Henry Happenings
1/29/23
Principal Message
Dear Henry Families,
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend. This week you will notice a GaGa Ball pit has been added to our playground. Once it is inspected and we have been granted permission to allow students to play it will be in working order and ready for students to use. We thank Cass Isele and our PTO for partnering on this project. We are thrilled that Cass was able to complete this as his Eagle Scout Project. We look forward to adding a new game for our students to play at recess.
The PTO meeting was cancelled last week due to the Snow Day. The rescheduled date will be February 22 at 7:00 PM.
Valentine's Day is approaching and with that students will be allowed to pass out valentine cards. Due to health and allergy concerns, Valentine cards that include edible food items including candy and treats are not permissible due to policy. Please make sure that the Valentines are non-edible items for all students.
Progress reports were accessible to all parents this week. Please make sure you have been able to review your child's progress so far this school year.
Here's to a great week!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jodi Oliver
Principal
Henry Elementary
Upcoming Dates
February 1 - Early Release Day (2:00 PM Dismissal at Henry)
February 2 - 100 Days of School
February 3 - Books Sent Home for Henry Family Reading Project
February 4 - All-District Elementary Vocal Concert @ 3:00 PM @ First Free Church
February 5 - Jumpstart to Kindergarten Registration Opens
February 5 - Summer Expo at Marquette High @ 11:00 AM
February 6 - Henry Family Reading Project Begins
February 6 - Parkway Mental Health Night Webinar (Online) @ 6:00 PM
February 7 - Tab Top Collection Day
February 7 - Reader in Me Turn-in Deadline @ 9:30 AM
February 7 - Yearbook Sales End
February 8 - 5th Grade Music Assembly @ 2:45 PM
February 9 - 5th Grade Music Concert @ 6:30 PM
February 10 - Reader in Me Prize Distribution
February 11 - 4th Grade Strings Concerts @ 1:45 PM (Parkway West High School)
February 15 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Busch Stadium from 9:30 to 2:00 PM
February 16 - Henry Spring Parties
February 16 - Half Day (1:05 PM Dismissal at Henry)
February 17 - No School (Professional Development)
February 20 - No School, Presidents Day
Upcoming PTO Events to Note
GENERAL PTO MEETING:
Please join us for our school wide PTO meeting on Wednesday, 2/22, at 7pm in the Henry Library. We are excited to have Brian Kuhn from Care and Counseling share with us more on Parkway’s Student Wellness Program. This program was created to help support the emotional needs of our students and it provides a free, optional mental wellness screening for students in specific grades. Brian will educate us on how the program works for all Parkway students from 5th grade through high school and share with us the resources available for our students if there is a mental health concern. We hope to see you there!
PTO Trivia Night Registration Reminder
Henry Elementary PTO invites you to join the Bulldog Community at our Trivia and Auction Night on February 25th! Registration is now open and we hope you will secure your table soon. We encourage you to get a table of 8 people together for a fun night of comradery.
It is okay if Trivia isn't your thing, it is just a fun social gathering. If you aren't able to make it in person you are welcome to bid on auction items virtually starting February 16th through the 7th round on February 25th (around 9:30).
We are also always open for volunteers the night of. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions please reach out to henrytrivia@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Nominate a 2023 Pillar of Parkway
Give someone the joy of knowing they are appreciated. Any Parkway employee, citizen, resident or volunteer can be nominated for a Pillar of Parkway award. The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, February 14 at 4pm.
A Pillar of Parkway is someone who:
- has made a long-term commitment to Parkway (five years of service minimum is suggested)
- demonstrates consistent leadership and exceptional performance
- motivates and inspires others
- goes far beyond what is expected in their role
- exemplifies the ideals of their role
- is an active and positive role model
- has a vision beyond the immediate
- has provided extraordinary service to the Parkway community
The nomination form and more information about the Pillar of Parkway Award can be found in the flyer below or click here.
Fight Against ALS Night at Parkway West 02/03/2023
A Note From Nurse Munch
For student safety, students are not allowed to self carry medication at school. While we encourage medications to be given at home whenever possible, if your child needs medication at school for a short term condition like a rash or cough, you are able to drop off medication at the nurse's office. All medication must be in the original packaging and must be accompanied by a signed permission slip. This will allow medication to be administered for up to 5 consecutive days. See the permission form below.
To help minimize the spread of illness, children should stay home if they meet one or more of the following:
- For a fever of equal or greater than 100.4. If a child has a fever they must stay home until they have been fever free for 24 hours without taking medication to reduce their fever
- Vomiting. If a child vomits, they should stay home for 24 hours after the last episode
- Diarrhea. If a student has more than one episode of diarrhea, they need to stay home until symptoms have resolved for 24 hours.
- Persistent coughs or significant nasal congestion or headache. Even if your child doesn't have a fever, if they are feeling unwell, it is hard for them to learn and they can spread germs to others.
Notes from Mrs. Plesia
Hello 5th Grade Parents and Students,
I am excited to remind you of the upcoming performances of 5th Grade's "Walk a Mile in My Shoes!" They will perform for the school on February 8th, and then they will perform again on February 9th (Thursday evening at 6:30) for parents/family members!
On both days (2/8 and 2/9) students should just come to school wearing their own shirt and solid-colored dark pants (jeans, black pants, etc.), with comfortable shoes. Concert shirts will be changed into on Wednesday for the school performance, and then changed back out of, to be left on their desks for Thursday's performance. They may change back into them Thursday, but please make sure they are still wearing them when they return Thursday night for the performance. Students will go directly to their classrooms at 6:00 p.m. (not earlier), to prepare.
NOTE: Students that arrive early must stay close to their parents, and should not run in the hallways or climb on the risers ahead of the concert.
The entire performance should last around 35-40 minutes. Every single 5th grader has a special part that they will be rehearsing in class. They have also been asked to practice with this google slideshow file at home (they were already emailed a copy, and now it is updated with lines/names).
5th GRADE CONCERT PRACTICE LINK
You will be impressed with this class's incredible musical abilities! I look forward to seeing you there - for their last grade level concert at Henry School!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Plesia
5th Grade Families - Attention Please!
Each year in the yearbook, we feature a special throwback section for our 5th-grade class. Please help us by submitting two photos of your child (one from around Kindergarten and one from 5th grade) to be featured in the "Then and Now" section.
Please click here for more details and the instructions for uploading your pictures using this Google Form. These pictures are needed by Friday, February 24th!
Attn: Kindergarten Eligible Families
Brought to you by Parkway Parents as Teachers, make sure to check out the Get Ready for Kindergarten newsletter.
This interactive Kindergarten Guide was created by Parkway Parents as Teachers’ Staff to give parents information about Kindergarten readiness. The guide includes links to age-appropriate milestones information, working through emotions and parent-child activities to increase specific skills. Included is a library with links to video books about Kindergarten. The link is on the PAT webpage of the Early Childhood website or Click Here to learn more.
Yearbooks
Order your yearbook now! See more information in the graphic below.
Help Wanted!
We are in desperate need of custodial support at Henry Elementary and the Parkway School District. Are you interested in full or part time work? Contact Dr. Oliver or Dr. Kneer with questions or apply at the following link.
https://www.applitrack.com/pkwyk12/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial&all=cat
Virtual Parent Education Opportunity-February 6
the conflicting information about kids and technology. Join us as she presents the impacts of technology on mental health and what children and adolescents need from the adults in their lives as they navigate the digital world.
Granting Dreams Applications are Now Being Accepted!
Applications are currently being accepted for grants through the Parkway Alumni Association's 2023 Granting Dreams program. Any current Parkway student, kindergarten through 12th grade, is eligible to apply for a Dream Grant. Grants of financial support of up to $250 will be awarded, as well as grants of community resources and/or alumni support. Students are encouraged to submit requests that demonstrate a commitment to furthering skills, acquiring knowledge or experience, participating in school-related activities, or engaging in the community.
High school students interested in an entrepreneurial endeavor have the opportunity to apply for the Thomas Phelps Entrepreneurial Award; this grant can provide funds up to $1,000 per grantee. In addition, sophomore and junior concert, marching or jazz band students can apply for the John L. Baker Music Scholars Award.
Applications are available online here. The questions can be seen prior to filling out the form by clicking on the link on this website. Upon completion of the registration form, the appropriate grant application form will be emailed to the student.
All applications must be completed online by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Riutcel, executive director of the PAA, at sriutcel@parkwayschools.net or (314-415-8074).
More Health Information
Henry Family Read Aloud Coming Soon!
February is around the corner and so is the start of our Henry Family Read Aloud. Your student will be bringing home a copy of the staff chosen book on February 3, 2023. Our Henry PTO has generously provided each family with a copy of our shared book during our school kick-off.
The oldest child in the family will be bringing the book home. Along with the book, you will receive a reading schedule so that you can keep up at home. In addition, we have an interactive webpage on the Henry library website that will be going live that day. Your child will have access to the reading calendar, audio reading of the book, discussion questions and many fun surprises, too! We just ask that you read with your family about 15 minutes a night. We anticipate this will be a special experience for your family.
Beginning the week of January 30, 2023, clues to the title of the book will be appearing around our school. Ask your child about the daily clue and their predictions on the book’s title! Friday, February 3 will be the final clue and reveal. The Henry staff is very excited about our choice this year and look forward to sharing it with our families! Happy Reading!