End of year roundup!

As Heath Extended Day begins to bring closure to the 2009-2010 school year we would like to review the massive amounts of learning, fun and adventure that we have accomplished!

Team-building, friendships, jobs, happiness, U.S. Sates, elections, under the sea, ice skating, maple sugaring, dinosaurs, alphabet fun, cultural celebrations, Eric Carl, recycle week, Fundred project, Project Bread Spoon's, edible art week, wish days, wacky hair day, cafeteria creativity, 2nd grade day, Halloween party, portfolios, Tripping In/Tripping Out, Scooper-bowl, Fenway Park, hot snacks, DPW day, space shuttle, USS HEDP submarine, football day, 2-6 mentor day, electronics day, bikes/blades day, Eliot field, winter Olympics, Rain forest, HEDP Jepordy, Dr. Suess is 106, teacher for the day, D.E.A.R., 1/2 Day, writing to U.S. Soldiers in Iraq, penpals with kids from Spain, Treasure Island, Pirtates, potluck success and so much more.....

Please find the time to chat with your child about the things that they enjoyed at HEDP.  Your child's imput is our buisness and we would love to hear from you.

During this time of transition and closure, it is time for us to say good-by to a few of our fantastic teachers.  We are sad to announce that Jessica, Jim and Beth are moving from the Boston area to begin a new chapter in their lives. Jenna will also be changing her career track and exploring new opportunites within the field of education and beyond.

Jessica will be moving to New York to continue her education at Columbia Teachers College to obtain her MEd in Special Education.   Jim will also be moving to New York to live his dream while attending Pace University to become a Theater Director.  Beth recently decided to move back home to be closer to her family as she is about to become an Aunt.  We wish them all well and look forward to keeping in touch and sharing their successes with us in years to come.

We are very happy to announce that Malaina, Alyssa, Caitlyn, Jared, Sidoney and Brianna will be returing to Heath Extended Day with a new and energized curriculum for the 2010-2011 school year.  The Heath Extended Day teaching team is excieted to see how much your child grows and matures over the summer.  We are also looking forward to meeting new families and smiling faces come September.

The 2009-2010 school year has been a tremendous success!  We have appreciated each families invovement, kindness and generosity.  It has been a pleasure to learn and grow with your child during the past 10 months.  We wish you a safe and relaxing summer and look forward to seeing each of you come September.  It addition, we encourage the HEDP graduates and families who will be finding other afterschool options to keep in touch.  We are proud to be your "Extended" family!

Calling All Captains!

Come friends, family and matey's

to our 

TREASURE ISLAND!

Your family is invited to..

The Heath Extended Day Program's End of the Year Celebration!!

Monday, June 14th from 4:00pm-6:30pm 

at the 

S.S. Heath School Cafeteria

Games 4:00-5:30pm

Potluck Dinner  4:45-5:30pm

Captain Jack Performance 5:30-6:30pm

Please contact the program to note what type of 

food or supply your family will be attending with.

May News

May/June 2010

Heath Extended Day 2-6 Newsletter

During the month of April:

In celebration of Earth Day, the children spent a great amount of time making craft projects out of recycled materials such as boxes, newspaper, upholstery, cardboard tubes, popsicle sticks and records.  Using boxes and other recycled items from the local recycling center, the children used their imaginations to make recycled robots and bug houses (there has been a huge interest in bug collecting on the playground).  Using newspaper, the kids weaved newspaper baskets and created kites for outdoor flying. Newspaper flowers were also created, which were used as decorations to journals that the children made out of upholstery. We were excited to observe the kids using the journals to write in throughout the day!  Using cardboard tubes and dry rice, the children made and decorated rain sticks.  Cars were also made by the children using popsicle sticks and other items from the local recycle center.  Finally, the children creatively painted old records to make real working clocks that will be a great addition to your homes!

The Fundred Dollar Bill Project has been well on its way and the children have dedicated so much time to this wonderful fundraiser. This fundraiser is to help raise $300 million dollars to provide the resources to de-lead the soil in New Orleans and help protect and prevent future problems. The soil in New Orleans is contaminated and with children playing in it and breathing the dust, it is causing health problems. This fundraiser is to help make a safer environment for everyone.  The children have been and will continue to create their own hundred dollar bills which will be picked up by an armored truck and brought to Washington DC to congress at the end of the fundraising period.  When a total of $300 million Fundred dollars have been collected from all country’s participants, congress will give $300 million in real cash to go towards making a safer environment in New Orleans.  This is a great opportunity for the children to learn about what is going on around them and to get involved in a cause that affects peers their own age.  If you would like to learn more or get involved on your on about this fundraiser please visit FUNDRED.ORG.  The children in 2-6 set their fundraising goal at $45,000 in Fundred dollars.  We are almost there and so proud of the hard work and dedication that have put into each one hundred dollar bill that they have designed! 

What to look forward to in May/June:

The first week of May was dedicated to making heartfelt Mother’s Day projects and cards.  The children made flowers out of felt, paper, newspaper and fabric. They also made flowers out paper and “glued” (with water and flour) seeds on them, making a wonderful paper flower that could be planted to make a real one! The children also made vases out of recycled yogurt containers to put their assorted flowers in. Lastly, the kids made beautiful cards for their mothers and made sure to decorate the front with fabric, tissue paper and even cupcake holders!

The second week of May will be dedicated to a Health and Wellness week.  We will focus on relaxation and proper exercise. We will end the week with a healthy nutrient-rich fruit smoothie bar.  The kids will pick from a variety of fruits and yogurt to make their very own smoothie.  With a focus on relaxation, the children will make stress balls using balloons and flour, soap jellies out of hand soap and gelatin, aroma therapy sachets using different scented oils and neck warmers using socks and dry rice.  With a focus on exercise, the children will learn about stretching properly and learn about the effect and importance exercise has on their heart rate.  The children will participate in different exercise activities and record their individual heart rates.

Starting in the third week in May, and continuing through the month June, the children will be busy planning the HEDP annual end of the year party!  We are happy to announce that this year’s theme will be Treasure Island!  The children will make decorations and games based on this famous book.  We will read the Treasure Island and conclude with a viewing of the Muppets version of the movie.  The end of the year party will be on Monday, June 14^th.  More information about the HEDP annual party will follow. 

Building Peer Relations

This month, we spent time learning and playing group theater games. We played “Shark/Eagle,” “Bippity Boppity Boo,” “Do You Like Your Neighbor?” and “Zoom!” All of these odd-titled games require the students to stand in a circle, and jump, duck, and dance, and make absurd noises and tableaus with their friends. These games fun, and what’s more, they help us to be comfortable being silly and outgoing with one another; they encourage friendly laughter! Plus, they are highly playable for all age groups, so that our second graders all the way to our fifth and sixth graders have an opportunity to play together!

We will continue games such as these, sometimes talking about them as a group and sometimes just using them to build a sense of community and team.

Mark your Calendars:

No School- Monday, May 31^st

Last Day of School (Early Release)- Tuesday, June 22^nd

HEDP end of the Year potluck dinner- Monday, June 14^th

Thank you for making this an incredibly successful school year for all of us.

It has been a joy working with you and your child.

Have a great summer! We look forward to seeing you next year!

The 2-6 teaching team.

K-1 Newsletter 2010

What has been happening in K-1?

We had a blast in the past! The prehistoric past! K-1 turned our classroom into the Triassic period of Dinosaurs!  Through art, science, and reading activities we learned how the dinosaurs may have lived and what type of dinos were around.  K-1 studied fossils, looked at meat-eater and plant-eater characteristics, molded flying dinos, and played Dino Jeopardy! 

What will be happening in K-1?

We will be exploring Under the Sea! Our classroom will once again transform into a new world:  The Ocean!  K-1 will study and explore animals under the sea and the unique fish that help keep the ocean ecosystem going! We will look at animals as small as plankton that are important to the large whales, sharks and squid!  We will be playing water games as the weather gets warmer.  We will also be reading Magic Tree House Dolphins at Daybreak by Mary Pope Osborne. 

Books we are Reading:

The Magic School Bus

Swimmy by Leo Lionni

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

By the Seashore by AJ Wood

A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

What Lives in a Shell by Kathleen Weidner

Pre K News

What’s been happening in April?

 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!  Pre-k has been talking about and looking at spring! We investigated signs of spring outside and drew pictures of what we found.  We also talked about new baby animals that my come in spring and what each baby animal would be called.  We will continue to learn about Spring throughout the month by singing songs, playing games and doing fun activities such as planting flowers.  As the weather gets warmer we will be able spend some of the nice days outside!  

Books We Are Reading:

Dandelion  Adventures by Patricia Kite

Its Spring by Linda Glaser

My Spring Robin by Anne Rockwell

Spring is Here by Lois Lenski

The Spring Equinox by Ellen Jackson

What is to come in May?

During the month of May we will continue our study on bugs with Eric Carle.  We will also be able to look at other insects and fun bugs we may see outside. 

During the month of May we will also end our Sounds of the Week! We will finally be at Z! Each child has done such a wonderful job finding words with each sound.  We will finish out alphabet books and each child will be able to bring them home! J

K/1 Newsletter

K/1 Newsletter

What’s been happening in April?

DINOSAURS!!!  K-1  is traveling back to prehistoric times to take a look at all the different dinosaurs!  We have introduced the Triassic, Jurrasic and Cretaceous periods.  We will be looking at all the different dinosaurs in each period.  We have already been on a dino egg hunt and searched for dino clues about how they lived.  We will be singing songs, making fossils, digging for dinos, and finding out fun facts about several dinosaurs.  We will also be transforming our room into a land of Dinosaurs.  

Books We Are Reading

More Amazing Dinosaurs, Cartwright,

I can read about Dinosaurs, Howard, J. Troll

Dinosaur Bones, Aliki, Harper Trophy,

Dinosaur Days, Milton, J. Random House,

Dinosaurs, Watson, J. Golden Press,  

Dinosaur Babies, Penner, L. Random House,

Dinosaurs, Douglas, C.

In the time of Dinosaurs, Wise, W.

The Dinosaur who lived in my backyard, Hennessy, B.

Daniel's Dinosaurs, Carmine, M.

Danny and the Dinosaur, Hoff, S

If the Dinosaurs came back, Most, B.

Too many Dinosaurs, Barner, B.

 

Count:a:saurus, Blumenthal, N.

 

 

What is to come in May?

 

During may we will begin a fundraiser called the  FUNDRED DOLLAR BILL PROJECT. This fundraiser is to help raise 300 million dollars to provide the resources to de-lead the soil in New Orleans and help protect and prevent future problems. The soil in New Orleans is contaminated and with children playing in it and breathing the dust, it is causing health problems. This fundraiser is to help make a safer environment for everyone. The children will be creating their own $100 bill and then an armored truck will come to Heath Elementary and collect our money and bring it down to Washington DC to congress. When the FUNDRED has reached its goal of $300 million, congress will then hand over $300 million in real cash to go towards making a safer environment in New Orleans. This is a great opportunity for the children to learn about what is going on around them and to get involved in a cause that affects peers their own age.  If you would like to learn more or get involved on your on about this fundraiser please visit FUNDRED.ORG.

During the month of May we will also be exploring UNDER THE SEA!  We will take a look at the animals and habitat of the Oceans. 

2-6 Newsletter

April 2010

Heath Extended Day 2-6 Newsletter

During the month of March:

In the beginning of March, we continued our Olympic theme and played many Olympic games. The Heath Extended Day Olympics started with the opening ceremonial parade.  Each of our seven countries was represented by their self-created names and flags.  The Olympics events included soccer games, speedball games, cup tower building and scavenger hunts.  All teams were enthusiastic and showed team spirit.  Each Olympian also showed great sportsmanship through out each event.

As St. Patrick’s Day approached, we did a variety of activities in celebration of this holiday.  These activities included making our own Irish Scones and green milkshakes!  Another activity was a clover hunt leading to a pot of gold. The kids also made many art projects such as making our own clovers out of pipe cleaners.    

The last two weeks of March were dedicated to an Edible Art theme.  The children created art mediums, projects and foods using edible materials during this theme.  The children really enjoyed making art mediums such as paint and clay out of common foods that they eat.  Four different kinds of paint were made and used to make vibrant colored and creative pictures, which are displayed in the upstairs 2-6 room.  For the different paints they used corn syrup and food coloring, condensed milk and food coloring, JELL-O and whipping cream (they loved turning it into whipped cream) and food coloring!  After making two different types of dough, one made of oatmeal and one made of Kool-Aid, the kids designed creative sculptures, where their imaginations ran wild! 

Along with art mediums, the children created a variety of edible projects (of course they were eager to eat the final product).  The children made compliment flowers using fruit roll ups and gum drops. They gave their flowers to someone that they wanted to give a compliment to. They also made edible arrangements where they cut up different tropical fruits and arranged them beautifully in a tin.  The kids also enjoyed making “stained glass cookies” where they painted designs on top of cookies with egg yolk and food coloring. After they baked, they were beautiful glossy cookies! Along with all of this, the kids also made different lollipops (out of chocolate and life savers), candy collages and pretzel art.

We ended our edible art theme by playing an April fool’s joke on the K-1 teachers! We made “chicken-NOT-pie” where the kids cut up candies such as Starbursts and Airheads to make little corn, carrots and peas. They also cut up dried apple rings and bananas to look like chicken and potatoes. After mixing all the ingredients with vanilla pudding, we put it in a chicken pot pie tin and covered it with a baked crust. The K-1 teachers horrified to find out that the delicious treat we made them was fake! The 2-6 kids really got the teachers!

What to look forward to in April:

Recycling Weeks!

In celebration of Earth Day, the week before and after April Vacation will be dedicated to learning about Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. We will be learning about the importance of the three R’s, how we can be more environmental friendly and will also be making many projects out of recyclable materials. We’re excited to see the creative ideas the children will come up with while using every day recyclable materials!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Please bring in any recyclable materials you may have before or on April 16. This includes but is not limited to cans, denim, jars, newspaper, paper towel rolls, etc.

Continuing to Build Peer Relations

 We’ve been working on different types of interactive games that allow us to team build and simulate social situations. We played a type of rock paper scissors game called “clique.” Two players go face to face, and the loser joins the winning team, cheering for them and supporting them. Eventually, one person may be facing a group of 20 people cheering against them. We used this as a teaching moment to think about how talking about somebody or bullying somebody may seem like you are just part of the crowd, but you don’t think about the person who is on the other end.

We also have been taking advantage of the nice weather with games of survivor knockout. It’s a basketball game where players can eliminate each other from the game. However, when the player who got you out gets out himself or herself, then you can come back in the game. This encourages the children to stay and watch and root for one another, and has helped build our community.

We will continue games such as these, sometimes talking about them as a group and sometimes just using them to build a sense of community and team.

Fundred Dollar Project:

The children will be working on the FUNDRED DOLLAR BILL PROJECT. This fundraiser is to help raise 300 million dollars to provide the resources to de-lead the soil in New Orleans and help protect and prevent future problems. The soil in New Orleans is contaminated and with children playing in it and breathing the dust, it is causing health problems. This fundraiser is to help make a safer environment for everyone. The children will be creating there own $100 bill and our goal is to make ----------- and then an armored truck will come to Health Elementary and collect our money and bring it down to Washington DC to congress. When the FUNDRED has reached its goal of $300 million, congress will then hand over $300 million in real cash to go towards making a safer environment in New Orleans.

This is a great opportunity for the children to learn about what is going on around them and to get involved in a cause that affects peers their own age.  If you would like to learn more or get involved on your on about this fundraiser please visit FUNDRED.ORG.

Mark your Calendars:

April 19-April 23 NO SCHOOL- April Vacation

FUNDRED fun Fundraiser

Heath Extended Day is working on a wonderful activity called the FUNDRED.  We hope to raise awareness about money sense, design, dollar bills, fundraising, New Orleans and lead contaminated soil.


Did you know that lead contaminated soil is a problem in many cities in the U.S. and is a condition that often significantly impacts the health of our children? Studies demonstrate that lead-poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body, compromising healthy brain development and leading to poor performance in the schools, attention deficit disorder and even juvenile delinquency. The good news is that there is a solution, and it is why we encourage you to participate in The Fundred Dollar Bill Project, a simple, fun and important project supporting a solution to lead-contaminated soil in New Orleans as a model for other cities across the United States with the same devastating problem.

Don’t miss out! In as little as 20 minutes you can create and donate a unique Fundred Dollar Bill artwork that will be picked up by a special armored truck and carried to Washington D.C. where a request will be made to our legislators for real change. Your creative contribution, along with 3,000,000 other individuals, will send a powerful message to Congress that we care about the health of future generations. This is a cool project, a great learning opportunity for all ages, with profound implications for the health of our planet and children.

To learn more about getting involved, visit the website: www.fundred.org and spread the word to your family, friends and colleagues!

We also encourage you to sit down and enjoy the Fundred activity that HEDP is working on with your child.  Ask a HEDP teacher when your child's class will be participating in this wonderful opportunity to design, learn about money, support New Orleans and spead the news on lead contaminated soil.