Black Cat Bulletin
Keeping it R.E.A.L! Respect + Effort + Attitude= Leadership
FEBRUARY 2017
From Our Principal...
Dear families,
I'm absolutely IN LOVE with the response we've received so far for our 14 Days of Giving Campaign. So many children have brought in Random Acts of Kindness slips, so many families are lifting up our staff and each other with their kindnesses, and we have received one business sponsorship of $1,000, and $945.25 in monetary donations for our school so far by the end of DAY THREE!!
We'll be drawing for prizes each day, including weekends, and will be updating the FB page and the website with the most recent winners and our totals. The children already received two rewards: music at lunch, and hat day; and will have their third on Monday--crazy hair day. They're $55 from their next reward and are so excited! It seems that dyeing my hair is the talk in the halls...I didn't anticipate the level of excitement at the opportunity to be my fashion advisors!
Truly, we are so excited to see all of the kindnesses, and appreciate your support of our community through these efforts. I hope these are memories and habits that last a long time for all of the children.
Finally, our new assesssment, NWEA, is proving to be a very informative one with regard to individual student progress and growth. Here is a link to the basic information and terms you may hear related to this assessment. This is another link to more specific information from NWEA to guide your understanding. You should have received a Student Progress report, with an interpretation page for your child. Should you have any questions about your child's progress, please contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Coughlin.
In appreciation,
Katie White
principal
14 Days of Giving Campaign
14 Days of Giving POSTING REQUEST
We've learned that it's difficult to see all of the random acts of kindness posts unless they're posted on our Facebook page. Teachers are reporting they see posts the office can't see, and we don't want anyone to not be recognized or receive prizes. SO... If you wouldn't mind using the hashtags #blackcatsgiveback and #EVSCstory, and then sharing it to the West Terrace Elementary School FB page after you post it on yours, we would really appreciate it!
14 Days of Giving MATCHING OPPORTUNITIES
14 Days of Giving Campaign Drawing Winners so far....
Day 1 through Day 4 winners:
Saturday and Sunday, social media post prizes will be on the website and announced at school.
Keep those donations and random acts coming! It's so precious to read the slips that are being sent in, and to see the photos and posts online. YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!!
Click below to see the details on our 14 Days of Giving Campaign!
The whole school receives the rewards, whether they participate or not. We hope everyone can contribute, but recognize that may not be possible. Please consider asking relatives, neighbors, and friends to support this fundraiser as they would a catalog fundraiser.
The children have a goal sheet to record their collections--whether it's money they've earned, money that was matched by an employer, or money that was donated from the family or outside source. The child gets the credit! These sheets will be turned in at the end of the campaign and the children will be recognized.
From Our Principal Intern...
Dear Families,
Students and teachers are working hard to embed thinking routines into their instruction. Thinking routines are a way for students to understand the thought process used with the skills they are learning and helps make student thinking visible. As your child continues to use thinking routines this year, you may hear about them at home. A few of these routines are listed and described below. Consider using them with your student as he or she reads and works on homework with you.
See-Think-Wonder
This routine works well when analyzing a text or object to make predictions based on observations. Students using this routine would view a text/object and note observations. From these observations, students create predictions on what they believe is happening. These predictions then allow students to generate questions about what they would still like to know about the topic. Creating questions allows students to set the stage for future learning and examine content for a purpose. After completing these three steps, students return to share with a partner and justify their responses.
Color-Symbol-Image
This routine encourages students to represent their thinking with a non-verbal response. As students read a text or another source, they choose three things which stand out to them. After determining these three items, students choose a color, symbol, and image to represent these observations. After creating a non-verbal response for each observation, students return to share their thinking with another student. While sharing with partners, students always give a justification to support the responses they gave.
Headlines
When students use this routine, they are able to capture the essence of the topic and show how their thinking has changed. When a teacher introduces a new topic or text, he or she may encourage the students to create a headline which captures the most important information shared. After the topic or text has been taught, students revisit their headlines to revise them based on the learning which has taken place.
We are excited about the thinking happening in our classrooms and the growth which will transpire from this. If you are interested in learning about more thinking routines, please visit the link below.
From Our Counselor...
All ISTEP+ and IREAD-3 assessments will be completed online this year. Exact dates and times have not yet been set. Please keep the following dates in mind as you plan appointments this semester.
ISTEP+ Part 1 February 27 – March 10
IREAD-3 March 13 – March 17
ISTEP+ Part 2 April 17 – May 5
Cold and Flu Season
The cold and flu season is here. Please remember to take your non-drowsy cold symptom medicine before school with something to eat. This will help you feel better at school and avoid frequent absences and trips for your parents. Remember, colds and flu are viruses and may take 7-10 days from which to recover. To help your body fight a virus or prevent a viral infection a great amount of rest and good nutrition is needed! Please wash your hands often, cover your mouth and use tissue to blow your nose. Avoid close personal contact with people who have a cold already. Don't share drinking glasses or personal items!
Gems From the Gym
http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/how-much-activity-do-young-children-need/
INFORMATION
New Black Cats: Kindergarten Enrollment
Kindergarten Round Up will be April 4, 2017 beginning at 6 pm. We ask that you have your packets completed and returned, if possible, before that night. Be sure to bring your child to this event--it's a chance for information for you, your child to spend some time with other children of similar age, and for you to tour the building.
We can't wait to meet our new little kittens!
Annual Dance--This Year: Ladies & Lil' Gents
PAWS ON PARADE
Congratulations to the top walkers:
1st: Cooper Johnson w/35 miles 4 laps in Mrs. Bass' 3rd grade class
2nd: Nolan Bigham w/28 miles 6 laps in Mrs. Kavanaugh's 2nd grd class
3rd=Tied: Jayden Floz w/27 miles 0 laps in Mrs. Allen's 3rd grd class
3rd=Tied: Nolan Hamnore w/27 miles 0 laps in Mrs. Bass' 3rd grd class
4th Caroline Engler w/21 miles 3 laps in Mrs. Kavanaugh's 2nd grd class
5th: Rowyn Weiss w/19 miles 0 laps in Mrs Corressell's 1st grade class
PTA Meeting This Month--PLEASE JoinUs!
Recycling News
Please remember to recycle your aluminum cans here at West Terrace! We have a recycle cage in the east side parking lot right next to the blue recycle dumpsters. All proceeds go to help our school!
As a reminder, we no longer collect plastic caps for recycling at West Terrace.
Thank you to everyone for helping our school!
Calendar Link--click below for calendar
Important policy reminders
***New Policy*** Visitors to West Terrace
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Drop Off/Pick Up
Morning Drop Off
No Passing Zone
Lunch Box Bringers
Change of Plans--DISMISSAL CHANGES
Emailing teachers, texting, or other means of communication are not reliable, and we request that no transportation changes be given to the teachers during the day. Too many times teachers are called out of the building, go home ill, have a substitute, are in meetings, etcetera and the changes aren't received. We also want teachers to be teaching, not worrying that they missed an important email or text during the day. Finally, we keep record of last minute changes in the office so that we can be sure the communications are given and children are delivered safely, so please, please call the office.
Changes cannot be guaranteed after 2:00 p.m. PLEASE call before 2:00.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
Attend today; achieve tomorrow. #Schooleveryday
Remember:
- As a general rule, if a child is fever free and not vomiting
- Early bedtimes and a healthy diet will help your child's overall well-being. If a child feels better, he will get up easier and be happier to go to school.
- 24-Hour rule: If a child has been fever-free or has not vomited for 24 hours, he may return to school.
- Out of town trips are coded solely as an unexcused absence and an automated call will be made even if the office has been notified.
- Be sure to turn in all doctor excuses. We can not accept doctor's excuses that state "parent called in. Child not seen."
- Please note vacation days count as unexcused absences and can quickly get your child to the 10 day limit.
4K4Kids
Family Fun and Color Run!
If you know of a business that would like to help sponsor this event please e-mail Becky Massie at rmassie222@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/4K4Kids for all the latest updates!
Jenna Hancock-Wargel Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (Click here for more information)
Menus available at the link below
In order to save copy costs, we ask that you click on the link below to see the September menus. If you are unable to access the link, please let the office know and we'll continue to provide a paper copy to you.
Any checks written to the cafe must be in blue or black ink. It is also very helpful if you include your telephone numbers on the checks.
JOIN THE WEST TERRACE PTA!
President: Jenny Fuquay
Vice-President: Sandi Davis
Secretary: Tera Babb
Treasurer: April Coughlin
2016-17 Meetings
August 29 5:30 p.m. (All meetings in the Media Center)
September 20 4:30 p.m.
October 18 4:30 p.m.
November 7 5:30 p.m. (Area Council PTA)
February 13 5:30 p.m.
April 10 5:30 p.m.
Community Outreach
THIS YEAR'S STAFF
Please help us welcome the following staff members to our teams.
Here are the specific grade level assignments:
Kindergarten:
Tara Kolb, rm 32
Wendy Brunson, rm 30
Lisa Gooch, rm 33
Angela Hayes, rm 34
First Grade
Amanda Woods, rm 1
Brooke Corressell, rm 3
Mallorie Roberts, rm 6
Cindy Hamon, rm 5
Second Grade
Vera Emmons, rm 9
Carie Kingery, rm 10
Trisha Kavanaugh, rm 15
Amy Nau, rm 12
Third Grade
Janette Allen, rm 16/ Stephanie Scheu, rm 16
Robin Bass, rm 19/ Denise Strawn, rm 18
Amanda Southworth, rm 23
Fourth Grade
Shelly DeWeese, rm 22/ Lindsey Stine, rm 29
Audrey Gower, rm 24/Nikki Paul, rm 23
Fifth Grade
Trish Toelle, rm 26/Renee Schefer, rm 27
Cassie Curl, rm 28/Simone Nance, rm 25
Special Ed
LIfeskills:
Jennifer Bennett, rm 4
Sarah Walls, rm 2
Resource:
Renae Jackson, rm 14
Shelley Patton, rm 21
Amanda Ritzert, media center
Rotation
Susan Kemper, Art, rm 8
Anne Woodruff, Music, rm 7
Peggy Belanger, Gym
Nadine Risley, Technology
Office
Katie White, Principal
Bethany Lynch, Principal Intern
April Coughlin, Counselor
Sheri Moore, Principal's Secretary
Nicole Smith, Secretary/Receptionist
Christine Hamilton, Nurse
Peggy Jewell, Media Aide
West Terrace Elementary School
8000 West Terrace Drive
Evansville, IN 47712
FAX (812) 435-8869
Email: katie.white@evsc.k12.in.us
Website: evscschools.com/westterrace
Location: West Terrace Elementary School, West Terrace Drive, Evansville, IN, United States
Phone: (812) 435-8733
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Terrace-Elementary-School/333852756647518