Amana Elementary
Newsletter
Something light for today’s Friday Note
I get to spend a lot of time with Ms. Colleen and Mrs. Kellenberger. Both would probably say they have to spend time with me, but I digress. Most Fridays when struggling to find a topic for discussion, I will ask one or both for ideas. Mrs. Kellenberger suggested I start with a joke today! So here it goes…. “What did the farmer use to open the chicken? A parrot.” That joke is brought to you today by one of our amazing 1st graders who loves to tell jokes. Along with that one, the 1st graders also LOVE telling knock-knock jokes! They are so much fun.
Never a dull moment around here. Yesterday we celebrated 100s Day! We all let out a huge collective sigh of relief not knowing on August 26th if we’d make it 10 days let alone 100! Some schools celebrated today (which we support) but Mrs. Hilton, who we admire more than words could ever describe, said it was yesterday on the 28th, so the 28th it is. The district counts PLP hours as contact hours, per State guidance, so we at AES counted it in our 100 days. On occasion we at AES will get tagged with the notion we like to do things just a little differently. We take that as a compliment.
Valentine’s day is around the corner, and YES, you can send Valentine’s cards and YES they can have candy attached. Students won’t be able to move around the halls delivering to Specials’ teachers, other classrooms or to the office which will only deplete my personal candy stash, but I will be just fine. Classrooms will also be having Valentine celebrations. We are still not able to have visitors/volunteers coming in to help, but if you can help out by providing food, drink, or games, it would be appreciated. You should be seeing some information coming out from your teacher.
A few weeks ago we incorporated some of Dr. Martin Luther King's words and ideas in our writing lessons. We then posted those in the hallway and bulletin boards. Out of the mouths of babes. The kinders reflected on Dr. King’s dream and (in part) his idea to treat people kindly. Kinders then created ways they themselves could show care and kindness. Zeke plans to talk to his sister without fighting. Shaleigh is able to hold the door open for someone. Hatie will help by reaching for a book someone can’t reach. Addilyn plans to smile at people. I LOVE that imagery. She does have a rock star smile. And last, and certainly not least, Iden is going to give someone a present whose grandpa died. The beauty (and humor) on these is so pure and genuine. Our 3rd grade also collaborated on the ideas behind “I have a Dream.” And yes, one student did come up with “to eat cookies” and who can blame them. But Arlo sums it up the best I believe, when he wrote, “that everyone is treated = = = =” Love it! Well done.
PEACE!
Ben Macumber,
Principal
Calendar of Events
Monday, March 15 - Friday, March 19 - Spring Break
Tuesday, March 23 - School Picture Day
Friday, April 16 - No School
Classroom Snacks/Birthday Treats
Classroom Snacks must follow the Healthy Snack guidelines to meet the Smart Snack Requirements as set by USDA. No soda, candy and other such items are allowed.
Daily student snacks in the classroom will be brought in by the individual student for their own consumption. While we have no control over what that snack item may be, we ask that you help to provide a healthy snack option for your child.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, we are not allowing classroom snacks for special days such as birthdays, holidays, etc. be brought from home by the parent that do not meet the following standards:
- 1. Item must be individually packaged for each student to open
- 2. Item must meet Smart Snack Guidelines
- 3. Item must not require refrigeration
- 4. If Item is brought in from another source other than the school purchasing, it must be in its original bulk purchase box.**example if purchasing individual bags of popcorn from Costco that come packaged in a box or bag, the bag or box cannot be opened before coming into the school. It must come in as purchased. This includes a purchase made from any other store or source.
Items produced or made at home and then individually wrapped are not acceptable.
A parent or teacher or PTG group may purchase items from the CCA School Food Service Department via the attached Order Guide which was updated 9/2/2020. We understand that a classroom size is much smaller than the case count of most of these products. We cannot purchase partial cases from our Distributor. Suggestions are for the classrooms to combine orders and split the case. Or a parent may purchase a case and take the rest home for what is not needed that day and allow their family to consume.
Some things to remember:
- Snacks orders need to be emailed or faxed to Debbie Klein, Food Service Director at debbieklein@ccaschools.org or 319-828-4743 (FAX)
- Snack orders need to be pre-paid before they are ordered, please write checks to "Clear Creek Amana Food Service"
- Orders are due Mondays and delivered to appropriate school on Thursdays
Click here for a link to the Snack List/Snack Order Form
BackPack Program
Through a partnership between HACAP and the CCA Community School District we are able to offer families a weekend food BackPack Program. The BackPack Program provides a small food bag of kid-friendly, non-perishable snacks for children each Friday and during school breaks. This is a FREE program, with no specific requirements that families must meet. It is also kept completely confidential – only the counselor will be aware of participating families. If the BackPack Program would be helpful for you and your children, please contact your building counselor or social worker.
Kelsey Koffend, Amana Elementary Counselor
Ronald McDonald House Can Tabs
Little things like pop tabs can make a big difference! Help support families and children through our Pop Tab program by collecting and donating the aluminum tabs you pull to open soda, soup, and other cans.
Box Tops for Education
THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOX TOPS IS HERE. Box Tops is changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online.
Eventually the Box Tops program will become digital-only. Participating brands are starting to change their packaging from a traditional Box Tops clip to the new Box Top label.
Box Tops are still worth 10¢ each for your school. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to your school's earnings online.
Register Tapes for Education
Amana Elementaty
benmacumber@ccaschools.org
319-622-3255
Email: colleenconrad@ccaschools.org
Website: https://www.ccaschools.org/AE
Location: 3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 622-3255