The end

To celebrate the last day of school, Ms. Leom took her class outside to take some final pictures.

 Then she offered to take pictures of any friends who wanted a picture ... you will notice some friends asked for more pictures than others ... and some ran to the opportunity to play while they waited for those interested to finish up their poses ...

We also spent some time preparing our room for summer ...

Thank you for an amazing year of memories!!

We had a "chat" about how in the next few years there will be some changes ... some students will grow hair on their face ... some will wear make up ... some will grow their hair out long ... some will cut it off ... some will change their hair color ... many will grow taller ... and throughout this process, Ms. Leom's heart (a piece of each child is tucked away safely) may only "see" the fourth grader ... if you are out and about or around, PLEASE stop by and say hi, give me the update.

We also had a "chat" that sometimes, Ms. Leom is focused on the shenanigans of her own kids ... one likes to touch everything when we are away from home, another likes to race entire blocks ahead ... while a third is daydreaming several lengths behind ... or Ms. Leom is in the store focused on the one item she can't forget, "Milk. Milk. Milk. Milk. Milk. Milk. ..." Not to mention, her eyesight is skilled at reading, but more fuzzy at a distance. If you see her and she didn't say hi, she is probably juggling several of the above scenerios in her head, and would LOVE for you to say, hello!

It is the end of fourth grade, but the beginning of limitless potential ... I look forward to being in the front row, with my camera nearby, watching, and beaming with pride ... Rock on my fourth graders! You are an amazing group of kids, and I can't wait to see the dreams you develop!

Books!

Every year, with the support of local sponsors (Milaca PTO and First National Bank were past sponsors), we are able to provide a free book to EVERY student in the Milaca Elementary, some 990 students!

This morning, students were invited to select their book.

We are thankful to the Milaca retired teachers who volunteered their time this morning to offer this opportunity to our students!

Selecting new books was followed by a "talk" from Ms. Leom. She explained that she expects "her kids" (students included) to READ this summer.  Ms. Leom KNOWS the value of reading. She has seventeen years of professional experience that have demonstrated repeatedly, students who read succeed. At home, her own children are expected to read at least 1000 minutes a month. She compared it to making her kids eat healthy meals, going to bed at a decent time, and helping her kids with time-out when everyone needs to settle their emotions and make calmer decisions. Ms. Leom has her phone loaded with ebooks and another pile by her bed for her summer reading. Reading matters. PLEASE encourage reading this summer.

10,000

This year I extended the third annual invitation to students to join the 10,000 Minute Club. I am SO PROUD!!! I have FIVE members joining the 10,000 Minutes Club - the most ever!! These students read at least 10,000 minutes on their monthly reading calendars during their fourth grade year. These students received a certificate and a reading medal for their accomplishment. This picture will be printed and added to my "10,000 Minute Club Wall of Fame".

Congratulations!!!!!

Talent

Our school is oozing out of the seams (spelling word) with talent. 990 students and talent comes in many forms. This year, some bright students suggested we host a talent show to showcase the many skills of our students. Mr. Voshell, an accomplished musician himself, couldn't help but be intrigued by the idea. With the help and support of our assistant principal, Mr. Meyer, our music teacher, Mrs. Hogan, and his team of staff, he set about making it happen.

When an idea begins from a staff perspective, there is a lot of creative problem solving that happens early in the process. When ideas come from students, problem solving takes place as the problems evolve. Take for instance, seating. When planning, deciding who your audience may include, would be one of the first considerations from the staff brainstorming a new idea, and where could you accommodate all of those people. When a student thinks up an idea, they think "Dahlager Theater", and it seats "a TON of people". Not quite mathematical, Dahlager Theater seats about six class rooms of students. It isn't enough seating for an entire grade level and families. So this year, our logistics prevented families from being invited. It is a consideration for next year!

We had some singers, dancers, comedy, musicians, and pure entertainment. I am so PROUD of our class participants! Here are some of our brightest stars!

ROCK ON!

Olweus

Owl ... ? (Did Ms. Leom make a spelling error in the title and mean to write about owls? The word does bring that idea to mind ... ) Olweus is a national leader in bullying resources, data, training, and support for schools to end bullying. When Ms. Leom was studying for her Master's Degree (some 15 years ago), one of her classes was on bullying, completely based on information from Olweus.

This summer, we are sending staff members to be trained in the Olweus strategies. Next Fall, part of the teacher workshops in August will be training for our staff. To prepare, this week, students in grades 3-11, are participating in a bullying survey. The data collected will be used to plan and assess the changes gained through our adoption of this program.

The questions appeared on the screen in class. Ms. Leom read all the questions (and reread the questions on request) to the entire class. The survey required a #2 pencil and over a half hour of class time to complete

The Questionnaire

some of our participants

Our school is committed to providing a safe learning community for EVERY student. We continue to strive for the BEST solutions to the serious issues of bullying.

I would anticipate more information will be shared with families as the training and scaffolding of this program is developed and implemented for our school.

Marking Time

Every year, for the last 17 years, Ms. Leom has invited students to fill out a Time Capsule.

These pages, along with other "memorable moments" are collected into an envelope and "sealed away" until their senior year of high school. Then, Ms. Leom invites her students back for "breakfast" (think "Book Breafast-type" with treats) to open their time capsules and reveal the lost thoughts, future goals, and memories of being 10 years old.

So what happens when families move? With the invention of the internet, a favorite ap, and students recording their parent's names, when possible, the pages are mailed to students. Last year, Ms. Leom found a student who was hoping to be recruited by college teams, and was able to mail the time capsule to the principal several states away to be forwarded to the student.

Ms. Leom's students go on to live AMAZING lives ... ballerinas, state champions, speakers, athletes, valedictorians, homecoming kings and queens, drivers (a big deal to our 10 year old dreamers), college graduates, world travelers, missionaries, musicians, and now, the most important job, parents. It is a wonderful life, and we want to capture this step in the process.

One of Ms. Leom's favorite moments (now that iTunes exists), is when students ask about "popular songs", Ms. Leom plays 10 seconds of the top songs listed for students to recognized "that one song" that is always on the radio when they are in the car, or in stores, or listening to at home. The best part is when the entire class erupts in song, singing along with their favorites, and you can't help but smile as the joy radiates around the room.

Making memories ... one moment in time!

Authors to Meet

After two weeks of time and effort, today we shared our Book Publishing Projects! We were THRILLED with our families and friends who were able to join us!!

ALP and ELL teacher, Ms. Anderson

Social Worker, Mrs. Stupar

mom role

Principal, Mr. Voshell