Postcards and Encouragement

Sandy Hook Elementary School
12 Dickenson Dr
Sandy Hook, CT 06482

Let's reach our arms across the nation and hug and hold close in our prayers all who were involved in this tragedy.

This world is not our home we're just a'passing through. If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me from heaven's opened door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Love to Students, Parents, Teachers, Friends, Family

Allison Vaughn

Yesterday

I taught kindergarten.
I was a public school kindergarten teacher.
I just keep thinking and thinking...

Do you ever notice when watching a kindergarten teacher cross the street with her class, she stands directly in the middle of the road? Kindergarten teachers have the natural yearning to protect your child, even at the expense of their own lives. I was one of those teachers that would have risk

ed my own life for those of the kids in my class.

That being said, I wasn't always treated kindly by parents. A parent was once irate with me because her son cut his hair in my classroom. It's petty. That same kid, I would have jumped in front of a speeding car, if coming at my line of crossing kids.

So, please treat your teachers with the kindness, compassion, and respect that they deserve. Your child is your world and for 7-8 hours out of the day your child is the world to his or her teacher.

Hug your children, first and foremost. But, please, don't forget to hug your child's teachers, too.

(Mrs. Oltman speaking now: For the record, I am SO blessed to have parents at school who care so much about the teachers and the education we offer in our little town. The past events have hit the nerve of nearly every teacher in America and perhaps the world. As a mom and teacher, it has been overwhelming. My earlier post portrays that. Thank you for the best job in the world! Thank God for the promise of his return...whenever that may be.)

In the Light of His Glory & Grace

Hello everyone!

It is with a heavy heart that I am updating our blog. As I'm sure you have similar feelings, I am deeply saddened by the events today in Connecticut. 

As a mother and a teacher it cuts to the core of my being and makes me revel in the thoughts of the day when Jesus comes to take us home. Days like this make you want to run to the hills and hide in a cave with your family...

But we can't. Our Lord has promised us that he will never leave nor forsake us. He's coming to get us.

I want to be ready! 

I look into the eyes of my children and thank God for them. I also am so thankful for each of your children as well. Our Christmas party was light, happy, and fun! Such a great way to head into vacation. 

As stress is a daily battle for each of us it reminds me that God wants us to take those burdens to Him. 

Encouraging one another and building each other up, not tearing each other down, will lend a huge hand in shoving the anxieties of life out the door.

What an emotional day.

Please join me in a solid prayer without ceasing for the families of the little children who died today. Also pray for everyone else who was affected. Thinking about it tears me up inside.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you until we meet again!

God is good all the time & all the time God is good.

Give your kids a hug for me!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

Look full in His wonderful face. 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the Light of His glory and grace.

The link below is a beautiful song that reminds me of heaven and I wanted to share:

So Far Away 

Amen.

Is Anybody There?

Now that it's nearly Christmas I am zoning out into the frosty dreamless sleep and thoughts of sugarplums dance in my head. I certainly don't mean to be distracted but I'm definitely feeling the Christmas Spirit and my mind is all over the place with gleeful images of my kids in the snow and sneaking into the living room early Christmas morning to open a present or two.

Before I forget, I found the perfect photo that says how I'm feeling better than I ever could have!

December

I'm sorry but this is NOT the weather we should be having during the month of December. However, I am a big fan of the sunshine and heat at any time so I guess I shan't complain!!

Happy December and may snow come eventually. :)

Trust

In an exercise as a class today we talked about trust. Whether we are friends or not, trust is a necessity and it can sometimes be scary. In order to demonstrate, I did the activity first. I let them know the procedures and after that it was up to them. I chose to trust them. :) They did great! Ryan was nervous but tried it like a hero! Trevor was also a little bit anxious but he did it! Kyler chose the "negative" exposure because it looked cool. 

Sorry the videos are sideways. Couldn't seem to edit that. 

It was a fun way to nurture the bonds in our class.

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul and all your might and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path."

It's the Holiday Season!

Just a quick update about life at MSAS: It's Christmas time! Woohoo!

Mrs. Anderson & Mrs. Oltman Prep for Holiday Season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGq7-So_dfU&feature=youtu.be


Watch out! The little teachers are coming to town and they're not afraid to look -- well, crazy!

Gotta give a shout to Mrs. Briggs for being the arms of Mrs. Anderson and Teacher Sandi for being Mrs. Oltman's!

Food for Thought

It is not what you do for your children, but what you've taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. 

Happiness

Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.

La Fiesta!

 Yesterday we celebrated "martes" which means Tuesday! No reason except that we wanted to really learn about the food of Latin America. We watched some movie clips of KIDS doing great Latin Dances. We ate, ate, and ATE delicious food! Some of the foods Mrs. Oltman hadn't even heard of before. It was delicious! The scrumptious flavors filled the hallways and there were even tons of leftovers! Enjoy some of the photos from la fiesta!

Pet Food Delivered to Humane Society!

For those of you who haven't made it down the halls of school lately or talked to anyone from our class, our outreach project for 1st quarter was a dry pet food drive. 

After several weeks of kids bringing in pet food, each class brought in a very large amount of pounds. Last year we raised 726#!

3/4 Grade: 186.1 lbs.
7/8 Grade: 187.45 lbs.
1/2 Grade: 188.3 lbs.
Pre/K: ....wait for it

     372.7 POUNDS!

Grand Total: 934.6 lbs!!

We also received a $50 donation from the Milton-Freewater Thrift Store! Thank you!!

Science Fair & History Project - MANIA

About a month ago I asked students to think of a science project for the science fair. 

A couple of stipulations: 

They were to provide a typed scientific method that supported their research & they needed to tell how their project effects the environment. 

Other than that, I was able to let them choose what interested them the most! 

Wow, the results exceeded my expectations drastically! 

Thank you to parents who were involved and to kids who did it on their own, way to go!

Chandler wanted to know if you could break your jaw on a jawbreaker. Well, it's true! You can! Your jaw can put about 100 pounds of pressure on any item. A jawbreaker cannot be broken with less than 1,000 pounds of pressure! Who knew?

As the kids listen, they respond to the presenters.

Will was able to store enough solar energy to light up a couple of Lego houses! Rad! 

If you haven't seen it yet, you have to stop by and take a look at their projects! Wow! 

Caidyn made me nervous to drink water! IF we're not careful, it could be contaminated with oil or other toxic pollutants.

One more view to lure you into the wonderful world of science!

Some of the flags made by the kids today in history class. We are studying Latin America.

This week on our blog: More Puppets!

 Right now in English, we are writing puppet shows!
They are working hard to give the Kinderschoolers a motivational skit that illustrates tools for some inevitable events their little lives will encounter.

Mrs. Oltman couldn't resist sharing "The Ninja Prayer" by Brittany Engelhart

http://www.storyharvest.com/article/287/stories/ninja-prayer

Mi hermana es muy linda y la amo. Oh Nanny. :)

Loosely translated: My sister is so cute and I love her! 

No Whining!

In case you hadn't heard, kids caught whining in class must wear this shirt until the class bell rings. This gives no one more joy than Mrs. Oltman! Rules: Where would we be without you?

Puppets!

We are writing puppet shows to present to the Kinderschoolers! 

Teacher Sandi

Work, work, work - All day long!

I just want to give a shout to our dear Teacher Sandi. She works so diligently and happily every day. She's a vital asset to our class and we are very thankful for her! She may not think it but I sure couldn't do my job without her! Thank you Sandi!

Go Math Website

https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do

Tired of the homework headaches from the new math curriculum?
Use this website to help kids with their math homework!

40-day Fast

The kids are showing off their calendars they made to mark down the days of their 40-day fast. I've given up coffee shops Facebook for 40 whole days! Keep motivating these kids because they probably could use it. I know some of you have been dangling the bait in front of their little noses...shame on you! Haha, just kidding. Anyways, it's great watching their perseverance!

VIDEO OF ODS!

http://youtu.be/DLVZpxgT1no

ODS at Camp MiVoden!

Oh Hayden Lake: We heart thee.

 Drama team having a pow-wow

 Final curtain call for our rendition of: The Parent Trap!

Will and Dustin: Word to their mothers.

Wyatt R and Trevor trying to stretch the wooden broomstick.

Pastor Kenny Campbell showing the kids how his father stretched it. 

They're gonna sing, sing, sing. They're gonna SHOUT, SHOUT, SHOUT!

Flag Raising

 Live Long and Peace Out Baby

?? (Miss Bechtel and Mrs. Oltman) ??

Mini Camp Director, Paisley and her mama Michaela

Wyatt thought this was hilarious. I agree. He's a funny kid!

Brandin shows off his sweet apron like a trooper and smiled while he did his tasks! Way to go!

Go Shellie Go!

Goodnight, Camp MiVoden! Until next time...

See ya, dudes!

Tarzan, help Jane!

Oh. My. Oh. My. What a thrill! I just can't believe the rush of a swing! Too bad it cut out before I let go and was swinging upside down. That was when the fun really began... haha! Enjoy! More pictures of our trip to come!

Mrs. Oltman on the giant swing...nbd

Camp MiVoden

We are about to leave for Outdoor School! I'm really looking forward to the events ahead. Most of all I can't wait to see the kids and their personal choices for Christ. Pray for us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghC3gqNQJPQ

No Bullies Allowed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnMIHpdYwX8

We are made in the image of God. Please remember to love each other as He first loved us.

Week 5 now? Woohoo!

Well, we've made it through the first four weeks of school!

A couple of great field trips, a ton of organizational skills, some responsibility lessons, respect, new friends, old friends, and a sweet 50 year celebration around the corner!

Gabe enjoying our newly added reading couch!

Thanks for all of your support! Your kids are so great!

Welcome Back Sailors!

I am truly honored to be your teacher.

This year we will be learning about the Fruits of the Spirit. Our class song is: Proof of Your Love by King & Country. I feel like God inspired this song for our class so we might show others that love is all you need. Throughout the classroom you'll be able to see the lyrics in action. It's amazing how much love our Creator has for each of us.

It is already looking like a busy, fun-filled year with plenty of adventure ahead. I hope you're ready to work hard, make new friends, and learn to love God and each other more. Thanks for being a part of my class! It wouldn't be the same without you!

Mrs. Oltman

Click on:


Proof of Your Love to hear our classroom song!


Banana Brain Break for a giggle.