We have had an incredible time at swimming lessons the last two weeks!  We want to thank parents for allowing the students to take the lessons, and also thank Mrs. Bocks and her high school lifeguards for their incredible time and patience with us.  You can find a short video of some pictures taken from the two weeks below!

Lily Wressell, a fourth grader in Mrs. Huizenga’s class, is asking her fellow Georgetown students and families to join her in supporting the Pediatric Oncology Resource Team, P.O.R.T., that operates with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. 

P.O.R.T. provides much needed resources and hands-on support for families with a child diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders. 

Lily will be collecting items to put into theme baskets for the P.O.R.T. Winter Night Out fundraiser in February. 

In particular she is requesting items related to kids arts and crafts such as; paints, crayons, paper, stencils, stickers, etc. 

She is also looking for gift wrap items; paper, bags, bows, ribbon, cards, etc. 

If you are interested in donating items there will be a box located in the lobby until Monday, Feb 6 that you may put them in. 

Thank you for helping Lily reach her goal of providing two baskets to help P.O.R.T.

The January reading calendar is due next Monday, January 30th.  If your child turns the calendar in and has read for 20 minutes per night, 5 times each week, they will earn a Pizza Hut Book-It coupon!  It is incredible to see the number of minutes our students are reading each month at school and at home!

I had the incredible privilege of watching some incredible 4th and 5th graders play hockey today.  Domincyk, Cam, Luke, Hayden and Max were awesome!  Although the scoreboard didn’t look the way we wanted, the boys played hard, and a good time was had by all!

I’m so proud of all the great things the students in Room 306 are doing outside the classroom!

Do you have those pesky Sunday adds laying around or in your recycling bin at home?  I would love to have them at school!  My challenge math students will be doing some shopping to work on their rounding and multi-digit multiplication skills soon.  Please send any and all Sunday ads you no longer want.  The more we have, the more choices the kids will have when shopping. 

Thanks!

Hi!  It’s Quinn, Ashley and Makiah, and we would like to tell you about chapters 5 and 6 of Shiloh. Here goes.

How is Marty’s secret growing? Why does he keep having to tell more lies?

Marty’s secret is growing because Judd keeps asking questions and he has to tell Judd and his mom and dad more lies.Marty has to keep telling more lies to his mom and dad and Judd because he can’t let them know where Shiloh is.

Does Marty feel sorry for Judd? Do you feel sorry for Judd? Why?

Yes, Marty does feel a little sorry for Judd Because Judd got whipped and beat when he was a kid.  No and Yes, yes because his dad was mean to him when he was a kid, and No because he treats his dogs the same way his dad did to him.

Do you think Marty is doing the right thing? Explain why.

Yes I think that Marty is doing the right thing because Shiloh needs a good home, and Judd keeps abusing him.

Marty has to lie to keep Shiloh safe  and away from Judd. Marty feels sorry for Judd because was beat as he grew up. Jada, Megan and Ingrid feel sorry for the same reason. We think that Marty is doing the right thing because if Marty gave Shiloh back to Judd, Shiloh would get abused again.

Hi this is Jada, Megan, and Ingrid. We want to tell you how chapters 5 and 6 is coming along.

Marty’s words, and actions, in chapters 3, & 4 tell us that Marty really loves Shiloh, and that he would do anything to keep him. We know that because Marty was collecting bottles, and helping his dad both for money.
Judd’s words and actions tell us that all he cares about is hunting, and if his dogs are bothering him, then he will abuse the dog.
We think that Marty and his dad disagree because his dad wants Shiloh but he can’t afford to buy him from Judd. Marty wants to keep Shiloh very bad and he would do anything to keep Shiloh away from Judd and Marty doesn’t care if it costs everything he has.

Hi, it’s Makiah, Quinn and Ashley and we wanted to tell you about chapters 3 and 4 of Shiloh. So here we go.

What do Marty’s words and actions in chapters 3 and 4 tell you about him?
Marty’s words and actions tell us that he never gives up and keeps trying.

What do Judd’s words and actions reveal about him?
Judd’s words and  actions reveal  that he’s rude, and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

In what ways do Marty and his dad disagree about Shiloh? In what ways do they agree?

Marty and his dad disagree about Shiloh because Marty wants to keep Shiloh and give him a good home. Marty’s dad just wants to  give the dog to Judd. Marty and his dad agree about Shiloh because they both think that Judd is mean to Shiloh.

Our annual swimming lessons start Monday, January 16.  All lessons are held at the high school swimming pool and are directed by the lifeguard class under the direction of Elizabeth Bocks.  It has been a ton of fun in the past!  Here are the details:

9:10 to 10:10 – Mr. Bialochowski and Mrs. Huizenga in the pool (Leave school by bus at 9:00, return at 10:30ish)

10:30 to 11:30 – Mr. Bowen and Mr. Kooiker in the pool (Leave school by bus at 10:20, return at 11:45ish)

We ask that your son or daughter wear their swim suit to school with their school clothes over them.  Here is what we’ve found works best:

• Have your 4th grader wear their swimsuit under their school clothes to school.
• In a plastic bag, have a fresh pair of underwear packed to change into, and a towel.
• After swimming, your child will put their wet swimsuit and towel in the plastic bag and then put on their fresh “dry” clothes for the rest of their day.
• The student brings home the wet garments and towels to be washed and dried, and then we repeat this cycle for 2 weeks!

As a final note:  Girls will not have 10 – 15 minutes to dry hair and do what they do to get ready.     The bus is on a schedule and needs to leave on time, so please just pack a brush and an easy hairstyle for these two weeks.  We will have about 30 minutes from the time we get back from school to the time we head outside for recess (just an FYI).

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment to this post because I am sure others are thinking the same things you are.  Thanks!

-Mr. Bowen