Dear GAES Families,

This year, with the launch of our Cubs Care program, we have decided to forgo the annual Teacher Valentine Raffle in exchange for a "Cubs Care Week of Giving". More information will be coming home via backpacks in the next few days. We are hoping that this will become an annual event that will benefit a needing Glen Allen family.

Our next big event is the annual Silent Auction which will be March 30th at 6:30pm at the Cultural Art Center at Glen Allen and is ADULTS ONLY. This year's event promises to be a rocking good time. Visit the website for more detailed information including a non-comprehensive listing of auction items. So reserve your babysitter now and we hope to see you there!

The PTA is wanting to start an extracurricular academic committee. We are hoping that this group of parents would be willing to help organize a science fair and a few other projects. If you are interested in helping get this project started please contact me at glenallenespta@gmail.com.

Glen Allen Cub Families, 

I can't believe we are half way through the school year.  Our students, staff, and families have done an incredible job working together.  Glen Allen truly "ROCKS" with all the support we have in helping our students be successful.  As a staff we continue to focus instructional practices on 21st century learning, challenging all students to be creative thinkers.  Our students' commitment to learning is amazing.  I could not be more proud of their hard work!  Thank you for you continued support in helping make Glen Allen ES the BEST school in Henrico. 

School Highlights:
Glen Allen Elementary School is a recipient of the 2012 Board of Education Excellence Award. Governor McDonnell and the Virginia Department of Education presented these awards to high-performing Virginia schools and school divisions.  WAY TO GO Glen Allen ES!!!!!!

Student highlights:
Congratulations to Zemirah Hayes.  She won our school wide spelling bee! Zemirah will represent our school on Monday, January 23rd at Hungry Creek Middle School for the district wide spelling bee. We are so proud of you Zemirah.  Good luck!
Congratulations to our Glen Allen Hoop Shoot winners.  Brianna David and Owen Rice won the 8-9 year old category.  Ella Meyer and Reid Wilson won our 10-11year old category.  Reid Wilson actually won the competition at Hermitage High School on January 15th. WOW!   Reid will now advance to the competition in Fredericksburg.  Good Luck Reid!

Congratulations to Caroline Powell, Glen Allen's Light of Hope Award Recipient.  Caroline was honored on Monday, January 16th during the 2012 Henrico County Virginia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Celebration held at Henrico High School.  We are so proud of you Caroline!

Volunteer Highlights:
Our Watch D.O.G.S. program is a huge success.  Thank you to all the dads and father figures for volunteering in our school.  If you have not signed up or would like to volunteer again, there are more opportunities available.  Please go to google.com, username: gaesdads, password: watchdogs, and select calendar.  Identify a date that works for you schedule and sign up.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

I would also like to extend a sincere appreciation to all the moms who have been volunteering in classrooms, organizing events, and copying for our teachers.  You do an amazing job each day and our teachers and students appreciate all your support. 

Your principal,
Mrs. Pruden 

Are you one of the 100+ participants in this year's Catch-a-Star Program? It's not too late to participate!

Debbie Bretches, PTA President

Jeff Croop, PTA Vice-President

Sandy Gharib, PTA 2nd VP (Membership)

Kristin Powell, PTA Secretary

Beth Pollard, PTA Treasurer

 

Karen Giles, Ways & Means Chairperson

 

First:

The first graders have been busy using the computers. Sometimes we use our classroom computers and sometimes we use the COW which stands for Computers on Wheels. We visit websites to practice math and reading skills. Recently we used our computer knowledge to make slides in the multi-media program, Pixie. We practiced typing using the text tool and drawing with the draw and paint tools. We even used the camera to take pictures and the voice recording feature to add our own voices to the slides.
 
We have worked really hard on our reading skills the first half of this year and it shows on our mid-year PALS results. We have become better spellers by applying learned phonics skills. We have become better readers by recognizing more sight words, using our decoding skills, and reading with more expression and fluency. We are already into our third basal reading book and our small reading and word study groups continue to be flexible as students make progress. It's exciting to watch the growth and we look forward to what the rest of the year brings.

Second: 
2nd graders are rockin' and rollin' into the new year! We are busy preparing for benchmark testing at the end of the month by reviewing concepts in all subjects. In Science, students are also enjoying learning about animals and their habitats, and how seasonal changes effect these habitats. They are even learning how to research animals and are preparing Pixie presentations on their animal research in the library. In Math we are finishing our unit on addition and subtraction with regrouping and will soon begin Fractions. In Social Studies, we will begin learning about the contributions of Famous Americans. We are so proud of how hard our 2nd graders are working!

Third:  

The third graders are extremely excited about our upcoming annual trip to Theatre IV. We will be heading downtown Richmond to see the performance of the story The Stinky Cheese Man. While we are gone, our classrooms will become magically transformed into theme related restaurants for an amazing luncheon, staffed by teams of wonderful parents who act as our waiters. It is truly a third grade hightlight! Other exciting events in February for third grade include participating in hands-on lessons on Energy with The Young Scientists and earning special sweet treat rewards such as ice cream sundaes or steamy hot chocolate by demonstrating speed and accuracy in recalling multiplication and division facts. 
 

Learning in the library:
Grades k-2 are learning about book classification, like nonfiction, fiction, and biographies.
Grade 3 students are locating resources in the library---finding nonfiction and fiction on the shelves
Grades 4  is learning and reviewing reference sources and conducting effective searches.
Grade 5 is practicing their researching skills by learning about influential African Americans.

Virginia Reader's Choice (Formerly Virginia Young Readers)
Very soon, grades 4-5 will be introduced to this year's book titles.  The list is available on the library webpage, found at www.henrico.k12.va.us/es/glenallen/library-media-center.asp
The contest will run through April 8th.  Students who read and earn at least an 80% or better on a total of four of the titles will be recognized in a special way. As a parent, this is a great opportunity to read and discuss books with your child.  Enjoy the books together.  These books will be available at the upcoming book fair too.

Internet Safety
Mr Fitzpatrick, the school's ITRT, and I will present an overview of the goals and objectives taught in the county's curriculum on Internet safety on February 9th in the library at 8 am.  All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.  We will also briefly discuss the online databases that the county provides for student research. 

Thanks to all the first grade parents for the lovely breakfast recently! Also, I want to thank you for making me feel so loved and appreciated during the winter holidays. I feel like a valued member of the  childrens' education when parents send in cards, gifts and remembrances to the library.

- Mrs. Harris 

 

In Kindergarten, students created snow covered houses by practicing their cutting and gluing skills.  Now, students are listening to the book " The Crayon Box that Talked".  Students discuss how everyone is different and and how our differences make us special.  As a class, they form a special group.  Students will draw self portraits on a "crayon" which will be displayed coming out of a crayon box for each kindergarten class. 

 

but when we get together, the picture is complete." 

1st grade students are finishing their Statue of Liberty pictures by adding stars to their flags and combining the two for a perfect example of American patriotic symbols.  Next they will listen to the book "Tar Beach" by author and artist Faith Ringgold.  Students will use their imaginations and draw themselves flying over any place they wish.   

2nd Grade students created themselves as a "matrioshka" (a Russian nesting doll) bundled up for the cold weather. Then they traveled to China in their minds and are beginning to create their own Chinese Dragons just in time for the Chinese New Year. 

3rd Grade are CUCKOO for their cuckoo clocks!  After looking at a real cuckoo clock, students created their own by learning different pop up techniques and creating woodland creatures such as the ones found in the Black Forrest of Germany. 

4th Grade are finishing up their snow globes. We hope these beautiful wintry scenes may bring us some real snow! 

5th Grade - After learning how to make a 6-pointed snow flake, students began to learn about the artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. Students are currently designing their own Art Nouveau inspired stained glass lamp, using oil pastel.s

 

CONGRATULATIONS to Shriya Chemudupati who will have her artwork on display at HCPS Central Office Building during the month of February in the Black History Month student exhibit. 
CONGRATULATIONS to Lydia Sanderson Lunze who will have her artwork on display at HCPS Central Office Building during the month of February in the Exceptional Education student exhibit.

Student Art Auction News:
All students will be working on their class projects that will be auctioned during the Glen Allen Elementary Student Art Auction, March 30th.   Ask you child about their class project.

ITS NOT TOO LATE to go see Mummy- Secrets of the Tomb now showing at VMFA through March 11th.  I have heard many students talking about this 3-D presentation and art show already. I hope you will find time as a family to visit this exhibit.

 

- Mrs. Siler

 

UPCOMING GIGS...
5th & 4th Grade Chorus Musical / Ukulele Program !!!
This rock show will take place in the Hungary Creek Middle School Auditorium (4909 Francistown Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060) on Thursday, March 22nd and Friday, March 23rd at 6:30PM. Tickets for the shows will be $2 per person. Proceeds of the sales will go towards the Glen Allen PTA and Arts Program (music, art, library, PE). Prior to the performances, students will come home with payment information for parents to purchase tickets in advance.
Intermediate Ukulele Performance for the School Board
The Henrico County School Board has invited Glen Allen E.S. to open their meeting with a couple of ditties. The after school uke students will perform on Thursday, April 26th at New Bridge Learning Center (5915 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223). Please arrive by 6PM, as the meeting will begin promptly at 6:30PM.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR 5TH & 4TH GRADE CHORUS MUSICAL
Please email me if you'd like to help with our upcoming March musical. I'm looking for the following: chaperone (rehearsals/shows), help with ticket sales, set design, costumes, and after party committee. We're definitely going to need all the help we can get for this EPIC project !!! 

- Mr. Trinh 

Thanks for reading the Cub Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with story ideas or questions, or if your business is interested in sponsoring an edition of the Cub Courier!

 

Sincerely,

 

Heather Widener
Glen Allen PTA