The Chuck
December 14- 18, 2015
Happy Twelve School Days of Kindness!!
These 12 days of school in December are some of the most hectic and yet sweetest days of the 183 school days. Right on the heels of the celebrations of thankfulness and food for Thanksgiving, these twelve days seem to be filled with more than we can sometimes think the days can possibly hold. Normal days filled to the brim with the daily learning processes plus the addition of Progress Reports, musical performances, clubs, new technology, parties, presents and an abundance of less than healthy treats to tempt each of us. The weather can be wonderful or awful, sometimes in the same day. School and family demands tug at each of us from all directions.
And yet, despite the hustle of these December days, I hope you are able to take time to see the sweetness of these 12 special school days. The excitement and pure joy of your students, the fellowship of co-workers and friends, and the pending school break offering a time for family and rejuvenation. Happy Twelve School Days of December!
Upcoming Events for December 14th- December 23rd
Monday, December 14
Staff Mtg, Mandt Training, 3:15
Teacher of the Year applications due to Mrs. Hedrick's box
Tuesday, December 15
Progress Reports Issued
WalMart Field Trip, Wyman & Winn, 9:30
Scott Dunn/ ILT meeting 2:45pm in room 14
Journalism Club 3:15 p.m.
PTA Santa Shop opened 4pm- 6pm in cafeteria
Wednesday, December 16
Tech Talks with Heath and Pam PLCs - Room 14/ during PE times
Mrs. Hedrick OOTB 1pm
Book Buddies, 3:15
Good News Club, 3:15
Kindergarten Screening 8:40-3:00, Rm 36
Reading Month meeting, rm 14, 3:15
PTA Santa Shop opened 4pm- 6pm in cafeteria
Thursday, December 17
PLC’s with Katie Niehoff grades 1,2
Teacher of the Year Committee 3:15, conf room
Staff get together at Outback in Kemps River
PTA Skinny Dip Spirit Night (Providence Square)
Friday, December 18
PLC’s with Katie Niehoff grades 3,4,5, K
Monday, December 21
Staff Breakfast: 7:45am: Teacher of the Year announcement, Service Awards
Homeless Shelter Visit, Wyman & Winn, 9:30
PAC 3:15
Tuesday, December 22
Citizen of the Month 8:45
1st Grade In-School Field Trip, MOCA
Journalism Club 3:15
Good News Club 3:15
Wednesday, December 23
Adjusted Dismissal, 10:40 K AM, 12:40 all classes
Staff will follow employee adjusted dismissal schedule.
SCA Spirit Days!!
12/14 Candy Cane Day (wear red and white)
12/15 Holiday Hat Day (stocking cap, or holiday headbands)
12/16 Red and Green Day
12/17 Blizzard Day (wear white)
12/18 Star Wars Day (no Light Sabers or Imperial weapons allowed)
12/21 Holiday Shirt Day (coincides with Hospitality’s Holiday Festive Sweater contest)
12/22 Pajama Day
Thank you for supporting the SCA.
Theresa and Lauren
Hospitality News
Hospitality has set up an afternoon get together on December 17th from 4 till 6 at Outback in Kemps River.
We hope to see you there!
The staff party, sponsored by Hospitality, is Jan. 9, at Bubba’s Back Deck, 4-6pm. Over 50 staff have already signed up to attend! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to spend some casual and friendly time with your colleagues. Sunset is at 5:05PM, and appetizers will be served. The cost will be based on how many attend. At this time, we are sticking to our estimate of $15 per person. More information about how to pay for this will be coming soon.
Festive Holiday Sweater Contest is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 21. We have 4 staff who will serve as judges. There are 4 categories for judging: ugliest sweater, most retro sweater, most creative sweater, and prettiest sweater. You will select the category in which you wish to be judged. Prizes will be awarded. Start digging through your closets now to find those Christmas sweaters.
12 Days of Kindness!!
We hope you have enjoyed the treats! A big thanks to the OFFICE ELVES & Lea for their assistance! I wonder what is in store for you next week. Here's a hint- less carbs!!
A big shout out to Mrs. Hare's 3rd graders for helping out with the kindergarteners as they worked on the HOUR OF CODE.
This week, we saw so many great instructional strategies being used in classrooms. Continue to keep your planning focus on curriculum alignment and the T&L Framework!!
A huge thank you goes out to the staff and students that helped us collect 422 cards and pictures for the USS Kearsarge. Thank you for being a part of making a huge metal Navy ship feel a little more like home on Christmas Day. (Now let’s pray they make it there on time). –Sheri Wies and the students in room 41
Great job Mr K and Ms Rojas on a great concert. YOU BOTH ROCK! -Sheri Wies
Hour of Code!! SeeSaw!! Codable!!
HOUR OF CODE was a great success this week! Many thanks to all for taking this on and
Kudos to Heath for preparing the materials for the “Hour of Code”. The students were so engaged in the program, many of them went home and shared it with their parents. Lorraine Nute
Thank you Mr. Robinson for assisting my students with Coding. They are hooked! I appreciate your patience and expertise. You are growing future computer scientist!
So great to classes collaborating to do HOUR OF CODE and STEM activities! Great way to learn and co-teach across grade levels!! Love these partnerships!!
Have you tried SeeSaw yet as a feedback tool for parents? Talk to Mr. Lugo about how his daughter is using it in her kindergarten class.
Shout Outs!!
A big THANK YOU goes out to Denise and Mr. Maples for making several wooden table top easels for our teachers to use for small group instruction! You and your husband are amazing! Amy Dirks
Thank you to Heath for helping me this week with using active inspire and the Core Clicks program! I really appreciate your time and patience! Amy Dirks
A HUGE shout out to Mrs. Rojas and Mr. K for an outstanding performance with the students!! Laura White
A BIG thank you to Mrs. Brogan for including me in a Stem project with 3rd grade. I think it will be a lot of fun!!! Laura White
Thank you Rosalee for being amazing with Federal cards!! Jeannie
Thank you Avery for bringing to fruition our Meteorologist visit! Jeannie
Thank you Heath for helping us with Hour of Code! Jeannie
Thank you Laura for helping 2nd grade accommodate the Meteorologist schedule! We couldn't have done it without you!
Relay For Life Chili Cook-Off!!
Amy's Cheesy Chicken Chili
1. Turn on crockpot (HIGH- 4 hours or 6-8 hours on LOW). I like using the crockpot liners, too.
2. Put 4 defrosted chicken breasts at the bottom. Lightly grease your crockpot.
3. Add 2 cans of ROTEL tomatoes, 1 or 2 cans of corn (do not drain), and 1or 2 cans of black beans (drained).
4. In a separate bowl, mix up the spices!! We like to use HOT Chili powder (McCormick's- one packet), 2 packets of dry Ranch seasoning, 2 tablespoons of cumin, 2 tablespoons of onion powder
5. Stir in the spice mixture and then top with 2 blocks of low-fat/ fat free cream cheese and one block of 2% Velveeta cheese.
6, Cook on low or high and stir it just once or twice to blend in the cheese. Shred the chicken into pieces and serve over rice or with tortilla chips.
Thank you for helping the Relay for Life Team raise over $200 on Thursday afternoon.
Some of you may not know that the cook-off contest has been a tradition at the school for the past several years. For a $5 contribution to the school’s Relay for Life Team staff members could sample the five different pots of “chili”, vote for their favorite, then enjoy a full bowl for lunch along with the toppings. The winning pot wasn’t exactly a chili. Chicken and dumplings was the top vote-getter based on staff votes. Congratulations to Mrs. Wyman. At this point, the team has raised almost $800. Remember to fill the DIME bottles and look for more Spring events to support. “Granny’s Angel’s”, the school’s Relay for Life Team named after a beloved staff member who lost her battle with cancer.
New Name!!
SRI and SMI have a NAME CHANGE!
Since Scholastic has been bought out by a new company the names of the SRI and SMI have changed (same tests, new names).
Synergy SE now reflects the new names:
Reading Inventory (RI)
Math Inventory (MI)
Please note this change especially if you are a Special Educator working on IEPs.
Woodstock on WTKR- Channel 3
Fifth Grade Chorus and Strings
Our fifth graders were magnificent during their Chorus and Strings performance this week! Mrs. Rojas and Mr. Kalinauskas did an excellent job preparing our students and putting together a joyful and spirited holiday program!!