Educating Each Child for Success
Dream - Believe - Achieve

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Back to School 2011-2012

Back to School Information for the 2011-2012 School Year

Back to School Night: August 15th
Meet your child's teacher and tour our school!
Kindergarten 5:00
1st - 6th Grade 5:30

First Day of School: August 16th
Early Out, 1:25 for
Teacher Professional Development

August 17th & 18th:
Early Out 1:25 for
Teacher Professional Development

Supply lists will be available in August in our front hallway.  Back to school letters will be mailed to families in August as well. See you then!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Lake Contrary Community Garden

In an effort to bring together schools, the community, and families we recently established a community garden. The garden’s purpose is to enhance the healthy living of communities, reduce family food budgets, teach gardening skills, provide advanced opportunities for inquiry learning in science, and to promote positive community and family engagement. These photographs chronicle our adventure to establish the Lake Contrary Elementary Community Garden.

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Our school, Lake Contrary Elementary, joined forces with several community agencies to establish our garden such as The Youth Health Partnership, Heartland Hospital, and Chamber of Commerce. Our business partners were a tremendous help, thank you Wyatt Park Christian Church, Walmart, and Omnium.
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This site was chosen for the community garden because of the access to water and storage.
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Installation of fencing. Funding for our community garden is made possible by a federal grant.
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Planting Day begins! We invited community members, parents, and of course students to participate in ourground breaking and planting.
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Nona Miller, our Family Involvement Coordinator, was the core to our gardening team. She taught students how to map out a garden, how to plant, and provided the experience and knowledge needed to begin a successful garden. Here she joins students in prepping the garden.
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Dr. Melody Smith, Superintendent of the Saint Joseph School District led the ribbon cutting ceremony for our community garden groundbreaking. She is joined by our Lake Contrary students.
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The community gathers in our outdoor classroom.
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The look of learning.
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Ready to dig!
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Teachers and students working side-by-side.
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Being physically active and planting nutritious food.
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Our amazing parents and families joining in the efforts.
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Gardeners big and small.
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Serving healthy refreshments.
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At the end of the day…
At the end of the day we provided a lifetime of memories, built new partnerships, provided authentic learning experiences, and established a garden sure to grow much more than food!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Dig - Eat - Share



What is a community garden?
A community garden is a garden that all community members: students, parents, families, clubs, etc. volunteer to grow produce that they share with one another.
Why a community garden?
A community garden improves nutrition by bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to the tables of our community members, reduces family food budgets, and improves the environment.
How will the garden improve the education of Lake Contrary students?
It allows the students of Lake Contrary Elementary to have authentic learning experiences in relation to plant life cycles, food webs, weather cycles, and further develops vocabulary and background knowledge. Because this is true science inquiry, students learn all aspects of planning a garden using their math and critical thinking skills.



Volunteer
Families, organizations, offices, and clubs are welcome to volunteer in our Lake Contrary Community Garden. Simply contact our school to sign up for one week of  “weed and water”. Nona Miller, Family Involvement Coordinator or Jasmine Briedwell, Principal: (816) 671-4240

Will I have enough time to volunteer?
 
Yes! When you sign up with your family or organization, you only commit to one week of weeding and watering. One week of work equals a whole season of fresh food!

 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A Note from Mrs. Collins:


CELEBRATE BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH
Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.
Speech and language disorders can take many forms and can limit academic achievement and social adjustment. An individual may be born with a speech or language disorder, or it may be caused by accidental injury or illness.
Most people with speech and language problems can be helped by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, SLPs can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them achieve their highest potential.
Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech, language, and related disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings.
The St. Joseph Public School District has SLPs that evaluate and treat communication disorders that affect academic learning.  This service is offered for children age 3 through high school.  If you have concerns regarding your child’s development, please contact Lake Contrary Elementary’s SLP, Kayla Collins, at (816) 671-4240 or kayla.collins@sjsd.k12.mo.us.