Natalie Kreeger Elementary News

Dear Natalie Kreeger Elementary Parents and Guardians,

As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and partnership. Together, we've accomplished so much, and we are excited to share some highlights and updates!

Seasonal Celebrations & Upcoming Events:

• Can Food Drive: The Natalie Kreeger Student Council is having a can food drive until 12/5/24 for the Family Impact Center.
• Holiday Shop: Students will be able to do their Holiday shopping right at school. Our annual Holiday Shop will run from 12/9/24 to 12/13/24. The students will have many items to choose from for every member of their family.
• Candy Grams: Students will be able to send a special candy cane note to a friend or staff member beginning on 12/11/24 to 12/19/24.
• Classroom Festivities: Many classes will be hosting celebrations on 12/19-20/24. Be sure to check your teacher’s updates for details.
• Reaching Higher Graduation on 12/17/24 at 6:00 p.m.
• Reminder: Our next Kreeger Parent Teacher Network meeting is on 12/17/24 at 3:45 p.m.

A Look Back on 2024

This semester has been filled with learning, laughter, and growth. Highlights include:

• Our new Magnetic Literacy program
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports initiative
• Seeing our 5th-grade students shine in our Reaching Higher program
• The new playground equipment and basketball backboards

Winter Break Reminder

Our winter break begins on 12/21/24, and we’ll return to school on 1/6/24. We hope you enjoy time with loved ones, recharge, and create special memories.

Warm Wishes

As we celebrate the joys of the season, I am reminded of the amazing community we share here at Natalie Kreeger Elementary. Your children bring so much light and joy to our halls, and we are so grateful to be a part of their journey.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with peace, love, and happiness.

Warm regards,

Jason Miller
Principal
Natalie Kreeger Elementary

Social Studies:

Ms. Johnson

In Social Studies students will be studying geography at each grade level. The fifth grade is studying Native American Regions of the United States, and third graders are delving into Michigan geography. Students are having a blast learning how to read maps.

Physical Education:

Ms. Faucher

In Physical Education class, students are working on finishing up their open hand striking unit with two different games; SWAT Ball and Gaga Ball. Later this month students will start our floor hockey unit that will focus on striking with a long handled implement and teamwork.

Science:

Ms. Gill

Students enjoyed observing the praying mantis specimens that we collected this past month. Students enjoyed watching them hunt and eat their prey, and each other! We have about 10 egg sacs from our mantis that are now overwintering on Ms. Gill's porch. Students are eager to see if they will hatch in the Spring so we can release the young back into their local habitats.

Art Class:

Ms. Piper

Third graders are completing a marker drawing project based on the artist Romero Britto, and have been studying color and patterns. Fourth graders just completed an oil pastel project practicing ways that artists create the illusion of depth. Fifth graders are working on an oil pastel/tempera project based on Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night."

Music Class:

Ms. Iannarelli

Students in music class have been working on rhythm reading with our Rhythm of the Week activity. Students are asked to perform the rhythm in a variety of ways and are invited to share ideas related to the rhythm. This year, classes are learning about a different "Artist of the Month" and have been studying the musical lives of Freddy Mercury, Julie Andrews, Bruno Mars, and John Philip Sousa.

In 3rd grade, students are learning about dynamics and how to apply them to the music they perform. 4th graders recently started recorder playing and are working to improve their B and A notes, and 5th graders have been playing a Thanksgiving Rhythm Football game.

As Winter Break approaches, we are excited to offer our students an opportunity to continue learning at home! This year, we will encourage K-5 families to bring their Chromebooks home so students can access and complete iReady MyPath lessons during Winter Break. We will also be taking a look at doing this again during Spring Break.

Research (Math/Literacy) shows that students who consistently engage with MyPath lessons experience greater academic growth, and we want to ensure our students have the chance to keep progressing even while school is out. Please note that there will be no Tech support from either teachers or technology staff during winter break.

In early December, a form will be sent to all families from H.T. Smith and Natalie Kreeger Elementary Schools to gauge interest in checking out a device during Winter Break. This form will include guidelines on expectations, including handling repairs, troubleshooting, and focusing on iReady work.