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5.26.16

HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES…WITH SHEEP BRAINS!

Newsletter for the Families of Brent Elementary John Mattingly, Jr., Principal * Nancy Rouse, Counselor * Leslie Falhaber, Secretary 8791 Brent Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45231 (513) 728-3720

The Brent Beat

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES May 26th- 4th Quarter Ends/Last Day for Students/Report Cards Sent Home

May 26th- End of the Year Celebration: Mr. Softee Ice Cream Truck Visits Brent!

May 27th- Happy Summer- NO SCHOOL- Staff In-Service Workday

Summer:

June 27th- Aug. 8th- Media Center Mondays @ Brent 9:00am-1:00pm

Next School year:

Aug. 16th- Back-to-School Celebration!

Aug. 18th- Staggered entry Grades 1 and 2 (Kindergarten Testing)

Aug. 19th- Staggered entry Grades 1 and 2 (Kindergarten Testing)

Aug. 22th- Everyone in Grades 1 and 2 Attends (Kindergarten Testing)

Aug. 23rd- Staggered Entry ½ of Kindergarten

Aug. 24th- Staggered Entry ½ of Kindergarten

Aug. 25th- All Kindergarten Students Attend

Volume 1 Issue 30

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR! HAVE A FUN SUMMER BREAK!

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Last Friday afternoon, our school psychologist Lora LeMay taught Mrs. Zerkle’s Second Grade class a little bit of brain anatomy. One of Mrs. Zerkle’s student's mother is a neuroscientist and came in last month and taught the class about neurons. They did an activity making neurons out of candy. Mrs. LeMay followed up that activity last Friday reviewing neurons and showing the class photographs of microscopic images of neurons from an internship that she did in her undergraduate studies. Mrs. LeMay also taught them about the three sections and four lobes of the brain. She showed the class sheep brains and allowed them to touch and examine them. Every single student touched the brains! Mrs. Zerkle has been teaching her students a lot about how the brain works throughout this year and her students have been very curious. When Mrs. LeMay was teaching, many students were already familiar with concepts that she was sharing. They would say, "We know that!" BRENT PTA SPIRIT WEAR With the school year coming to a close, it is a good time to stock up on some great Brent Cub items for Summer Spirit! There are many different ways to purchase! •Shop online at: http://bit.ly/SpringBrent •Return your gear drive forms with cash/check "Finneytown Elem. PTA" to Clara Nyktas 1140 Madeleine Cir., 45231. •Text 513-544-5961 or email finneytownspirit@gmail.com with questions Thanks and Go Wildcats! -Clara Nyktas SPRING ASSESSMENTS K-2 Spring MAP and DIBELS score reports will come home in today’s (the last) Thursday folder of the school year. Report Cards will also be coming home today. LOST AND FOUND: LAST CALL!

Unclaimed clothing items that have been on display on our lost and found tables over the last few weeks will be given to charity, or disposed of. Classrooms have been stopping down to visit the tables before lunch. PTA SUMMER ART PROGRAM 2016 What a wonderful way to start summer break! Summer Art Classes will be held in June for ages 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12 years old. There will be many cool art projects experimenting with different art materials. Let your child unleash their creativity and their imagination soar! Please contact coordinator Sherri Davidson at 729-5221 or SHERRI.D@TWC.COM. SUMMER RESOURCES: ONLINE LEARNING If you are taking a vacation or trip out of town and have a long car ride ahead, or if you want to continue to keep your child engaged with some fun online learning, please see the recommended websites:

Family Fun in Cincinnati www.abcya.com http://gws.ala.org http://kidspace.cincinnatilibrary.org www.starfall.com Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge IXL Math- Brush up on skills or work ahead for the next grade level!

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SIXTH GRADE MUSIC PERFORMANCE AT BRENT!

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE It is hard to believe that we are at the end of the 2015-16 school year! Another school year simply flew by! Reflecting on this year, I wanted to take the time to sincerely thank all of the Brent families and the Finneytown community for partnering with the Brent staff in providing your child(ren) a wonderful education. It takes a “village” and I look forward to continuing to grow those relationships with our families as partners. I had a great first year here and I am really looking forward to the next and seeing our students in August! I am very proud of our students as they grew so much throughout the school year and in so many ways: academically, socially, emotionally, behaviorally…and many physically sprouted up! We have AWESOME students at Brent! As I asked families in one of the first Brent Beat newsletters back in August, I will now ask again…please ask your child about what it takes to be a Superhero! Brent Superhero students are Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and are Problem Solvers. My door is always open and I welcome your comments or suggestions for ways that we can meet your needs. Please feel free to email, call, or stop by. Have an enjoyable and safe summer. Sincerely,

John Mattingly, Jr.

Principal

If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s education, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or myself. We are here to serve you and your child(ren)! Principal, Mr. John Mattingly, Jr. at jmattingly@finneytown.org or call the office at 728-3720. Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Nancy Rouse at nrouse@finneytown.org or call the office at 728-3720. Secretary, Mrs. Leslie Falhaber at LFalhaber@finneytown.org or call the office at 728-3720.