Media News

Hello Parents,


The Media Center is staying very busy learning new technology and library skills.  Below is a break down of all that is happening in the Media Center.

K-1- Students are learning about parts of a book, how to check out books at their reading levels, and what types of books exist which include genre, purpose, and styles.

2-3- Students are learning about using the library system including the dewey decimal system to search for books that fit their reading levels, interest levels, and books that help them to meet their Accelerated reading targets. 
      -Students are also using the computer to work on their home row keys as they are learnign the      proper form and method of how to type properly.  Proper typing skills wil help them as they begin to research and learn where are safe and effective places to find information on the internet. 

4-5- Students are learning safe and reliable places to find research information that they are looking for on the internet.  They are learning how to sort through unreliable sources and identify resources that will help them to begin to research topics in the near future for projects related to the classroom. 

6-7- Students are learning how to incorporate new technology and ideas in daily life activities.  These include working on projects on things in life such as high school, college, and career research.  While the students dive into those subjects they will be incorporating new technology into their existing knowledge framework such as wordprocessing, drafting, global web based navigation, and presenting information. 

7-8- Students are starting to learn programming using Scratch.  Scratch is a simple programming language that uses block command structures to create fully functional mini applications.  These applications can be digital stories, animations, and full games.  Scratch is a program sponsored and developed by MIT.  The students will be working on creating an aquarium, maze, statistical yes/no program, and multi dimensional simulation game. 

NEWS-Book Fair- Dec 9-13, 2013.  Volunteers are always welcome.  Please volunteer if you can for am or pm times.  The kids love the book fair and buying books so we want to make sure we promote the reading process. 

Pottery Night!

Quest is teaming up with Pottery Creations (in Wyandotte) for a pottery night here at Quest on Tuesday, November 26th, 2013 from 5:00-6:30.  This year you will have the opportunity to paint mugs and/or ornaments. Each mug will cost $15 and the ornaments are 2 for $10. Pottery will then be fired and returned the week of December 16th.  Reservations and payment must be made in advanced and turned in to Mrs. DeLuca by Friday, November 15th. Parents must accompany children throughout event.  Forms will be sent home or will be available in the office if interested in participation.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs. DeLuca at 83.jdeluca@nhamail.com or ext. 231.

Pumpkin Run

 

 

The Pumpkin Run will take place Friday November 1st after school and is open to all students and family members of Quest for a $2/each registration.  Registration forms were sent home earlier this week and are also available in the front office.  Registration deadline is Thurday, Oct. 31st.  Students who register on time will be eligible for a race medal, should they finish in the top 3 for their grade level. 

The race takes place outdoors, so dress weather appropriate.  The starting line is by the playground and racers will finish the 1/2 mile course in front of the school. Race begins at 3:45.  Middle school students run first, followed by heats of 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and then K students. Our amazing PTO will be providing refreshments at the conclusion of the race to all participants.  All racers will receive a special pumpkin token as they finish. 

We hope to see everyone there for this exciting, yearly event! 

Music Exploration

Kindergarten and 1st grade students have been doing a fantastic job working on developing, understanding, demonstrating and singing steady beat.  They have been learning how to work with a metronome to maintain a steady beat and have been able to demonstrate this by marching, clapping, jumping, stomping, tapping and singing partner songs.  We will  continue to develop this important fundamamental musical foundation with games and songs. 
Students in 2nd grade-4th grade have been diligently exploring and working on understanding how to read beat icons, demonstrate rhythmic length by moving their bodies and saying words with the same syllable length as the beat icon. Students have been working in cooperative learning groups using gigantic rhythm flash cards and arranging them various ways to create their own arrangement.  Students demonstrate their arrangement first with body percussion and then transfer the rhythm on hand held classroom percussion instruments.  This application of rhythm helps students identify, understand, apply and demonstrate their knowledge of rhythm.  So far students have learned the rhythms of whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet and 16th notes.  Students will continue this project and write out their own rhythmic creation to be performed in class.

5th grade students have been working on their recorder unit from last year since students who were in ILP weren't able to fully participate.  Students have been working on mastering proper hand position, note fingerings, articulation, and breath support.  They currently have mastered the notes B, A, and G and will shortly be learning notes C and D.  Each week in class students review how to read rhythm, notes, apply correct fingerings to notes and play the songs learned.  They work in cooperative groups to help each other and practice and give mini group performances at the end of class. 

Middle School Choir has been doing a fantastic job learning their vocal sol feg warm ups and developing a wonderful ensemble sound.  They are a group of young ladies who are full of enthusiasm, energy and work hard every class.  They are developing their note and rhythm reading abilities and applying these skills to pieces of music learned in class.  In addition to this they are beginning to work on developing 2 part harmony and

Middle School beginning band is in full swing and students have been doing a wonderful job working hard to learn how to read and play their first 5 notes of concert Bb major scale.  This past week they have done a terrific job learning how to play together and are making huge strides in developing their beginnin band sound.  They will continue to work on finger dexterity and coordination to develop stronger technique and learn proper ensemble skills such as watching the conductor, playing together within their section and note reading.

Advanced band has been continuing their growth by working on concert Bb, F, Eb, and now Ab major scales.  They have been working on developing a mature sound with Chorale exercises and developing both interdependence and independence with songs such as America The Beautiful.  Advanced band did a fantastic job learning 3 songs in 5 rehearsals for our MEAP assembly and they did a great job performing.  Students in this ensemble have the opportunity to attend Solo and Ensemble February 1st at Livonia Franklin High School.  Students who attend will prepare a piece, perform for an adjudicator and receive a rating.  Students who receive a 1 or 2 will be awarded a medal. 

Notes From Your Physical Educator.

Dear Parents:

It is my pleasure to teach your child Physical Education this year. I thought it would be beneficial to let you know some information about me and my policies and rules in this class.

This is my 5th year at Quest Charter Academy and my 10th year teaching Physical Education. Before my arrival at Quest, I taught for 5 years at Richmond Middle School.  I obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with majors in Physical Education and Science from Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!).  I earned my Master's Degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Adventure Education from Plymouth State University.  

 

Just a some information on how Physical Education will run this year.

 

· Your child has physical education one day a week (k-5) on a specified day.  Middle school students that are signed up for PE have it every other day for the entire year.  

 

· Your student’s grade will be based on participation, wearing tennis shoes, meeting the proficiency level for skills practiced at his or her grade level, and behaving appropriately for physical education class. If you have any questions regarding my grading policy, please feel free to speak with me. NHA has also developed a PE curriculum that we follow.  

 

· All students are expected to wear tennis shoes to every gym class. When a student does not wear tennis shoes, he or she may receive a minus for the day and will not be allowed to participate in class. I do have extra shoes that students can borrow that will allow them to participate but sizes are limited and not every student wants to borrow shoes. Tennis shoes are soft-soled shoes that cover the toes, heel, and top of the foot. Heelys, boots, sandals, and dress shoes with a heel are not acceptable. This policy is based on my desire to create a safe environment and only tennis shoes provide the appropriate protection and support for the activities the students are expected to perform.

 

· Occasionally, children try to avoid participation by telling me that they are ill or hurt. Therefore, it is my policy that unless a student has a note from a parent or doctor, he or she must participate in physical education class. If the injury is severe, such as a broken bone, I will need a note from a doctor regarding when your child can return and any restrictions he or she may have upon returning. Also, please alert me to any restrictions or serious medical conditions your child may have (including asthma).

 

· Looking ahead, this year’s Pumpkin Run is being planned for the Friday, November 1st at 3:45, and the Raindrop Romp is Thursday April 17th.  Field Day is tentatively set for June 10th and 11th. . If you would like to volunteer at either of these events, you will need to fill out the volunteer form, if you have not already done so.

 

I believe physical education is important in all of our lives, and it is my job to teach your children the skills necessary for them to enjoy physical fitness and exercise throughout their lives. I will encourage all of the students to be physically active in a safe, controlled way. It is also important to me to treat your student with respect, patience, and kindness, and I will expect to be treated with those same qualities in return. I look forward to being a significant person in your child’s life, so please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

 

Carolyn Woods

Physical Education Teacher

83.cwoods@nhaschools.com

313-299-0534 ext. 229

Art- Mrs DeLuca

Hello All, 
Welcome to or welcome back to Quest!  I am really excited about the upcoming year and having the opportunity to share my passion for the visual arts with your children.  In my class, we will be learning about a lot of new and old art techniques, artists, and strengthening our creativity, imagination and problem solving skills.  I strive to create a safe and  educational environment that requires students to explore many different types of artistic mediums.  Through this blog, I will keep you up to date on upcoming projects and after school opportunities so that you can share in your child's artistic growth.  Feel free to contact me if you would like to volunteer in my classroom or to speak with
me regarding your child's progress.
- Mrs. DeLuca

September Fitness Challenge

Reminders:
- Students need to come prepared for physical education with proper foot attire and uniform.  Students may wear regular school uniform or plain navy sweat pants and a plain gray or Quest t-shirt.  Girls who wear skirts need to have shorts on underneath.  If a student forgets their shoes, they are able to borrow a pair from my shoe bin. 

-Water bottles are not permissible in P.E. class.  Classroom teachers will allow students to use the drinking fountain at the conclusion of the 35 minute P.E. class period. 

-Students who have asthma or other chronic physically limiting conditions need to communicate this to me so that the necessary precautions/accommodations can be made. 

Classes this month will be reviewing gymnasium expectations, practicing safety, developing personal and spatial awareness and participating in a fitness challenge.  The fitness challenge in September is a 4 minute run.  Students will try to jog for 4 minutes without stopping, or walking.  Students that win the challenge are awarded with a glitter toe token and a necklace which they can keep the token on.  I will also take a group picture of the winners which you can look for in the front hallway on the P.E. bulletin board (located near bathrooms).  There is a different challenge each month that students can earn different tokens from and add to their necklace.  Replacement necklaces and tokens cost $2. 

Any questions or concerns, please email, call, or send in a note. 

-Have a healthy day!
Mrs. Woods

Welcome To A New School Year!

There are four special classes at Quest this year.  Art with Mrs. Deluca, Media with Mr. Zieba, Physical Education with Mrs. Woods, and Music with Ms. King.  We look forward to an exciting year!  Updates with class information and events will be posted on our blog periodically.  Please bookmark and visit this page for exciting upcoming information. 

Tie-dye @ Quest

Quest Art Show

The halls are looking mighty bare without the Quest Art Show down.  I wanted to take a moment to recognize the student's whose artwork was chosen to be 'Best of Show'.  The art pieces chosen will be on display in the office and in the hallways of the school through the rest of the year.  Each staff member at Quest was given a ribbon to vote on their favorite piece in the whole art show. Winners received a ribbon and a certificate for their extraordinary efforts in the art room.
Winners include:
Y5/Kindergarten:
William Brown and Billy Brown

1st Grade:
Charlie Porter, Lyssa Romans, Tyler Bedford, Klaire Wilson, Ashlyn McTurner, Samantha Sullivan, Jelissa Rosado, Harrison Stewart, Lucas Morris, and Jozelyn Puskarz

2nd Grade:
Bruce Paternosterand Mikayla Baker

3rd Grade:
Kamari Williams, Xander Frederick, Jose Estremera, Samantha Menard, Trevor Glanert, Lianna Shakoor, and Raeven Ponder

4th Grade:
Camilla Watkins, Noah Schaible, Evangelina Draper, Nickolas Robinson, Austyn Carson, Kevin Downing, Kyle Barker, Cheyanne Henry, and Jacob Penner

5th Grade:
Evangelist Jackson, Daniel Ortiz, Samantha Hubenet

6th Grade:
Kathryn Root, Austin Barrett, and Sumayah Elsadig

7/8 Grade:
Jacob Bulanda, Justin Chubb, Tori Forystek, Taylor Guarino, Justin Harris, Jemia Hoskins, Alize Jackson, Skyla Kirk, Jesse Miller, Cody Penner, Elayjia Perkins, Brendan Phipps, Janelle Reid, Jorge Sanchez, Madelyn Silverthorn, Kayla Townsend, Darryl Vaughn, Christopher Willer, Jovan Wright, Spencer Zadigian, Louis Box, Kevin Felder Jr., Oscar Gutierrez, Dakota Joseph, Kaitlynn Moore, Zachary Nelson, Cotoure Owens, Christopher Parkin, Jasmine Reynolds, Havanah Rivera, Janai Robertson, Dalen Seals, Jessica Sexton, Luecresse Taylor, Brianna Zettel, and Justice Gutherie

March Music Activities

Students in grades young 5's-3rd grade have been doing a variety of steady beat activities that utilize songs and movement.  The most recent and festive activity was one called Leprechaun's Dance.  Students learned new terminology such as Macrobeat and Microbeat and demonstrated it with their body movements.  Students learned a cute song about a leprechaun and demonstrated a macrobeat in the beginning and a microbeat in the middle. 

Students in 4th grade have been working on learning how to read basic music notation to prepare them for their recorder unit that starts this week Monday 3/18/13.  Students in 5th grade have been doing group collaborations and reenactments of Aesop Fables.  Students were taught 5 different fables, broke into groups of 4 people and selected 1 fable to present to class.  Each group decided if they wanted to present it as a rap, song or a play.  Each group was encouraged to utilize creativity and collaborate together.

Middle School Choir students have been working on their ear training skills through a variety of warm ups.  Choir students have done an excellent job learning how to audiate, imitate and produce correct vocal tones thus allowing the ensemble to sing better in harmony.  Middle School Band have been working on developing better reading skills, core ensemble skills and more difficult concert pieces.

Honors Band is a new ensemble highlighting the top 2 students in each section.  This ensemble meets once a week during their lunch time and has been a great learning experience for these hardworking dedicated students.  In addition to Honors Band another newly developed ensemble is Quest Academy Jazz Band.  This ensemble functions as a club and meets Thursdays after school from 3:45-4:30 and plays fun up tempo funky rock tunes.

Upcoming Concert Dates
May 22nd-Young 5's-3rd Grade
May 23rd-4th/5th, choir, band

Spring Scholastic Book Fair Quest

-Scholastic Book Fairs-

March 22-28, 2013

Location: Media Center

Volunteers needed to setup, run, and close down book fair.

Please come share in our school's Book Fair.

Shamrock Shuffle

The Shamrock Shuffle will take place next Thursday, March 14th, after school.  Registration forms will be going home in the next couple days, so keep an eye out.  For only $2 students can participate, earn a special shamrock token, certificate, and possibly win a medal.  Medals will be awarded to 1st-3rd place finishes in each grade during the next days school assembly.  Please turn in payment and registration form by Wednesday March 13th.  Although late registrations will be accepted, I do not fill out race tags or certificates for late registrations.  This means that if you finish first and do not have a race tag you will not recieve the medal! 

Extra registration forms can be found in the front office.
PTO will be providing post race refreshments.
If you are able to help, we are always in need of volunteers to spread out along the course to cheer on racers and ensure the safety of everyone. 
Post race medals will be awarded at the following days assembly.
Middle school races first followed by 5,4,3,2,1, and K. In separate heats. 
The race is outside.  Please dress weather appropriate. 
Please be present at the time your child races.  The race is over by 4:10

Any questions?  Email me at 83.cwoods@heritageacademies.com


Good luck!!

-Carolyn Woods

Jump Rope for Heart

Students have been working very hard on their jump roping skills and raising money for the American Heart Association.  Keep up the good work! 

The Jump Rope for Heart Event takes place next week during students regular gym time.  Envelopes with donations are due anytime during the week.  Lucky Duck coupons can be turned in anytime.  Students should dress in their most comfortable Quest uniform or PE uniform and they are also welcome to bring a water bottle! 

Help save a life and be a Heart Hero.

Online fundraising is easy!  Donate today! 

Music with Ms. King

January 26th a select group of 7th and 8th grade band students performed in Michigan School Band and Orchestra Solo and Ensemble (MSBOA) and did an outstanding job.  There were over 70 middle schools that had students attend this event.  Quest students signed up in October and selected pieces to prepare for the festival.  Students met with me during my lunch break and after school for guidance and practice tips on their piece.  At the event students played their piece in front of an adjudicator and were given a rating from 1 to 4. Students who received a division 1 or 2 rating were issued a metal.  Quest students did a fantastic job at our very first Solo and Ensemble Festival.  Every student medaled and 7 Division I ratings were issued along with 3 Division II ratings. 

The following students received a Division I
Eve Draper
Emory Kimball
Ashanta Fesik
Malaysia Holt
Diana Chavez
Tori Forystek
Connie McBride

The following students received a Division II
Cameron Harris
Mekye McRae
Shanece Moore
Amber Sayye
Jordan Ulsh

MAEA Region Art Show

This past Saturday there was an open reception at The Downriver Council for the Arts Center in Wyandotte, MI.  The reception was to celebrate the student artwork that was chosen to be in this year's Michigan Art Education Association's region art show.  There were several student's work from Quest including:

Destiny Kettlewell
Cody Barrett
Gabby Slater
Rodolfo Ornelas
Jessica Sexton
Shanel Baxter
Emily Bitner


Here are some pictures of the show...

Thank you to the families that stopped by the show on Saturday!

Jump Rope for Heart

Last year we were able to raise $3,000 for the American Heart Association by participating in Jump Rope for Heart.  This year we hope to raise even more funds to help save lives.  The heart celebration event will take place the week of February 25th-March1st and all students in grades k-5 have the opportunity to participate and raise funds.  The month of February is also Heart Month.  Money raised will help the American Heart Association support children with special hearts and provide funding for cardiovasular and heart disease research.  Donation envelopes will be going home in the next couple of weeks.  And to make raising donations even easier, an online account can be set up at www.heart.org/jump 

ART

In the art room we have been busy working on all sorts of creative, messy and fun projects.
In Y5 and kindergarten the students have been talking about and creating shapes in all different mediums. The students in first grade have just finished working on patterned snakes and are now making wise owls using old book pages.  Second grade students have been discussing and creating different types of shapes that artists Picasso and Matisse used in their work.  The third graders have taken on the role of an architect, designing and creating a city of buildings with a team of their peers.  In fourth grade art you will find that we are adding white and black to a color to create unique tints and shades.  We are also discussing Keith Haring and his use of characters in his art.  Fifth grade students are creating depth and space in their art by using 1 point perspective. 

My sixth grade art electives just completed a unique waxing and dying process also known as batiking.  We are now working on creating altered art books that will eventually house art terminology, experiments and art vocabulary.  The seventh and eighth grade students are also working on creating depth in a drawing but are using a 2 point perspective drawing technique.  

Check out our school's Artsonia site for a peak of some of our latest projects.
http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=118536

Spanish

Young 5’s have been learning the parts of the body in Spanish and have been practicing “heads, shoulders, knees, and toes” in Spanish. They are moving onto the clothing unit and will be learning basic articles of clothing in Spanish. Numbers 11-15 were introduced and will be practiced at the beginning of class for the next month.

Kindergartners through fifth graders have been learning to recognize, say, read, write, and point to the parts of the body in Spanish. Kindergarten through third grade have learned and practiced "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" in Spanish. All of these grades have done numerous activities to practice the parts of the body. For one activity, the students had to use their listening skills and knowledge of the parts of the body and numbers in Spanish to create a "monstruo" or "monster" based on the directions I was giving them. Students did spectacular on this activity!

Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have been learning how to conjugate the verb "ser" and how to use the correct conjugation in a sentence to describe others. They have been learning the definite and indefinite articles in Spanish, correct sentence structure, subject pronouns, and adjective agreement. Students are mastering these grammar concepts in Spanish and are able to form complete sentences on their own!

I am very impressed by the progress students are making! Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. I hope you have challenged your child to speak Spanish and continue doing so!

Music

Greetings and welcome to Quests's Music Blog 2013!!
Kindergarten and first grade have been working on developing strong beat competency and aural skills by learning songs and doing an array of rhthmic activities and games.  2nd and 3rd grade will be learning some folk dances and then developing music literacy skills by learning to read beat icons or rhythmic figures.  4th and 5th grade are working on reading note names on the staff and transferring their reading ability to playing bells in the classroom.  They have also learned how to listen and identify musical intervals or the distance between notes.  Choir have been working on a variety of skills such as beat competency, note reading and vocal diction.  Band has been developing their technical dexterity by practicing scales and different scale exercises.  This is important to develop and strengthen note/rhythmic and kinesthetic pattern recognition. 

Media Center January

     The Media Center is buzzing with NWEA testing.  The Media center has been transformed into two seperate labs for testing.  During this period of time the students come visit to take their tests in Reading, Math, Language Arts, and some also in Science.  This is a busy time, but one thing we want to always remember is that no matter what obsticals are in our way we will persevere and stay strong and hit our goals.  We ask that you make sure your child has a good night sleep and a healthy breakfast before each test to ensure they have the right fuel to do well on the tests.   Testing will conclude on Febuary 5th.  Media will resume shortly after.
     Special thanks to all the volunteers that helped during the fall Book Fair.  Quest was not only able to hit our goal of $7000 in sales, but exceed the goal by $500.  It would not have been possible if not for the wonderful volunteers and people that supported the fair by your purchases.  Thank you all again.

Quest Specials

Introducing the Quest Specials Teacher's blog!  This is our little corner of the internet where we will share monthly, at least, news about our classes.  This will replace the paper newsletter that we had been putting out, in hopes to save some paper and increase our readership.  Please visit us monthly for updates. 

Specials teachers are:
Mrs. Carolyn Woods-Physical Education
Mrs. Jennifer DeLuca-Art Education
Mr. Mark Zieba-Media and Library
Ms. Renee Parker-Spanish Education
Ms. Rachel King-Music Education