Author: Ann Buehler

NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Pat Pribyl, Principal - Telephone (952) 758-1500
-

Raven Stream
Elementary School
Web address: www.np.k12.mn.us

Principal’s Update:
The MCA testing window will be opening and we will be administering tests for all Raven Stream students in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. Students will be taking the MCA Reading tests on April 23 and 24, with April 25 serving as our make-up date.
Please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest during the testing time and that they have a good breakfast before attending school. Children who are well rested and have something in their stomachs test much better than students who test and have not had the proper amount of sleep and a healthy breakfast.
As always, we will try to mix some fun into this busy time of testing. On Monday, April 7 we will celebrate the Minnesota Twins season opener by declaring the day “Twins Day”. All staff and students will be encouraged to wear their Minnesota Twins clothing or colors. Our school lunch that day will include the official Minnesota Twins ballpark “Oscar Meyer” hot dogs and some treats that go along with baseball. We will also be celebrating Earth Day, Grand Person’s Day, and Arbor Day during the month.
Check out the calendar of upcoming events. Stay involved in what is happening at Raven Stream Elementary School. The months of April and May will go by quickly, so we all need to make sure we keep the lines of communication open.
Grand Persons’ Day
We want to welcome all Grand People who will be visiting our school on the evening of Thursday, April 24 from 4:30-6:30. More information will be coming home soon. Thank you for taking part in this important evening. We will also be hosting our half price book sale during our Grand Persons’ Event. Parent volunteers are needed to help out at the bookfair and to serve cookies. Please call Ann at 758-1504 if you can help us out with this event!
National Volunteer Week, April 6-13
A special Thank You to all who have volunteered this year at Raven Stream!! You touch many lives and hearts when you give your time to our school. This is a very fitting time to thank all of you who have volunteered this year. Our schools are enhanced by your generous gifts of time and talent.
You can be so proud of all you have accomplished for the children in our school. Between fundraising efforts, classroom help, media center help, bookfairs, and so many other projects too numerous to name, you have made a tremendous difference. You help to keep the “heart” in our schools.
THANK YOU for all that you do!! Ann Buehler, Volunteer Coordinator
Lifetouch Spring Pictures
Spring Picture Day is right around the corner! Lifetouch will be at Raven Stream on Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9. All students in first through fifth grade and kindergarten B class will be photographed on Tuesday, April 8. Wednesday, April 9 is reserved for alternate day A kindergarten and everyday kindergarten. Order forms with more information have been sent home. You will have the option to pick your favorite pose. Do not send money with the selection form. Portraits will be sent home for you to review. Purchasing is optional. Please call the school office at 758-1500 with any questions.
April is Blue Ribbon Month
Many of us look back on our childhood as a time when we didn’t have a worry in the world. Unfortunately, a large number of Minnesota’s children are not having it so easy. These children are victims of maltreatment and neglect.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a time to reflect on what we are doing as a community to support children and families. Children do not come with instructions. Too many parents are faced with the challenge of raising children without the knowledge and support they need and deserve. We all have opportunities to reach out to parents in our families, neighborhoods, places of worship, and employment. This month, be a “Blue Ribbon Parent.” Show your children that you love them. It gives them a sense of security, belonging, and support. Give each child your undivided attention when he/she is communicating with you. Find some special time to spend together as a family, and individually with each child.
Student Art Show
Come and check out the 16th annual student art show at the New Prague Public Library. This event is sponsored by the New Prague Arts Council. The art show will showcase an assortment of artworks created by the students. Raven Stream will have about 30 artworks on display. We will be displaying an array of artwork that represents the diverse topics and skills taught throughout the art curriculum. The art show will host art from schools within the district from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Come out and support the students and the local art community and help us make this another big success.
Grades PreK-5 Open House Night - Thursday, April 3, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
(Pieces are on display April 3-11)
Grades 6-12 Open House Night - Monday, April 21, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
(Pieces are on display April 16-25)
How Children Learn to Handle Conflict
Children learn how to manage conflict in the same way they learn to do many other things - by watching what goes on around them. They learn from you, teachers, other adults, peers, television, movies, and other media. How can we all help them learn the best strategies? Here are some tips:
Give your child some special time each day. This may be really tough in today’s busy world, but experts tell us that even 20 minutes of positive adult attention each day dramatically reduces children’s aggressive behavior.
Teach your children to ask for attention constructively. Sometimes the purpose of a fight with a sibling is to get attention. Encourage your children to ask for attention by expressing their needs. Catch your child doing something right. Praise your child for doing well, rather than reprimanding him/her when mistakes are made.
Teach your children to recognize the feelings of others. You can point out when someone is happy, sad, scared, worried, and so on. When children learn to recognize what someone else is feeling, they are better able to respond appropriately.
Listen first, and then help your child negotiate a solution. Acknowledge your child’s feelings about a conflict before working out a solution.
Use positive methods to discipline your child. Avoid using physical punishment and yelling. Through your example, your child will see that force is not the best or only choice.
Source: Prevent Child Abuse Virginia
Jump Rope for Heart
Raven Stream students and families were able to raise $8,247.49 for this year’s Jump Rope for Heart. That money goes directly to the American Heart Association to conduct research, provide education and to help children and adults with heart related health issues. 249 students and their families helped fundraise this year. On behalf of the American Heart Association and Raven Stream, we thank you.
Hello from Health Services
Importance of personal hygiene for kids.
It is always beneficial to practice personal hygiene for kids and use personal hygiene products with your kids. Personal hygiene means a sound and healthy body; healthy enough to fight all the small illnesses and allergies away.
It is of everyone’s interest and self-esteem to look good. Looking good never refers to the kind of clothes you wear or the varieties of shoes or headbands you possess. It means to stay clean, fresh and stink-less.
Brushing Teeth
Always brush teeth. Especially brush them after breakfast and before going to bed. Brush them for 3-5 minutes and brush gently; otherwise it will damage your gums.
Take a Bath Regularly
It is very common for your children to run and play and get dirty. Do not discourage them from playing, but make them take a bath regularly.
Use Personal Hygiene Products
Scrub with soap and shampoo gently and properly from head, especially scalp, to toes to remove all the body oils, dirt and dead skin cells. Always wear a clean set of clothes after a bath.
Foot Care
Shoes and feet are common places for bacteria. Wash and then dry feet carefully, especially between the little toes of your feet.
Spending a lot time in your shoes can be a subject to an accumulation of a lot of bacteria due to sweat. So it is better to take off shoes at home and walk bare footed. Never wear a single type of shoe and wash, polish or brush them as needed.
Smelling Good
When your kids become a little older, it is okay to use a deodorant or an antiperspirant. Some people have problems with perfumes, which can be a trigger for headaches, asthma or hay fever, so don’t spray them around. Always remember, nothing smells better than your clean skin. By using these personal hygiene tips, you can help your child feel confident.
Successful Science Fair
Science Fair Results: 60 projects were displayed from the New Prague Elementary Schools on Saturday, March 1 at the New Prague Middle School. Raven Stream had 17 students who participated. Congratulations to all of the students who participated. You all put so much effort into your projects. We are proud of you! It truly was a great learning experience and fun for all involved. It was a fun event filled with lots of interesting projects related to bacon, watermelons, hamsters, plants, music , art , volcanoes, blood sugar, cold pop, boiling liquids, dancing, gymnastics, eggs, toothpaste, muffins, cupcakes, and much more! Chart Industries had two engineers who donated their time and materials with a wonderful presentation on liquid nitrogen. They taught the audience about chemical properties and did some amazing demos. The highlight was homemade ice cream made with the help of liquid nitrogen. Middle School and High School Science Fair Participants helped judge special awards of gift cards and pizza coupons. New this year, Mr. Rich Wilson handed out several “Army Strong” Special Award bags of goodies. Many members of the community, as well as National Honor Society Students were the ribbon judges. Following judging, an award ceremony was held in the auditorium. Alumni Science Fair Members Rena Weis and Katie Morris spoke about the impact science fair has had on their life and helped to hand out awards. Second and First Place Ribbons were awarded with Grand Champion Purple Ribbons as well. Purple Ribbon winners are able to advance to the Southern Regional Science Fair in Mankato on Saturday, April 26. The students who will be representing Raven Stream are Quentin Bailey, Colton Zwiefel, Brenna Solheid, Henry Cox and Jack Baribeau. Congratulations and the best of luck to you all!
Message from NPAS Transportation Department
In an effort to better serve your students transportation needs, we will no longer be mailing the Transportation Registration form for the 2014-2015 school year. All registrations for transportation will be done online and submitted electronically. If you do not have access to the internet you may complete a hard copy of the registration form at the bus garage. These will be the only registrations that will be accepted. We will no longer accept emails or phone calls to register a student for transportation. Please submit all transportation registrations by July 15th, 2014.
To get to the electronic form please go to: www.np.k12.mn.us, click on the Transportation tab on the left side and follow the instructions.
Thank You in advance for your cooperation!
Earth Day, April 22, 2014
Raven Stream students will be picking up trash around the school in recognition of Earth Day during the end of April. Remember—Reduce-Reuse-Recycle!
MCA Testing
New Prague Area School students, along with those across the state, are preparing for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments II (MCA-II) test. The MCA-II is a standards-based test that measures Minnesota student’s achievement on the Minnesota Academic Standards in the areas of reading, math and science. All Raven Stream students in grades 3-5 will participate in MCA testing.
Raven Stream and The New Prague Area School Staff is working very hard to ensure that our students are prepared for this testing experience. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Mr. Pribyl at 758-1501.
At Raven Stream we encourage good school attendance always, but especially on these testing dates. Please make every effort to have your child in school on these dates and avoid scheduling any appointments. Thank you for your help!
Media Center News
The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. These books are usually appropriate for students in fourth grade and higher. The winner for 2014 is Flora And Ulysses by Kate DeCamillo. The honors books are Doll Bones, The Year of Billy Miller, Once Came Home, and Paperboy. If you are looking for some great books, the Newbery Award winners are a good place to start. Happy reading!
Band News
All-District 5th Grade Band Concert
Monday, May 19, 2014
7:00 p.m., New Prague High School Auditorium
More information can be found at:
http://teacherweb.com/MN/NewPragueFalconRidge/MrsJulieSpindler/newsflash.aspx
Register for Preschool Now
Do you have your child registered at a preschool for this fall? Some classes are full and other classes are filling quickly. Make sure your child is prepared for kindergarten by enrolling in a New Prague Area School District Preschool. Traditional 2 or 3 day a week classes are held at the Central Education Campus and the Early Childhood Center in New Prague and at Eagle View Elementary in New Market. PM Preschool is a unique evening preschool. Children attend one night a week. NEW EXTENDED DAY PRESCHOOL AT EAGLE VIEW—CALL FOR MORE INFROMATION. Scholarships are available for eligible families. Call 952-758-1670 today! Don’t wait!
Why should my child attend a district preschool?
*They will love it!
*Connection to district kindergarten expectations and curriculum provides a smooth transition to kindergarten.
*OWL curriculum that focuses on literacy, math and social emotional growth and meets the MN Early Learning Standards.
*4 Year degreed teachers in Early Childhood licensed by the State of MN.
*Strong parent involvement.
Some preschool classes are full do not miss out on a spot for your child call 758-1670 today. Don’t wait.
Physical Education News
Congratulations on raising $8247.49 for the American Heart Association through this year’s Jump Rope for Heart.
Crunch from the Minnesota Timberwolves will be coming to Raven Stream on April 3rd to exercise with all of our 2nd grade students. This is the conclusion of the Fitness Fever program for 2nd graders, where they tracked the amount of exercise they are getting and also the amount of fruits and vegetables they have been eating. We would like to thank the parents and classroom teachers for helping the student track their exercise and their fruits and vegetables.
The rest of kids have been finishing up their bowling units and hoping to be outside soon. April will also be fitness testing time for 3rd-5th grade students. This will be the students’ opportunity to show improvement in their fitness levels as compared to their fall fitness test scores. We have a link on our webpage for the National and Presidential Standards. Please encourage your students to do their very best on each of the 5 tests.
Please visit our website at the link below to see other upcoming events and units.
http://teacherweb.com/MN/NewPragueRavenStream/MrBastyr/apt2.aspx
Important Dates To Note:

Thank

You!

Cheryl Malecha, RN, LSN	Teresa Francis, RN
Health Services Director	Raven Stream School Nurse
(952) 758-1760	(952) 758-1506

Dates to Note

Thursday, April 3, 6:00-7:00 p.m.	Opening Night Student Art Show / Exhibit at New Prague Library
Friday, April 4	PAC Plant Sale / Orders Due
Monday, April 7	Minnesota Twins Day / Wear Your Team Colors
Tuesday, April 8	Lifetouch Spring Picture Day / Grades 1-5 and KB
Wednesday, April 9	Lifetouch Spring Picture Day / Kindergarten Extra and KA
Friday, April 18	No School K-12 / Staff Development Day
Tuesday, April 22	Earth Day! Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
Thursday, April 24, 4:30-6:30 p.m.	Grand Persons Event
Friday, April 25	Arbor Day
Monday, April 28	School Board Meeting / District Office Board Room

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