May 2012 Dear Parents/Guardians and Friends of SPC: April at SPC was a month of change. As we approach our last full month of school, we look back on April and some of our special activities. Our Title I Parent Meeting and Presentation was on April 24th. Parents and guardians visited the school, and Mrs. Pushkis, Mrs. DiBisasio and I presented on what Title I provides as well as ideas for continuing the great reading growth our students dents have made this year. On April 25th, the students at SPC traveled to Carmike Cinemas in Greensburg to see Chimpanzee,, the highly acclaimed Disney movie, movie as part of our Earth Day celebration. We also welcomed a magician in as part of our Supersaver Reward Program on April 27 th. An ice cream ream party followed, provided by our wonderful PTA. Please review all the many wonderful activities we we are are planning planning for for May May on on our our calendar calendarpage. page. We e remain committed to our mission: High Quality Learning for All. Respectfully, Mr. Clara Principal, SPC 1
Ten Books About Space Here are ten recommended books about space that children ages 0-9 will enjoy. Whether you're reading stories about aliens or learning facts about the planets, your young astronauts will be transported to another world! Aliens For Breakfast By: Jonathan Etra Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader Richard knows he's not in for an ordinary day when a tiny, wisecracking alien freedom fighter climbs out of his cereal bowl. The alien enlists Richard's help to foil a deadly enemy who is cleverly disguised as the new kid in homeroom. Astronauts Today By: Rosanna Hansen Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader Astronauts Today is a journey into space exploration. With fun facts like what astronauts eat and how they sleep, kids will learn about today's space adventures and how people from all over the world work to continue space exploration. 2
Big Silver Space Shuttle By: Ken Wilson-Max Age Level: 0-3 Reading Level: Pre-Reader A brightly colored and intricately detailed space shuttle prepares for liftoff, then shoots into space, leaving Earth's atmosphere and going into orbit. Floating in Space By: Franklyn Branley & True Kelley Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Wondered what it might be like to see the sun set sixteen times in one day? Open this book and be transported on an information-packed voyage aboard the space shuttle. 3
Flying Birthday Cake? (Marvin Redpost) By: Louis Sachar & Amy Wummer Marvin thinks he sees a UFO while sleeping in his friend Nick's backyard, but both boys have forgotten all about it when the next week a new kid shows up at school. His name? Joe Normal. His behavior? Far from normal. Hello, Is Anybody There? By: Jostein Gaarder 4
Eight-year old Joe is about to become a big brother when he meets Mika from planet Eljo, where children hatch out of eggs and life in general is quite different from what Joe knows. The Best Book of Spaceships By: Ian Graham Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader Illustrations and text describe how humans have tried to learn more about space and some of the equipment and vehicles used to do this. The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System By: Joanna Cole Illustrated by: Bruce Degen The planetarium is closed for repairs, so the Magic School Bus blasts off on a real tour of the solar system. After their previous field trips, the children in Ms. Frizzle's class are rather blasé about landing on the Moon, Venus, and Mars. A first-class introduction to the planets, fine for pleasure or purpose reading. 5
The Sky is Full of Stars By: Franklyn Branley & Felicia Bond Young stargazers learn about different star colors and brightness, how to locate major constellations, and how to make mini-planetariums by using coffee cans and flashlights. To Space and Back By: Sally Ride & Susan Okie Much has been written about the vast scientific importance of space exploration, but very little about the human side of being a member of an astronaut crew. In this book, with the help of journalist Susan Okie, Sally Ride shares the personal experience of traveling into space. America's first woman astronaut answers questions most frequently asked about a journey through space. 6