HARBOR HEIGHTS NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2019
Socktober Update
Lost and Found
These donated items are another indication of the HH generosity to our great community since all items are laundered, folded, and donated to a local charity.
IMPORTANT DATES
11/11 VETERANS DAY, NO SCHOOL
11/26 GRANDPARENTS DAY, 10:15 TO 2:15
11/27-29 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO SCHOOL
12/10 KINDER/1ST GRADE CONCERT, 6 TO 7 PM
12/13 SHARING AND CARING ASSEMBLY, 9:15 TO 10:15
12/14 5TH GRADE TO BIZ TOWN, 9:10 DEPARTURE
12/23-1/3 WINTER BREAK, NO SCHOOL
1/30 CIS FAMILY FX NIGHT, 5 TO 6:30 PM
NOTES FROM THE MUSIC ROOM
I am so excited to announce our grade level music concerts for the 2019-2020 school. I believe it is important for students to perform every year as part of their music experience here at Harbor Heights. I am looking forward to showcasing all the curriculum we cover in each grade.
Here are the dates you need to know:
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 @ 6 pm – Kindergarten and First Grade Winter Program
Thursday, March 12, 2020 @ 6 pm – 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Elements Concert
Thursday, April 30, 2020 @ 6 pm – 4th and 5th Grade Spring Music Celebration
I also created a website for our music room. It has events dates, Orca Singer Information, Recorder practice tracks and fun online music games. Check it out! http://sl.psd401.net/harborheightsmusic
Please contact me if you have any questions!!!
Michelle Rutherford, 253- 530-1800 or rutherfordm@psd401.ne
Crowded Commons
With the passing of the Bond last year, PSD will eventually have two new and two remodeled elementary schools in our district.
However, we are currently feeling the growing pains of our community, especially during lunches. One adjustment we have recently made at Harbor Heights due to our crowded lunches is to have some grade levels eat lunches in rooms. This is our school plan when we have a modified schedule, rainy day recess, an assembly, or other scenario that requires school-wide use of the commons, gym, or stage during the day. We are fortunate to have this option at Harbor Heights. We will continue to monitor and adjust so that our commons and classrooms can be utilized best for all students.
Junior Achievement
One volunteer to oversee the program and coordinate with JA resources is needed to help make JA happen in 2020 at HH.
HANDS ON ART
Local artist Kit Kuhn will lead students through designing and creating their own copper wire pendants based on the inspirational work of Alexander Calder. Students will learn simple metal working techniques and have the opportunity to work with the tools professional jewelers use. Check out the educational film at our website www.peninsulahandsonart.org Projects / Peninsula / username: user / password: psd401 If you would like to volunteer, donate, or learn more about PHOA contact:
April Reich / Harbor Heights Coordinator april@reichinjurylaw.com 253-985-3155
Marla Morgan / PHOA District Coordinator morganm@psd401.net 253-732-7222
“LIKE” us on Facebook and see what’s new!
THANKSGIVING SAFETY
For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.
So keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One would like you to remember to follow a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.
Kiddos in the Kitchen
Kids too love to hang out in the kitchen. Bringing in a “little helper” to prepare the Thanksgiving feast can add to the fun of cooking for your family. Check out the recommendations “Sparky” suggests before inviting kids into the kitchen. http://www.sparky.org/files/activities/files/kids_in_the_kitchen.pdf
Thanksgiving by the numbers
· Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
· In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
· Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
· Cooking equipment was involved in almost half (48%) of all reported home fires and civilian and tied with heating equipment for the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
Safety tips
· Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
· Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
· Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
· Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
· Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
· Keep knives out of the reach of children.
· Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
· Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
· Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
· Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
A kitchen fire can definitely ruin any Thanksgiving feast. Hopefully by following these basic tips, you and your family will be able to sit back and enjoy all the things for which we are thankful. For more prevention tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and www.gigharborfire.org or call 253-851-3111.
Grandparents/Special Person Day
HARBOR HEIGHTS
GRANDPARENTS/SPECIAL PERSON DAY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH
Session 1: Grandparents or special friends of K-2nd graders come in the morning at 10:15-11:15
Session 2: Grandparents or special friends of 3rd-5th graders come in the afternoon 1:15-2:15
Remember to bring a smart phone or camera for pictures!
PE CORNER
Beginning this month in PE we are continuing to work on basic throwing skills; Step 1: ball by your ear. Step 2: elbow up. Step 3: elbow and leg back (same side). Step 4: throw and follow through. We are also incorporating football skills such as, catching, throwing and kicking. Please note that each child is expected to perform at his/her own level and that all activities are geared toward 100% participation and 100% success. My goal is not to make football players out of your children, but instead give them basic skills that will allow them to participate on the playground, park, or at home. Exposing children to all activities and sports at an early age gives them confidence in knowing how to do them, rather than a fear of never having done them at all.
PE Challenge
Drawbridge: For this activity you will need a large round ball. Assume a sitting position and rest your ball on top of both ankles. Slowly raise your feet, drawing the ball toward your thighs. By raising your bottom off the floor with your hands, the ball will return to your ankles. How fast can you roll the ball up and down without losing control?
Parent Challenge
With the holiday’s approaching, nutritious snacks and meals can be a battle. Please check out this website that can add a lot of fun to preparing and eating healthy snacks.
https://www.superkidsnutrition.com/diy-healthy-holiday-food-art-kids/
No need to register or sign in… Just great info!
PENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION
JOIN OUR TEAM
If you enjoy kids and driving, become a school bus driver. Peninsula School District Transportation Department is seeking candidates to become substitute school bus drivers.
Peninsula School Bus Drivers transport over 5,500 students daily and travel more than a million miles per year. We are a great team, who take pride in transporting our students to and from school safely.
We offer a comprehensive paid training program. With completion of our training, you will become a CDL licensed driver and a valuable member of our Transportation Team.
Interviews are being scheduled for the week December 10th for our winter class.
Class begins January 6th
apply on-line: psd401.net/human-resources
Or call 253-530-3900 for more information
This is a very rewarding occupation and an excellent source of supplemental income
CALLING ALL LEAF HUNTERS!
The leaves are falling all over town from our beautiful dry & windy fall days (which is great for you!) So…back by popular demand and asked for on the first day of school !!!……
”The Longest Maple Leaf Stem Contest” is starting Tuesday, November 12th until 10:00am Friday, Nov. 15st . Students can start bringing their leaf entry on Tuesday morning, Nov. 12th, to the Library for display. Winners will be announced Monday, Nov. 18th during the announcements.
Here are the rules:
1. Only 1 entry per student
2. It must be the Large Canadian type Maple Leaf and bring in the entire Leaf *& Stem please.
3. You must have your 1.Your Name 2.Teacher 3.Length of the stem (measured in inches) on a small piece of paper attached to the stem or attach the leaf to a piece of notebook paper and write the information on the paper.
4. Please make sure the leaf is Clean and Dry!!!
*Remember…you are measuring the length of the stem from where it touches the actual leaf part to the end that attaches to the branch. Information was given to your child’s teacher and to the students during Library.
There will be a Grand Prize Award for the overall longest stem turned in, and one winner for each grade level. The prizes will be book gift certificates to use at our next Book Fair in March.
The longest stem turned in was back in 2015 at 20 inches long!
**Also, Teachers/Staff can join in on the fun too! A gift certificate into the next book will be awarded to the staff member finding the longest Maple Leaf STEM.
Have fun Maple Leaf Stem hunting! ~ Mrs. Watson & Skoob