Hello Sumac families! We have lots of news and events for you. Please read on to learn all that is going on at Sumac Elementary, including our annual Jog-a-thon!
Sumac Voyager Newsletter / Vol. 49 / March 6, 2018
In This Issue:
Principal Logan's Monthly Student Focus: Persistence and Grit
when bad things happen, they don’t give up.”- Angela Duckworth
Sumac L-STEM Elementary proudly facilitates the LVUSD six dispositions of our Student 360 initiative every day. We design the learning environment to promote autonomy and independence, collaborative communities, empathy and understanding, mindfulness and thoughtfulness, persistence and grit, and positive mindset. We know that the cultivation of these dispositions support learning and success in school and in life.
Our focus for April is persistence and grit. In our classes we will highlight the core practice of students engaging and persevering at points of difficulty, challenge, or error. We know that mistakes are a valued part of the learning process.
As written in the education blog, The Edvocate, grit, “is defined by University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth as ‘perseverance and passion for long-term goals.’ According to Duckworth, grit is a better indicator of future success than IQ or talent. It’s a combination of determination, focus, passion, and resilience. It’s the ability to persevere in the face of challenges and failure.” At home you can continue this effort with many ways to develop grit in your child.
Here at school we will be building grit as we deliver the curriculum. For the next month, our grades will be focusing on the following:
The dual team has been working on oral language themes across the grade levels. J, First, Second, and Third Grade are enjoying the use of seesaw digital portfolios to showcase students' work.
First Grade will be focusing on Earth Day curriculum, opinion writing, measurement, time, our nutrition units learning about healthy choices, biographies, and practicing kindness in a variety of ways.
Second Grade will be focusing on good citizenship and becoming stewards of our Earth, celebrating Earth Day, and learning to take care of our planet and natural resources. The literacy skills developed will be point of view, summarizing, and continuing reading comprehension with a focus on theme. Math will center around money and time in English and Spanish. Opinion writing and writing an autobiography about their lives will round out the month.
Third grade will be focusing on raising mealworms and creating/editing videos of them. They will be working on engineering challenges (Tally: rockets; Seideman: billboards from The One and Only Ivan) for the engineering fair in May. Miss Seideman's class will also be making creative booklets and videos to go with it on Seesaw. In addition, third grade Dual will be working on opinion writing, "All About" books, digital stories, and green screen movie projects to be showcased at open house!
Fourth and Fifth gradedual classes are in the process of publishing their own books. They have spent the last three months writing their own story and using peer editors to help with this. After spring break they will be designing a dedication page, about the author page, and drawing illustrations for their books. There will be an Author's Breakfast later in May where parents and students can view their books.
Fifth grade traditional has been working on opinion writing using their Outdoor Ed experience, designing their own fractional school playgrounds, and learning about Colonial America.
Friday, April 13 | Sumac Jog-a-thon Kickoff
Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience at our largest fundraiser, our Sumac Jog-a-thon. Join us as we kick off this year's event and unveil our 2018 theme at morning assembly this Friday.
Also, don't forget to mark your calendars for May 4th, so you can join us for this incredible event.
Every student will receive a free t-shirt. If you missed our Parent Square announcement, please click here to ensure your child receives the correct size.
See you in the very near future!
Tuesday, April 16 | Sumac After Hours Spring Classes
In addition to continuing many of the popular classes from the Winter session, after-school organizers are also introducing some new class offerings this Spring:
Movie Making classes (with superheroes and Legos; from Movies By Kids)
Science Detective classes (from Professor Egghead)
Dodgeball skills and challenges (from Sports Academy
And with always-strong popularity, these classes are offered once again:
Art classes (inc. drawing, acrylics, oils, watercolor, pastels; taught by Sumac STEAM teacher, Carol Mallett)
A new Woodshop project (from Design It In Wood)
Multi-sport class (including basketball, baseball, football & soccer; from Sports Academy)
Friday, April 27 | Spring Talent Show
Come support and cheer on all of our amazing students and staff as they perform different talents for all to enjoy.
Friday, April 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
See the letter sent home regarding mandatory rehearsal information or email sumacrun@yahoo.com for more information.
Wednesday, April 25 | Restaurant Fundraiser
With three local restaurants giving Sumac 20% of their sales proceeds, why not get both lunch* and dinner?
On Wednesday, April 25, come enjoy lunch or dinner at Panda Express and The Habit from noon to close. *Urbane Cafe participation is limited to 4 p.m. till close.
April Lunch Menu
Wondering what's for lunch this month?
Download the most current menu and newsletter or visit theLVUSD websitefor more information.
Also, don't forget to pack extra snacks with your child each day to keep young minds sharp and engaged in learning!
The Event, a fundraiser benefitting the entire Las Virgenes Unified School District, will be held on Friday, June 1 from 5:30-11pm at the Calabasas Civic Center. Tickets are on sale now at TheEventParty.org!
Be a part of this magical evening under the stars and enjoy tastings from premiere local restaurant and wineries; peruse must-have, one-of-a-kind items during the silent and live auctions; and experience an amazing concert performance that will literally have you dancing in the street!
Tickets and tables are sure to sell out quickly so reserve yours now and be a part of this special evening! Visit TheEventParty.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
ParentSquarehas the most up-to-date school and classroom calendar, news, volunteer signups, wishlists, discussions and more.
Download the App from your App Store or Google Play, click the link in your email invite or visitthe signup page.
A Friendly Reminder From the Office Staff
Don't forget to call the office if your child is absent.
The attendance line is 818-991-4940 ext. 224
The Voyager newsletter is prepared by the Sumac L-STEM Parent/Faculty Association and usually delivered by email on the first Tuesday of each month. As long as we have your current email address on file, you will receive The Voyager throughout the 2017-2018 school year.Subscribe to The Voyager
