FBE NOVEMBER Newsletter
November 2018
No Office Day!
On October 18th, Dr. Youngberg spent her day as a 3rd Grade Student in Mrs. Wilson's Class! Here is what she learned.
1. 3rd graders sit down and stand up a lot! I also learned that I don't like sitting on the floor lol (thank you for the accommodations toward the end of the day Mrs. Beckwith!!!)
2. 3rd graders need all those bathroom breaks! I used EVERY SINGLE ONE!
3. 3rd graders need Recess!!!!! I was starting to get tired mentally. Being outside was so great and refreshing!
4. 3rd graders need to be able to talk at Lunch!!!! Lunch was probably my favorite part of the unstructured time. We had so much great conversation at lunch. Truly, great socializing time for the kids! (We made a plan for World Peace...not really but we sure had great conversation.)
5. Math is hard in third grade! Also I learned that 3rd graders have much better imaginations than this 45 year old! The only thing i could think of to make groups of was CANDY!
6. If you love to read and write, you will LOVE third grade. The activities I did in reading and writing were amazing. (Yes I am the student that LOVED to read and write).
7. FBE students are amazing! My 3rd grade classmates quickly became my "friends" and helped me throughout my day.
8. TEACHERS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. These teachers prepared for my day, created exciting lessons, structured time to talk and move around, and valued what each and every child had to say. Really created the best learning environment one could ever ask for.
REPORT CARDS FOR 2nd SIX WEEKS GO HOME NOVEMBER 29TH
Volunteers Needed
694-9599
MATH AND SCIENCE NIGHT
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2018, 06:00 PM
Flour Bluff Elementary Cafeteria
Flour Bluff Elementary Calendar of Events
1 Hearing/vision Screener
1 Progress Reports Go Home
2 Art Fundraiser Begin
5 Nueces Delta Field Trip (4th)
Cooper, Jackson, McAliley, Ames
6 50th Day of School!
6 Nueces Delta Field Trip (4th)
Messina, Falany, Atkinson, Ready
7 Nueces Delta Field Trip (4th)
Fordyce, Lopez, Tweddle, Almaraz
8 Nueces Delta Field Trip (4th)
Flores, Alvarado, Rowe, Ainsworth
8 Paraprofessional/IT/SPED/Security Appreciation Day
9 Nueces Delta Field Trip (4th)
Steward, Robinson, Clark, Kaspar
12 Veteran's Day Observed (Student Holiday)
12 Parent Conferences
13 Math & Science Night @ 6pm-7pm in Cafeteria
13-16 Second Six Weeks Benchmark Math
14 Elementary Thanksgiving Feast (get your Fast Pass before this date!)
14 Fundraiser Delivery
15 Fall Picture Retakes
15 Elementary Students all eat in class (Primary Thanksgiving Feast)
16 Pie Drive for Elementary Staff
16 GOOD CHOICE Movie in the Classroom
19-23 Thanksgiving Holiday
29 Science Projects Due, Report Cards, Board Meeting
29 Report Cards Go Home
30 Science Fair Judging
PIE DRIVE
Fun Run Business Sponsors
Parents!
This Spring, we are so excited to host a Fun Run (powered by Boosterthon) to help our school! Boosterthon in a fun, nine-day program that combines world-class character content with a highly-profitable fundraiser.
To increase the excitement and school spirit of this event, we’re hoping to provide each student with a FREE custom FLOUR BLUFF Elementary t-shirt to wear the day of the Fun Run event, at no cost to our students or school.
In order to make this happen, we need your help! We’re hoping to partner with local businesses to help sponsor these shirts. If you know of or are a part of a business that would like to sponsor our t-shirts, please see email or contact Dr. Youngberg at nyoungberg@flourbluffschools.net or 694-9599 for more information!
Thank you!
Library News by Mrs. Browning, Librarian
Students have been learning strategies to choose a “just right” book, or as I call them, a “Yes”, “Yes” book.
If they can answer yes to both of the following questions, that book is a “good” book for them.
1. Can I read the book-not too easy and not too hard?
2. Am I interested in this book? If students get books they can read and that they are interested in, they will more likely read the book.
This can encourage and foster a love of reading.
We will be participating in the Schlitterbahn Waves of Pages reading program. Reading logs will be coming home soon. Students may begin reading and logging minutes on November 12. They will have ten weeks to read ten hours (600 minutes) at home and return the signed and completed logs to the library by January 18, 2019. This time period encompasses both the Thanksgiving and Christmas break, so hopefully your child can have extra reading time for this program during the holidays. Students who complete the program by the deadline will earn a free admission to our Schlitterbahn Park.
I am still accepting pictures for our Military Wall of Honor bulletin board in the library. There is no deadline. As pictures and information come in, I will add them to the bulletin board. Please don’t send huge pictures so we will have room for all of the ones that come in. I will return the pictures to you at the end of the year.
I have science display boards in various colors for sale in the library for $4.00 each. Students may bring money to the library to purchase a display board.
Positive Behavior Support by Mrs. Cristan, Assistant Principal
Flour Bluff Elementary has many exciting learning opportunities that students participate in around the school. This includes classes in the science lab, library, computer labs, music room, counselor’s corner, and gym.
In order to get to these different places, the students are in the halls during various times throughout the day. We ask them to follow the same four core expectations from Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in the hallway as we do in all other areas of the school.
Here is how the four core expectations look in the hallway:
1. Follow Directions – Listen and follow instructions the first time given
2. Be Polite – Use kind words, talk only with permission, use inside voices
3. Be Safe – Respect others’ space, keep distance between you and other students, keep your hands and feet to yourself, walk
Be Prepared – Keep hall passes visible, move toward your destination, be on time.
As the students travel through the halls to and from lunch, specials, recess, and restroom breaks, other classes are still engaged in meaningful instruction. This makes it imperative that our students meet the “Be Polite” expectation of talking only with permission.
As you review your child’s day at school, express your desire for him/her to meet the hallway expectations. By all students following our four core expectations, we create safe and orderly transitions in the hallway.
Counselor's Corner by Mrs. Villarreal
Once again our champions demonstrated excellence in character by giving to others. Speaking of character, we will be covering a new character trait—KINDNESS. We will focus on using polite words when speaking with one another, thinking about the needs of other people, and showing concern and compassion for others.
We have started a discussion on Empathy-what it means, what it looks like, and how to show empathy to one another. Empathy means putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and imagining what they are feeling. Listening to a friend, reaching out to a new student, and trying to understand other people are ways of showing empathy and kindness.
We have also completed our Bullying Prevention lessons and the students were taught to use S.W.A.T. to help themselves and others who may be victims of bullying. S.W.A.T. stands for STOP, WALK AWAY, AVOID, and TELL.
Things to discuss at home with your child: Discuss ways to show kindness at home, school, and in the community.
Ask your child to define Empathy for you. Discuss thankfulness and appreciation for family and friends. Discuss ways to be generous to family, friends, and people in the community and ask your children about S.W.A.T.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, questions, or help to make your child’s experience at the Elementary the best it can be.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS by Mrs. Hoover
5 Ways to Help Your Child Be Successful
1. Attend School Night Activities and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Kids do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending school night activities is a great way to get to know your child's teachers, the school, and their expectations. Parent-teacher conferences are usually held once or twice a year. The conferences are a chance to start or continue conversations with your child's teacher and discuss strategies to help your child do his or her best in class. Meeting with the teacher also lets your child know that what goes on in school will be shared at home. Keep in mind that parents or guardians can request meetings with teachers, principals, school counselors, or other school staff any time during the school year.
2. Visit the School and Its Website
On our school website, you can find information about: the school calendars, staff contacts, information about upcoming events, and testing dates. Many teachers maintain their own websites that detail homework assignments, test dates, and classroom events and trips. Special resources for parents and students are also usually available on the district, school, or teacher websites.
3. Support Homework Expectations
Homework reinforces and extends classroom learning and helps kids practice important study skills. It also helps them develop a sense of responsibility and a work ethic that will benefit them beyond the classroom.
In addition to making sure your child knows that you see homework as a priority, you can help by creating an effective study environment. Any well-lit, comfortable, and quiet workspace with the necessary supplies will do. Avoiding distractions (like a TV in the background) and setting up a start and end time can also help.
While your child does homework, be available to interpret assignment instructions, offer guidance, answer questions, and review the completed work. But resist the urge to provide the correct answers or complete the assignments yourself. Learning from mistakes is part of the process and you don't want to take this away from your child.
4. Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn
Kids need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. Most school-age kids need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports, after-school activities, TVs, computers, and video games, as well as hectic family schedules, can contribute to kids not getting enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can cause irritable or hyperactive behavior and might make it hard for kids to pay attention in class. It's important to have a consistent bedtime routine, especially on school nights. Be sure to leave enough time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights out and limit stimulating diversions like TV, video games, and Internet access.
5. Teach Organizational Skills
When kids are organized, they can stay focused instead of spending time hunting things down and getting sidetracked. Check your child's assignment book and homework folder every school night so you're familiar with assignments and your child doesn't fall behind. Set up a bin for papers that you need to check or sign. Also, keep a special box or bin for completed and graded projects and toss papers that you don't need to keep. Talk to your child about keeping his or her school desk orderly so papers that need to come home don't get lost. Teach your child how to use a calendar or personal planner to help stay organized.
It's also helpful to teach your child how to make a to-do list to help prioritize and get things done. It can be as simple as:
1. homework
2. soccer
3. put clothes away
No one is born with great organizational skills — they need to be learned and practiced.
Nurse's Corner by Nurse Cheryl
Flu season is in session! Remember to wash hands frequently and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth; these are all places that viruses can enter your body.
November means THANKSGIVING and FOOD!! What more can we be thankful for than our children? Studies show that eating meals as a family has numerous benefits. Children who eat meals as a family; eat more fruits and vegetables, are exposed to a larger variety of foods, have better portioning control, bring home higher grades, have a larger vocabulary, experiment less with tobacco, alcohol, drugs and other risky activities, and experience less depression, suicidal considerations and eating disorders. Parents are also shown to have less stress as well as saving about 50% on food as compared to eating at restaurants. So heat up the oven and call the kids in to a warm meal around the family table. (www.health.com)
Fall PTO Fundraiser
YEARBOOKS ON SALE
Also, if you want to put a "love line" in the yearbook for your child, please go to the website and choose "business ad 1/8 page"
Flour Bluff Elementary Contacts
· Dr. Nikol Youngberg, Principal, 694-9599
· Mrs. Veronica Cristan, Assistant Principal 694-9598
· Mrs. Jeanine Hoover, Curriculum Supervisor, 694-9590
· Mrs. Veronica Villarreal, Counselor, 694-9593
· Mrs. Cheryl Navar, Nurse, 694-9560
· Mrs. Nadine Grabowske, Secretary, 694-9595
· Mrs. Melissa Pena, Attendance & Registrar, 694-9587
Website: http://elementary.flourbluffschools.net/
Location: 2505 Waldron Road, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Phone: (361) 694-9500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlourBluffISD/
Twitter: @FB_Elementary