Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �1

CAPITOL HILL HEADLINER

Capitol Hill Hosts Newbery Honor Award-winning Author Gennifer Choldenko

Capitol Hill was privileged to welcome Gennifer Choldenko on Friday, October 12.  The popular, Bay area middle grade author was in town promoting the fourth and final title in her best-selling Tales from Alcatraz series, Al Capone Throws Me a Curve.  Gennifer wowed the crowd of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders with her tales of crime and punishment at America's most notorious prison.  She also provided her top ten tips to become a better writer and shared the lead to her next novel, One Third Nerd, which will be released in January 2019.   Many thanks to our friends at the Red Balloon for making this special author visit possible, and to  the many parents, who provided funds to make sure that every child who wanted a signed copy of her book could receive one.

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

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Code Championship: Code is Sport (FREE FOR CAPITOL HILL STUDENTS) Capitol Hill has been offered the opportunity to host a "Code Championship". All Capitol Hill students grade 3-8 are invited to participate in the championship at no cost. It will be a fun morning of coding for students who love to code.

The championship will be held here at Capitol Hill on Saturday, December 1st, from 9 a.m. to Noon. To register, please go to: codechampionship.com

There is a limit of 30 students. Registration is filling fast. Sign up today.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Downs at vergene.downs@spps.org.

Advanced art students at Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet made fleece blankets and have donated them to Project REACH. The students used their math, design and cooperation skills to create 25 blankets. Project REACH is a Saint Paul Public Schools shelter and street-based program that promotes school stability and academic success of homeless children and youth. Our program staff serve pre-K and school age children who are in temporary housing situations.

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �3

https://goo.gl/forms/xVE1Mf7lCoc73LTr2 to sign up for an audition!

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �4

EDL dates up until Winter Break. We do not have EDL during parent/teacher conferences.   November 20, 27, 29 December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20

Email lisa.schibel@spps.org for details!

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �5

FIRST LEGO League Junior FIRST LEGO League Junior in Minnesota (MN FLL Jr.) is part of an international robotics program that includes teams from 13 countries. Teams work together to discover how science and technology impact the world around them. Guided by adult coaches, teams work with LEGO elements to build a motorized model and create a Show Me poster related to their research of a yearly theme.  FLL Jr. captures the interest of our youngest learners. 

Capitol Hill FIRST LEGO League Junior teams are forming now. Teams consist of six 1st-3rd grade students and are coached by parents. They meet once a week from 3:00-4:00, here at Capitol Hill, for a total of 10 meetings (mid-December through February). Their competition will be held Saturday morning, February 23, at Washington Technology Magnet School.

Transportation and snack are not provided. Parents will have to provide transportation and there will be a sign up for snack.

Last year we were able to field two FLL Jr. teams because we had four parent coaches. We are willing to expand the number of teams if we have additional parent coaches sign up. Coaching is easy and more fun if you do it with a friend.

To be considered for the team, students are expected to: • be a first, second or third grader • have a positive attitude and good friendship skills • be able to attend weekly practices (missing only due to illness or unavoidable conflict) • be able to successfully work with a small group team members • be able to follow the directions of the coach • commit to attend the competition on Saturday, February 23, from 9:00 a.m.- noon.

**This program is not a program for kids "who just LOVE to play with

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

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LEGOs". It is a program for kids who are interested in exploring robotics and science in our world today. If your child would just like to play with LEGOs, please seek out other opportunities. There are some good Community Ed classes for this purpose.

If you are interested in please send an e-mail to Mrs. Downs (vergene.downs@spps.org) with the following information:

Student name: Grade: Classroom Teacher: Parent Name: Parent Best Contact email:

Why does your child want to participate in FIRST LEGO League Junior (or why do you want your child to participate)? Parent interested in volunteering at practices? YES/NO Parent interested in coaching? YES/NO

Can your child attend practices regularly? Can your child attend the competition on Saturday, February 23?

Thank you, Mrs. Downs (vergene.downs@spps.org)

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �7

ORCHESTRA NEWS & CONFERENCESELEMENTARY ORCHESTRA

Elementary Orchestra lessons have been underway for several weeks now, students have their instruments. and are studying our first pieces. Please ask to see the “Practice Guide” and have students and parents sign each week. Here are some things they should be working on 5 or more days per week at home, to showing parents and playing during the next lesson.

GOALS for BEGINNERS:

-String Packet # 1 Sing/say note names to all 7 beginning pieces. (Repeat 5 to 10 times per day)

- Show parents & study the pictures of correct left hand and bow hand position.

- Play D scale notes (10 times per day) “guitar style”

- Practice bow hold using a pencil (We start bowing after students can play the first 4 pieces.)

Play first 4 songs “guitar style” by November 16th with a steady beat without stopping.

Use bow to play open strings with correct bow hold & violin position by Thanksgiving.

Play all 7 beginner songs & start the “Note Reading Packet” by Winter Break

SECOND YEAR PLAYERS IN 4th GRADE

Review all 7 “String Packet # 1” pieces and “Note Reading Packet” songs.

Learn weekly assignments in the new lesson book called “Essential Elements 2000”,

Large group rehearsals for Cougar Orchestra (4th grade) begin Wednesday Nov. 14.

CAPITOL STRINGS (5th Grade plus a few 4th graders)

Weekly assignments in “String Explorer” currently through page 20.

Concert pieces are: Paradise Island, The Silver Forest, Winter Fantasy & two part selections from “Note Reading Packet # 1”.

CAPITOL STRINGS CONCERT IS TUESDAY DECEMBER 18th at 6:30 PM.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT AND RONDO ORCHESTRAS

Our first concert is coming right up and TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27th at 6:30

Rondo Orchestra Pieces: Ragtime, Aspen Glow, Luminescence & Snow Festival

Concert Orchestra Pieces: A Riverside Celebration, Sonatina, Yorkshire Ballad, Wondrous Flight and a challenge piece for a select group, Mozart Symphony # 25.

Middle School students are also assigned 3 solo pieces, chosen by their skill and with student choice.

Best wishes for a great year!

John Middleton

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �8

For many years, Capitol Hill has participated in a school wide food drive during the month of October called We Scare Hunger. This year, a group of eighth graders called WEB (Where Everybody Belongs), decided to organize this drive.

The food drive was a week and a half long, starting on Monday October 22, and ending on October 31st. We did our best to raise non-perishable food items, such as cereal or canned goods. We also needed common hygiene products, such as toothpaste or diapers.

The class the contributed the most items was Mrs Brzinski’s first grade class. They held a class wide competition, students versus teacher, where each party tried to bring in more items. The first graders won!

We decided to give the supplies to the food shelf to Hallie Q. Brown center. It is a community/recreation center located just across the street from Capitol Hill. To show our appreciation for Mrs Brzinski’s first grade class, we asked them to help transport all of our donations to the Hallie Q. Brown center on Wednesday, November 7th. We had a lot of fun walking over together where the first graders had another friendly competition testing who could hold the most goods for the longest amount of time.

On behalf of the WEB team, we would like to thank everyone who brought in items for this drive. Every can was greatly appreciated. We hope that the future WEB leaders will carry on this tradition.

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �9

Issue 37 November 9, 2018

capitolhill.spps.org Capitol Hill Office 651-325-2500 �10