Week of March 7, 2016 Dear Marbletown Families:

Enjoy this week’s newsletter! Andrew Davenport, Marbletown Principal

March Madness Spirit Days This month our school theme is “March Madness.” That simply means that we want to have a little fun

before spring break. As part of March Madness, we will have three spirit days. They are as follows: 1. Friday, March 11th: Hero Day – dress has your favorite hero (real or fictional). 2. Thursday, March 17th: St Patrick’s Day – Wear Green: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green and/or St.

Patrick’s Day gear. 3. Friday, March 18th: Marbletown Pride & Crazy Hair: Dress in RV colors (blue & white) and/or any

Marbletown apparel. Also crazy hair styles are welcome!

School Board Exploring New Start Times for RV Schools The Later Start Time Committee was created by the Board of Education in response to the recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recent studies have shown that adolescents who do not get enough sleep suffer from physical and mental health problems as well as a decline in academic performance. Getting the required amount of sleep each night can be hard for teens whose natural sleep cycle make it difficult for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. and who face a 7:30 a.m. start time at school. The LST Committee is an exploratory committee gathering data and information specific to the unique needs of our district. They will present their findings at the April 5th Board Meeting, at which point the Board will have a discussion about whether or not they believe the Later Start Time Committee should continue to explore the options presented. All are encouraged to attend as the Board of Education believes that the input from our parents and staff are an essential piece of this exploratory process. Thank you.

1st Grade News First grade students recently finished an ELA unit on the American Revolution. They are now beginning a unit of the history of the earth and geology. In math, first grade students are beginning to study place value. First graders have also been involved in a number of other activities. Students participated in Read Across America Day/Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. Mrs. LaGoy's students also had parents in to make crystals.

Mrs. Buchanan and students during Read Across America Day (left). Parents help first graders make crystals (right).

Marbletown Elementary School

PO Box 9, Accord, NY 12404

Krause’s Chocolates Are Here If you ordered Krause’s Chocolates during the PTA fundraiser, you can pick them up at the school starting Monday morning.

3rd Grade Fluency In an effort to improve fluency on multiplication tables, third graders will have an opportunity to participate in “Minute to Win It” at the end of lunch periods. Each day students will have one minute to answer 12 multiplication table questions. Each day a student gets all 12 questions correct, they get an entry ticket for drawings we will hold for t-shirts and other prizes. The more tickets they earn, the greater their chances of winning. As you know, multiplication tables are something we use throughout our lives, so encourage your third grader to practice, practice, practice!

Marbletown Celebrates Read Across America Day & Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Now in its 19th year, Read Across America Day focuses on motivating children and teens to read through

events, partnerships, and reading resources. Read Across America Day was March 2nd which was also Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Marbletown students celebrated by reading all kinds of books, but with a special emphasis on books by Dr. Seuss. We also had visits from Thing 1 & Thing 2 (Laurie Knapp & Michele Juric) and the Cat in the Hat (Alisa Finck).

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."- Dr. Seuss

Second graders use finger puppets to act out a Dr. Seuss book (left). Kindergarten students display Dr. Seuss Day projects (right).

Thing 1 & Thing 2 (left). The Cat in the Hat visits first graders (right).

A kindergarten student enjoys (?) green eggs and ham (left). Mrs. Knapp’s students display Dr. Seuss hats.

Food Play Assembly On Tuesday, March 1st, Marbletown students were treated to “Food Play”, an assembly about food and

nutrition. The Food Play actors juggled, told jokes and performed magic. Most importantly they taught us about how we can eat right and live a healthy lifestyle. They encouraged students to take the Food Play 5 Challenge.

Eat at least 5 FRUITS + VEGGIES a day!

Read It Be4 You Eat It! (Read the ingredients)

Fuel up with 3 square meals starting with BREAKFAST!

Remember – I can do this, and YOU CAN 2!

Get up and PLAY for at least 1 hour a day!

Cut down on soda – Refresh with H20

Food Play performers assembly shows students how much sugar is in a can of soda (left) and reminds students to read it

(ingredients) before you eat it (right).

Mark Your Calendar! March 14

th & 15

th – Marbletown Play tryouts.

Friday, March 18th

– ½ day for students; ½ day PM staff development

Spring Break: March 19th

– March 28th

. We return to school on Tuesday, March 29th

.

Wednesday, April 6th

– School Improvement Team Meeting 5 p.m., PTA meeting, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 7th

– 1st

Grade Spring Concert, 6 p.m., students here by 5:45 p.m.

Thursday, April 14th

– Kindergarten Orientation (for incoming kindergarten parents and students), 5:45 p.m.

Have a great weekend and, as always, THANK YOU for your support!