PE pacer test

The students pictured below were participating in the PACER test in PE last week. We had one Birch Meadow student break a school record completing over 100 "laps" of the PACER.

You can see the details of the PACER according to the web site http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/the-pacer-fitness-test.html

The PACER Fitness Test, also referred to as the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run test, is a fitness test designed to test your ability to stay on pace and stay in shape. In general, the PACER fitness test is used by young children in grades K-3, and by sports teams looking to gain an advantage and learn to pace themselves on the court or field. It is seen as being a particular effective test for younger children, because it's seen as a fun activity for them. It also helps them build up their self-esteem, because those children that finish last or are in the least shape actually finish the PACER fitness test first. It helps the kids stay in shape, too, but doesn't force them to run laps or sprint around the gym or field to do so.

How The PACER Fitness Test Works
Line up the runners at the starting line and press play on the CD. Each runner should then run the full 20 meters, touch the line at the end of the 20 meters with their foot and wait for the CD to beep. When it does, they can then pace themselves and run back to the starting place. Runners then wait for the next beep before repeating the run. They continue doing this until they cannot get to the next line before the CD beeps. The beeps will start off slow, so be sure to tell them to pace themselves before trying the PACER fitness test. Once they fail to reach the other end before a beep twice, they are finished.
Each 20-meter run counts as one lap. As a runner runs, have a partner handy to mark down each lap that he runs. Once he fails to make the run before the beep, they are finished. Their total laps is their total score. The CD contains 21 minutes or 21 levels of this. The highest score wins the PACER fitness test.

The time between each beep decreases every minute requiring students to increase their pace.

Arts Fest - Student art work and chorus

The following pictures are Birch Meadow art work which was on display at Reading Memorial HS during arts fest. Arts fest also included two chorus performances. The chorus performed for family and friends and a second performance welcomed attendees from across the country to the Blue Ribbon Conference held in Reading. If you would like to see our chorus perform please come to Open House on 5/25. The chorus will perform at 6:30 PM prior you having the opportunity to visit your child's classroom.

Biography Day and Pioneer Day

Grade 2 participates in Biography Day and Grade 3 students share their pioneer projects.

April news and updates - Blue Ribbon, Tech Sharing Day, etc.

BLUE RIBBON
Thank you to Marcia Greene from Blue Ribbon Schools who came to review the work done by Birch Meadow since our Blue Ribbon Survey last October. She was encouraged by the work being done by teachers, parents, and students. We are on the right path to become a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. She is reviewing data and information from her visit and will report back to us about our progress. I will continue to share with you any new information.

Grade 5 Enrichment
We had "Lexington Minutemen" visitors who presented to the 5th grade about colonial history.





Blue Ribbon Presenters
Many Birch Meadow teachers presented education resources and content at Reading Public Schools National Blue Ribbon Conference. Congratulations to the following staff who presented at the conference: Jennifer Scribner, Beth Slater (twice), Jennifer Emmett, Melissa Fleishman, Rick Downes, Joanne Garelick, Jolene Tewksbury (twice), Kerry Mullen, Kristie Lambert (twice), Jan Rhein (twice), and parent Liz Rogers.

Technology Sharing Day

Thank you to the parents who attended technology sharing day. The pages below are links in response to the feedback forms which were turned in. We appreciate your support!
Parent comments and questions from technology sharing day
Web link for students to practice typing and technology directions for parents

Technology Sharing Day

If the pictures below are not working, Click here to see the pictures from the Technology Sharing Day 2011.

The week in pictures 4/4 - 4/8

MCAS testing took place the past two weeks for grades 3, 4, and 5!



Tin Cup Adventures Enrichment Program for grade 3!



Hawaiian Music and Dance enrichment for grades K and 1!



Technology Sharing Day - Kindergarten


Walk to School Day!

Grade 3 Pioneer Day

Thank you to the PTO and enrichment volunteers for helping make Grade 3 Tin Cup Adventures a success. Follow this link to see pictures.

Technology Sharing Day

Technology Day Power Point Presentation

Thank you to all the parents who attended the technology sharing day. Please contact the classroom teacher or Mr. Sprung if you have questions related to classroom technology. We are also able to provide ideas how you can use technology at home to support your child's education.

Pictures and video from the day will be posted next week.

Honesty is our character theme this month

Birch Meadow’s character education program focuses on 6 themes of character: Respect, Friendship, Responsibility, Honesty, Cooperation and Caring. Honesty is the character trait we will be focusing on this month. In order to reinforce Honesty through literacy, all students will be listening to or reading the book Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez. This book tells a tale about why it is better to tell the truth than to panic and try to cover up a problem. Teachers and staff will be looking for students showing Honesty and we are encouraging parents to do the same at home. Your child will be bringing home a bear this week. Please reward your child when you see him/her showing Honesty by filling out the bear with your child’s name, room number and what they did to show Honesty. The bear will be added to the other bears in a container in the office and posted in the lobby.
Mr. Sprung will read one bear from each grade level at our next assembly.
The bear will be returned to you at the end of the month. Thank you for your cooperation with this program, and we look forward to reading how your child has shown Honesty at home!

Wednesday, April 6th events

We have a busy Wednesday this week!

Walk to School Day is Wednesday morning. Students who walk or ride their bike should come to the playground on Wednesday morning to receive their prize.

Technology Sharing Day is Wednesday from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM. Parents are invited to attend and will have a chance to win a KINDLE.

PTO meeting on Wednesday night will feature a presentation from 1st grade teachers. In addition, you will see a draft of the new report card which will be used during the 2011 – 2012 school year.