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January/February 2008
Daisy Brook Dispatch
Dear Daisy Brook Friends,
I hope that you all had a great Christmas break. I certainly did with five grandchildren in and out of the house all vacation long. My soon to be two year old granddaughter still comes in the door asking, ”Presents, presents?”
Our new year has gotten off to a sad start as we share our concerns for the Hornof family who lost their home and all belongings in a fire and for the family of Weston Du-bois as they support Weston’s battle with a brain tumor. They continue to be in our thoughts and our prayers. Donations are still being accepted and are greatly appreciated. Please make checks out to Fremont Public schools with a notation indicating where it should go.
On a brighter note our months of January and February are filled with exciting educational experiences for all students. Please be sure to check out the calendar for the dates of these events. We are really hoping that all students will participate in the Daisy Brook Science Fair.
The Science Fair requires many hands to help with all the tasks. Please be sure to call the DB office
if you can help. We need help with the set-up, supervision on the night and day of the displays and take down on Friday morning. All of the activities take place on February 7 and 8.
This has been a great year so far and I have enjoyed working with creative kids, caring parents and a great staff. I can’t believe that we are already headed toward the end of the first semester.
Again, thanks for trusting us with your children. Fremont is a great community!
Sincerely,
Nancy Sparks, Principal
Daisy Brook School
Pine Street Primary Center
Reminders from our School Nurse
All prescription medications must have the proper paperwork signed by both the physician and the parent. We appreciate your help in this matter.
Also, due to the number of sick children at this time of year, we want to remind parents not to send children back too quickly after an illness. If a child has a fever, we ask that they stay home until they have gone a full 24 hours without a fever. This means 24 hours without medication (Tylenol, Motrin, etc.) that will keep the fever down. The same rule would apply to vomiting. Please keep children home until they have gone 24 hours without vomiting as well. If they do come to school with either of the above problems, we will be calling you to come and pick them up. This is to help prevent the spread of colds and flu to other students. Thank you!
Don’t throw away your marathon tickets!
Continue to earn tickets throughout the school year.
Tickets earned for running laps of the Daisy Brook Marathon path are valuable, still. If you are one of those who earned fewer than 54 tickets before Thanksgiving break, this message is for you. Your tickets will still be accepted—at any time—for entry into an end-of-the-year prize drawing. Keep, collect and bring your signed tickets to Mr. Lindsay.
Also, you can continue to earn tickets by running, walking, snow shoeing or skiing laps around the Daisy Brook Marathon path. Or, you can move, on foot, with your parents elsewhere and earn one ticket for each half mile you move with them. (Bring a note from the adult with description of date, distance and how you moved together.)
Mr. Lindsay is asking parents, staff and others to donate cool gadgets, trinkets small toys and more for the prize table. Those contributing are asked to contribute prizes that would be attractive to girls or boys or both. Prizes such as balls, Frisbees, and other sports equipment would be especially attractive additions to the prize table. Posters, caps, sports jerseys and other wearable sports apparel are also popular.
Keep moving this winter…for the health of it! Earn tickets and increase your chance of winning cool prizes at the end of the school year.
Counselor’s Corner
By Mr. Wojcicki
*A parenting class called TransParenting will be offered at Grant Primary Center on Feb. 4th & 11th from 6:00 to 8:30.. The class is directed at those parents who have divorced and/or separated. It is aimed teaching parents skills that will enhance the child's ability to transition during this difficult time. The goal of the class is to lessen the negative impact of divorce and parental separation on children. The fee is $10 and you may call Deb Miller at 834-7382, ext. 104 to register.
*A reminder that Camp Henry summer camp scholarships will be arriving in my office shortly. These scholarships are made available to our school to assist those that may not be able to afford the cost of camp. As a guideline, families that qualify for free and reduced lunch, typically, are able to use these scholarships. Please contact me if you're interested. 924-7265
Daisy Brook Book Fair !!!
February 18 – 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
February 19 – 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
February 21 – 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
(Purchases made during regular conference time only)
The Book Fair comes to our school to give you and your children the opportunity to buy carefully selected, quality books and products at affordable prices. The proceeds from this event will benefit your children directly by adding more books to school library.
You can purchase Scholastic Book Fair Gift Certificates for your children, teachers, the library, or anyone else who comes to mind. Fill out an order form (available in the Media Center) and have your child give payment (cash or check made payable to Fremont Public Schools) to Mrs. Greiner in the Media Center. She will fill out a Gift Certificate and give it to your child or directly to the person who will receive it. You decide.
When you visit the Book Fair, look for the Classroom Wish List display and see how you can donate a book for your child’s classroom or maybe to the Daisy Brook Library. The titles are hand picked by each teacher as desired library selections for their classrooms. Don’t miss the Daisy Brook Book Fair!
Come join us for a fun and interesting time!
We are in need of volunteers for the Book Fair. If you are available any of the times listed above, please contact your teacher with the date and time or send a note. You can also contact Mrs. Greiner at 924-8297. It takes a lot of people to run a Book Fair and your time consideration is appreciated.
Thank you.
Library Volunteers Needed
We are in need of volunteers to help in the Daisy Brook Library. This help would include shelving books, book repair, etc. If you are available during the day and have any time to spare, please contact Mrs. Greiner at dgreiner@fremont.net or 924-8297. Just one day a week is needed, every other month. It would be approximately an hour each time or whatever works in your schedule. Your time consideration is appreciated. Thank you.
Patriots vs. Loyalists Debate
“You need to pay for all the tea you dumped in the harbor,” said Lord Dunmore.
“We need Boston Harbor open or some of us will starve! We only dumped the tea because we think it’s unfair that you will only let us buy tea from one company and you raise our taxes without letting us have a say!” said Sam Adams.
Does this sound like the 1770’s? Well, it actually took place in Mrs. Hanna’s class this month. As students learned about the causes of the revolutionary war, they had to research and role play people who were either loyal to the king or seeking independence from Britain. Then students debated and defended their ideas as if they were those people from history. After the debate, the audience was allowed to vote. The Patriots won the debate according to the audience.
Cold is Cool!
By Mr. Lindsay
FREE Fourth Grade Ski & Ride Passport
HEY, 4TH GRADERS. THIS IS FOR YOU! I AM PLEASED TO SHARE NEWS OF A PROMOTIONAL PROGRAM CALLED COLD IS COOL SKI AND SNOWBOARD PASSPORT PROGRAM, AN INITIATIVE BY 23 MICHIGAN DOWNHILL AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AREAS TO HELP IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN OUR STATE.
Health experts tell us that lack of exercise is a likely contributor to the dramatic increase in obesity and Type II diabetes among children. As parents, we have to encourage our children to get off the couch and get active to promote improved fitness and health.
The Cold is Cool program gives kids a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time by providing every Michigan fourth grader the opportunity to ski and snowboard for FREE at participating downhill and cross country ski areas all over the state. It’s great for kids and within the ability of most family’s budget.
Winter is truly a wonderful time in Michigan. This program provides access to outdoor recreation that is a part of Michigan life that is both fun and very beneficial to kids’ physical health. When they are gliding down the trail they’re also getting a great work out.
I hope you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity. If you are, please direct your child to request an application from me. The application includes all instructions and list of participating ski areas. If you have any question about the program, please contact me by phone (924-8288) or e-mail (helindsay@fremont.net). You can also learn more about the Cold is Cool program by visiting: http://www.goskimichigan.com/cold-is-cool.html
Family fun on the slopes and in the wintery woods can be yours to enjoy—together! I hope you do—for the health of it.
Mr. Herbert Lindsay, Daisy Brook Elementary Physical Education Teacher
Found: Wristwatch - Is it Yours ???
Before holiday break, a student brought a wristwatch to Physical Education class.
It appears they forgot where they had left their watch.
Mr. Lindsay has the watch.
Describe the watch to him and retrieve your property.
A Visit from Sergeant Jared Hanna
Mrs. Hanna’s class had the pleasure of a visit from Sergeant Jared Hanna. Students asked him many questions and they would like to share with you what they learned about his life and experiences. Jared is 21 and can sing all the Veggie Tales songs, although he refused to do it in class! When asked why he decided to join the army he said, “It felt like the right thing to do at the time.” He was in training for about seven months. He said that when he was in training that he got yelled at a lot. Also, when he was in boot camp, he was not allowed to receive any letters that had any decorations on them and it had to be written in blue or black ink. If you received a letter addressed in a different color, you had to do 10 pushups per alphabet letter. Once he received a letter from his friend, Joe, with a lipstick kiss on it as a joke. Jared had to do 500 push ups and he didn’t think it was funny at all.
His favorite place that he visited during his training was Thailand. He said he almost landed on a herd of cows when he parachuted down and he got to feed monkeys while he was there. His best friend in the service is David Cole. Once when he was training, his officer gave his group a challenge. Anyone who jumped out of the plane with a 50 pound rock could write their name on it. Jared volunteered to be the first one to do it. He jumped out holding this heavy rock, which sent him down tipped forward and too fast. He lost his helmet during the drop and hit hard, but was okay. He was in trouble for losing his helmet and they never let anyone else jump with the rock because they said it was too dangerous.
While he was in Iraq he was a rifleman first and then an RTO (radio transmissions operator). His favorite part about being in Iraq was sleeping. When asked what Iraq was like, he replied, “Dirty”. He said that because they don’t have trash cans and trash service, people just throw their trash in their yard and in the streets. He also said that he saw a lot of wild dogs that weren’t very friendly.
He is currently stationed in Alaska at Fort Richardson. He thinks Alaska is a great place to be. The pictures are of Jared and his dad, Greg Hanna, when he arrived back in Alaska from Iraq and a picture of the scenery in Alaska near his base.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DAISY BROOK:
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WEEK OF 1/21-1/25: |
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Tues., Jan 22: Makeup day for the 5th Grade Spelling Bee 1:15 p.m. |
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Thurs., Jan. 24: Newsletter sent home |
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Fri., Jan 25: Popcorn and Pickle Day; Science Fair Registration due; Michigan Breakfast for 4th |
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grade |
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WEEK OF 1/28-2/1: |
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All week: Acting Up Theatre Company works with 4th grade |
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Wed., Jan. 30: report cards sent home |
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Wed., Jan. 30: Birthday celebration for January birthdays |
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Wed., Jan. 30 and Thurs., Jan. 31: Puberty Education for the 5th Grade |
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Fri., Feb. 1: Popcorn and Pickle Day; Acting Up Theatre presents to DB in the afternoon. |
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WEEK OF 2/4-2/8: |
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Thurs., Feb 7: Science Fair—setup during the day; judging at 6:00 p.m.; 6:30 – 7:30 open to the |
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public |
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Fri., Feb. 8: Science Fair—open until 10:00 a.m. |
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WEEK OF 2/11-2/15: |
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Mon., Feb. 11: Early Release Day; dismissal at 1:00; lunch is served |
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Wed., Feb. 13: Tuba Tales Assembly |
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Fri., Feb. 15: Popcorn and Pickle Day |
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WEEK OF 2/18-2/22: |
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Drug Awareness Presentations |
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Mon., Feb. 18, Tues., Feb 19, and Thurs., Feb 21: Parent/Teacher Conferences and Book Fair |
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Mon., Feb 18, Parent Group Meeting at Pathfinder |
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Fri., Feb. 22: No School, Midwinter Break |
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WEEK OF 2/25-2/29: |
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Drug Awareness Presentations |
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Tues., Feb. 26: 5th grade goes to GR Symphony |
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Wed., Feb. 27: Birthday celebration for Feb. birthdays |
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WEEK OF 3/3-3/7: |
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WEEK OF 3/10-3/14: |
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Wed., March 11: No School except for 11th grade |
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Thurs., March 13: Lock down practice at 9:00 a.m.; World’s Largest Concert at 1:00 p.m. |
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Newsletter articles to badvector@comcast.net by 3/13 |
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Fri., March 14: Popcorn and Pickle Day |
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WEEK OF 3/17-3/21: |
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Mon., March 17: Tornado Drill at 3:00 p.m. |
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Mon., March 17, Parent Group Meeting at Daisy Brook |
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Thurs., March 20: Newsletter sent home; Articles are due for School Matters |
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Fri., March 21: end of third marking period; half day; dismissal at 11:23 a.m. |
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WEEK OF 3/24-3/29: |
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Wed., March 26: Birthday celebration for March birthdays |
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Fri., March 28: No School |
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WEEK OF 3/31-4/4: |
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Spring Break—Enjoy! |
Fremont Public Schools
Kindergarten Round Up
PINE STREET PRIMARY CENTER
HELPING CHILDREN GROW
Do you know a boy or girl who resides in the Fremont Public School District and who will be five (5) years old on or before Dec. 1, 2008? If so, please complete the form below. During the last week of Feb. information will be mailed to all who respond to explain: enrollment procedures, dates for screening (in April) and further information for parents. Please complete ALL information below and turn in by Feb 25, 2008.
Full Name of Student _________________________________________________________
First Middle Last
Birth Date ____________________ Phone # ______________________________________
Parents’ Names: Father _______________________________________________________
First Name Last Name
Mother _______________________________________________________
First Name Last Name
Address ______________________________________________________________________
# Street City
Township ___________________________ County __________________________________
Mail completed form to:
“Kindergarten”
Pine St. Primary Center
450 E. Pine
Fremont, MI 49412
Student Poems
SILENCE By Allison Kublin I feel empty. I feel as though my mind is closed and tightly locked away. As if the world is screaming out ideas and I’m the only one who’s stuck in an abyss of silence. I’m sitting with a blank page in front of me. I pick up my pencil over and over again and every time I do I end up putting it right back down. There are words and sentences in my head but they refuse to be written down on paper. My mind is full to the brim with ideas and stories but my paper is still blank. Have you ever felt this way?
Beach By Allison Kublin The sand has now turned to gold And the waters have turned to silver The rolling waves will take your breath away The sun has set beneath the horizon The birds are flying free The mountains are turning to bronze All of a sudden you find yourself in darkness And the steps that you take are now lit by the moon The waves are now chrome The sands are white You are walking right through nature
Fishy Fishy By Cam Crosley Inspired by William Blake and Zach Rozanski Fishy, fishy, swimming by Right past my eye! In the saltiness of the sea, Swimming right past me! Swimming away from the land, Just trying to find your friend! Adventuring through the coral reefs, What you see makes you say, “Good grief!” Spots a dolphin and a shark, Maybe they’re from Noah’s Ark! Fishy, fishy what you see, Is nature’s display for you and me! Creatures swimming everywhere, In the sea, not in the air! Look, look everyone, This could be a lot of fun! Starfish, whales and crustaceans, too, This is sea wildlife, for me and you! Seashells, jellyfish, for us to watch, This is all top-notch! Fishy, fishy swimming by, Right past my eye! In the saltiness of the sea, Swimming right past me!
Sliver By Allison Kublin Just a sliver, or a sphere You are are, but seem near You are to eye, but not to ear. In the silence of the night, You give some a horrid fright Others a splendid sight.
Daisy Brook’s Annual 5th Grade Spelling Bee
Daisy Brook’s annual 5th grade spelling bee was held on Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. To an audience of other 5th graders, all of the 4th graders, parents and staff, the 26 participating students demonstrated their spelling skills with grace under pressure. The winner of this year’s spelling bee was Ashley Freudenstein from Ms. DeKuiper’s room; Ashley successfully spelled “spectrum” and “admiral” to capture first place.
2008 Spelling Bee Qualifiers
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Student's Name |
Class |
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Abendroth, Emma |
Williams |
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Berens, Bradley |
Mull |
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Boeskool, Collin |
Mull |
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Bumb, Mitchell |
Mull |
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Carrier, Nathan |
Ross |
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Freudenstein, Ashley |
DeKuiper |
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Green, Ryan |
Mull |
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Hoisington, Nikki |
Hughes |
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Kelly, Jocelyn |
Mull |
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Klahre, Ian |
Hughes |
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Koos, Jonah |
Williams |
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Kublin, Alli |
Hanna |
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Kunnen, Heidi |
Hughes |
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Margol, Michael |
Hanna |
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May, Syrena |
Williams |
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Murchison, Christine |
Ross |
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Norris, Mikayla |
Mull |
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Perkins, Nathan |
Williams |
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Russell, Kenzi |
Williams |
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Schafer , Matt |
Williams |
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Schumaker, Alex |
Hughes |
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TenBrink, Sarah |
Hanna |
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Townsend, Sydney |
Mull |
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Vasquez, Cade |
Ross |
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Wade, Christian |
Hughes |
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Wilson, Cassie |
Ross |
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Wojcicki, Ben |
Hughes |
All contestants who qualified for the bee—a challenge in itself!—were given:
A Certificate
Super Speller Pencil
Free Extra Value Meal coupon from McDonalds
Ice Cream treat from Schwans
Runner up Ian Klahre was awarded the following prizes:
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A Certificate |
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Super Speller Pencil |
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Free Extra Value Meal coupon from McDonalds |
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Ice Cream treat from Schwans |
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Mylar Balloon |
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Free movie pass from Fremont Cinemas |
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Advance to the Regional Spelling Bee: Tues., Feb. 26, at 4:30 in Cedar Springs |
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Spelling Bee T-Shirt/Certificate from Grand Rapids Press |
First place winner Ashley Freudenstein was awarded the following prizes:
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A Certificate |
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Super Speller Pencil |
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Free Extra Value Meal coupon from McDonalds |
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Ice Cream treat from Schwans |
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Bouquet of Balloons |
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Free movie pass from Fremont Cinemas |
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Advance to the Regional Spelling Bee: Tues., Feb. 26, at 4:30 in Cedar Springs |
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Spelling Bee T-Shirt/Certificate from Grand Rapids Press |
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Invitation to a party for all school winners: Craig’s Cruisers in Grand Rapids on Sat., Feb. 10 |
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Free one year subscription to Britannica Online Student Edition ($69.95 value) |
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Name on the Daisy Brook plaque |
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Bee Trophy |
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Times Indicator Article/Picture |
Steve Mull, one of Daisy Brook’s 5th grade teachers, organized and officiated at the Spelling Bee. Judges were Leane Blake, Kellie DeLuca and Jean Matthews, Daisy Brook teachers. Following the bee, all Daisy Brook students celebrated with an all school recess.
Daisy Brook would like to thank the following merchants for contributing to this year’s prizes:
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Fremont McDonalds |
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Craig’s Cruisers |
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Encyclopedia Britannica |
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Grand Rapids Press |
The Biggest Cabbage Ever !!!
Last April, an adventure began as Fremont FFA worked with Bonnie Plant Farms to promote local participation in Bonnie’s nationwide contest for a $1000 scholarship. Bonnie Plant Farms’ Michigan station in Ithaca is managed by Fremont FFA advisor Rebel Smith’s brother-in-law, Mark Daniels. Rebel’s sister, Miranda, grows the plants and her husband, Mark, markets them.
As a promotion of Bonnie plants and also as a way to encourage children to experience the joys of “playing in the dirt,” a cabbage plant was given to every third grade student to plant and care for during the summer months. The cabbage plant was a special variety called ‘O-S Cross’ which stands for oversized. This giant variety can grow as large as 40 pounds. By August 15, students wishing to compete for the prize were required to submit a picture of their cabbage with a 2 liter soda bottle (for size reference). They had to include their name, address, phone number and the circumference of their cabbage.
One third grade student, Tate Bowen, son of Aric and Lori Bowen, had a special place in mind to plant his cabbage plant. Tate’s grandpa, Clare Robinson, an avid gardener who faithfully amended his garden soil, had passed away last year. Tate knew grandpa’s garden was the best place to plant his cabbage plant. Tate’s grandma, Nancy Robinson, agreed. Every day during the summer months, Tate visited his grandma to swim and to care for the cabbage plant. By August, when it was time to harvest the cabbage, the cabbage weighed in at 27 ½ pounds and was 55” in circumference! After taking the required pictures and submitting his entry, Tate donated his cabbage to the NCCS Food Pantry. The cabbage was divided into chunks and given to families who visited the food pantry.
Tate’s submission was chosen by the Fremont FFA to be entered at the state level. At the state level, Tate’s entry was chosen by a random drawing! Mark Daniels, his wife, Miranda, Rebel Smith, Fremont FFA member Marie Hruby, and Mrs. Neva Smith (mom to Rebel and Miranda) visited Daisy Brook to present an award plaque to Tate. What a delightful ending to a story that started with…playing in the dirt!
SCIENCE: EXCITING, STINKY AND SOMETIMES REALLY MESSY!
High school students from Ms. Jane Cook’s chemistry classes visited Daisy Brook to show some experiments to 4th and 5th grade students. The purpose of the visit was to get Daisy Brook students excited about science and also to inspire them to participate in the annual Daisy Brook Science Fair coming on Feb. 7 and 8.
The experiments were received with enthusiasm—it was readily apparent that the high school students were having fun too! Teams of high school chemistry students traveled from class to class to present experiments. They made slime, a bouncy ball and made a pickle glow! They made luminol and poured it down a squiggly tube in a dark room—it looked just like a neon sign! Other students poured a rainbow and made a rainbow of fire and elephant toothpaste. Teams also made Dragon’s breath—a favorite show!—and crushed a can using heat and ice; they produced a “whoosh” sound, burned a $10 bill—not really—and made color disappear from liquid by balancing the amounts of acid and base solutions.
Special thanks to all the chemistry students and to Ms. Cook for spending time with Daisy Brook students and for all the time and effort that went into preparation!
Altogether a fun and full-of-learning morning—although Ms. Cook followed a few of the shows with a talk on how to do things safely…
A Wonderful Research Tool
Fremont teachers and students have access to a great research source, the World Book Online Research Site. You can access this tool from home as well as from school.
To access this tool from home, you will need access to the Internet. Type in the URL: www.worldbookonline.com . When the site comes up, it will ask for a username and password. The username is: fremont1 and the password is packers. This will bring you to the home page for the World Book Online Site.
On the Home Page, there are four main folders: World Book, Today in History, Behind the Headlines, and Media Showcase. Another folder for teachers deals with curriculum ideas on many topics. Links on the left side of the page provide quick access to great information. These links include Explore the USA, Explore Canada, Explore Mexico, Feature of the Month, Student Activities, What’s New, Surf the Ages, and NASA.
One link that I would like to feature is in the folder titled “World Book”. The link is titled “World Book Kids”. This takes you to a very kid friendly research tool that is set up specifically for elementary students. Besides having a “Search It” tool for a very specific search, this link has a number of specific subject area links. These categories include People, Places, Science and Mathematics, World Religions, Plants and Animals, History and Government, Arts, and Sports and Hobbies. Additional links across the top of the page include Maps, Dictionary, and Pictures. A student can search for and access a printable picture to include in his report. There are additional links for projects that the students can create.
Please take a few minutes to check out this site and experience all of the fantastic information that is at our fingertips.
A Reminder From the Parent Group
Just a brief reminder that we are still collecting Campbell's soup labels. We are no longer required to submit the entire label and only need the UPC symbols as shown in the example below.
We are also collecting General Mills box tops for education. Last year the school earned almost $1500 from box tops alone.
DAISY BROOK ELEMENTARY 502 N. Division Fremont, MI 49412 Phone: (231) 924-4380 Fax: (231) 924-9117 We’re on the Web! http://www.fremont.net If it is to be, it is up to ME!
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