Hello from Erdkinder South!

Just a few items to touch base about this week:

1) Work Charts - your child should be sharing these with you every Thursday. We ask that you review the chart with your child and sign the back so we know that you have seen it. If all work is not completed, please have a conversation with him/her that includes making a plan to get the assignments finished. If you see "WIP" or "INC" on your child's chart, it means some of the work was completed, but not all of it. We will be checking work again tomorrow, and students who are missing work will be staying for a Study Hall instead of going to their clubs. You can refer back to the "Beginning of the Year" post for clarification, or feel free to send an email (susan.torrance@sccpss.com).

2) Cell Phones & Electronic Devices - First, let's celebrate all of the students who are following the procedures regarding cell phones (yay!!). The Erdkinder teaching team met, reviewed school board policy on cell phones and other electronic devices, and sent a notice home with all students today. 

• All student phones are collected in the morning and then locked in the closet until 1:00, when they are returned to students.
• If you need to get in touch with your child during the school day, please contact the school (912) 395-5470.
• Student cell phones should not be visible during the remainder of the school day without teacher permission.
• If your child refuses to turn in their phone, or other electronic device, it is considered a disciplinary offense.

Please review the notice with your child, sign, and return the form to school as soon as possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Our week ...

It's been a busy one! We had lessons from the Georgia Historical Society, Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Ivey (our counselors), and Ms. Lisa (from the media center). We learned about primary source documents, being responsible, and about how to cite sources properly so we don't plagiarize the work of others when doing research.

In Language, students had an opportunity to revise their narratives and are starting work on writing memoirs. We have also started Book Club. All table groups voted on the book they would read as a group. Students read individually during independent work time and tomorrow, Friday, they will submit a reading strategy as a group (for clarification, please talk to your awesome student and ask to see their Book Club plan and Study Guide). 

In Math, students are working with integers in 7th grade and multi-step equations in 8th grade. Mr. Sean works daily with small groups to assist or challenge them depending on the need. 

In Social World, our young people are doing research individually and as a group. SW #3 allows students to choose an area to research (Georgia, Southeastern Asia, the Middle East, or Africa). 

**There's a lot going on with this work, so you may want to check with your child and ask to see his or her Study Guide for Social World to get a better understanding. 

Finally, in Personal World, students are working to understand their learning styles. We are also reading Sean Covey's book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Our lesson today discussed how to be proactive rather than reactive.

***8th grade students received field trip permission slips for their upcoming overnight trip to Jekyll Island. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Sean at sean.vetrovsky@sccpss.com.

I hope you are all having a great week. Enjoy the long weekend!

-Ms. Susan

A few announcements ...

Greetings and Salutations, Families!

We completed Cycle 0, our orientation cycle, yesterday with an end-of-cycle trip to Oatland Island. We began Cycle 1 today, and I am happy to report that almost all of the students had their binders organized and ready to go. After working through Cycle 0, the students were much less overwhelmed and were ready to get right to work. It is such a privilege to work with your kids - this is an awesome group of young people!

MAP Testing - We will begin MAP testing for reading/ language arts tomorrow. MAP testing for math will be Friday.

PTA - Our first PTA meeting is tomorrow at 6:30. We Need You! The support you give to the Erdkinder program is incredibly valuable.

**7th grade parents - if you missed the parent meetings about issuing Chromebooks, please complete and return the Technology Agreement Use Form and $39 for Chromebook insurance. You may contact Ms. Lisa in the Media Center if you have any questions (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).

And, last but not least, our STEM/Engineering teacher, Ms. Olivia, needs a few things for projects she has planned for the lower elementary program. Please see the list below and send in what you can. All help is greatly appreciated.

From Ms. Olivia:
Hey Savannah folks! So I’m doing a large scale project with the 1st through 3rd grades on biomimicry (nature inspired design) and we will be making tools with recycled items.  If anybody has any of these items they would like to donate instead of trash or have sitting around please let me know. I would love to pick them up from you! Other ideas? Let me know! Reply, message, text me! Thank you!!!

-any size corrugated plastic piping
-any kinds of tubing/hosing
-pool noodles
-feathers (craft or even those boas)
-felt
-yarn
-toilet/paper towel rolls
-pink insulation foam
-plastic bowls or anything that could resemble turtle shells
-2 gallon containers (milk kind)
- facial tissue boxes or other small boxes
-shells
-suction cups off old junk
-packages of straws you don’t want anymore (better than tossing them)
-both sides of Velcro from old clothes cut out
-zippers cut out
-sequence already on fabric, any size fabrics (I’m thinking fish scales)

Have a great rest of your week and we'll be in touch,
Ms. Susan

Beginning of Year Information

WELCOME TO ERDKINDER 2019-2020!!

We have really enjoyed working with your children during these first two weeks of school :)

We hope you have been seeing your child happy and productive. 

Just a few reminders:

• Please make sure you have signed your child's paperwork for 1) the Code of Conduct; 2) PE; 3) Nurse; and 4) Technology (8th grade students only). These need to be signed and returned as soon as possible.
• ***7th Grade Parents: You must attend an informational meeting with Ms. Lisa before your child can be issued his or her Chromebook. There are two meeting times available:
• AUGUST 19, 2019
• 7 am  OR  6 pm
• Ask your child to see their work chart and study guides. If you have any questions, please get in touch. 
• On Thursdays, your child should show you their work chart and tell you where they are in the chart. Please sign the back of the work chart every Thursday.
• The end of Cycle 0 is August 20. All work from the cycle is due on that date at the latest. Children who do not complete work expectations will not be able to participate in the end-of-cycle field trips and will be assigned Saturday school on August 24. Teachers will be in touch with you if this applies to your child.
• Our Explorations teachers are trying something new this year: Friday clubs. Students will have exploration classes (art, pe, music, Spanish, band, etc.) Monday through Thursdays but have the opportunity to participate in a club of their choice on Fridays. Students signed up today for clubs and are very enthusiastic about this opportunity. ***If student work is not completed on Thursday, they will not participate in club activities but will have a Study Hall period with their teachers.

We would also like to brag on one of our new teachers, Ms. Angie LaPlante. She and a fellow colleague have created a podcast entitled "Somethin' to Tech About" which discusses digital evidence of active learning. It was featured in the Savannah Morning News. You can access the podcast at somethintotechabout.com. It is also accessible on our school's website.

Thank you for sharing your children with us. It is truly our pleasure to work with them and help them learn. Feel free to get in touch via email if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Ms. Susan