Let's Say good-bye to January

It's been a strange and cold month but we've managed to eek out some amazing moments as well.

We had a group of 5th grade students create bookmarks, sell them at a bargain price to raise money for our local humane society. They raised over $100.00 through their bookmark venture.  Bravo to our young humanitarians from Mrs. DeGabriele's class.

{5th grade group at Cedar Valley Humane Society}

We also had a wow moment with Mrs. Janssen's class when they brainstormed with Cedric Liu in the lead as they tried to figure out the theme in the glass case outside the library. I put the case together right before we paused for a day to celebrate the amazing life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I didn't put any book about him in the case feeling like that might be a giveaway.  Their class will receive a free hour in the library when we break out the maker space cart with legos, magnetic blocks, card games, and other gadget time building sets. Sometime I even reward the class with a treat during this free time of fun. 

Last Friday we finished off the week with a Super Hero day and it was so much fun! Teachers and students alike dressed up in their favorite heroes and a few like myself got creative and made up out our heroes. I love the joy this day brought to many around our school.  Thank you to all who participated and especially to our Social Ambassadors who helped by participating.

(Ambassador Team)

(Kindergarten teachers-"what's your superpower?)

Kindness Month begins in February and that puts us one month closer to the end of winter. YEAH! 

Dr Martin King's legacy of service

Dr Martin Luther King changed the cultural history of these United States of America through his words, actions, and his deep felt belief that he could make a difference.

We have many books available to teach empathy, peace, teamwork in the library as well as great books about his life and that  critical time of our history.  It is important for kids to get a deeper understanding of where are country has traveled through civil rights issues.  We are still fighting them on many levels today.

Click this Scholastic link for lesson plans to celebrate this day.  Find a way for your class to volunteer just like Dr. King did.  #actsofkindness

Come check out a few resources from the library to celebrate this important holiday...

Project Valentine

6th Grade Ambassadors

With a newly formed 6th grade group of Hansen Ambassadors we successfully partnering with our neighboring care center for a Valentine treat. This group of students with a few friends decorated 69 bags and delivered them to classrooms to be filled with handmade valentines. A few days later they picked up the bags, checked each bag to make sure they had at least 20 cards in each one and made a bunch of valentines during their recess time to fill in the 10 bags that never found a classroom.  We also added 2 bite-sized chocolate bars to each bag for an added surprise.

 Thank you to all Hansen students who helped us fill these bags!!

On Thursday, February 12 we delivered 5 boxes filled with our valentine treat bags to the residents of Cedar Falls Health Care Center.  Each student had the opportunity to hand a treat bag to several of the elder residents, making each person smile.  We wish we could have captured their smiling faces on camera!

Students enjoyed it as much as the residents did and it was amazing to watch Hansen students care so much about each resident getting the correct bag of treats.  Students have brainstormed the idea to bring Spring decorations to the care facility as well.  Way to go Hansen Ambassadors.

A few quotes from student ambassadors:

" I really enjoyed doing this service project, and my favorite thing we did had to be, seeing all of the residents elated faces when we gave them the gifts!" ~Dylan

"I felt very good being a part of this and being able to go to the CF Health Care Center; it really made me feel good inside. I hope we can do something like this again." ~Anaya

"It felt good to brighten peoples' days" ~Jenna

"I loved the visit; it was fun and we definitely made a great difference in people's lives" ~Serina