Chestnut Grove Parent News

October 30, 2022

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"Every student matters; Every second counts!"

"Every student matters; Every second counts!"

Dear Chestnut Grove Families,


We had a wonderful Red Ribbon Week last week promoting healthy living with our students! We have another exciting week planned for our students!


Reminders:

Monday - Book Character Dress-up Day

Tuesday - Remote Learning Day for our staff to attend Professional Development.

Thursday - 2nd grade violin performances (Parents are invited to attend - see times below)


Turkey Trot Color Run is Friday, Nov. 4th! Sign your child up online for a free color packet. (www.getmovinfundhub.com) School ID: 61681B04D2EC4 and share to raise money for playground and theater updates. If you created an account last year, you can use your same account. Our goal is $20,000 (last year, we raised $15,000)!!

T-shirts will be on sale Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning 7:30-8:00am. Students who do not buy a shirt may wear a white or light-colored shirt. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the Color Run (powder), please let your child's teacher know by Wednesday.


With gratitude,

Rebekah Higgins, Principal

"Every student matters; Every second counts!"
UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

October

31: Book Character Dress-up Day

31-Nov.17: AL/AU Can-a-thon


November

1: Remote Learning Day/Students do not attend in person

3: 2nd Grade Violin Programs in theater

4: Annual Turkey Trot Color Run

7-10: Week of Change

11: No School Veteran's Day

15: Family Math Night 5:30-7:00

18: Thanksgiving Lunch - PK-2 Visitors are invited

18: Student of the Month, Club Day

21-25: No School ~ Thanksgiving Break

UPCOMING EVENTS

2nd Grade Violin Performances

DCS is thankful for the partnership with Decatur Youth Symphony to have the opportunity for our 2nd graders to be exposed to violin lessons for a week. Parents are invited to attend their performance in the theater on Thursday, November 3rd at the following times:

12:15 - DeLaPena

12:45 - Agee

1:15 - Terry

1:45 - Salinas

CGES PTO Needs Volunteers for our Upcoming Annual Turkey Trot Color Run!

CGES PTO Needs Volunteers for our Upcoming Annual Turkey Trot Color Run!

CGES PTO Needs Volunteers for our Annual Turkey Trot Color Run on Friday, November 4th! Contact Dede Quarry to get involved! dedequarry@gmail.com
CGES PTO Needs Volunteers for our Upcoming Annual Turkey Trot Color Run!

Can-a-thon collection October 31 - November 17

Our Student Council is sponsoring our Alabama vs Auburn Can-a-thon. Students may begin bringing non-perishable items on Monday.

CGES is a Ronald McDonald Pop-tab Pandemonium Collection Site!

Parents, see the attached letter explaining the purpose of collecting pop-tabs for funding families' needs while their child's medical needs are being met.


We have a drop-off bin in the foyer where can place your full bags of aluminum pop tabs. Students will receive a sticker recognizing them for their donation. Our big turn-in date is in April, and we want to beat our record of pop tabs collected.

2022-23 Million Word Challenge

2022-23 Million Word Challenge

Each student’s million word count starts over at the beginning of each

school year. Students must score an 80% or above on their AR Quiz for the words to

be counted. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ AT HOME 20 minutes each night and take AR quizzes to log their words read. They will earn AR Rewards in library in addition to the following rewards given by the DCS Foundation.

REWARDS (t-shirts & gift cards will be delivered at the end of the school year

prior to awards day):

  • 1st Million Words Read - They will receive a new MWC t-shirt with the current school year on it.
  • 2nd Million Words Read and beyond - a $10 gift card per every million read over 1 million (ie: 3 million words earns a $20 gift card) This only applies to 3rd-8th grade students!
2022-23 Million Word Challenge

PARENT RESOURCES TO HELP AT HOME

Help support our Hardworking Teachers & Staff!!

Mrs. Hill and I have an annual tradition to provide snacks and treats for our hardworking faculty and staff the last Friday of each month with our "Sunshine Cart." If you would like to donate or know someone who would like to sponsor this monthly event, please reach out to our counselor, wendi.hill@dcs.edu.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

PreK

Arrival - UPDATED 8/12/22 (7:30-7:45am) at the front left (playground end)

Dismissal (2:15-2:30pm) in the rear (Vicksburg Drive)

If you arrive to drop-off or pick-up your child after these times, you will need to park and come to the office.


K & 1st grade arrival (7:15-7:45am) & dismissal (2:45-2:55pm) will be in the front left parking lot. Older siblings of K/1st graders will join their younger sibling on the lower carline.

2nd - 5th grade arrival (7:15-7:45am) & dismissal (2:45-2:55pm) will be in the front right parking lot.


If you do not have your carline card, you will be asked to park in the parking lot and bring your ID to the office to pick up your child.


IMPORTANT TIPS

  • Check-outs must be done prior to 2:15pm (2:00 for PreK). We do not allow checkouts after this time due to preparing for dismissal.
  • If your child's regular mode of transportation changes, it is important for you to communicate directly with your child's teacher as early as possible since they are the ones who handle transitions to dismissal each day.
  • If you do not have your carline card, you will be asked to park in the parking lot and bring your ID to the office to pick up your child.
  • Students are marked tardy if they arrive after 7:45am.
  • If a student is checked out prior to 11:30am, they are counted as absent for the day.
COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION

Parents, maintaining open communication is important. Please keep your email and phone numbers updated so that you can receive important communication from Chestnut Grove and Decatur CIty Schools. If your contact information changes during the school year, please email our secretary, Mrs. Coffey: lyvonne.coffey@dcs.edu .


Stay connected ~

  • Ensure you are signed up for teacher communication
  • Visit our website https://www.dcs.edu/ and social media
  • Check your child's communication folder/binder daily
  • Join PTO and sign up to volunteer
COMMUNICATION
Chestnut Grove Elementary

Chestnut Grove Elementary

Chestnut Grove Elementary
Rebekah Higgins, Principal
3205 Cedarhurst Dr. SW rebekah.higgins@dcs.edu 256-552-3092 dcs.edu/o/cge