals that can pull a wagon. (horses, oxen and mules---which one did the best at pulling?)

            We enjoyed two different kinds of meals the pioneers and cowboys had.  On Thursday, our class enjoyed Johnny Cakes for breakfast. (recipe on back) Then for snack, we had jerky and saltine crackers and Mrs. Hoffman explained how jerky is made and why it was an important meal to the pioneers and cowboys of long ago!  Ask your child what kind of meat (animals) can be used to make jerky.  Throughout this week, we gathered around the “ol campfire” and sang old time Western songs such as “You are my Sunshine,” “She’ll Be Coming around the Mountain,” and “Shoo-Fly!”  At rest time on Tuesday, we listen to Bethany Zill’s CD of

Cowboy Music.   Now that COWGIRL can sing!

            Mrs. Wollesen dressed up as a pioneer woman and demonstrated just how hard it was to be a traveling “momma” on the Oregon Trail.  These pioneers faced many trials, unfamiliar terrain, limited accommodations, shortage of food and water at times!  We also discussed how the Native Americans could be of help to these travelers.

            We would have LOVED to have gone to the Dawes County Museum but our time is limited.  The teachers encourage you to take your child out to this wonderful museum this summer and EXPLORE all the old fashioned pioneer items out there!

            Show and Tell is on Wednesdays and we would like to thank those parents and children who remember to bring one toy/item. Just to let one and all know, one of our students is missing a small, pink/reddish/brown plastic box that contains 2 DS games.  If found, please return to the classroom.  THANK-YOU!

            Coming SOON…Be on the lookout for preschool graduation invites!  Can you believe it? Only one more MONTH of school!  Time flies when WE are having FUN!

                   “Westward Ho”-- Have A GREAT Weekend!

      

              

            Johnny Cakes

(there are a variety of ways to make JC, but this is a favorite of ours!)

2 beaten eggs

1 Cup of water

¾ c. milk

2 Tbsp. of lard/shortening

1 tsp of salt

*Butter and maple syrup OR Molasses.

  Choke cherry syrup is good too!

In bowl mix eggs, water, lard and salt.  Stir in cornmeal. Stir well before making each Johnny Cake.  For each cake place ¼ batter on a hot well greased griddle, spread to ¼ inch thick.  Cook until golden 2-3 minutes per side.

Serve warm with butter and/or syrup/molasses.

Makes 12-14 cakes!

           

Poster Contest

CIS students have been busy this year reading lots of books from the library as well as from home or their classrooms.  Currently they are creating posters to share with others what they liked most about the book.  They had their choice in creating a collage of their favorite characters in the book, their favorite scene, or a scene from the beginning, middle, and end of the book.  Each of the 3rd-4th grade students will enter their poster's into the 2012 Dawes County Fair.  They look forward to everyone seeing their efforts this summer at the fairgrounds.

Mr. Rutter's class enjoyed designing their posters

Brush Up Day

Janelle Hansen and Freddy Flossisaurus

The Panhandle Public Health District visited your child's school today and gave an educational, hands-on presentation to your child on "HEALTHY TEETH".  We discussed the importance of cleaning our teeth, how often to brush our teeth, defined basic dental terms, reinforced nutritional foods to eat, and reviewed what happens at a Dental check-up.

Challenge Days!

All Elementary students in the district K-4 met  this year at the CSC PAC Center for Challenge Days.  Students were assigned small groups and participated in numerous activities.  The stations included lots of movement including an obstacle course and pushing a giant ball.  While students from CSC led the activities, CIS staff were able to observe the activities while walking the track.  Everyone got plenty of exercise and had a good time.  Special thanks to all students and staff at CSC who helped put this on.  K-4 students are also participating this Spring with the Morning Marathon Club.  Students are meeting again at the track and walking or running together to improve their fitness.