Contents

Principals’ News                1

Stomp-Out Bullying            1

Kindergarten Times           2 

First Grade Fun                 2

Scenes from Second Grade 2

Third Grade Times            3

Fourth Grade Facts            3

Nurse's Notes                     3
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dear Rowan Families, 

We hope that you enjoyed the holiday and wish all of our families a happy 
new year.  It is hard to imagine that we have entered the year 2010…
however, we look forward to the exciting learning opportunities that await 
our students in the months ahead.  We hope you enjoy reading January’s 
edition of Rowan’s Raving Reviews. 
 

This month’s STOMP Out Bullying meetings will focus on Respect. In week one, we defined respect as it
relates to oneself, others and property. In week two, we will be role playing respectful and mannerly social
interactions. In week three, we will be discussing how it feels to be disrespected and what to do when a sticky
situation arises. In week four, we will be reading and discussing Kenny and Friends. This story outlines three
rules for respecting property: 
1. Put things where they belong. Then, they will be there when you need them.
2. Take care of things ? don’t break them.
3. Keep things clean. 
Are you looking for ways to support the STOMP Out Bullying program? Sit down and discuss with your child ways
to be responsible at home. Make a list of what your child is currently responsible for. Then, let the child choose
two or three things that he/she thinks could be added. Monitor his/her success with the added responsibilities and
offer positive praise for a job well done! And, remember - responsible adults started as responsible children. 

Jill Marie Thomas, M.S. Ed, NCC 
School Counselor
 

Mr. Frost has certainly made his way to Pittsburgh as well as into our Kindergarten classrooms.  Our Kindergarten students are learning about the season of winter and will focus upon the land of ice and snow. 

We continue to expand our knowledge and understanding of reading strategies and number sense and relate this learning to our winter theme!
 

First Grade Fun

We hope all had a wonderful holiday and winter break and that all of the children are ready to get back to work!

As the new year begins, the first grade team looks forward to a very productive year with your children. January will kick off this productive year by motivating our students into becoming young scientists as we begin a new subject, science. We will begin with a unit on solids and liquids through hands-on investigations. They will even record data from the investigations in their own science notebook. Don’t be surprised when science becomes a favorite content area for your child! 
 

Scenes from Second Grade

As we roll in the new year, second grade students will be reading and discussing stories from Theme 3: Neighborhoods and Communities.  In math, we will soon be adding and subtracting two digit numbers with regrouping.  Ensuring that students know their basic facts will make computation less tedious and will help students master the skill of regrouping with two digit numbers.

Throughout January and into early February, students will be exploring the unit Changes in Science.  During this unit, students will learn how to make and separate a mixture.

We look forward to a wonderful second semester with your children!

Welcome back to the wintry season of school!  Third graders completed both successful holiday programs, and our second party of the year, before going on winter break! We have learned, or reviewed, concepts in math to prepare us for the soon-coming multiplication chapter.  Third graders typically are thrilled to begin this higher level, more challenging operation.   Please assure that your third grader has their single-digit addition facts firmly memorized so that they can solve multiplication problems more quickly.  Initially, students may need to do the slower action of solving the more difficult multiplication problems by adding. 

Simpler multiplication facts may be memorized quickly and easily.  Others will require more practice. By the end of third grade, your child should be able to give automatic answers to single-digit addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems. 

This requires rote memorization.  There are many supportive games, songs and other activities which can be used if your child needs additional practice at home.  Please support your child as they continue to work toward this goal. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Third grade goes outside for recess many days in the winter. Please have your child wear a winter coat, gloves, and hat, or other head covering, to school.  It will be 20 minutes of winter weather while your child gets some fresh air and actively plays with friends.  Boots aren't necessary at school.  We will play on the blacktop.  If boots are needed to get to and from the bus, we understand.  If so, then please send indoor shoes for changing into for the day, or PE-worth shoes on PE days.  Let's all enjoy winter! 
 

Fourth Grade's Got Their Skype On!

Fourth grade is really moving with Motion and Design.  We are completing our final design challenges.  It has been a wonderful learning experience to create and share our projects with our senior high school mentors.

We are looking forward to Land and Water as our next science unit.  Any donations of paper towels would be greatly appreciated!  Good learning can be messy!

Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year,
children in all grades will need documentation
on file at school for the following vaccines
(changes are in bold). 
* 4 doses of tetanus* (1 dose on or after the fourth birthday)
* 4 doses of diphtheria* (I dose on or after the fourth birthday)
* 3 doses of polio
* 2 doses of measles**
* 2 doses of mumps**
* 1 dose of rubella (German measles)**
* 3 doses of hepatitis B
* 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
  or history of disease (phased in by 2010-11)

  *Usually given as DTP or DTaP or DT or Td
 **Usually given as MMR

Children ENTERING grade 7 in 2010/2011 need
the following: 
• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) (if 5 years has elapsed since last tetanus  immunization) 
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

These requirements allow exemptions for
medical reasons and religious beliefs.
Any child exempt from immunizations may be
excluded from school during an outbreak.

If your child receives regular physical
examinations, it is likely that the age
appropriate immunizations listed above have
been administered. If your child is in first
through fourth grade and you have not
provided an updated immunization report to
the Health Office, please do as soon as possible.