Merry Christmas

I thought this was a cute Christmas snack idea--sugar snap peas, a cheese star, and pretzel sticks. A fun and healthy Christmas tree.

photo from energiseforlife.com/wordpress/

No school

Just got word that school is canceled today.

Happy shoveling!

More on Opera

This more detailed information came from Mrs. Day (thank you!):

Thanks to a grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums (formerly the Utah Arts Council), the National Endowment for the Arts and matching funds from the school, the third grade is learning about opera, writing a libretto, and singing with Serena Kanig Benish, musician, singer, and UAC Teaching Artist. During the week of December 13-17 the students will be rehearsing with Serena. There will be a performance on Friday December 17 at 1:30 on the stage of Mapleton Elementary. Each third grade class is learning a song from a classic opera an also writing a libretto about academic pursuits from their daily school schedule.


Serena Kanig studied voice and performed in New York City and throughout the Northeast before returning to her native Utah. She has been a soloist with orchestras and chamber groups, performing oratorios, concerts and recitals, as well as in operas and opera scenes and musicals. Serena was graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and received a master's degree in vocal sacred music performance (a degree program she pioneered) from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase in New York. She has been an adjunct instructor of voice at Utah Valley University (UVU) since 2007 and continues to perform regularly. Having had quite the "excellent adventure" producing operas with students at the elementary level, Serena is excited to be on the artist roster and to bring the opera experience to more students. She firmly believes the arts can give children new horizons that will be impressed on them forever.

Fa la la la LAAAA!

Has your little third grader been singing lately?

Mine has. He is downright operatic.

Complete with rolled rrrrrrrrrs.

This phenomenon is due to our artist in residence program. Serena Kanig Benish is an opera singer who has been teaching these students selections from classic operas since October.

A performance assembly will be held this Friday at 1:30. If you need a change of pace from "Jingle Bells," then this assembly is for you!

Wishing

The “Wish Upon a Star” program is an opportunity for teachers to have some of their classroom needs met through Christmas gifts. Many students enjoy bringing gifts to teachers at this time of year, and teachers often have needs that would otherwise have to be funded from their own pockets. Teachers list these needs on stars that are posted on their door. Students can choose a star and then bring that gift to their teacher for Christmas.

This program is completely optional and students are free to bring whatever gift (or no gift) they’d like, but sometimes nothing says “I love you” like a jumbo container of disinfecting wipes.

Tortilla Snowflakes

These tortilla snowflakes are a cinch to make and kids love them. I've made these with uncooked tortillas and they turned out great, but you could probably used the precooked kind as well (whole wheat would be yummy).

Fold the tortilla in half (if using the precooked kind, microwave it for a few seconds to make it more flexible), then fold in half again. Using clean scissors, cut the tortilla like you would a paper snowflake. Spray lightly with cooking spray and cook in a hot skillet or bake in a 400 degree oven. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and serve with fresh fruit.

photo from littlenummies.net

Clothing drive

Have you been sorting through your closets looking for the warmest sweaters and wooliest socks? In the process, have you discovered clothes that are just a bit too short/tight/small? If your kids have outgrown some of their clothing, now is a great time to donate it at the school. The student council (yes, we have a student council made up of adorable sixth graders) is sponsoring a clothing drive through this Friday (December 4). There is a drop box located next to the office.

Getting your kids in on the action is a great way to generate that great feeling that comes from giving, and you'll get cleaner closets to boot!

Imperfect gratitude

If you're like me, you've probably spent some time lately thinking about what you're grateful for. It occurred to me (hang tight, I'm waxing philosophical here) that my blessings are a little like pumpkins--misshapen, bumpy, a little warty even, but prolific and bright and happy.
When I stop to consider how much orange goodness has filled my life, it makes me want to dance in the pumpkin patch.



Hope you enjoy your break and eat lots of pie!

(and maybe do a bit of dancing)

A special thank you also to our fantastic faculty and staff who do such a great job of teaching our little pumpkins.

Box Tops and Labels and Lids

We are smack in the middle of our annual Box Tops contest. Classes are competing all through November for the glory and honor of being the top Box Top collector. Each of these little beauties is worth $.10, and while that may hardly seem worth the effort of digging through your drawers to find the scissors (where are those blasted scissors?!?), rumor has it that one class has already gathered enough of these money scraps to total $100. Each year we average about $1000 from this effort, so it really does make a difference.

As an FYI, you can collect all year, but November is the only time the classes compete. It works well to have some sort of can or bag in your kitchen where you can keep the labels and then send them each year in November.

For a some extra positive karma, trim the labels exactly on the dotted lines. If you don't do it, our lovely PTA volunteers will have to do it, because the sponsoring company is a tad persnickety about that.

We are also collecting Campbell's soup labels and Cream 'O Weber milk lids (please rinse them off).

Trash that transforms into money--dreamy!

p.s. Happy Veteran's Day to any veterans out there!

Retakes and Reflections

Glazed eyes, tousled hair, a dazed expression...

(No, I'm not referring you your post-election-day look.)

If your child's school picture turned out less than perfect, Friday is your day to redeem yourself from scrapbooking disaster and furious future blushing. You have two days to practice the perfect smile.

(But aren't the pictures when they are "trying" to smile the best? Love it.)

Also, tonight is the Reflections Contest Award Night. If you got an invitation letter in the mail, then your child will be receiving an award tonight. It begins at 7:00 p.m. at the school. There was also an ice cream party today for all of the students who participated in the Reflections Contest. Congratulations to everyone--our students produced some amazing artwork!

Halloween treats

Fun pictures of some spooky snack ideas.

SEP and no school!

SEP Conferences (or Parent/Teacher Conferences, for those of us still in the twentieth century) are tomorrow. Students are encouraged to attend with their parents. Come prepared with any questions you have about your child's school experience.

Because of SEPs, there is no kindergarten tomorrow and no school at all on Friday.

This is a really long day for the teachers--we appreciate the effort they make to keep parents informed on how their children are doing in class. Thank you!

Book Fair!

Is your child suddenly interested in extra chores? Fishing for coins in the couch cushions? Dropping literary Christmas hints? It might be because the book fair opened today! The fair runs through Thursday and will be open Thursday night during SEP conferences. Come and check out the wide variety of books available!

If there's a book (or anything else) you're just dying for that's not available at the book fair, remember to use our Amazon button to order online. :)

Red Ribbon Week!

This week is Red Ribbon Week at our school! Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program and is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about drugs, alcohol, and violence. Each child should have a bingo card with topics to talk about in each square. The bingo cards also incorporate kind behaviors and anti-violence discussions, so it's a great way to approach overall health and positive lifestyles.

The kick-off assembly is today, so ask your child what they learned about the importance of staying drug-free. Kids should have recieved a wristband that they will wear all week. We're also doing fun dress themes each day:

Tuesday: "Color a world without drugs and violence"--wear red or purple
Wednesday: "Turn your back on drugs and violence"--wear your clothes backwards
Thursday: "Be drug-free and violence-free from the inside out"--wear your clothes inside out
Friday: "Hat's off to a drug-free and violence-free lifestyle"--wear a crazy hat or hairstyle

You may be thinking, "Hmmm, will wearing clothes inside out really help my child stay off drugs?" To which I would say, "Hmmmm, probably not." But getting actively involved in a shool-wide and community-wide movement that is meaningful and applies to their life experience will. It's not about the clothes, it's about the opporutnity this acitivity provides to talk about what drugs (and by extension, violence) does to bodies and lives.

So have some fun with the acitivities this week and talk to your family about how "It's Hot to Not." If you need ideas beyond the bingo card, check out this website on talking (and listening) to kids.

Image from texasschoolassemblies.com

Ta Daaaa!

Mapleton Elementary is now part of the Amazon School Rewards program! If you're unfamiliar with this program, check out the Q&A. Basically, if you click through the link on our sidebar to get to amazon.com, we will earn a percentage of whatever you buy. That's it! There's no extra cost to you! It applies to all merchandise--toys, books, games, electronics, whatever.

This is a super easy way for us to try and meet some of the funding gaps facing the school without placing a financial burden on anyone. If you shop Amazon (Christmas is coming!), click through our link and you can feel all warm and fuzzy about how your shopping is actually philanthropic! (you can also feel warm and fuzzy about using the word "philanthropic").

Thanks and a reminder (or two)

Many thanks to everyone who helped with the windy Walk to School Day (couldn't help but think of Pooh's "Windsday"). The apples and honey bread were so yummy!

Remember, vision screening is tomorrow for grades K, 1, 3, and 5. If your child wears glasses or contacts, please make sure they are wearing them.

Also, Reflections entries are due Friday morning. Entry forms and media release forms may be downloaded if you don't already have them.

We're walking, we're walking...

October is International Walk to School month. To celebrate, our school has designated Wednesday, October 6 as Walk to School Day. Kids and parents are encouraged to walk or bike to school that morning. If you're kids usually ride the bus, a parent or neighbor could drive them part way and then walk the rest of the way with them.

This is a great opportunity to talk about health and safety. Some safety rules you could review while walking are:
*walk with a buddy
*walk (don't run) while crossing a street
*always look and listen, especially while crossing
*look left, right, then left again before stepping to cross
*always wear a helmet when riding a bike
*ride your bike in the same direction as traffic
*know what traffic signs mean and follow them
*watch for turning cars
*don't walk between parked cars
*when biking, always stop, look left, right, then left again before riding out of a driveway
*never accept a ride from a stranger

We hope you'll enjoy this opportunity to walk to school with your child! You can also click on the Who's Walking link to see what kids are doing in other countries.

Oh Say, Can You See?

Annual vision screening for kindergaren, first, third, and fifth grades will be next Thursday, October 7 at 9:00 a.m. If your child already has glasses, it's important that they wear them so the correctness of the prescription can be tested.

Good vision is so critical to being able to learn in the classroom. Many thanks to our school nurse and the volunteers who will help with the screening!

photo from northcarolina.edu

Hey, hey, it's picture day!

If combing hair is optional during the morning rush at your house, you may want to plan just a leetle more time into the routine tomorrow because Oct. 1 is picture day! Otherwise, your little darling's bedhead will be immortalized for years to come (which isn't always a bad thing--those pictures can be quite entertaining).

Brushing teeth, however, should not be optional.

Survey says...



Many of you took the time at registration to fill out our needs assessment survey (may blessings and chocolate rain upon you for so doing).

In my best Richard Dawson voice (okay, that's just scary), I'm here to tell you what the surveys said:

Respect for self and others and bullying both came in as top concerns, which when you think about it, are two sides of the same coin. Fitness and nutrition, communication between parents and school, and literacy rounded out the top five.

Other high-ranking concerns included safe schools, SEP conferences, and resources for learning at home. 


We will be keeping these concerns in mind as we develop the programs for this year. Thank you so much for your participation!

Fantastic Fall Extravaganza!

Wow! The Fall Extravaganza is finished and it was such a fantastic event! I'm still absolutely stunned by the generosity of everyone who participated. So many people gave time, energy, effort, and money to generate funds that will support our kids.

Here are a few photos:

There were lots of fun inflatables for the kids to bounce on.

A wonderful basket auction! I wanted to hug everyone I saw who was leaving with a basket, but that would have been...well...weird. So here is a much more appropriate virtual hug going out to everyone who purchased or contributed to those beautiful baskets!

Yummy dinner!

Fun (and tiring!) rides

Who doesn't love face painting? I was this close to getting a butterfly myself.

The concessions stand was a favorite.

Kudos to our dedicated volunteers, who tirelessly worked the cotton candy machine.

It looks like a new Halloween costume--sugar zombie!

I think my kids will want to dress up like that.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Also, please remember the PTA meeting tomorrow morning--9:30 at the school.

We promise you won't leave looking like a sugar zombie.

A Peach moment

photo from aveleyman.com

Our tank house this morning:

Good morning, everyone!

Today's the day!

The sun is shining,

The tickets are missing,

And we are going...

(GASP!)

THE TICKETS ARE MISSING!

THE TICKETS ARE MISSING!

Oh yeah, I haven't picked them up yet.

For any of you who have also had a Peach moment, the tickets for the Fall Extravaganza may be picked up at the front office or at the event.

See you there!

4:30-7:30 at the school

Bring a jacket and be ready for fun!

In Dreams

I had a dream last night about the Fall Extravaganza (seriously!). I dreamt that we forgot about it until about 7:20 p.m. We panicked and made a mad dash to the school, only to see the bouncy inflatables sinking as the air came out and people leaving the grounds to go home. My kids were soooooo upset.

Word to the wise: mark your calendars for this Friday and don't forget, or it will be a nightmare.

Holy second chances, Batman!

It looks like you actually have until next Tuesday to donate for the class baskets. So if you didn't send anything today, there's still time to be a hero.

No tights needed.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Fall Extravaganza!

By now you've (hopefully) seen the announcements come home about the Fall Extravaganza. Here's the scoop on what you need to know:

*It's Friday, Sept. 10 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the school

*Dinner will be available (pizza or BBQ beef); pre-sale price is $3.00 or it will be $4.00 that night.

*There will be tons of fun activities that your kids (or you) can participate in with tickets. You can get 15
tickets for $5, 30 tickets for $10, or 60 tickets for $20.

*Teachers are also putting together baskets to be auctioned off at a silent auction. You may donate items or money to help with the baskets.

All pre-sale tickets, meals, and basket donations are due tomorrow (Friday).

And if you're feeling a little wiped out, remember that admission is free.  :)

Tea for Two (or twenty-two)

Room mothers are cordially invited to attend

the Room Mothers' Tea

September 1 at the school, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Formal wear and white gloves are optional.

Tea is actually optional as well

(as it never was essential to a good tea party).

Kinda makes you wish
you were a room mother, right?

(that, or five years old again)

The third grade classes will be going
to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
September 2.

If you have a third grader,
ask them about the magic of
"Once upon a time..."

Remember the Reflections Contest kick-off is also September 1, so encourage your child to explore the many artistic possibilities available through this acitvity.

Reflections!

It's time to start thinking about the Reflections Contest! Kids can create something in an artistic field they already love or try something they've never done before. If your child loves computers, try some film editing. Got a little ham on your hands? There's a theater/drama category. Or give them your digital camera (if you're brave) and let them take some pictures.

This year's theme is "Together We Can," which is chock full of possibilities!

As they work on their projects, you may wonder whether the life-size paper mache elephant is a wee bit big, or if your child's symphony needs three movements instead of two. All of your questions can be answered at the state PTA site, where there are rules for each category as well as general participation rules. Entry forms and media forms can also be downloaded.

Sept. 1 is the official kick-off, and entries are due October 8.

Who's excited?

If you've got a kindergartner at your house, then it's likely that their excitement cup runneth over. Tomorrow is the big day!

Remember to pick them up if they go in the morning and to send them if they go in the afternoon. :)

A Runny Babbit moment

O waperpork, o waperpork,
O endless sorms to fign,
Slermission pips and fistrict dorms,
So many sines to lign.

I've nigned my same so many times
I stink I can't see thraight,
But dow I'm almost none, hooray!
And only two lays date!

Actually, if you return your forms by tomorrow, most of them won't be late. Thanks for your willingness to help with all of the paperwork!

Book cover photo from Amazon.com

Remember this?

Enjoy your day.  :)

Open House (and other stuff)

Today is the Open House at the school! Come anytime between 1:30-3:30 p.m. so your kids can meet their teachers, see their classrooms (even find their desks!), and get all settled about where to go tomorrow.

Parents of kindergartners can sign up for an assessment time during the open house as well.

Our parent handbook is now online and has all sorts of helpful information including phone numbers, schedules, and behavior policies.

And remember, if you go to the district site and click on the bus route finder, you can enter your home address and find out where there are bus stops available for  your kids.

If you are dropping your child off by car, please use the west parking lot (entering on the south side) and pull as far forward as possible. Ask your child to use the crosswalk when crossing the bus lanes. This is the best way to keep the kids safe during the hectic drop-off/pick up periods.

There's a quick link to the lunch menu on the left side bar (the district will not be sending home copies of the menu). It's pizza for the first day--yum!

Edited to add: I tried the bus route finder link and it did not bring up the stop my kids used last year. So routes may have changed or the site may not have completely accurate info. Check with neighbors if you're unsure about your busing.

New teachers!

picture from pebblemats.com

We have several new teachers to welcome to our school!

2nd grade: Kelsey Foster

4th grade: Cheri Knighton

5th grade: Heidi Olsen

6th grade: Stephanie Talley, Rachel Hansen,

Juliet Lewis, and Emily Blaisdell

We've also had some teachers change grades:

Jeanmarie Anderson moved to 2nd grade from 6th grade

Jennifer Williams moved to 2nd grade from 4th grade

Jennifer Clawson (we knew her as Jennifer Lyons last year--congrats on the wedding!)

moved to 4th grade from 5th grade

We hope you're all excited to meet your teachers at the Open House on August 23!

Up, up, up!

The kindergarten lists are posted on the window of the front door. Come see where your little one has landed!

Also, remember to submit any information needed to complete your child's registration for kindergarten, especially immunization records (cough, cough, which I just did today).

The new office is also looking snazzy--you can check that out as well if you go over.

Retraction

The kindergarten class lists will actually not be posted until next Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Hopefully the suspense is not killing you!

A Good Time Was Had By All

Hopefully you were able to get all registered and find out who your student's teacher is (remember, kindergarten information will be posted at the school after Aug. 10). You can check the faculty section of the school website to see pictures and email info for teachers.

We got positive feedback about holding registration in the gym this year. If you have any ideas about how to improve the experience, feel free to share them in the comments.

It's almost here!

Registration is tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the gym.

Have you verified yet? If not, go here and get yourself a parent SIS account!

Registration 101 continued...

With all of the contact information being updated online, you may wonder what is left to do at registration?

Lots! (and it's more fun than filling out phone numbers and addresses).

The first order of business will be finding out who your child's teacher is. If you can't attend registration but are still planning to enroll your child at Mapleton Elementary, please call and let the school know. Otherwise, they may assume you are not coming and the teacher assignments may change.

The parent information handbook that is usually distributed at registration will be available online this year. Check our school website--it should be posted soon.

There are two checks to write at registration (spending money can be fun, right?).

One check should be for lunch/breakfast money and a school donation (you will be able to specify how much money should be attributed to your student's lunch account and how much is a donation). Meal prices are the same as last year: $1.25 for breakfast and $1.75 for lunch. Forms to apply for reduced-price meals are available at the Nebo District site. The suggested school donation is $25 per child; this money is used to purchase classroom supplies and fund projects, field trips, and assemblies.

The second check is for PTA items. Membership in PTA is $5. We will be holding a drawing (with fabulous prizes worth up to dollars!) as an incentive for parents to join. There is special emphasis this year on encouraging fathers to join. Watch for our membership display at registration--it will list the prizes as well as other membership benefits.

You will also be able to purchase school t-shirts ($9), sweatshirts ($14), and cinchsack-style book bags ($5). This is what the logo will look like on the shirts and bags:

Cool, no? Everyone will want to get their school spirit on!

The PTA will also be producing a school directory; consent forms to be included will be available at registration.

You will also be able to sign up to volunteer for the many programs that are administered throughout the school year. Volunteers are needed for as little as one hour to as many as . . . you're willing to give.  Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your child's education and become familiar with classroom dynamics, school staff, and the immense effort expended by so many to educate our children.

Registration is Tuesday, Aug. 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the gym.

Bring a checkbook and wear clothes you can dance in!

SOS for SIS--Registration 101

Registration is coming up on Aug. 3, and glory be, we can all update our family information online this year! Hooray!

Here's what you need to do:

Go to the Nebo District parents page. A permanent link to this page is now on the left sidebar as well. Once you're there, click on the SIS box in the lower left part of the page. You will then be on a page with a list of options. There are three things you need to do before registration--these are marked with a red "prior to registration" tag.

#1: Create a parent account. In the past, the district has mailed SIS password information to parents and guardians. This year, parents are being asked to create their own user name and password. There are detailed instructions on how to do this if you click on the "Create a Parent Account" link. You will need to have at least one student number to set up your account. Ask your kids what their student number is--it's the number they use for lunch and for computer logins. You may also be able to find it on progress reports or transcripts. If all else fails, call the school.

#2 Update the Student Contact Information. This is what used to take forever long at registration--filling out all this info for each child. Now you can update contact information for yourself, your children, and your emergency contacts all online, anytime.

#3 Select the "Verify" link. When you are finished editing your information, check the box at the bottom of the page that indicates the information is correct and click on the "verify" button. You're finished!

This site is designed to be the hub of information from the district. You will be able to find the Parent Information Guide, lunch and breakfast menus, bus route info, and announcements for upcoming events. You can also use SIS anytime to check on grades.

Remember to logout when you are finished. To logout, hover over your name at the upper right corner. This will bring up a drop-down menu, and you can click "logout."

We have now arrived in the 21st century. :)

Note: For those who do not have computer access at home, the school will have several laptops set up during registration for parents to update their contact information.

Have you seen it?!

A new playground full of European-styled awesomeness is now installed and ready for play!

Drive by and take a look if you haven't seen it yet!

New Deal

There's a new deal in town to help schools raise money. It's called Screamin' Coupons, and it's sort of like the old Happenings books except you only purchase the coupons you're actually interested in. If you'd like to check it out, go to their website. You can sign up for daily deals via email; the site will walk you through the process of selecting a school to support (we are listed as "Mapleton School"). If you by a coupon, our school gets a portion of the purchase price.

Making money by saving money--what's not to love?

Stay Connected

We're making it easier to stay in touch with what's happening at the school. We have a new Facebook page, and you can also follow us on Twitter! Get connected so you can keep up with what's up at Mapleton Elementary!

We also have a new blog button that you can install on your blog. Everything you need to know will be a click away!

Blog Button

Our blog is just a click away when you install this button on your own blog!

To install this button, copy and paste this code into an HTML/JavaScript gadget on your blog:

<a href="http://mapletonelementary.blogspot.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 108px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491933307376850610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptdzNoNHZnoc0qO_xTnvl9Od2tvCqeexETzsGtAYT0D_YGkgbZKigPlcffeVvOXl5Q66Ff4vx2VeOXPKqF4u-hMRjz7Sd1iGeB-b7czIYVKY8u6lCmJQyzPcn7uiYmLm-QIh1nWZ1Qvon/s320/PTA+blog+button+small.jpg" /></a>
<div></div>

Pardon the virtual dust...

We're doing a bit of a redesign on the blog. :)

It's Summer!! (almost)

Chances are that either you or your children are feeling like this about school being out:

If we can get the weather to cooperate, we'll all be on the road to some summer fun!

Today is the last reading assembly, so don't be surprised if your child walks through the door with a new bicycle or scooter. It's legal, we promise.

Tomorrow is the last day of school. It's an early out at noon, so don't forget to pick up your child. Nothing puts a damper on the day like being stuck at an empty school.

Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard this year--kids, parents, teachers, and staff. We appreciate all of the work that has gone into making this year a success!!

Field Day!

Tomorrow is Field Day, so make sure your child is dressed appropriately (which frankly, could mean a coat or shorts in any given ten minutes). Hopefully, sunscreen will be in order.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week, May 17-21, is Teacher Appreciation Week. It's a great time to think about the past year and thank teachers for all they've done, especially for any specific things that have benefitted your child. Many times these expressions of appreciation mean more than parents and students can know.

So take some time to write a card or send an email (go here for faculty email addresses) or even polish up and send an apple. Get your kids involved and have them think of at least one thing about their teacher that they especially love.

Thanks to everyone who makes our school a great place for our kids!

Hope of America

Tonight is the big (and we do mean BIG) Hope of America program for all of the fifth grade students. If you have a child participating, here's all of the info you need:

Be at the Marriott Center by 6:30 p.m.
Students should enter through portals V or W; audience seating is through portals F, G, H, J, K, and L
Students should wear their shirt (not tucked in)
Bring dark glasses and a flashlight (not to be used at the same time, we hope)

After the program, the students will be dismissed by schools. Parents should stay in their seats until their child's school name is called. You can meet your child outside on the assigned patio (ours is the North/West patio).

Good luck to everyone--it will be lots of fun!

Your spirit is showing! (hopefully)

It's School Spirit week, and in an effort to have some fun and show some love for our school, the kids get to dress in themes.

Wednesday is Sports Day
Thursday is Hat Day
Friday is Crazy Hair Day

So break out that jersey, find that favorite hat, and bring on the hairspray! It's time to show some school spirit!

Catch a Wave

Remember, the Seven Peaks reading calendars are due tomorrow, so please send them in to score your free tickets!

A little glimpse of summer sounds heavenly.

Wax Museum!

Today is the annual 5th grade wax museum! It's amazing to see historical figures "come alive" through the voices of our fifth graders. Classes will be visiting this afterfnoon from 12:30-2:15, and parents are welcome to come tonight from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

6th graders will also be attending the junior high orientation today.

Kindergarten Registration is TODAY!!

If you have a child who will be going to kindergarten next year (or you know someone who does), make sure you (or they) skeedaddle over to the school today to get registered. Kids are eligible for kindergarten if they will be 5 years old before Sept. 1.

Registration runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You'll need a birth certificate and immunization records, but if you can't find them go get registered anyway. You can provide that info later.

The staffing is based on how many students are registered in the spring, so it's important that everyone is counted!

Correction!

Since there's no school tomorrow (HOW COULD WE FORGET THERE'S NO SCHOOL TOMORROW?!?), the entries for the Freedom Festival essay contest will be accepted on Monday.

So you have all weekend to wax patriotic (and maybe fly a kite).

SEPs and Patriotic Writing

There will be SEP conferences tomorrow beginning at 3:15. If you need some ideas for how to prepare, check out this post from January. There are a lot of activities to keep up on this time of year, and the SEP conference is a great way to make sure you know what your child needs.

Also, if you've been working on an essay for the Freedom Festival essay contest, it's time to get those last revisions finished and type up a final draft. The essay theme is "American Values: Family, Freedom, God, and Country." Entry forms came home a few weeks ago--if you need one, check with the office or your child's teacher. Five people from grades 1-3 and five more from grades 4-6 will be chosen to advance. (There aren't usually a ton of entries, so your chances of winning are pretty good!)

Essays are due Friday, March 19.

Go here for more information about the contest, including the cash awards.

Books and Donuts--what could be sweeter?

Time to break open the piggy bank and use that hard-earned cash for something that will provide hours of fun and entertainment--books!! There are hundreds of titles available for purchase this week during the Book Fair. The Fair will run Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In conjunction with the Book Fair, our annual Donuts with Dad event will be held Tuesday, March 16 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Drop in any time and grab a donut, listen to our storyteller, and find a corner to curl up and read with your child. Kids can come with dads, grandpas, uncles, brothers, neighbors (or with moms, aunts, grandmas, and sisters). The goal is to share a little of the sweetness of reading.

Due to the sticky nature of this event, books from the library will not be available. Feel free to bring a book from home or purchase one from the Book Fair.

There is a PTA board meeting tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. Come and cast your vote for the 2010-2011 PTA Executive Board!

Jumping into Spring

Hey everyone, time to dust off your jump ropes and find your inner Tigger, because Jump Club is starting tomorrow! The Club jumps from 3:20-4:00 every Tuesday afternoon this month.

Also, March is the month to earn a free pass to Seven Peaks. Watch for the light blue reading chart that came home yesterday. Everyone who reads 500 minutes will get a pass to Seven Peaks water park and a coupon to Trafalga Fun Center. Kids can read by themselves, read to someone else, or have someone read to them.

Open Enrollment Deadline

Do you live out of our school boundaries but want to attend anyway? Then it's time to skeedaddle on over to the office to fill out your paperwork. Tomorrow is the open enrollment deadline, and it applies to kindergarteners and junior high students as well.

Today there is a No Greater Hero assembly at school. Ask your kids what they learned about heroes and who it is that they look up to.

Picture Day!

Tomorrow is the day for spring pictures!

I'm game for anything with the word "spring" in it, aren't you?

Are you wondering what's for lunch? Starting next week, you probably will be. Beginning in February, the district will no longer send home a lunch menu with each child. So if you'd like a paper copy to hang on your fridge, you'll need to print one out. You can go to our school website to find a menu, or to the district site (go to the Departments menu, then Operations, Food Services; click on "menu" and choose the month). Or just use this handy-dandy shortcut link that will take you directly to the menu page.

Also, remember today is the Science Fair! Even if you did not participate, you're welcome to come and peruse the projects that our students have worked so hard on. The projects will be in the gym from 1:00-2:30.

Check out some of the things our school is doing to remember a very special student.

Meep meep meep, mmeeeep meep meeeeeeep meep meep meep meep meep mmmmmeeeeeeeppppp!

Translation: Remember, the science fair is this Friday, so wrap up your projects and get your display board ready!

*Boards are available at the office $3.50.

Fun in the Great Indoors

If your kids are feeling a little cabin feverish this time of year, here's an acitivity that might help. Chess club is taking place after school and is it's a fun way for kids to learn the basics or even more advanced strategies. If they need a little inspiration, check out this story about a ten-year-old chess champion from Utah. One interesting fact--internationally, chess is the most competitive sport behind soccer.

Chess as a sport? Maybe there's hope for me to be athletic after all.

Also, remember to keep working on your projects for the Science Fair. Poster boards to create the display for the projects are available at the office for $3.50.