Gator Gazette
Central Park Elementary December 2022
From the Principal
Dear Parents,
The holiday season is upon us as is the end of the first semester. This time of year is so much more enjoyable when it is seen through the eyes of children. They are excited and it is catching! We hope you are able to catch some of the holiday spirit from your child and enjoy the wonders of the season with them!
As winter approaches please be reminded of the importance of labeling your child’s coats, jackets, sweaters, etc. We have several coats per day that are not claimed. This adds up over time and about once a month we take unclaimed items to Helping Hands. If your child’s name is on the tag it is very easy to get the item back to its rightful owner.
On behalf of the staff at Central Park, we would like to thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with your children. We hope you and yours have a very wonderful holiday.
Warmest regards,
Karrie Bradshaw, Principal
Allison Smith, Assistant Principal
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Reminders
- Important Dates
Dec. 6th: 1st Grade parent night 5:30-6:30
Dec. 8th: 2nd Grade parent night 5:30-6:30
Dec. 13th: 3rd Grade Holiday performance 6:00
Dec. 21st: PTO meeting
Dec. 19th: Holiday Hat Day
Dec. 20th: Holiday Shirt Day; Winter parties (Kinder 10:30, 1st and 2nd 1:20, 3rd and 4th 8:30)
Dec. 21st: Holiday Sock Day
Dec. 22nd: Winter Break Begins
Jan. 5th: Students Return to School
Activity Classes
Hello Everyone!!
This month we will be reading books with the following themes: Generosity, Arkansas Diamond Nominees, and Holiday books.
Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. They offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Their timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age. Follow this link for a list of suggestions for holiday books for children.
Don’t forget about The Central Park Little Free Library located on the sidewalk in front of the school. It is always open to stop by and get a new book or leave a book for another friend to read.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Hedstrom and Mrs. Jackson
Music:
We are finally to December. My favorite time of the year! I absolutely LOVE the colder weather, decorating around my house, and listening to all of the fabulous Christmas songs people play on the radio. I also love all of the fun musical opportunities this time of year provides. This month students will be playing instrumental songs, performing dances, singing songs, and playing games which focus on musical concepts such as steady beat, reading rhythmic and notational patterns, tempo, and dynamics.
In addition, 3rd Grade will have their Winter Concert entitled, Toys! The Night They Come Alive! on Tuesday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the CPE cafeteria. I am sooo excited for this! Students need to arrive between 5:30-5:45 p.m. and should dress as a toy of their choice, an ugly Christmas sweater, or wear something festive in red or green unless they were told to wear a specific costume because they had a speaking or acting part in the program. 3rd Grade students will also be carolling to residents at the Primrose Retirement Center on December 16. This will be a great way to close out our semester and spread a little Holiday joy to members in our community. 2nd Grade students have also begun auditions for their up-coming program. Arctic Animal Antics will be coming to the CPE stage on Thursday, February 16 at 6 p.m. So, don't forget to mark your calendars now and be sure to save the date.
PE:
In December we will be exercising with some of our favorite holiday theme games in PE. Students will use our parachute, scooters, omnikin ball, and other manipulatives to engage in teamwork and cooperation activities. We will also be revisiting our class procedures and expectations during the next few weeks.
We want to wish all of our CPE families a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
Art:
CPE art students will love turning the start of the Winter Season into inspiration for fun and engaging projects that celebrate the season!
An iconic red vintage pickup truck, holiday trees, Gingerbread houses and Gingerbread people and snowy winter landscapes are just some of the fun subjects students will be creating for art projects in December. We will be exploring how the season of Winter influences artists to use a variety of different art materials to recreate the chilly Winter weather we start to experience this time of year.
Global Connections:
G' Day Mate!
It's Mrs. Cortney!
Last month in Global Connections we visited Australia! We had the best time! We learned all about the Aussies culture, food, landmarks, and all the cute animals Australia has! We learned about the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, and the Sydney Harbor Bridge! While we were at it we went to the Sydney Opera House! WOW! Just beautiful! What a gorgeous continent! I am so proud of your kiddos for learning so much and participating! They are so fun!
This month in Global Connections we will begin to explore a new continent! Where will we go?!? Can't wait to surprise my kiddos! I have a lot of fun things up my sleeve! I'll give you a hint..... PASTA!
I hope you enjoy your holidays! See you soon!
Computers:
We will be Learning Binary Coding and learning different keys this month.
From the Counselors
SAY IT:
Joy means finding a way to be happy, even when things don’t go your way.
KNOW IT:
ASK A GROWN-UP:
What are some things in life that make you happy, even when things aren’t going your
way?
Have you ever known someone who always seems to have joy?
ASK A KID:
Can you think of anyone in your class or family that has joy? How does it make you feel to be around that person?
SEE IT:
Most of us have seen the movie Despicable Me where we get to meet the joy-filled little
yellow critters, Minions. Watch this video of the song “Happy”, by Pharrell Williams and talk
about what it would be like to have the kind of happiness and joy that the Minions seem to
have. If you want to make it really fun, come up with a dance to do with motions to the song.
See if singing and dancing as a family can help you add a little joy to your day.
HAPPY - Pharrell Williams (feat. Minions)
BE IT:
Think about some of the things that bring joy to your family and friends. Take some time
or spend a little money to give some small gifts that you think will bring joy. Make a card,
bake some cookies, do an extra chore or service project, and give them a small piece of candy.
Pay attention to people who are having a bad day and think about what you can do to bring
some joy to their lives.
PHASE:
By the time kids hit upper elementary, they begin to realize their first major crisis: Friendship
This isn’t just something that happens to our fourth and fifth graders.
Believe it or not, research is beginning to show that by kindergarten
many kids are testing the power of their influence and seeking to connect with friends at any cost.
Meaning, as soon as they become aware there are other people in the
world besides them, they start making decisions based on the sort of
friends they want to attract.
Here are a few ways you can help your elementary kids develop friendships.
Help them develop self-confidence.
Widen the circle of people around them to include adults you trust.
Ask questions about what’s happening in their friendships.
Don’t freak out! Every Phase is new for your child and you as a parent,
so there will be some bumps in the road.
So don’t miss it. Developing friendships is a part of being a kid, and
each one is learning as they go.
A special thank you goes out to all our community collaborators and donators around this holiday season!
You help make our school family special. We really appreciate you!
Erin Johnson- PTO President
Sunny Gentry- Gators Gives Back Coordinator
Kendra Judkins- Snack pack Volunteer
Danny Voorhees- Choose Love
Heather Brown- Choose Love
Brandi Shoptaw- Staff Happiness Cart
Amanda Robertson- Spirit Cart
Laney Doan- Social Worker
Honey Baked Ham
Joshua Forester- McClarty Daniel
Skyline Printing and Merchandise
Samantha Green with Samaritan House
Sharing and Caring
FBC of Bentonville
Eason Counseling and Associates
Parents and all those with a servant's heart.
We fed 20 families for Thanksgiving with your donations, contributed to a canned food drive that supplies food to our families, and had each grade level donate items with our Choose Love event.
In December, we will contribute to a Kindness for Cops service project with the kindergarten, special education and Gives Back Program, as well as support families with social work through the holiday season.