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