February 2016
February 2016 Spanish edition
To submit content for the February edition, email mightyhawknewsletter[at]gmail.com
Sunday, January 31, 2016
February 2016 PTO Newsletter Available Online
February 2016
February 2016 Spanish edition
To submit content for the February edition, email mightyhawknewsletter[at]gmail.com
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Get to Know A Mighty Hawk - P.E. Teacher Chad Lowry
How long have you worked at Lucas? Have you taught anywhere else?
I’ve taught part time since 2001 and full time since 2003 –
or 15 years – in the school district. I started teaching in Lubbock, Texas. I
taught at the American School of Milan in Italy. I also taught in the Cedar
Rapids school district.
What’s your favorite part about teaching PE?
Seeing kids having fun while being physically active. It’s
great to see a young person’s eyes light up when they discover they have a new
skill.
What made you want to be a PE teacher in the first place?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher so I could help young people
develop into productive, contributing citizens. I knew I wanted to be a P.E.
teacher because I always have to be on the move. I never could have done a sit
down desk job.
How has physical education changed since you started
teaching?
Bigger class sizes, and a move away from mainstream sports
to more specialized skill development.
If your students could make one positive physical change in
their life, what would you want it to be?
Turn off their screens and move more! Simply interact face-to-face
with others.
How does teaching kindergarten students differ from teaching
6th graders?
Some days, not much! Kindergarten kids are fun because
everything is new and exciting to them. Sixth graders are fun because they have
pretty well developed physical skills and can do more advanced activities like
teenagers.
If you could add anything to your “classroom,” what would it
be?
I think a climbing wall would be awesome! Or adjustable
height basketball goals for the younger kids. Maybe a speaker system to save my
voice and so all students can hear instructions better.
What do you like to do outside of Lucas?
I am an avid Green Bay Packer fan. I enjoy hunting deer and
pheasants, and I love to ride my road bike when the weather is nice!
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened while you were
teaching?
Aaron Kampman, former defensive end for the Green Bay
Packers, made a surprise visit to the gym during a 5th grade P.E.
class! (Thanks, Mr. Moore!)
Other posts in this series:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Caucus Night Childcare
The suggested tax deductible donation is $5-$10 per child. Cash or checks made out to "Lucas Elementary PTO" are accepted.
For liability reasons, you must be districted to caucus at Lucas Elementary (Iowa City 16) to participate. To find your caucus location, visit the Iowa Secretary of State page here: https://sos.iowa.gov/
The Lucas Elementary PTO is not affiliated with any political party or organization.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Free Family Fun Night THIS FRIDAY!
Join us 6-8pm,
Friday, January 8 at Mercer Park Aquatic Center for Lucas’ Free Family Fun
Night! Burn off some of the wintertime energy with bouncy houses, skating, game
room and other fun activities! Refuel with some assorted healthy snacks and
beverages.
Also, we still need a few volunteers so consider signing up here.
See you Friday!
January PTO Newsletter Available Online
The January 2016 edition of The Mighty Hawk Newsletter is available online.
January 2016
January 2016 Spanish edition
To submit content for the February edition, email mightyhawknewsletter[at]gmail.com
Monday, January 4, 2016
Get to Know A Mighty Hawk - Art Teacher Buffy Quintero
Photography generous donated by Lucas parent Amanda Monday, owner of BirdsDream Design.
How
long have you worked at Lucas?
I
have taught in the Iowa City Community School District for three years. I have been at Lucas all three
years. Prior to teaching in the
ICCSD I taught part-time at Willowwind, a private school in Iowa City, and as a
high school art teacher at West Liberty High School.
We are glad you're part of our Lucas community! Which grades do you
teach at Lucas? Do you teach in any other schools in the district?
I
currently teach at Lucas and Longfellow. I teach all sections of third, fifth, and sixth at Lucas and some
sections of kindergarten, second, and fourth. The last two years I split teaching art with Mrs.
McNiel, and this year I share
teaching with Ms. Gale.
Do
you and Ms. Gale ever work together? What kind
of relationship do you have with each other?
As
an art teacher in the ICCSD, we have regularly scheduled professional
development time where all the K-12 art teachers meet. We discuss best practice teaching
strategies, up-coming art shows, and curriculum. We also use the time to hone art techniques and sometimes
work with professional artists. It
is a great chance to connect with each other. I feel so fortunate to work with such amazing and talented
colleagues. Outside of these
scheduled meetings, Ms. Gale and I meet and talk informally. She is a great colleague to work with!
In
your opinion, why is arts education in elementary school so important? How does
it help students academically?
Arts
Education is critical for our students. It allows students to think creatively, express themselves, and to gain
self-confidence. Not only
does this help students academically, these are life-long skills important for
our children. My goal as an art
educator is to instill confidence in students, and to try to help them to
follow their passions as creative individuals.
I
imagine that being a teacher can be really challenging at times. Can you think
of an example from your teaching experience that makes you think “this is why I
do what I do”?
Everyday I have a moment where I feel “this is
why I do what I do.” The kids are
so amazing and open to trying new things. I really love it when every kid seems
to be in the zone, and they are coming up with creative ideas to solving
problems. Some of my favorite
times in the art room are when we have out lots of different supplies and the
kids are doing great using all these different supplies and tools - yarn,
sequins, pipe cleaners, glue, scissors, paint to bring something in their
imagination to life. I love
organized chaos!
Who
are some of your favorite artists?
I
enjoy using puppetry in my art teaching and in my own personal art work. Some of my favorite contemporary
puppeteers are Eulenspiegel Puppets, Heart of the Beast (from Minneapolis) and
Manual Cinema (from Chicago). I
have dressed up as Frida Kahlo at school the last few years for Halloween; she
is one of my favorite painters.
Puppets! It's easy to forget that art encompasses so much more than painting or sculpture. What
are some ways that parents can encourage art, artistic expression and art
education outside the classroom?
Parents
can do this by having lots of art supplies available for kids to use and by
letting them make a mess! Also by
modeling living a creative life. I am a strong believer that adults should take
time to create things, too. Beyond
that, trips to art museums and exhibits, seeking out beauty and wonder in
everyday life, and reading books about artists (there are a lot of great
children’s books out there).
Parents can also look for art camps and classes outside of school for
kids. LOC is lucky to have TWO
great art teachers, Sue McNiel and Cerina Wade, that offer art classes twice a
week.
And, of course,
proudly display all of your children's creations. :)
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