The MSE Roaring Report
DECEMBER 2015
Upcoming Events
*Please remember Early Dismissal is EVERY Wednesday at 2:30
DECEMBER EVENTS
- 4th -- Raging Rivers book logs due to Library
- 15th-- 2nd grade shopping for Helping Hands Project
- 15-22nd-- AR Christmas store open
- 16th-- 2nd Grade Gingerbread House Activity
- 17th-- 5th Grade "Adaptation Artistry" Assembly
- 17th-- Fourth Grade Christmas musical, 6:00pm
- 18th-- First Grade Gingerbread House Activity, 9-10:15am
- 21st-- Kindergarten Gingerbread House Activity, 9:30-10:30am
- 21st-- 2nd Grade Movie
- 22nd-- Kindergarten and First Grade Polor Express Day
- 22nd-- 2:30 Dismissal for Christmas Break
- 23-Jan. 4- Christmas Break
JANUARY AT A GLANCE...
- January 5-- Classes Resume
- January 28--MSE Science Fair, 2-7 pm
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
What's on the Menu
Mrs. Holthaus, Principal
Treats at School
Many Students at Main Street Elementary School deal with serious food allergies and this can often be a challenge. These reactions can be anything from a rash to respiratory reactions that can lead to death. Some students at our school cannot even be touched by someone who has touched certain foods. For some students, food allergies are DEADLY! At Main Street Elementary we have student who are allergic to many different foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, chocolate, jelly, bananas, strawberries, and more. That being said, it is crucial that treats that are brought into the school to share with the class, for birthdays or special events, are limited.
In the past we have had parents/grandparents/guardians who have brought treats to the school and handed them out at lunch. To ensure the safety of all children we need to end that practice. We understand that you want to share a treat with your child and their friends, but that treat can cause serious health risks. The classroom teachers are aware of known allergies in their classrooms and have been trained how to read the labels to identify risks. Sharing the treat in a more controlled environment will help to ensure the safety of all children.
The classroom teacher is not at lunch with your student and is not able to determine who can and cannot eat the treat. The lunch room staff has too many other responsibilities and cannot have monitoring treats added to their responsibilities. The treats will need to be given out in the class room during snack time. Please check with your child’s teacher for the time that your student has snack. Also check with the teacher about class allergies before sending/bringing a treat for the class, this will help you make a good decision on what treat to bring.
We understand that you want to make birthday’s special for your child and want to help you celebrate with your child in a safe manner. The classroom teachers will have suggestions for snacks that you can send for your child to share. The school nurse, Tracy Thompson, is also available to answer questions about options for safe and healthy snacks. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Mrs. Holthaus & Nurse Tracy Thompson
Veterans Day Celebration Huge Sucess
Veterans Day Celebration, November 11
Special Veteran Guest Speaker, Jason Watts
Counselors' Corner
Four Ways to Deal With Stress
The holidays can be stressful; take care of yourself with these tips from the American Heart Association:
Positive Self-Talk
We all talk to ourselves; sometimes we talk out loud but usually we keep self-talk in our heads. Self-talk can be positive (“I can do this” or “Things will work out” or negative (“I’ll never get well” or I’m so stupid”). Negative self-talk increases stress. Positive self-talk helps you calm down and control stress. With practice, you can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones.
Emergency Stress Stoppers
There are many stressful situations-at work, at home, on the road, and in public places. We may feel stress because of too much work, poor communication, and everyday hassles like standing in line. You may need different emergency stress stoppers for different situations and sometimes it helps to combine them.
Count to 10 before you speak
Take three to five deep breaths
Walk away from the stressful situation and handle it later
Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry” if you make a mistake
Finding Pleasure
When stress makes you feel bad, do something that makes you feel good. Doing things you enjoy is a natural way to fight off stress. Try to do at least one thing you enjoy every day for 15 minutes.
Take up a hobby, new or old
Read a favorite book, short story, magazine, or newspaper
Have coffee or a meal with friends
Exercise or listen to music
Daily Relaxation
Habits At Home
Habit 4 – Think Win-Win
Think Win-Win is the belief that everyone can win. It is not me or you—it is both of us. It is a belief that there are enough good things for everyone; it is an abundant way of thinking. Think Win-Win is being happy for others when good things happen to them. As a parent, not everything is negotiable, but if you go into discussions with your child with a win-win mindset, you will find a lot less resistance.
Younger-Child Activities
Play a game with your child(ren) that has a definite winner. Explain how competition is okay when you play a game, but it is not okay in relationships. Discuss how tense it would be in your home if every situation had to have a winner. A better way to think is win-win. This means we think of solutions that we can all feel good about when there is a problem. The more we Think Win-Win, the fewer problems there will be. You may want to display a chart listing the days of the week. When someone is “caught” thinking win-win, he or she gets to write his or her name on the chart for that day.
Encourage win-win solutions to sibling disputes. Do not always be the mediator; let them work out a solution and be sure to be lavish children with praise when they do.
Small Group Counseling:
Groups are up and running! If your child is participating we send a letter home each time we meet so you know what we’re doing in group. Contact us with any questions or concerns.
Please note that if you feel your child would benefit from small group counseling, we will be running a second session. It will begin in January.
Thank you to all who donated to the Shoeman Water Project!
Your generosity was much appreciated!
Art Room News
Square 1 Art-
If you were wondering about Square 1 Art, we will be doing it in the Spring this year. You will get your orders in time for Mother’s Day.
Crayola Colorcycle-
Our students are bring proactive and collecting markers to recycle with Crayola. Send in any old and dry markers of any kind (dry erase, permanent and highlighter) to the art room where they will be collected and shipped to be turned into clean burning fuel.
Collecting: Plastic Grocery bags, Wire clothes hangers
Holiday Library News
Reader Leader Christmas Store Coming Soon!
Your donations help make it possible.
In just a few weeks ALL GRADES will be allowed to shop at the Christmas Store using their reader points they have earned so far this school year. Kindergarten and 1st graders receive points for knowing all their sight words. Grades 2nd and up earn points when they take Accelerated Reader book quizzes on the computer. Our students enjoy shopping for Christmas gifts for their families and prizes for themselves. Your donations help make the store a success. Below are some examples of the types of items we could use. All donations can be dropped off at the library by Dec. 14th. We truly appreciate your support.
New or gently used small toys (toy cars, action figures, etc.)
New lip gloss or nail polish
Balls (footballs, basketballs, etc.)
Gift items for Moms and Dads
Candy
Small novelty erasers
New board or card games
Small notebooks
Wrapping paper, gift tags, and scotch tape for gift wrap station
Music Notes
Thank you to our 5th grade students for a wonderful Veterans Day performance!
The fourth grade students will be performing their musical, "Jingle Bell Jukebox" on Thursday, December 17th at 6:00pm in the Main Street Gym. If you are the parent or family of a fourth grade student, we hope to see you there!
Thank you for supporting Main Street music!
P.E. Fun
This month we will be doing many winter themed activities in addition to our regular warm up and exercise routine. We are also really trying to focus on good sportsmanship. Please remember to send your child in comfortable clothes and tennis shoes on PE days. It's always difficult for a child when they cannot fully participate due to clothing not appropriate for physical activity. Thanks for your help with this.
Stay Active,
Kim Larson
Nurse Notes
Wow, winter is just around the corner! The weather is beginning to get cooler, and sometimes it is just down right COLD! I can’t believe we have already had snow! I have noticed lately, that some children continue to wear shorts and flip flops to school. Also some students are not wearing jackets or coats.
Things to remember:
- I do not have coats or jackets in my office and I am limited to the amount of long pants I have.
- I can not give out pants, shoes, or coats to children who are not dressed for the weather, I just don’t have enough. (If you have a financial need and can not afford a coat for your child, or clothes/shoes for the winter, we at MSE can put you in touch with someone who can help you with this need. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.) If your child will be wearing shorts or flip flops to school, PLEASE put some pants/sweat-pants and shoes in their book bag in case they need them.
If your child is prone to having bathroom accidents, PLEASE be sure to pack an extra pair of pants, underwear, and socks in their book bag. There are times when I do not have clothes that will fit your child and you will be called to have clothes brought to school for them.
Thank you in advance for your help in these matters.
Nurse T
Title One
Glasses Found
It's That Time of Year
Lost and Found is Overflowing
Thankful Grams raised $584
Reader Leaders Christmas Store Wish List
We Wish You A Merry Christmas!
Technology Tips
In November, students in third grade worked on learning text features with Google Docs and were able to create visual aids to help them remember these important literacy tool. Students in fourth grade completed Missouri region infographics and designed customized food chains using technology and web 2.0 tools. Fifth grade students worked on poetry. They learned about and created poems from Acrostics to Haikus.
As always students are taught and expected to use internet safety and digital citizenship with every lesson. Make sure to check out the attached family tip sheet to help support your child's netiquette needs.
Fourth Grade Spelling Bee
1st: Eva Murray
2nd: Devon Alves
3rd: Makayla Harrison
Alternates:
Shyla Conover
Shabree Sydnor