Collect your box tops!

January 24, 2012

We know many of you have been collecting Box Tops for Education. Thanks to some changes in the program, McGuffey now gets 10¢ for every Box Top you collect. It may seem like a drop in the bucket, but most years, McGuffey raises nearly $500 through Box Tops—that’s enough to cover the cost of a bus for two or three field trips!

There are a huge number of participating products, from groceries to office supplies, most of which you buy anyway. Remember, this is a program that grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends can participate in.

Liz has a box for collecting Box Tops in her office, so once you have a few collected, be sure to drop them off!

Posted in fundraising, McGuffey

Winter Break Camp

January 23, 2012

In case you didn’t hear, Winter Break Camp was a blast! We built cities, created shapes, went hiking, and took a whirl at bowling. It was a fantastic week, and a great way to manage an unusual academic calendar this year.

Posted in community, intermediate unit, McGuffey, preschool, primary unit, upper unit

Take this for a spin!

January 20, 2012

We are excited to announce an amazing addition to our Trivia Night auction!

You could place the winning bid for a Precor UBK 815 Upright Cycle at Trivia Night, Saturday, February 4th. The self-powered UBK 815 upright bike features custom-designed handlebars with integrated handheld heart rate for maximum comfort and efficient workout experience. One-handed seat adjustment on or off the bike, redesigned saddle for riding comfort, and improved knee over pedal spindle (KOPS) geometry for efficient pedaling mean a smooth, comfortable workout.

This bike is a heavy duty, commercial piece of equipment which has a list price of $3,000. It’s the perfect way to keep those New Year’s resolutions, so start thinking about placing a bid! The bike was donated by Commercial Fitness Solutions. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Commercial Fitness Solutions owner Mark Ramage for the donation, and McGuffey parent Karen Staley, who helped coordinate.

Posted in announcements, fundraising, McGuffey

Visit to Jungle Jim’s

January 19, 2012

Right before Winter Break, the primary through upper units took a field trip to Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield. Students were guided through the store and learned about the foods of different cultures and communities as well as learning about the inner workings of a huge grocery store.

Posted in community, field trip, intermediate unit, primary unit, social studies, upper unit

Sewing and STEM

January 18, 2012

Just before Winter Break, the third and fourth grade students designed and created their own sock puppets and stuffed “animals”. We combined the practical skill of sewing with using our spatial skills in design. The result was a classroom of engaged students all the way up to break, and many delightful creatures! The sock puppets will stay in the classroom for all-school use, but the stuffed creatures got to go home. Some of the creatures were still under construction—if anyone needs any spare resources, please let me know.

Posted in art, intermediate unit, math, McGuffey, science, technology

Please contribute to silent auction baskets!

January 17, 2012

We are currently assembling gift baskets to contribute to the silent auction that occurs at Trivia Night on February 4th, 2012.

Because of the extended Winter break this year, we don’t have much school time to assemble contributions for the baskets, so we’ll need your help as quickly as possible!

Just think—if each child in the school donated one item from our gift basket wish list, all the baskets would be full.

As we continue to make our way through this challenging economic time, it is important that every McGuffey family do their part in our fundraising efforts. We’re counting on each one of you to help make this event a success.

Please consult the basket wish list and see how you can contribute. When you find an item you’d like to contribute, please email Wendy Duvall so that she can update the wish list.

Thank you in advance for your contribution!

Posted in announcements, fundraising, McGuffey

Trivia Night 2012

January 6, 2012

It’s that time of year—our third annual Trivia Night!

WHO? You and anyone who would like to attend.

WHAT? For those of you new to McGuffey, Trivia Night is one of McGuffey’s largest fundraisers. The success of this event helps avoid more arduous fundraising efforts that many other schools engage in.

Teams of eight people gather at the Community Arts Center for a spirited trivia competition. Terrible at trivia? Don’t worry—many of us are, but we still have a fantastic time. During the event you’ll have an opportunity to bid on a multitude of silent auction items.

WHEN? Saturday, February 4th. Social hour begins at 6pm, trivia begins at 7pm.

WHERE? Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Avenue, Oxford.

HOW DO I ATTEND? Simply visit the Trivia Night web page and purchase tickets. Payment is processed through PayPal, but it is not necessary to have a PayPal account. PayPal accepts all major credit cards.

You do not need to have a team in order to attend—we will be happy to assign you to one! This is a common occurrence that happens all the time. We’ll make sure you know who your teammates are ahead of time.

Bring a “picnic” dinner for your table to enjoy from 6–7pm. Beer and wine will be available for sale. Complimentary dessert and coffee will be provided.

Posted in announcements, fundraising, McGuffey

Alumni to Visit on December 26

December 22, 2011

Posted in Uncategorized

Intermediate and Upper Social Studies

December 16, 2011

In both the intermediate and the upper units, we studied our land and its first people. We found out where and why “tribes” settled in certain regions by the artifacts they left behind. We got to examine genuine Native American artifacts that were loaned to us by a local collector. We took an in-depth look at the Art of the Plains Indians and the life of the Navajo. We were in awe of the way they used the resources that were available to them.

The upper unit has continued to move through exploration and the 13 colonies. They are manipulating an interactive map on-line that shows the triangular trade routes that existed from North America, Europe, and Africa. We are moving onto the events that would ultimately lead to the Revolutionary War.

The intermediate unit is doing research on Revolutionary War heroes, both male and female. We found out that we gained our Independence through determination and battle. We learned that we still live by the laws established over 200 years ago in the constitution and that we live in a democracy thanks to our forefathers. We found that that our neighbor Canada gained their independence peacefully and that they have two national languages—French and English.

Posted in intermediate unit, McGuffey, social studies, upper unit

Tae Kwon Do

December 15, 2011

December brought our PE unit on Tae Kwon Do. All grades, including preschool, are spending Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Oxford Martial Arts and Fitness. They are learning about stretching, core exercises, and the fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do.

Special thanks to Oxford Martial Arts and Fitness for hosting us this month!

Posted in community, intermediate unit, physical education, preschool, primary unit, upper unit