Cooks Chronicle
October 2018
Principal's Chat
With the end of the first quarter behind us, we are looking forward to meeting with all of you at Parent Teacher conferences next week!! While they are short meetings, it is a great opportunity to meet with your child's teacher and perhaps gain a little better picture of how your child's year has started. Please note, if you don't have enough time to finish your conversation before the end of your conference time, you can schedule additional time with the teacher at a later date. All of the teachers' schedules are pretty booked, so we want to make sure we are cognizant of that schedule. The first quarter report cards will be available on Skyward this Friday. We are super proud of the growth we are seeing with all of the children!
Our first district eLearning day (November 6th) is quickly approaching! Please make sure that you are able to log on to Canvas at home. You should have received a code from your child's teacher which will allow you to set up an account. If you need help or need a code please contact your child's teacher or myself.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher conferences will be held Wednesday, October 24th from 4:00-7:00pm and Thursday, October 25th from 1:00-6:00 pm. These meetings will take place in your child's classroom for approximately 15 minutes and are individual parent teacher conferences allowing us to discuss your student's strengths and challenges, highlight growth that has occurred over the course of this first grading period, and to discuss goals for the remainder of the school year.
Please click on the link below under your child’s teachers name to select the day and time that you would like to schedule your parent/teacher conference with your child's teacher no later than October 17th. All parents are encouraged to schedule a conference. Should you have any issues signing up for your day and time, please contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Plemons in the main office for assistance.
TK-Heuring
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent14
K-Benedict
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-kindergarten
K-Staal
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent
K-Wilcoxson
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent1
1-Edgecomb
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent16
1-Maddack
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent3
1-Moore
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent2
2-Kennedy
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent17
2-Sipes
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent18
2-Vincent
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent19
3-Esola
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent5
3-Gonzales
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent4
3-Niksch
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent6
4-Allison
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent7
4-Winters
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent9
5-Cribbs
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent13
5-Erler
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0544afae28a3fd0-parent11
5-Zromkoski
Nurse Notes
We continue to work to increase awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap and water as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Hand washing with soap and water can be a "do-it-yourself vaccine" that prevents infections and saves lives.
Please continually reinforce this with your families as well as not touching the 'T Zone'......our eyes, nose and mouth.
Chris Wendahl BSN RN
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK
It is National School Lunch Week, 10/15-10/19, and we are celebrating in our "Power Up Cafe" with a Power Up Pals naming contest! This contest is a district wide VCS elementary school contest and we would love for Cooks Corners to win the names as many as possible!
The Power Up Pals are the lovable aliens that landed in our cafeteria and each character has a favorite food group. The Power Up Pals favorite food groups are 5-fruits, grains, vegetables, protein, and milk-dairy!
Forms have been distributed to TK, K and 1st grade. The 2nd thru 5th graders can pick up a form in the cafeteria if they would like to participate! Go Cooks Corners! Let's have fun with some names!
We are also featuring the benefits of squash and will have a sampling on Friday this week during lunch for anyone who would like to give it a try!
Thank you so much for supporting our child nutrition programs!
Red Ribbon Week
October 22 - October 26
While Red Ribbon Week is full of fun, we want to be sure to remember the reason we draw attention to drug usage. Unfortunately, according to a May 2017 article on WalletHub.com, Indiana ranks 14th in the nation for drug usage (not a good time to be in the top 20). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) suggests the highest risk of initial drug use is between the ages of 12-17.
All that said, our students are at a perfect age to discuss wise choices that will keep them away from drugs. I love the theme for this year’s National Red Ribbon Campaign. “LIFE IS YOUR JOURNEY, TRAVEL DRUG FREE”. Ownership of one’s choices and focus on the future can encourage our students to make healthy choices for their future.
I know some adults are curious about how to approach the topic of drugs with kids they care about. Honestly, everyday conversations and observations are some of the best prompts for further conversation (especially for younger kiddos).
Here are some of the suggestions offered on www.parents.com:
Ages 3-5: Talk about healthy living; Encourage healthy decision making; point out warning labels and harmful items that could be in the household.
Ages 5-8: Discuss your feelings about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs (keep conversation factual and focused on present); Point out drug related messages in the media and discuss; Set clear family expectations about drug and alcohol usage; Help kids build problem solving skills (move them past “because mom and dad say so); Get to know your child’s friends.
Ages 8 and up: Make sure family expectations and consequences are clear about drug and alcohol usage; Teach your child how to say no (I know it may feel odd, but take time to Role Play); Encourage self-esteem and identity (show your child it is ok to go against the norm); Keep messages about drugs and alcohol fact based (stay away from fear based messages); Keep conversations in the present tense; Help them separate reality from fantasy (talk with them about the messages in movies, TV, advertisements, etc.); Encourage healthy, creative activities.
Festivities at Cooks for the week, 10/22-10/26, will include:
Spirit Week Dress Up
Monday - Funky Hair/Hat Day
Tuesday - Pajama Day
Wednesday - Red Day
Thursday - Sports Day
Friday - House Shirt Day
Door Decorating Contest
Classes will be decorating their Doors in a Halloween them. It will be fun to see! We have a couple of special judges who will be judging on Wednesday, 10/25.
Textbook Rental
As a reminder, textbook rental is due. You are able to make payments online through your Skyward account, or by sending payment with your child in an envelope labeled "tuition" with your child's name. Payments can be made with cash or check made payable to Cooks Corners Elementary.
PICTURE RETAKES
Lifetouch will be at Cooks Corners on Tuesday, October 23rd to conduct picture retakes for anyone that was absent on the original picture day, or for anyone wanting to retake their picture. If you have a child retaking their picture, please send their original pictures with them on the day of picture retakes.
Happy Birthday!
When it is your child's birthday, be sure and ask them what they got to do in the office that morning because it was their birthday!
10/2: Kobe Brown
10/2: Molly Lawson
10/2: Mrs. Beilfuss
10/3: Eva Senese
10/3: Mrs. Heuring
10/4: Ryan Arrizola
10/4: Gavin Cibulskis
10/4: Kyler Music
10/5: Sarah Beato
10/5: Ellie Mulcahy
10/5: Mr. Meyer
10/9: Nicholas Parker
10/9: Mrs. Keith
10/10: Kayla Garcia-Ortiz
10/11: Bailey Webb
10/11: Amiah Villanueva
10/11: Nicolas Anguiano
10/11: Holden Ripley
10/12: Ella Morris
10/12: Tanner Jones
10/14: Mrs. Winters
10/15: Ian Johnson
10/15: Trinity Clemans
10/15: Jude Tipton
10/15: Dulce Trujillo
10/16: Rydan Marcotte
10/16: Isabelle Depew
10/17: Malia Howlett
10/17: Mia Trapp
10/17: Mrs. McGinley
10/18: Caroline Norris
10/20: Cameron Boozer
10/21: Daniela Villalba
10/21: Grace Frazier
10/21: Marin Anderson
10/24: Easton Worsham
10/26: Aubree Moore
10/26: Clara Warren
10/29: Eason Krischke
Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers that may be able to volunteer 1-2 hours of their time to assist our Instructional Aides with supervising students on the playground for recess, and sometimes indoor recess depending on weather, or during lunches in the cafeteria. If you are interested, please click on one of the links below to sign up.
www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4eaaab23a3f85-recess1
PTO News
Thank you to all who came to the PTO meeting last Wednesday! Several of the teachers who attended the Ron Clark Academy workshop presented their takeaways for us. They came away with great ideas, including implementing movement and chants to redirect and focus students, building relationships, transforming classrooms a few times a year, and more. The teachers all emphasized how much they learned and how it inspired and excited them. A version of their presentation will be made available soon on the school website and via social media so keep an eye out! We will be discussing ideas at the Nov. meeting about how to send more teachers to future workshops. If you have any questions about it, please email me or Mrs. Miller!
Our next PTO meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 8 at 6:00pm.
All are welcome. Please join us at the next meeting.
Jes Warren
PTO President
PTO UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Book Fair:
Our Enchanted Forest Book Fair will continue to run through Friday October 19th.
Each class will have a designated day and time to attend and shop the book fair. Any parent wanting to shop the book fair with their child is welcome to do so during our special hours at Fall Fest Thursday, October 18th from 6-7:30pm. Or, if you have a current background check on file with the school shopping hours are 9am-1pm M-F. Come. Shop. Be Enchanted!
Fall Fest:
Invitations were sent and we hope you can join us on Thursday, October 18th from 6-7:30pm for our annual Fall Festival! Children are invited to wear costumes for a frightful evening of games, food, crafts and a dunk tank for read-a-thon winners! We cant wait to see you there!
Read-a-Thon Update:
We are excited to report that together our Cooks Family not only reached our goal of $15,400 but exceeded it by raising over $18,000! That is AMAZING! We are so very thankful for your tremendous support and our amazing readers! A formal update and a Corporate Sponsorship listing will be sent home with students shortly! THANK YOU Cooks Families!
Spirit Wear:
The Spirit Wear order has been placed! We expect that our order will be available from the vendor by mid-November. Please stay tuned for an update or announcement should that date change.
Box Tops Announcement:
Please turn in Box Tops by Wednesday, October 24th in order for us to include them in our next shipment. Remember, you can send in Box Tops with your child ALL YEAR long. Do not forget to add the name of your child's teacher and your child's name on your submission, this way your child's class can receive credit for their Box Top submission - and potentially win some really cool stuff!
Yearbook:
If you have good pictures from a school day or event (such as lunch or a field trip) that you would like to have considered for the yearbook, please email cookscornersyb@gmail.com. Include the class teacher and what it was for. We strive to get at least 1 candid of every kid in the school, so pictures are needed. Thank you!
Mom's Night Out:
Our next event is on Friday November 16th at Board and Brush. This was a great event last year and we are hoping for the same again! Space is limited to 28 people due to the location so please sign up early! If you are interested email Raynelle Howlett for the sign up link at raynellehowlett@yahoo.com. We hope to see you there!
UPDATES, NEWS, AND SCHOOL HAPPENINGS:
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook for updates and news!
Our Facebook pages to "like" and "follow" are:
Cooks Corners PTO and Cooks Corners Elementary School
Upcoming Dates
Every Mon. (10/8-11/26): Chess Scholars - ends @ 4:20pm
Every Wed. @ 3:20pm: Drama Kids - ends @ 4:20pm
Every Wed. @ 7:45am: Choir
Every Wed. @ 3:15pm: Robotics - ends 5:00pm
Every Fri. (10/5 - 12/7): Let's Build It - ends @ 4:20pm
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10/17: Robotics - ends @ 5pm
10/18: Spell Bowl Practice @ 8am
10/18: Fall Fest -- 6:00pm - 7:30pm
10/18: Board Mtg @ Admin. Building - 6pm
10/19: Junior Achievement for Grades 3-5
10/19: Book Fair Ends
10/19: Report Cards Available
10/22: 10/26: Red Ribbon Week
10/22: Funky Hair/Hat Day
10/22: 3rd Grade to Gabis Arboretum
10/23: Pajama Day
10/23: Picture Retakes
10/23: E-Learning Parent Information Session @ VHS - 5:30pm
10/24: Wear Red Day
10/24: Robotics - ends @ 5pm
10:24: Getting Excited About Science Assembly
10/24: 5th Grade to VHS for Sleeping Beauty
10/24: Parent/Teacher Conferences from 4-7:00pm
10/25: Sports Day
10/25: 1/2 Day of School (dismissal @ 12pm; lunch served to all students)
10/25: Parent/Teacher Conferences from 1-6:00pm
10/26: Wear Green & White Day
10/26: 1/2 Day of School (dismissal @ 12pm; lunch served to all students)
10/30: 4th Grade Afterschool Sports - ends @ 4:30pm
10/31: Courage Assembly
11/1: Spell Bowl Practice @ 8am
11/1: 5th Grade Afterschool Sports - ends @ 4:30pm
11/6: No School in Session / E-Learning Day
11/8: Major Saver Assembly
11/8: 4th Grade to Museum of Science & Industry
11/8: PTO Mtg @ 6pm
11/13-11/19: Major Saver Fundraiser
11/13: VHS Team Lead Visits Cooks
11/14: Cooks Team Lead Visits TJMS
11/14: Spell Bowl Mock Competition
11/15: Spell Bowl Competition - TBD
11/17: Robotics Scrimmage @ Heavilin
11/21-11/23: Thanksgiving Break - No School
11/27: 4th Gr. Girls Basketball - ends 4:30pm
11/29: 5th Gr. Girls Basketball - ends 4:30pm
11/30: Caring Assembly
Volunteer and Visitor Process Reminder
There are two parts to our process for allowing visitors and volunteers access to the building. In order to be able to come and have lunch with their child, chaperone a field trip, volunteer in the classroom, cafeteria or playground, or to attend and/or volunteer at any school event during normal school hours, a "green" limited criminal background form must be current and on file with the school. Once the form is turned into the school, a limited criminal background check is run through the Indiana State Police and results are provided to the school within 5-7 days. In the past, these background forms expired after (1) year. There has been a district-wide policy change and those are now good for (2) years from the date results are received. If you are unsure whether you have a current limited criminal background form on file or you aren't sure when it will expire, please call the school office to inquire.
A second part to our approval process for visitors and volunteers to gain access to the building involves a program called SafeVisitor. With this process, all visitors and/or volunteers must present their photo ID when coming in to the school. At that time, your photo ID will be scanned, which allows SafeVisitor to check the sex offender registry. Results are immediately available on the screen. Upon approval, you will then be provided with a SafeVisitor label to wear at all times when you are in the building.
Both of these steps must be completed to visit or volunteer in the school.
If you receive emails from SafeVisitor regarding your account expiring soon, please disregard. We are working to resolve this issue. There is nothing you need to do.