Kids love to play. And it's so good for them. Whether playing a game of Four Square on the
playground or a pick-up game of soccer, kids seem to always be totally
and completely engaged. And there are countless benefits to the act of
playing.
When kids explore the world around them
through trial and error, they learn so much about themselves. At
school, at the park, indoor and outdoor recesses...there is multitude of
opportunities for kids to get practice at real-life problem solving and
to improve their self-confidence, as well as to develop of social
skills such as cooperation and sharing. No doubt, all kids could use
more of this kind of physical and cooperative play incorporated into
their days.
Last year, a significant
and very generous donation was made to the early learners at Betsie Valley
Elementary. As a team, we could think of no better way to use a portion
of that donation than to make improvements to the playground and to add a couple pieces of play equipment for the
kids.
It is my hope and the hope of all of us here at Betsie Valley that the kids get out and play this summer. Go to the park, play on the swings, run around the yard, play tag, hide-n-seek...whatever the game, it really doesn't matter as long as they are interacting with other kids while moving around outside.
Have a great summer. See you in September!
David Milarch visited Betsie Valley Elementary. Each student left school with a tree.
The Musical Drama for Kindergartners, First, and Second Graders.
I listen to music every time I go out for a run. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure of all the effects it has on me during that time. Does it distract me from the pain or focus me on each step? Does it motivate me to work harder, or does it relax me? It's hard to say, but I think it does all of those, at different times, during each and every one of my runs. Depending on the song, and depending on what I need at that moment, I find what I'm looking for in the music.
It is so important for schools to teach the basics of appreciating, reading, playing, and creating music. These things happen mostly in Music classes, and there are huge benefits to these classes. Students learn new musical skills such as
playing an instrument or learning the words and tune to a new song. To learn an instrument or a song, and to become competent at it, requires practice, thus
developing discipline. Singing together with classmates requires each student to work together, developing teamwork and trust. The benefits of music can not be ignored in the rest of the student's day, either. Music affects the brain in many positive ways,
including recalling memories and increasing productivity.
There are endless opportunities every day for music to be incorporated. As a
teacher, I've played instrumental or classical music during work times, and the effect is usually increased focus. I often sing to my own children at home before bedtime to calm and settle them after an active day. Many times, I've used short, catchy music clips while teaching complex lessons in order to anchor each concept to a different sound. I play music for my kids in the minivan on long trips because, for some reason, time passes quickly when listening to, and engaging in music.
Sometimes it's just nice to play some music at random times to create an atmosphere of family within the classroom. Music can brighten an otherwise dark day for a child. It can bring a student out of her shell. It can inspire a student to generate new ideas. It can get a student out of his seat for a much needed stretch and dance. Overall, when students are exposed to music, it engages their minds and can speak to the very core of their beings.
Last Week at Betsie Valley
Two more students won globes in the raffle at the Community Meeting Monday morning.
The 3rd-5th graders held their final rehearsal for their music program on Wednesday. The assembly was on Thursday.
We received a very exciting delivery on Friday: five new picnic tables! These tables were purchased as a part of a very generous donation to Betsie Valley Elementary from Gertie Bell.
Many four and five year old boys and girls met and got to know Ms. Dodge on Friday during "Meet the Teacher" day.
Thursday night, Mrs. Reed led the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders through their music program for parents. It was a fantastic lesson in the human skeletal system, set to music. After singing and moving and effectively teaching those concepts to each other and their parents, these lessons will stay with these students for years to come.
I asked kids all week what they appreciate most about their teachers. This bulletin board captures a small portion of what they had to say:
Next Week at Betsie Valley Monday: Girl Scouts 4:30; BCCS Board Meeting 7:00 Tuesday: Girls on the Run 4:00-5:30; PTS Meeting 4:30 Wednesday: Farm-to-School lessons by Kirsten Gerbatsch Thursday: David Milarch Assembly 1:45; Girls on the Run 4:00-5:30; Chess Club 4:00; K-2 Music Performance 7:00 Friday: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Field Trip to Moomer's; 3rd Grade Field Trip to Thompsonville Library.
Videos To Watch
Take a few minutes and watch this. Then watch it again!
Josh Warren is a friend of mine from my days of working at SpringHill Summer Camp. Josh's father was an elementary school principal and ran in the Fifth Third Riverbank Run every year to raise money for his school. Josh lost his father last September to a massive heart attack while out walking. Josh is not much of a runner himself, but he wanted to see his father's legacy continue. Please watch his amazing story.
David Letterman's "Top Ten Reasons I Decided To Become A Teacher"
It's Teacher Appreciation Week. And who was the brilliant individual that decided to put this important week in the month of May? Perfect timing!
Teachers are at the center of the school experience. Teachers
are the beginning and the end of all good learning. It's the relationships that kids have with the adults in the school
building that makes the biggest difference for most kids' schooling
experience. It's impossible to replace the human connection between a teacher and a student. Ask anyone and they'll tell you which teacher impacted them the most when they were in school.
My favorite grade in school was fourth grade. My teacher, Mr. Scogg, was everything you want your teacher to be: fair, consistent, friendly, knowledgeable, persistent.
Often times, teachers play an even bigger role in the life of a child. Teachers help kids get a sense of their own significance. They play the role of encourager, disciplinarian, doctor, peacemaker, and friend, to every kid, all day, every day. It's truly amazing what teachers do.
The students at Betsie Valley Elementary are in very caring and capable hands. We are not at a shortage of quality teachers. As a matter of fact, all our teachers are amazing. In every classroom, every day, each teacher is excellent in his/her own way. Each contributes to the overall positive culture and success of our school. Each should be proud of the work they do. And I can only hope that each feels appreciated.
Last Week At Betsie Valley
On Monday, 1st graders enjoyed the Reptile Show by Norm Wright...
In May, Mr. Wassa's class is participating in "Science Challenges." In Friday's Challenge, students transported a softball across the basketball court and into the basket, returning the ball back to its starting position, all without touching it with their hands. They did great!
On Wednesday and Thursday, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders rehearsed for their music program. 3rd-5th grades will perform on 5/9 at 7pm.
Kirsten Gerbatsch was at Betsie Valley on Friday, giving students the opportunity to try fresh kale, which was a huge hit. Kids love trying new things, and kale was certainly something many kids had never tried before.
Next Week At Betsie Valley May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week!
Monday: Community Meeting 9:30; Girl Scouts 4:30
Tuesday: Girls on the Run 4:00
Wednesday: Fire Drill 3:30
Thursday: Preschool Playgroup 9:30; Music Assembly 11:00; Girls on the Run 4:00; Chess Club 4:00; 3rd,4th,5th Music Program 7:00
Friday: Meet the Teacher Day (Preschool --> Kindergarten)
For me, a few of the highlights of this year so far have come from the Honor Roll Assemblies. There haven't been that many - we've only held three. There's really not a whole lot to them - they each only last about 20 minutes or so. But there are about 60 kids that walk out of those assemblies feeling pretty special, as well they should. (By the way, we had more students on the Honor Roll in the third quarter than we've had all year.)
These kids work hard for an entire marking period and they earn all A's and B's on their report card. They put in all kinds of hard work for nine weeks. They've earned at least a brief moment of recognition. Celebrating them by calling their names and having them come up front to receive a certificate and small material reward is literally, just about the least we can do for them.
There are several more kids that have significant achievements in other areas which have not produced any major public recognition. Sometimes, the only recognition they get comes in the form of a simple compliment or a "congratulations" from the teacher. Other times, it comes as a note at the top of a great piece of writing or a math test. Even that kind of small, simple gesture will boost the confidence of a young learner beyond our imagination. Students really thrive on that kind of recognition from their teachers and other adults in the building.
It's always a pleasure watching kids' faces as they accomplish their goals, with or without the recognition.So we will continue to provide as many opportunities for our kids to learn, and looks for even more opportunities to recognize our students' accomplishments.
Last Week at Betsie Valley
The Buy-One-Get-One-Free Scholastic Book Fair was a success for many: kids got great deals on books and the school was able to purchase new books for the library.
Kindergarten Round-Up brought twenty-one 4 and 5 year olds in to school to meet with Ms. Dodge, Mrs. Sauer, and Ms. Austin. Welcome to Betsie Valley, Class of 2026!
Thursday was one of the best nights of the year at Betsie Valley as we hosted an Ice Cream Social as well as our Title I Night. It was capped off by a wonderful Talent Show.
Kindergarteners and 1st graders spent the day on Friday at the Butterfly Museum.
Next Week at Betsie Valley
Monday:
5th Graders begin piloting the Smarter Balanced Assessment in English/Language Arts.
1st Graders from all four elementary schools will enjoy (or not!) a Reptile Show on Monday morning. Norm Wright, the snake man, will do a show at 9:45 for Betsie Valley and Crystal Lake, and another at 10:45 for Platte River and Lake Ann.
Girl Scouts 4:00
Tuesday:
Girls on the Run 4:00
Wednesday:
Music Program Rehearsals 11:00 Thursday:
Music Program Rehearsals 11:00
Girls on the Run 4:00
Chess Club 4:00
Friday:
Kirsten Gerbatsch will be at Betsie Valley Elementary to do lessons and tastings Saturday:
Betsie Valley District Library Groundbreaking Ceremony 1:00
Videos to Watch
10 Technology Tips You Should Know and Use (TED Talk)
Enjoy the Weather!
Betsie Valley Talent Show 2013
3rd-5th Graders 1st time on the Honor Roll this school year!
All A's for all three marking periods!
The building project happening at the Betsie Valley District Library in Thompsonville
My father found something he enjoyed and that
he was good at, and he began working hard at it. When that happens, it
doesn't feel like work (I'm told). He took great pride in the company
he worked for. He's always been able to demonstrate an excellent
balance between work and family, and for my brothers and I, he's been a
living example of hard work and integrity in the work place. He's
imparted a lot wisdom to us over the years. And now, this May, he will be retiring.
My dad will be retiring from the same company he was hired by 40 years ago. My mom has been retired from her public school special education teaching position for a few years, and now they're looking forward to traveling around the country together visiting their ten grandchildren, several National Parks, and other bucket-list locales along the way. It's been something they've been talking about and looking forward to for several years. To say that I'm proud of both my parents would be profoundly understating my respect for each of them and their respective careers.
For me, retiring is SO far off into the future. It's not on my radar, whatsoever. It's not a topic I would have even mentioned here, but I'm happy for my parents, and my dad's retirement makes me think about what kind of legacy I'll leave when that day eventually comes for me. 2042. I know, that year sounds fake, maybe a movie title or something. But some day, my retirement will come, and I'll be faced with the end of my career and I'll take stock of what was.
My hope is that I'll be able to be proud of the way that I treated the people with whom I worked. I want to have helped students learn, to have cultivated a positive workplace, to have helped teachers become the best they can be, and to have provided a high-quality and safe environment for the families that I've served. It's with those end goals in mind that I create each of my todays between now and then.
Last Week at Betsie Valley
The weather was rainy all week and prevented the kids from getting outside for recess. Considering we all would much rather be outside in the spring, everyone handled it very well.
Dale Jeske leads a playgroup for children aged 0-4 in this area. There were a handful of families at Betsie Valley Thursday morning playing with their families.
A handful of parents of preschoolers visited Mrs. Dodge's classroom on Thursday night to hear all about Kindergarten. Welcome to Betsie Valley, little Bobcats!
Of course, Mother Nature gave us another Snow Day on Friday, April 12th! Ridiculous!
Next Week at Betsie Valley
Monday: Girl Scouts 4:30
Tuesday: Fire Drill 1:35; Girls on the Run 4:00
Wednesday: Fifth Grade Field Trip to Thompsonville Library 9:15am
Thursday: 4th Graders SBA Pilot 2:30; Girls on the Run 4:00; Chess Club 4:00
Friday: Kirsten Gerbatsch at Betsie Valley for tastings & lessons; Report Cards; Movie Night 6:00
A few highlights from our short week back after Spring Break:
Students were all refreshed of the behavior expectations on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as we went through Boot Camp on each of those mornings.
4th graders were introduced to Smarter Balanced Assessments as they participated in a training test in the area of Math on Thursday.
Even as deep snow remained on the playground, Miss Kitty and Mrs. Smith got outside after school with several girls on Tuesday and Thursday for the first week of "Girls on the Run."
Monday: Community Meeting 9:30am; Girl Scouts; Human Sexuality Parent Preview @ Platte River 6:30. Tuesday: Girls on the Run 4:00; PTS Meeting 4:30. Thursday: Preschool Playgroup 9:30-11:00; Girls on the Run 4:00; Chess Club 4:00; 2013-2014 Kindergarten Parent Information Night 5:30. Friday: End of 3rd Quarter; High School Band to visit Betsie Valley 1:30.
Rick Wormeli on re-do's, retakes, and do-over's:
Michigan Wolverines are playing for a National Championship
This is a touchdown in an official Big Ten Spring Football Game. Very Cool!
I like tulips. They're definitely my favorite flower. They're simple. They're perennials, and I like the concept of not replanting them every year. I like them for their shape, colors, and scent as well. But it's much more than that. Tulips are usually among the first to bloom of all spring flowers. They often pop up while there's still snow on the ground. In fact, as I ventured outside and around the side of the school building last week, I had to step around a few tulip sprouts in order to measure the snow on the birdfeeder.
When tulips sprout in March in Benzie County, nothing comes easy for them. They have to find a way to survive. The challenges are many; the odds are stacked against them. Yet, they succeed in spite of these many challenges.
Educators and students deal with some huge challenges too, in America in general, and at
Betsie Valley specifically. We've worked hard, and we'll continue to
work hard to find the necessary solutions. Actually, identifying challenges, intervening, and finding solutions is at the very core of what we do. In the end, we know that it's the challenges that make all the
successes we experience so sweet. Among so many other qualities, it's this mindset of perseverance in our staff and students that makes me so proud to participate in the great work taking place in our school.
A Glance at the Week Ahead:
Tuesday: Return from Spring Break; Behavior Boot Camp
Wednesday: Behavior Boot Camp
Thursday: Behavior Team Meeting 8am; Behavior Boot Camp; Chess Club 4pm
Friday: Staff Meeting 8am; Kirsten G at BV; Daily Winners Reward 2:40; Movie Night 6:00pm
Links, Websites, and Resources
Brandi-Lyn Mendham is on the West Shore ESD General Education Services team (formerly Mason-Lake ISD). She highlights technology websites and resources on her blog, All Things Elementary.
This site is called "NewsHugs." Their tagline is: "No bad news, just the stuff that reaffirms your societal optimism."
This is the most addictive website for a person like me. It's called What if. Tagline: "Answering your hypothetical questions with physics."
Great things happening at Betsie Valley Elementary:
Our guest on Thursday morning was TBAISD Assistant Superintendent Jason Jeffrey. He read "Moose on the Loose" to all our kids in each of our classes.
It was Spirit Week at Betsie Valley! Kids wore clothes connected to different themes each day including a sports day and a formal clothes day.
On Friday, staff and students enjoyed a cozy clothes day. At the end of the day, students chose between watching Hook, Swiss Family Robinson, Mary Poppins, Shiloh, and Sound of Music.
Hunter won the 2nd Grade Spelling Bee on Friday morning. Great job to all the participants!
Students are ready for the movie to begin in Mrs. Erfourth's class on Friday afternoon.
Videos Worth Your Time
There have been some amazing games in the NCAA tournament so far. None better than this one! Go Blue!
