🦅 Message from the Principal:

We officially survived the whirlwind of March, and I want to thank our students and staff for making it such a memorable month filled with school spirit. A huge highlight was our school-wide Rock Paper Scissors contest; the energy in the halls was electric! I am thrilled to announce that our grand champion is Evelyn H. in 4th grade—congratulations, Evelyn, on your impressive victory! As we look ahead, we have just two more weeks of hard work before April break. The excitement is already building for our next PBIS assembly on April 10, where we will host the PTA-sponsored "Pie a Teacher" event. It is sure to be a messy, hilarious, and well-deserved reward for our students' continued commitment to our school expectations!

💻 Message from the Office:

If you are planning on bringing snacks to the classroom please check with the teacher before as there may be some dietary restrictions in the classroom. Also, if there is going to be a change in dismissal plans please let us know before noon if possible. Students should still plan on bringing jackets and sweatshirts for recess.

April 9th PJ & Stuffy Day-Brought to you by Natalie & RJ

April 14th Pink or Purple Day-Brought to you by Lucien

April 16th Anything but a backpack-Brought to you by Ms McCaslin's homeroom

No school - April 17-April 24th - Spring Break!

🍎 Message from the Nurse:

With spring here, it can be tricky to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and illness. As a general reminder, allergies typically cause clear runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes, and children usually feel otherwise well. Illness is more likely if your child has a fever, sore throat, significant fatigue, body aches, or a persistent cough.

If your child has a fever or is not feeling well enough to participate in school, please keep them home. 

Strep throat is making the rounds here at Chelsea, please be sure to monitor your child for symptoms. 

We have also seen 3 cases of lice, please be sure to do regular checks at home for lice and treat as needed. If you need help with any of this, please reach out.

📱Digital Safety Tip:

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, spring often brings an increase in "digital socializing" through group chats, gaming platforms, and social media. A vital tip for parents of students in grades 2–8 is to establish a "Digital Open Door Policy." For our younger elementary students, this means devices stay in common areas like the kitchen or living room rather than behind closed bedroom doors. For our middle schoolers, it means a mutual agreement that parents have access to passwords and can "spot check" conversations. Remind your children that anything they type, post, or "react" to creates a permanent digital footprint that follows them into high school and beyond. A quick rule of thumb to teach them: If you wouldn't say it to someone's face with a teacher standing right there, don't send it in a text. Openly discussing these boundaries now helps ensure that their online world remains a safe, positive space as they gain more independence.

⭐ Message From Mrs. Campbell:

K-2 SEL lessons are almost to a near. In second grade we practiced using the skills we have been learning about to help us overcome obstacles. The students played a board game with each other and worked through challenges. In first grade, we learned about unexpected behaviors and how they affect others around us. Being aware of how we act is a skill we are working on to improve our social skills. In Kindergarten, we are learning about being flexible (flexible thinking vs. stuck thinking) and how we can solve problems that we have with ourselves or with others. We practiced using flexible thinking while creating an imaginary giant bowl of ice cream with many many flavors. 

⚽  Sports Information:

PTA News:

Pie a teacher fundraiser is going on now for the April 10th Pride Assembly

$1 for one ticket or $5 for 6 tickets

PreK - Mrs. Kalacinski and Ms. Otis:

We are having fun learning about shadows and reflections.  We have been using puppets and a flash light to create shadows and put on a puppet show, glitter paint art work, and building with reflective material in the block area.  We played a matching game of beginning sounds, letter work, and math games. We continue to work on classroom routines, rules and expected and unexpected behaviors.  We are so excited for Spring!! 

Kindergarten - Mrs. Winters and Mrs. Brown:

In Kindergarten, we are glad to be finished with the month of March and are looking forward to the warmer, spring weather. We are also excited for our Celebration of Learning, which will be happening on May 6th from 4:00-5:00. We are learning all about oviparous animals for our Celebration of Learning and will be completing individual projects about oviparous animals of our choosing. 

We also continue to work on Unit 5 in Math: composing and decomposing numbers within ten. We have been working hard to find all of the ways to make ten and are writing equations to match. In Phonics, we are learning about short and long vowels and how to tell the difference between the two. We continue our work on identifying sounds in words and blending them together to read simple words. 

Grade 1 - Ms. Grant and Ms. Hoague:

In Ms. Grant’s class, we are excited to be learning about the birds we see out our windows. We are finishing up addition and subtraction within 20 and should be moving on to numbers to 99 next week. In phonics we are working on vowel teams, this week we are practicing ai and ay. Please make sure your child is bringing (or has) a coat every day!

Grade 2 - Ms. Acosta and Mrs. Mullen:

In Mrs. Mullen’s class, we began money in math last week by counting an assortment of coins and naming the coins in the assortment, along with how much they cost. In whole group, we practiced cycle 59 which was ton/sion, and this week we will do consonant le. In reading, we are finishing module 3, unit 1 on pollination. In science, we will be doing some experiments with peeps. In writing, we are finishing our poetry books and will begin rabbit research next! 

In Ms. Acosta’s room, we are continuing to work on our poetry writing. Students are learning that not all poems rhyme and some poems tickle your 5 senses. In math, we are finishing Unit 5 and then moving to Unit 7. We are continuing to learn about money, telling time, and shapes. In reading we are developing our voice, making inferences, and decoding longer words. In EL Skills, we are starting Cycle 50 for the whole group and continuing to work on skills in small groups. In science, we are learning about bees and pollination and how they contribute to a plant’s life cycle. We are looking forward to the snow being gone and seeing more sun.

Grade 3 - Mrs. Del Gallo and Mrs. Wight:

We have officially finished the Iditarod unit! Students did a great job tracking their mushers and following along as they checked into each checkpoint throughout Alaska. In science we have started our unit on animal adaptations. We will be studying how animals adapt to their environments in order to survive. We will be looking at physical and behavioral adaptations (camouflage, mimicry, hibernation, migration, etc! ) In math we are starting our division unit and looking at how multiplication and division are related. As the weather is still VERY unpredictable, PLEASE send your child in with appropriate outdoor gear. If they real feel is below 32 degrees, students still have to wear a winter jacket. In German, third graders read a comic about a policeman (Polizist) and a dog (Dachshund Waldi), match pictures with the words and practice the words starting with the letters I and J: Italien (Italy), Indien (India), Jacke (a jacket), Jahreszeit (a season), and Japan (Japan). We will watch a video about German Easter traditions and color Easter eggs. Frohe Ostern (Happy Easter), if you celebrate.

Grade 4 - Mrs. Cargill and Mrs. Rush:

In French, Gr.4 students work on a food unit (la nourriture), talk about the names of the meals (les repas), and practice the names of various foods: une pomme (an apple), un yogourt (yoghurt), le pain (bread), le déjuner (breakfast, and le gâteau (a cake/ pie). We will watch a video about Easter traditions in France and talk about Easter foods there and in the USA.

Grade 5 - Mrs. Reith and Mrs. Williams:

Our 5th graders continue to work hard across all subjects! In Literacy, students recently finished their Because of Winn-Dixie reading units and celebrated by watching the film adaptation on Friday. The class had a great time comparing the two, noting how closely the movie followed the original story. In Math, students are deepening their understanding of decimals. Meanwhile, in Science, we are wrapping up our unit on the water cycle and beginning to explore the other interconnected spheres of the Earth. In French, Gr.5 students read a dialog between Olivier and Théo, practice the phrases: “Je m’appelle …” (My name is …) and “Je suis …” (I am …) with their partners and play the dialog using their and their classmates’ names. We will continue to compare Easter traditions in France and the USA.

🗺 Social Studies - Ms. Shields:

6th-Students have been exploring parts of South America ranging from the Amazon Rainforest, to the glaciers of Chile; South America has it all! In the next few weeks we will continue to explore other continents.

7th-Students have been taking the time to learn about events that occurred and laws that were made during the few years of the Articles of Confederation. Next few weeks we will be taking a dive into the three branches of government.

8th-We just finished our “Jacksonian Era” with our first debate! Students did an awesome job on representing the side they were given. We had a lot of fun with this. We are now starting to transition our work into the Civil War period.

🔬 Science - Mr. Bailey:

Students have successfully landed on Mars (with healthy skeletal and muscular systems)! It's time to start learning about the atmosphere and hydrosphere and what needs to change on Mars to support human life.

📊 Math - Miss McCaslin:

Our students are continuing to build their math skills and connect concepts to real-world situations:

6th Grade: Students are beginning their unit on Ratios, focusing on understanding how ratios appear in real-life situations. We are working with equivalent ratios and exploring unit price, helping students see how math applies to everyday decisions like shopping and comparing values.

7th Grade: We are finishing up our unit on Probability and will soon transition into learning about Circles, including how to find the area and circumference.

It’s great to see students making connections between math concepts and the world around them. Thank you for your continued support!

📈 Math - Mrs. Hall:

Here we are: the final push toward April vacation. 

Algebra 1 is working on factoring polynomials. There is a lot to remember for these, so we will be doing a lot of practice.

8th grade is being introduced to functions which also reviews a lot of linear relationships. It’s not a long unit, so we will be wrapping up well before vacation.

7th graders are finishing up with plane geometry. They will have their unit test this week and move on to  surface area.

📖 English - Mr. Gammon:

8th Grade Language Arts we have begun reading The Graveyard Book, a Gothic Fantasy, by Neil Gaiman. In writing, students are working on Explanatory/Informational five paragraph essays that require research. Over the last few weeks, we have begun writing introductions,  learning about different ways to construct a Hook/Lead, General Statements, and thesis/claim. 7th Grade Language Arts students recently completed the novel The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin and will watch the movie based on the novel titled, Get a Clue. Students are using this story to learn how to respond to essay style questions. These responses begin with Thesis statements(Opinions), are followed with three pieces of evidence from the text, and finish by Circling Back(Conclusion). In addition to this, we have been working on the mechanics of written language through IXL. Next week we will start reading “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. The story focuses on the importance of persevering through difficult situations.

📓  English - Ms. Haskell:

In ELA, students are concluding their unit on American Indians in boarding schools. They will soon begin a new unit centered on the inspiring true story of William Kamkwamba. As a teenager in Malawi, William built an incredible wind turbine from junkyard scraps to bring electricity to his home—a feat that earned him the title, 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.'

April is a time when Autism Acceptance is highlighted across our communities. It offers an opportunity for families, schools, workplaces and community members to come together to learn more about autism and show their support.Educators often use this month to help students learn about Autism while promoting understanding, kindness, and inclusion among classmates. Acceptance means: listening to and respecting autistic identities, promoting inclusion and accessibility,  and valuing strength while supporting needs. 

You may see an infinity symbol during Autism Acceptance Month. This shape reflects that autistic people are whole and not missing pieces. The infinity shape also demonstrates that every individual has limitless strengths and potential. Autism is not a singular experience, and it looks different for every person. 

🎶 Music - Mr. Morgan:

Many of my classes in grades 1-5 have earned their music fun day.  Students earn daily points for showing respect, responsibility and safety in class.  Once a class reaches 25 points they are able to have a music fun day. Our theme for music fun day in the spring is an “instrument” fun day.  Students are able to play the Ukulele, Boomwackers or drums. Prek-5 students can find many of the songs and games we use in class by going to the site: musicplayonline.com and clicking to login as a “student” using the code: s933939. 

🏃 PE - Mr. LaRochelle:

In PE, K-5 students are currently playing Invasion Games. Invasion games are team-based activities where players enter (or "invade") an opponent’s territory, while simultaneously protecting their own space and goal. They are working on basic offensive and defensive tactics and working as a team to apply strategies. 

Middle school students are still playing Pickleball. They are currently participating in class wide round robin tournaments. 

💻 Learning Commons - Mrs. Couture:

Pre K - 2nd grade explored how Maple syrup was made while practicing how to scan a QR code, start and pause a video, and navigating the basics of using an iPad (turning it on, finding the camera, using the home button). 

3rd Grade practiced keyboarding, 4th graders are researching famous inventors, and 5th grade is halfway through their author/illustrator study of Steve Jenkins; having explored his books and researched some animal facts. 

6th grade students learned the basics of email etiquette while 7th and 8th graders continued working on their maker projects and we started to print their designs on the 3D printer. 

📚 Library - Ms. Helen:

🎨 Art - Mrs. Dunn:

Pre-K to grade  2 students have been doing some fun spring/ Easter themed art lessons.  First graders made clay bunnies as part of their sculpture unit! 

Third graders made some tessellation drawings after learning about the artist M.C. Escher. 

Grade four students are finishing up a unit on Japanese and Chinese art. They have done some ink paintings and recently learned about the Japanese ‘Children’s Day’ holiday. They made some fish shaped wind socks which are flown for this holiday in Japan. 

Sixth graders just learning how to draw using two point linear perspective, and Seventh graders are doing a unit on architecture.  They are currently doing a research project about a famous building of their choice. 

Eighth graders are finishing up their unit on Medieval art.  They recently learned about heraldry and they each designed a personal coat of arms or heraldic shield. 

News from Gifted and Talented:

In Gifted and Talented, just about all groups have finished their Unit 1 project and have been working to bravely present them. During their presentations they talk about their collaboration and discussions as a team, their successes and failures, and how they overcame them as a group. They discuss their projects and the brainstorming, planning, and creative production that went into making them. We will finish up presentations this week and start unit 2.