The Roundup

Dear Patch Families,

What a wonderful week of learning and growing at Patch Elementary! Classrooms were full of energy and curiosity as students explored history, science, and math in creative and engaging ways. Here are some highlights from across the grades:

📚 5th Grade – Social Studies

Fifth graders have been hard at work analyzing the Voting Rights Act. They compared it with other historical documents to determine the type of writing, the author’s purpose, point of view, word choice, and use of facts. This exercise sharpened their critical thinking and helped them see how documents influence civic life.

🌱 4th Grade – Science

Fourth grade scientists built their own bottle terrariums! These little ecosystems are teaching students about the water cycle, plant growth, and balance in nature. Watching condensation form and roots grow makes big scientific concepts real and hands-on.

🌿 3rd Grade – Science

In third grade, students began growing lima beans in class. This project helps students learn about germination and plant life cycles, while also building responsibility and observation skills as they care for and track their seedlings over time.

🔢 2nd Grade – Math

Second graders dove into number grids, studying how numbers are arranged in rows and columns. They practiced predicting missing numbers, discovering patterns, and making connections between numbers. This work strengthens number sense and prepares them for future problem-solving.

🔟 1st Grade – Math Boot Camp

First graders rolled up their sleeves during Math Boot Camp Thursday, using manipulatives to practice place value by building tens and ones.

What is Math Boot Camp?
Math Boot Camp is a focused, collaborative intervention where teachers and support staff work together to meet students’ specific math needs. Sessions are data-driven and targeted, grouping students by skill areas to help them build confidence and proficiency in explaining their math thinking.

🏫 School Announcements

📸 Picture Day Was a Hit!
Picture Day and sibling photos went off smashingly this week — truly a picture-perfect event! Thank you to our tireless PTA for organizing and making everything run so smoothly.

🗳️ Don’t Forget to Vote – SAC Elections
Our School Advisory Committee (SAC) elections are underway!
The SAC is a local school-based committee of parents, teachers, and other stakeholders that advises the school principal and military command on school policies, instructional programs, resource allocation, and student services. Its purpose is to foster communication, problem-solve at the school level, and provide a forum for community input on enhancing educational outcomes for students.

We have four fantastic parent candidates this year. Please vote for the two candidates you feel will best represent our community. A link to candidate bios is available on the ballot form. Remember: ballots must include votes for two separate candidates to be valid.

👉 Voting closes this Friday, Sept. 26 — don’t miss your chance to have a voice! Click here to vote

🧥 Weather Reminder
As the season begins to turn, temperatures will soon be dropping. Please make sure students come to school in weather-appropriate attire so they can stay comfortable and ready to learn throughout the day.

In service,
Dr. Quinland and Mr. Pieper