The following column is from the winter issue of the  Bluffton school newsletter, sent to community members in late January.

Bluffton Elementary Review
By Tim Closson, Elementary Principal
The first half of the 2020-2021 school year has gone very well, considering we are in a pandemic. 

Teachers are working hard to provide a challenging curriculum in remote and in-school learning.  Communication is the key to education in every school year, but this year it is our top priority.  We cannot thank the parents enough for helping us get through these tough times together. 

Kindergarten students had a productive start to school. They learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin. The Bluffton Fire Department gave presentations to our K-1st-graders for Fire Prevention Week. 

The children also dressed up as part of our ABC letter parade.  The kindergarten students learned about the first Thanksgiving, learned about Christmas traditions in other countries, and discussed Martin Luther King, Jr.'s impact on culture. The students also learned how to make "stone soup."  

The first graders have been busy. The children learned about life in the past. They had fun sharing their Christmas traditions and learning about other traditions that people around the world celebrate at Christmas.

They have been studying plants and animals and are currently working on their own animal reports. Mostly, though, they have been working on becoming better readers and writers.

Second graders are having fun. This fall they enjoyed a virtual field trip with Beth Theisen, a naturalist at Johnny Appleseed Park. They learned about living things and how they adapt to the environment. 

Students went on a nature walk around town to see some living things. December brought a new version of Santa's Workshop. The students mass-produced over 1,600 crafts in four days in Santa’s Workshop. They earned money and even paid taxes.  The money earned was then used in the Santa Store to buy crafts for gifts.    

Third grade students, eager to learn, have adjusted well to working at school and at home each week, and are doing a terrific job of following Covid protocols. 

They have learned many new computer and technology skills. Students and teachers worked hard to prepare for the English Language Arts state test that they took in October. The students are learning multiplication facts and will soon start fact tests to earn parts of a banana split sundae. 

Students enjoyed growing mystery plants, investigating mealworms in science, and, for both writing and social studies, studying other countries' cultures.

The fourth graders  enjoyed  numerous  educational  activities  through their Lion and Lamb Partnership with Louise Matthews at Bluffton University. Even though these activities have taken on a different look this year, the students still have been able to participate in the "What It's Like to be Me" series. This series teaches young people compassion, empathy, and respect for others through picture books and guest speakers.

In November, the students had a chance to ZOOM with Louise Matthews when she read aloud the book "Teammates."  This powerful story led to a great discussion of obstacles people face just because of the color of their skin. Recently, the fourth graders had the opportunity to learn more about the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr. through another ZOOM session with Louise. This time she read aloud the book "I have a Dream," which has an inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace.  

Fifth graders, showing so much resilience and gratitude during this pandemic, are working hard.  Several students are participating in band and  strings, and  members of the  5th-grade Quiz Bowl  will  compete in January and February.

During October and the celebration of Red Ribbon Week, students had an opportunity to sign the pledge   board to support a drug-free life and win prizes.  For the fall party, students dressed up as their favorite book character and did a great job. 

January
In January, students have been involved with the 10-week D.A.R.E. program.  Using the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model of saying “NO” to drugs, violence, and harmful decisions, Deputy Ted Falke and Officer Hope Hannah hold a weekly class to educate the students about making healthy choices. 

The elementary library sponsored a virtual book fair in October to help raise funds to purchase additional library and classroom books.

Parent Teacher Conferences were held through ZOOM or phone calls in November.  Over 90% of our students were represented by at least one parent, which is an outstanding show of support.  

Students displayed their musical talents virtually during this past Christmas season with grades 4 & 5 strings, vocal, and band concerts and the elementary (K-3 individual classroom) Christmas concerts/performances.

For the annual Christmas service project, the elementary staff and students collected canned goods and non-perishable items for the local Food Pantry.  Thank you for your generous donations and support for our local families.

We are grateful for support from our P.T.O., which has provided several meals for teachers.  They provided Bluffton Pirate water bottles to every student this fall.  Each student also received individual snack bags for the Christmas movies.  The P.T.O. has planned a special virtual assembly, “Extreme Science,” in February for elementary students.     

Thank you for your continuous support.  Please visit the school’s website for updated information, pictures, and monthly student newsletters at www.blufftonschools.org.