The Holiday Season is upon us. The schedule is filling up, students are getting excited and the staff and I are trying to figure out how we are go- ing to fit everything in. It is always an exciting time of the year. During the holidays we tend to reflect on our lives and the good things that are happening around us. It is easy this year to dwell on the state of the economy and how devastating these conditions are to our state and our educational system. We continue to do more with less but good teaching continues to happen. We just put up our 4 th “A” banner in the hallway. Be sure to check it out when you come into Daisy Brook. I just received the data sheets that track all of our students and identify any who are not on track with learning. The data sheets tell me that our kids are learning and that we are meeting the needs of those who are having difficulty. All of these things are due to the dedicated staff and hard working individuals who help make kids successful. These people are one of the many good things in my life. I appreciate all that they do. During this holiday season take time to enjoy family and friends. As I look at my own kids and grandkids (6!!) I am amazed at how quickly the time has flown by. Be sure to enjoy every minute that you can. Have a wonderful holiday. Sincerely, Nancy Sparks, Daisy Brook Principal Volume 1, Issue 2 Dear Daisy Brook Friends, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 Fall Book Fair 2 Parent Group Meeting Calendar 2 Volunteers Needed 2 Hopi Kachina Dolls 3 Election Day 4 Cross Country Results 5 Cross Country Results Continued 6 Calendar 7 Short Stories Home Run! 8 Short Stories The Broken Pencil 9 Short Stories The Robin 10 Short Stories A Broken Heart 11 Home & School 12-13 The Back Page 14 Inside this issue: Daisy Brook Dispatch Daisy Brook Elementary
Transcript
The Holiday Season is upon us. The schedule is filling up, students are getting excited and the staff and I are trying to figure out how we are go-ing to fit everything in. It is always an exciting time of the year. During the holidays we tend to reflect on our lives and the good things that are happening around us. It is easy this year to dwell on the state of the economy and how devastating these conditions are to our state and our educational system. We continue to do more with less but good teaching continues to happen. We just put up our 4th “A” banner in the hallway. Be sure to check it out when you come into Daisy Brook. I just received the data sheets that track all of our students and identify any who are not on track with learning. The data sheets tell me that our kids are learning and that we are meeting the needs of those who are having difficulty. All of these things are due to the dedicated staff and hard working individuals who help make kids successful. These people are one of the many good things in my life. I appreciate all that they do. During this holiday season take time to enjoy family and friends. As I look at my own kids and grandkids (6!!) I am amazed at how quickly the time has flown by. Be sure to enjoy every minute that you can. Have a wonderful holiday. Sincerely,
Nancy Sparks, Daisy Brook Principal
Volume 1, Issue 2
Dear Daisy Brook Friends,
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
Fall Book Fair 2
Parent Group Meeting Calendar
2
Volunteers Needed 2
Hopi Kachina Dolls 3
Election Day 4
Cross Country Results 5
Cross Country Results Continued
6
Calendar 7
Short Stories Home Run!
8
Short Stories The Broken Pencil
9
Short Stories The Robin
10
Short Stories A Broken Heart
11
Home & School 12-13
The Back Page 14
Inside this issue:
Daisy Brook Dispatch
Daisy Brook Elementary
The Book Fair was a success. We will be able to add $1100 worth of books to the Daisy Brook Me-dia Center. Thanks to all who attended and con-tributed to this result. A special thank you goes out to Rachel Sherman, Astia Keena, Michelle Eglinton, Emily Eglinton, Shelly Murphy, Fran Lensky, Marissa Waybill, Lisa Johnson, Donna McDowell, Koni Howell, Courtney Schwartz, Carlie Schwartz and Lamae Brooks for volunteering of their time prior, during or after the Book Fair. We really appreciate your help! Please consider helping in February, when we have our next Book Fair. Our volunteers are very important to us, as we could not do the Book Fair
without you. Just supply us with a name and phone number and we will add you to the list. Thank you for this consideration!
We are in need of volunteers to help in the Daisy Brook Library. This help would include shelving books, book repair, etc. If you are available during the day and have any time to spare, please contact Mrs. Greiner at [email protected] or 924-8297. Just one day a week is needed, every other month. It would be approximately an hour each time or whatever works in your schedule. Your time consideration is appreciated. Thank you.
PARENT GROUP MEETINGS 2008 – 2009 Schedule
Daisy Brook Fall Book Fair From Mrs. Greiner
Volunteers Needed
PAGE 2 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
Date (All Mondays) Location Jan. 19 Pathfinder Feb. 16 Pathfinder March 16 Pathfinder April 20 Pathfinder
Date (All Mondays) Location May 18 Pathfinder
During the week of Halloween, all the 5th graders at Daisy Brook Elementary got the ex-
perience of a real live videoconference! Before the conference, they studied the Native American Cultural Regions. They con-
nected with the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia to learn about Native Americans and also learn how to make a Thunder Head Kachina doll.
The Kachina Doll was made by Hopi tribes of the American Southwest. The dolls were made of natural materials and were often passed down from mother to daughter. The 5th graders made their own kachina doll out of construction paper and toilet paper tubes.. “It was a fun experience,” said Michael Hayes. Sydney Essebaggers commented, “It was very cool to be able to go on a field trip all the way to Atlanta, Georgia and still be in school here in Michigan.” The 5th graders will be participating in 5 more videoconferences this year related to Ameri-can History. The videoconferences are being paid for by a grant from the Fremont Area Commu-nity Foundation.
Hopi Kachina Dolls
This article was co-written by Michael Omans, Michael Hayes, Lizzie Downs, and Sydney Essebaggers of Mrs. Hanna’s Class
PAGE 3 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
“That was so quick and easy!” and “That was so much fun!” were the most heard com-ments of the day. Miss Lisa Kraley, a GVSU student teacher in Cheryl Ross’ class, was in charge of the student mock presidential election and observed these reactions many times. The Daisy Brook election was held on Monday, November 3rd, the day before our nation voted our next president into office. The voting process at Daisy Brook was set up to create the most realistic setting possible. The students filled out a voter registration ballot card prior to Election Day. Miss Kraley created student identification cards that students presented when they arrived at the election room. Mrs. Nancy Sparks, Daisy Brook’s principal, checked in voters using a registration list prior to the stu-dents entering the voting room. The school participated in a program that allowed schools across the nation to participate in the same mock election. The program, Studies Weekly, is on the internet at www.studiesweeklyvote.com. The site tracked the election results all day, refreshing every 10 minutes. The results were shown on a map of the United States, blue meaning a majority for Democrat and red meaning a majority for Republican. The voting room was appropriately decorated in a patriotic theme. Flags were hung and red, white and blue was everywhere. Laptop computers were set up and logged onto the website. The students checked in with Mrs. Sparks, sat down in front of the computers, clicked on their chosen candidate and finally clicked on “vote”. The process was as simple as that. Once the stu-dents voted, they received an “I Voted!” sticker. The website had the ability to block the computer terminal for two minutes after each vote, preventing students from voting more than one time. The election went very well! Miss Kraley reported, “It was an amazing experience to wit-ness and I am very happy that I was able to be part of the process. The only part that may not be realistic is that it took our students just a few seconds to vote. The whole process took less than 2 minutes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it only took that long for each person to vote in every presi-dential election?” Daisy Brook students and staff extend a big “THANK YOU” to Miss Kraley for all of her hard work and creativity! The election was a great experience for everyone!
Daisy Brook Election
PAGE 4 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
The 12th annual 2008 Daisy Brook Cross Country Run was held Friday, October 17. The sun was shining and there was a chill of autumn in the air as 294 students walked, jogged, ran and raced in four separates races over the 1000 meter course around school grounds. The run was in-tended as a positive experience for children to accept a physical challenge, display personal fit-ness and to show themselves and others what they CAN do. Participants were enthusiastically cheered by fellow students, teachers, parents and others. There were many closely contested races among those who chose to race to the finish line. This created tremendous excitement for both racers and spectators.
Strong, fast, and determined efforts displayed potential for Daisy Brook students to become future members of Fremont Middle School and High School cross country teams and to continue the rich tradition of excellence in distance running in our community. “This was an exciting event in which children took their body to a place they had never been before. There were many impres-sive performances in all four runs. The majority of 5th graders improved their time recorded last year in 4th grade”, said Physical Education teacher, Mr. Lindsay. “All finishers deserve recognition and congratulations for accepting the challenge”, he added.
Here are the top 20 results for each of the four runs.
5th Grade Boys
PAGE 5 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
Daisy Brook Cross Country Results
1. Nate Hoffman, 3:49 11. Zachary Zimmerman, 4:18
2. Maverick Stitt, 3:52 12. Brandyn Leneski, 4:21
3. Dominic Dow, 3:57 13. Stephen Sargent, 4:23
4. Collin Howell, 3:59 14. Seth Sherman, 4:23
5. Ben Deuling, 4:00 15. Deion Hanna, 4:23
6. Blake Westcomb, 4:11 16. Mitch Powles, 4:25
7. Jaegar Beattie, 4:13 17. Logan Strong, 4:26
8. Nathan Smith, 4:14 18. Mitchell Hawkins, 4:27
9. Dylan Leneski, 4:15 19. Kenny Waltz, 4:29
10. Mark Seadorf, 4:17 20. Cody Levoie, 4:29
PAGE 6 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
5th Grade Girls
Cross Country Results Continued.. 1. Katie Parkhurst, 3:53 11. Sarah Dykema, 4:50
Nate “Strike,” my friend Brandon yelled back to me. Brandon was catching, Logan was pitching, and I was practicing my batting for the big homerun of the game. “Strike two,” he yelled again. “Strike three he’s out!” I got struck out in warm up. Now I was nervous to take my turn at bat. I looked at the field and the game being played was over. Now it was our turn to take the field. I wondered if I would really get a home-run this game. Our team was batting first so we started practicing our swing. While I was practicing my brother, Tommy, called out, “Get a home run!”
Right after he said that I thought to myself, “Yeah right, I can’t do that.” As I walked over to the bat-ter’s box I remembered all the hours Tommy had spent showing me the perfect swing. I promised myself I would get a homerun for Tommy. Our first batter was Sam Jones. He struck out. Then I was up to bat. As I got in the batter’s box I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. The pitcher threw the ball, and I swung as hard as I could. I hit the ball but it just popped up right to the pitcher, and he caught it. I was out! See, I will never get that homerun I had always wanted. After I got out the next batter was up. He got out too, and so we took the field. We got them out fast and so our team was up again. We went around the batting order and Sam was up. He got a double. After that, I was up again. As I walked to the plate I remembered what had happened earlier. I thought to myself , “ I’m going to get out again.” Just then I looked up and saw Same stealing 3rd base. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The pitcher had overthrown 3rd base and Sam was stealing home. The game was now tied. If Sam could do it so could I. I waited nervously for the next pitch. The pitcher threw the ball as hard as he could. I swung…..CRACK! The ball took off like a rocket into right field. I ran as fast as I could. As I rounded third base, I could feel the wind in my face. Then I touched home plate. HOMERUN !!! The fans went crazy. My eyes scanned the bleachers for Tommy but he was missing. I looked up and saw my mom coming toward home base. She gave me a bear hug as she arrived. “Mom, where is Tommy?” I asked with mixed emotions. I was happy for the homerun but sad Tommy wasn’t there to see it. “He had an appointment he had to go to but don’t worry Slugger. He’ll see the winning homerun on my cell phone.” “You’re awesome Mom!” I replied as I gave her a high five.
To celebrate our big win we all went to Lake Side Twirl for ice cream. That was my favorite base-ball gave ever because I got a homerun. Plus, it was the game that got us into the playoffs. I saw Tommy get out of his car and start walking towards me. The look in his eye told me he had seen the video. I was so lucky he had shown me the perfect swing.
Short Stories
PAGE 8 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
PAGE 9 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
The Broken Pencil
By
Brandon One time I was taking a test and then it happened…. my pencil BROKE! I went to sharpen my pencil
but….the line was so long I had to wait and wait. So I waited long enough that the line was gone, and I
could sharpen my pencil, but just then the bell rang. We all had to go outside and play. And I didn’t get to
Sharpen my Pencil. Then I heard three whistles and we all ran in and ate lunch and came back in for
reading.
When we came in I scurried over to my desk and got my pencil. There was another line so I sat
back down and waited some more. I couldn’t sharpen my pencil until class was over and I couldn’t get up.
It was torture as I waited. Finally, class was over. I went to sharpen my broken pencil. As I put the pencil
in it made a loud booming noise. I walked back to my seat and started on my test and my pencil BROKE
again! I went over to my cubby, and grabbed my mechanical pencil and started working on the test.
A couple days after that I lost my mechanical pencil and the broken one was all I had. “Oh no, not
again,” I thought to myself!
I went to sharpen it again, thinking it will break. But guess what…. it finally didn’t break. I was so
relieved
I was lucky because that pencil never broke again.
Short Stories
PAGE 10 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
The Robin By
Raven
My family and I were walking on the pavement in the cemetery. I had found a bird on the ground.
Mom said, “It fell out of the tree.” The bird was a robin with a bright red chest and gorgeous black wings
and eyes. I had also noticed something other than its feathers and eyes. Its leg had a bone sticking out
of it’s skin! It was broken! It sounded scared so I backed away a little bit. Nevertheless, it was still
screeching.
My brother was teasing it by saying, “Could you be any louder stupid bird!”
My mom now had enough and said, “Bed time!”
Just before I left out of the corner of my eyes was the…. mean, scary, and orange tabby cat lurking
around in the tall field grass close to our house. My heart suddenly sank deep into my stomach. Know-
ing how vicious the cat was I hoped the bird was not going to be spotted. I slowly crept into the house
looking back every two steps to see if the bird was all right. I opened the door ….creeeaaakkkk! My head
was full of thoughts and wonders about the bird.
When I was in bed I slowly closed my eyes and I dreamed the bird was safe and sound and cozy.
Suddenly a loud ‘screeeech’ buzzed in my ear! I abruptly froze in horror. I could not wait for the sun to
rise!
The next morning I rushed through my breakfast and headed for the door. It flew open. Then I
slammed behind me with a BANG! I ran over to where the bird was supposed to be, hoping it was still
there. But I was wrong! My eyes widened and started to flood with tears. My heart sank deep, deep into
my stomach as I saw the pool of blood where the bird was supposed to be. In pain, I slowly looked up
only to see the orange tabby cat lurking in the grass, I knew just who to blame. It was that horrible cat. It
had put the bird out of misery and pain. I ran into the house crying. My mom cuddled with me and helped
me try to get over it, but I felt I never would. My heart broke into pieces as I realized the bird would never
come back. The lesson I learned is nature has a way of taking care of its own. The baby bird had been
hurt badly and the hungry cat had put the bird out of its misery. Without realizing it the cat, who intended
to hurt and really helped.
Short Stories
PAGE 11 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
A Broken Heart
By
Autumn
My heart was broken into one million pieces when my brother died in a car crash. It was devastat-
ing and very hurtful. I just could not get the scary thought out of my head. I was so overwhelmed. I al-
ways wished upon a star, like in some fairytale, there was a way to get the thought out of my head. I just
could not because he was my life. We had always connected like best friends.
Finally, my mom came to me and said, “I have been noticing that you haven’t been yourself since
your brother Jimmy died.”
I told her what I was feeling, and that I could not stop thinking about him. I had pictures of him and
the car crash in my head everyday. She told me to think about the good thoughts and to move on in my
life and meet new friends and soon I would be whole again. I said, “It’s hard because he was my life, and
most of all my brother. I loved him more then my heart could handle.”
Mom said, “Come on we will fix that.”
So she took me to the park and I walked over to a good shade tree and sat down and read a book.
A girl came over to me and said her name was Kayla and she wanted to play with me. I told her that my
name was Autumn. I made a new friend that day in the park and she made my heart whole. Now I could
move on and still have Jimmy in my heart.
Short Stories
PAGE 12 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
PAGE 13 DAISY BROOK DISPATCH VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
502 N. Division Fremont, MI 49412
DAISY BROOK ELEMENTARY
FRIDAY POPCORN POPPERS NEEDED
Responsibilities: o Pop and bag popcorn for students o Clean popcorn machine o Sell popcorn to students during their noon-hour
Time Commitment: Scheduled Fridays for approximately 2 to 2½ hours
For More Information or to Volunteer
Contact Daisy Brook Office @ 924-4380
SaQuana Mott @ 821-0362
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!!
(Popcorn Fridays are sponsored by the Elementary Parent Group)
We Could Use Your Help
Phone: (231) 924-4380 Fax: (231) 924-9117
If it is to be, it is up to ME!
We’re on the Web!
http://www.fremont.net
Sudoku Time
Halloween Pictures We have several Halloween photo’s available online. They can be viewed using the
following link…… http://photos.fremont.net/gallery/6454391_rqZiQ
![Mrs. Daisy Bates - University of Arkansas Libraries · Daisy Bates, 1958. Photo from the Daisy Bates Papers, MC 582 [Poste r created December 2007] Mrs. Daisy Bates President, Arkansas](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/60215293a9b77c5aef685620/mrs-daisy-bates-university-of-arkansas-libraries-daisy-bates-1958-photo-from.jpg)
