Blue Ash Elementary
October 4, 2019
HAUNTED FEST IS COMING!!!
Upcoming Dates:
OCTOBER:
14th - NO SCHOOL - Teacher records day
21st - Book Fair this week
24th - Evening Parent/Teacher conferences 4 pm - 8 pm
25th - NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher conferences
25th - HAUNTED FEST 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
30th - Evening Parent/Teacher conferences 4 pm - 8 pm
HAUNTED FEST OCTOBER 25th!
Put it on your calendar to come support Blue Ash Elementary. Haunted Festival is on Friday, October 25th from 5:30-8:30pm. This is a great time for all of our families, teachers, friends, and neighbors to come together and have some fun! This is the biggest fund-raising event of the year and 100% of the money raised goes back to support our kids and teachers. There will be food, games, baked goods, prizes, class baskets, Bid 'n Buy, Blue Ash Bashes, and much more. Come in your favorite, family appropriate (non-spooky) costume. Please see the attached link to the Haunted Festival packet for more information on the donation competition, volunteering, ticket sales, and much more! Email any questions to hauntedfest@gmail.com
Click here for additional information
Haunted Fest Donations
The Haunted Fest Donation Competition is underway! Thank you to our families that have already sent in candy, books or items for the Class Baskets. We are still in need of many, many more items. Please use the following links for items still needed for grade level Class Baskets.
Preschool
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cafad2fa3f49-baepreschool
Kindergarten
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cafad2fa3f49-baekindergarten
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cafad2fa3f49-bae1st
2nd Grade
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cafad2fa3f49-bae2nd3rd Grade
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cafad2fa3f49-bae3rd
4th Grade
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4cafad2fa3f49-bae4th
Thank you so much for your support. We look forward to seeing everyone at Haunted Fest this year!
Volunteers Wanted!
It is time for the Blue Ash Elementary Haunted Festival! This is a fun volunteer opportunity. The Haunted Festival 2019 is Friday, October 25 we need volunteers from 4:30pm to 8:30 pm. There are several shifts to choose from and volunteers may choose to work with a friend. We can provide a certificate for all hours worked. Additional information sign-ups may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/baeHF19
Parent Resource to Support Their Children and to Help Prevent Bullying
October is officially Anti-Bullying Month, and though prevention of bullying is a life long effort, this month gives us a great reason to share some helpful information with our families. As we have discussed before, supporting our children to be confident and successful members of our community takes a collective effort from us all.
At school we have classroom meetings to learn and practice positive behaviors and social skills; we praise and reward students for being safe, respectful, responsible, problem solvers; and we re-teach these important behaviors as needed throughout the year. Parents often ask what they can do to help prevent bullying and support their children. This support begins by having an open line of communication with your child.
From the US Department of Health and Human Services:
Research tells us that children really do look to parents and caregivers for advice and help on tough decisions. Sometimes spending 15 minutes a day talking can reassure kids that they can talk to their parents if they have a problem. Start conversations about daily life and feelings with questions like these:
- What was one good thing that happened today? Any bad things?
- What is lunch time like at your school? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about?
- What is it like to ride the school bus?
- What are you good at? What would do you like best about yourself?
Talking about bullying directly is an important step in understanding how the issue might be affecting kids. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but it is important to encourage kids to answer them honestly. Assure kids that they are not alone in addressing any problems that arise. Start conversations about bullying with questions like these:
- What does “bullying” mean to you?
- Describe what kids who bully are like. Why do you think people bully?
- Who are the adults you trust most when it comes to things like bullying?
- Have you ever felt scared to go to school because you were afraid of bullying? What ways have you tried to change it?
- What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying?
- Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
- What do you usually do when you see bullying going on?
- Do you ever see kids at your school being bullied by other kids? How does it make you feel?
- Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?
There are simple ways that parents and caregivers can keep up-to-date with kids’ lives.
- Read class newsletters and school flyers. Talk about them at home.
- Check the school website
- Go to school events
- Greet the bus driver
- Meet teachers and counselors at Open House, Curriculum Night, Conferences or reach out by email
- Share phone numbers with other kids’ parents
BOMBARD THE YARD!
Want a chance to be involved with one of the most rewarding experiences of the year? Read below to see how!
At Sycamore Schools it is part of our mission to address the needs of the total student, teaching not only to the mind but to the heart. To this end, 3rd and 4th graders at Blue Ash Elementary are undertaking a school service project that will overlap with curriculum standards in their reading and writing classes. On November 21st and 22nd they will be heading into the community to show their appreciation and lend a helping hand. Our goal is to go to as many houses as possible and get to work serving others. There are SO MANY ways to be involved! If interested, please visit the link to fill out the form below. It takes less than 1 minute. Thanks for your support!
Parent/Caregiver Volunteers Needed!
The annual vision and hearing screening for Blue Ash Elementary School students is coming up next week, and we need your help! Please check the vision and hearing screening signup genius to check for available times and sign up for as many as you'd like! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EADAF23A3F58-baevision1
Thank you! Sara Rosenthal
(fellow BAE parent and health room chair)
Notes from our Nurse
Vision and Hearing Screening update: October is vision and hearing screening month at Blue Ash Elementary.
Beginning the week of October 7th through 18th, all Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, Third Grade and New Students to the district will be screened for their vision and hearing. Parents sometimes ask why is it important to have your child’s vision and hearing screened. Vision and hearing is important for speech, language development, reading and learning. Even if your child has passed previous screenings, their vision and hearing may change without them noticing a difference. If your child passes the vision and hearing screening here at school, you will not be contacted by the school nurse. Parents are encouraged to contact the school nurse if you have questions regarding your child’s vision and hearing. A vision and hearing screening provides only a snapshot of how your child performs on the day the screening was administered and is not a substitute for a complete exam by an optometrist, ophthalmologist or audiologist. If your child does not meet the Ohio Department of Health school screening guidelines with the initial screening, a repeat screening is done. If your child’s second screening still does not meet the Ohio Department Health school screening guidelines, the parent or guardian is informed of screening results by the school nurse with recommendations for further evaluation in writing.
Prevention is the Best Medicine: Good handwashing and covering your cough and sneeze are best practices to prevent the spread of illness especially the Flu!
It’s time to start thinking about getting your Flu Shot for this Flu season! The CDC recommends Flu Vaccine for all individuals 6 months and older. Check out the CDC website for more information regarding the Flu and the Flu vaccine at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/fluguideforparents.pd
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/everyday_preventive.pdf
Drug Abuse Prevention: October 26, 2019 is National Drug Take Back Day. Find a location close by to return medications not being used in your household and keep your families safe. .https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/national-take-back-day
Halloween Safety:
Halloween can be safe and fun! Make sure your child has visibility with their costumes. Fun neon stickers, flashlights or glow sticks are examples of ways to be creative and safe at the same time. Parents should check their child’s candy for evidence of tampering before eating their treats. Food allergies can be a challenge with celebrations. Check out this Halloween safety guide for food allergies https://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/2018-allergy-friendly-halloween-candy-guide
Please contact our School Nurse, Mrs. Wyrick, RN at 513-686-1713 or wyrickd@sycamoreschools.org if you have any questions.
Please Sign Up For Your Free Energy Kit!
PTO INFORMATION
Dance - A - Thon update!
This year's Dance-A-Thon raised almost $8,500 - that's almost twice as much as last year! Way to go, people!
Prizes will be passed out and drawings will take place as soon as everything arrives. The chalk and bubble party at recess will take place very soon as well.
Special thanks to:
Maple Dale Elementary and Mr. Schneider for loaning us the black lights.
CJ for setting up the gym for the dance.
Mr. Weeks for the use of the gym.
Our teachers for supporting the event
Ms. Bush for helping all the students design the wonderful glowing accessories.
Our wonderful Blue Ash Elementary parents for volunteering and donating.
Active Aves Volunteer Sign Up
Active Aves
Through Active Aves, kids can earn prizes by walking or running laps around the playground during recess. You can help by punching cards as the kids complete their laps, offering cheers or encouragement, or walking/running with the kids during any of our volunteer times.
SYCAMORE GREEN!!
Community Composting
Sycamore is excited to invite community residents to subscribe using the link below and bring compostable food waste from home to district food waste compost drop-off stations where it will be composted rather than landfilled along with the school’s cafeteria waste.
Food waste is a major source of greenhouse gasses and cost billions in natural resources and supply chain losses each year. Every 46 pounds of food waste composted with GoZERO removes the equivalent of one typical day’s worth of driving emissions from the atmosphere.
To learn more about the program or to get started, please visit the GoZERO website:
Clothing and Shoe Recycling
Please remember to recycle your family’s old clothes and shoes by dropping them off in the convenient bin in the school parking lot.
GEAR
Sycamore GEAR (Gifted Education, Advocacy, & Resources) Bookworms is open to all Sycamore students!
Please join us at the pumpkin patch for a reading & discussion of Joan Holub's Pumpkin Countdown on Mon, 10/14/19/10AM-12PM. This program has been designed for KG - 2nd graders, and siblings are also welcome to attend.
Unlimited play is allowed after the program until Shaw Farms closes at 6PM. Please be sure at least 1 adult is present for every 5 children & to dress appropriately for the weather & a 20-25 minute hayride!
A $5.50 fee per person will include the presentations, hay ride & one small pumpkin each. This can be given in either exact change at the venue, or ahead-of-time via VENMO as listed on the Signup Genius link: https://tinyurl.com/BookwormsOctPumpkin
Please direct questions to either Deb Schroeck (513)325-3401 or Danielle Buchanan Millard (859)797-1474. Please RSVP by midnight of Fri, 10/11/19.
Box Tops
DISTRICT INFORMATION
Mental Health and Wellness
September launched our #speakupAVES campaign. Our commitment to supporting student, staff, and community mental health is strong. Our Sycamore High School students will honor their commitment to start the conversation and break down the stigma surrounding mental health on Saturday, October 5. Their team participation in the 1N5 Warrior Run as team SycamoresAVES has raised over $1000 to support mental health education in Sycamore Schools. There is still time to show your support by joining our team by registering HERE, or to sponsor the team HERE. As we said, our conversation is just getting started. We encourage you to follow us on twitter @speakupAVES to remain connected to our initiatives, activities, and information about mental health in our community.
The commitment to mental health and wellness is a national topic of conversation. Our city is engaged in that conversation and is bringing an event designed to support mental health and wellness to Cincinnati. On October 11-13 Kroger will sponsor the Wellness Your Way festival at the Duke Energy Center. For more information about this event, designed to kick-start your journey to a healthy lifestyle, click HERE.
Flight Fest
Please visit our website at www.aviatorflightfest.com to Register for the Race, Sign Up to Volunteer or learn more about Family Sponsorships.
DON’T WANT TO WALK – PLEASE HELP BY BECOMING A VOLUNTEER!
It takes a village to make Flight Fest happen each year and we could really use more help! Please consider supporting this great event by volunteering your time the day of the race or at activities leading up to it! To see how you can help out, please visit the following webpage! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044daaa622a3f94-aviator4
SCAVENGER HUNT STARTS SEPTEMBER 27th!
Parents! Please encourage your child and their friends to create a team for the 2019 SJH Scavenger Hunt! The team will come together to complete missions between September 27th and October 17th. Winners will be announced at the SJH Pep Rally on October 18th! Visit www.aviatorflightfest.com or review your Flight Plan for more information.
ONLINE AUCTION IS LIVE!
The online auction is open! Be sure to check in weekly for new items as they are added. Items will continue to be added up to October 9th! The online auction closes on October 19th at 10am. The link to view the auction is below.
https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/aviator-flight-fest-2019-silent-auction-8624
Please contact Michelle Ciotola at avesflightfest@gmail.com to learn about business and family sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, or any questions regarding Aviator Flight Fest.
ADDITIONAL FLYERS
Wrestling
SYCAMORE WRESTLING CLUB 2019-2020
WHO: Students 1st-6th grade, regardless of size or experience
WHAT: Wrestling is a disciplined sport that instills good sportsmanship and builds confidence. Instruction will consist of teaching basic wrestling moves, drilling, and live wrestling. There are many weight classes, so you compete against others your own size and age.
WHERE: Sycamore High School Wrestling Room. Park on the bus ramp and enter stairs near the pool.
COST: The cost for participation is $80, plus 2 volunteer hours (see below). Fee includes shorts and t-shirt, insurance, and entry into two tournaments (see below). Additional tournaments at an average of $15 each are encouraged but not required.
PRACTICE: Practice will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:00. Additional practice time may be added, if needed, based on the level of the wrestlers.
TOURNAMENTS: Tournament participation is optional. The cost includes entry into the Sycamore Invitational, as well as the City tournament; however, participation in the city tournament needs to be approved by the head coach. The coaches will detail a schedule of preferred tournaments for the season.
VOLUNTEER HOURS: Each family is asked to provide 2 hours of time volunteering for the wrestling program. We have many opportunities for parents to get these hours, such as working a table at our youth, junior high, or high school tournaments, concessions, helping in practice, or administrative duties. In lieu of these hours, parents may also opt to pay an additional $50 fee.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Shoes (wrestling or gym), gym shorts and a t-shirt. Headgear recommended.
SIGN-UPS: Register online at www.sycamorewrestling.com. Payment can be made online or will be accepted at the first practice on 11/5/2019. Please make checks payable to Sycamore Wrestling. Sign-ups welcome until 12/10/2019.
STAFF: Head Youth Coach: Jason Staggs staggsj@sycamoreschools.org (513) 477-7755
Assistants: HS and JH coaches and numerous parent assistants. More volunteers needed!
PRACTICE BEGINS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5TH.
QUESTIONS: Contact Jason Staggs, Head Youth Coach, at staggsj@sycamoreschools.org or (513) 477-7755
or Jeremy Pletz, Head Varsity Coach pletzj@sycamoreschools.org or (513) 375-5597LUNCH MENU
LUNCH START TIMES
Grade 2 - 11:45
Kindergarten - 12:00
Grade 3 - 12:30
Grade 1 - 12:50