Soaring Eagle News
Stephen Decatur Elementary November 8, 2019
The Principal's Message
Greetings Eagle Families,
It's already November and we are fully into the season of thankfulness. I am thankful that my career led me to Stephen Decatur where I have the pleasure of serving the best students, staff, and families. I am thankful for the hard work of all of our stakeholders. This hard work has led to an increase in academic growth, a decrease in behavior referrals, and a school where everyone can be proud.
Today, we honored veterans with a wonderful program with guest speakers, student performances, and time to show gratitude. We are grateful for veterans and the sacrifices they have made to serve us. Veterans Day is Monday. Thank a veteran that is special in your life.
This month, our school-wide theme is emotion management. In our morning announcements we’ll be prompting students to notice their own feelings by paying attention to clues in their bodies, and we’ll be reminding them to use their Second Step skills to calm down:
Stop—Use your signal
Name your feeling
Calm down: Breathe, count, use positive self-talk
These skills help students calm down strong emotions when faced with learning and social challenges, which helps them succeed academically and get along well with others.
Second Step lessons specifically teach about calming down strong emotions such as anger, disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about how you can help your child learn to calm down at home.
The week of the 11th
Monday: Major Saver Fundraiser continues, Food Drive Continues, Volleyball Clinic 2:30-5:00
Tuesday: Extended Day, Board Meeting at 7
Wednesday: Internet Safety Program for 3rd-6th grades, Clubs
Thursday: Last Day for Major Saver Fundraiser, Run/Hide/Fight drill, Extended Day
Smencil sales each Monday through Thursday
We work everyday to teach children that our goal is to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today. We are Decatur Proud to have this opportunity to serve your family.
Go Eagles!
Mrs. Jennifer Pearson
Transportation Changes
"For safety reasons, if your child’s dismissal routine will be changed, you must send a note in with them that morning. Your child either rides his or her assigned bus or becomes a car rider/walker. The following are two examples of an acceptable dismissal change:
• Your child normally rides the bus, but today he/she will be picked up by car.
• Your child normally walks home, but today he/she will be riding the bus.
This policy is to ensure that students are sent to the appropriate areas at the end of the day. We have had multiple calls daily with changes. These changes cannot happen unless written notice is turned in, in the morning. Thank you for your prompt attention to this and your help keeping our students safe.
Outdoor Recess
As the weather is becoming colder and colder, please ensure students are dressed to go outside. See the district's guidelines below.
Weather permitting, all children will go outdoors for recess. If the temperature (including the wind chill factor) is below 20 degrees, students may not go outside for recess. If a Heat Advisory is announced, students may not go outside for recess.
From the Nurse's Office
Resources
Popcorn Sales
Giving Back to the Community
Community Opportunities
4-H Genealogy Project
Julie Ferguson, Decatur Township 4-H Director, is offering a unique opportunity to all Decatur Township students (although this is a 4-H project, you do not have to be a 4-H member to participate). On November 16, from 10-11:30, students are invited to the Decatur Township Library to learn about researching their genealogy. A person with several years of experience in genealogy will teach the students how to use Ancestry.com and will donate paperwork, notebooks, and materials to help the students begin research on their genealogy. Students are asked to bring their own tablet, but four laptop computers will be available to use/share for those without a tablet. Students below grade 3 should have a parent/guardian to help navigate the websites. Questions may be directed to Julie Ferguson at jaferg98@yahoo.com.
Parent Resources
PTO
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS
To increase our volunteer base, a new incentive program has been established.
When a volunteer opportunity is posted on “Signup.com”, approved volunteers will receive an email with a link to sign up for the event.
Once you have signed up to help and then attend the event your child(ren) will receive $ 25.00 in Eagle Bucks.
Any parent who wants to volunteer and has not submitted a volunteer form, here is the link to complete a form:
Thanks for all you do for Stephen Decatur Elementary!
No Hassle Fundraiser
Inclement Weather Information
Fall 2019 Lunch Menu
Family Events
2019-2020 District Calendar
MISSION
We are student invested, community connected. We prioritize student learning, safety, and customer service.
VISION
We are a model campus characterized by an environment that is: Calm, Safe, Positive, Purposeful, AND FUN! Students, families, and staff will be invested through respectful relationships and a thirst for learning.
Stephen Decatur Elementary
Assistant Principal: Jay Lovell
Lead Teacher: Wendy Grant
Nurse: Brea Middleton-Keen
CIS Coordinators: Matt Ernst and Laverna Tracy
Email: jpearson@decaturproud.org
Website: http://www.decaturproud.org/stephen-decatur
Location: 3425 Foltz Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-241-0183
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephenDecaturElementary/
Twitter: @SD_Eagles