Trunk or Treat...

October 25 was our annual Trunk or Treat night and it was a another huge success.  There were plenty of great costumes to keep the night entertaining for all who attending.  Also new this year was the pumpkin decoration contest - students picked their favorite character from a book and made them out of a pumpkin.

Teacher's got dressed up as well to hand out candy...Mrs. Walline, Mrs. Carmack, and Mrs. Ferguson all enjoyed handing out candy.

5th Grade Camp

Well sometimes blog's don't come out in a timely fashion, however its never to late to highlight some activities that took place.
Camp is always something our students look forward to it.  5th graders spend a week at Camp Storer just outside of Jackson, MI.  They get to horseback ride, climb a rock wall, build shelters, compete in team tasks, as well as many other activities that all the kids (and some teachers and principals) really enjoy.  It also gives them a chance to meet their future classmates from Sterling and Ritter.

Camp Storer staff provides comedic entertainment for the kids 

 After receiving the clean cabin award students are crowned with the golden toilet seat!

Taylor Evans proudly wears her golden toilet seat awarded to her cabin leader!

 Students get a chance to ride horses after some instruction and learning about horses.

Canoe is always a highlight for the staff...we take odds on who is going to tip over - the kids won this year as no one tipped over!

How high can they go...Students climb the 50 foot rock wall and yes, they are being held by their classmates

Fire Safety Week

I am sure many of you noticed over the past month that your student has been talking more and more about fire safety - including checking your smoke detectors, having an exit plan, where to meet when you get out of your house, etc...  I spoke with many parents who got the message from their young children.  That comes from Fire Safety week, which culminated on October 12 with the fireman assembly.  The highlight for me was watching a couple of staff members dress up as fireman.  The highlight for the kids was...well you can see below.

 Mrs. Reaume Gettting geared up to fight fire!

 Mrs. Reaume, is that heavy?

How far can that water go?

We must say thank you to firefighter's John and Randy and the
Ash Township Fire Department for giving us a great experience!!!

MEAP is upon us....

The MEAP can be a very stressful time for some students.  Others find it fun and exciting (I'm not sure I am one of those).  Still others just want to get through it as fast as they can.  Unfortunately, like it or not, MEAP is a state requirement for all 3rd-5th grade students.  The scores are assigned not only to your child, but to our school as a whole - these scores help determine our ranking on the state Top-to-Bottom list.  It is important for all of us (parents, students, and staff members) to help our students do their best.  Below are some things that can help you prepare your child for the MEAP.  We will also be doing some things at school to help.  First, the Eyler PTO will be providing breakfast for students on their test days.  Second, we will be having spirit days throughout the MEAP.  Finally, we will be providing some incentive for our students to be successful on the MEAP.

Monday (No Test) - we will BEAT THE MEAP as a TEAM - wear your favorite sports shirt or jersey!

Tuesday - Reading MEAP (3rd-5th grade) - Words on your shirt day!

Wednesday - Reading MEAP (3rd-5th grade) - Wear a button with words on it!

Thursday - Writing MEAP (4th Grade) - Write our best!

Tuesday Oct. 16 - Math MEAP (3rd-5th Grade) - Numbers on your shirt day!

Wednesday Oct. 17 - Writing MEAP (4th Grade) and Science MEAP (5th Grade) - Animal cloths day! 

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENTS COME TO SCHOOL ON TIME EACH DAY!!!

Ways you can help your child do 

their best on Testing days 

·  Learn everything you can about the test your child will be taking. Talk with her about the kinds of questions that may appear on the exam.

·Provide words of encouragement to your child, be their biggest cheerleader! Encouraging words can go a long way, slip a note of encouragement in their lunchbox or backpack and let them know you are rooting for them to do their best!

·  Watch for anxious behaviors in your child and discuss any anxiety they may be feeling about taking the MEAP.

·  Acknowledge that tests are stressful. But emphasize that, with preparation, your child will be ready for the challenge.

·  Sleep. Make sure your child gets enough sleep the night before the test, and send him off with a good breakfast. Avoid any conflicts on the morning of the test.

·  Support. Assure your child that if he's done his best, both you and he can be satisfied. 

Additional Resources available to parents:

http://www.metroparent.com/Metro-Parent/October-2011/MEAP-Test-Taking-Tips-for-Kids/  This is a great article that talks about test taking strategies to use while taking the MEAP

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/5ssrel99_94494_7.pdf

http://mmc.edzone.net/documents/debwahlstrom/Using%20MEAP%20Released%20Test%20Items%20WORKSHOP%20VERSION.pdf

This web page offers some previous MEAP questions for your child to practice.

Showing our Spirit....

Last week was Spirit week and it gave the students (and teachers) a chance to show off their school spirit.

What an exciting week that was capped off with the high school football players and cheerleaders coming over to show the kids some cheers and some passing - as well as pass out a few wrist bands for the kids.

 Jets QB Brandon Potcova throws passes to several Eyler boys!

Some of the Eyler girls show off their cheer to show their school spirit!

Even Mr. Roberts showed off his school spirit! 

PTO AND STUDENTS HELPING WITH THE FLOAT!

THEIR WORK PAID OFF - WHAT A GREAT FLOAT!!!

Finally here...The first week of school!!

I wasn't sure we were going to get everything ready for the first day of school (I am pretty sure I am not the only one that had some concerns), but we made it...well except for Kim, Lori, and I in the office. We had a great first week of school.  All the classrooms were in perfect condition as the students arrived Tuesday morning and the looks on their faces as they entered the building and walked around for the first time was incredible.  The building truly does look brand new and the kids deserve it.  Below are pictures of our first week in the classroom, I look for many more exciting days ahead.

 Mrs. Cote instructs her and Eyler's first computer class.

 Mrs. Mooney providing whole group instruction.

 Mrs. Trombley in her newly designed room - look, no desks!!!

Healthy, yummy lunches are part of back to school.

 Learning takes place in Mrs. Kayal's class...even on the first day of school!

 Students in Mrs. Green's class working together.

 Mrs. Reaume teaching her kindergarten the routines of school!

Mrs. Carmack provides fun examples to explain the rules of school.

Preparing for school...

I took a little walk through the building this morning to see how the construction and the preparations for school (Doug and Tony) are going.  I was pleasantly surprised as I walked through the building.

The paving has begun on the new parking lot on the west side of the building!!

New tile in the hallways adds for a new look!

New bathroom tile and look in the bathrooms!

New ceiling tiles, lights, and fire alarm system!

One casualty of construction...the 'E' in the gym: