NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

AURORA SCHOOL 125 Aurora School Dr. Aurora, WV 26705 304-735-3781

SECRETARY NOTES: I wanted to inform you that the school pictures will not be back in time for Christmas. With having the week off from school for Thanksgiving, which I am not complaining, the pictures were sent out later than normal. Parents, I am trying desperately to keep you up-to-date on the happenings in our school. However, in the event that I overlooked something in the newsletter, please make sure you check the school calendar on-line just in case something changes. I also would like to welcome Lisa Barrett to the Aurora School Family. Lisa transferred to our school shortly before Thanksgiving and is in 8th Grade. Our small 8th Grade class is continuing to grow. Parents, please be on the lookout for permission slips from Mrs. Mayfield for the movie incentive that the students will be attending in December. The students will be taken to the Garrett 8 Cinemas and will be seeing the movie Ferdinand. So please make sure your child/children brought their permission slip home. If we do not receive a permission slip your son/daughter will not be able to go.

PTO NEWS Aurora School PTO would like to thank everyone who came out to support our Fall Festival on November 3rd. We also want to thank you for your help with the Pie Fundraiser. We truly appreciate your continued support and generosity.

Upcoming Events

November – 27 – 8th Grade Toy Drive Begins December 1 – PAPP Playgroup – Ages 1 & 2 (10:00 – 11:00) December 4 – Secret Santa (8:30 – 2:30) December 4 – Stem Program (Girls Only) (3:00 – 4:15) December 4 - After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 4 –Bruceton v. Aurora (6:00 – 8:00) December 5 – Secret Santa December 5 – PAPP Library Time (10:00 – 11:00) December 5 – Born Learning (6:00 – 8:00) December 6 – PAPP Library Time (10:00 – 11:00) December 6 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 7 – PAPP Playgroup – Ages 3 & 4 (10:00 – 11:00) December 7 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:`15) December 7 – Middle School Caroling at Cortland Acres (4:00 – 5:30) December 7 – Aurora vs WPMS (6:00 – 8:00) December 8 – Toy Drive Ends December 8 – PAPP Playgroup – Ages 1 & 2 (10:00 – 11:00) December 11 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 11 – Rowlesburg vs. Aurora (6:00 – 8:00) December 12 – PAPP Library Time (10:00 – 11:00) December 12 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 13 – PAPP Library Time (10:00 – 11:00) December 13 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 14 - PAPP Playgroup – Ages 3 & 4 (10:00 – 11:00)

Note from the Counselor

Middle School student will be going to Cortland Acres on Thursday, December 7th from 4:00 – 5:30. Students will be singing Christmas carols and handing out Christmas cards. This will count toward their community service hours as well.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES The month of November has flown by. I will attempt to highlight some

of the events that took place. On October 31st, a portion of the elementary school went on a field trip to Rich’s Farm/Pumpkin Patch. Although it was a chilly afternoon, the students seemed to have a wonderful time. While at Rich’s Farms, the students participated several activities which included a corn maze, hayride, popcorn picking and pumpkin picking. At the end of the day,

each student was able to bring a pumpkin home to carve with his/her family. A huge thank you goes out to Ms. Lazare for putting together an awesome trip.

Golden Horseshoe - The 8th Grade class took their first trip of the 2017-18 school year by traveling to Morgantown to watch the Golden Horseshoe Play on November 1. The class left the school at approximately 8:00 and was back after lunch. The next trip for this class will take place on November 29th where they will be

going to Preston High School. On November 9th, the Aurora School Staff and Students came together to pay tribute to the men and women that have served in our nation’s military. There were approximately 20 veterans in attendance. Upon the arrival of our veterans, Emma Bishop and Averi Adams showed our guests to the gymnasium where breakfast was served. At 10:00 the veterans were introduced to the staff and students. After the introductions were made and opening remarks were provided by Mrs. Hibbs, Delegate Buck Jennings spoke to everyone about the history of Veteran’s Day. Shortly thereafter, the students offered their appreciation by reciting recitations, singing as well as our

advanced band playing The Star-Spangled Banner. As was stated during our program, Aurora School would like to thank all veterans for your service!

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Upcoming Events (cont.) December 14 – Make-up Pictures (8:30 – 10:00) Gym December 14 – TA/EP vs. Aurora (6:00 – 8:00) December 15 - PAPP Playgroup – Ages 1 & 2 (10:00 – 11:00) December 15 – Family Night – Whoville Christmas - ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT! (6:30 – 8:30) December 17 – Donna Jean’s Christmas Ride (3:00 – 6:00) December 18 – Student Incentive – Movie Day (10:30 – 2:30) December 18 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 18 – Aurora School vs. Central Preston Middle School (6:00 – 8:00) December 19 – PAPP Library Time (10:00 – 11:00) December 19 – Afternoon Christmas Program (1:00 – 2:00) December 19 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 19 – Santa is Coming to Town – 5:30 – 7:00 Aurora School December 19 – Evening Performance Christmas Program (7:00 – 8:30) December 20 – PAPP - Library Time – (10:00 – 11:00) December 20 – After School Explorers (3:00 – 4:15) December 20 – Union Educational Complex vs. Aurora School (6:00 – 8:00)

On November 16th, as part of the holiday Aurora School’s holiday tradition, the staff and students ate their Thanksgiving Lunch together. The children seemed to enjoy the sounds of music and the ambiance that

surrounded the gym.

On November 29th, the elementary wing planned a PBIS reward for our students. A certified fitness instructor came in and taught a children's fitness classes.

Aurora Middle School students will be conducting a toy drive for the less fortunate in Preston County. The drive will be held from November 27 – December 7. A collection box will be placed in the main entrance of our school. If you are able to help another child in need, please send a donation with your child or stop by the school and place the toy in the box yourself.

On November 30th our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes took a trip to Oakland, Maryland to watch the movie “The Polar Express”. This has been an activity that these classes have been participating in for the last couple of years. Both classes had an incredible time.

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December Birthdays December 1 –Emma Lewis December 2 - Braxton Hartsell December 7 - Lydia Arnold December 9 – Mrs. Mayfield December 11 - Carter Shaffer December 12 – Kadie Colebank December 14 – Audrey Smith December 17 – Mrs. Roush

Upcoming Events (cont.) December 21 – PAPP Playgroup (10:00 – 11:00) December 21 – TWO HOUR EARLY OUT December 22 – December 31 – No School – Christmas Break

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM

I would like to first thank everyone that donated funds for the two brand new iPads that arrived in our classroom this week! Without the support from a wonderful community like you this would not be possible. The class has been working with the iPad that was purchased with money from the calendar party last year and adding these two will increase the availability of technology to each student. We have a busy schedule the next few weeks. We will be working with classroom volunteers to make Holiday crafts throughout the month. We will start practicing our song "Polar Puppy" for the Christmas program, which will be December 19th. We are still working on letter recognition in the classroom as well. I cannot express to you enough how important this is for your child to know going into kindergarten. Please practice this at home as well. As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me!

~𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑪𝒓𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒍

Kindergarten has had a very busy month of November. Many of our students began the month by

participating in the Fall Festival activities. A special thank you goes out to the parents and family

members that helped out by donating desserts and/or helping run our game. The kindergarten students

did a wonderful job singing a song for the veterans at our Veteran’s Day program. We will be finishing

out the month by taking a field trip to the Oakland Train Station to participate in Polar Express activities.

In language arts we have worked hard on nine of the letters of the alphabet and many of our students

are becoming quite accomplished at “sounding out” new words. In math we are changing things up a bit

by starting Guided Math. The students are excited because this means more centers which is one of

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their favorite things! In social studies we learned about the Pilgrims and their friends the Native

Americans. The upcoming month of December will bring lots of exciting and fun activities.

Parents, please remember to continue helping your child with his/her word ring, letters and

numbers.

~𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅

First Grade has had a busy November. We are really becoming readers. Two of our classmates are reading books and taking Accelerated Reader Tests. Congratulations to Benjamin Teets and Callie Miller for this huge first grade accomplishment. The rest of us are making GREAT gains with our sight word recognition and will begin reading books for AR tests after Christmas and as we master those sight words. Please keep reading to and with your children every night. “Children are made readers in the laps of their parents.” Emilie Buchwald In math I am so proud of their math accomplishments. We are adding and subtracting with ease. We can count by tens starting at ANY number. Test us… ask us to count by 10 starting at 2 (12, 22, 32, 42, 52). In December we will continue our thanks and giving by completing 15 random acts of kindness in our school and community throughout the month.

~𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓

It was exciting to see all of the 3rd graders this morning after our break. We are continuing to work hard in our Guided Math Unit-Multiplication and Division Applications! We are working hard on mastering our multiplication facts. We will be working on informative writing! We will be wrapping up our Building a Nation lessons this week! Please continue to encourage your child to read!! The 3rd graders love taking Accelerated Reader tests!

~𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫

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For the Thanksgiving holiday, the fourth grade class participated in a Thanksgiving Feast Activity. The students made a shopping list, "shopped" using store adds for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, and communicated with other students to find the best deals while shopping. They really enjoyed this activity and it gave them a better perspective on how real life works.

~𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝

The 5th Grade Class continues to make great strides in the classroom. There are exciting things happening and we have exciting things planned. We recently cooked chicken noodle soup and enjoyed it with crackers before the Thanksgiving Break and are looking to do more cooking in December. We are also planning a craft project with the Pre-K class which will be a MUST on your holiday tree for years to come. Reading: Students are working on a variety of novels and books in guided reading groups. Science: We are exploring the stars and constellations as we continue our work with the night sky. Social Studies: We continue to focus on the growth of the nation as we read and discuss westward expansion. Math: Pre-Algebra has proven to be a fun and welcomed challenge for this class. Special thanks to the family of Jayden Suesli for giving Rocket and Snowflake a home over the Thanksgiving Break. We are looking to a home for the Christmas too so please keep them in mind as you make your holiday plans. Remember: They are not allergy free.

In addition to the classroom activities, I have signed up to Donor’s Choose to help raise money for our classroom. Please read the following:

Guided Reading Goodies!

My students need a Kidney Activity Table, rug, and chairs in order to be successful with the guided

reading model currently happening in Aurora School classrooms.

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My Students

I was lucky enough to "loop" with this class of students, so I have had the unique privileged to teach them for 2 years in a row. To say they are good students is an understatement! This is a fantastic and motivated group of learners. They are excited about everything we do in the classroom and take learning very seriously. They also love to read!

These students are the best of friends.

Most of them have been together since they were in pre - k. They learn together and play together. They extend their learning and playing outside the classroom through online educational gaming. They participate in all school events and functions and volunteer to help whenever an opportunity arises. I am very proud of my students!

My Project

I have requested a kidney shaped table, classroom chairs to surround it, a floor carpet and chair cushions. The students will use the requested materials daily for learning in guided reading. Guided reading allows students to work in small groups to find success on their current levels and push them beyond. Studies show that this method of teaching is highly effective and creates better understanding of reading concepts for all students. They will sit at the table in their designated reading groups to learn cooperatively with the teacher and classmates of like abilities. Without these materials, providing this type of instruction becomes a challenge.

In this model I will be working with 3 small groups, for 20 minutes at a time, 5 days a week.

Each group will work on reading selections that are appropriate for their current reading level as based on school testing programs. The focus will be comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, reading fluency, story elements, characterization and much more. To donate please go to the following link: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/guided-reading-goodies/2838538/?utmsource=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=teacher_322241&rf=directlink-dc-2017-11-project-teacher_322241&challengeid=92109

~𝐌𝐬. 𝐋𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐞

MIDDLE SCHOOL

6th Grade- Students have been working with solving equations and plotting inequalities.

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7th Grade- Students are beginning on learning about proportional relationships and how they are represented. 8th Grade- Is learning about how to construct dilations and how to determine if triangles a similar to one another. Expect each grade in the middle school to have their Math Contest Due the last week before Christmas Break. Students and Staff will vote on the best math project and the winner will receive a special gift from Mrs. Waugh. Please ask me if you have any questions. ~𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐖𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡

The middle school students have been practicing very hard for the Christmas Play that they will be doing during the Christmas Program. However, when the students aren’t rehearsing the following is taking place in each class:

Guided Reading is going strong in all grades and the students STAR 360 scores are amazing. Their reading abilities are showing so much growth! They work very hard and make me very proud. We will be starting several new novels in all grades the first week back from break. Every week your child will have an Article of the Week assignment that is given on Monday and is due on Friday. Please remind them to complete this activity.

Thanks to everyone who purchased Tupperware or donated to our fundraiser. We made close to $350.00 for new novels that the students have been wanting.

I have registered our ELA program on Donor’s Choose. I am trying to get 6iPads and cases that are desperately needed for our classroom. These will enable the students in all the classes the abilities to use 21century technology to further their education. We have $400.00 donated already, but we need more. Please help by donating any amount. I want the best for my students please help me achieve this goal!

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Project Title: Help Us Be Cool, Give Us iPads for School! Below is the link to donate.

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/help-us-be-cool-give-us-ipads-for-schoo/2750130//?utmsource=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=teacher

_322241&rf=directlink-dc-2017-11-project-teacher_322241&challengeid=92109.

Students have been working on their Social Studies and Science Fair projects. As the deadline approaches, students need to start putting their boards together as well as begin practicing their speeches. The Science and Social Studies Fair will take place in January. Additional information about the fair will be sent home at-a-later-date.

5th Grade Students have been learning about stop motion animation and are working on their small group presentations of their VERY OWN mini movie. Don’t worry adults, we’re working on creating a class YouTube channel so we can share our projects with you.

o Students are creating backgrounds, props, as well as sculpting main characters using polymer clay.

4th Grade BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE… Using cut paper collage, students are creating artworks that demonstrate the 3 major types of balance in art: Asymmetrical, Symmetrical, and Radial Balance.

3rd Grade A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

o Students are creating a variation of a storyboard to learn to tell a story with only 4 pictures. Because this is a group project we are learning how to collaborate ideas and work together to get the final project.

2nd Grade Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

o We are working in small groups to create landscapes inspired by our local scenery. A project this detailed deserves the use of a real canvas board, not just paper.

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1st Grade

It’s time to hit big stage! o We are working in small groups to create a puppet theater version of some of our favorite fairy tales! We’ve set the stage and are working on our characters. Don’t worry adults- we’ll find a way to share our performances with you.

Kindergarten Exploring the Alphabet with Texture

o We are busy at work using stations to practice our letter identification. Every letter has a different station. It’s fun exploring with all of the different textures.

Thank you for the people submitting Rich's Farm Field Trip pictures and Junior Princess pictures for the yearbook! This year, there is a URL that ANYBODY can use to upload pictures for the yearbook. The URL is, www.plicbooks.com/go.php?s=2nKdF. Unfortunately, I was unable to get any Fall Festival Photos. If anybody has any, please upload them. Also, if there are any Summer Reading Reward Pictures and PTO Movie Night pictures floating around out there, we would love to have them. The more pictures to choose from, the better the yearbook will be. Please email or call if you have any

questions. Please email or call if you have any questions. Thanks in advanced! sarah.waugh@k12.wv.us.

TRAIT: CAUTIOUSNESS An assembly was held on November 27th wherein the following students were named Student of Month for November:

P/K Olivia Simmons K Ava Waters 1 Willow Carroll 2 Blake Adams 3 Mackenzie Moats 4 Parker Galloway 5 Ava Bishop 6 Avery Colebank 7 Cheyenne Roth 8 Mason Moats

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

FULL STEAM AHEAD: STEM CLUB FOR GIRLS

We had a great time at our first Full STEAM Ahead meeting. The STEM Club for Girls met on November 4 and enjoyed a snack while they watched a video about STEM careers available to them when they get older. The girls were encouraged to think of a STEM career that may interest them and add them to a #GIRLSCANBE poster. We may know many doctors, programmers, astronomers,

and astronauts in the future! The girls built a catapult and learned how adjusting the length of the arm and the position of the fulcrum would change the trajectory of a candy pumpkin. During the next month, the girls are responsible for building a musical instrument at home for their Family STEM Project

and are to bring it to present to their group. We are looking forward to Christmas-themed STEM activities at our next

meeting on December 4. ~𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲

AFTER SCHOOL EXPLORERS

The Aurora After School Explorers are going strong! The majority of our students attend on a regular basis. The top priority of Aurora’s After School program is homework help and tutoring but other activities and special events are included. Funding for this 21st Century Community Learning Center is provided wholly or in part by a grant from the United States Department of Education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title IV Part B with grant administration carried out by the West Virginia Department of Education.

BORN LEARNING HAS A TURKEY FEAST

When the Born Learning families met on November 7th for their session, they were treated to a meal

with turkey by the wonderful catering team from the Stemple Ridge Church. This team always provides

the meal at each monthly session, and we certainly can’t say thank you enough to them. The topic at

the November session was presented by an individual from the Birth - Three agency, and addressed the

importance of connecting with preschoolers socially and emotionally in this part of child development.

The school also greatly appreciated the childcare that is provided each month for Born Learning by the

Eglon Mountaineer 4-H Club. Born Learning meets each month on the first Tuesday in the school gym at

6 pm. Families with a preschool child in the prenatal through age 5 group are welcome to join the

program by calling the school to register at 304-735-3781.

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LITTLE LEARNERS ENJOYING FALL TOPICS

Lots of Little Learners accompanied by an adult have been entering the Aurora School doors in this

beautiful fall season to enjoy learning about topics related to the autumn. Leaves, Pumpkins, Warm

Clothing and Thanksgiving have been our topics. Children are read to in the library on Tuesday and

Wednesdays on these topics, as well as doing related learning activities planned on the week’s theme.

They also select several books and resource items to take home during each visit. Then we change

locations on Thursdays and Fridays to have good times in our playgroup room while playing with peers,

and also taking out time to practice readiness skills with accompanying adults. All preschool children in

the Aurora School attendance area are welcome to join the Little Learner’s Program, and can do so by

calling the school at 304-735-3781 to register or email Krista Hayes at kjhayes@k12.wv.us.

SPORTS NEWS

The 2017-18 middle school basketball season will begin on December 4th. The cost to enter the games will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. ALL games will begin at 6:00 and 7:15 with the girls starting first. Students that have made Principal’s Honor Roll get in free. However, they must provide their card at the gate in order for them to get in free. Students have already been given their gate card so, if they lose or misplaced it, no new card will be issued. Coaches will be contacting parents to help run the concession stand during our home games. As before, students making principal’s honor roll will be able to enter the game for free and will be receiving a coupon for food during the games. The schedule for the basketball game is as follows:

DATE OPPONENT PLACE

Dec. 04 Bruceton Aurora School

Dec. 07 West Preston Middle School West Preston Middle School

Dec. 11 Rowlesburg School Aurora School

Dec. 14 Terra Alta / East Preston School Aurora School

Dec. 18 Central Preston Middle School Central Preston Middle School

Dec. 20 Union Educational Complex Aurora School

Jan. 03 South Preston School South Preston School

Jan. 08 Bruceton Bruceton School

Jan. 11 West Preston Middle School Aurora School

Jan. 12 Petersburg High School – 8th Grade Only Aurora School

Jan. 16 Rowlesburg Rowlesburg

Jan. 18 Terra Alta / East Preston School Terra Alta / East Preston School

Jan. 22 Central Preston Middle School Aurora School

Jan. 24 Tucker Valley Middle School Tucker Valley MS

Jan. 25 Union Educational Complex Union Educational Complex

Jan. 29 South Preston Middle School Aurora School

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FOR DECEMBER MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1 Chicken Fajita Salad Pita and Hummus Fruit Milk

4 Salisbury Steak Mashed Potatoes Biscuit Fruit Milk

5 Spaghetti w/meat Sauce Breadstick Garden Salad Fruit Milk

6 Sloppy Joe Baked Potato Broccoli w/cheese Fruit Milk

7 Corn Dog Baked Beans Garden Salad Fruit Milk

8 Cheeseburger on Bun Broccoli Salad Tater Tots Fruit Milk

11 Pulled Pork Sandwich Baked Sweet Potato Cole Slaw Fruit Milk

12 Chicken Alfredo Roll Broccoli Juice Bar Fruit Milk

13 Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy Roll Corn Fruit Milk

14 Pepperoni Roll Parmesan Broccoli Yogurt Fruit Milk

15 Chicken Parmesan Sub Parmesan Broccoli Cucumber & Tomato Salad Juice Bar Fruit Milk

18 Cheese Breadstick Marinara Sauce Baby Carrots Apple Yogurt Milk

19 Deluxe Hamburger Baked Beans Parslied Cauliflower Apple Slices Milk

20 Turkey w/Gravy Mashed Potatoes Cherry Cobbler Cookie Fruit Milk

21 Fish Stix Dinner Roll Green Beans Diced Pears Cookie Milk

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