Physical Education Update from Mrs. Schlies

It has been wonderful seeing all the kids back in school during model 3.  To have them back has brought me so much joy!  This month we have been focusing on heart health knowledge and striking skills.  K-2 has been working on striking continuously while 3-5 has been working on striking in a volley.  We have been striking with a variety of implements from lollipop paddles to ogo paddles and as we move forward hockey sticks.  The kids have been actively engaged in learning and asking great questions.  Be sure to send a water bottle with your child to school so that they have one to bring with them to PE.

Music Update from Mr. Plekan

As Model 2 begins music students will continue to work on their music skills in person. :-)

All grades will continue to work on solfege singing.  Solfege is a method used to teach pitch and sight singing of music. Syllables are assigned to the notes of the scale and enable the musician to audiate, or mentally hear, the pitches of a piece of music which he or she is seeing for the first time and then to sing them aloud.  This is great preparation for middle school band, orchestra and choir.

Music Share will begin later this month and will continue for the rest of the year.  Every student is given the opportunity to share their musical talent with their class.  This is not required and we have had nearly every student in each class volunteer for Music Share in past years and I know they will be excited to start this up again.

Most share their musical talent by singing a favorite song with a Karaoke track as a soloist with the class singing along with them quietly.  Other Music Share performances have included playing the piano and one student even performed a tap dance.  This has been a real treat for all involved both the performers, and their peers as the audience.

We will have a lot going in the music room at Lakeside and I am very proud of the progress our musicians are making.

Musically Yours, 

Mr. Plekan

Art Update from Mrs. Wollangk

Welcome back everyone! We are so excited to have you back in the building and together at last. In the art room, we are busy as can be.

Kinders - Are understanding that shapes work together to create a new picture. Currently we are creating a snowman in mosaic style to accentuate that theory.

1st - The most sought after unit… CLAY. We will be starting this unit next, concentrating on the idea of functional art and the inspiration of artist and author Eric Carle.

2nd - One of many grades exploring the style of artist Romero Britto, pop artist and proponent of kindness. Our project plays with chalk pastel, bold color and pattern.

3rd & 5th - Our Romero Britto experience is almost to an end. We have played with mimicking Britto’s bold lines, bold color and simplistic patterns.

4th - We are on a year-long exploration of emphasis and the many ways to create it within our work. The “Winter Village” is almost done and we will have a great example of defining background, middleground and foreground, as well as creating emphasis with a lack of color.

Ms. Jeske’s art classroom:

All grade levels recently finished their awesome Art to Remember projects. Kindergarten artists created colorful shapes and used materials in a new way. First grade artists painted penguins and strengthened their understanding of pattern. Second grade artists learned about form and value by creating polar bears. Third grade artists learned about Ted Harrison and designed their own landscapes. Fourth grade artists demonstrated their knowledge of perspective by creating cityscapes. Fifth grade artists tested their drawing skills by creating colorful parrots. Each grade will be starting a new project as we transition to model 2, where new artists and artwork will be introduced, and more art skills developed. I look forward to seeing what all the young artists will continue to create!

Technology Update from Mrs. Stephany

Helpful Chromebook Reminders

Here are a few helpful reminders. Have your child shut down his or her chromebook weekly so updates can be installed. If you find the chromebook running slow, force a Chrome Update by typing Chrome://help in the address bar.

Clearing the Cache/Browsing History is a great way to speed things up on the Chrromebook. Your browser tends to hold onto information, and over time it could cause problems with logging in or bringing up websites. It's always a good idea to clear out the cache, or browser history, and clear cookies on a regular basis.


Keyboard shortcut to clear history:
Shift+ctrl+backspace

• Type in URL bar: chrome://history
• Clear history from the beginning of time
• Always restart the CB after this process

Consider creating a charging station away from areas where pets could get to devices and cords. This station should probably not be in bedrooms. Work with your child to devise clear expectations on Chromebook usage in your home.

School Counselor Update from Mrs. Palecek

Hello Lakeside Families!

Welcome back to model 2! I have loved seeing and interacting with students virtually. However, I am so excited to see students back in the classroom. I will be in the classroom teaching lessons every other week beginning February 23rd. 

As we begin again full in person I want to remind you all of my role at Lakeside. I am here for all students. I support students K-5 by teaching classroom counseling lessons on Social Emotional Topics, meeting with students in small groups and one on one support. I also can be a resource for families. If there is a need in your life please reach out. If I’m not able to assist you I can either refer you to another adult in our school or recommend another resource in the community. 

This past year has been full of change, hardship, transition, and varying emotions. If your child is experiencing some worries or anxiety about the transition back to full in person you may find these links below helpful. I am available via email or phone if you have particular questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

• Read Aloud - Find Your Calm Book

• Tips for calming breathing Bubble Breathing

• Mrs. Palecek's Virtual Counseling Office with links

Wishing you well,

Mrs. Melissa Palecek, MSE

K-5 School Counselor

Lakeside Elementary School

920-424-0131 x 6550

melissa.palecek@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Media Update from Mrs. Rucinsky

It has been so exciting to see kids back in the library! During the month of February, students were able to start coming into the media center to check out books, as long as they sanitized their hands and maintained distance from their friends. You will notice some changes to our library layout to allow for social distancing. We have a Padlet to feature some of our favorite titles and also monthly book themed displays. If you or your child would like to contribute to our Padlet and share your love of reading with all our Lakeside Friends, we'd love to have you participate. Just email me (Mrs. Rucinsky) and I will get you set up!

Looking ahead to next week, I will be visiting classrooms to talk about Digital Citizenship. Our theme this month is Media Balance and Well-Being. We'll talk about some tips on being good Digital Citizens and using our time with devices wisely. Check out the family resource guides here (note, not all grades have a family activity):

Family Tips for All Grades

Gr1 Family Activity: Pause and Think

Gr 3-5 Family Activity

Math Update form Mrs. Kane

Hi Lakeside Families!

I know most of us have been stuck inside with this cold weather, so I’m excited to share some ideas for growing our math skills at home.  Gather up your legos because today I’m sharing a few Lego Math activities!  Have a great week!   --Mrs. Kane

Reading Update from Mrs. Ruechel

Literacy Newsletter 

At Lakeside we are welcoming our students back to in-person learning this week.  I am so excited to see all the eager eyes (with masks on, that’s all I’ll be able to see) along with the enthusiasm for being in school and for learning.  

It has been a challenge to keep students engaged while in virtual learning. It’s just not the same as being in school. This week teachers will be working with students to build their reading and writing engagement and stamina.  Students will be working on setting individual reading and writing goals and making a plan for how to reach those goals.  Students will have opportunities to find good fit books for their book boxes and they will have time to practice their reading and writing.  Teachers will be meeting with students to reacquaint themselves with the readers and writers in their classroom. 

How can you help, now that your child is back in school every day?  

• Ask your child about his/her literacy goals.  

• Ask your child about the kinds of books he/she loves to read.  

• Work with your child to set a reading goal for home.

• Best of all, take the time to enjoy reading to and with your child.  It is the best gift we can give to our children...the gift of time.  What better way to spend that time, than reading with your child.