Cooks Chronicle
April 2016
Principal's Note
As you can tell from the dates below, there are a lot of things going on this month. This week we are doing our Jar Wars and student council has planned special days to help raise money for Children's Foundation. It should be an action packed week for a great cause. Next week we will begin our final round of ISTEP+ testing in grades 3 - 5. If you have a child in those grade levels, please make sure that they get a good nights rest, eat a good breakfast, and arrive to school on time. We start testing first thing in the morning on most days. Thank you for your help to ensure this is a positive experience for your children.
The construction project will be beginning in May! Because of this, we have planned field day for May 6th, with a rain date of May 10th. Please email Mrs. Juergens (rjuergens@valpo.k12.in.us) or call the office if you are interested in volunteering. All volunteers will need a background check on file 1 week prior to May 6th. This is a day that all students and staff look forward to each year! Thank you in advance for your help. Without you it wouldn't be possible!
Hopefully these April showers will be bringing May flowers, sunshine and warmer temperatures soon!
Elaina
Dream. Learn. Achieve.
PTO News
Riley Children’s Foundation
The PTO along with Student Council and Team Lead will be organizing a week of fundraising for all Cooks Corners HEROES to benefit Riley Children’s Foundation. The week will include HERO WARS also know as Jar Wars. Each classroom as well as the faculty/staff will compete to raise the most money by filling jars will coins, paper dollars or checks. Each penny is worth one point. For each silver coin, paper dollar or check put in the jar one point will be subtracted from the jar’s total points. The jar with the most points wins a free raffle ticket for each person in the classroom! The week of fundraising will also include HERO themed dress up days. Students will pay $1 to dress up in fun and creative styles. There will be a note with more details to come about this activity. There will be a Skate Night at Benjamin Franklin Middle school on April 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will be NO hot dog dinner this year but there will be snacks! The cost for Skate Night is $5 a HERO. Each ticket that is purchased in advanced will get a free raffle ticket! Stay tuned for more details about the week of fundraising for Riley Children’s Foundation.
Dates to Remember
4/11: Tead Lead Meeting @ 7:45am
4/12: Choir @ 8am
4/12: Morning Math @ 7:50am
4/12: Afterschool Bowling - 4th Grade
4/12: PTO Meeting @ 6pm
4/14: Afterschool Bowling - 5th Grade
4/15: Kindergarten Round-Up (9:15am-10:30am) or (1:15pm-2:30pm)
4/15: Super Hero Day for Riley Children's Hospital
4/16: Riley Skate Night
4/18: Student Council Meeting @ 7:45am
4/19: Morning Math @ 7:50am
4/19: Afterschool Bowling - 4th Grade
4/21: 5th Grade Field Trip to Challenger Center
4/21: Afterschool Bowling - 5th Grade
4/22: School is in session (snow make-up day)
4/22: Last day to order Harlem Wizards Tickets (no late orders accepted)
4/25: Team Lead Meeting @ 7:45am
4/26: Afterschool Bowling - 4th Grade
4/26: Morning Math @ 7:50am
4/26: Choir @ 8am
4/28: Afterschool Bowling - 5th Grade
4/29: Harlem Wizards Visits Cooks Corners Students
4/29: Harlem Wizards Performance at VHS (5:30pm-9pm)
Kindergarten Round-Up is Friday!
Kindergarten Round-Up is coming soon! If you have a student starting Kindergarten next year, or know someone that does, spread the word and provide them with this information.
Each elementary school will offer two identical meetings for roundup. Please choose the one that best fits your schedule. Children, who are entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2016, and their parents, must make arrangements to attend one of these sessions. During the meeting, all students will be given an assessment.
Kindergarten Round-Up for Cooks Corners Elementary is:
Friday, April 15, 2016 from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Prior to roundup, complete registration information online at www.valpo.k12.in.us, select the PARENTS tab; then select Kindergarten Registration; and, then select Cooks Corners Elementary. Complete all information and submit. You will also be able to see the list of items that are required to be presented at Kindergarten Round-Up.
Spring Into the Arts
Valparaiso Community Schools, in partnership with local artists, businesses, and the community, is proud to announce Spring Into the Arts, a month-long celebration of the arts and creativity in our schools beginning Saturday, April 30 in downtown Valpo.
Organized as a month-long festival, Spring Into the Arts will showcase the intersections of art, technology, education, history, and feature local businesses. Artists of all ages and artist styles will be provided with a platform to showcase how art has transformed them and their community.
Please check out the link or go to www.SpringIntoTheArts.comee
Music Notes
I want to inform you that Mr. Gary Webster's family is sponsoring two scholarships for 12 weeks of guitar lessons at Front Porch Music for two students in either 4th or 5th grade. The family is purchasing guitars for our music room. Mr. Chad Clifford, the owner of Front Porch Music, had Mr. Webster as his teacher. Mr. Clifford will be spending two music classes with our 4th and 5th graders giving them an introduction to the guitar. I then will be taking applications for the 12 weeks of guitar lessons for two students. The lessons also include the use of a guitar. I will be sending home a letter with our 4th and 5th graders soon regarding this opportunity. I am very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Cory Webster for sponsoring this program for our students. Mr. Gary Webster loved music and always supported our Cooks Corners music program.
Mrs. Zappia
5th Grade Recognition Program
Birthday Book Club News
It’s not too late to consider joining the Birthday Book Club! Commemorate your child’s birthday at school by adding a book to our Media Center. 5th graders, this is a wonderful legacy to leave behind as a remembrance of your final year at Cooks Corners. These books remain in the library with your name plate inside for years to come, long after you have grown up and even graduated from high school!
The newest members include: Mrs. Miller, Nolan Gilmartin and Mark Teeple. Thank you for the new titles that have been added to our shelves! And don’t forget that when we reach our 100th member, names will be drawn for prizes! We are so very close!! If you need a form, please ask Ms. Cox in the Media Center.
Intent to Return Forms
It is hard to believe that it is already time for us to plan for next year's class sizes and staffing needs. In order to do that, we need to gather as much accurate information as possible regarding our probable enrollments for the 2016-2017 school year. If you haven't already turned your Intent to Return form into the school office, please do so as soon as possible.
AR Star and Principal's Club
Principal's Club
Tyler Wittmer
Isaac Siewin
Josh Stewart
Addison Nagel
Gretchen Wendorf
Star Club
Corrin Flick
Chris Fisher
Kate Weber
Katelyn Benefiel
Henry Harris
Maddie Isley
Megan Nelson