🍎Apple fun in Ms. Powell's 1st grade!🍏
This week, we explored apples from the inside out, making observations, asking questions, and conducting experiments to learn more about this familiar fall fruit.
Students practiced their measuring skills by comparing the height and circumference of different apples. We also tested whether apples sink or float! We took a closer look at the parts of an apple and studied its life cycle, learning how apples grow from tiny seeds to delicious fruits.
One of the highlights of the week was cutting open apples and counting the seeds inside. We compared the number of seeds in different apples and discussed what might cause the differences.
To top it all off, we experimented with oxidation...what happens when apple slices are exposed to air and start to turn brown. Students tested the effects of lemon juice, milk, baking soda, and water to see which would best keep the apples fresh. It was a great opportunity to make predictions.
It’s been a fun and fruitful week of learning, inquiry, and discovery!
This week, we explored apples from the inside out, making observations, asking questions, and conducting experiments to learn more about this familiar fall fruit.
Students practiced their measuring skills by comparing the height and circumference of different apples. We also tested whether apples sink or float! We took a closer look at the parts of an apple and studied its life cycle, learning how apples grow from tiny seeds to delicious fruits.
One of the highlights of the week was cutting open apples and counting the seeds inside. We compared the number of seeds in different apples and discussed what might cause the differences.
To top it all off, we experimented with oxidation...what happens when apple slices are exposed to air and start to turn brown. Students tested the effects of lemon juice, milk, baking soda, and water to see which would best keep the apples fresh. It was a great opportunity to make predictions.
It’s been a fun and fruitful week of learning, inquiry, and discovery!
🌿 More 2nd Grade Adventures at Anne Springs Greenway! 🔬☀️
Our next group of young scientists jumped right into the fun with another round of hands-on experiments and outdoor exploration! 🧪
From observing chemical reactions to testing insulation materials for ice, these curious minds measured, mixed, and made discoveries all day long. Their excitement for science—and nature—was contagious! 🍃💡
📸 Check out some highlights from their trip below, and stay tuned for even more photos from upcoming classes!
Our next group of young scientists jumped right into the fun with another round of hands-on experiments and outdoor exploration! 🧪
From observing chemical reactions to testing insulation materials for ice, these curious minds measured, mixed, and made discoveries all day long. Their excitement for science—and nature—was contagious! 🍃💡
📸 Check out some highlights from their trip below, and stay tuned for even more photos from upcoming classes!
🌿 2nd Grade is having a blast this week at Anne Springs Greenway! 🔬☀️
Our young scientists have been putting their knowledge of matter to the test through exciting hands-on experiments! They explored how a liquid (vinegar) and solid (baking soda) can react to form a gas (carbon dioxide), created chemical bonds, experimented with a variety of measuring tools, and even investigated the best materials to keep ice from melting. 🧪❄️
Everyone had so much fun learning and exploring in nature! 🍃
📸 Photos from other classes will be shared after their trips — stay tuned!
Our young scientists have been putting their knowledge of matter to the test through exciting hands-on experiments! They explored how a liquid (vinegar) and solid (baking soda) can react to form a gas (carbon dioxide), created chemical bonds, experimented with a variety of measuring tools, and even investigated the best materials to keep ice from melting. 🧪❄️
Everyone had so much fun learning and exploring in nature! 🍃
📸 Photos from other classes will be shared after their trips — stay tuned!
From Mrs. Jenkins:
Sweet success! 🍋📚💛
Today, my ELA classes wrapped up HMH Literacy Module 2 with a well-deserved lemonade party! 🎉 Throughout the unit, students read The Lemonade War and completed their very first text-dependent writing assignment. I’m so proud of their hard work and dedication during our first novel study of the year. They truly earned this refreshing celebration! 💪🍹
Sweet success! 🍋📚💛
Today, my ELA classes wrapped up HMH Literacy Module 2 with a well-deserved lemonade party! 🎉 Throughout the unit, students read The Lemonade War and completed their very first text-dependent writing assignment. I’m so proud of their hard work and dedication during our first novel study of the year. They truly earned this refreshing celebration! 💪🍹
🔦Student Spotlight🔦
This week we are spotlighting Mrs. Brecheisen's class:
Our students had a blast making Oobleck. A mysterious substance that's not quite a solid and not quite a liquid! As we mixed cornstarch and water, we explored how matter can behave in surprising ways. Students discussed the properties of solids, liquids, and gases, and discovered that Oobleck acts like a solid when you apply pressure, but flows like a liquid when you let it rest. It was messy, hands-on fun that brought science to life!
This week we are spotlighting Mrs. Brecheisen's class:
Our students had a blast making Oobleck. A mysterious substance that's not quite a solid and not quite a liquid! As we mixed cornstarch and water, we explored how matter can behave in surprising ways. Students discussed the properties of solids, liquids, and gases, and discovered that Oobleck acts like a solid when you apply pressure, but flows like a liquid when you let it rest. It was messy, hands-on fun that brought science to life!
Check out this weeks Tomahawk of the Week, Sabrina Villa!
Have you ever seen Ms. Villa without a smile and a great attitude? We haven't! What a joy it is to have her on this team. She is showing up and giving her best effort every day, no matter what challenges she faces! She is embracing our instructional model in third grade this year and is making it work for her. She seeks feedback and is always growing as an educator. We would take a million more just like her!
Tip of the Week from Ms. Villa: Teach a growth mindset!
Help your students understand that mistakes aren’t failures, they’re chances to learn and get better! When we praise effort and encourage them to keep trying, it helps them focus on growing instead of just being right. Try saying things like, “You’re not there yet,” or “Mistakes help your brain grow.” Celebrate when they take on challenges and remind them that with practice, they can improve in anything! 🧠🌺
Congratulations Ms. Villa! We are so happy you are a Tomahawk!
Have you ever seen Ms. Villa without a smile and a great attitude? We haven't! What a joy it is to have her on this team. She is showing up and giving her best effort every day, no matter what challenges she faces! She is embracing our instructional model in third grade this year and is making it work for her. She seeks feedback and is always growing as an educator. We would take a million more just like her!
Tip of the Week from Ms. Villa: Teach a growth mindset!
Help your students understand that mistakes aren’t failures, they’re chances to learn and get better! When we praise effort and encourage them to keep trying, it helps them focus on growing instead of just being right. Try saying things like, “You’re not there yet,” or “Mistakes help your brain grow.” Celebrate when they take on challenges and remind them that with practice, they can improve in anything! 🧠🌺
Congratulations Ms. Villa! We are so happy you are a Tomahawk!
The District is experiencing internet and phone outages. Today's board planning workshop will be back online when service has been restored. An update will be posted when available.
🔦Student Spotlight🔦
This week we are spotlighting Mrs. Morgan's class:
Students in Mrs. Morgan’s class have been hard at work mastering the art of rounding, estimating, and solving multi-digit addition and subtraction problems — and they didn’t stop there!
To show off their skills (and help others learn too!), they created math posters and shared them with our 2nd and 3rd grade classes! 🧠🖍️
It’s so fun to see students becoming teachers, building confidence, and reinforcing what they’ve learned — all while spreading some math love across the grades. 💡❤️
This week we are spotlighting Mrs. Morgan's class:
Students in Mrs. Morgan’s class have been hard at work mastering the art of rounding, estimating, and solving multi-digit addition and subtraction problems — and they didn’t stop there!
To show off their skills (and help others learn too!), they created math posters and shared them with our 2nd and 3rd grade classes! 🧠🖍️
It’s so fun to see students becoming teachers, building confidence, and reinforcing what they’ve learned — all while spreading some math love across the grades. 💡❤️
Check out this weeks Tomahawk of the Week, Lizz Newing!
If you don't know by now that Lizz Newing is an absolute superhero, then you need to come check her out and see for yourself! Calm under pressure, strong no matter what, and loving at all times...she is truly a special teacher and has done remarkable work with our most special friends. We are so thrilled she is part of our team and are so happy to have her as our Tomahawk Teacher of the Week!
Mrs. Newing's Tip of the Week:
Be consistent! Children thrive on routines and expectations. Kids will rise to high expectations, so being consistent with rules, expectations and routines help your child be successful in school, home, and the community!
If you don't know by now that Lizz Newing is an absolute superhero, then you need to come check her out and see for yourself! Calm under pressure, strong no matter what, and loving at all times...she is truly a special teacher and has done remarkable work with our most special friends. We are so thrilled she is part of our team and are so happy to have her as our Tomahawk Teacher of the Week!
Mrs. Newing's Tip of the Week:
Be consistent! Children thrive on routines and expectations. Kids will rise to high expectations, so being consistent with rules, expectations and routines help your child be successful in school, home, and the community!
Mark your calendar for the Indian Land Area Community Forum, Thursday, Sept. 25!
This Friday evening is our first "Friday Night Lights" Open Playground event! We know how eager many of our families are to be able to use our playgrounds after hours. Our School Improvement Committee is graciously sponsoring this fun, family time for kids to do nothing more than come and play on the playground! Grab your neighbors and a camp chair, and come hang out for a couple hours Friday evening! Feel free to bring a picnic, soccer ball, basketball...however, NO PETS please. We can't wait to see you Friday! 5:30-7:30pm!
🔦STUDENT SPOTLIGHT🔦
Mrs. Peura's Class
We have had a great week in 1st grade! This week we continued our unit on maps and learned what continent, country and state we live in - we also learned our home address!
We began our small moment unit where students will use detail and adjectives to describe them in their writing - this week we wrote about what we like to do on a rainy day! We worked on our fact fluency skills with adding and subtracting and number bonds! We love to add in a little extra time to simply play and have interactions freely with our friends - so we take that time to bond with other students in the class and create masterpieces by letting our imaginations soar!
Mrs. Peura's Class
We have had a great week in 1st grade! This week we continued our unit on maps and learned what continent, country and state we live in - we also learned our home address!
We began our small moment unit where students will use detail and adjectives to describe them in their writing - this week we wrote about what we like to do on a rainy day! We worked on our fact fluency skills with adding and subtracting and number bonds! We love to add in a little extra time to simply play and have interactions freely with our friends - so we take that time to bond with other students in the class and create masterpieces by letting our imaginations soar!
Murdock Orthodontics’ “Making-A-Change” Contest is back for it's 11th year!
✅ How it works:
Click the link below to visit our contest page:
Cast your vote for HARRISBURG ELEMENTARY! It's just that easy!
The 3 schools with the most votes by the end of September will be entered into a random drawing to win one of these donations:
🥇 $1,500
🥈 $1,000
🥉 $500
📢 Help spread the word:
Share the contest on your Facebook page. Make sure to tell people to vote for Harrisburg!
Link: https://murdockortho.com/making-a-change/
Check out this weeks Tomahawk of the Week, Jena Dean!
What a great lady Mrs. Dean is! We have affectionately nicknamed her "Wonder Pet" because she is hardwired to help wherever help is needed...to be present in any circumstance...whether a child is in need, a staff member, or a parent, you can count on Mrs. Dean to do whatever she can to help in any situation. She is an absolute joy to work with and is so loved by all of us!
Tip of the Week from Mrs. Dean: Get ready for the day the night before! I help my girls pick out their clothes, pack lunches, and put bookbags by the door in the evenings. This helps our mornings run smoothly and ensures that we get to school on time!
Congrats, Mrs. Dean for being a terrific Tomahawk today and every day!
What a great lady Mrs. Dean is! We have affectionately nicknamed her "Wonder Pet" because she is hardwired to help wherever help is needed...to be present in any circumstance...whether a child is in need, a staff member, or a parent, you can count on Mrs. Dean to do whatever she can to help in any situation. She is an absolute joy to work with and is so loved by all of us!
Tip of the Week from Mrs. Dean: Get ready for the day the night before! I help my girls pick out their clothes, pack lunches, and put bookbags by the door in the evenings. This helps our mornings run smoothly and ensures that we get to school on time!
Congrats, Mrs. Dean for being a terrific Tomahawk today and every day!
Over the past two weeks, Miss Wheeler's class has been learning all about waves. Yesterday, they kicked off their unit on sound waves with a fun lab! Students explored how vibrations create sound, and how they affect pitch and volume. Hands-on science at its best!
Our 3rd graders at Harrisburg Elementary had a special visit this morning from the Indian Land Rotary Club! Each student received their very own dictionary—part of a long-standing IL tradition we’re so proud to be part of.
The students were excited to flip through the pages and explore all the new words they can learn.
We’re so grateful to the Indian Land Rotary Club for continuing to support our students in such a meaningful way.
🌟Student Spotlight🌟
This week we are spotlighting Mrs. Effren's class:
In our kindergarten classroom this week, we focused on learning to write our letters and mastering phonetic sounds. We enjoyed a variety of engaging activities in our literacy centers, practiced stamping our names, and explored sensory bins featuring the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree. We also worked on our computers to help enhance what we are learning in the classroom and in our kitchen, where we got to create our own recipes. We had fun reading stories, looking for the different characters, and talking about the settings of each story. We dove right into the beginning of our illustration unit to enrich our writing, where students are learning to use shapes to create pictures. It has been a fun week in Mrs. Effren's classroom.
This week we are spotlighting Mrs. Effren's class:
In our kindergarten classroom this week, we focused on learning to write our letters and mastering phonetic sounds. We enjoyed a variety of engaging activities in our literacy centers, practiced stamping our names, and explored sensory bins featuring the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree. We also worked on our computers to help enhance what we are learning in the classroom and in our kitchen, where we got to create our own recipes. We had fun reading stories, looking for the different characters, and talking about the settings of each story. We dove right into the beginning of our illustration unit to enrich our writing, where students are learning to use shapes to create pictures. It has been a fun week in Mrs. Effren's classroom.
Check out this weeks Tomahawk of the Week, Meagan Poole!
Mrs. Poole is a shining star on a team full of shine :) She has impressed us with her leadership ability with her team and her genuine passion, commitment, and understanding of her field. She is an incredibly hard worker and is a supportive and thoughtful teammate. On top of that, she is an INCREDIBLE teacher and makes sure that each one of her students feel safe, loved, and are learning! If you have time to check out her classroom, you won't leave disappointed!
Tip of the Week from Mrs. Poole: Model positive self-talk for your child.
How we speak to ourselves has a great impact on our confidence and self-efficacy. We want students to feel empowered and capable of solving problems as they arise.When facing a difficult or non-preferred task, try encouraging a focus on perseverance rather than the difficulty of the task. For example, try saying, "I am excited to see how you persevere through this task! I am here to help you if you need me." If something is coming more naturally, try saying, "I see this is a strength of yours! I am proud of you for working hard and practicing this skill!" It is so important for students to know they have strengths and that they can push through difficult tasks! Foster positive self-talk in your child by modeling these types of dialogue.
Congratulations, Mrs. Poole! We are so glad you are a part of the Tomahawk family!
Mrs. Poole is a shining star on a team full of shine :) She has impressed us with her leadership ability with her team and her genuine passion, commitment, and understanding of her field. She is an incredibly hard worker and is a supportive and thoughtful teammate. On top of that, she is an INCREDIBLE teacher and makes sure that each one of her students feel safe, loved, and are learning! If you have time to check out her classroom, you won't leave disappointed!
Tip of the Week from Mrs. Poole: Model positive self-talk for your child.
How we speak to ourselves has a great impact on our confidence and self-efficacy. We want students to feel empowered and capable of solving problems as they arise.When facing a difficult or non-preferred task, try encouraging a focus on perseverance rather than the difficulty of the task. For example, try saying, "I am excited to see how you persevere through this task! I am here to help you if you need me." If something is coming more naturally, try saying, "I see this is a strength of yours! I am proud of you for working hard and practicing this skill!" It is so important for students to know they have strengths and that they can push through difficult tasks! Foster positive self-talk in your child by modeling these types of dialogue.
Congratulations, Mrs. Poole! We are so glad you are a part of the Tomahawk family!
🌞Picnics on the Patio = Pure Perfection! 🌞
We absolutely LOVED seeing so many smiling faces at this week’s Picnics on the Patio!
The weather was gorgeous, the company even better, and the memories—unforgettable.
Thank you to all the families who made it so special! 💙💛
Check out the September 2025 edition of The Connector, LCSD's community newsletter! https://secure.smore.com/n/kbywf
