The students in Ms. Ellis-Stigler’s physical education class spent 3 weeks of pure joy jumping, climbing, swinging, pulling, hanging, balancing, and vaulting in one of the most loved units of they year – GYMNASTICS!  For the students ‘Fun and Gymnastics’ go hand in hand but hidden within all this enjoyment is the development and utilization of many basic skills.

These skills include, but are not limited to, dynamic and static balance, whole body coordination, hand-eye coordination, foot-eye coordination, kinesthetic awareness (body in space), locomotion, arm, leg, and abdominal strength, timing, rhythm, reading and comprehension!  What a great way to learn so much!

Whoever said, “Learning can’t be fun” never participated in gymnastics!

Submitted by:  Mary Ellis-Stigler, Physical Education

4K Students participated in Christmas Activities.

Rossman sure was transformed this Halloween! Children dressed up as their favorite animal, book character from book reports, what they wanted to be when they grew up, etc.  There were so many wonderful home made costumes!

Submitted by: Brooke Erickson

The Kindergarten through 5^th grade students in Ms. Ellis-Stigler’s physical education classes are currently in a tumbling unit!  This unit promotes static and dynamic balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, endurance, kinesthetic awareness, problem solving, sharing and taking turns, and perseverance. This is accomplished through activities (based on age) such as animal walks (lame dog walk, crab walk, duck walk...), core strengthening activities (prone and supine planks, dips...), balances (stork stand, v-sit, tripods, headstands, handstands, bridges...), moving activities (forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, roundoffs, handsprings...), skill sequencing (routines), and partner skills (wring the dish rag, double bear, Chinese get-up, small pyramids...).  Although this can be a demanding and challenging unit it is also tremendous fun.  The students accomplish a great deal and are thrilled with their accomplishments.  Ask them to show you what they have learned.  It will be gratifying for both of you!

Submitted by:  Mary Ellis-Stigler, Physical Education

The second graders at Rossman recently completed a Junior Achievement unit where they learned valuable lessons about the community, businesses, and the government.  The JA volunteers, Donna Gross and Laura Savatski visited the classrooms on five different days with interactive, hands-on lessons to teach the concepts.

 Our personal favorite was the Sweet-O Donuts experience.  All students took on the roles of employees at the Sweet-O Donut Shop.  The goal of the lesson was to find out if unit production was more efficient than assembly line production.  The students tried both methods to produce an end product with no defects.  The results showed hands down that in the case of making donuts, the assembly line was the way to go.

All of the second graders would like to thank our volunteers and Junior Achievement for providing such a neat experience for us.  We loved the lessons, and the certificates, pencils, and shiny REAL quarters were quite a treat as well!

Submitted by:  The Second Grade Team

The second graders at Rossman read a story called Lemonade For Sale by Stuart J. Murphy.  In the story, a group of children raised money to fix their clubhouse by opening a lemonade stand.  The kids worked hard to make the lemonade each day by squeezing the lemons, adding sugar, water, and stirring!  To help reinforce the skill of sequencing, the 2^nd graders practiced following those directions to make their own lemonade in the classroom.  A lot of work went into squeezing all those lemons, but the results were well worth it.  The lemonade turned out great, and so did the little booklets the students made showing the steps involved in making lemonade from scratch!

Submitted by:  The Second Grade Team

While the weather was frightful on November 9 outside, the second graders at Rossman were busy baking cupcakes in the warm classrooms at Rossman School.   The story for the week was called Hedgehog Bakes a Cake.  Hedgehog attempts to bake a cake with the help of his well-intentioned friends.  As it turns out, they were not such great helpers.  Hedgehog ends up dumping out their disastrous batter and starts over by himself to make the cake.  He was such a good friend, that he let his animal friends believe they were eating the cake they helped make.  All of the second grade students got to be helpers in their own classrooms as they helped measure, mix, pour, bake and frost their own cupcakes.  They were all fabulous helpers and the end results tasted amazing too.  Mr. Bui even got to sample their creations. 

Submitted by The Second Grade Teachers

Somewhere over the rainbow dreams DO come true.....at least they do at Rossman School thanks to the efforts of the incredible students and their families.  The final results of the 2011 Journey to Oz Read-a-Thon are in, and as usual, they are fantastic!  Three hundred seventy-five students participated this year and read for a combined total of 65,653 minutes.  Because of all this reading, they were able to earn $16,856.53 for our school, which will allow the PTO  to do lots of great things.

It also means that the entire school got to participate in the all school incentive that was promised if we met our goals, a “Dreams Come True” rock concert performed by the up and coming band sensation “Back to Basics”!  The gym was rocking out Wednesday afternoon as the top money earners and readers were recognized and the band consisting of former Rossman students Zach Perszyk and Zach Guyette along with Lawrence Sullivan and Sammy Gevaart entertained the dancing crowd.  It was an afternoon of celebration for a job well done.

Later that week, students who earned more than $100 in the Read-a-Thon visited Lollipop Land during their lunch hour, where they were treated to ice cream and candy galore for all of their efforts.

Tuesday, October 25^th with be the culminating activity for the Journey to Oz Read-a-Thon when all students who participated either by reading or turning in pledges will be invited to attend a “Wonders of Magic” event performed by the amazing David Seebach.  It is sure to be a “magical” evening.  Once again, thank you to all the students, parents, and teachers for making this such a successful event.

The M.I.L.E. Club is off to a great start for the 2011-2012 school year.  For the month of September 160 1^st through 5^th grade students participated!  These students accumulated 18,470 points by eating healthy and exercising !

The focus of the program is to teach the importance of eating nutritious foods and being active to obtain and maintain good health.  By eating breakfast, 5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day, and exercising, students can earn certificates and M.I.L.E. Club tokens.  

As obesity has become and is an ongoing epidemic (according to the Center for Disease Control) it has become paramount to increase the awareness and teach the importance of exercise and proper nutrition.  Participating in the M.I.L.E. Club can certainly help with this endeavor.  Although the M.I.L.E. Club is strictly voluntary, parents can assist in their child’s participation by not only encouraging them but by setting the important example of eating healthy and exercising along with their child.  

Submitted by:  Mary Ellis-Stigler, Physical Education

This year's Read-a-thon kick off was quite exciting!  "Somewhere over the rainbow; a magical reading journey to OZ" left the audience speechless as we saw Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion, Toto and the great and wonderful OZ!!! The students at Rossman read real hard to earn pledge money and minutes towards ROAR (Read On At Rossman). 

A very big special thank you to Mrs. Klink and Mr. Zielinski for making this year's Read-a-thon kick-off another year to remember!!  The time and dedication that goes into this yearly event is truly appreciated by staff,  students and parents!  Thanks guys!

Submitted by:  Brooke Erickson

Every month Rossman holds an all-school assembly called the Rossman Rendevous!  This month was a welcome back from our school counselor Mrs. Whelan who introduced us to the new students and the new leadership group!! 

Submitted by:  Brooke Erickson

The 1^st through 5^th grade students in Ms. Ellis-Stigler’s physical education classes have just completed a unit on Cooperation!  Each game/activity the students participated in was centered on cooperation!  Success was achieved by working together as one large group or numerous small groups. Each student’s contribution was valued. By the end of the unit the students could not only define cooperation but could list numerous examples and explain the importance of cooperating in many settings.  It was an enjoyable unit for everyone!

Ms. Ellis-Stigler,  Physical Education

Welcome back to another school year and another opportunity to participate in the special days of Walking To and From School.  The Rossman staff hopes you can join us in these fun and educational events.  Our September Walk To and From School event was a huge success. This is a rewarding time to spend time with your child.  It is also a great opportunity to discuss with your child the benefits of walking to school.  Through discussion and participation the following benefits can be addressed; 1) The need for daily exercise/activity, 2) The positive impact walking (or taking the bus) versus riding in a car will have on the environment, and 3) The increase in safety with fewer cars on the road! 

For the children’s safety Crossing Guards are stationed at the corners of Highland Avenue and Main Street (a.m. and p.m.), Highland Avenue and 4^th Street (a.m. and p.m.), and Rossman Street and 4^th Street (a.m.).  Join us if you can.  Our next Walk To and From School day is Friday, October 21^st.  It is truly a special event!

Submitted by:  Mary Ellis-Stigler, Physical Education

In a continuing effort to promote character education to the students at Rossman School, the PTO and the Kohls Cares for Kids Program arranged for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your child.   On September 12, 2011, Guiness World Record Holder Rob Surette performed his famous American Hero Art “Be Somebody” program for our students at the Schauer Center.

Submitted by:  Mr. Doan Bui

Everyone had a great time at our Open House!

Students arriving at their first day of school looked eager to get started with the new school year!