Last blog post on our February Community Service Project and an update on Easton!

Peine Ridge Community Service Project Update

Wow! Just like the love & support we've received from others, Peine Ridge knows how to show love and compassion too! I'm so glad that something positive can come out of Easton's Journey. With our donations (our current count is over 1,821 items donated) & cards made at the parties, we have made a difference in another family’s day. There were many times while Easton was in the hospital that the doctors delivered disappointing news to us ("your son is in heart failure" "he won't be able to go home like we thought" "he'll need another medicine" "we've found something new-another diagnosis").

After hearing such difficult news I would walk down to the Ronald McDonald Family room where someone had just brought in desserts or a volunteer had just finished and folded the laundry I had going. That love and compassion became a gift from a stranger (like you) and it was that little 'something' that would cheer up my day. Your donation or kind words will touch someone's heart in a way that you never knew possible during one of the most stressful and difficult time of their life!! My family, and other’s like mine, cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity!
Many of you have asked how Easton is doing and I would like to share an update on Easton: Many of your children at school have also asked about Easton showing care and compassion for a child most have never met!

Easton is doing well!! He only needs one more minor surgery (over spring break) and this last time he had Dr. visits 2 specialists said they didn't need to see Easton again for another 6 months to a year!! It felt so strange not to schedule the next visit at Children's Hospital. Every time he has an appointment, we stop by and visit his old NICU nurses & peek in the Ronald room-we'll miss doing that! Feel free to write me a letter or send a message through his Facebook page 'Easton's Journey', asking about his progress. I am so proud to work at a school with such caring & devoted families!
Now that you know a little something else about me (about my family & precious baby's experience), let me tell you a little something else about Easton. He has Trisomy 21, better known as Down Syndrome. This just means his body was made a little different-he has one extra chromosome in his body. He was born this way, just as you are born with your hair and eye color; it can't be changed. We have used his story as an opportunity to teach the student’s at Peine about accepting differences and being kind (even if someone looks different than we do, talks differently than we do, or learns at a different pace than we do). Participating in this project has done so much more than raise donations for a deserving and meaningful organization such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities. It has given us an opportunity to teach the students how to accept differences, care for others, and that they can make a difference no matter how small (or how big) they are. When a small group of committed people come together to accomplish something positive they can change someone’s world for the better. We hope your child has started to learn this important life lesson by participating in Easton’s Journey!

Part of the reason Peine Ridge chooses to focus on a community project in February is so we can remember that showing others we care is something that's important. So the next time you come across someone who's a little different than you or has different strengths & weaknesses, think of Easton & myself and please remember that everyone has a heart and you can make a difference by showing you care! Thank you for all of your compassion!!

Mrs. Kim Youngberg and Family and the Peine Ridge Staff

P.S. Easton says we are still taking donations until March 1st, 2014 and he knows we can make our goal of collecting 2,000 items if we try! Let’s make someone smile and bring in just a few more items!

Link for the donation list can be found on this blog in the post right before this one or by visiting our school website Peine Ridge Elementary School Home Page or you can click here for the donation wish list.  This link will also take you to the main web site which will give you additional information about the 6,000 St. Louis Families that the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater St. Louis helps each year and additional ways you can support the organization.

Our Community Service Project Update - how you can show love this Valentine's Day!

We are so excited that the donations are rolling in.  Please keep them coming!  We wanted to give you an update on Easton and how he is doing.  Here are some pictures to help you and your child understand why this project is so important.  Mrs. Youngberg has been so kind to let us share her story so the student's can put a "face" to the project they are supporting.  The Wish List of items can be found at the end of this post.

When Easton was born the Youngberg's were unaware of his multiple medical needs and were not prepared for a long stay at the hospital.  They were so thankful for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital. Unfortunately over the past months they have spent a lot of time at the hospital and at the Family Room.  As you can see, Easton has overcome so much and is thriving now, but even today he is back at the hospital for more medical check ups and will likely face additional surgeries in his lifetime.  That smile, even through all of the medical procedures just lights up a room!

Here is Mrs. Youngberg and Easton after he was born.

The Youngberg's have a son Caden who also had to spend a lot of time at the hospital after his little brother was born.  The Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital gave him and his family a place to relax during Easton's surgeries and a place to play and spend some family time together.  This is a picture of Caden playing in the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Only such a strong and amazing family can keep such a great attitude during this difficult and uncertain time.  Look at those faces!  These are the faces of the people you are helping when you and your child donate to our Community Service Project this month at Peine Ridge Elementary School!

More snuggle time with Mom!  Mrs.Youngberg was so thankful to have the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital so she could do laundry, take a shower and grab a meal without having to leave Easton and go home to do those things during the first few weeks he was in the NICU.  Every donation of cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and fabric softener, easy to make meals (soups, microwave ready meals, cookie mixes, muffin mixes and other easy to make snacks and ready to eat snacks like granola bars, packaged crackers, packaged cookies, individual snack packs) grants these families more time and more memories with their child.  It takes a great financial and time burden off of the families who only want to be there for their sick child.  Not having to worry about how to get clean laundry, having to grocery shop for snacks, having to pack items for showers (toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotions are all needed) takes a great deal of stress off of the families that are wanting only to concentrate on getting their child well.  When you donate you give a family the gift of time, the gift of less stress and the gift of caring and love.

Easton wants to say THANK YOU for donating and making it possible for my family to spend more time with me when I was really sick!  Now let's pay it forward and take care of someone else's family that needs the care and love that was given to my mom and dad and brother when I was born.  Come on Peine Ridge, let's do it big for Ronald McDonald!

Hopefully you will never have to use these services, but isn't it good to know that the Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms are there for families like the Youngberg's when they needed it?  This last picture is of Easton and his doctor right after Easton had open heart surgery.  Thank you to the wonderful Doctors, Nurses, all other hospital staff and to the Ronald McDonald Family Room Volunteers and those that Donated.  They all made a difficult time much easier through their kindness and generosity.  Can you think of a better way to show love this Valentine's Day than to donate to such a great cause?

  Thank you for your donations.

Here is the wish list:

Kitchen Items:

Sweet/salty individually

wrapped snacks, such as

cookies, soups, mac ‘n’

cheese, breakfast bars, hot

chocolate, trail mix, dried

fruit, peanut butter or

cheese sandwich crackers,

and candy bars

Liquid hand soap, pump

container

Ziploc bags of all sizes

Plastic wrap

Aluminum foil

Dishwasher-safe cookie

sheets and cooling racks

Microwavable bowls

(such as Corningware)

Silverware

Laundry Facilities:

High-efficiency laundry

detergent

Softener sheets

Cleaning Supplies:

Dishwasher detergent

Dish soap

Disinfectant spray

Multipurpose cleaner

Swiffer hand duster sheets

Windex

Miscellaneous:

60-watt light bulbs

Batteries, all sizes

Travel-sized shampoo,

conditioner, deodorant,

shaving cream and

toothpaste

Disposable razors

Individually packaged

toothbrushes

iPhones (new or used)

In February Peine Ridge Elementary shows Love to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater St. Louis

When you think of McDonald’s you may think of a quick way to grab dinner on a busy night while running your children around to their various activities.  But there is another side to McDonald’s you hopefully do not know about.  It is the part of the corporation that runs the Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms at area children’s hospitals.  Maybe you have had to use these services for your child, maybe you know a friend or family member who has had to use those services, or maybe you are fortunate and have never even thought about the Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms.  Last year, we at Peine Ridge all became familiar with the comfort and support provided by the Ronald McDonald House Charity of Greater St. Louis.  One of our own teachers, Mrs. Youngberg found that she needed the services when her son Easton was born with multiple medical needs.  She has graciously offered to share her story and  explain why we are raising donations for RMHC this February.

 As you may or may not know, my second son-Easton, was born this past April with many medical conditions (‘like’ his Facebook page, called “Easton’s Journey” for more information). Due to his needs we've spent numerous hours, days, and weeks at St. Louis Children’s hospital-where there is a Ronald McDonald Family Room. The Ronald McDonald room was especially helpful in the beginning days when Easton was first transferred to the hospital. We weren't prepared to be staying the night in the hospital and our resources were limited because with Easton in the NICU he didn’t have his own room. Being able to take a shower in the Ronald Room was more comforting (and cleaner) than using the common floor’s parent lounge shower and being able to do laundry if needed was another “like home” commodity. But probably the most comforting thing about the Ronald McDonald Family Room was the fact that we could briefly “get away” from the stress of the hospital and take a few moments for ourselves. Walking in to a smiling volunteer, a freshly baked cookie, free snacks & drinks,  a computer to use, a private room, or games to play with Caden (our 3 year old): all of these things and more is what, now looking back, helped to turn a stressful and worrisome situation a little more calm and comforting.  

Some supplies that, in my opinion, are used the most: 

• travel size shampoo/conditioner,
•  travel size body soap, 
• travel size toothpaste,
•  toothbrushes, 
• travel size deodorant,
•  disposable razors, 
• laundry detergent any kind -(Dreft for the NICU babies!), 
• dishwasher detergent,
•  individual packaged snacks (kid friendly ones too),
•  simple & easy-to-cook meals (easy mac, Ramen noodles, soups),
•  individual snacks, 
• disinfectant wipe
•  coloring books & crayons, 
• simple games for children

We will be collecting supplies to support the Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms in St. Louis throughout the month of February.  

We will send you weekly updates and lists with needed supplies, how much we have collected and how we are using this project for Character Development with the students.  Peine Ridge is a family, a community, and a support system for all of those who live, work, or attends school in our community.  Thank you for supporting our efforts this February.  For more information about RMHC go to http://www.rmhcstl.com/ for stories and expanded wish lists.

This sweet little man is Easton and his smile will brighten anyone's day.  Please help support the Ronald McDonald House Charities by donating to the Peine Ridge Elementary Community Service Project.  RMHC took care of mom and dad while they took care of me me!  Thank you.  

To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater St. Louis watch this short video clip of how your donations help St. Louis families of critically ill children.

More stay at home science for snow days

The weather forecast does not look promising for next week so we thought we would put up another blog post on winter weather science for you to try at home in case we do not have school due to snow on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Materials you will need:
vegetable oil
glass jar
food coloring
ice cube trays
paper
crayons or markers for recording observations

First, freeze some colored ice cubes by mixing food coloring and water and filling an ice tray.  Stronger colors work the best.  Place in freezer and wait.  You may want to do this step the day before and place colored ice cubes into a zip lock bag after freezing so you will not have to wait to start your science experiment.

Next fill the glass jar about 3/4th full with vegetable oil.  You need to leave room for the ice cube(s).  Place one ice cube gently into the jar.  It will float on top of the oil.

Now, wait and watch!  Have your child work on their writing/spelling skills by drawing and labeling the steps to the experiment.  Also, have them record their observations by drawing (with detail) what they see happening.  Ask them before they put the ice cube into the jar what they think will happen.  Some questions to ask are:

Will the ice cube sink or float?  Explain why you think that will happen.

What will happen to the ice cube?

Why do you think the water is sinking to the bottom?

Why doesn't the water mix into the oil?

Which is heavier, the oil or the water?  Explain your thinking.

What would happen if we put another ice cube of another color into the jar? 

Asking these questions and asking them to expand their answers will increase their vocabulary and will help them with their critical thinking skills.  Predicting is used in reading and is a skill they need to practice to be proficient readers.  Asking what they think will happen next will help them learn to think ahead of what they are reading and that helps them decode unknown words.  Science is a practical way for young readers to practice this skill in a concrete observable way.

Here are some pictures from the experiment we did at home to give you a visual reference before you start the experiment at home.  Take pictures, or even better, let your child take pictures.  This will help them with perspective, examining details and close observation so they can draw what they see.  This helps them in their writing (early writers rely on the pictures they draw to help them remember what words they want to write in their stories).  The greater detail they can draw the better writers they will become (they will add more descriptive words to their writing making their writing more detailed, rich and interesting).

What happens when you place two different colored ice cubes into the jar?  Watch how they melt.  Talk about color mixing.  Observe and record what happens.

 

Look at the experiment from different perspectives.  Hold the jar up to the light so your child can really see the water drops.

Let them look at the drops fall from the bottom of the jar, from the side and from the top.  Do they notice anything different? If so, have them describe to you what they noticed new by looking at the experiment from different perspectives.

If you have a magnifying glass let them watch the water drops fall through the magnification.  If you do not have one, set your camera or phone camera on micro and let them watch that way.

Do the colors run together to form a new color or do they stay separate?

Enjoy this cool winter weather science project!  This is a simple way to get your child to practice their verbal, written, scientific and observational skills while having fun!  We hope this will help you keep your child learning while stuck inside with winter weather.  You can also "paint" on paper with these ice cubes or use salt to see how they melt.  You can build with them by sprinkling them with salt so they will stick together and then place them outside in the snow for a great art project!  Check back soon for more winter science!

Science to do at home on a snow day!

Here is a little science experiment you can do at home when school is cancelled for snow or wind chill. You can use this to help explain glacier melting, the Arctic, the three states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) and how applying salt to the roads helps to melt the ice.  You can also show how melting ice causes rivers and rivers can erode the ground and make valleys and canyons (like the Grand Canyon).  You can pull in videos from National Geographic Kids and Discover Kids to help them understand these concepts.  You can work in some geography work by showing maps on Google Earth and other sources to show where glaciers and canyons/lakes (like the Great Lakes) are caused by glaciers.

Unfortunately the weather forecast calls for much more cold and snow for the rest of the weather so families, you will be (and always have been) their first and most important teacher.  Reading, doing science and writing about what they are doing when not in school will keep them from losing valuable skills they learn at school.  We may have many more "snow days" and the students will need to keep learning at home during these breaks.  We, the Kindergarten Team, greatly appreciate your time and support in working with you children at home to make sure they don't lose skills and continuing learning even during snow days.  We promise, they will love this experiment and will be glad to step away from the TV and video games to do this activity and other we will post.  Enjoy this post and we hope it helps you make the most of these snow days!

Take balloon and fill with water.  Place outside or in freezer.

Take out of freezer or bring in from outside and shake to see if frozen.  You can either make a solid ice ball or you can make and ice bowel if you don't want to wait for the entire thing to freeze.

Ice Bowl.  Explore it, hold it up to the light, touch it and write about what you see.  Document your observations or draw what you see.

Ms. Berghoff (Ms. Arrendale's Buddy Classroom Teacher) mixes up some food coloring and water in primary colors to use on the ice ball.  You can talk about primary and secondary colors and use the ice to mix the colors.  You can also use Liquid Watercolors (which do not stain like food coloring) to do this project for more brilliant colors.

You can use eye dropper (best) or spoons to put colored water on the ice ball.  Do this without any salt on the ice ball.

Next, sprinkle salt (table salt) on the ice ball.  Observe what happens.  Listen!  Ours crackled and we started seeing cracks in the ice.  Ask questions!  Document what you observe.

Start dripping colored water on top of the salted ice ball.

Drop a few drops of food coloring directly onto the ice.  Observe what happens.  Is the ice changing?  Does the food coloring help you see any of the chemical reactions that are happening?

Continue spooning on colored water.  Keep a careful eye on any changes in the ice.

Take pictures or draw (with color) what you see happening to the ice ball.

Hold the ice ball up to the light (adults should do this, the salt and ice are very cold and could "burn" their little fingers, or have them wear gloves if they are going to hold the ice ball up to the light).  In a solid ball you will start to see tunnels forming into the ice ball.  The colored water helps to highlight those tunnels.

Add more salt from time to time.  Get a magnifying glass and really look at the ice ball.  Document more of what you see.  Take close up pictures!

Look at the ice ball in the light.  Shine a flashlight through the ball.

Now you will start to see a lot of melting and other activity going on with the ice ball.  Talk about the water changing it's state from solid to liquid.  Water can change according to heat and cold.  If you are brave save all of the melted water to boil later.  Explain that the steam coming out of the pot is the gas state of water.

Ask if this could be considered art.  What makes something art?  Make an art piece inspired by the ice.

Really look at the tunnels and crevasses caused by the melting water.  Talk about how the water erodes the ice, water also erodes land and causes rivers, canyons and lakes.  Look up the Great Lakes and explain those were cause by massive ice sheets (glaciers) that moved across the land a long time ago and was so heavy it carved out the Great Lakes.  As the ice melted it filled up the Great Lakes just like the melted water from the ice ball is filling up the container the ice ball is sitting in while you do the experiment. 

Talk about how the ice ball changed from solid to liquid.  Have your child explain what they think is happening and why.  Explain the role of salt and why we use it to melt ice on the roads.  Write some more of your observations down.  Take more pictures.

We hope you enjoyed this little demonstration of a learning activity you can do at home with your child on a snow day.  Have fun with it.  We promise, your child wont even know they are learning, but make sure you tell them how impressed you are with their scientific knowledge!  They love to be called scientists!