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They read HOW many words?

million

Look at the photo above.  Pictured are students in grades 3-5, Chloe, Quinn, Matthew, Ezra, Cam and Hunter.  If you had to guess how many words they have EACH read in the past few months, would you say:

  • 6000
  • 420.003
  • 560,321
  • 1,000,000

    • If your answer was #4, ONE MILLION WORDS, you are correct!

    Each of these Georgetown students has read 1,000,000 words earning them a place in the honorable and highly sought after GEORGETOWN MILLIONAIRES CLUB.  This CLUB was initiated last year with 12 voracious readers who were awarded t-shirts and certificates at the end of the 2009-10 school year.  Please note that Matthew Lawrence has now read 2,000,000 words…and rumor has it that he is closing in on another million!

    I thought it would be a great idea to get a photo in the library with these readers surrounded by the books they consume.  However, each time I asked them to say “CHEESE”, one or more had their faces looking into an open book!

    readers

    This year they will each sign out the PTC donated NOOK e-reader with a story of their choice. The NOOK will then make it’s way from millionaire to millionaire to millionaire.  We hope these readers can provide feedback on the value of adding more e-readers to our school library in the future.

    And for those of you who think it is impossible to read one million words, YOU CAN SAY THAT NO MORE!  Mrs. VandenBerg tracks in school reading for those who do book blogs, reading counts quizzes and other projects for reading.  You can also keep track of your reading at home by using a form created by Mrs. VandenBerg.  You can print this form and complete it at home:  Million word club.

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    Ten Video Games to Ban in Your Home

    video.jpegI am well aware that your child may hope that you do not read this post….especially if you have these games or your child has been begging for them.

    Below is an article from the New York Times highlight games that contain excessive violence, gore and sociopathic behavior.  Ongoing continued exposure to this type of content can create a sense of “normalcy” around this type of behavior which then makes it easier for children to repeat what they are seeing and doing in real life.

    Know that law enforcement experts, doctors, psychologists, educators and many others are concerned about the amount of violence children are exposed to these days—and we are horrified when violence is part of children’s video/gaming “play” activity.

    Please read on and be aware of the type of content in these games and avoid having your child play them.

    When it comes to video entertainment, my daughter still prefers wholesome sports, arcade and music-themed games. But many young children and teenagers are attracted to the over-the-top characters, graphics and game play found in action-thriller titles better suited for older players.

    The Web site for Common Sense Media, which offers guidance on the content of movies, music and video games, offers a list of the 10 “cool” games kids want, but parents may want to veto:

    A lot of this season’s most talked-about games include ones with excessive violence, negative role models, extreme gore, sociopathic behavior and other things that have been proven to have a negative effect on children.

    Various studies have linked video game violence to increased aggression and excessive game playing to lower grades. But there is also no denying the dramatic and technical appeal of many of the new games on the market. A game like Dragon Age: Origins, from Electronic Arts, has won rave reviews in the gaming community for its movielike images and engaging story line. But the game is rated M for mature audiences of 17 or older, with intense violence, blood and sexual content. As the trailer shows, the game features combat, decapitations and swords plunged into the chests of both people and dragons.

    To learn more about video games and ratings, go to the Web site of the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Here are 10 of the most popular games not to give to children, based on advice from Common Sense Media:

    Assassin’s Creed II: Realistic action and historical accuracy, but the player takes on the role of an assassin who relies on an arsenal of weapons.

    Borderlands: Strong language, human enemies used as target practice, mature humor and lots of blood and gore.

    Brutal Legend: A violent cartoon fantasy action game that includes the use of a double-sided axe to hack at demonic armies.

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Contains an optional level where the player can go undercover as an enemy terrorist.

    Dead Space: Extraction: Blood spurting out of victims’ bodies, human carcasses littering the floor, blood-stained walls and floors, and copious screams of torture put it over the top.

    The remaining five games on the list are:

    • Dragon Age: Origins
    • Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
    • Demon’s Souls
    • Left 4 Dead 2
    • Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

    To see the full list, more detailed game summaries and 10 alternative games that are more appropriate for teenagers, read the full story on the Common Sense Web site, “10 Cool Games That Are Uncool for Kids.”

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    Georgetown Goes to the High School

    HHS

    On Friday, our first and second graders were invited to a very special show put on by Mrs. Doerr’s English classes.

    The performances involved selecting songs to perform and lip sync for elementary age students.  We watched high school students perform songs from GLEE, the FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIRE THEME SONG, and much more.  The final song involved volunteer dancers from the audience!  Mr. Jurewicz, one of our first grade teachers captured a portion of this on his camera.  It is obvious how much fun the children are having during this song!

    The children’s comments to me during and following the performance are the best evidence of the fun they had.  Here is a sampling:

    Two girls and a boy after the final song said:   “That was the bestest ever thing we have done so far this year.”

    Another review I loved:  “How did they know we love candy and beach balls?  Did they ask you about us, Mrs. Reagan?  It is so cool they did things we like.”

    And:   “Oh I love GLEE.  How did they know about GLEE?  Do you think any of them are on GLEE?  It was the most fun of my life.”  (Said by a 6 year old.)

    I sat beside three first grade boys during the THRILLER PERFORMANCE.  Their first comment to one another:  “Aren’t you glad it’s not a gleer song?”

    While watching Michael walk down the aisle with a girl, “I hope they don’t kiss.”

    And, then:  “Mrs. Reagan, that guy has bare feet.  I love that they can wear bare feet in this school.  I hope he has shoes for the bus, though.”

    At the end the high school students introduced themselves and shared their favorite class. On the way back to school, a second grader asked: “Hey Mrs. Reagan, what’s drama?”

    Me:  “It’s a class that involves writing stories and then performing them.”

    Second Grader:  Pause/think time.  “Good.  I think I can do that.  We write stories every day.  Do you think my teacher will teach drama during our writing time for us?”
    THANK YOU MRS. DOERR’s STUDENTS
    FOR INCLUDING US IN YOUR PERFORMANCE!


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    Discovery’s Final Launch

    The Discovery Space Shuttle is on it’s 39th and final mission. Six astronauts are roboton board and now working hard at the International Space Station. Their work includes delivering supplies, assisting with repairs and providing a ride to the first humanoid robot to fly in space!

    While tens of thousands witnessed history in the making from the Florida launch site, hundreds more watched from surrounding towns. Roads leading into Kennedy Space Center were jammed with people trying to catch a glimpse of the take off. The best view of all may have been from an airplane that was leaving Orlando. Of course, the best view was from the right side of the plane!

    This is worth taking the time to watch.

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    March…in like a lion or a lamb?

    lambLike many of you, I grew up with this March prediction:  If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.  If it comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion.

    This is one of the many weather folklore sayings that have been used through time to predict the weather.

    Since this saying hasn’t been reliable,  I am going to make my own hopeful prediction:  In like a lamb and out like a lamb!

    The week ahead will be very busy for teachers.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will be spent meeting with parents about student progress.  You can access the PT conference schedule via the school master and on your classroom blogs.

    We look forward to meeting with all of you.  To help keep the conferences on schedule, I will announce the end time every 15 minutes.

    The weekly events are below.

    Mrs. Reagan

    blog2.28

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    BLOG BITS 2/25/11

    Happy Last Friday of February!

    NEWS FROM THE OFFICE……. Hope everyone enjoyed their Winter Break!!  We had a nice short week here at school and it was very uneventful.  Now lets count down the days until Spring Break!  Woo-Hoo!!!  Only 23 more school days!

    PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES……. Will be next week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings (February 28, March 1 and 2) here at Georgetown.  Please come and speak with your child’s teacher and see how well things are going or share any concerns that you may have.  DO NOT FORGET  that they will be selling raffle tickets at this time for the classroom baskets also!!

    KINDERGARTEN INFO……. Kindergarten Round-Up will be held on Tuesday, March 8 at 7pm. Please feel free to click the following links for the k registration and the health appraisal.

    You may download this and fill them out and return them to Georgetown or you may stop in the office starting on Monday, January 24 to pick these up. We DO ask however, that when dropping off the filled out registrations that you bring in the child’s original birth certificate.  If we do not receive the birth certificate along with the registration your kindergarten student will not be added to a classlist until we receive the birth certificate.

    5th GRADE NEWS……. We just wanted to inform you of some important information that was passed along from the Middle Schools.  MARCH 24 our 5th grade students get to visit the Middle School for a tour, they will hear music performances from the 6th grade band/choir/orchestra and they will get to have lunch there.  (Most of the students think this is the BEST part!).  APRIL 12 will be instrument fittings for all 5th graders here at Georgetown in the afternoon.  (All students have the opportunity to try out different instruments to see what might work for them).  APRIL 20 (Baldwin Middle) and APRIL 21 (Riley Middle) will be Parent Informational Meetings at the Middle Schools. The meetings are IDENTICAL so you may attend either meeting.

    PTC NEWS…… Supporting a Georgetown Family….. Please tell your friends and family that we are still accepting donations for our family here at Georgetown that recently lost their home due to a fire.  We will  be taking donations through MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28  and you can send your donations in a sealed envelope marked “FAMILY DONATION” to the office.  Thanks for all of your support with this, our Georgetown Family is absolutely wonderful!

    CLASSROOM BASKETS…… Parents do not forget to have your students purchase their tickets for their favorite classroom basket next week.  Tickets will be on sale MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY during lunch time and conferences!  Raffle tickets will $1 each.  The PTC also wanted to thank all of our Georgetown families for all of the great donations again this year.  Thanks for making this fun for everyone!

    SPRING BOOK FAIR…….. The PTC is looking for more parent volunteers for the spring book fair.  The spring book fair will be held the week of March 14 through 18.  This is a wonderful experience for the students here at Georgetown, shopping at the book fair.  If this is something that you think you might be interested in, please contact Cindy Roerig at 669-1285 or via email at cmroerig@yahoo.com or visit this link….. Volunteer Spot .

    COMMUNITY ED NEWS…… Don’t forget that THIS Saturday, February 26 is KIDS ROCK THE GYM!! This will run from 5pm to 9pm at the High School.  They will accept walk-in registrations at the door if there is still availability.  Please read the attached flier with all of the info    rockgym-1 .  The other new activities that are being offered right now through Community Ed are TAE KWON DO and GYMNASTICS/DANCE/CHEER.    Please read the following fliers with all of the details……  TKD2011Spring and  gymnastiks11 .  DO NOT FORGET you can also register ONLINE.  Just click the link below. Please feel free to visit the Community Ed Website also for ALL of the activities that are available currently to students and to register online at….. http://commed01.hudsonville.k12.mi.us/Default.aspx .

    EAGLE 5K/10K ……… ~  Please read the attached flier for more information regarding this race.  The attachment also has the registration form attached to it…….   2011 Eagle Run brochure 021511 .  The Hudsonville Athletic Boosters are once again sponsoring the Eagle 10k/5k run/walk on March 26, 2011. The races will begin at 9AM. Runners/walkers will begin at Hudsonville High School and will continue running through the city of Hudsonville. This is a fundraiser for the Athletes of Hudsonville High School. For more information log onto www.eagle10k.com or www.classicrace.com. Be sure to mark your calendars for
    this event. If you would like to volunteer to work this event please call 893-5830 or email through the website. Thank you for your support of Hudsonville Athletics.

    COMMUNITY NEWS………ONCE UPON A PANCAKE ~ ~ CHARACTER BREAKFAST…….. Allendale Music Boosters invites you to Once Upon a Pancake ~ A Character Breakfast.  come have breakfast with your favorite prince princess, and storybook characters from 7am to 10am on Saturday, March12 at Main Street Pub in Allendale.  Tickets are only $5 per plate which includes sausages, scrambled eggs, unlimited pancakes and a beverage.  Tickets can be purchased at any Allendale Public School Office or reserve your tickets via email to allendalemusicboosters@gmail.com.

    3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT……… for 3rd-6th Grade boys and girls on Saturday, March 12, 2011.  Location: HUDSONVILLE UCC, 4950 32ND AVE, Hudsonville.   Time: 9-3 pm.   Sign up online at www.hudsonvillehoops.com by March 7, 2011.   Limited team slots available so register early to make sure your team can play.   Shirts for team of four and trophies for winning team.   Entry fee is $90 per team and includes registered officials.   For questions please call Karl @ 616.485.6233 or email hexcel34@gmail.com.
    ALLENDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL’S 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT – SATURDAY, MARCH 26………. Tournament location for Allendale Christian School’s Fifth Annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be the Allendale Public High School (grades 5-8) and Allendale Christian School (grades 3-4). ACS is hosting the tournament on Saturday, March 26. This double elimination tournament will have divisions for both girls and boys 3rd-8th grades.  Trophies will be awarded to winning teams at each level.  Tee shirts will be provided for each player. All area schools are invited to join us.  Play will be continuous with refs at each court.  Last year there were over 350 players that participated from area schools.  Cost is $80 per team.  Concessions will be available.  Registration forms are due by March 4 and are available at ACS or on our website at allendalechristian.com. If you have questions or interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Jody Ribbens @ 895-6016.

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    2/28 thru 3/2  Parent Teacher Conferences

    3/1  Jet’s Pizza Night

    3/4  Popcorn Friday

    3/8 PK/K  Round-Up @ 7pm

    3/11 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

    3/14 – 3/18  Spring Book Fair

    3/15 & 3/16   PK/K  Screening

    3/16  Marco’s Pizza Night

    3/17  4th Grade Field Trip to Lansing

    3/18  MONDAY/WEDNESDAY KINDERGARTEN FRIDAY

    3/24  5th Grade visits Baldwin Middle School

    3/31  Georgetown Talent Show

    4/1 – 4/10  SPRING BREAK!!!!!!

    Have a great weekend!

    Mrs. Nurenberg  : )

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    Manana, Iguana

    Have you ever read or listened to the story The Little Red Hen?  Remember how hard the Red Hen works to get everything ready and then all her friends want to take part in the feast, even though they did nothing to help?

    KeidyJada

    Today I had the honor of listening to Keidy and Jada read Manana, Iguana aloud to their friends in Ms. VanArkel’s 3rd grade classroom.  In this story a  hard working Iguana prepares for a fiesta with no help from her friends.  Keidy speaks two languages (something we all admire greatly about her) and she shared this book to help introduce us to Spanish vocabulary in a familiar story.

    Keidy and her friend Jada worked together as read aloud partners to share this book with the class…and a lucky principal who stopped in to visit!  Jada and Keidy made a great read aloud team.

    Anna Paul Whitford’s Website

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    Welcome…Molly Jean Boes!

    Molly JeanOur pre-kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Boes had a baby girl today at 12:29.   Her name is Molly Jean and she weighted in at 6lbs 14 oz and is 19 inches long.

    We are so happy to hear about Molly’s arrival and are so happy that she made her debut AFTER the ice storm!

    Earlier this year, we welcomed Mrs. VanderPloeg, one of our ECSE teachers, baby girl Briana.  Mr. Rob, our head custodian, became a daddy to  Madisson Thurkettle.

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    A Sneeze Can Break the Speed Limit!

    achooDid you know that  we blow out the sneeze at 40 mph?  And, did you know that the discharge can go 20 feet?  I think these are pretty amazing facts while at the same time being a little unsettling too.

    The sneeze is our body’s first line of defense when it sense an intruder in the nasal passage area.  We have some very smart nerve cells that sense that dust, germs or pollen has entered the nose.  These cells send a message to the brain and then before you even realize it, you are saying ” AHHH AHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHCHOOOOO!”  And your saying this with great speed!

    This NPR ACHOO article has some additional facts about sneezing.  And…be sure to make a mental note to sneeze into your elbow and show your kids how to do this too.

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