MEADOWLARK NEWSLETTER
March 2020
Dear Meadowlark Families,
It is hard to believe that we are entering the home stretch of the school year! Below are some important dates for you to remember for the month of March.
Spring Break is scheduled for March 13th through 20th. Crossing our fingers for beautiful spring weather!
Kindergarten Roundup is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th from 6:30 until 7:30 in the cafeteria. This will be a great time to come and hear more about our Kindergarten program. I would encourage you to tell friends and neighbors that might have an upcoming Kindergartener to come to the meeting and also call the office to provide us with pertinent information.
Family Showcase Night is scheduled for Thursday, March 26th from 5:00 until 7:00. Our students have been working hard on the Project Based Learning units and would be thrilled to show you their work. We will also have our spring book fair during this night event. We appreciate your support at these events. At the past two showcase nights, we have had 80% of our families in attendance....wow!
As always, we appreciate your support!
Dana Matheny, Principal
CALENDAR
- 1:00 - 3:00 pm - 1st Grade City Arts
March 2
- Dr. Seuss Birthday (Read Across America)
- 3:45 pm - After School Spanish Club
- 3:45 pm - STUCO
March 3
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
March 5
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 3:45 pm - After School Science Club
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
March 6
- Fitness For Funds Popcorn Party
- Fitness For Funds Letters Due
- 8:50 am - All Star Pep Rally
- 1:40 pm - 6th Grade Enrollment (ACMS Counselor talks to 5th grade)
March 8
- Daylight Saving Time Starts - Spring Forward 1 Hour
March 9
- 9:00 am - PTO Meeting
- 3:45 pm - After School Spanish Club
- 6:30 pm - Andover Board of Education Meeting @ District Office
March 10
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
March 12
- End of 3rd Quarter
- YEARBOOK SALE ENDS (see information below)
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 8:50 am - Crew Morning Meeting
- 3:45 pm - After School Spanish Club
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
March 13
- NO SCHOOL - AM Professional Learning
March 16 - 20
- NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
March 23
- Spring Book Fair Begins (Hours 9 - 4) see information below
- 3:45 pm - After School Spanish Club
March 24
- Spring Book Fair (Hours 9 - 4)
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 9:30 am - 5th Grade Science Assessment
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
- 6:30 pm - Kindergarten Roundup (see flyer below)
March 25
- Spring Book Fair (Hours 9 - 4)
- Spring Group/Individual Pictures
- 9:30 am - 5th Grade Science Assessment
- 5:00 - 9:00 pm - Freddy's Family Night Fundraiser (see flyer below)
March 26
- Spring Book Fair (Hours 9 - 7)
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 8:50 am - Crew Morning Meeting
- 3:45 pm - After School Science Club
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
- 5:00 - 7:00 pm - Family Night/Showcase Night/Book Fair Night (see flyer below)
March 27
- Spring Book Fair (Hours 9:15 - 4)
- 3rd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home
- 8:50 am - All Star Pep Rally
- 10:15 am - 4th Grade ELA Assessment
- 1:30 am - 5th Grade Kind Kids Crew Meeting
March 30
- 3:45 pm - After School Spanish Club
March 31
- 8:00 am - Milers Running Club
- 8:35 am - Meadowlark Mart
- 9:30 am - 5th Grade ELA Assessment
- 11:20 am - March Birthday Lunch with Mrs. Matheny
- 3:45 pm - Invention Convention in Room 213
Tammy Clarkson - Counselor
Sarah Acosta - Paraprofessional
Rachael Hoopes - 4th Grade Teacher
Christine Stittsworth - Resource Teacher
Bryan Kirk - Band Teacher
STATE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
BOE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS NOMINATIONS
- Golden Apple Award for certified staff members with four or more years teaching in USD 385.
- Bright Red Apple Award for certified staff new to the profession (in their first, second or third year).
- School Bell Award for classified staff.
- Helping Hand Award for school volunteers.
- Gold Key Award for an individual, business or community/civic organization that makes a difference in our schools.
- Spark Award for an individual staff member who plays an instrumental role throughout the district.
Please click here to submit your nomination(s), which will be accepted through March 4. This year's awards will be presented during a ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday, April 27, at Andover Central High School. Thank you!
Summary Draft of PTO Meeting Minutes 02-03-2020
Present: Amber K., Jessica C., Melissa S., Kristi Y., Wendy G.
1. At 9am, Amber K began the meeting by going over the minutes from January's meeting. Jessica C made the first motion to approve the minutes; Wendy G made the second motion. Motion passed.
2. New Business
- A) Annual Non-Profit report filed with state of Kansas and paid the $40 fee in December. Note for next year is to have this report done in August with the next board.
- B) Aviate Give-Back Night scheduled for February 13th, 6-9pm. Fliers to go home with students as well as promoted on sandwich board.
- C) 5th Grade Kindness Project taking place on the afternoon on February 10th. Amber K to organize the root beer floats afterwards.
- D) Valentine's Parties scheduled for February 13th and are the room parents' responsibility.
Kindergarten: 1-2pm
1st Grade: 12:15-1:15pm
2nd Grade: 2-3pm
3rd Grade: 2:10-3:10pm
4th Grade: 2-3pm
- E) No school on February 14th and February 17th
- F) Fitness for Funds - Packets go home on February 13th; mailing labels due back to the school February 28th; FFF to be held April 24th.
- G) Box Tops for Education - physical box tops to be collected up to February 28th and be mailed out by March 1st.
- H) Read Across America/Dr. Seuss' Birthday - the PTO is collecting gently used books from February 18th-March 5th. On March 6th, each student will be choosing a new to him/her book from the donation pile. 5th grade students will choose a book bought by the PTO.
- I) Teacher Grants - worked through a solution for Ms. Crusinberry to buy the timing feature for running meters.
- J) Girl Scout Week recognition - Melissa S. brought up having students who are in the GS wear their uniform for the Friday, March 6th assembly.
- K) Elections - The current board is looking for energetic, helpful volunteers for the 2020-2021 PTO board. The following positions are open: President, Vice-President, Assistant Treasurer. For more information, contact Amber K. There are only two PTO meetings left with the current board, so get your nominations in today!
- L) Treasure Report - Jessica C brought up moving money from the Circle of Friends line item to the Kindness club. Amber K made the first motion; Wendy G seconded the motion. Motion passed. Amber K made the first motion to approve the budget; Kristi Y seconded the motion. Motion passed to approve the budget.
- M) Principal Notes - None
- N) Dates to Remember
No school on March 13th
Spring Break March 16th - 20th
Spring Book Fair March 23rd - 27th
Open House March 26th
Spring Picture Day TBD
Fitness for Funds April 24th
The next PTO meeting will be held on Monday, March 2nd at 9 am in the cafeteria. Members welcomed!
MRS. CLARKSON'S ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear Amazing MES Parents,
It has been such a joy and privilege to be your child's counselor. I can't think of a better way to finish out my 37 years in education than working at Meadowlark. After much time, thought, and consideration I have decided to retire at the end of this school year.
I will always hold the children, parents, teachers, staff, and Mrs. Matheny near and dear to my heart. Everyone at Meadowlark is like family to me, especially the children. I am so fortunate to have spent the latter half of my career teaching and counseling at such a wonderful school with such amazing students and families. I wish everyone at Meadowlark nothing but the best in the years to come.
In the future, I plan to relax, read, and spend more time with my family. I also plan to do some volunteering and substitute teaching at MEADOWLARK! So you're not totally rid of me yet! :)
Thank you for all of your support MES families, it has been a pleasure working with you and your children.
Sincerely,
Tammy Clarkson, Counselor
MEADOWLARK SERVICE LEAGUE
Meadowlark Service League is a day where students and staff work together to perform acts of service and kindness for our community.
Thank you
MEADOWLARK BOOK FAIR
Our Meadowlark Elementary Scholastic Book Fair is coming! Funds raised provide the budget needed for purchasing books and supplies for the Library Media Center. The Book Fair will feature a special Family Book Fair and Showcase Night on Thursday, March 26 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
3/23/20 9am - 4pm
3/24/20 9am - 4pm
3/25/20 9am - 3:30pm
3/26/20 ** 9am - 7pm *Family Night**
3/27/20 9:15am - 4pm
**Be sure to stop by the library on the Family Night/Showcase night and your child can earn up to three raffle tickets for a $25 gift certificate to spend at the fair. (1 for coming, 1 for purchasing, and 1 for buying off of teacher’s classroom wishlist).
EARN 3 RAFFLE TICKETS for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the book fair: earn 1 for coming to Family Night, 1 for making a purchase, and 1 for buying something from your teacher’s wish list!
Help your child’s teacher build their classroom libraries by purchasing books from their Classroom Wish List or donate to the “All for Books™” program, where students can share the thrill of reading with others by donating loose change or buying a sucker for 50 cents from the “sucker pull”. Winning suckers allow students to pick out a free poster! The funds will be used to purchase new books for our school library. Scholastic Book Fairs® then matches those monetary donations with a donation of up to one million dollars in books from The Scholastic Possible Fund, which distributes books to children in need through organizations, such as Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and the Kids In Need Foundation.
Come to the Library during Book Fair hours or go online to purchase books at this link:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/meadowlarkelemsch1
VOLUNTEERS
We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/wMAyzps
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Volunteers will receive a coupon toward any book fair item for each session worked.
INTRODUCING AN EXCITING NEW PAYMENT OPTION….Called Book Fair eWallet!
Watch a video about eWallet here and directions on back of this page: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/assetuploads/eWallet-Commercial_final.mp4
Let your child shop the Fair cash-free with this NEW digital payment option. Learn more on our Book Fair homepage and get started creating an account:
WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE READING CHALLENGE
Our William Allen White Reading Challenge is coming to the end. It is open to any 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade student. All books must be read and all tests taken by Friday, April 3rd. We will be voting during library class time during the week of April 6-10. Our reward party is scheduled for Friday, April 10th from 10:30-12:30. Students who complete the challenge will receive an invitation to our party!
Don’t forget the Requirements:
3rd: read 6 books off of the 2019-20 list
- 4th: read 7 books off of the 2019-20 list
- 5th: read 8 books off of the 2019-20 list
Pass Quiz or write a book report
Books must be on the grade 3-5 list.
2 books can be previous WAW winners
BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB
To participate in the program, simply go to the following website: www.btsb.com/sosl/meadowlarkelementary You can purchase a book from the wishlist or make a minimum $10 donation toward a book that we will select for you. Donor name plates can be customized on the website and will be placed inside of purchased book. Don’t worry if your child’s birthday has already passed or is in the summer, books can be purchased and celebrated at any time! This campaign will end 4/7/20 so all books for this school year will need to be purchased by that date.
We hope to be able to add many books to our collection through this wonderful program! Please consider honoring your child and also giving them the opportunity to experience the gift of giving as they support our school. Please contact Mrs. Pfaff at pfaffm@usd385.org if you have any questions. Thanks!
COUTTS ART MUSEUM SHOW
During the month of February, 18 students represented Meadowlark at the Coutts Museum of Art in El Dorado, KS. Every year the museum hosts the Butler County Student Art Exhibit, and it is a great opportunity for local elementary and secondary students to showcase their work. It is quite an honor to have artwork displayed in an actual art museum!
The show is open to the public until March 4th. Congratulations to the following artists!
Kindergarten: Bradley P., Sadie M., Barrett D. & Emma L.
1st Grade: Alex B, Adam R., Emily C., Colt M. & Cooper M.
2nd Grade: Ben B. & Katie L.
3rd Grade: Addison C., Taylor P. & Aiden H.
4th Grade: Abigail D. & Avery U.
5th Grade: Natalie F. & Reese W.
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS CELEBRATED 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2020
3RD GRADE VALENTINE BOX DECORATING CONTEST
FEBRUARY IS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Each February the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Meadowlark Elementary students had the opportunity to participate in dental health screenings on Wednesday, February 12th , with Dr. Aaron Huslig, D.D.S. This wonderful dentist/former parent volunteered his time to provide his services for free to all Meadowlark students. Results from the screening will be sent home with your student, so be on the lookout for those.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Dr. Huslig and parent volunteer, Amber Kear who helped to make this day run smoothly.
Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
DONUTS WITH DADDY & PROJECT BASED LEARNING
Friday, February 28th, Kindergarten celebrated Donuts with Daddy. Students sang some special songs in honor of their daddy and played musical instruments they designed and built themselves to the song "It's a Wonderful World". Students and Daddy's also got to play Spring Bingo and enjoy some yummy donuts. It was a great day to be a kindergartner!
For our Project Based Learning Unit we discussed and came up with different ways to make people happy. We decided that music makes people happy. We also focused on how musicians work together to make music. After learning about music and a variety of instruments, students designed and built their own instruments. In the construction of our instruments we discussed problem solving and what if our instrument didn't turn out the way we had imagined.
ALL-STAR CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
These students were recognized for showing all character traits in February!
February 3 - 7
February 10 - 13
February 18 - 21
February 24 - 28
HOW TO EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL
Paper Box Tops
Dillons Community Rewards Program
Dillon's makes fundraising easy---all you have to do is shop at Dillon's and swipe your Plus Shopper's Card! Go to Dillons.com and sign in or create an account to enroll. This enrollment must be updated every year. Once signed in, update your Community Rewards under your Account Settings. Search for Meadowlark to earn extra $$$ for our school!
Shoparoo
Every photo of a grocery receipt earns money for our school! Free to download, free to use. Nothing to buy or sell. Help us raise thousands of dollars a year!
- Download the Free Shoparoo App in the App Store & Play Store http://www.shoparoo.com/
- Select Meadowlark
- Take pictures of Receipts!
- Watch Meadowlark earn money!
Mrs. Clarkson - Counselor
Mrs. Crusinberry - P.E.
Mrs. McLain - Art
Mrs. Middleton - Music
Mrs. Pfaff - Library
Mrs. Allison - Kindergarten
Mrs. Thompson - 1st Grade
Mrs. Ek - 1st Grade
Mrs. Zarich - 1st Grade
Mr. Bextel - 2nd Grade
Mrs. Loy - 2nd Grade
Miss August - 4th Grade
Miss Hoopes - 4th Grade
Mrs. Moss - 5th Grade
Mr. Smith - 5th Grade
Meadowlark Elementary School
Email: harveyr@usd385.org
Website: http://meadowlark.usd385.org/
Location: 1411 N Main St, Andover, KS, United States
Phone: 316-218-4630
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meadowlarkelementary