Wrightstown Ravens' News
December, 2016
A Note from Mrs. Lawall
Dear Wrightstown Families,
Season’s Greetings to all during the holiday season.
It seems like I just arrived and soon I will be heading back to my position at Goodnoe Elementary and Mrs. Beth Fox will return to her position here at Wrightstown. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to get to know the Wrightstown families this school year. This school is truly a special place to send your children. The staff is so warm and friendly. During the holiday season, please take a moment to enjoy special time with your families and friends. The last day for students is Friday, December 23rd. School will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd after the New Year.
During December, students are encouraged to complete posters for Habit #3: Putting First Things First. Students were given directions on how to complete this poster this week from their classroom teachers. Once the posters are completed, we will be hanging them around the school to encourage all students to use their Habit 3 skills here at school. Thanks in advance for your support of this important initiative. Student who complete their posters by Wednesday, December 21st, will earn an extra surprise the week they return to school the first week in January 2017. We continue to recognize students who are Caught Soaring Above and Beyond and are so proud of our students’ excellent habits!
Once again, thanks so much for the warm welcome and time I have had here at Wrightstown Elementary School. I wish everyone a wonderful rest of the school year!
Sincerely,
JoAnn Lawall
Principal
December Events
- Friday, December 2nd - STE(A)M Club at 8:00am
- Friday, December 9th - STE(A)M Club at 8:00am
- Monday, December 12th - School Wide Trip to NES for Winter Concert
- Tuesday, December 13th - Student Council Meeting at 8:30am/PTO Meeting at 7:30pm in the Art Room
- Wednesday, December 14th - Gingerbread Competition
- Thursday, December 15th - Talent Show Rehearsal at 7:45am
- Friday, December 16th - STE(A)M Club at 8:00am/4th Grade Gifted Support Trip to RMS to visit with author Robin Moore
- Monday, December 19th - Talent Show Rehearsal at 7:45am
- Wednesday, December 21st - Talent Show Performance at 9:30am
- Friday, December 23rd - STE(A)M Club at 8:00am/4th Grade Holidays Around the World/Classroom Holiday Parties
- Monday, December 26th through Monday, January 2, 2017 - ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED
- Tuesday, January 3, 2017 - School Resumes
NES Winter Concert
Veterans Day Assembly
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Jachimski
4th Grade Visit From NOVA:
On Wednesday, November 16th, an educator from NOVA (Network of Victim Assistance) of Bucks County visited our 4th grade classrooms to provide a very important presentation to our students.
NOVA’s iSmart 101 program provides the foundation for digital citizenship. Appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use was presented. Topics include: password protection, internet tricks, “virtual friends,” reputations, sharing and downloading content, and how to handle uncomfortable or dangerous situations.
7 Habits Home Connection:
We are thrilled to see how many students are turning in their 7 Habits of Happy of Kids - Home Connection worksheets! December’s challenge is for Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play). We are asking families to work together to create a small poster that shows at least one way that Habit 3 can be practiced at home or school. Your child will bring home the instructions and poster paper this week. We are looking forward to seeing your family’s teamwork and creativity! This is not a contest, but just a fun activity for your family that will help to reinforce Habit 3. Posters are due on Wednesday, December 21st.
Outdoor Recess
News from the Instrumental Music Department
The Instrumental Students are learning holiday songs to play for family and friends. They will be spreading holiday cheer by caroling around the school the week before Winter Break. Please ask your child to perform for your family over the holidays!
~ Mrs. Betty Hintenlang
Notes of Music from Mrs. Lutz & Miss Cook
We are rockin’ in the General Music Classroom! Here is what we’ve been up to:
Kindergarten students are learning about high pitches and low pitches through a goofy song called Ebeneezer Sneezer. They encounter playing boomwhackers along with the song. Kindergarteners are also learning a dance to the “March” from The Nutcracker using giant candy canes. We love holiday music in Kindergarten!
In First Grade, students are diving into The Nutcracker through the suite’s overture. The students have watched opening scene in The Nutcracker movie. First grade students love the movie, The Nutcracker’s music, and are eager to learn more!
Second Graders are also learning about the music from The Nutcracker. In second grade, we are focusing on the “March.” We have read The Nutcracker together, and we will be learning a few more holiday songs before the holiday season is over.
In Third Grade students have learned to sing “Frosty the Snowman,” and “ Deck the Halls.” Third grade students are learning about The Nutcracker through the suite’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
Fourth Graders are solidifying their rhythmic skills and knowledge through bucket drumming. Students are also learning about musical form while drumming on buckets through “Trepak,” a movement from The Nutcracker Suite.
Hello all,
I am addressing everyone to share the sad news of my departure. Unfortunately my time as Mrs. Nanette Lutz’s student teacher has come to an end. My official last day of student teaching is December 13th.
During my time in Council Rock, I learned more than I could have ever imagined from our students. I will miss waking up every morning to learn from these outstanding children. They have made an impression on my life and teaching career while guiding me towards my calling. Thank you for letting me into the Council Rock community and family. I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Miss Cook
WES Got Talent!
Get excited for our 2nd annual WES GOT TALENT show! We have so many performances that include dancing, singing, playing instruments, and more! Our performance will be held on Wednesday, December 21st at 9:30 AM in the APR. Families are welcome to attend! See your child’s “Golden Ticket” for the RSVP form.
Art News
Here are photos of recent artwork by 4th grade students in Mrs. Borah’s class.
We are currently creating sculpture with Pop Art themes. Students are crafting their stuffed sculpture in cooperative learning groups. Look for them in the hallway!
~Mrs. Heffren
From the School Nurse
I hope your family had a nice Thanksgiving holiday, and a pleasant time off. Would you kindly accept these gentle reminders:
Immunizations-If you were informed that your child’s vaccines are not in compliance with Pa state law, we need the ‘vaccine update sheet’ with the missing data, completed by your doctor, as soon as possible, please.
Physical Exam form- Pennsylvania requires a PE form for all new enters to K or 1st, and for all children who have transferred from out of state. Forms are available for download from the district website, and are needed as soon as possible, please.
Dental Exam forms- Pennsylvania requires a Dental form for all new enters to K or 1st, for all transfers from out of state, and for all 3rd graders. Forms are available for download from the district website, and are needed as soon as possible, please.
With Appreciaiton,
Mrs. DanielsSTEAM Club
Friday mornings are quite exciting these days as we are getting more involved with the science and technology that surrounds us everywhere.
We have had the opportunities to play with such things as Ozobot and our Ollie, named Raven. We are currently working on using specific codes to navigate through mazes as we prepare for a “Maze Race”. Raven (aka: Ollie) has fascinated us with its flips and twists – and we are trying to figure out how to navigate IT – because it is SO fast!
Scratch has returned! It requires a LOT of thinking! It is fun. We like to hear it sing things! Can YOU make the cat dance? Try it at www.scratch/mit.edu
Laser Maze has been another popular game which focuses on coding to “light the lights” of the maze.
Our sights are already onto our second session in January! Stay tuned!
Literacy Corner with Mrs. Etgen
With the holidays around the corner, I am hoping that everyone takes the time to relax and have some reading time with their children. Please continue to encourage reading over the next couple weeks, especially during the holiday break. Books make great gifts, too. Here are some websites that might help you choose some appropriate and interesting books for your children:
http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/
Another fun holiday writing activity might be to use your holiday cards as story starters. Some can be funny and might be give them a good idea for a story.
Take time to enjoy your reading time with your children and enjoy your holiday break!
News from Student Council
Thank you to all of the families who donated items to our Food Drive! This year was a big hit. The Wrightstown Food Pantry is grateful for your donations.
We also are looking forward to our yearly Gingerbread competition/cookie decorating contest! This will take place on December 14. Interested students should fill out the permission slip that was sent home and return to Mrs. Murray and Miss Udis.
School Office Closed during the Holidays
Please know that the school office will be closed from December 26th through January 2nd.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
PTO Family Bingo Night
Coming Soon to PE...
Winter Snowball Challenge benefiting the NGA - Needlework Guild of America during all PE classes. NGA gives gifts of new clothing, household linens and basic personal care items to hundreds of underprivileged families every year. More information regarding this "fun"draising event will be sent home after the new year.
Mr. Oldfield and Mr. Weaver