Math Magic

Happy new school year, Brassfield students, parents, and staff!

I'm Larissa Peluso-Fleming, your friendly neighborhood math specialist. I am looking forward to working with the wonderful boys and girls at Brassfield once again this year. We'll be focusing this year on problem-solving skills, math fact fluency and automaticity, writing about math, and estimation.

I will also have the distinct pleasure of teaching a 3rd grade special this year in the Learning Commons. I'll be reading mathematical stories to students and then working with them on extension activities related to the text.

I would love for you to take a moment to check out my Math Magic Brassfield Blog, which can be found here: http://mrspfmathmagic.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to contact me at any time with comments, questions, or concerns about math in our schools.

Warmly,
Larissa L. Peluso-Fleming, Math Geek

Music Note!

Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year in music! I am so excited about all the wonderfully musical learning that is happening this year.  If you have not already met me, my name is Ms. Emily Nixon and I am finishing up my 2^nd year as a part of the Brassfield family. This year in music we will be really exploring our world in music. The music curriculum is as versatile as it is fun, so all of your learners will get a full experience in music theory, history, and performance. As always please email me about any question that you may have and I know we are going to have a very musical and upbeat 2014-2015 school year! Go Brassfield!!!

Drama Club is here! Along with Christine Kardas (Track 3, 2^nd grade) and Renee Wike (Track 2, K) Drama Club will begin at Brassfield shortly. Information will be coming soon!

Zach Turley, Counselor

Hello Brassfield! 

My name is Zach Turley, and I am thrilled to be your counselor!

This is my 4th year at Brassfield. How time flies! Amazing things happen everyday at our school, and I'd like to share with you some things that are happening in the counseling department.  

I work with all students and families at our school. There are many ways that I can be a helpful partner in your student(s) education. From celebrations of character to specific individual counseling, and everything in between, my job is help students navigate their way to a successful career at Brassfield. If, at any time, you have questions about how I can help you, please stop by my office, call me, or email me.

I will also be a "specialist" this year for grades 2 and 4. That means each time a classroom has "Exploration" they will be visited by me! The core focus in 2nd grade will be "Character Education" and in 4th grade it will be "Bully Prevention."

You can find a variety of counseling information on my webpage on the Brassfield Elementary website, including the new Safety Patrol Schedule. Check it out! 

I'm looking forward to an incredible year!

Art Updates for 2014-2015

Hi Brassfield Families!

A couple quick announcements from the Art Room:

Look for an Artsonia.com update slip or permission form in your Wednesday folder next week. Click here or on the link to the right to learn more about the artsonia program at Brassfield!




5th Graders - Learn more about the Artists Helping Artists program here

KidzArt starts Thursday, July 31st! To learn more or register your child, click here: KidzArt North Raleigh

I am looking forward to another awesome year in Art!

-Ms. Pakes :)

A note from Ms. Harkey

Hello Brassfield Families and welcome to the 2014-2015 school year!  My name is Emily Harkey and I joined the Brassfield staff in February as the Media Coordinator in the Learning Commons.  I have enjoyed my time at Brassfield so far and am excited to see what the new school year will bring!  

A little bit about me: I completed my undergraduate degree at Meredith College and received my Master of Science in Library Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  I love the Raleigh area and have been happy to call it home for nearly 12 years.  While I have worked in many different types of libraries (and I can occasionally still be found working at one of the Wake County Public Libraries) working in the elementary setting is my favorite.  I enjoy connecting students with books that encourage them to use their imagination or expand their knowledge in an area of interest.

Kindergarten and First Grade classes will meet with me each week during their regularly scheduled time during specials.  I will share some of my favorite books with them and they will be learn how to find books as well.  During the first quarter our focus will be on general library skills: how books are organized in the library, how to search for books, and how to check out and return books.  

Second through Fifth Grade classes will be meeting with me on a more flexible schedule to focus on research skills and specific projects.  The flexible schedule will all me to better support students and teachers while extending the learning that is happening in their classrooms.  

All students are welcome to come to the Learning Commons at any time (with permission from their classroom teacher) between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.  During that time students may check out or return books, research, or work on projects.  

Follow me on Twitter @brassybooks for updates and pictures of things happening in the Learning Commons.

Visit the Learning Commons website for resources to help with research, finding books, or to search our library catalog.

Greetings from Mr. Flahive!

Hello Brassfield families!

My name is Mr. Flahive and I am the new Physical Education teacher at Brassfield Elementary. During the previous two years, I worked at Brassfield as a one-on-one Teacher Assistant in 4th and 5th grade classrooms. It is truly a wonderful school and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to teach Physical Education here!

I am originally from upstate New York, where I attended SUNY Brockport and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. In 2010, I decided to move to Raleigh in order to avoid the harsh winters of the north. I absolutely love the area, and plan to spend the remainder of my career here. Some of my favorite hobbies include: playing and watching a variety of sports, spending time outdoors, hanging out with friends and family, and listening to music. I would also love to further explore some of the attractions that North Carolina has to offer, like the mountains and various beaches.

In the coming year, our students will be actively engaged in activities that are designed to enhance various skills, while achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of physical fitness. I will also teach the importance of eating well and pursuing healthy lifestyles outside of the classroom. Different events that will be a part of the PE program include: Jump Rope for Heart, First in Fitness, and Super Kids Day. In addition, I look forward to continuing Brassfield's participation in the PEPI program, which gives a select group of high school students the opportunity to teach PE lessons.

I look forward to meeting everyone!

Physical Education Blog will soon be up and running.

A message from Senora Lipetzky!

Hola!

Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! My name is Libby Lipetzky, and I am beyond excited to start my third year as the Spanish teacher at Brassfield. A little bit about me...I recently got married in May and had the chance to travel to Mexico over my track out! We got to use our Spanish bargaining in Mexico, so I love telling the students all about my travels. I have also traveled to Peru and loved hiking the Incan trail to Machu Picchu. I enjoy running and photography. I am so excited to teach you about the wonderful world of Spanish!

K-1:

We will be focusing on learning the basic vocabulary and numbers to get ready for 2nd grade Spanish! Get ready to sing and dance, learning our basic songs will help us with our days, numbers, months, alphabet, colors, and more! In first grade, students will work on reading in Spanish and looking for words and sounds that are similar to English. 

2-5: 

Students in 2nd grade will begin their Spanish notebooks this year! All students in grades 2-5 will be responsible for bringing a notebook and folder dedicated to Spanish class each week. In this notebook, the students will write vocabulary and will complete in class work. In grades 2-4, students will focus on conversations in Spanish class, writing in Spanish, and self descriptions. In 5th grade, students will not only focus on the conversations and writing in Spanish, but will also focus on the culture of South America! In Specials for the 1st quarter, students in the 5th grade will bring a "passport" to each special and will get a stamp after learning cultural aspects of each South American Country! 

Follow me on Twitter: @BrassyESPANOL for live updates, photos, and descriptions of our adventures in Spanish class!

Check out the Spanish blog: Spanish BLOG!  for more detailed Spanish updates.

I look forward to a wonderful year at Brassfield! :)