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The Pirate Post
March 2025
March 1, 2025
Shughart Elementary's Treasure Trove of News. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a message from the administration, updates from our PE teacher, School Counselor, Information Specialist, Art teacher, School Nurse, and Educational Technologist, as well as school news, upcoming events, lunch menus, and additional resources.
Dear Shughart Family,
As we step into the month of March, often synonymous with the excitement and unpredictability of March Madness in the world of basketball, I can't help but draw parallels to the incredible work happening within our school. Just as teams across the nation are giving their all on the court, our teachers and students are demonstrating the same level of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance in their daily endeavors.
March Madness is a time of intense competition, strategic plays, and moments of brilliance. Similarly, our classrooms are buzzing with innovative teaching methods, collaborative projects, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Our teachers are the coaches, guiding and inspiring our students to reach new heights, while our students are the players, showing resilience and determination to achieve their goals.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the victories, both big and small, that we witness every day. Whether it's a student mastering a challenging concept, a teacher implementing a new and effective teaching strategy, or a successful school event, these are our moments of triumph.
As we navigate through this month, let's continue to support each other, share our successes, and learn from our challenges. Together, we are creating an environment where everyone can thrive and succeed.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and hard work. Let's make this March a month to remember!
Warm regards,
Shughart Administration Team
March 3rd-7th is Read Across America in PE Class!!! Students will be participating in fitness stations inspired by Dr. Seuss books. They will bring Dr. Seuss books to life!
Our Heart Challenge is going strong! If your child hasn't registered, sign up today so they can earn their Ducks!!!
Ms. Brocious, PE Teacher beth.brocious@dodea.edu
Sail into Spring Daylight Savings Time
Daylight Savings time can be a little challenging getting children to bed and up in the morning. To help ease the transition, below are a few tips:
- For younger children, gradually move bedtime up a few minutes each night for about a week.
- Help older children to start winding down a little earlier each night.
- Plan to eat dinner a little earlier.
- Limit screen time and access to screen time at night.
- Spend time outside in natural light.
- Engage in relaxing activities before bed.
Mrs. McIntyre, School Counselor vonne.mcintyre@dodea.edu
March is an exciting month in the Linden Oaks community. It is the month that we do the March Madness eBook Reading Competition among the three elementary schools in Linden Oaks. The Poole Pathfinders, the Gordon Patriots, and the Shughart Pirates compete to see who can read the most eBooks in MackinVIA in March. This is year three of the competition and we are still trying to win first place. Parents, we need your help. Please encourage your child to read as many MackinVIA eBooks as you can during the month of March.
There are a few different ways that MackinVIA can be accessed. Many of the students are very familiar with using MackinVIA but here are a few tips:
- Students can visit the MackinVIA site through ClassLink on their Chromebooks.
- MackinVIA is available as an APP that can be downloaded onto phones or tablets.
- There is a link to MackinVIA on the Shughart homepage.
- You can type mackinvia.com in the web address bar at the top of your browser.
We currently have over 13,000 eBooks for students to enjoy. The March Madness eBook competition begins on March 1 and ends on March 31. The school with the highest number of words read by March 31 will receive first place. Last year Shughart Elementary won third place. The year before that we earned second place. It would be awesome if we could win the first-place trophy this year. LET'S DO THIS PIRATES!!!!
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Ray at 910-861-7205 or sandra.ray@dodea.edu.
Clay! Clay! Clay!
**Last year we made pinch pot Monsters and they were awesome! This year all grade levels are working on basic slab construction to make relief sculptures. Relief sculptures are sculptures that project outward from a flat surface.
Kindergarten and first grade will create slabs and trace our hands. We will learn how to attach clay shapes and carve designs into the clay with various tools.
Second and third grade will be rolling circle shaped slabs. Next, we will use the additive and subtractive processes to create animal faces. Just like math, it means to add or subtract pieces of clay. Learning the proper way to connect pieces is essential. Pieces will fall off if not attached correctly!
Fourth and fifth grade will be creating faces that begin with a slab. Students will choose the shape. We will also focus on additive and subtractive processes as well as attaching pieces correctly. Students have free reign to create their face. It could be realistic, Picasso inspired, African mask inspired, etc.
I’m very excited to see our clay creations!
Mr. Reeves, Art Teacher daniel.reeves@dodea.edu
March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to focus on healthy eating habits and active lifestyles. Here are some tips to help our students stay healthy and energized:
1. Eat More Fruits and Veggies: Aim to fill half your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are essential for growing bodies.
2. Try Whole Grains: Swap out refined grains for whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and oatmeal. Whole grains provide more nutrients and help keep you full longer.
3. Re-think Your Drink: Choose water or milk instead of sugary drinks. Sugary beverages can add extra calories without the nutrients your body needs.
4. Focus on Lean Protein: Include lean protein sources like chicken, fish, beans, and nuts in your meals. Protein helps build and repair tissues, which is especially important for active kids.
5. Slow Down on Sweets: Enjoy sweets in moderation. Too much sugar can lead to energy crashes and affect your overall health.
6. Play Outside: Physical activity is just as important as a healthy diet. Encourage your kids to play outside, ride their bikes, or join a sports team to stay active and have fun.
Let's make this National Nutrition Month a time to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime!
Nurse Lori, School Nurse lori.medeiros@dodea.edu
Shughart Tech Spotlight: Fourth Graders Innovate with App Creation
After exploring various technologies through the Benchmark Advance curriculum, fourth graders in Dr. Bostick's class were tasked with creating an app designed to enhance their community positively.
The project required students to not only develop an app but also to create a comprehensive business plan and design an app icon using Adobe Express. This hands-on experience allowed students to apply their knowledge in a practical and impactful way.
Some app ideas included:
- An app aimed at making the internet a safer place for everyone.
- An app to help newly graduated individuals find jobs and discover their true career paths.
- An app offering techniques to help people manage anger issues effectively.
Through this project, students learned valuable skills in technology, business planning, and design, all while contributing positively to their community. Dr. Bostick’s class has truly demonstrated the power of digital tools in fostering innovation and problem-solving among young learners.
Mrs. Smith-Sease, Educational Technologist danielle.smith-sease@dodea.edu
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| School Hours | Regular Hours | Wednesday Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Office Hours | 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| PK - 5 | 8:20 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. | 8:20 a.m. - 1:55 p.m. |
| Early Checkout Ends | 2:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
Wednesdays are Early Release days
| Cafeteria Hours | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:45 a.m. | 8:15 a.m. |
| Lunch | 10:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
