We know it is summer, but we are already excited about next year! Each year on the last day of school, we traditionally have “Step Up Day.” Students “step up” to the next grade level and meet their new teachers. The coronavirus has required us to be creative with several traditions. We are pleased to present: Virtual Step Up Day 2020! Teachers have recorded mini videos to introduce students and families to classrooms. Click here and then select your teacher’s video. Incoming 5th graders should all watch the video created by Ms. Smith. Enjoy!

We are proud of how much you have learned at SA and look forward to all that is to come in your learning journey. We usually celebrate our 5th graders during our annual 5th grade dinner, but given school closures we are posting celebratory videos here  for students and families to view. Enjoy!

We are excited to publish our yearbook for this year – our first digital yearbook! Check it out here. Huge thank you to Leah Barranco for her vision and design of this year’s awesome book!

SA Staff will be riding through a neighborhood near you on Tuesday, June 9!

Say hi and cheer us on from your window, porch or yards.

If you live in the South End of Burlington, you will be able to view the parade from  Battery Park.  If you live in the New North End, you will be able to view the parade from Ethan Allen Park.

Map details 

Birthday Candles

You are at a birthday party and the cake is brought in. 

The birthday candles on the cake are in a growing pattern: red, yellow; red, yellow, blue; red, yellow, blue, green; …

The pattern continues, adding pink, orange, purple, and white candles. 

How many total candles are on the cake if the last candle is white? Show your thinking using pictures, words, or numbers.

Thank you Pierce School in Brookline, MA for providing this Math Challenge

Potato Challenge

A Farmer grows 100 pounds of potatoes. The farmer sells them to a grocer who will divide them into 5-pound bags and 2-pound bags. 

K-2: What is one combination of bags the grocer could make using all 100 pounds of potatoes? 

3-5: Can you list 2 possible combinations? More? Show your work using pictures, numbers or symbols. 

Example: The grocer could have ____ 5-pound bags and ____ 2-pound bags. I figured this out by…

Think you know the answer? Submit your response to Ms. Oropeza (noropeza@bsdvt.org) or your classroom teacher by Tuesday, May 19th at 1:00pm. We’ll announce the winner during our next Wednesday Morning Meeting on Wednesday, May 20! See you then. 

Thank you Pierce School in Brookline, MA for this Math Challenge.

Sums on a Clock

Antonia likes calculating the sum of the digits that she sees on ther digital clock.  For example, if the time were 11:47, the sum would be equal to 13 (1+1+4+7).  What is the largest sum she can get on a 12-hour digital clock?

Show your work using pictures, numbers or symbols.

Think you know the answer? Submit your response to Ms. Oropeza (noropeza@bsdvt.org) or your classroom teacher by Tuesday, May 12th at 1:00pm. We’ll announce the winner during our next Wednesday Morning Meeting on Wednesday, May 13! See you then. 

Thank you Pierce School in Brookline, MA for this Math Challenge.

Jumping Frogs

(from Pierce Elementary School in Brookline MA)

This week, there is one math challenge for all SA students, K-5.

Two frogs are hopping along a path of lily pads, going in the same direction. There are 36 lily pads. The first frog jumps 3 lily pads at a time. The second frog jumps 2 lily pads at a time. On which lily pads will both frogs land if they start at zero? (Hint: Think about skip counting) Show your thinking using pictures, words, or numbers.

Think you know the answer? Submit your response to Ms. Oropeza (noropeza@bsdvt.org) or your classroom teacher by Tuesday, May 5th at 1:00pm. We’ll announce the winner during our next Wednesday Morning Meeting on Wednesday, May6! See you then.