Raider News
W.D. Richards Elementary November 2016
Principal's Corner
Dear Richards Families:
I can’t believe it is already November! We have enjoyed so many successes during the first nine weeks of school. It has been very enjoyable to watch your children grow and learn. November and December are very busy months with the start of basketball and cheerleading as well as holiday activities. Please check the calendar for upcoming events. As the weather changes, please encourage your child to wear appropriate clothes for the colder temperatures. We go outside each day at recess unless it is below 20 degrees. Students have been doing a good job of being responsible for their coats and jackets but we still have several lost and found items located in the back lobby by the cafeteria. Also, as we approach weather changes, please listen to the radio or television for delay or snow day information. You may also check the BCSC website. With weather changes it is also important to remember that students cannot enter the building until 7:45 for breakfast or 8:00 to go to classrooms every morning. Please try to drop your children off closer to the designated times so they will not have to stand outside in the cold weather.
Congratulations to the members of our basketball and cheerleading squads. I know the players and coaches have been working hard preparing for the upcoming season. It takes a lot of hard work to keep up with schoolwork and attend practices and games. I would like to thank the parents of these student athletes for making sure school work comes first.
Congratulations to Richards students for excellent attendance for the first nine week grading period. Our school attendance thus far this year is 97.5% which means we are on pace to meet our goal for attendance this school year. Hopefully our excellent attendance continues.
I continue to be amazed by the contributions of so many parents and staff members. Richards is a wonderful school thanks to your efforts. I welcome your participation in your child’s school and look forward to seeing you at the next PTO meeting or school event. Please feel free to call me at 376-4311 or stop by the office if you have comments or concerns. I enjoy talking with you and care about your kids.
Mr. Darin Sprong
Growth Mindset
Ways to Help Your Child, Volume 1
What is growth mindset?
Growth mindset is a concept developed by Carol Dweck, a professor at Stanford University. We used to think our intelligence was fixed--meaning we were either smart or we weren't. Scientists have proven again and again that simply is not true. Our brain acts like a muscle--the more we use it, the stronger (and smarter) our brain becomes.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Avoid challenges
Give up easily
Ignore feedback
A person with a growth mindset may do these things:
Embrace challenges
Give their best effort
Learn from feedback
Believe their intelligence can change if they work hard
How is W.D. Richards moving towards a growth mindset community?
The staff at W.D. Richards is working hard, as always, to help your child become as successful as possible. Most of the staff is learning more through a book study of Carol Dweck's book, Mindset: The Psychology of Success, and discussing ways to better help students develop a growth mindset in the classroom.
Students at W.D. Richards had a lesson in September with Mrs. Nolting that focused on having a growth mindset and how it can help them be the best that they can be. Listed below are some of the resources used in the lessons:
• Giraffes Can't Dance, by Giles Andreae
• Your Fantastic Elastic Brain Stretch it, Shape it, by JoAnn Deak and Sarah Ackerly
•The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
•What Do You Do with a Problem?, by Kobi Yamada
All of these resources can be found on itslearning. We encourage you to ask your student what they know about growth mindset.
What is UDL?
Parent Portal
Login HERE!
Car Rider Safety
Outdoor Recess Reminder
Fresh air and outdoor play activities are beneficial to students. We do go outside for recess whenever the weather permits. In the winter a combination of the wind chill factor and temperature is used to determine the possibility of going outside for play. Twenty degrees is used as the cut off for outside recess. All students should have appropriate clothing for outside play. Contact our school nurse if you need assistance in obtaining warm clothing. Students with health conditions that don’t allow outside play must provide a doctor’s statement. All students must participate in outdoor recess, unless a doctor’s statement is on file.
Important Dates to Remember:
6th Grade Field Trip November 3
Fall Festival November 4
Fall Book Fair November 1-4
Thanksgiving Break November 21-25 NO SCHOOL
6th Grade DARE celebration December 2
2016-2017 Raiders Basketball Teams
2016-2017 Cheerleaders
Anna Asher
Calla Bauman
Kaitlyn Buickel
Lilly Perry
Braelyn Schadenfroh
Katelyn Stetter
Roselynn Venegas
Grace Wheatley
Lily Wood
Camry Comstock
Hailey Hardin
Reina Shibata
Delainey Vetter
Cami Warren
FCA
Welcome back to a new school year focused on growth, learning and worshipping! We will be meeting each month at 7:30 am in room 114 (Wenzler) on the dates listed below. We hope you plan to join us and start your day off in prayer and fun activities. You do not have to be an athlete or sports fanatic to attend. All are welcome!
Thursdays at 7:30 am in room 114:
November 17
December 15
January 26
February 23
March 30
April 27
May 25
Cafeteria News
Free/Reduced Meals Information
If your family meets the income qualifications for free or reduced lunch, and even if your child brings his or her lunch to school, there are several benefits that may be available for your family. Textbook assistance, waived ACT/SAT fees, waived dual credit course fees, discounted internet service or computer, discounts for sports or other programs, and iCare after-school program discounts are some possibilities. Click on the Link below for more details.
Did you know that the meal assistance is not just about lunch?
¿Sabía usted que la asistencia de comidas no es solo para el almuerzo?
Are you an RN or LPN? BCSC needs substitute nurses!
Interested in Substitute Teaching?
If you are interested in subbing, PLEASE contact Linda Denninger at the BCSC Administration Building. You can choose where you substitute teach and you can choose to substitute only at Richards Elementary or anywhere in the school district!
Linda Denninger
BCSC Receptionist/Sub-Coord.
1200 Central Avenue
Columbus, IN 47201
Phone: 812-376-4234
Resources for Holiday Assistance
Music Notes
Veteran's Day:
Richards will be holding its annual Veteran’s Day program this year on Friday, November 11 at 8:30 a.m. Students in grades 5-6 and choir will present the program, which will be attended by the full school. Family and friends, especially our honored veterans, are welcome to attend the event to join our school in giving thanks to those who have served our country.
Please consider submitting a photo of a special veteran to be part of our Veteran's Day slide show. You may either e-mail the photo to luekenm@bcsc.k12.in.us or send a hard copy in an envelope to Mrs. Lueken. She will scan it and return it to you. Please include the name of the veteran, military branch, years served, and their relationship to any Richards students in your e-mail or envelope.
2016-2017 Music Events – Put them on your calendar now!
Friday, November 11, 8:30 am – Veteran’s Day: Grades 5, 6, & choir
**Thursday, Dec. 15, 6:00pm – TENTATIVE – Holiday Concert: Choir, Band, and Strings**
May 8-12, 12:45-1:35 - 1st Grade Bring-Your-Parent –to-Music-Class Days: Monday = Mrs.
Holl’s class, Thursday = Mrs. Voils’s class, Friday = Mrs. Frasier’s class
Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 am – 5th grade field trip to ISO
Thursday, May 18, 6:00 pm - 2nd & 3rd Grade Spring Program
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your child’s musical development, please do not hesitate to stop by, call, or email me at luekenm@bcsc.k12.in.us! I’m looking forward to a great year! ~Mrs. Lueken
Library News
News from the Library
Ahoy Mateys! Friday, October 28 is the first day of our annual Scholastic Book Fair! Your child should have received a flier in their Richards Roster listing only a few of the items that will be for sale during the fair. The theme this year is “Bookaneer Book Fair – Where Books are the Treasure”. (Ask your student if they have heard or seen Captain Book)!! Your child will have the opportunity to come and shop at the book fair during their regularly scheduled library time. You can also stop by the library during the Fall Festival on November 4th and shop with your child. Hours are from 5:30 until 8:00 P.M. If you cannot attend the festival but would still like to place an order, you can access our fair by going to: www.scholastic.com/bf/richardselementary . ALL proceeds benefit our school! Arrggh………..
Mrs. Snider
Art News
Thanks! ~Andi Bartels
W.D. Richards Elementary
Email: sprongd@bcsc.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/domain/1181
Location: 3311 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus, IN, United States
Phone: (812) 376-311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WDRichardsElementarySchool/