East in Action
December 2022
Happy Holidays
#East Family Winter Clothing and Food Drive Update
Our East students have been working together building-wide to help create East Care Kits to help supply the Helping Hand Pantries across Ankeny! Kindergarten and 1st grade decorated bags and made cards as apart of the “Care Crew”. 2nd-5th grade have selected members to work on “Construction Crews”! This crew will be making the East Care Kits using the donations from our Food Drive.
Leader In Me Leadership Applications - Due December 9th
Starting in January, students will have the opportunity to share their leadership skills at East with our Leader in Me building wide jobs. Students interested in applying for an East Leadership Role can fill out applications now!
Applications are due on Friday, Dec. 9th.
Schoolwide Leader In Me Positions
Hospitality Leader
Playground Commissioner
Office Leader
Director of Sanitation
Guidance - Welcome Back Mrs. Hoskins
During Guidance in December, we are talking a lot about Empathy-putting ourselves in their shoes. Understanding their feelings, even when we disagree with them, or when we would experience something very differently.
As we build our ability to understand our children, we can help them build their own empathy skills to apply toward family, friend, school and all relationships.
Try this at home!
Talk openly about emotions. Let’s say your child is scared of the dark. Instead of saying, “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” explore the child’s feelings: “What scares you about the dark?”
If your child doesn’t like another child, don’t immediately say, “That’s wrong,” but ask why the child feels that way. This can lead to a discussion about the other child’s actions and why the child might be acting that way (examples: They just moved to a new school and are feeling angry because they miss their old school and their friends)
Tansie Hoskins
School Counselor
Music & Band
Band & Vocal Concert
The 5th grade band and vocal concert will be held on Monday, December 12 at 6:30pm in the East Elementary gymnasium. The 5th Grade students have been working very hard learning new musical skills, both vocally and on their instruments.
Please read the winter concert letter linked below for more information.
We look forward to showcasing your students' hard work soon!
3rd grade Nutcracker Field Trip
Our 3rd grade students will be traveling to the Des Moines Civic Center to watch a live performance of "The Nutcracker Ballet." on Friday, Dec. 2
Mrs. Mary Bartemes
K-5 General/Vocal Music
mary.bartemes@ankenyschools.org
Mrs. Tara Meinen-Jochum
5th Instrumental Music
Media
Computer Science Education Week is December 5 - 11, 2022
East students are changing the future with an Hour of Code!
We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.
That’s why our entire school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 5-11). East students will be exploring, playing and creating with students worldwide. Our Hour of Code is making a statement that East is ready to teach these foundational 21st-century skills.
Virtual Family Coding Night
December 8 - 6:30 to 7:30 PM - Virtual Family Coding Night: Students and families will engage in unplugged computer science activities. CLICK HERE to register.
Believe in Your Shelf: K-5 news to get kids excited about reading and listening to books
Mrs. Dales
East Elementary School
K-5 Digital Learning Teacher
Notes from Nurse Mandy
Cold Weather Guidelines
Outdoor recess will occur most days and is an important part of your child's emotional, social and physical growth. Student handbook guidelines state that students will go outside for recess unless the temperature and/or wind chill is at 0 degrees or below. These are maximum wind chill guidelines. If at any time the recess supervisor(s) believes it is too cold, they will bring students inside regardless of time or temperature. Students not wearing boots and snow pants during snowy weather will be allowed to play on the blacktop areas.
Please be sure students bring the following items DAILY:
Winter Coat
Snow pants
Snow Boots
Warm pair of gloves
Back-up Clothing
Unforeseen accidents in the classroom, lunch room and playground can result in wet or soiled clothing. Please make sure your student(s) has the following back-up items in a grocery sack or large ziploc that can be kept in their bag or locker.
Appropriate back-up clothing suggestions:
- Shirt
- Long pants
- Underwear
- Socks
- PE shoes
Lost & Found
Holiday Dress Up Days
Tue 12/6: Slide Into The Holidays - Wear festive socks or slippers
Wed12/7: Grinch Day - Wear Green
Thur 12/8: Winter Wonderland - Wear white/sparkles/shimmer
Fri 12/9: Hat’s Off To The Holidays - Wear a hat/headband
Mon12/12: Family Photo Day - Wear flannel or a vest
Tue 12/13: Deck Your Neck - Wear a festive tie or scarf
Wed 12/14: Mele Kalikimaka - Wear your Hawaiian attire
Thur 12/15: Stay Warm - Wear a sweater - funky or fabulous
Fri 12/16: Don’t Sweat The Holidays - Wear workout clothes
Mon 12/19: Holly Jolly Holiday - Wear Red
Tuesday 12/20: “Buddy the Elf, What’s your favorite color?” - Wear your favorite color
Wed 12/21: All Aboard The Polar Express - Wear your jammies
Inclement Weather
Cold weather and school cancellations are a reality in Iowa. If the decision is made to cancel
school due to inclement weather, you will be notified in a number of ways. We will use our
automated phone messaging system to send a message via text, we will send an email using
our Blackboard messaging system, we will post a message to our district Facebook page, and
we will notify the local news stations who will post it on their live school closing listings.
Please make sure you have set up and are maintaining your Infinite Campus Parent Portal with accurate phone numbers and email addresses. Click here to access the Parent Portal information page.
Attendance Reminder
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:55am-2:55pm (doors open at 7:30am)
Every Wednesday school begins at 8:55am--2:55pm (doors open at 8:30am)
Please do not drop your students off before 7:30am (8:30 am on Wednesdays) as there is no adult supervision for them until that time.
Please contact the school if your child will be absent from school, arriving late or leaving early. East's phone number is 515-965-9660. Another option is to send an email to the Office Manager at ea.office@ankenyschools.org along with your student's teacher. If the school is not notified of an absence, the office will attempt to contact the Parents/Guardians at their primary number listed on Infinite Campus.
PTO News
Favorite Things
The PTO asked each staff member to fill out a list of their favorite things. They have been compiled into this document for easy access.
We have a few teachers and staff we are still waiting to hear from but they will be added as soon as possible. Keep checking if you can't find the one you're looking for.
Be sure to like the East Elementary PTO Facebook page
Important Dates
December 2 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Nutcracker
December 6 - PTO Fundraiser at Vintage Brewhouse 3:30pm - 8:00pm
December 8 - Virtual Family Coding Night 6:30 to 7:30 PM
December 12 - 5th Grade Music/Band Concert 6:30 PM
December 21 - Winter Party
December 22 - January 2 Winter Break - No school
January 3 - Return to School
January 10 - PTO Meeting Media Center 6:30PM
January 13 - NO SCHOOL: Teacher Professional Learning Day and
East Spirit Night at AHS
January 16 - NO SCHOOL- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Register for Touchbase
Register for School Cafe
December Virtual Backpack
East Elementary
Email: ea.office@ankenyschools.org
Website: East.ankenyschools.org
Location: 710 Southeast 3rd Street, Ankeny, IA, USA
Phone: 515-965-9660
Equity Statment
Ankeny Community School District does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, military affiliation, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Inquiries or grievances may be directed to Kenneth Morris, Jr., Equity Director, 306 SW School Street, P.O. Box 189, Ankeny, IA, 50021-0189, (515) 965-9600, kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org; or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA, 50319-0201, (515) 281-4121; or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661.