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Bridgeview Office Number
Bridgeview News 332-0215
Address:
316 S. 12th Street
October 2009 LeClaire, IA
Web address:
www.pleasval.k12.ia.us
FROM MR. HIATT’S DESK
Bridgeview Beginning…2009-2010 Upcoming Events:
We are all about “being the best we can” each and every day at Bridgeview. Please 10-16-Donuts for Dad
take time to visit with your child(ren) about “personal best” as it relates to our Charac- 7:45-8:30 AM
ter Counts Pillars (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness and 10-19-Bridgeview and
Citizenship). We have emphasized the importance of coming to school “ready to Beyond 3-4 PM
learn” and celebrating “small successes” as we strive for personal benchmarks (short 10-21-Robotics-3-4:30 PM
and long term) as we go. Thanks to all parents, students and staff who were able to 10-23-NO SCHOOL
participate in the recent Open House and PTA Ice Cream Social! If you were not able 10-30-PTA Walkathon
to attend, please contact your student’s teacher(s) with any questions you might have. 2:30 Halloween
Don’t let Parent Teacher conferences be the first time you’ve had a chance to interact Party
with your child(ren)’s teacher(s). At Bridgeview, we are committed to providing the 11-2-Bridgeview and
best learning experience possible to every single child. Beyond 3-4 PM
Human Growth and
School Safety and Procedures
Development Parent
Making sure Bridgeview is a safe place to be is one of our highest priorities. Recently,
Meeting-LeClaire
exterior security cameras were installed at our school covering the building’s perime-
Library 6:15-8:30 PM
ter and the playground. Also, we have safely completed all of our emergency drills
11-3-Conferences
required this fall. Please be reminded that all Bridgeview parents and visitors are
3:50-8:00 PM
expected to follow the procedures outlined below when dropping off or picking up
11-4-Robotics-3-4:30 PM
students and/or visiting the school: 11-5-Conferences
Parking lot/driveway procedures: 3:50-8:00 PM
11-6-NO SCHOOL
The pick up/drop off curbside lane in the loop is for those who plan to 11-9-Bridgeview and
pick up or drop off students without leaving their automobile. Beyond 3-4 PM
11-11-Robotics-3-4:30
Students should exit and enter the vehicles on the passenger side rather 11-16-Bridgeview and
than walking into the parking lot. Beyond 3-4 PM
If you plan on leaving your vehicle, please park your car in an available 11-20-PTA Holiday
parking spot in either of our parking lots…do not leave your vehicle Creations
unattended by the curbside. 11-23-Bridgeview and
Beyond 3-4 PM
Please note that staff members may remind you of this practice should 11-25 thru 27
you forget. NO SCHOOL
11-30-PTA Meeting –6:30
Bridgeview visits: 12-3-Spelling Bee 3:15 PM
12-9-Early Dismissal-1:30
Please remember to enter our school through the unlocked doors at the
12-17-PTA Skating Party-
main entrance.
6:00 PM
Sign in the visitor registry in the office. 12-21-Winter Class Party-
2:30 PM
Wear a visitor’s ID badge during school hours. 12-22-Winter Program
9:15 AM
Also, please wait in the main entrance lobby when picking students up 12-23 thru 1-4
from school at the end of the day…do not enter the hallways until NO SCHOOL
after student traffic to busses has cleared. 1-5-2010-School Resumes
Additionally, please be respectful of our neighbors and encourage each other to utilize sidewalks and streets for pick up
rather than driveways and neighborhood yards. Thanks for your attention to these procedures and for making the
Bridgeview community a safe and clean place to be!
School Attendance
Great school attendance leads to students being successful. Make your best effort to have students at school by 8:30
A.M. Also, please carefully plan extended weekends and vacations according to the school calendar to ensure your child
(ren) encounter every learning opportunity given to all Bridgeview students throughout the school year. Please call the
Bridgeview Office at 332-0215 before the beginning of school if students will be absent or tardy. Also, calls regarding
daily transportation changes after school are appreciated before noon.
Student Progress
Academic and social progress need to be a high priority for every child. Several assessments have been administered to
serve as guides for planning and measuring student growth throughout the year. We recently completed MAP (Measures
of Academic Progress) assessments with all students in grades 3-6 in the areas of reading and math. All 1st-6th grade
Pleasant Valley School District students will participate in the Iowa Test of Basic Skills October 5-9. Testing will take
place at the beginning of each day. Please avoid appointments or other arrangements that would interfere with your
child’s attendance at those times. We have been preparing for the test and reviewing past performances to set goals in
order to do our best on the ITBS this year. Also, good daily practices such as good rest and breakfast in the morning are
strongly encouraged. Parent-teacher conferences will be held November 3 and 5. Please be on the lookout for communi-
cations from school regarding conferences. We look forward to sharing student celebrations and concerns with parents
at conferences. We value the time we have to help your child(ren) be successful. A few ways you can help your child
make progress and stay “linked” with school are reading with/to your child(ren) nightly, working on math facts, talking
about school, and communicating with teachers.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten is off to a great start this year! We have a really great group of kids who are excited about school and
learning! We had a great time chasing after sneaky Gingerbread Men, and making a puppet theater to go along with the
story. Mrs. Runkle was with us for a few weeks, then left to have her baby. Boone Anthony Runkle joined the Bridge-
s
view Family on Sept. 3rd. We will be looking forward to Mrs. Runkle' return in late October. Meanwhile, Ms. Huff-
man and Mrs. Ritter have been working with the children on letter sounds, rhyming words, shapes, numbers, and count-
ing, to name just a few things. We will look forward to a great fall!!
First Grade
In first grade, the students have been reading many, many books! Thank you, parents, for helping your child with read-
ing at home. Learning to read is a complicated process that takes practice and patience. We use several reading strate-
gies at school that can also be used at home. They are as follows:
Look at the picture.
Start the tricky word.
Use your Tucker hand signs.
Go back and read it again.
All of these strategies are familiar to the students. You may help your child by prompting him/her to use some of
these strategies. Reading time should be as enjoyable and relaxing as possible!!!
Smile, have fun, and say, “My kid is a reader!”
- Mrs. Rokes and Miss Sorensen
We have been busy in Second Grade!
Students have been working on addition and subtraction basic facts, recognizing coins and finding the value for
coin combinations, telling time, and working with number grids. Please take time to practice basic addition and subtrac-
tion facts to the sum of 18. Students can practice these facts orally, by using flashcards, or on the computer.
In reading, we are beginning the second theme titled Helping Hands. As with all of our shared group stories, we
will be focusing on vocabulary development and learning to use several “good reading” strategies. Small groups are fo-
cusing on learning new high frequency and vocabulary words, as well as practicing different decoding and comprehen-
sion strategies. We have really been able to see these strategies at work during group time!
In Social Studies, second graders have completed the first chapter and have learned what a community is. We
are also working on our first Science Unit, learning about air, wind and weather.
Wow! What busy students!
- - 3rd grade - -
Things have been very exciting in 3rd grade! We have wrapped up our first lesson in social studies and have learned
where our community is. We are just beginning to discover more about the Pleasant Valley School District. Solving
number stories, as well as adding and subtracting whole numbers have been our focus in math this month, and we will
begin learning about linear measures and area next. We continue to practice our basic facts every day!
New reading and writing strategies have been a focus for us lately. SQP2RS, story elements, and decoding long words
have been the central strategies being used in shared reading and in our reading groups. We just recently finished dis-
cussing the elements of a mystery story as we read Nate the Great: San Francisco Detective. In writing, we are focusing
on our organization, and working to hook readers with our introductions. Lastly, we have been having a great time learn-
ing our cursive letters and hope to begin to put them into more and more words in the upcoming weeks.
From the Health Office
Please get your required forms into the office for those of you who have been notified. All Kindergartners and new
transfer students must have an Iowa Dental Screening Form, immunization, physical and for Kindergartners also
knowledge of proof of lead screening. Knowledge of lead screenings will be sent to the State and if they do not have a
lead level for your student, the state will be in contact with you. Let me know if you have questions regarding these
forms or if you need new ones.
Those with allergies or severe health conditions requiring medical interventions at school need to get in the completed
health care plans that were sent out for you to be completed by your student’s Dr. Also those with food allergies please
keep in mind to have a snack supply okayed by you for your student to choose from. This avoids later frustrations from
your students.
Just finished up the health screenings and those students’ requiring referrals or health alerts were already notified.
Please keep in mind that BMI scores will be in the upcoming report cards. Please take a look at these scores and discuss
with your children what this means and ways to improve if required. This is a great way to incorporate our required
healthy habits calendars and why they are important to keep our bodies healthy. Also a huge thank you for those volun-
teers making it a successful and organized year of screenings!!!
October 21st AEA will come to perform the hearing screenings. These are performed on new to the district students,
Kindergartners, 1st, 2nd grade, and PreK. If there are any concerns with your child AEA will inform you of these.
If any family is in need of getting shoes or winter coats for their children please let me know. A couple of programs,
“Shoes That Fit, “ assists with finding shoes for children in need and “Coats For Kids,” that provide gently used/clean
coats. Also those struggling to get dental care please let me know, “Give Kids A Smile” provides a free dental visit for
those kids that qualify and also there is a program called I-Smiles that assist with finding a dental home for you.
Soon we’ll be entering cold/flu season so please remind your children to wash their hands often, especially before eating,
after toileting or blowing nose. Cover their mouth with coughs. Keep your child home 24hrs. fever/vomit/diarrhea free
without the use of medication before returning them to school. Call into school when your child is sick with at least 2
symptoms they are experiencing.
In the near future you will be notified of the upcoming seasonal flu clinics being offered at the school through Genesis.
Consent forms will be sent home for those of you that choose to have your child vaccinated here at school.
Fourth Grade News
We’re off to a great start in fourth grade! Fourth grade students should continue to read 20-30 minutes each day.
We look forward to seeing their total reading minutes at the end of each month. The Northeast Region of the United
States will be our next topic in Social Studies. The students are expected to learn all NE states and their capitals. Please
help them with this at home.
In math, we are finishing up with place value, addition and subtraction. We suggest that students bring home-
work home and share it with their parents. Even assignments that have been completed should be shared. If you have
questions about topics being taught or a particular math problem please write a note, email or call us and we will get
back to you as quickly as we can. You should see the math reference book coming home with your child most evenings
to help with questions that arise also.
ITBS time is coming soon. Testing will begin Monday, October 5th – Friday, October 9th. The testing will take
place first thing in the morning each day. Please help us by making sure that your children have plenty of sleep during
this week.
Looking forward to discussing your child’s progress during conferences on November 3rd and 5th.
Mrs. Hamann & Mr. Nichols
FIFTH GRADE FLASHES!
Fifth grade is off to a flying start. We have completed a novel in reading by Barbara Park, The Kid in the Red
Jacket. We are currently reading Native American books. Fifth graders are expected to be reading a minimum of 30
minutes a night at home and recording it on their book log. Book logs are to be turned in on Fridays with a parent signa-
ture. In social studies we are studying Native Americans. Our next class novel The Sign of the Beaver will also focus
on Native Americans. Weeks 1-3 in spelling have been completed. Watch for your child’s list to come home on Tues-
days. Spelling sentences will be due on Wednesdays. The first two units in math are complete. Before each test, stu-
dents will have a study guide to practice the skills in the unit. We ask for them to be signed by a parent. Please encour-
age your child to practice math facts at home at least three times a week for 10 minutes a time. Students are working on
the facts at school, too. Students are working on a personal narrative in writing. This piece will be scored using the Six
Traits and will be available for you to see at conferences. Please look over your child’s homework when they are fin-
ished to check for accuracy. Your support will make your child’s year more successful. We appreciate all you do at
home. Thanks!
Notes from the Office:
• Please call to report student absences by calling 332-0215 by 8:30 a.m.
• If a student arrives after 8:35 please have them check in at the office to get a Tardy Slip to take with them to class
• Please send a note to school with your student explaining any after school transportation changes, last minute phone
calls about changes are appreciated before noon
• Remember to keep your students Meal Account current. Students should not be charging for milk, breakfast or
lunch purchases. Checks should be made out to PVCSD. Meal Accounts may be used to purchase breakfast, lunch
or milk at lunch time.
• Regular Prices Lucnh-$1.75 Milk-$.30 Breakfast-$1.10
• Reduced prices Lunch-$.40 Milk-$.30 Breakfast-$.30
• Breakfast is served daily from 8:10-8:25
Sixth Grade
The start of the year presented quite a makeover to the in 6th grade. New teacher, Mr. Seamer, is enjoying the change
rd
from 3 to 6th. Students in his class are learning all about the skills and knowledge they need for 6S (success)! Mr. Seamer’s
classroom is also taking advantage of their new Mimio interactive whiteboard. Mr. Lichty’s classroom is waiting for their Pro-
methean Board to be installed, but are enjoying the freedom and flexibility of six new Netbooks. More technology is on its
way in both classrooms including student response systems.
Currently, students are immersed in research and formation of their compare/contrast topics for the district writing
essay. After focusing on themes and forms of fiction in reading, the 6th grade will move to their first rotation of literature cir-
cles. Math classes are assessing computation skills with decimals and notations. The next unit deals with algebra and formu-
las. Have no fear; it will be fine! Social studies is evolving as a civilization and are on the brink of Egypt. Be on the lookout
for information pertaining to our trip to the Putnam.
Continue to help your students stay accountable to their reading and spelling each night. These are skills that take con-
sistent practice to improve and much of that time is needed after school.
Notes from the music room…
Thanks to all of you that stopped by at Open House to just say, “Hi,” or take a peek around. I enjoy those nights, because
sometimes it is the only chance I get to meet parents! Things in the music room are off and running. This year, we were
fortunate to have Augustana student teacher, Elise Croner, join us for the first six weeks of school. We wish her the very
best as she continues student teaching at the high school level, and hope she has enjoyed her time spent here at Bridge-
view!
Kindergarten-Echo, Steady Beat, Alphabet Songs, Fall and Halloween Songs
1st Grade-High/Low, My Voice is an Instrument, Fall and Halloween Songs
2nd Grade-How Music Moves, Dynamics, Fall and Halloween Songs
3rd Grade-Rhythm Rocks!(reading, writing, and performing rhythms), Fall and Halloween Songs
4th Grade-Patriotic Songs, The History of The Star Spangled Banner, The 50 States
5th Grade-Singing two-part music, Harmony, Rounds
6th Grade-Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Vivaldi, Music and Ancient Egypt
Starting in late October/early November, we will begin working on this year’s winter program, “The Colors of
the Season.” I can’t believe the time is almost here again! This year, the program promises to be a vibrant display of dif-
ferent colors one might associate with that time of year. We will be working hard, and as always, we look forward to
seeing all of you there on Tuesday, December 22nd at 9:15 A.M. Mark your calendars now! In preparation for the winter
program, I am looking for someone to accompany 4-5 songs. If interested, please let me know as soon as possible! I will
also be looking for the following items in the weeks ahead:
4 strands of 100 lights in the following colors:
Red, green, white, blue, yellow
1 Grinch costume
Approximately 20 red and 20 green scarves or pieces of chiffon
Approximately 40 red clown noses
A HUGE AMMOUNT OF STYROFOAM PEANUTS
Thanks in advance for all of your help and support of the music program at Bridgeview!
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