Cougar Connection
January 2015 - Kitley Elementary
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
January 9, 2015
Welcome Back to a New Year at Kitley Elementary!
Welcome back to school with a FRIGID January!!! The start of a new year is a perfect time to think about setting new goals and reflecting on the past year, which puts positive change in motion. As we begin our new semester, I am excited to think about the growth that we are seeing in our students from the beginning of the year. This growth appears in many different ways: academically, physically, socially, and emotionally. We also are in awe of the growth we see in our students as we build character and service learning traits in our students. Students are reflecting on their report card grades and setting new goals. The staff is reviewing their own professional goals. I am personally thinking of ways to make the Kitley Elementary learning environment stronger, healthier, and more engaging than ever.
December was a very busy month with holiday celebrations and events. We have many upcoming events in 2015. We held a 5th grade winter program, hosted a Sing-a-long for our students and had winter parties. We also continued with our theme, Healthy Cougars: Minds, bodies and hearts as we worked with many service projects. To mention a few, the 3-5 grade students wrapped presents and donated for many families in need, and our second grade students sent gifts to Operation Christmas. We will be hosting our 4th and 5th grade Spelling Bee on January 15th.
Please also mark your calendars for the evening of February 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM. We will be holding an informational event for students in grade 3-5. Information will be given about the new ISTEP+ assessment that will be held in the spring. The assessment will look different from years past, to follow the new Indiana Academic Standards. There will be more rigor in the assessment and will include new technology enhanced questions. This informational event will be interactive. There will be child care and food provided, as well as important information given about how to help prepare your child for the assessment. The Applied Skills portion of ISTEP+ will take place for 3rd 4th and 5th grade from March 2nd-March 11th. The online multiple choice portion will be held from April 27th-May 12th. Attendance on these days is very important. Mr. Phillips, Mrs. McCafferty, Miss Vicars and I will be meeting with each 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student before the ISTEP+ assessment to discuss student data and accountability.
I wish our Kitley families a Happy New Year and encourage you to continue making the home-school partnership stronger by reading with your student nightly, checking homework, and becoming involved in our school. Remember, Kitley Cougars ROAR! We are Respectful, Organized, Aiming High and Responsible.
Always learning,
Mrs. Schoene
MUSIC NEWS
Music Fundraiser – This Friday, January 9th we will kick-off our music fundraiser! We will be selling magazine subscriptions and cookie dough. We are trying to raise enough money to purchase new choral risers and a new portable sound system. Both of these items benefit the entire school. Thank you for your help in achieving our goal! When we reach our goal all students will be treated to a presentation by Silly Safari! The fundraiser begins Jan. 9th and runs through Jan. 19th. Thank you for your support!
Volunteers needed… - We will be looking for volunteers to help the night of cookie dough pick up. This will be sometime in early February. We are also in need of volunteers to help pass out prizes to students. If you are interested in helping in either way, please email Mrs. Stevenson or Mr. Fellerman.
Grade 1 Music Night – Mark your calendars for February 26, 2015 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 6:30. Mark your calendars and plan to attend! More detailed information will come home at a later date.
Grade 4 Music Program – 4th grade students are busy working on their upcoming program, “Freedom is Coming.” This program will be presented on Thursday, February 6, 2015 at 6:30pm. Information about speaking parts has already been sent home. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Attention 5th Grade Parents – Although there is still a full semester of 5th grade it is time for your child to decide if they would like to join band, choir or orchestra next year in Middle School. Information outlining the choices has been sent home. Please read the information carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
Time-line at a glance:
Jan. 5th – 9th – Students preview instruments during music class
Jan. 16th – Students attend concert at FTMSE
Jan. 22nd – Middle School Directors come to Kitley to help students choose an instrument
Feb. 6th – All forms due to Mr. Fellerman and Mrs. Stevenson
Feb. 11th – Parent meeting at FTMSE – 5:30 & 7:00 (only need to attend one meeting)
Feb. 12th – Parent meeting at FTMSW – 5:30 & 7:00 (only need to attend one meeting
Amanda Stevenson
803-5967
Amanda.stevenson@ftcsc.k12.in.us
Nathan Fellerman
803-5939
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART!
Jump Rope For Heart For Heart Help Students Grow!
- Kids learn the value of community service and become empowered to contribute to their community's welfare.
- Children join together in helping other kids with special hearts.
- Students learn how to develop heart-healthy habits while being physically active
- Participants learn jump rope and basketball skills they can use for the rest of their lives.
- Students help your school earn gift certificates for free P.E. equipment!
For more information, use the following link:
PARENT-TEACHER CONNECTION (PTC) PACERS FUNDRAISER
THIS JUST IN! Our school has partnered with the Indiana Pacers to participate in a FUN, UNIQUE, and EXCITING fundraiser! Sell tickets to Pacers games, win some really neat prizes such as a Pacers personalized jersey or a chance to meet a Pacers player, and help raise money for our school! New this year, everyone who turns in an order form with at least 1 ticket sold will receive a FREE Pacers branded cinch bag!
We will have our very own school night at a Pacers game with a BIG CHECK PRESENTATION on CENTER COURT at halftime! Everyone will be together cheering on our hometown Pacers on Sunday, March 29th vs. the Dallas Mavericks. Our school’s top seller will be able to stand next to a Pacers player during the National Anthem, receive an autographed basketball, and have up to 4 tickets upgraded in a luxury suite on our school night! Additionally, the overall top seller of the 2014-2015 Pacers School Fundraiser Program will have a Pacers player personally come visit him or her at their school! Take your order form around your neighborhood, to your church, and to your place of work. A portion of every ticket sold will help raise money for our school. Turn in your order forms by Wednesday, January 21st.
COACH'S CORNER
Everyday Mathematics at Home:
Use the family calendar to discuss the number of months in a year, weeks in a month, and days in a week. Count how many days, weeks, or months it is until a special event, such as a birthday, holiday, party, or picnic.
6+1 Traits of Writing at Home:
When bed time rolls around, consider asking your child some key questions. What were two highlights of your day? What was the best part? If you could only use one word, how would you describe today? Then leave his bedside with a few encouraging words. “Any of those ideas would make for a great topic to write about during writing time tomorrow at school. Hmmm…which one will you pick?”
WINTER WEATHER IS COMING!
If there is a 2 hour delay, Kitley will begin school at 10:50. Dismissal will be at the normal time.
HELPFUL LINKS
USING INFINITE CAMPUS
- Go to http://www.ftcsc.k12.in.us/
- The Infinite Campus icon on the right of the screen
- Click on the "Infinite Campus Click here to jog in!" on center Ot screen
- Click on the Input your username and password
- Select student from top of screen
- Click on menu on left of screen for information you are looking for (ie. Grades, attendance, messages)
If you do not have a username for Infinite Campus, please email ichelp@ftcsc.k12.in.us
You must be the parent/ legal guardian of a student to have access to that child's information on Infinite Campus.
Star Express has worked hard to get the new site up and running. They have updated the menus!
Reminders and General Information
FOLLOW KITLEY PE ON TWITTER!
IMPORTANT REMINDER
You WILL still receive paper copies of the report card.
Kitley Elementary
Website: http://www.ftcsc.k12.in.us/
Location: 8735 Indian Creek Road South, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: (317)803-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kitley-Elementary-School/545121212189288
Twitter: @FTCSC