RM Bacon Weekly: January 2016

Sunday, January 31, 2016

February 1 - 5, 2016

Bacon Bears,

The Keys to Character Unlock the Future!

Principal's list for the first Marking Period!

Happy February! Last week we ended on such a positive note (once we were able to shovel all of that snow out of the way). We had our first "Respect the 29th" Assembly. The Respect the 29th Assembly is a monthly Assembly that focuses on our four School Improvement Goals. In short, our goals are to increase our math and language arts literacy assessment scores, decrease Major Office Discipline Referrals, and decrease Chronic Absenteeism.

Each month on the 29th (since we opened in 1929) we will take time to recognize those students who are exemplifying those school goals. Students received their Honor Roll and Principal's list certificates for the first marking period, perfect attendance, and the K-2 Awesome Student Awards were distributed!

In addition, the Special Area Challenge winner was announced. In one month, Mrs. Lore's class earned more positive points than the entire school! They earned free time in the gym! We also recognized staff at the assembly. Mrs. Polof and Mrs. Digorgio won 29 minutes of free time! They can come in late, leave early or in the middle of the day and we will cover their class! Our next Respect the 29th Assembly will be on February 29 @ 2:00 PM.

Coach's Corner by Mr. Hudson

District Professional Development Day was a success!

This week although shortened, provided the chance for all of the teachers in Millville Public Schools to collaborate and grow within their profession together. On Wednesday, Dr. Cook and I were able to work with all of the Kindergarten teachers across the district as we move towards growing within our Reading Street Curriculum. It was awesome to see all of the teachers from the elementary schools working together for the betterment of our students. The teachers shared best practices and suggestions on ways to move students forward with their learning. The one thing I will say, when you put teachers in a room together, awesome things happen!! Mrs. Muhlbaier and Mrs. Gandy were also able to lead the district 4^th grade teachers in their discussion. Way to make Bacon proud!

Bacon Tech Friday was awesome!

To finish the week off, we held a Tech Friday. This was a great chance for the teachers on Bacon School to come early and share instructional technology resources with one another. This is totally optional and starts before school. As a group, we discussed Smart Notebook 15 and some of the new tricks and tools you can use. Big Shout out to Mrs. Gandy, Mrs. Muhlbaier, Ms. Anton, Mrs. Banker, Mrs. Rohaly, Mrs. Fryling, Mrs. Devita, Mrs. Lunemann, Mrs. Bingham and her student teacher Ms. Losey. We will be having another optional Tech Friday on February 19^th. Stay Tuned!!

Pictures from around the school

On Tuesday, we had our first Families to Communities Event

Parents and students engaged in discussion at Families to Communities Event

Students were reward with positive cafeteria behavior by Ms. Candy

Dr. Cook spoke to Mrs. Bingham's class about his job

3rd graders are making their own snowflakes

Mr. Jacobs was given star treatment by these nice 4th graders at Smoothie Time

Since it is the week leading up to the Super Bowl, we have a bunch of fun things planned. Here is the overview of the week:
Monday - Silly Hair or Hat Day
Tuesday - Super Hero Day
Wednesday - Wellness Wednesday (Wear your workout gear)
Thursday - Mix Match or Silly Sock Day
Friday - Wear your favorite team's shirt

Video of the Week - Students keeping a gratitude journal - This is powerful!

February 1 starts Black History Month - Be sure to celebrate and honor the legacy of African Americans in this country.
Weekly Overview
Monday - B Day - I and RS Meeting, Library, 9:30 - 12:00; Jump Rope for Heart Assembly, Gym, 10:00 AM; Pencil Sale in Lunch
Tuesday - C Day - Groundhog Day; RTI begins; Pencil Sale in Lunch
Wednesday - D Day - Wellness Wednesday; Pencil Sale in Lunch
Thursday - E Day - Staff Meeting, Library, 8:00 AM; 2nd Marking Period Report Cards sent home; Pencil Sale in Lunch
Friday - A Day - RTI Meeting, 1:00 PM; Pencil Sale in Lunch

Monday, January 25, 2016

January 25 - 29

Bacon Bears,

90 Minute Delay - January 26, 2016 - Doors open at 10:25 and Homeroom begins at 10:45 AM

Last week the teachers and students were able to get through their Winter Benchmark assessments. This is a good time of the year to see how students have progressed and more importantly, where they need extra help.

Our 4th graders are enjoying their healthy smoothies everyday at 2:30 PM in the cafeteria. They are trying new concoctions based on the recommendations of Mrs. Muhlbaier and Mrs. Gandy.

This week we will be having our first "Respect the 29th" Assembly. The premise of the Respect the 29th Assembly is to award and acknowledge all of the hard work and positive behavior in our school. The first student to guess the reason why we are calling it "Respect the 29th" will get a FREE T-Shirt. Be sure to get your answers to Dr. Cook ASAP.

Coaches Corner - Mr. Hudson, Instructional Coach

This week provided me with a huge overview of just how awesome the teachers in our school are. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I worked along with the RTI staff and completed the Universal Screenings for grades 1-5. This was a great chance for teachers and the RTI staff to see some of the gains students have made in their academics mid-way through the school year.

Also this week, I was able to work with Mrs. Lore's class and complete several guided reading groups. The students read, "A Winter Home." When the story was over, the students wrote about an animal of their choosing and where that animal lives. It was an awesome experience to see the Kindergartners tapping out words and beginning to read/write their own stories.

By week's end, I was able to work with Mrs. Pedrick's class and complete a few Fountas and Pinnell scoring. The students not only made great gains in reading but their comprehension was superb. My favorite line came from a student who read a story about trucks and told me, "When I get older, I am going to drive the UPS truck because they get to leave the door open while driving." Now there is a student with a vision!!

Pictures from around the school

Mr. Hudson working with Kindergartners

Selfie with the Principal

Birthday Selfie

Yoga in the gym with Ms. Bieri

2016 Floor Hockey Captains!

4th graders and their smoothie mustaches

Mrs. Sinone inspired us to start the Blue Marble Project

Our crew preparing for school after the blizzard

Our crew preparing the school after the blizzard

Video of the Week - Mrs. Sinone has inspired us to start the Blue Marble Project at RM Bacon - Who will you show gratitude and thanks?

Weekly Overview

Monday - No School (Snow Day)

Tuesday - D Day - K-1 Benchmark Writing due; Parents as Leaders, 6:00 PM

Wednesday - No School (Teacher In Service)

Thursday - E Day - End of Second Marking Period; PBIS Bear Bucks Store

Friday - A Day - Respect the 29th Assembly, 10:00 AM; Reading Street Unit 3 Due

Monday, January 18, 2016

January 18 - 22, 2016

Bacon Bears,

Keys to Character Unlock the Future!

This week began with our observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. What does MLK mean to you? How are we following his legacy? Please feel free to share your experiences!

This week we will be assessing students in the Tri-Annual Response To Intervention (RTI)Sweeps. The results of these "sweeps" help us determine those students who need interventions and assistance. We also use the data collected to see how we are progressing as a school for our School Improvement Plan.

This week the news media outlets visited RM Bacon to see the Nutribullet Kickoff Assembly. All 4th grade students received a Nutribullet, and tasted some yummy (and healthy) smoothies. See what the press had to say:
Daily Journal article - Shakin at Bacon
South Jersey News - Millville School Gets Help Being Healthy

We have a new section of the RM Bacon Weekly! Mr. Hudson, our Instructional Coach, will be highlighting his experiences with the teachers and students each week.

Coaches Corner - by Mr. Hudson

Ms. Votta presenting to Mrs. Pedrick's class

This week the staff at RM Bacon made some amazing breakthroughs with their students. In first grade, Mrs. Pedrick was able to get rescued turtles into her room compliments of Ms. Votta from Lakeside. The students really enjoyed learning about the rescuing project that Ms. Votta's class is working on. When the turtles arrive at Ms. Votta's class in September, they are the size of a nickel, and by June, they are about the size of a silver dollar. This was a great way to end the first grades study of turtles as part of Mrs. Pedrick's genius project. You could see the excitement in the students faces as the turtles were passed around.

In second grade, Mrs. Digiorgio class took their very first online assessment in Reading using the Pearson Realize platform. The students were really excited to switch to this platform and Mrs. Digiorgio was able to see her students results instantly. This week they are going to try taking a math assessment along with Mrs. Cheeseman and Mrs. Taylor's class. Awesome Stuff!!!!

RTI screened Kindergarten in Diebels and began analyzing the results. I was able to take part in this process and it was awesome to hear/see the hard work of the Kindergarten teachers paying off with their students. The students worked very hard and thanks to the RTI staff, results were given back for the teachers to see their classes progress. This week, I am looking forward to working again with the RTI staff on Tuesday and Wednesday as we screen the rest of the school. Once we are finished, we will show the teachers the results, so they can see how their hard work in paying dividends in the classroom. Great Week by ALL!!!!

3rd Grader Lexi Grubb submitted a story she wrote for a Gifted and Talented assignment.
Millville History

Lexi saw the picture of Mrs. Bacon

Did you know the building where Millville’s Historical Society is located was once Millville’s first bank? The property at Second and Main streets was purchased for $1,4000 and the bank was built modeled after a bank in Burlington. Construction cost $3,300. It was originally built with Italianate features and was then remodeled in a Colonial Revival style when the library took over the building. The bank opened on October 14, 1857. On May 13, 1865 the comptroller of the currency of the United States issued the Millville bank a federal charter and it then became known as the Millville National bank. There were three banks in the 1930’s in Millville with Millville National Bank being the only one to survive the Great Depression.

Millville National bank was added to the National Registry of Historic Places on November 20, 1980. In 1908 the Millville National bank moved into new and larger quarters at High and Main streets and the old building was sold to the Millville Library and Reading Room Association, to later become known as the Millville Public Library for the price of $500. The library occupied the building until 1963. Other city offices were housed in the building until 1975. Millville’s first bank is now the headquarters for Millville’s historical society which took over it in 1977.

The walls were separating so they put bars so it would make it better and the people who made the bars and put it were the bars had to be they were awarded $136,000 dollars. Do you know what that house next to it is? That is the Dunn Stratton house. It was owned by the bank’s first president, Nathaniel Stratton. He never actually lived in the house, but rented it.

Pictures from around the school

Nutribullet Kickoff

Dr. Gentile at the Nutribullet Kickoff

Ms. Candy taking a selfie at the Nutribullet Kickoff

Nutribullet Kickoff

Students working on their Art

Second graders reading

Birthday selfies

Weekly Overview
Monday - No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday - E Day - RTI Sweeps; Math Benchmarks; HSA Meeting, 7:00 PM
Wednesday - A Day - Workout Wednesday; RTI Sweeps; Math Benchmarks; Prudential Disability in Teacher's Lunches
Thursday - B Day - RTI Sweeps; Math Benchmarks; Staff Meeting, Library, 8:00 AM
Friday - C Day - Bacon Pride; RTI Sweeps; Math Benchmarks;

Sunday, January 10, 2016

January 11-15, 2016

Bacon Bears,

Keys to Character Unlock the Future!

We had a very smooth transition into 2016. Students came back with a focus, and teachers spent a lot of time reminding them of our expectations. Maybe everyone got a chance to re-charge their batteries during the break!

This week we have a very special event! On Wednesday, our 4th graders will be participating in the Nurtibullet Kickoff Ceremony. Our school earned a $15,000 grant that will provide every 4th grader with a Nutribullet, daily smoothie tastings at school, and activities to support a healthy lifestyle. We will have many guests visiting us on Wednesday. It will be a great experience!

Pictures from around the school

4th graders with the special delivery from Nutribullet

Getting ready for the big day!

Nurse Pruett with her Bear Buddy, J'maria

2nd Grade students piloting ST Math

2nd Graders piloting ST Math

Birthday Selfie with the Principal

Mrs. Fryling's new bathroom procedures... using QR code

Who wants to take a ride on the Compliment Train?

Mrs. Mercado talking with the kids about 3 Kings Day

Video of the Week - What makes YOU Happy? Hear from people from all ages

Weekly Overview
Monday - E Day - BOE Meeting, 7:00 PM
Tuesday - A Day - Sunshine Committee Meeting, 8:15 AM; Mobile Dentist, Library, All Day
Wednesday - B Day - Nutribullet Kickoff Ceremony, 4th grade only, Gym, 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Thursday - C Day - Keeping It Real, Room 12, 10:50 AM - 11:30 PM; Keeping it Real, Room 13, 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM
Friday - D Day - ScIP Leadership Meeting, Library, 8:15 AM; Make up Pictures, Gym, 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Sunday, January 3, 2016

January 4 - 8

Happy New Year!

We are so excited for 2016! There are going to be so many awesome things in store for RM Bacon in 2016!

In the next few months we will be hosting our 3rd Annual Alumni Night, our first conference (Bacon Bytes Technology and Learning), plus our annual Bingo Night, Fun Day, Olympic Day and many more activities. It will be exciting times to be a Bacon Bear!

Right before the Winter Break, our school had Pajama Day, and Ugly/Cute Sweater Day. Here are some pictures from the week:

High School students donated presents to our students

High School students dropping off presents

Kathy Whilden retired after working at RM Bacon for 38 years

Retirement Breakfast

Sweater Day

Sweater Day

Congratulations to Mrs. Devita (Teacher of the Year) and Mr. Bertanozzi (Education Service Professional of the Year)

Mrs. Devita, Teacher of the Year

Mr. Bertanozzi, Education Service Provider of the Year

Ms. Ford's students created their Christmas presents

Video of the Week - Kid President - Life is like a comic

Congratulations to Mr. Frank for winning the Best Bear in the No Shave November

Weekly Overview
Monday - E Day - School resumes
Tuesday - A Day - Another awesome day at RM Bacon
Wednesday - B Day - Another awesome day at RM Bacon
Thursday - C Day - Staff Meeting, EOC 2 data review; CST Meeting, Library, 9:30 - 2:00 PM
Friday - D Day - RTI meeting, Culver 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Reopening Plan