Black Cat Bulletin
Keeping it R.E.A.L! Respect + Effort + Attitude= Leadership
November 2017
From Our Principal...
PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association and is an organization with school-based, local, state, and national membership opportunities. Their mission is "to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children." When you join at our school, you are supporting all of the levels of PTA.
Many people misunderstand the "JOIN PTA" callout and think it means you are going to have to spend hours in service, or at meetings. For many members, the only thing they ever do to show their support is send in that membership form--and that is GREATLY appreciated and honored!
Joining PTA does NOT mean you must attend meetings, or serve on the committees. You are certainly invited to do so, and welcomed in--we NEED more people to help 'lighten the load' of the current group working on projects, to bring in new ideas and voices, and to broaden our perspectives and mindsets, but joining PTA is mostly a way to show your support. Your $10 donation to PTA helps to keep the programs going at the state and national level, some of it supports the Evansville Area Council PTA, and a small portion is kept here at WT to fund the programs here.
Speaking for our own PTA, you won't find a more open group, willing to reach out and support parents and teachers, students and the community. Please join us. We need you now more than ever! Your voice is important. Your perspective can help us grow and change and become better.
Here are some great examples of ways our PTA makes a difference--and these ideas came from the members--many of them new to PTA, and working parents:
Our Playground Committee continues to create a wonderful space for children, and our families were able to use it like never before at our Trunk or Treat. The hours and hours people spent painting the pavement and the equipment has brightened the space and provided so many lovely areas for the children to play and be creative. The picnic tables brighten up our space and are a great spot for classes, children, and families to gather. We are still working on finalizing some work on other spaces and could use more help, so if you are able, please contact Nora Walsh and she'll invite you when we plan days once the weather warms again.
Speaking of our Trunk or Treat--what a fantastic event!! It was so wonderful from start to finish and I am already looking forward to next year!! If you were able to come, you know how wonderful the day was. I want to thank you for being a part of this gift to our community! So many people came together to provide a fun day for our children. The wonderful by-product was an absolutely fabulous time had among the families and friends as we just mingled, danced, created, ate, played and simply enjoyed each other's presence. I am reminded over and over again that it is the little things that make a big difference. Just BEING HERE and planning to spend the day "hanging out" brought such a sense of pride and accomplishment! We are always looking for ways to increase our family engagement, and this was a wonderful example of engaging with one another. This event was such fun last year, and even more fun this year. I can't wait to see how this event evolves over the coming years! If you were not able to join us this year, I encourage you to come next year, even if only for a little while--you won't be sorry.
Breakfast with Mummies was buzzing all morning as we came together to have a little fun before school. Many dads and granddads served our mummies and their children a sweet treat and the kids loved the chance to share this time with their families.
Our amazing PTA works nonstop to create these events for our students, staff, and to bring families together. Every year they work to find ways to have ALL VOICES heard, ALL FAMILIES included, and ALL CHILDREN represented. We currently have approximately 1/3 of our families who've joined PTA. I'd love to see more families show their support to the PTA even if you can't attend meetings or serve on committees. It's NOT too late to join!!
We continue to be blessed in amazing ways by your presence and support, and we are so thankful!
Sincerely,
Katie White
Principal
From Our Principal Intern...
I'm so thankful to be part of the community here at West Terrace. This past month has been FULL of learning and fun. As our students have been learning, the staff has been busy growing in our practice as well. Recently, we have been increasing our knowledge of social emotional learning and how it impacts the way adults and students learn.
We have learned that "stress load" is the energy we use to keep our thinking and learning online. By building strong and positive relationships, we avoid increasing the stress load and allow for learning to take place. Positive relationships are essential for a student's success in school!
At West Terrace, we are building relationships by teaching students how to interact with each other through the use of class and team building. Teachers are using activities which allow students to learn content and get to know each other. Students use problem solving skills as they work together to accomplish a common goal. Students are learning to value differences and mutually support others, while also building identity as a class.
Positive relationships begin at home. Take time this week to participate in an activity as a family. Go on a scavenger hunt, create a project, or just play a board game. Enjoy the time as you work together!
News You Can Use
IMPORTANT DATES
11/10 Veterans' Day NO SCHOOL
11/20 Picture Retakes
11/22-11/24 Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL
Boys and Girls Basketball Teams
Congratulations to the students who made the basketball teams! We're looking forward to a great year with our coaches and these great players.
BOYS
Jasseim Ussery
Jackson Nolan
Jackson Brown
Alex Crowe
David Walling
Jace Buchanan
Landon McClarney
Talan Willett
Asher Sanderson
Azhari Jackson
Luke Shoobridge
Keagan Hauke
Jayden Overton
GIRLS
Lindsey Bigham
Matea Bradfield
Myla Browning
Ella Ellerbrook
Zoe Graves
Brilyn Staley
Baily Hape
Savanah Johnson
Summer Johnson
Kendall Kaiser
Daylight Savings Ends
Recycling News
Please remember that you can recycle aluminum cans here at West Terrace!! The aluminum recycle cage is parked in the east parking lot right next to the recycle dumpster. We ask that you put only cans in the cage. Every penny we earn from the cans comes right back to our school!
PTA Pies for a Purpose Fundraiser
Lost and Found
PAWS ON PARADE
Congratulate our top Paws On Parade walkers if you see them.
This month they are...
2nd grader Lleyton King with 21 miles 0 laps
2nd grader Kensleigh Jackson with 14 miles 4 laps
4th grader Lida Wayne with 12 miles 6 laps
1st grader Emma Brown with 11 miles 1 lap
2nd grader Lillian Govert with 11 miles 1 lap
2nd Grader Gavin Rolly with 10 miles 1 lap
Total miles of all students walking...
1st graders have walked a total of 109.2 miles
2nd graders a total of 151.7 miles
3rd graders 46.4 miles
4th graders 42 miles
5th graders 0.1 miles
Tammy Jewell
POP Coordinator
Calendar Link--click below for calendar
JOIN THE WEST TERRACE PTA!
President: Jenny Fuquay
Vice-President: Sandi Davis
Secretary: Tera Babb
Treasurer: April Coughlin
PTA MEETING DATES:
Wednesday, November 29 @ 5:30pm
Wednesday, December 20 @ 5:30pm
Wednesday, January 24 @ 5:30pm
Wednesday, February 28 @ 5:30 pm
Wednesday, March 21 @ 5:30 pm
Wednesday, April 25 @ 5:30pm
Extended Care
Our Program is flourishing with new students attending and rekindling old friendships
from previous years. As the cold temperatures are upon us, we want to remind you to put your child’s name in their jackets as we will be utilizing our expansive playground until it becomes too cold to do so. Fresh air and using large motor skills are very important to our health and well being.
We have a daily 30 minute mandatory homework time scheduled for each grade. If
they don’t have homework we encourage quiet reading. If your child doesn’t keep books in their backpack, they can choose one from our cabinet.
Looking ahead: All accounts through our last day in December should be paid by
December 8th, which is the last day we can accept payment by check. This procedure gives
us time to close out the calendar year before heading off for the winter break. Only cash will
be accepted after the 8th.
Happy Fall! If you have questions regarding our program, please call:
Barbara Grant
Extended Care Coordinator
812 435-8735
Community Outreach
Jenna Hancock-Wargel Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (Click here for more information)
THIS YEAR'S STAFF
Please help us welcome the following staff members to our teams.
Here are the specific grade level assignments:
Kindergarten:
Wendy Brunson, rm 30
Lisa Gooch, rm 33
Angela Hayes, rm 34
Tara Kolb, rm 32
Christine Mattingly, rm 21
First Grade
Brooke Corressell, rm 3
Cindy Evans, rm 5
Kitten McClain, rm 6
Amanda Woods, rm 1
Second Grade
Vera Emmons, rm 9
Nicholas Iaccarino, rm 23
Trisha Kavanaugh, rm 15
Carie Kingery, rm 10
Amy Nau, rm 12
Third Grade
Robin Bass, rm 19/ Denise Strawn, rm 18
Courtney Rueger, rm 16/ Stephanie Scheu, rm 11
Fourth Grade
Shelly DeWeese, rm 22/ Nikki Paul, rm 17
Megan Murphy, rm 24/Lindsey Stine, rm 29
Fifth Grade
Renee Schefer, rm 27/Simone Nance, rm 25
Trish Toelle, rm 26/Cassie Curl, rm 28
Special Ed
LIfeskills:
Jennifer Bennett, rm 4
Sarah Walls, rm 2
Resource:
Renae Jackson, rm 14
Shelley Patton, rm 21
Elizabeth Ray, media center
Rotation
Peggy Davis, Gym
Susan Kemper, Art, rm 8
Nadine Risley, Technology
Anne Woodruff, Music, rm 7
Office
Katie White, Principal
Bethany Lynch, Principal Intern
April Coughlin, Counselor
Sheri Moore, Principal's Secretary
Nicole Smith, Secretary/Receptionist
Christine Hamilton, Nurse
Kim Sitzman, Media Aide