THE TIGER TIMES
February 2017
Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year
Acton Elementary School
LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING TO VISIT
We ask that you please pre-register before class parties, lunch or volunteering.
Below is the link to pre-register. Thank you for helping us keep our kids safe.
https://secure.safevisitorsolutions.com/Safe/Visitor/franklin000012
UPCOMING EVENTS
February
1 Midterm Ends
3 Jump Rope for Heart
6-10 Great Kindness Challenge
7 PTO Meeting 6:30-8:00 PM
9 Fourth Grade Music Program 6:00 PM
10 Treats with Your Sweets PTO Event 6:30-8:00 PM
14 1st Gr FieldTrip Central Library
14 Friendship Celebrations 3:00-3:45 PM
17 All Pro Dads 7:45- 8:30 AM
17 4th gr Field Trip ISM/IMAX
20 President’s Day Holiday
23 Sky Zone PTO Fundraiser 4-8 PM
27 School Board meeting
27-Mar 10 ISTEP Applied Skills (grades 3-5 only)
March
2 First Grade Music Program 6:00 PM
7 PTO Meeting 6:30-8:00 PM
10 End of grading period
10 Indy Air Bears
13 School Board Meeting
13-17 I-READ
17 All Pro Dads 7:45- 8:30 AM
17 Report Cards Distributed
17 3rd Quarter Celebrations
20-31 Spring Break
ALL PRO DAD
Chick fil a will be available for $4 per person. RSVP at https://allprodadsday.com/chapters/5029
Students of the Month for the Trait of GENEROSITY (January)
Congratulations to these students for showing their Tiger Trait of Generosity in JANUARY. They received a certificate and a card for a special treat.
KINDERGARTEN
Emerine: Hayden Kennedy
Froning: Lana Hopson
McMaster: Anna Jaggers
1st GRADE
Miller: Paesyn Vanderweide
Gilkerson: Luke Snyder
Biswas: Presli Gunter
2nd GRADE
Brooks: Allison Rigdon
Krug: Emma Smith
Parsons: Gabriella Anderson
3rd GRADE
Simmons: Elijah Gann
Benson: Samantha Moore
Jewell: Sydney Hendrickson
4th GRADE
Beechler: Drew Bauer
Rigsby: Isaac Prickel
Reynolds: Konnor Anderson
5th GRADE
Neifert: Jenna Thompson
Leal: Savannah Royer
Rebennack: Juliana Littles
RELATED ARTS
Library (Ms. Vawter/Mrs. Thurston): Luke Vaughan
Art (Ms. Ryan): Ronaldo Aguayo
Music (Mrs. Stevenson): Ava Czap
Gym (Mrs. Adams): Braylon Reardon
Acton Student Council Proudly Presents
Acton Elementary will be celebrating the Great Kindness Challenge all week
February 6-10. This is a week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible at Acton Elementary.
Our school is proudly participating in this proactive, positive bullying prevention initiative. All students will receive a Kindness Challenge checklist with 50 kind deeds (12 kind deeds for K-1).
Please encourage your child to complete the checklist and show the world that ...KINDNESS MATTERS!
What better way to celebrate National School Counseling Week than by spreading kindness throughout our school?
4 Ways to Participate in Acton’s Great Kindness Challenge
1. Individual Kindness Challenge Checklist. Turn these into the Kindness Box when completed to be entered into the drawing for a prize. Checklists are due by Monday, February 13.
2. Coins for Riley Hospital. Be kind and generous by bringing in your spare change all week to benefit Riley Hospital for Children. The winning class for each grade level will earn lunch in the classroom. All coins and bills are accepted.
3. Kindness Matters! Poster Contest. Make a poster that has a Kindness Motto or Quote. Be creative! These are due by Friday, February 10.
4. Kindness Matters Letters to our school puppet, Paul. On Monday, February 6th, Paul will ask students to write to him about why Kindness matters and how we can make Acton the kindest school on the planet. Paul always picks his favorite letter to be read on announcements.
Looking for more ways to show and model Kindness as a family?
· Write your child’s teacher a note of appreciation.
· Post to the Acton Facebook Page a positive example of how an Acton staff member has impacted your child or family.
· Send your child’s teacher a small treat or beverage during the week.
· Volunteer at a local food pantry.
· Pay a portion of the bill or all of the bill for the car behind you in the drive-thru.
Make cards for police officers, members of the military, or other community helpers.APPOINTMENT POLICY
- Just a reminder: School Board policy 5200 regarding appointments. – Parents are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, and other necessary appointments other than during school hours. When appointments are necessary during the school day, the student shall report back to school immediately after the appointment with a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, etc.
LOST AND FOUND
PTO Update from PTO President Sarah Smith
- Our next PTO event, "Treats with Your Sweets" will be February 10th from 6:30-8:00. Join Acton families for a night of games, movie and delicious treats. Bring a dessert to share and enjoy a fun time with fellow Tiger families!
- Get excited for an Acton night at Sky Zone- February 23rd from 4-8pm. Make sure to mention the Acton PTO when buying your tickets!
- Box Tops Competition is starting now! The class with the most Box Tops will receive EXTRA RECESS! Sheets will be coming home this week. Send them in on the sheets or in baggies. Make sure to label with your Student's name and Teacher.
- Nominations are underway for our 2017-2018 PTO Board. If you are interested in serving as an Officer or as a Chairperson for the 2017-2018 school year, please contact Sarah Smith at indysmithfamily@gmail.com We are having a great time this year and are looking forward to another wonderful year. We would love your involvement on the PTO Executive Board next year!
- Are you creative? Do you love school supplies and bulletin boards? The Acton PTO could use your help with bulletin boards around the school. Contact Sarah Smith for more information.
- Did you know Franklin Township School Board Meetings are open to the public? Our new School Board was sworn in last night and officer elections have occurred. Increased parent participation is needed and the Franklin Township School Board needs your help in selecting the new Superintendent and forging a path for continued excellence in education. If you are interested in serving on committees or task forces for township planning, please contact Sarah Smith. Involvement is needed at a variety of levels and various time commitments are available.
- The next PTO Meeting is February 7th at 6:30 pm. Childcare & Snacks will be provided.
DROP OFF/PICK UP
Pick up must be done from the car rider line as well. Car rider numbers are available at the front office.
Your cooperation helps keep our students safe.
ATTENDANCE LINE
Upon returning to school following an absence or absences, the student shall bring a written statement. The note must contain dates of absences and reason, as well as parent/guardian signature. These statements determine if the absence is excusable.
REMIND 101
FRIENDSHIP PARTIES
Friendship Parties will be February 14th at 3:00 in each classroom. Students are encouraged to share valentines but nothing edible can be brought to school. Parents are encouraged to share pencils, bookmarks, crafts or small goodies, but no treats. This is a district wide rule and is stated on page 4 of the student handbook.
Thank you for your cooperation!
SAFETY REMINDER
WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS. THEIR SAFETY IS CRUCIAL TO US. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BE PREPARED TO STOP AND SHOW ID WHEN VISITING OUR SCHOOL.
WE HAVE RECEIVED A NEW VISITOR SIGN IN SYSTEM. THIS WILL REQUIRE ALL VISITORS TO HAVE AN IDENTIFICATION CARD THAT CAN BE SCANNED AT THE FRONT DESK.
SCHOOL TIMES
8:50am-3:50pm
Wednesday
8:50am-3:20pm
Car Rider Doors Open at 8:35am
TRANSPORTATION
- If there is a change in transportation for students at the end of the day, we must be notified by a Parent/Guardian before 3:00pm or we can not guarantee that the change can be made.
MUSIC NEWS
Mark Your Calendar....
Music Dates
2/9 – 4th Grade Music Program, 6:00 in Gym
3/2 – 1st Grade Music Night, 6:00 in Gym
4/29 – Folk Dance Festival
5/4 – 5th Grade Music Program, 6:00 in Gym
5/9 – 5th Grade Field Trip to ISO concert
What to know what is going on in music class? Follow us on Facebook!
Facebook: ActonElementaryMusic
5th Grade Program – NEW DATE!!!!
The 5th grade music program has been moved to Thursday, May 4th to accommodate some fun end of the year plans! Please adjust your calendar and plan to attend!
5th Grade Band/Choir/Orchestra Recruitment
5th Grade Parents:
It is time for our 5th graders to make a decision about Band, Choir, Orchestra or General Music for next year in 6th grade. Your 5th grade students has brought home a packet of information about all of the options. Please take time to look at this information with your child. If you have any questions, need another packet or would like any help with this fun decision, please let me know!
Mrs. Stevenson
Time-line at a glance:
Feb. 3rd– all forms due to Mrs. Stevenson
Feb. 6th – Parent meeting at FTMSE – 5:30 & 7:00
Feb. 7th – Parent meeting at FTMSW – 5:30 & 7:00
(Only need to attend one meeting)
Grade 1 Music Sharing Night!
Mark your calendars for March 2, 2017, for the First Grade Music Sharing Night. This is an interactive night designed to allow you the chance to experience music class with your child. The program begins at 6:00pm and will be in the Acton Gymnasium. Students do not need to wear anything special, what you wore to school that day is fine! Parents/Guests will be participating in the activities with their first grade students, so please come comfortably dressed and prepared to participate. Let me know if you have any questions, and we hope to see you then!
Grade 1 Music Sharing Night
Thursday, March 2, 2017
6:00pm in the Gymnasium
Mrs. Stevenson
Amanda.stevenson@ftcsc.k12.in.us
317-803-5151
summer camp opportunity
Love to sing, dance and perform theater? Then The Footlight Summer Theater camp might be for you. This summer campers will be performing “The Little Mermaid Jr.” The cost of this 2 week day camp is $150 per child with a limited number of scholarships available. Please visit the website for more information.
ACton career day
Attention Acton Parents:
On May 12th we will be holding a Career Day. This event will take place during your child’s Related Arts time and give all students an opportunity to explore different careers. We will be looking for parents and community members to come and share why they love their careers! It will be a very informal set-up allowing students the chance to walk around the gym asking questions and browse the many career options. If you think you might be interested in helping, please put May 12th on your calendar and be on the look-out for the sign-up sheet that will come home in April! Thank you for your continued support!
“Indiana, My Home” Acton Elementary 4th Grade Program
On February 9th, 4th grade students will be presenting our program; “Indiana, My Home.” During the preparation of this program we have learned a lot about the development of our great state and covered many of our music education standards! All students have been working very hard and we are excited to share our performance with you! On February 9th we will perform during the school day for students and then in the evening at 6:00pm. Please read the information below and let me know if you have any questions.
Mrs. Stevenson
Amanda.stevenson@ftcsc.k12.in.us
803-5151
What: 4th Grade Program; “Indiana, My Home”
When: Thursday, February 9, 2017 – 6:00pm
Where: The Acton Gymnasium
Student Arrival Time: Students should meet in the LGI room at 5:45
Students Attire: Students should wear jeans, tennis shoes and their Acton “Restore the Roar” t-shirt. If you can’t find your “Restore the Roar” shirt please wear another Acton shirt.
We will be videotaping the program and you can receive a copy of the performance by making a $5 donation to the Acton music program. Please fill out the order form below and return to school with money. Checks can be made out to Acton Elementary.
Updates from Transportation Dept.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thank you for encouraging our students to behave on the bus. The driver’s main focus is to drive safely. When the children are seated and facing forward, the driver is able to give full attention to driving. Here are just a few reminders from transportation:
1. Students should stay seated at all times.
2. Students should get on and off at their assigned stops.
3. Students should not eat or drink on the bus.
4. Please have children at their stops 5-10 minutes before their assigned time.
Transportation is working hard to be consistent with their pick up and drop off times. But realize that weather and traffic can sometimes affect our pick up and drop off times. Thank you for your patience.
Also, you might be interested in driving a school bus. We provide the training and pay you for 50 hours of that training. Once you have finished training and passed the test for your CDL license, we will have another driver, drive with you for at least 8 hours. We offer bus drivers health, vision, and dental insurance and retirement benefits. You would drive approximately 5.75 hours a day and have from around 9:00-1:45 to run errands in the middle of the day. Bus drivers start at $16.00 an hour. Call Jamie Caylor at 862-2314 if you are interested in becoming a driver.
STAR EXPRESS NEWS
- Visit http://ftcsc.nutrislice.com/ for a complete listing of our Spring 2017 menu items.
- For more information visit: https://schoolnutrition.org/NSBW2016/
- For more information on student health, visit www.kidshealth.org.
- Online payments through PayPams is convenient way to pay for your child's meals.
FRONT OFFICE INFORMATION
Please review a few important front office policies.
- We do our best to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum. If your child forgets an item and you bring it in, please do not be offended if the front office asks for you to leave the item with them so it can be delivered at an appropriate time.
- If there is a change in transportation for students at the end of the day, we must be notified by a Parent/Guardian before 3:00pm or we can not guarantee the change can be made.
- If electronics (cell phones, ipods, gaming systems) are brought into school and removed from backpacks, they will be confiscated by the teacher. A parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the electronic at the front desk.
- When having lunch with your student in the cafeteria please remember to only have your child sit with you at the family table. We like to keep the table open for other families.
- Morning student drop off must be done in the car rider line. Drop off door opens at 8:35 am in the car rider line.
- Students arriving after 8:50 am MUST be signed in at the front office.
- Review the Franklin Township policies and procedures for absences on p. 2-3 in the student handbook. We appreciate your cooperation.
- All visitors must have a photo ID to enter the building.
- Just a reminder: School Board policy 5200 regarding appointments. – Parents are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, and other necessary appointments other than during school hours. When appointments are necessary during the school day, the student shall report back to school immediately after the appointment with a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, etc.