Brentwood Bulletin
Friday, November 20, 2015
Brentwood Elementary Mission Statement
~Achievement~Actions~Attitudes~
Greetings Parents:
How many times have you heard a child say, “Reading is hard!!!”? It is true! For some students, reading is harder. The first time I tossed a ball to my son, he missed it – so we made a game of it and kept trying. We played catch together – sometimes I missed and let him tell me what I needed to do to be better. We both learned that by practicing we get better. Major league ball players all practice between games and warm-up just before the games. Try to make a game of reading with your child. You read a page – he reads a page. He reads a pages and re-tells you what it was about. Help them to create pictures in their mind as they read. If a child reads one minute a day each day of the school year, he or she will read about 8,000 words during the school year. If they read five minutes extra each day of the school year, he will have read 40,000 extra words. If they read 20 minutes extra each day of the school year, they will have read 160,000 extra words during that school year. By practicing this over the course of a student’s elementary years, they would have read 960,000 extra words in elementary school.
Delivery and Pick-up of Students – Please help maintain a safe and secure environment here at school by practicing safe crossing at our school. We ask that all parents use the cross walk in front of the building if you are walking in to pick-up your child. Please do not walk between the automobiles. This is subtly teaching your child by example that it is OK to do so. We want our practices at school to reflect safe procedures in the world. Thanks for helping teach your child about safely crossing streets and byways.
Cell Phones – Please note that if your child has a cell phone here at school, the phones are to be turned off and in a backpack away from sight.
Sincerely,
Mr. Underwood
Parents: Earn Money for Brentwood Just by Shopping!
Brentwood is Enrolled in Kroger Rewards!
1. Kroger Community Rewards Website
- NPO Number 74295
2. Shoparoo Website
- Sign up using code: cror5868
Please have your Kroger Card handy before starting enrollment! If you don't have a Kroger Card you can pick one up for free at the customer service desk.
PHS Presents: Into the Woods this Weekend
You have 3 opportunities to see the Plainfield High School's production of Into the Woods! Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from "Little Red Riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel", and "Cinderella", as well as several others. The musical is tied together by an original story involving a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them, and their interaction with other storybook characters during their journey.
Showings:
Friday, November 20
7 p.m.
Saturday, November 21
2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Cost:
$8 for students & 55 and up
$10 Adults
Learning About Money with Fly Swatters
Important Policy Information for Change to Transportation
PCSC Transportation Department wants all parents to know that IF you need to change bus transportation in any way they need written notice 24 hours in advance of the change. These changes could be because you have moved permanently, need your child to ride a different bus with a friend, or any other change. If the change will take place on Monday please notify Transportation at 838-3632 no later than the previous Friday at 2:30 p.m.
There are NO exceptions to this policy.
Students of the Week ~ Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
Heart Obstacle Course at Brentwood
Veteran's Day Cards from Brentwood
Staff MVP of the Week ~ Mrs. Karen Nay, Home School Advisor
This week's Staff Most Valuable Player is Mrs. Karen Nay, our Home School Advisor. She has been the Home School Advisor at Brentwood for 11 years and she spent one year having the same responsibilities at Clarks Creek. Before that she taught Kindergarten and 1st grade for 14 years in the IPS school district and was an assistant director at a daycare before that!
Principal Mr. Mike Underwood says, "She's friendly, personable, encouraging to our students, very serious about helping children assimilate into school. I'm proud to work along side her now as well as previously at Clarks Creek."
Mrs. Nay grew up on the east side of Indianapolis near Castleton Square Mall. She attended Lawrence North High School, but then moved to Columbus, Indiana and graduated from Columbus East. After that she attended Franklin College.
Mrs. Nay has been married to her husband, Gregg, for almost 28 years! They have two children: Zach is a senior at Franklin College and Maddie is a sophomore at Adrian College in Michigan. The Nays have two basset hounds named Gordon and Gracy!
Some of Mrs. Nay's Favorite Things:
Color ~ Red
Movie ~ Christmas Vacation
TV Show ~ Big Bang Theory
Book ~ Outlander by Diane Gabaldon
Music ~ Arctic Monkeys
Flower ~ Pansies
Restaurant ~ any Mexican restaurant!
Candy ~ dark chocolate
Sports Team ~ St. Louis Blues (hockey!)
Holiday ~ Christmas
Food ~ Warm Yeast Rolls and a really good STEAK
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? "I always thought it would be really fun to be an archaeologist and go to Egypt to find mummies, explore the pyramids, and dig up stuff!"
When she isn't at Brentwood Mrs. Nay loves looking for antiques at garage sales, flea markets, and to browse through antique malls. The most interesting place she has visited is Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. When asked if there is anything she has NEVER done that she would like to do her answer was, "I would like to take a whale watching cruise in Alaska!"
What is a student moment you remember fondly? "There are so many! I had a student write me a note that said, "Thanks for teaching me how to be kind." That pretty much made my day!"
Friend and colleague, Mrs. Diana White had the following to say about Mrs. Nay: "Karen is a great co-worker and team player! She is a great encourag-er to me! Whenever I am down, or need help with a project, she will always eagerly step up to helpm me. Karen cares about my ideas, and is a fun and pleasant person to work alongside. Karen always carries her end of the load in any project that we are addressing. Her friendship means a great deal to me!"
What advice do you have for parents on how they can be involved in their child's education? "Put the electronic devices down and talk to your kids! Talk to them in the car, at the store, while you are making dinner! Their vocabulary will increase and you will be building a relationship with them that will last a lifetime!"
Mrs. Nay FUN FACTS:
One of her signature dishes that everyone expects her to bring to the next potluck is her Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies! YUM!!!
She met Bob Carter, who portrayed Sammy Terry on local television. He ran a music store on Shadeland Avenue where Mrs. Nay took violin lessons. He kept the coffin he used on the show in the back room, where she sometimes had her lessons!
Principal's Secretary, Mrs. Donovan, said the following about our MVP: "I have known Mrs. Nay for many years and not only is she an awesome coworker, but she is a pretty amazing friend too! Mrs. Nay is always willing to listen and she has a real passion for helping the students at our school. She is definitely a vital part of our Brentwood family!"
***editor's note***
When I asked co-workers and friends to contribute their thoughts about Mrs. Nay to this article I was surprised by the overwhelming response Mr. Osborne's 5th grade students showed by hand writing letters to Mrs. Nay about why THEY love her! She was presented with a bound book of these letters to show her how much she means to BRENTWOOD! Thank you Mrs. Nay for all your dedication and care to the staff AND students of our school!
After-School Four Square Club (4th & 5th Grade)
This club will give students an additional opportunity to be active and participate in organized games, sports or physical skills. Everyone's goal is to be active 60 minutes every day. This club can provided some of those minutes. Mrs. Eakes offers this club to students in 4th and 5th grade.
The Four Square Club will take place on Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:30 after school. Students will stay at school until parent pick up time at 4:30. Parents will need to park outside the gym doors (Door #5) to pick children up. Students who are walkers may walk home with parent permission at 4:30. If you are unable to pick your child up promptly at 4:30 please do not sign your child up for this activity.
Permission slips due by Wednesday, November 25, 2015.
Club Dates:
December 2
December 9
December 16 (Final Day)
Indian Day in Kindergarten
Scholastic Rick Riordan Writing Contest
Now We Ask 5th Grade Students to Enter a Wiriting Contest:
Essay Contest for 5th Grade Students
Topic for 5th Grade Students:
March 22, 2015, marks the 250th anniversary of the Stamp Act. Passed by the British Parliament in 1765, this new tax required all colonists to pay a tax on every printed piece of paper they used. The Stamp Act was viewed by the colonists as "taxation without representation." Describe a colonial family's discussion about the new Stamp Act and what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British King and Parliament.
Title of Essay:
"A Colonial Family's Reaction to the Stamp Act"
Form (Length 300-600 words; handwritten in black ink, typed in a non-script font no smaller than 12 point or larger than 14 point; must include a title page listing the following:)
- Title of Essay (you may add your own subtitle as long as it is below the title)
- Contestant's full name and address
- Contestant's phone number and email address (if available)
- Name of contestant's school with grade level indicated
- Name of sponsoring DAR chapter
- Number of words in essay
Essays must also have a bibliography listing all references utilized (any essay with information copied directly from any source without using quotes will be disqualified)
Our DAR Chapter is: Wa-Pe-Ke-Way, please contact Mrs. Susan Johnson at 745-6097 or Mrs. Cari Palma at 852-8806 for more information and official contest rules.
Grandparents' Day in Miss Ladalski's Kindergarten Classroom
PCSC Considers Change in Schoolday Hours for 2016-2017
Administrators, faculty, PTO officers and others have been discussing the possibility of changing school hours beginning with the 2016-2017 academic year. While the change, in terms of overall minutes, is small, it could be significant for student performance in the classroom.
The Board of School Trustees will vote on this in the next few months, so that parents will have adequate time, if needed, to consider child care or scheduling needs when the new school year begins.
PCSC has prepared this FAQ to help everyone better understand the issue, the research behind the proposed change, and the factors taken into consideration. Please take a moment to click on the link and read more about this topic.
Parents: Speak Up - your ideas are important to us!
Open October 1st – December 18th, 2015
Be a part of the conversation! The Plainfield Community School Corporation is participating in the Speak Up national research project. Speak Up is the first survey designed to help parents share their ideas directly with schools and national policymakers.
As key stakeholders, Speak Up provides parents with a mechanism for expressing their views to the administrators at their child(ren)’s school and district about key issues impacting their child(ren)'s education. Since 2003, Speak Up has collected and shared the views of nearly 4 million students, teachers, and parents from all 50 states.
By participating in Speak Up, parents are expressing their views to an audience of local, state, and national policy makers as well as the business community, and contributing to the national dialogue about science, technology, and preparing students for the 21st century workforce.
The online survey is open to students, educators and parents; it’s quick and easy to get involved. To take the survey visit: http://www.bit.ly/SU15survey and click the blue “parents enter here” button!
The PCSC administrators appreciate your support in many ways; participating in this survey is just another way we can partner together to strengthen our schools and to improve the future for our children.
Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive
- hot and cold cereals
- peanut butter
- macaroni and cheese
- muffin mixes
- crackers
- toilet paper (individually wrapped rolls)
- feminine hygiene products
- diapers (especially sizes 3-5)
- diaper wipes
Thanksgiving Dinner for YOU!
November 26th
11 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Dine-in or Carry-out (no reservations needed)
Guilford Township Community Center at Hummel Park
1500 S. Center St.
Plainfield, IN
Local delivery for those without transportation
Delivery requests must be made by noon on Monday, November 23
For information, call:
(317) 839-2384
Ringing in the Holidays: Breakfast with Santa
Value Student of the Month ~ October
Responsibility, Accountability, and Justice
November-at-a-Glance
1st Grade Fancy Nancy Night
November 26-27, 2015
Thanksgiving Break
December 2, 2015
Four Square PE Club
**SNEAK PEAK AT DECEMBER**
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Parents Night Out - at the Flip Zone
December 9, 2015
Four Square PE Club
December 10, 2015
School Board Meeting
December 15, 2015
Kindergarten Field Trip to the Children's Museum
December 16, 2015
Four Square PE Club
Textbook Rental Payments are now Past Due
2015-2016 Textbook Fee Schedule
Kindergarten - $122.93
1st Grade - $116.85
2nd Grade - $100.84
3rd Grade - $96.13
4th Grade - $93.38
5th Grade - $88.38
Brentwood on Social Media
Youth Sports Info
Heroes Indy Basketball
AAU Summer 2016 Tryouts
Grades 5th & 6th
Saturday, November 14 & 21 3-5 p.m.
Thatcher Family Center
4649 W Vermont St
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Season Begins: February 2016
Tournament Play Begins: March 2016
Contact David Barlow or Ken Townsend with questions.
Study Buddies NEEDED at Brentwood!
- 30 minutes a week
- one-on-one time
- tutoring
- mentoring
- becoming a friend
- lessons provided
Please contact Mrs. Karen Nay, Home School Advisor at Brentwood if you are interested in more infomration or you are ready NOW to sign up! Call 317-839-4802 or email knay@plainfield.k12.in.us.
Send in Your Box Tops to Your Teacher!
Transportation Arrival & Dismissal Info
All car riders arriving in the morning should be dropped off in our car rider lane NOT in our Visitor Parking lot. This ensures they are not crossing over any traffic.
Late Arrivals:
If you child is being dropped off late an adult must come into the office and sign them in.
Student Arrivals (bus riders):
If your child rides the bus to school and will be eating breakfast in the cafeteria please talk to them about going straight to the cafeteria to get their breakfast. This will give them the most time to eat as healthy of a breakfast as possible.Dismissal Changes:
- If you need to change your child's dismissal instructions the best way to do this is to send a signed note to your child's teacher.
- If this is impossible please call the office NO LATER THAN 2:30 p.m. to ensure the dismissal change gets to your child's teacher in a timely matter.
Transportation:
If you are permanently changing how your child goes home or if you move please notify our office at 317-839-4802, as well as Transportation at 317-838-3632, and submit a new Transportation Form to the office.
Email: rclark@plainfield.k12.in.us
Phone: 317-839-4802
Volunteer News & Information:
- Volunteer Background Agreement
- Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement (ask at front office the first time you come in to volunteer)
- Read & understand our Emergency Procedures Handout (ask for your copy at the front office)
- Read & understand our "Facts about Bullying" handout (ask for your copy at the front office)
Some guidelines to follow when volunteering at Brentwood (please refer to our handbook for more):
- You may only take photos of your own child. Photos may not be taken of friends or other students and should NEVER be posted on social media sources without the consent of the classroom teacher and the other parents.
- You should avoid taking or making phone calls while supervising students unless for an emergency or communication is needed on a field trip.
- You should not bring other children along on a field trip.
- You must immediately report incidents or suspected incidents of bullying, physical, and/or verbal aggression to a teacher.
"Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer." ~Author Unknown
2015-2016 Brentwood PTO
We, the PTO, look forward to an exciting year ahead and welcome all teachers, staff, parents, and families to attend meetings and events. We are here to work and partner together to provide a unique, fun, and amazing environment for our students.
We always welcome ideas for new events, fundraising, or info of something going on in the community. Please don't be a strange to our events and we are always accessible.
PTO Officer List 2015-2016
Tanya King, President
Jessica Botts & Kristen Bergman, Co-Vice-Presidents
Julie Beasley, Treasurer
Michelle Becker, Secretary
Pam Hendrickson, Financial Secretary
PTO Email: brentwoodpto@att.net