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Message from the Principal Principal:

Jarod Mozer

mozerj@live.sioux

cityschools.com

Assistant Principal:

Kimberly Krotz

krotzk@live.sioux

cityschools.com

Phone: 274-4048

274-4050

Fax: 224-7479

Website: www.siouxcity

schools.org

Morningside Elem. STEM School Friday, November 2, 2018 Number 4

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Sioux City Community School Dis-trict offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Mar-keting, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.

The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discrim-inatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orienta-tion, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, reli-gion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.

Inquiries or grievances, including Sec-tion 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disa-bilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.

Time to be Thankful

As the year has progressed at Morningside STEM Elementary, there

have been many changes and numerous positive actions taking place in and

around the building related to learning. As we enter November, I always like to

acknowledge what I am thankful for related to the building and community that

makes these actions possible. First, I am thankful every day for the students

that attend Morningside. Although I am biased, the students at Morningside are

phenomenal because they approach each day with a smile and a positive atti-

tude related to learning. This positive attitude is a result of the influence of the

wonderful parents and guardians that we get to work with every day and the

work they do to reinforce learning at home. Finally, this positive attitude di-

rectly reflects the approach of the dedicated staff of Morningside STEM Ele-

mentary. I can truly say that all staff members in the building deeply care for

students and spend many extra hours preparing meaningful and engaging learn-

ing opportunities while also focusing on developing positive relationships with

all students.

One example of the dedication of staff on display is through the Can-

struction Challenge taking place this month throughout the building. This spe-

cial challenge consists of students collaboratively designing a structure and then

donating canned goods as a class to bring their ideas to life. The challenge runs

until Thursday, November 15. Following this date, each class will assemble their

design in front of their classrooms for others to see. The building will be open

to families to view these creations from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Monday, November

19. All cans will be donated to those in need at the conclusion of the challenge.

In addition to the Canstruction Challenge, the building-wide Math

Challenge will continue throughout this month. During this time, all students

are asked to practice the math fact of the day that is posted on Facebook each

morning and around the building. Students are then asked the different math

facts and can gain points for their class by getting the answers correct. All stu-

dents will have the opportunity to participate in this challenge at various times,

but don’t know specifically when they will be asked to answer one of the facts.

The best approach is for all students to know the facts each day, so they are

prepared to get the answer right and assist their class. The class with the most

points at the end of the challenge on December 7 wins a pizza party.

As always, November also represents a break from school. This year

fall break will take place from Thursday, November 22nd through Sunday, No-

vember 25th. During this time, there will be no classes throughout the district.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all students and their families a

safe and happy fall break. If you have any questions related to this break, or any

other items from this month’s newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us

at (712) 274-4048.

Soar Eagles Soar,

Jarod Mozer

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We are thankful!

As we prepare to take a short break from school for Thanksgiving, we want to express our

gratitude for everyone who makes it possible for as many students as possible to come to school every day,

on time, ready to learn. We thank:

Our students and families for making daily attendance a priority since they

know the habit of attendance will help them do well in the classroom and

eventually in a job

Our wonderful teachers who pour their energy into making each classroom an

exciting place for exploration and knowledge so children do not want to miss

out on learning

Our support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and

attention our children need

We appreciate each one of you so much. We look forward to seeing you after the Thanksgiving

holiday. We also hope you will keep in mind that school dismisses at 2:30 on Wednesday, November 21 and

reopens Monday, November 26 at the normal time.

We especially appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra days off during the Thanksgiving

holiday. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much

lost learning time and leave your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.

**All classes will be dismissed one hour early (2:30) every Monday for staff professional development.

Collecting canned items for Canstruction until November 15

November 8 4th Grade STEM Festival at Makerspace in the afternoon

8 First Quarter Report Cards will be sent home with students

8 PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m. in the school library

9 Student Council Store 8:15-8:35 room 217

16 Student Council Store 8:15-8:35 room 217

19 Canstruction Designs open to the public 2:30-3:15

20 Mobile Food Pantry 3:15-5:15 in our commons

21 One Hour Early Dismissal

22-23 No School/Happy Thanksgiving

30 Student Council Store 8:15-8:35 room 217

December 5 Grade 4 Music Program 2:45 in our gym

7 Student Council Store 8:15-8:35 room 217

14 Student Council Store 8:15-8:35 room 217

18 Mobile Food Pantry 3:15-5:15 in our commons

21 Student Council Store 8:15-8:35 room

217

21 One Hour Early Dismissal

24-Jan 2 Winter Break

January 3 Classes Resume

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Winter Weather

Information

With cold weather upon us, it’s

important to plan for inclement weath-

er. Please ensure your child is dressed

appropriately for the colder weather.

Suggested apparel includes a warm coat, hat, scarf and

gloves. If a student needs access to these cold weather

apparel items, please contact the school office.

Even during the winter season, the District allows

recess and outdoor activities to continue as usual. How-

ever, if a student does not have appropriate winter cloth-

ing, a school official may ask a student to remain inside.

When the atmosphere reaches a temperature

that feels like 15 degrees or less, then all students are

kept inside for recess/activities. The “feel” of the temper-

ature is determined based on the National Weather Ser-

vice’s report.

Thank you for helping us keep students safe and

warm this season.

School Closure Information

The winter in Iowa provides us with some days

that make it a challenge to hold classes at the regular

time, and sometimes we must close our schools early,

late, or for the entire day. As you know, our weather is

not only challenging at times, it is constantly changing.

Please remember that parents and guardians have

the right to make the decision to keep their child home

on any day that they feel it is unsafe for their student to

be in school because of weather conditions. If you believe

the weather provides a sincere reason why you may have

to keep your students at home, or take your student

home when classes are scheduled to continue, you as a

parent or guardian will simply need to contact your

child’s school to let them know.

If a decision is made on the day of school to can-

cel classes or to have a late start, a call goes out at 6:00

AM to all parents and guardians. Parents can also check

the following sites for closure information.

1. GovDelivery https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/

IAEDU6039/subscriber/new?qsp=CODE_RED

2. District’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/

SiouxCityCommSchools

3. District’s Twitter @siouxcityschool

4. All media outlets

If the schools are dismissed early or if school is

called off entirely, there will be no evening activities. If

you have before and after school care, please check with

your provider about their procedures.

Let’s Talk An engaged community makes our District

stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to

connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We

encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk! our 24/7

online submission site, by reaching out with your ideas,

questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission,

please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.

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With Thanksgiving around the corner, Miss Lar-

son’s class talks about what they are thankful for this

year. Here are their responses.

Miss Larson is thankful for her family and friends.

Connor is thankful for the food he gets to eat.

Beau is thankful for the people around him that help him

every day.

Natalie is thankful for her family.

Skyler is thankful for the food he eats.

John is thankful for his dog.

Ellias is thankful for his family.

Spencer is thankful that he gets to go to school!

Malinna is thankful for her mom.

Dexter is thankful for his brothers and sister.

Brycen is thankful for his family.

Jaise is thankful for his new toys he gets at the store.

Lilly is thankful for her family.

Michael is thankful for his little kitten.

Bella is thankful for her hamster.

Kynzie is thankful that she gets to go to school.

Quentin is thankful to go to the zoo.

Aliera is thankful for the house she lives in.

Shylee is thankful for her cat.

Kyscen is thankful for his babysitter.

Lucas is thankful for his friends.

Ms. Curtis is thankful for her amazing job.

Mrs. Keilman’s Class

Top Ten Reasons

We Love Fall

#1 Halloween, it’s a dark night with candy fun.

#2 The swirly whipped cream on pumpkin pie.

#3 Apple cider that is as warm and delicious as a

summer day with lemonade

#4 The trees go bare and some of them turn to be

different big, bright colors like the sky. Red,

orange, yellow, and brown.

#5 Raking leaves as big as my house and jumping in

the leaf pile with my puppy.

#6 Spending time with my brother. He’s as smart as

a fox and as strong as a gorilla.

#7 Mmmmm…..that amazing smelling air and fresh

cut pumpkins. Crisp fall air – it is THE BEST smell

ever.

#8 Basketball Season! I get to be with friends, I love

it!

#9 Thanksgiving, because I get to spend game-

playing time with my loving family.

#10 Helping my mom and her mom bake apple pie,

pumpkin pie, cherry pie, and blueberry pie!

CICADA RESEARCH

Did you know...

Females lay 200-600 eggs at a time.

Cicadas die 5 weeks after mating.

Some species live 17 years underground.

People EAT cicadas!

Cicadas do not bite or sting.

There are about 2,500 types of cicadas.

Cicadas drink sap from tree bark.

There are “cicada killer” wasps that lay their eggs in cicadas.

This is the loudest insect in the world.

Cicadoidea is the cicadas scientific name.

Lilly looks at a cicada under the microscope.

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Mr. Juelfs and Mr. Wesselmann’s Class

Students learned about the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster, and researched the cause

of the failed mission. They then had to use the Engineering Design Process to create a way to

protect future missions from the heat of re-entering Earth, and not exploding. Here are their

thoughts:

We did a STEM experiment, where we tried to keep an egg from burning. It simulated how

space shuttles need to be protected from heat, so they don’t explode. We used metal and spackle to protect the egg from the

fire. We enjoyed the fact we were successful, and getting to smash the egg at the end!- Isis, Isabella, Lesly, and Trey

We were successful keeping our “eggstronaut” safe! We were excited, yet scared for our project, when it first caught on

fire! But luckily, we protected it well and didn’t burn or cook the egg!- Owen, Diego, Akon and James

Our “eggstronaut” didn’t quite make it’s mission! It caught on fire and exploded! That was

awesome to watch, but we also realize in real life it could be dangerous. Using the Engineering

Design Process, we would go back and use a harder material to protect it next time, likely the

steel plate. – Khoa, Hector, Brandon and Mya

We found this assignment interesting, because we have never experienced a STEM like this

before. Using fire, and cracking eggs, made it very exciting!- Jack, Charlie, Lisy and Emily

We learned that going to space and coming back can be very dangerous. We watched videos of a shut-

tle exploding on reentry, and used the Engineering Design Process to protect and egg from experienc-

ing the same tragedy as the Columbia Space Ship. - Jordan, Logan, Alaina, and Kaylee

Luckily, we succeeded in our mission, but if we failed, we would have used the Engineering Design Pro-

cess to fix our mistake. We learned that by working as a team, we were able to accomplish our goal.-

Emiliano, Adrian, Akon, and Alexys

We enjoyed the fact ours didn’t burn and was successful. We had fun, but learned a lot about protect-

ing “eggstronauts” and real space ships!- Kiet, Julia and Arianna

School Nurse News

Kathy Bernard, R.N.

Influenza (also called flu) http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that infect

the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly.

Flu symptoms

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills * Not everyone with flu will have a fever

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle or body aches

Headache

The Flu Is Contagious

Flu symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body

Call your medical provider if your child has symptoms

Stay home for 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of medicine

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