O C T O RA R A E LE ME NT AR Y M R.

K E L LE Y P RI N CI PA L

SC HO O L

H A R ME R,

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

FROM MR. HARMER 24 TOURNAMENT SCHOOL HAPPENINGS AUTHOR VISIT JEN BRYANT

entary ra Elem ctora O Events

V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 4

Mr. Harmer, Principal

A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2

From Mr. Harmer

Dear Parents, As the 2011-2012 school year draws to an end with a flurry of activities I want to thank the students, staff, and parents for a wonderful school year. There are still plenty of activities and events planned for April, May, and June. The GYRO reward picnic, field day, Spring Open House, and class field trips are just a few upcoming events. Please refer to the last page of this newsletter for all the important dates and events. Thanks for a great school year and have a safe and enjoyable summer. Mr. Harmer

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

From Mr. Harmer

1 1

24 Tournament

School Happenings 2 Special Events

3-4 4

Important Dates

We recently held our 24 Math qualifying tournaments on March 22nd and 23rd. Over 80 4th grade students participated and the competition was fierce. 16 finalists and 2 alternates emerged and will compete in the OES cafeteria at 6 PM on April 18th. 24 is a challenging math game that requires students to use 4 numbers on a card using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to reach 24. Your child can access 24 cards on the First in Math website. The finalists will be competing for the gold, silver, and bronze 24 medals on April 18th. Good luck to the finalists and thanks to all those students who were brave enough to compete in the qualifying tournaments. For more information please go to: www.24game.com

Mr. Cooper and Mr. Baumgardner

The students at OES participated in their annual Jump Rope for Heart Event on March 23rd, 2012. This event benefits the American Heart Association and raises money to help those affected by heart disease. The students at Octorara did an amazing job raising $13,075 for the AHA. The top class in 3rd grade was Mrs. Schurr and in 4th grade it was Mr. Noon. Thank you to all of the students and parents who helped raise money for this great cause. A special thanks to Steven Janik ($550) and Brianna Dougherty ($405) for raising the most for 3rd and 4th grade.

Getting Zapped in Room #7 Mrs. Davis

Miss Wallick has been teaching a unit on magnetism and electricity. Kids have experimented with the interaction of two magnets, testing materials with magnets, and the movement of electricity through a circuit to light a bulb. Recently, we have also studied static electricity and observed its effects with the Van de Graaf Generator. Mrs. Davis class had a blast watching the Van de Graaf Generator as tissue paper streamers lifted into the air, sparks flew to light a fluorescent bulb, and their own hair stood on end! We learned how the Van de Graaf Generator works, from a build up of positive charges that emerge in response to the rubbing of a moving rubber belt inside the generator. When students then place their hand on the metallic dome, these built up positive charges are carried through their hand to their hair. Now that the students hair strands are all positively charged, they repel each other and stand on end!

We are good citizens in Room 9!

The 4th grade students in Mrs. Hetrick's class just completed a social studies unit about Government. The students learned how a bill is passed into a law by enacting the steps taken by the Senate and House of Representatives. They learned about the Bill of Rights, branches of government, and how they can be good citizens. The students created posters depicting different ways they could impact their city, town, or school by being a good citizen. Mrs. Doughten, our student teacher from Millersville University, directed this unit. The students enjoyed the interactive activities that were planned and were excited about social studies!

PSSA Big Winners

During the PSSA testing students received tickets for attending and working hard each day. Their were daily drawings for Book Fair gift certificates worth $16 each day for 4 lucky students. The grand prize drawing was a $100 Toys R Us gift card. Our two winners were Thomas Mellema and Jacalyn Wolbert pictured below. Thanks to all the students for their hard work and perseverance during the PSSA testing.

OCTORARA

ELEMENTARY

EVENTS

PAGE

St. Jude Math-A-Thon is COMING!

Our school is excited to participate in the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital St. Jude MathAThon program this year. St. Jude MathAThon is an educational program that teaches kids the importance of math while helping children with cancer and other deadly diseases. This years St. Jude MathAThon program will kick off on Friday, April 13th. Heres how it works: 1. Students ask family and friends to sponsor their participation in the program. 2. Each student receives a printed Funbook filled with math problems. They also have the option of going online to complete their Funbook. 3. After completing the math problems, students collect pledges from their sponsors and return them to school to be sent in to St. Jude. How can you help with St. Jude MathAThon? Follow your childs progress on the math Funbook problems, encourage them, talk about how they are helping other kids by doing the program and help them contact friends and family for sponsorship. Through the St. Jude MathAThon program, you and your child make it possible for St. Jude to treat the worlds sickest children battling cancer and other deadly diseases, and they do it for free no family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives. Today, millions of children around the world are benefiting from 50 years of St. Jude discoveries. For additional information and to help your child use our online fundraising tool, please visit mathathon.org/students. Thank you!

OCTORARA

ELEMENTARY

EVENTS

PAGE

Author Jen Bryant Comes to Octorara

Important Dates: April 5-10 April 11-18 April 13 April 13 April 17-18 May 2 May 3 May4 May 17 Spring Break Book Fair in the Library Math A Thon Kick Off Report Cards 4-Sight Testing Hibernia Envirothon 3rd Gr. Field Trip Franklin Institute No School PM Spring Open House Art Show & Chorus Concert GYRO Trip Early Dismissal No School Reading Incentive YMCA Pool May 31 May 31 June 1 June 1 June 5 June 6-8 June 8 OES Field Day 7 PM OES Cafeteria Musical Annie 7 PM OES Cafeteria Musical Annie No School 4th Gr. Philadelphia Half Day Early Dismissal Last Day of School
Octorara Elementary School Mr. Kelley Harmer, Principal
104 Highland Road Atglen, PA 19310 Phone: 610.593.8238 Ext. 2500 Web: www.octorara.k12.pa.us

May 24 May 25 May 28 May 30

On Wednesday, March 28th, Octorara Elementary school met with author Jen Bryant. Ms. Bryant writes picture books, novels and poems for readers of all ages. Her biographical picture book: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, received a Caldecott Honor award and her historical novel in verse RINGSIDE 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial is an Oprah Recommended Book for ages 12 & up. Other titles include Pieces of Georgia (IRA Young Adult Choices Pick), The Trial (about the 1935 Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial), a 1960s-era novel Kaleidoscope Eyes (a Jr. Library Guild selection), Georgias Bones, celebrating the creative vision of artist Georgia OKeeffe, Music for the End of Time, based on a true story about WWII, and Abes Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln. We had a great time hearing stories about the inspirations for the characters and events within her picture books. For more information on Ms. Bryant and her books, please visit her website at www.jenbryant.com.

OCTORARA

ELEMENTARY

EVENTS

PAGE