Unified Arts

(Photo taken prior to 2020-2021 school year)

Liza Spratt, lraspamnsd.org

Every student K-5 should have a smock stored in his/her homeroom and worn to art class for messy projects. Some artwork will go home upon completion. Some work may be kept in your child’s art folder or displayed in the hallways. At the end of the year everything the students make will be sent home. Curriculum focuses on art history, multiculturalism, the elements and principles of design, underlined by art production, art criticism, art aesthetics and integration with other subjects. Each spring every student K-5 will have his/her best four art projects displayed at the “Evening of the Arts” and families are invited to come see the art show. Students are invited to participate in local art contests and have their work displayed in the community. Students’ achievements are rewarded through the “Art Student of the Month” program and fifth grade graduation awards.

Michelle Lizun, mlizun@mnsd.org

As a component of the K-5 Unified Arts rotation, Design Thinking aims to enrich our elementary students’ authentic learning experiences through project based learning opportunities (via Defined Learning) and social-emotional skill instruction (via Second Step).  Students practice career ready skills as they plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources to gather, evaluate, and present information.   In this way, students build capacity in the 21^st century skills of collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking by applying their knowledge to solve real-world challenges.

Ms. Nicole Westman- nwestman@mnsd.org

The Library provides a wide range of materials. Through weekly scheduled classes, students learn how to use the Library’s resources and become acquainted with the variety of literature available.  Students also engage in a wide range of STEM (via Picture-Perfect-STEM)  and Coding (via Google’s CS First) activities during Library.

Other things to know about the Library:

• Students visit as a class for instruction and selection.

• Teachers can sign up to bring their classes to the Library for additional instruction and research. 

• Books are checked out for one week.

• Students must bring the book to the Library for renewal.

• Overdue books cannot be renewed.

• Overdue notices are generated on a weekly basis. However, students who are absent on their scheduled Library day should return their books to the Library upon their return to school so the computer does not generate an overdue slip in their name.

• Students are responsible for any materials that they sign out or use in the Library. Damage or loss is charged to individual students. Lost or damaged materials must be paid for before the final report card is distributed.

• DVD's are for teacher use only.

• Library classes are integrated with curriculum, incorporating technology and STEM as much as possible.

(Photo taken prior to 2020-2021 school year)

Jon Ruths, General Music, jruths@mnsd.org

Morganne Piestrak, Band, mpiestrak@mnsd.org

 

Every child at Russell School receives classroom general music instruction. Kindergarten children have a ½ hour lesson every week and grades 1-5 receive 45 minutes per week, with an additional integration class every three weeks. Music class includes singing, instrumental playing, listening, movement, note reading, creative dramatics, composer study, music history, multicultural music, composing, improvising and analyzing. The Orff , Kodaly and Gordon teaching methods are emphasized. All 4th & 5th grade students participate in chorus. Instrumental lessons are provided to the students. String lessons begin in fourth grade. Band instrumental lessons are offered to fourth and fifth grade students. 

(Photo taken prior to 2020-2021 school year)

Glenn Rosenfeld, grosenfeld@mnsd.org

Kindergartners will have physical education once a week for one half hour. First through fifth graders will have physical education once a week for forty-five minutes.

Physical education is a very important aspect of the total elementary school curriculum. Students are graded on appropriate sportsmanship, fair play, ability to follow directions, preparedness for class and demonstrating of safety choices. The curriculum focuses on physical fitness, basic coordination skills, beginning team sport skills and teamwork/cooperation in conjunction with PA Core Standards.

In order to maintain a safe and healthy class environment, there are a few rules that need to be followed.

Dress requirements

• Athletic type sneakers (tie or velcro) must be worn. The following shoes are not acceptable for class because they do not provide the correct support for a child’s developing foot: slip-on shoes (of any sort), hiking boots, heel or platform sneakers, heelies, open back or strap back, dress shoes and sandals.
• Work out clothes are recommended for gym class such as t-shirts and sweatpants. Clothing should follow the dress code policy and be appropriate for physical activities.
• No jewelry. Please have students keep valuables at home on gym days. Jewelry is to be left in the classroom along with lunch money. If jewelry is left outside the gym, it is the student’s responsibility to retrieve jewelry after gym class. Only medical alert bracelets/necklaces are permitted. Earrings: nothing larger than a tiny post is permitted. No large or dangling earrings are allowed due to safety issues.

Excuses

• Parent note should explain why the child is unable to participate. (e.g. recovering from cold, not feeling well, allergies/asthma) Note must specify what a student can or cannot do.
• Doctor’s note is required if child is unable to participate for longer than two classes, (e.g. broken limbs, recovery form surgery or severe illness, chronic medical condition, excuse from a particular activity). Note must specify what a student can or cannot do. Once a doctor’s note is received a student may not participate until released by the doctor.

** It is very important that excuse notes are given to classroom teacher first thing in the morning so that physical education teacher is notified and may plan accordingly.