Reading Notes by Marilyn Nepps

On May 13^th, thirty-six of Brooke’s fourth graders participated in this year’s Reading Olympics at the Pottstown Middle School. This is an annual event sponsored by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. The students competed in four teams to answer questions about the 46 books on the Reading Olympics booklist. The students read throughout the school year to prepare for the Olympics. Our teams earned one red ribbon and three green ribbons.

Kindergarten and first grade teachers have just completed the third DIBELS benchmark testing. Data from this testing will be used to determine how successful we were in providing reading interventions.

Kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers are already planning for next year’s implementation of Response to Intervention (RtI). Second grade teachers have been trained in administering the DIBELS assessments and teachers are beginning to discuss the use of various reading interventions and materials.

Musical Notes by Karen Schodle

May’s Musician of the Month is none other than “Old Blue Eyes” himself Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra! The students are learning about his “Bel Canto” style (Italian means ‘beautiful singing’) involving the smooth connection of notes. Frank was one of the greatest American Baritone vocalists of popular music in American and around the world: “The ultimate balladeer, the smoothest of crooners.” He was in radio, films, TV, and had 86 albums from 1953-1996. May 14 was Sinatra’s 10 year anniversary of his passing. Many Brooke students know Mr. Sinatra from their families playing his CDs at home.

As Students in Grades 1 & 2 listen to Mr. Sinatra’s singing, they will develop the hearing distinction of music’s high sounds and low sounds. Tune, tone, pitch and melody games are played along with the recognition of various pitches by singing songs. Students are also developing how to read the music language: rhythm style on the whiteboard. They are having lots of fun playing the game, “I Spy the Note.” Students will continue singing songs that integrate rhyming words with clapping their syllables.

All Third Grade students are playing notes B-A-G in various songs and jazzy melodies.

Fourth Grade Band, Strings, and Chorus are presenting their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 22 in the All-Purpose Room from 7:00-8:00 PM. It was entitled: “Sharing The Love Of Music” The students are sounding wonderful!

Media Center by Jean Novis

In the primary grades popular authors such as Tomie dePaola, Patricia Polacco and Cynthia Rylant will be featured throughout the month of May. Books, videos, and worksheets will be used to develop these authors/illustrators and their work.

The intermediate classes will practice doing a Web hunt and using one of the appropriate Internet guides for children written for their reading level to locate websites with colorful graphics and on topics of interest to them for research. They will also explore the Dewey Decimal of Classification to get a general overview of how nonfiction books are arranged in most libraries.

Nurse’s Office by Betsy Smith

All immunizations are up to date on all children. Last reminders were mailed and parents called regarding delinquent physicals, vision reports and dentist follow ups. Data entry continues in Skyward for health conditions, immunizations, alert lists and screenings. BMI letters were completed, sent to the district and mailed in the beginning of the month.

This month on Wellness Wednesdays the fourth graders and I are giving healthy choice messages about allergy awareness, fitness, vision and sleep. My bulletin board this month changed from walking club information and our 717 miles of “walking across the National Trails of Pa.” to information about food allergy awareness and being a PAL to those who have allergies. Mission Nutrition continues with giving the students an appreciation for pineapple and cauliflower this month. Flyers I designed were sent throughout the district.

I encouraged all schools to register on the PANA (Pa. Advocates for Nutrition and Activity) website as Keystone Healthy School Zones. This group promotes a healthy lifestyle through healthy zone activities throughout the year. We participated in the Walking School Bus, Apple Crunch and Go for the Greens. The summer program encourages continued active lifestyle with family. Fourth grades enjoyed the Dept. of Health Water Pollution program.

I am reviewing incoming kindergarten paperwork for completeness of immunizations, physical and dental forms. Delinquent families will be notified several times before start of school. Those without any immunizations will be excluded. As we wind down the year, all fourth grades charts are ready for transfer to fifth grade and first aid kits are replenished.

Guidance Office by Sue Pronchik

May has brought an abundance of flowers and paperwork. I am busily writing reports, scheduling CST meetings, meeting with parents and students. I have three groups continuing –two on stress management –servicing 12 students and one on social skills –servicing 3 students.

The 5^th grade counselors came to Brooke to discuss transitions with the fourth grade students and parents. The two presentations were well received. I am currently meeting with all fourth grade students in small groups to discuss any concerns about moving up as well as presenting the exciting times ahead.

Physical Education by Nancy Kodish

May is Physical Fitness Month.  We had Project ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) during May when everyone in the school walked a mile. Every morning on the WBRK television show, students lead the “Physical Fitness Excerise of the Day” for all students and staff.

Students have been running the mile during the month of May as part of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Test during PE class.

Plans are currently underway for Brooke’s Olympic Day to be held on Friday, May 30th