Students & Parents
- Academics
- Artworks
- District Links
- Longfellow FAQs
- Longfellow Parent Association (LPA)
- Music
- Our Community
- Our Curriculum
- Parents - Important Documents
- Parents - Useful Links
- School Supplies
Academics
Artworks
ArtWorks is a school-based, fundraising endeavor that supports all art education within the school. Volunteer parents, teachers, and local artists make up the Artworks team. Some of our programs include:
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Children’s Vision Art Display in Public Library (February)
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Original Works: catalog order (fundraiser) for your child’s individual art to be printed on mugs, tote bags, etc. (TBA)
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Theater workshops and after school play with TATE Academy (March)
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Other performing arts: Chet Leach Drumming, Shakespeare in the Parks (TBA)
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Ongoing work in the classrooms with artists-in-residence
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Annual Artwork Festival: TBA 2020!
ArtWorks offers many opportunities for parent involvement - some projects require just an hour or two and some last all school year. You are invited to join the fun!
Alyssa Smith, ArtWorks Co-Chair Amanda Jones, ArtWorks Co-Chair artworkslongfellow@gmail.com
Information for Artists in Residence is in the folders below.
District Links
Longfellow FAQs
When will be notified regarding my child's teacher?
Emails will be sent to families the week before school notifying them of their placement and the name of their teacher for the school year. Details about the "Sneak Peek" (meet the teacher, see the classroom) date and time will be available then, too.
What time does school start at Longfellow?
School begins at 8:15 AM. Playground supervision begins at 8AM. Students are not permitted to be arrive at school before 8AM.
How can I set up my child's lunch account?
Lunch accounts are set up on line through the District home page. Money can be added to their account either online or by sending cash or a check to the school for deposit into the child's account. Details can be found at the following link:
http://www.bsd7.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=676691
What time do students go to Lunch?
Children go to lunch based on their grade level:
- K /1 - 11:00 AM - 11:50AM
- 4/5 - 11:30 AM - 12:20PM
- 2/3 - 12:00 PM - 12:50PM
What time does school get out?
School is dismissed at 3:15PM with Kindergarten released at 3:10PM Monday-Friday.
How many students and how many families go to Longfellow?
Longfellow’s student population is approximately 300 students in grades K-5.
Do you have a before or after school program for children?
We offer an after school program that runs from after school until 5:45 PM. You may contact them through the school. Students must be signed up before they can attend. More information is available here.
What happens when it is too cold to go outside at recess?
Students stay in the building for a variety of reasons. The two most common are precipitation and temperature. If it is raining, students will usually have “inside recess” in their classroom and under their teacher’s supervision.
Generally, when the temperature drops below 0 degrees (F), students will be kept inside.
Do the teachers at each grade level work as a team or independently?
Teachers are a collaborative bunch! They frequently work together on a wide variety of issues related to student success. Teachers, at each grade level, work together to plan instruction, field trips and other opportunities for students.
What is the school doing about bullying?
Bullying behaviors disrupt the educational, social and developmental goals we all have for our children. Longfellow will be utilizing the OLWEUS approach to eliminating bullying behaviors within the Longfellow School community. This approach is a community wide effort that will involve the training of staff, parents and students. Please contact your child’s teacher or the office for more information.
Does the district provide any money for art, or are all art materials and experiences paid for by ArtWorks?
The district does not provide funding for art education on an annual basis. All art opportunities at Longfellow are provided with funding from donations or purchases during the spring ArtWorks Festival.
What is ArtWorks and why are the LPA and ArtWorks separate?
ArtWorks is a school-based, fundraising endeavor that supports all art education within the school. When funding for art education was cut several years ago, Longfellow staff chose to continue to support art opportunities for students by establishing an art auction known as ArtWorks. Funds raised during the auction each May are used to fund art opportunities during the following school year. ArtWorks today depends on substantial parent volunteerism and leadership to help make it the huge success it is each year.
The Longfellow Parent Association (LPA) is a parent-based, tax-exempt, organization that supports the mission of the school in a number of ways including: coordinating parent volunteers for a variety of school-based endeavors, raising funds that support resource and supply purchases not covered by district funds, and assisting families within the Longfellow Community. The LPA holds an annual fundraiser fun run, "Run for Longfellow" effort. Students are encouraged to get pledges from family and friends for running .
What is "Walk A Block"?
"Walk a Block" is an effort by the Longfellow school and community to encourage parents to drop their students off at least a block from school and let them walk the last block. Participating in this effort reduces the congestion in front of the school and helps to make the area safer for our children. "Walk a Block" is part of our Safe Routes to School Plan and all families are encouraged to help with this effort. There is a map inside of your Parent Handbook that identifies drop off areas around the school.
Longfellow Parent Association (LPA)
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE & ON FACEBOOK
longfellowparents.org
@longfellowparentassociation
ABOUT THE LPA
The Longfellow Parent Association (LPA) is a nonprofit, community based organization comprised of parents & guardians of students enrolled at Longfellow. Our team of dedicated volunteers aims to:
- Create a welcoming environment for all Longfellow families
- Promote knowledge sharing among parents, teachers, administrators and other experts
- Coordinate volunteer involvement in the school; and
- Raise funds to provide added enrichment opportunities in the classroom, enhance the campus & enable Longfellow students to enjoy the natural & educational benefits of the surrounding area.
The LPA coordinates and/or contributes to the following school activities:
Run for Longfellow
Band
Choir
Winter Carnival
Longfellow Yearbook
Teacher Appreciation
Student Bus Services
Special Assemblies
Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Fair
Academic Software and Hardware
Science Field and Playground Equipment
Family Education Night
Holiday Program Assistance
Vision, Hearing and Dental Screening
And Much More!
LPA MEETINGS, COMMUNITY & SOCIAL EVENTS:
LPA Monthly Meetings:
All Longfellow parents and guardians are members of the LPA and are invited to join monthly meetings held in the Longfellow Library on the 1st Monday of each month from 12pm-1pm. Hear the latest news from the LPA, how to get involved, updates from Principal Laura Conwell, and special guest speakers.
Longfellow Community Lynx Events:
We are working on a few evening events through the school year where parents & guardians will be able to come together for a chance to meet each other, hear from guest speakers on important topics, and get the latest news from the LPA. More details to come!
Friday Morning Coffee Socials:
** THIS EVENT IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED** On the 2nd Friday of each month, please join us for some free coffee from 8-8:45am on the front lawn. Please bring your own mug. Meet the LPA and other members of our Longfellow community!
Run for Longfellow:
The Run for Longfellow is our largest fundraising event of the year! We kick off the event with a pep rally the week before at the school (with music, guest speakers and fun)! The actual Run takes place during the school day usually in early October at Bogert Park. This fun event encourages kids’ enthusiasm for being active and affords students the opportunity to participate in helping raise this year’s LPA operating funds.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
We love our volunteers! Over the course of the year, there will be many opportunities to volunteer for Longfellow events and activities or to create new traditions. No matter what time you have to give, your contributions are needed and appreciated. We'd like to know which of the 2018-19 school year events you would be interested in volunteering for. Fill out a volunteer interest form HERE.
To stay updated on Longfellow events and news, please follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LongfellowParentAssociation/ or check out our LPA Board in the office.
SUPPORT THE LPA - DONATE HERE
LPA has a voluntary board voted in each spring by its membership. The 2021-2022 officers are:
- President: Dinice Scheihing
- Secretary: Erin Hagman
- Treasurer: Leslie Secor
- Volunteer Coordinator: Sarah Wilson
- Communications: Tanya Smith
To contact the LPA, please email longfellowpa@gmail.com
Music
K-5 General Music
The mission of the Longfellow Elementary Music Department, a dedicated ensemble of caring and creative professionals, is to instill in all students:
• A lasting enjoyment, appreciation, understanding and love of music
• Positive character traits and skills necessary for life-long success and
• The desire to celebrate and respect diversity.
We will ensure this by:
• Providing opportunities to perform, listen, interpret, and express vocal and instrumental music, individually and in ensembles
• Teaching students to read, write and create music
• Immersing students in the study of a wide variety of musical genres
• Understanding our students’ individualized needs and
• Creating nurturing environments which include leadership and mentoring opportunities that build a sense of empowerment.
Please visit the music website for more details.
Longfellow 5th Grade Orchestra with Mrs. Pafford
How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain
This short Ted Talk explains how playing an instrument is the equivalent of a full body workout for your brain.
Our Community
Longfellow Parent Association
The Longfellow Parent Association is an dynamic, active parent group who work tirelessly to support the students and staff of Longfellow School and the the needs of the District and larger education community. See the Parent Association link for more information.
Child Advancement Project (CAP)
CAP - The Child Advancement Project - is a school-based tutoring program designed to help children with academic, social or emotional needs. Volunteers meet with children once or twice a week to work one-on-one on activities which are directed by the classroom teacher. These volunteers make it possible to better meet the individual skill and personal needs of the children by providing academic tutoring, positive role modeling, and, most important, a caring friend.
Parent Liaison Program
"Three decades of research have demonstrated strong linkages between family involvement in education and school achievement." - (Riley, 1994)
The ability of parents to communicate effectively and solve problems with schools and the ability of schools to engage parents as partners in their mission to educate students directly impacts the child's ability to succeed. The Parent Liaison program is modeled on family support philoshophy which views every family as critical to the success of their children. Parent liaisons serve as the link between home and school to facilitate the development of this crucial connection. Liaisons are professionals who work as part of a school team.
Outcomes of Parent Liaison Program:
- Increased understanding between parent and school with the success of the child as the common goal
- Increased student academic performance
- Increased school attendance
- Increased parental involvement with schools
- Increased positive interactions between school and family
- Increased family access to community resources
The Parent Liaison program is part of a comprehensive approach that works in concert with CAP and the district counseling and prevention programs. The program has been recognized as a successful model by the Governor's Summit on Youth Task Force and Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory of Portland and has a powerful impact on outcomes for children.
MSU Connection - Longfellow embraces the programs available from MSU
- Elementary Education Student Teachers are invited into some classrooms, HE, and music. These future teachers are mentored and included into classrooms for 12-14 weeks.
- Elementary Education Paraprofessionals (Junior and Senior level) are also invited into many classrooms. These students observe and assist half day Monday through Thursday. The para rotation is every four weeks.
- America Reads/America Counts are federal programs placing volunteers in classrooms for individual help of students in reading and math. Teachers request these volunteers.
- Elementary Education Reading Intervention class provides trained volunteers to work one-to-one with at-risk readers at all levels.
- Health Enhancement department conducts ‘Child Lab’. K-3 students travel to MSU where MSU students teach them active games. Fun!
Our Curriculum
The Arts
Art is an integral component of every curricular aspect of Longfellow School. The school community believes teaching art enhances the creative, emotional and intellectual growth of each child. While they explore their world through a variety of mediums and experiences, children celebrate diversity of expression. We find that utilizing arts during instruction provides students opportunities for problem solving, self-expression, risk taking, and community involvement. The teaching of content through arts provides new challenges for those already considered successful in school and can also reach students who may not otherwise be reached. Students connect to themselves and each other while exploring creativity within a supportive setting.
ArtWorks
ArtWorks is Longfellow's self-supporting arts program. Each spring Longfellow's ArtWorks Festival highlights the talents and triumphs of each child's artistic accomplishments. This family-oriented celebration includes dinner, children's activities, music, and dance. ArtWorks also holds a live auction, silent auction, and Artful Donations for students' individual works during the festival. The money raised from the festival funds visual and performing arts experiences for all students throughout the year, including:
- Visual art residencies
- Drama
- Theater
- Dance
- Poetry
- Drumming
- Art shows and exhibits at school and in the community
- A permanent collection of children's art
- High quality art materials and equipment
- Fifth graders’ major building enhancement project
- Continuing staff education to support art experiences in the classroom
Thank you for your interest in Longfellow’s ArtWorks. For additional information or to get involved in classroom projects, residencies, or the spring festival, please e-mail artworkslongfellow@gmail.com or call the front office at 406.522.6150.
Math
Longfellow students are provided rich, engaging opportunities to explore math concepts through real-world experiences. Longfellow uses Everyday Math as the core of its math instruction. Students have opportunities to expand their math skills through a variety of engaging activities and extensions in math.
Reading & Writing
At Longfellow School, we believe reading and writing are two parts of an integrated learning process. They go hand in hand.
Reading instruction at Longfellow encompasses phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The essence of reading is to gain meaning from text. Children learn to read by reading. Maximum growth occurs when students read at their instructional level. At this level, readers use reading strategies and need some teacher support. All grades focus on the following reading comprehension strategies:
- Making Connections
- Asking Questions
- Visualizing
- Predicting and Inferring
- Determining Important Ideas
- Summarizing/Synthesizing
The essence of writing is to communicate ideas in written form. Children learn to write by writing. Longfellow teaches and assesses writing through the 6+1 Traits of Writing.
- Ideas - the heart of the message
- Organization - the internal structure
- Voice - the heart and soul, the feeling
- Sentence Fluency - rhythm and flow
- Conventions - spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Presentation - pleasing to the eye
Longfellow believes that reading and writing happen in every area of the curriculum. There is a school-wide commitment to keeping reading and writing alive, joyous, and relevant. We make use of community and parent volunteers through the CAP, and America Reads programs so that all Longfellow Children gain the skills and abilities to be be proficient readers.
Science
The opportunity to study the natural world is an integral part of Longfellow’s approach to science. Students engage in a variety of inquiry based science investigations both inside and outside of the classroom. Inquiry based learning is emphasized across the curriculum. Students have regular opportunities to explore curriculum issues outside of the classroom through neighborhood “Journey’s” and science-focused field days. In addition, students are encouraged to engage in creative problem solving as they participate in a variety of science contests throughout the year and an annual Science Fair in February.
Technology
In order for students to feel comfortable with the tools of the Information Age, they need access to computers and related technology. As of 2010, Longfellow has tech tools to support student learning that include:
- A computer lab with 20 eMac computers, printers, scanners, LCD projectors and digital cameras;
- An LCD projector and Digital Presenter in each classroom and the library
- A mobile computer cart with 24 Mac laptop computers and laser printer
- Highspeed, wireless Internet capability throughout the building
- District level Tech Support team
- Staff members committed to using technology as a teaching and a learning tool for their students
Children begin using the lab in kindergarten, progressing to more challenging activities through the 5th grade. Technology standards and assessment results guide the work of our staff in this area. Longfellow has many different types of applications from skill building programs to word processing and multimedia programs. All families are asked to complete an Acceptable Use Agreement before the students access online information. Lab classes integrate computer skills with classroom curriculum.
The Longfellow Community and the Longfellow Parent Association have helped to provide the school with technology upgrades through fund raisers and donations on a regular basis.
Wetlands Festival
Longfellow’s Wetlands Festival is an opportunity for students to explore and learn about the nature and characteristics of wetlands. During September, the wetlands serve as a thread of study that culminates in the day long festival. The entire school participates at one of three different wetlands sites. Over thirty Montana State University education students, Bozeman area scientists, and scores of parent volunteers lead students through a wide variety of outdoor science activities. Students gain an appreciation of some of the environmental issues facing the Gallatin Valley and its valuable wetlands. The Wetlands Festival is supported by Montana Water Course, International Project Wet, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana State University, The Federation of Flyfishers, Ducks Unlimited, Bozeman Public Schools, the City of Bozeman and other area businesses.