We also like to remind you that MEA tests are scheduled for the weeks of March 6th through the 22nd. Grades 3-8 will be testing during these days, mostly in the morning. We would ask you to try your best to make sure that students arrive on time and are not dismissed for appointments during these sessions. Students are not allowed to begin a testing session once it has begun and will have to work during a make up session later in the week.

We would like to congratulate Michael Jacques and Devon Tracy for coming in first and second in our school spelling bee. Michael will be going onto the County Bees on March 6th to represent our school in Waterville. Good luck Michael!

A reminder that when the warm weather comes our way some students tend to focus less on what is expected of them academically and more on the warm weather. We ask that you help us keep our students focused right until the end of the school year. These remaining months have vital skills that need to be learned by our students to continue on in their educational careers. We thank you in advance for your support.

Mr. Doiron

In February the students celebrated Valentine's Day and also learned about Presidents, Lincoln and Washington.

In March the students will celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday and St. Patrick's Day.

Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will turn 5 by October 15th, please call the school for information before February break on kindergarten registration. Paperwork will be mailed out in April with registration on May 30th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

On the 12th we accomplished our 100th day of first grade. We made crowns; necklaces and a 100th day snack mix to mark the special occasion. We even had Mr. Doiron be our guest reader for the story One Hundred Hungry Ants.

In math we have been doing a lot of work focused on geometry. We made paper quilt squares, quick images using shapes and doing activities using pattern blocks. Throughout the month we have been studying dental health and we are now learning about presidents, Washington and Lincoln.

In reading, we are working in small groups and reading "challenging chapter books". We are encouraging students to challenge themselves and increase their reading levels.

In writing we are working on the many correct usages of commas. We are also identifying parts of speech. We have worked with nouns, verbs, and adjectives. We are going to be working on informational writing.

In math, third graders continue to practice place value and rounding. We are working on adding and subtracting larger numbers. Please practice their basic facts at home with them.

Our third graders this year are working so hard that they are running out of pencils and erasers. Please check with your child and send some in if they are in need.

Our Famous Maine People Reports have given us all a lot of information about the famous people who were born in Maine or have lived in Maine. Did you know that the L.L. in L.L. Bean is for Leon Leonwood? Chester Greenwood also invented the wire garden rake. Samantha Smith liked field hockey.

We have also been working on test taking skills in preparation for the MEA. Our tests start on March 6th. A notice will be coming home about them. Thank you to all who made our Valentine Party (two days later) a success.

In math we have begun working on fractions.

In social studies we are working on the inquiry project dealing with an event or person from the colonial time period. We have been busy, busy, busy.

Just a reminder if your child is planning on going in the snow during recess he/she will need to wear snow pants and boots.

We are doing research for the Civic Oration on the I-books, and we are finishing up with Maniac Magee, great book!

In math, we are reviewing for a big test and we have MEA testing next week. If you could send some snacks for Wednesday or Thursday, it would be greatly appreciated. The school will be furnishing snacks for Tuesday.

In sixth grade social studies, students have been working on an internet-based research project recognizing February as Black History Month. Each student has been assigned one influential African American, such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Owens, and Harriet Tubman. Students have also continued to explore the geography, history, and culture of Ancient China.

Students in sixth grade science are now immersed in an "Animals" unit. Students completed an online quiz before vacation on animal behaviors and social relationships. Your student can share the results of this quiz with you through the Internet, at quia.com. The site will ask for your student's name and password in order to access the quiz results.

Eighth grade students have begun to design their class t-shirts. They soon will be selecting a destination for their class trip, and making plans for Recognition Night. Sometime in April, students have a fundraiser, the Rock-a-Thon, to help pay for the trip. All of this seems to be very far off, but it will arrive before we know it!

The 7th and 8th graders are beginning the MEA tests this week. Teachers have been working on test-taking skills, and the students used past MEA tests to get a feel for what to expect on these very important exams.

In the past, the school has been able to provide the 4th and 8th graders with snacks and waters during the weeks of the MEAs. Waters and healthy snacks help to hydrate the brain and provide energy to stay focused; something our students will need over the 8 days of testing. Because the testing now will be grades 3-8, the school cannot afford to supply everyone with snacks. It would be very helpful if parents could help to fill the void. If you would be willing to donate waters or snacks, please call Mrs. Perry (582-2214 ext. 326).

Jump Rope For Heart News
The 3rd and 4th graders participated in the annual Jump For Heart event held on February 16th. The 5 through 8 graders will have their event on March 1st. Final tallies of how much money was raised for the American Heart Association are not in yet. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who helped. They also got a chance to tone up jumping skills they didn't think they had anymore! Everyone enjoyed the up beat physical activity!!

Basketball News
Congratulations to all the individuals and coaches participating in this winter's sport teams. They may not have won any championships but their progress toward improvement and playing with pride were demonstrated throughout the season. They all wore the Chelsea Eagle logo with style.

Congratulations also to: Anthony Caswell, Katie Tibbetts, Luke Aubuchon, Gabrielle Benson, and Sierra Webster. All of these students have work at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell as part of a student art exhibit called "Young at Art".

Fourth grade students are beginning a unit oriental art. They will be learning about Japanese Sumie painting, Chinese Calligraphy, and origami.

Fifth graders are beginning a color unit, and are currently working on a 'monochromatic' painted design.

Sixth graders are working with linear perspective drawing.

Seventh graders are just beginning a unit on architecture. They will be learning about some of the major styles of architecture in history, as well as learning about architectural vocabulary and basic floor plan drawing.

Mrs. Dunn would like to thank all of the parents who donate 'recyclable' items to the art program! Items currently needed are styrofoam egg cartons, and styrofoam meat trays.

The band is working hard on music for our Union Band Festival. We are only inviting students who have reached a certain playing level. The cut off to play in the concert is this month.

Mrs. Dunn and I would like to thank everyone who tried out for the play. I am excited to start working on the music for play. The music includes solos, duets and group singing. Rehearsals will be on Tuesday and Wednesday after school.

The Maine Student Book Award reviews will be due on Friday, March 23rd. Students will need to submit at least three thoughtful and well-written reviews to participate in the voting and party celebration to be held on Wednesday March 28th.

New Books to the library collection:
(595.77) Mosquito Bite by Alexandra Siy
(428.2) Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
The Boy Who Drew Birds: The Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies
Frightful's Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Small Steps by Louis Sachar
Begin at the Beginning by Amy Schwartz

Several area high schools are having 8th grade Parent Nights in March. Gardiner High School has scheduled their 8th grade Parent Night on March 1st at 6:30 p.m. Cony has scheduled their 8th grade Parent Night on March 7th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Erskine Academy has scheduled their Open House on March 14th, 7:00 p.m. (Snow date is March 15th).

This is an important date because 8th graders who have decided to attend Erskine can register and select their courses for the next year.

Chelsea 8th graders will be expected to choose their high school by March 19th. Then I will arrange to have high school counselors come to Chelsea School to help students select next year's courses. The forms will come home for parent approval and signatures.

On March 16th, students in grades 1-3 will participate in the Hands are NOT for hitting program. This educational program is presented by the Family Violence Project and teaches students how to deal with anger and conflict without hitting or using hurtful words.

Chelsea Eagle Cards
We still have Eagle Cards for sale, $5.00, see Sue in the office or any PTA member.