Etna Elementary School

Where we Think, Learn, Achieve, & Care

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April 2011

ierantoni’s Place

Welcome Back!
I hope your family had a wonderful Spring Break. We are back in session and ready to finish the year out
strong. Here are a couple of “Spring Thoughts” for you to consider.

Gifted and Talented Identification

We are starting the process of evaluating students to see if they can be identified as academically Gifted
and Talented. If you are interested in learning more about this process and how it relates to your child,
please contact me during the month of April.

Parent Input on Student Placement

If you are considering making a suggestion for teacher placement for your child, the process is different
than in years past. Starting this spring, all parent input on student placement will need to be submitted
using an application form that is available in the office. Please consider the following:
• Every classroom in each grade level offers the same exposure to the curriculum.
• When classroom assignments are made for the following year, it involves a time intensive process to
make sure students are considered individually for how they will succeed based on teaching style, learning
style, interaction with peers in the classroom, student strengths, and teacher strengths.
• We cannot consider more than one request per student.
• Parent input is one determining factor and not the determining factor in placement. While we work hard
to consider parent input, placement from parent input is not guaranteed. Teachers, along with myself, take
the above listed factors into account when it comes to placing all students in classrooms.
• Parent input is due to the office by the end of the school day on April 29, 2011. Any requests received
after that date, including requests made once the class lists have been posted, will not be considered.

Calendar
4/12,13,19,20,26,27 After School Enrichment Classes 2:37 - 3:40 p.m.
4/18 Mastery Club
4/18-22 Literacy Week
4/19 Vaccination Clinic at Etna Elementary
4/21 Field Trip to SVHS “Treasure Island.” Buses leave at 8:05 a.m.
4/26 5th Grade Concert at 7:00 p.m.
4/29 Field Trip to SVHS for WWCC Presentation “misFitting In.” Buses leave at 8:05 a.m.
5/2-6 Teacher Appreciation Week
5/3 6th Grade Concert at 7:00 p.m.
5/6 5th Grade Field Trip to Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier
5/11 6th Grade Play at 7:00 p.m.
5/16 Mastery Club Cookout
5/17 4th Grade Rendezvous
5/20 SVMS Concert at Etna at 1:45 p.m.
5/24 6th Grade Lava Field Trip
5/25 Awards Ceremony at 1:00 p.m.
5/26 Last Day of School
 Congratulations!
Isabella Currie
has earned
Honors
Reader
by earning 100
Accelerated Reader
points from reading and
testing on books from
a specific list of quality
literature.
Piper Thompson
has earned the
Chloe Bassett has
earned the Honors
Indian Reader
Paintbrush and the
Award Indian
by reading all fifteen
titles nominated for Paintbrush
Indian Paintbrush, a
Wyoming Children’s
Award
Book Award.

Moose Junction by Jesse Barber

Our class went to Moose Junction with Mrs. Polly’s
class. We went snowshoeing and had a tour around
the museum. We learned about animal tracks and
the bigger the track the easier it is for the animal to
walk on the snow. We enjoyed snowshoe races and
had lunch in the museum. We had a great day!
 Doc Hudson’s Corner
A Recipe for Resilience: Why is it important and how can I help a child?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failure, be motivated by challenges, and
believe in your own abilities to deal with stress and difficulties. In our changing world, each of us will have
a chance to develop stronger resilience. Here are 4 of 7 ingredients to teach children so they can develop
resilience skills now that will help them in the future. Next month’s newsletter will discuss the last three
ingredients.
1. Emotion Awareness and Control: understanding 3. Realistic Optimism: seeing yourself and your
how they feel and expressing emotions, but not problems in a realistic light while keeping a positive
letting emotions guide how they act. outlook. But this doesn’t mean ignoring problems
and just hoping things will get better on their own!
2. Impulse Control: using “stop and think” to help
make better choices about actions. 4. Flexible Thinking: seeing a problem from more
than one perspective; taking someone else’s point
of view and coming up with more than one way to
solve a problem.

PTO News
‘Spring Break is upon us and not a moment too soon. The PTO wishes you a safe and restful break; but,
of course, a reminder of things to come when we return.

Literacy Week coincides with National “Turn off the Television” Week starting April 18th and will have us reading and
listening to the radio and focusing on the blessing of being literate. We have some exciting activities planned for the
students and teachers. More information on this worthwhile activity will follow once we are back at school.

Teacher Appreciation Week follows soon after (the week of May 2nd) and we look forward to working with you as we
express our appreciation and regard for the very important roles teachers play in the lives of our children.

We look forward to your support and help.

Etna Enrichment Express!

Students have participated in a big variety of After-School like your child to bring home a backpack full of enrichment
classes this year. We will have one final session of classes opportunities. Thank you for making sure they are returned
for this school year beginning April 12. As usual, it will be in good shape with all of the parts.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays for three weeks. We are glad In May, we will be holding registrations for our summer
that so many students have participated and enjoyed the program, Swim-N-Read, so you can be looking forward to
classes offered in Etna Enrichment Express. Thank you for that.
promptly returning your contribution or scholarship form so Thanks for your support!
we are able to finance the snacks, materials, and cover the
expenses of this program.
We will also be continuing to send home Brain Bags each
week. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would
Gus has been kind enough to share
the following adventure with us.
He gratefully acknowledges the
help of Hayden Taggart in getting
it down on paper.

I just had my bone stolen by a

coyote! I was so angry. I wanted
to tear that small, ugly, brown
pup to pieces. But I would get in
trouble if I did. (I would if I could,
so don’t think I won’t.) I was up
all night and so were my owners,
they were trying to calm me down.
The next day, we were going to
town. We went to the dog store
to see if they had any more dog
bones.
“All out of big dog bones” the
window said.
Well, the window wasn’t
talking, there was a sign. When Gus, a Coyote, and a Bone!
we got home I smelt an old dog. Gus, a Spinoni (really cool dog), shares his perspective with Mrs. Bailly’s class.
It was the coyote who stole my bone. I was going to go up on the mountain and get my bone back.
I had been walking for hours when I came across a cliff - on the edge was a giant bone. It was my bone! There was a
giant coyote guarding it.
“Whose bone?” I questioned.
“My master’s bone” it said.
“No, it’s not. It’s mine. He stole it from me last night and I want it back.”
Woosh!!! “Well, you are gonna have to fight me then.” The coyote who stole my bone jumped off a rock.
“OK” I said. “Just let me stretch first.”
“Shut up,” the furry fuzz ball said.
I had got into my karate suit. “I’m only a white belt, so go easy on me.”
He was charging at me and I tripped him. He got up and shook it off. Now I was scared. I knew I was going to die.
He was charging again. I put my foot out and his face hit it and I knocked him out. He got knocked off the cliff!
“No! I did not want to kill you.” I looked down and saw the ugly coyote on a cloud, floating.
I went up to the guard coyote and said “My bone, please.”
So I went home and I had my bone with me. I put my head on the table and there was my other big bone!

“misFitting In”
On Friday, April 29, at 9:00 a.m. Etna and Osmond students will have the opportunity to enjoy an orginal musical written
and presented by Western Wyoming Community College. “misFitting In” was written to be entertaining to both old and
young, but deals with timely topics such as low self-esteem, peer pressure, and overcoming the effects of bullying.

How many books do you have checked out? Now

is the time to start searching under your bed, in your
closet, and inside Dad’s shoes for those extra school
library books so you can turn them in to Mrs. Roberts.
Thank you!
Mastery Club
Winter 2011
 “But I thought Lady Jane was hurt. I thought the
baby was . . .”
“Dead, I know, but he just had to ‘wake up’
before entering our world.”
Dad smiled down at me as the vet, Dr. Keilson,
announced, “Healthy little guy. Best one I’ve seen
out of Hancock in a while. But I don’t know how
you get a blue roan out of that mix.”
While Dad and Dr. Keilson talked, I crept over to
the little blue colt’s side. No words were spoken.
Not a motion was made between us. I seemed to
sink into those curious shining eyes and him into
mine. A peculiar wave of feelings swept over me
like a gentle cooling breeze. I felt understanding,
care, and love for this foal. He seemed so strong,
Etna 2011 Young Authors Winners so determined. How could a little colt be so
Emma Oesch, Miah Atwood, Rio LeFevre, Hannah Tallerico powerful!
Congratulations also to Honorable Mention Winners: It was Dad’s voice that snapped me back to
Isabella Currie, Grayson Jenkins, and Josie Currie reality. “What do you see?”
“He’s amazing and so powerful.” I feathered the
Please enjoy their award winning entries! words over my tongue like delicate trinkets.
Dad beamed, “He will be a very muscular
A Cowgirl’s Tribulation to Triumph Quarter Horse and I can see the speed in his eyes.”
by Emma Oesch And then he added, “Thank you, Doctor, for all
I stood looking across the dry front lawn at the barn with worry. your help!”
I cringed as Lady Jane let out another pain-stricken bellow. The “That’s why I do what I do, because it’s
dusty strawberry roan was supposed to have foaled over two weeks rewarding!” Dr. Keilson’s words seemed to smile
ago. When her little one finally did come there’d been some trouble as they drifted from his mouth.
and we’d had to get it turned around. I turned to Dad and announced, “I know what I’ll
Lady Jane was bred 12½ months ago along with her sister, Secret name him.”
Wish. Secret Wish had already dropped her foal, a strong black Curiosity tinged Dad’s eyes.
colt! His daddy, Cheyenne Scout, was a 5-year round blue ribbon “Champion’s Will.”
winner and bred to Triple Leo. Lady Jane was simply bred to Mr. “Oh dear, how did you pick that?” Dad pressed.
Hancock, a local bay stallion with just the basics. I took a deep calming breath and explained,
Another whinny of stress roused me from my thoughts. Lady “Like you said, he’ll be strong, and fast too. Those
Jane was a horse I could hop on and ride forever. I loved her, are some characteristics of a champion. But a
but no one else rode her because she was spooky around cows. champion has to have more than agility. He has to
Normally, on a cow ranch (like Dad’s), a horse like Jane would be have wits too. He got those from his mom. But
dog food by now. But I had begged Dad not to sell her and Dad had even if a horse has all these, there’s no way he’ll be
seen it as an opportunity to show me “the responsibility of caring a true champ without a will to do it.”
for a horse.” Lady Jane stayed as long as I fed her, watered her, Dad and Dr. Keilson looked at me, both appeared
brushed her, and kept her in shape. thoroughly impressed. I returned their stare, not
Suddenly, I felt myself sprinting for the barn door. A bug of letting my gaze falter.
worry wormed its way into my stomach. Another blast of straining I reached down to stroke Champ’s velvet soft
neighs filled my ears. I ran as fast as I could until I felt my heart nose. Immediately as I touched him, a new thought
was sure to burst. That bug was now tearing holes in the pit of my popped into my head.
stomach. Please girl, be okay! The heart of a champion. The will of a fighter.
I exploded into the stall, red-faced and sweaty. I looked around
and gasped at the scene. A bundle of crumpled limbs and hair lay Mom by Miah Atwood
motionless in the hay.
I knew it; I just knew this would happen! This is all my fault! Mom,
Just as the thought entered my mind, two flint-black eyes looked Loving, kind,
up at me. Laughing, working, helping,
“It’s a colt, Lee,” Dad replied putting a calloused hand on my Wonderful in every way,
shoulder. Happy
Summer by Rio LeFevre May Weeds by Rio LeFevre
I really love summer a lot, April showers bring May flowers
But it goes faster than I thought! They say flowers should pop up by and by
I wanted to make summer last a bit longer, But through years of experience I know that’s a lie
But how to do it? That made me ponder. Yearly across my garden they breed
Then, I had it! I would close all the schools! April showers bring May Weeds
With a sign that said “closed,” I’d trick all those fools!
But before I could start, before I’d begun,
My mother found out and my plotting was done.

Malaniche’s Revenge by Hannah Tallerico little sister, Marie, led my mare to the stable and told us to
“Angeline, Angeline,” I frantically called. Where could be safe.
she be? I had seen her just five minutes ago. I started to With small packs on our backs and completely
panic. Scared to death, I started dashing around our house disoriented on the “way” to go we set off into the woods.
as fast as a cheetah. I searched everywhere thoroughly for “Jenny” I heard a sorrowful echoing cry and glancing
my sister, in all of her normal hiking spots. I searched all down I saw boot prints and splatters of Angie’s ox red
of the house. blood.
I was freaking out. I was 14 and had finally convinced “Wooga! Wooga! Knack Knack” out of the woods burst
my mom to let me watch my 9 year old sister, Angeline. a menagerie of hippo/hyena creatures.
“Okay, come out now, you win,” I hopefully pleaded. “Monguls!” I gasped. I frantically searched for a
Not a sound, not even the usually give away giggle. Than weapon, anything. At last my hands clasped upon a stick.
it hit me, she was in her room! Her best hiding spot. I Lashing out, I beat a mongul to the left of me.
raced to her sleeping chamber, her room. “Back” Luke hollered. The monguls slunk into the
Only, to my horror did I find the window smashed to shadows.
smithereens, big black boot prints and splatters of ox red “Cresspon an tooyan” Luke ordered.
blood. On the broken windowsill was a note. It read, James and I stared at Luke, bewildered.
“What, so now you know I speak animal tongue” Luke
Jennifer, explained.
“Then you guys should know Malaniche is my dad” I
I’ve got Angeline.
blurted. Mortified I slammed my hands over my mouth.
Give me your brain to absorb your anamaga powers.
“What?” James exploded.
Your life for your sister.
“Get away!” Luke bellowed.
Signed Malaniche “I’m sorry” I cried sorrowfully. They just ignored me.
Tears dripped down like a leaky faucet. I stumbled through
And then I screamed, “Stay cool fool” I murmered to the forest branches slapping my limbs and face.
myself. I scribbled a note to my mom assuring her Angie And then I fell. At first it was a sinking sensation, but
and I were OK and would be home soon. then I realized I was stuck in quicksand. “James, Luke”
I raced out to the stables and quickly threw my faded I hopelessly called. They weren’t coming. In fear, I
saddle blanket and weathered saddle on my sweet mare, clutched my necklace and remembered the past . . . .
Sugar. I tightened the throatlatch on the bridle and then Malaniche, an evil sorcerer in disguise had met my
swung on, and spurred Sugar into a gallop towards James’ mother, they fell in love, had me, and after revealing his
house. true self he had left my mom heartbroken.
Arriving and panting exactly 20 minutes later I banged When Malaniche and my mom were still married, I was
heavily on James’ front door. in his lab. While he was running from a mouse I had drank
“James” I screeched. “Malaniche, he’s found us.” a potion and an amulet had appeared. The strange thing
“Calm down, Jenny” my other friend, Luke, soothed. was, the amulet, an opal elephant was impossible to
“No!” I screamed as I went into a ballistic fit of take off.
punching and screaming. Holding my necklace, I spun around in a trance. I
“He’s got Angie, wants to eat my brain, and what is an chatted “Crocodile, crocodile.” Then I felt scaly and long
anamaga?” and short. I held a claw to my face – no, snout, and I
“Okay, we believe you” James spoke calmly. realized I was a crocodile!
The next half hour we spent doing our preparations, “Cool!” I thought as I climbed out of the quicksand and
which was putting survival equipment into packs. James’ croaked “Jennifer!”
 After a while, Luke and James heard my cries and made
a quick decision and the followed my trail of snapped
twigs, finding me sitting up looking very unhappy to see
them.
“Look we acted dumb” Luke started.
“And we are really sorry” James added.
“Friends?” they offered sticking out their hands.
“Friends, I agreed putting my hand into the pile.
“But you should know I’m an anamaga” I blurted. My
companion took it well after I explained it to them. We
continued our journey under the high noon sun.
Looking down, I noticed those big boot prints and
Angie’s ox red blood.
My two companions followed me as I burst into a
clearing. Then we saw it.
It was a horrifying sight. A tall black castle with an
eerie surrounding faced us. A rough, jagged cliff guarded
the castle. Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave!
“Are you sure?” questioned James. Samuel Lechner, in Mrs. Moore’s 5th grade class, did a
“Positive” I confidently answered. presentation called “How a Spider Builds Its Web.” He
We started towards the rock of death. showed them how it’s done using the iPad. Then, after
“Okay guys, I’m going to turn into an animal and take watching a brief video, they spun webs on the geo-boards
you up there” I declared. using rubber bands. It was awesome!
“Mountain Goat, Mountain Goat” I chanted then
“BAM!” I felt well, goaty.
With a bit and a buf my friends were on my back. I
started climbing and quickly developed a pattern.
Jump, steady self, three steps, repeat. Except for a slight
slip at the end it was smooth going. Quickly changing
into myself I mustered up the courage to open up the door
just big enough for our trio to slip in.
“Where are the guards?” Luke whispered.
“He’s so feared, there’s no need” I said coldly.
“Well, well, well, I’ve been waiting” a cold voice hissed
from the shadows. Malaniche looking more evil and
vile than ever, emerged from the shadows holding a limp
Angie.
Suddenly a plan formed in my mind. “Guys, get ready
to grab Angie on 3” I whispered.
“1, 2, mouse, mouse, 3”
Me, in my new mouse form, chased a screaming
Crayon-ology
Malaniche around.
Rio LeFevre, in Mrs. Moore’s 5th grade class, did a project
“Aaah, mouse, nightmare” he shrieked. I chased the
on how crayons are made. She first presented a poster on
rat to his own dungeon. I rapidly turned into myself and
how crayons are made to the class. Then she showed a
locked the door.
short movie on how factories make crayons with workers
Smiling to myself I retraced my steps and found my
and machines. Finally, the class was able to make their
smiling friends and a giggling Angie.
own crayons.
After cleaning Angie’s cuts and finding an old Polaris
To make the crayons the class worked together. They
we sped through the forest under a disappearing sun.
took turns stirring peeled crayons and paraffin wax over a
After dropping off my loyal companions and retrieving
stove. Once melted, the wax was poured into star shaped
my horse, my sister and I arrived home at 8:00 p.m. –
molds. Each student received a star crayon of either
right before my mom.
orange, brown, pink, blue or green.
“Angeline. Oh no, Angeline,” I screamed.
The class had a great time. It was a fun and colorful
“I’m here” she called, popping up from behind a plant.
experience!