bullock buzz - montclair public schools buzz.pdfred worms (and how their poop is good for soil!),...

May 2015 issue no. 9

Bullock Buzz

Charles H. Bullock School May 2015

Ms. Nami Kuwabara, Principal

CHB Celebrates National Bike to School Day

On Wed., May 6, CHB celebrated National Bike to School Day. The overcast sky and sprinkles couldn’t stop students, parents and caregivers from leaving the car at home to pedal, skate, walk or bus ride their way to school. A pop up bike lane in front of the Charles H. Bullock School was created in conjunction with the Montclair Police Department and Bike & Walk Montclair. It was open to all bike riders who wanted to take their bikes to school and ride though a protected lane, even those coming from another direction. The lane ran from Lincoln to Washington in the morning and reverse for dismissal. Students had a chance to pick up goodies at a Bike & Walk Tent before heading into school.

Thank you to CHB Roots & Shoots for helping to organize this wonderful event. Our bike rack was FULL!

In the Know…

Did you know that on CHB fourth graders all went on an overnight camping trip to a YMCA camp on May 28 and 29th?? So fun!

Did you know that our 3rd graders

released the trout from the main lobby tank into the stream at Hershfield Park in Pompton Lakes? Did you also know that they explored the surrounding wildlife, tested the pH level of the water and took pictures of lots of living things?

MAY 2015 issue no. 9

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Bullock School Receives Garden Grant

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The Charles H. Bullock School recently received a Jamba Juice “It’s All About the Fruit and Veggies” Garden Grant of $500. CHB’s garden was one of 30 youth programs selected by the National Gardening Association and Jamba Juice from more than 400 grant applications received nationwide. CHB will receive $400 in gardening materials, including a composting bin from the KidsGardening Shop, a $100 check for plants and soil, and a generous seed donation from High Mowing Seeds. Also, CHB won a second grant directly

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from High Mowing Seeds for 200 packets of organic seeds: flowers, vegetables and herbs. “We are thrilled and thankful for these grants, as the CHB garden is an integral part of our environmental science magnet theme,” said Principal Nami Kuwabara. “We work together as a community integrating our garden into our curriculum in all grades, and we celebrate the fruits of our labor through many special events. “In addition, we are greatly indebted to the volunteer family members who support the school’s gardening efforts, including those who wrote the successful grant applications.” The grants will help fund this spring’s planting season, which in turn will

support grade-level curriculum in social studies and science units throughout the school year, including:

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• Kindergarten: Pumpkin Patch – life cycle of a pumpkin;

• Grade 1: Salad – plant, grow, harvest and eat components of a salad;

• Grade 2: Pollinator Garden – pollinating plants attract and provide food for monarchs, painted ladies and honeybees;

• Grade 3: Native American Study, Three Sisters Garden – beans, corn, and squash connect to the historical, artistic and social studies of Native Americans;

• Grade 4: Roots (Bottoms Up) – basil and tomatoes; supports pesto fundraiser;

Grade 5: Shoots – radishes, beets, carrots and onions; supports plants and roots science unit; vegetables are “juiced” for CHB Food Day.


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KINDERGARTEN The Kindergarteners have worked hard to research, observe, and create the lifecycle of the trout. Our studies began with observing the eggs, alevin, and fry in the CHB fish tank. We created sketches and labeled the different parts of the trout at their stages. The kindergarteners then researched the trout through games and books, learning many important facts and ways to keep the water clean for a healthy living environment. Finally, the students created two projects based on their new knowledge of trout. They created signs to keep the streams clean and a classroom life cycle with each

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stage of the trout development. They were very excited to see their finished projects hanging in our classrooms!

CLASSROOM HIGHLIGHTS:


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THIRD GRADE

FIRST GRADE

First graders worked with Artist in Residence, Peg Kenselaar, to create pond insects, animals, and plant life out of clay. First graders are currently studying wetland and pond habitat and learning about life in and around the pond. The finished pond display is in the showcase by the library. Stop by and check it out!


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Super Science! In science, students delved deeper into the specialized systems and structures living things need to function and grow. First, they studied the human body, including the nervous, circulatory, muscular, digestive, skeletal, and respiratory systems. Then, they looked at the life cycle of a plant. Beginning with a creepy-crawly investigation of red worms (and how their poop is good for soil!), the plant unit included information about different types of soil, the structure of seeds, pollination and fertilization, and photosynthesis.

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Each fourth grader also planted basil seeds, which will be harvested and use to make pesto next year in the fall. Super Math, Too! In math, students devoted a lot of time to measurement. We looked at the customary and metric system units for measuring distance, capacity, and mass and converted between different units. Students studied units of money, including how to make change. They also calculated area and perimeter of rectangles. We will finish the school year by analyzing and classifying lines, angles, and polygons

FOURTH GRADE


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On Thursday, May 28th, the CHB fifth graders organized a community service project and a parting gift to Bulllock: 5th Graders organized and prepared the annual Spring Fair for the Kindergarten class. A carnival station included Knock the Cans, Tic-

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Tac-Toe, Kick Bowling, Pin the Tail on Randy, and Limbo. While out on the field, children frolicked through the Hula Hoop Relay, raced to Fill-a-Bucket, and gleefully Splashed a Fifth Grader. Children adorned Washington Street with their colorful, creative Street Art. The festivities ended with cool, refreshing ice pops and smiles all around!

FIFTH GRADE


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CHB OLYMPIC FITNESS DAY

On Tuesday, May 26th CHB second through fifth grade students took part in Olympic Fitness Day. This is a fun filled day organized by physical education teachers Javaryl

Hilton and Ryan Corbosiero. Each class were assigned a specific country and wore a team color to represent this country. The weather cooperated, laughter filled the field and

fun was had by one and all!


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In early May, acclaimed children's book author Laura Marx Fitzgerald came for an intriguing visit with our 5th graders. They were excited to learn about some of the real life art history mysteries that inspired Laura's suspenseful, award-winning middle grade novel, UNDER THE EGG. She left the children with bookmarks, special book pins, and a whole lot of inspiration to create their own stories! On Friday, May 29th, our 2nd and 3rd graders were treated to a visit by author, Jorge Aguirre, who has written two graphic novels, Giants Beware and Dragons Beware which feature a female protagonist named Claudette. He is Colombian-American and lives in Montclair with his wife and two young sons. He also produces and writes TV for kids. He has worked for Disney Jr., Nick Jr. and PBS on many TV shows your students will recognize.

Published Authors Visit CHB


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RELATED ARTS in the NEWS ART Second Grade Spotlight Students learned about the artist Claude Monet. He is known for focusing on how light affects color. The children were inspired by Monet’s “Japanese Bridge” and they created their own personal interpretation of this piece. Here are just a few of them, but you are welcome to visit the second grade wing to see them all on display!


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RELATED ARTS in the NEWS MUSIC We all know how important FAMILIES are to everyone. Did you know that instruments have families too? Our first graders sure do. We're working on learning all about instrument families and how instruments get to be in their family. Unlike people, instruments get grouped by families based on what material they are made from and how they are played. There are 5 families of instruments. They are the string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and electronic families. We're getting a chance to see and hear some of the instruments in class, and are now learning about a work for orchestra called, "Peter and the Wolf", which uses orchestral instruments to tell the story!


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Mrs. Linda Lendman Family Coordinator/Student Assistant Counselor

Call at – 973-509-4255 ex 5756 email @ [email protected]

News from Linda Lendman, SAC/FAMILYCOORDINATOR As many of you have heard, this will be my last year at Bullock because I am retiring in June after twenty five years in public education. I am leaving with mixed feelings. I will miss the students, families and staff at Bullock, and in all of the Montclair Schools a great deal. I have loved being a counselor here, but at the same time I am excited about doing something new and having more time with my family. I tell people that change is good for them, but at this moment it feels bittersweet. I want to thank the Rand/Bullock Community for supporting my programs over the years, fighting to keep counselors in the schools and sharing your children with me. It has been such an amazing job and I have loved getting to know so many children and their families. The staff at Rand/Bullock is wonderful and I love working at a place that is so “child centered” despite the many changes we have had to deal with over the years. I know that the staff here is committed to educating the “whole child” and have always come to me with individual concerns about their students. The CHB staff go out of their way to understand each child and truly make the most of each and every day. It is not an accident that so many Rand/Bullock alums come back to visit us and stay in touch. Sending love and thanks to the entire Bullock Community, including our wonderful PTA, teachers, families and most of all, students. Please stay in touch and let me know how you are doing. In gratitude and love, Mrs. Linda Lendman, S.A.C.

Counselor’s Corner


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Well, spring has finally come to CHB………and the weeding,

digging and planting has officially begun!

CHB Growing Green Children

What’s the latest CHB scoop?

bullock buzz - montclair public schools buzz.pdfred worms (and how their poop is good for soil!),...

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