2014 Retirements

Eight Riddle staff members are retiring at the end of the school year. Please join us in thanking them

for their service and dedication to our children.

Cheryl Armstrong School Psychologist

Bruce Barnard Principal

Deborah Barr Head Cook

Peggy Bitting Custodian

Sarah Lawrence Art Teacher

Jeri Morris Secretary

Terrie Pelham 1st Grade Teacher Sandy Stewart Paraprofessional

Inside this issue:

Young Authors

District Winners

Gr. 2 Mrs. Poorman

2

Gr 5 Mrs. Stewart

Gr 3 Mrs. Simpson 3

Gr 1 Mrs. Sweitzer

Gr 4 Mrs. Oberhill 4

Riddle’s Third

Quarter Honors

Battle of the Books

5

Calendars

April, May, June

Illinois Readers

Choice Winners

February Bluestem

Winners

6

From the Principal’s Desk . .

BUSINESS NAME

Riddle Reporter

I love this job and thank my lucky stars every day I have the honor and privilege of being Principal of Riddle Elementary School. I have the opportunity to positively effect hundreds of children every day by leading the establishment and maintenance of a safe, secure, and truly child-centered learning environment. I supervise the instructional activities presented to the children to maximize their intellectual and academic growth. I hire and supervise the teachers and support staff. This, in my opinion, is the most important part of my job. The people your children interact with at school must genuinely care about each child as a unique and valuable human being and have the skill to help the child learn and grow. These are all very complicat-ed tasks and require constant attention and response from me. Some days go better than others . . . I have found my way to cope with tough days. I talk with a 5th grader. Kindergarteners are sweet, little huggers; first graders can read; second graders start to be independent; third graders can make a decision; fourth graders tell jokes; but fifth graders are all of those things rolled into one - and they are beginning to see the world beyond themselves. With fresh, alert, innocent eyes they see possibilities and hopefulness. They want to feed the hungry, house the homeless, reduce-reuse-recycle and promote peace on earth … and they really mean it … they are refreshingly, absolutely right. They remind me of all the good things about humanity and they renew my hope. If you find yourself having a bad day or up against a tough situation, take a few minutes to talk with your child. (Especially a fifth grader … ) They will lift you up and remind you why you must press on. Sincerely,

Bruce E. Barnard Bruce E. Barnard, Principal

Virtues for April 2014 April 7 Service April 28 Tact

This year Riddle Elementary School will send two students

as representatives to the 2014 Young Authors Conference held at

Illinois State University on May 17. Aiden Hudson is a 2nd grade

student from Mrs. Boyer’s classroom and Chloe Pruitt is a 4th

grade student from Mrs. Boyd’s classroom. Summaries of their

winning manuscripts are below.

K-2 Winner - Aiden Hudson (G 2, Riddle Elementary School) - Rainbow

This very creative manuscript also serves as a lesson how

rainbows are formed. Each color of

the rainbow is described through a

variety of objects that young children

can identify.

3-5 Winner - Chloe Pruitt (Gr

4, Riddle Elementary School) -

Friends Forever

The main character, Emily, shares her love of horses with her new

friend, Cassie. They experience many fun times together, and some scary

ones, too. Unfortunately, Cassie unexpectedly has to move, leaving Emily

feeling upset and missing her best friend. Emily displays maturity and com-

passion as she copes with her feelings about Cassie.

Congratulations to Aiden and Chloe!

Second Graders have been having lots of fun learning about author, Candace Fleming, and her great sto-

ries for children. Each second grade class read a story written by her and did several fun activities to go with the

story. The projects that students worked very hard on were displayed at our Curriculum Exposition. We hope

everyone enjoyed them!

Reading Fun! Submitted by Mrs. Poorman

2014 Young Authors District Winners

Page 2

Riddle Reporter

Mrs. Stewart’s fifth graders have been trying to bring Spring to the classroom. While learning about plants in

the reading series, they have conducted several seed and plant experiments. One of their favorite projects has been

“Soil Sammy”. Using grass seed, potting soil, and knee highs, the students were able to make their own “Soil Sammy”.

They have enjoyed watching the “hair” sprout. Students will display their finished projects at the Curriculum Exposi-

tion/Book Fair on March 25 from 3:10-6:00 pm.

Working hard pays off! Stu-

dents in Mrs. Simpson’s third

grade class were probably not

thinking they were having a

good time as they were bub-

bling in answers and writing

reading extended responses.

However, now that it is over,

these students got a chance to

relax and enjoy some treats as

a reward for working so hard.

I am very proud of all of them.

Every student stayed focused

and did their very best work.

Congratulations ISAT takers, I

know you did just fine!!!!

Celebrate Hard Work, Come On! Submitted by Mrs. Simpson

Hurry Spring! Submitted by Mrs. Stewart

Page 3

Mrs. Sweitzer’s fabulous first graders have

had a blast reading and learning with Dr. Seuss!

They have read several silly Dr. Seuss books and

have even created a tally graph on which books

were their favorites. One of their top picks was

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, where first

graders created a bar graph based on how many col-

ored goldfish they each received. Another one of

their favorites included Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Students created projects that display what they

want to be or do when they grow up. A silly book,

If I Ran the Zoo, had first graders using their imagi-

nations to create funny make-believe animals they

would have in their own zoo. First grade cannot

wait to see what Dr. Seuss has in store for them

next!

Fourth graders have been working very diligently at learning their basic multiplication facts. Many have

noticed that math becomes much easier and can be done slightly faster when the facts are committed to

memory.

Throughout the year fourth grade students take a three minute, fifty question multiplication test. After

each test, we informally graph our results and keep it in our math folder.

At the beginning of the year, fifty questions seemed out of reach. Now, it doesn’t seem quite so unattain-

able. While some are still working toward their fifty question goal, they are improving with every test that we

take.

Prior to Curriculum Exposition, we took our informal graphs and turn them into something a little more

exciting. Using Microsoft Excel, fourth graders enter their data, and create a colorful bar graph that shows the

progress they’ve made throughout the year. Hopefully, you were able to visit the fourth grade wing during Cur-

riculum Exposition to see our colorful graphs. If you weren’t, there are some below. Check out our growth in

multiplication during the 2013-2014 school year!

Multiplication Timed Tests Submitted by Mrs. Oberhill

Dr. Seuss - Fun in First Grade! Submitted by Mrs. Sweitzer

Page 4

Riddle Reporter

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GRADE 4: Allison Brant, Bailey Evans, Wesley Mefford, Devin Woods, Derrius White, Tehya Cloyd,

Maya Cook, Timothy Crask, Alexa Dhom, Gannon Dow, Brandon Eveland, Ian Goodwin-Gage, Nicholas

Hurt, Damion Knorr, Josiah Koons, Emma Plunkett, Chloe Pruitt, Jordon Richardson, Alyssa Triplett,

Destinee Tuttle, Tejas Zala, Wyatt Arndt, Robert Bradbury, Korrin Cassady, Katie Clatfelter, Samantha

Copsy, Jayden Currie, Whitley Dearing, Ivie Edwards, Paige Farmer, Skyler Mansfield, Gabriel Parks, Mal-

lory Ramage, Isabel Spear, Samantha Stephens, Kaiden Stivers, Josh Carter, Ashton Caughran, Brock

Davee, Carielle Glenn, Trevor Geyer, Kris Jacobs, Andrew Loy, Abby Mathias, Wyatt Mayhall, Emma

Mingus, Justyce Prather, Madison Pauley, Allie Wells, Corralyn Clark, Joleigh Cougill, Matthew Gordon,

Jarrett Harris, Chloe Jobe, Caitlyn McGahey, Chandler Melton, Ian Mitchell, Rylee Price, McKenzie Ren-

fro, Halle Stanley, Hannah White, Jenaya Carter, Josh Croft, Caroline Davis, Willow Harris, Dakota

Hensley, Nate Huddleston, Haylie Hutton, Braden Kelly, Mataya Larson, Jesse Mast, Courtney Platz,

Carly Robison, Aidan Spurgeon, Keylee Stoneburner, Jackson Whalin

GRADE 5: Jackeylnn Bolin, Marcus Curce, Seven Allah, Gracie Croy, Gavin Gonzalez, Amira Johnson,

Mackenzie McCullough, Anna Morton, Tharyn Price, Hannah Schrock, Nico Scott, Zach Shick, Preston

Smith, Pierce Wallace, Taylor Warren, Deja White, Destyne Arthur, Nicholas Doty, Christopher Drum-

mond, Ginger Gardner, Briannin Garvin, Paige Hopgood, Stepahnie Hunt, Dominick Laws, Jacob Legg,

Tinley Risinger, Maddie Thomason, Nathaniel Triplett, Logan Beals, Andrew Coffey, Alexis Donner,

Xylia Greeson, Ryleigh Hawkins, Jayde Hoshauer, Aurora Kemp, Mackenzie Kirby, Allison Stapleton, Cy-

rus Steele, Bradon Thompson, Hayden Williams, Chloe Williamson, Abigail Carter, Torrie Clark, Caiden

Decker, Pierce Farmer, Maggie Fauke, Tyson Gass, Callan Haldorsen, Gracie Helms, Berkley Howell,

Madison Miller, Gabi Smith, Haley Hubbart, Mollie Auer, Nivea Bryant, Paiziah Chounard, Chloe Grasl,

Pacie Hussong, Hadley Laster, Jonathan Mast, Madeline Sharp, Megan Thomas, Zoie Thomason, Maggie

Uphoff, Zach Watkins, Xavier Worker

Riddle 3rd Quarter Honor Roll

Page 5

Battle of the Books Submitted by Mrs. Muzzy

Riddle will be hosting the eighth annual Mattoon Battle of the Books on Monday, March 31. Good luck to our competing teams from fourth and fifth grade!

4th Gr: Golden Readers

4th Gr: Brainy Bunch 5th Gr: Infinity Readers

5th Gr: Tweeter Readers

Illinois Readers Choice Awards

have been announced! Thousands of students across Illinois have voted and the results are in! The Monarch Award winning book is Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray, illustrated by Mike Lowery. The Bluestem winner is Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Check them out!

Mattoon CUSD #2 Riddle Elementary School 4201 Western Avenue Mattoon IL 61938 (p) 217 238-3800 (f) 217 238-3805

Mr. Bruce E. Barnard, Principal Mrs. Christine Bough, Assistant Principal

Respect+Responsibility+Relationships=Results

APRIL 3 2:30 Kdg Musical Dress Rehearsal

7:00 Kdg Musical

8 6:00 PTA

7:00 School Board Mtg

10 Gr 4 Body Walk - Public Health

7:00 Band @WES

11 Gr 5 Body Walk - Public Health

Gr 1 AM Field Trip

Gr 2 PM Field Trip

Midterm Ends

12-20 SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL

21 School Resumes

22 Gr 3 Arbor Day

23 Gr 4 PM Field Trip

1:30 Tornado Drill

24 2:00 Gr 5 Full Band Rehearsal

5:30 5th Gr to 6th Gr

Orientation @MMS

25 Midterms go Home

28 7:00 Band @WES

29 2:45 Grs 4-5 Birthday Assembly

7:00 Band Concert @WES

30 2:45 Grs 1-3 Birthday Assembly

MAY 2 Special Olympics

6 Gr 4 Field Trip

1:00 Tornado Drill

13 7:00 School Board Mtg

15 2:45 Grs 1-3 Birthday Assembly

16 2:45 Grs 4-5 Birthday Assembly

17 Young Authors Conference

In Bloomington, IL

22 Kdg Field Trip

Blackwell, Bradley, Storm

23 Kdg Field Trip

Sharp, Conlon, Truesdale

26 NO SCHOOL Memorial Day

30 Gr 5 Field Trip

JUNE

3 2:00 Student Awards Assembly

LAST STUDENT DAY

Bluestem Drawing Winners for the month of February:

Whitley, Connor, Gannon, Anna.