HUSKY NEWS
OCTOBER 2017
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MESSAGE FROM DR. WAGGONER
Dear Parents,
Each year I am amazed how quickly the month of September seems to come and go. It’s hard to believe October is already upon us, and parent-teacher conferences are just around the corner. Conference time is one of the most important events of your child’s school year, and it presents an excellent opportunity to dialog with the teacher regarding your child’s progress here at school. In preparation, here are some tips on how to have a successful conference:
1. Ask your child if there is anything he/she would like you to discuss with the
teacher.
2. Make a list of questions or discussion topics, and bring them with you.
3. Be prompt or even a few minutes early.
4. Avoid lengthy discussion topics that veer from the purpose of the conference. If needed, schedule another conference at a later date to cover these items.
5. Try to be open-minded to suggestions from teachers.
Conferences for preschoolers will take place from 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, and 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19. There will be no school for preschool students on October 18, 19 or 20.
Conferences for students in grades K-5 will take place on Wednesday, October 18 from 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, October 19, from 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. There will be no school for students in grades K-5 on Thursday, October 19 or Friday, October 20. Please make every effort to try and attend parent-teacher conferences. We look forward to seeing you!
Heatherstone is committed to providing an outstanding education for each child. We strive toward our mission statement to “Offer the Best, Expect the Best, and Produce the Best.” This is accomplished when dedicated teachers and parents work together to help each child grow to their full potential. The partnership we have today will make a tremendous difference in your child’s future. Thank you so much for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruth Waggoner
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
10/13 - Professional Day, No School
10/16-19 - Book Fair
10/18 - Half Day (Conferences)
10/19 - Conferences, No School
10/20 - No School
10/25 - Skate Party at Skate City 6-8pm. The theme is Glow skate.
10/31 - Costume Parade at 2:15 p.m., Fall Party at 2:30 p.m.
10/31 - Last Day to Enter Frigo Cheese Heads Build a Bright Future Contest
11/2 - Apex Fun Run
11/10 - Veteran's Day Luncheon
11/22-24 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
12/19 - Winter Party, 2:30 p.m.
12/20-1/3 - Winter Break, No School
2/1 - Last Day to Purchase Guaranteed Yearbooks
2/14 - Valentine's Party, 2:30 p.m.
For the full school district calendar, visit https://goo.gl/9NcMab.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The ONLY BOOK FAIR of this school year is coming up during Conference Week!!
We will be open during the school days, but will still have classes going on too! The best times to shop will be after school and on the two conference days!
Days and Times:
Monday Oct. 16th and Tuesday Oct. 17th 3:30-4:30
Wednesday Oct. 18th 11:30-12:30 and 4:30-8:30
Thursday Oct. 19th 11:00-8:00pm
If you would like to Volunteer to help staff the Book Fair please sign up using the sign up genius here
Or you can email Mrs. Moore and she will put you on the schedule: jkmoore@olatheschools.org
Online Book Fair Link: Oct. 8th through the 23rd link here
About Our Fair
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that provides the books kids want to read. It's a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level.
Reading for pleasure inside and outside of school has real and long-lasting benefits. It unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Please make plans to come to our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child's reading habits.
Remember, all purchases benefit our school and the Chat and Chew books for this year will be on sale there too!!
See you at the Book Fair!
Fun Run
We are so excited to tell you about our major fundraiser this year, the Apex Fun Run!
Apex Fun Run is a local company that will be on our campus for two weeks, from October 23rd-November 3rd, teaching our students about leadership and fitness. During the Apex Fun Run, students will be challenged to get pledges for the laps they will run on the Fun Run Day, on Thursday, November 2nd. Please look for more information about the program and ways to support our school as we get closer to the event.
We look forward to another FUN and successful fundraiser for our students of Heatherstone! If you have any questions please contact Andrea Russel at andrearhansen@yahoo.com
FALL PARTY
The Fall Party is on Tuesday, October 31st. The costume parade will be at 2:15pm. Parties will be from 2:30pm - 3:30pm. Morning Pre-K parties will be from 10:30am to 11:30am. Please join us for the festivities!
WATCH D.O.G.S.
Thank you to all who attended the Watch D.O.G.S. kick off pizza party! We had a great turn out. One of our Watch DOGS, Adam Jarvis, posted an excellent write-up about the program which you can find here.
There still time to sign up to be a Watch D.O.G. Sign up here. It's for all fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures in children's lives! All you have to do is volunteer at the school at least one day a year. You can do so in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator.
The primary goals of the Watch D.O.G.S. program are:
- To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
- To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
$10,000 Essay Contest for New Maker's and Media Lab
Would you like to help Heatherstone win $10,000? We are very excited to announce that Mrs. Korte and Mrs. Moore have begun the planning process of creating a Maker's and Media Lab for our school!
Not only will this lab be a space for creative discoveries, it will also be the site of a Heatherstone news broadcast to be shown throughout our school. The space will include a green screen, camera, 3D printer, and so much more! How cool is that?!?!?
Now back to that $10,000. Think about how that $10,000 could make a lasting difference for students at our school by building this amazing maker's lab. If the idea of an awesome space like this sounds good to you, head on over to enter the Frigo® Cheese Heads® Build a Bright Future contest by Oct. 31, 2017, for your chance to make it happen.
It’s super easy to enter, too. Simply share (in less than 200 words) how our school would use the money. One lucky school will win $10,000, and 9 runners-up will win $2,500 each!
ENTER HERE: http://www.cheeseheadsbrightfuture.com/
FAQs: http://www.cheeseheadsbrightfuture.com/pag…/cheeseheads/faqs
New, Easy Way to Submit Yearbook Photos
Would you like to easily submit photos to our yearbook committee from your iPad or phone? There's an app for that!
- Click here to share images from your Apple/iOS device
- Click here to share from you Android
Our yearbook project number is 829135.
Or simply email your photos to heatherstoneyearbook@hotmail.com
Thank you for your help in this!
ATTENTION PARENTS OF 3 YEAR OLD CHILDREN
EARLY CHILDHOOD FEE-BASED PEER PARTICIPATION SLOT APPLICATIONS
We are now accepting applications for open three-year old peer slots in our Early Childhood Disabilities classrooms at the following locations:
Bentwood, Fairview, Pleasant Ridge, Ridgeview, Walnut Grove, Westview, Heartland and Harmony Early Childhood Center.
To be considered for a peer slot you/ your child must meet the following guidelines:
1. You must live in the Olathe School District. (Even if you are an employee of the district you must still live within the Olathe School District.)
2. Your child must be potty trained. (Not wearing pull-ups)
3. Your child must speak and understand English very well.
4. You must complete the “Ages and Stages” questionnaire with your child and once scored, your child must be at the appropriate developmental level.
To request and application packet please contact Kim Russell at 913-780-7341 or via email at krussellhlc@olatheschools.org. Be sure and include your child’s date of birth.
LUNCH N' LISTEN & CHAT N' CHEW
The dates for Lunch n' Listen (1st and 2nd grade) and
Chat n' Chew (3rd-5th grade) are:
Tuesday, January 23
Wednesday, February 28
Thursday, March 29
We're RECRUITING NEW SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
- With 60 college credits, you can get an emergency substitute license.
- Substitute teaching works well with college students schedules.
- The pay is $117.00 a day for a full day.
- Great job for parents of students in Olathe Schools.
- Substitute RN’s can work and still maintain other part time nursing jobs.
- Call Shelly for more information at 780-8268.
Traffic Flow Procedures at Heatherstone Elementary School
Traveling east on 123rd Street and/or facing the front entrance of the school.
For Drivers/Bus Riders:
- 1st entrance is marked as the “Bus and Employee Entrance” only. This is for school buses, day care buses and staff only.
- Handicap parking is available in the west side lot.
- 2nd entrance is marked as the “Student and Visitor Entrance”. Parents and visitors must park in this lot in front of the school.
- There is one lane into the school parking lot. Two outgoing exits.
- Please wait your turn and do not drive into exiting traffic.
- Two lanes curve around in front of the school. (Drive Thru and Drop Off/Pick Up)
- If you need to get out of your vehicle for any reason please park in the lot.
- Do not leave vehicles unattended in the Drop Off lane as this stops the flow of traffic.
- Children must get in and out of the vehicle on the sidewalk side closest to the school building. They should not cross in front of or behind cars.
- Please pull all the way forward, around the curve and past the crosswalk in the front parking lot. There is a sign marking where the line begins.
- Please do not stop in front of the school doors as this backs up traffic and other parents are unable to drop off their student(s) on time. Even in inclement weather, staff and teachers are posted at the front doors to receive your student safely and quickly.
- Do not sit idle in the Drive Thru lane at any time as this blocks the flow of traffic and hinders the availability of any emergency vehicles.
- Please adhere to the “Idle Free” zone in front of the school to protect our children from pollutants.
- Please refrain from using your cell phone while picking up and dropping off students in the school parking lot to avoid accidents and/or misunderstandings.
- No Parking on 123rd Street in front of the school.
For Walkers:
- Please use the single dedicated crosswalk on 123rd Street with the on-duty crossing guard.
- Do not cross the street anywhere else for your own safety. Drivers are expecting you to cross at the crosswalk, not in other random locations.
- Please use the designated crosswalks when walking through our parking lot.
Thanks for your consideration and cooperation in these matters.
Our goal is to maintain a safe and easy traffic flow pattern at our school.
Weekend BackSnack Program
With the support of Harvesters Food Bank, Heatherstone Elementary school participates in the Weekend BackSnack Program. This program provides families with nutritional
snacks to supplement their weekend meals. The snacks are anonymously & privately placed in participating children’s backpacks every Friday, or the last day of the week. Any staff member or family can refer students to the program.
We have a certain number of sacks, but if we need more, they go up in increments of 5. Then we send an opt out letter, meaning if the family does not want to participate, they sign & return it to Mrs. Smith. Thursday, 9/28, was our 1st distribution, and BackSnacks will continue throughout the year.
A big thank you to SCHEELS for being our community partner again this year to deliver our boxes of food. A warm welcome to Jennifer Mullen for stepping up to help with this vital program. Feel free to call to add your family to the list to receive BackSnacks or ask any questions.
Mrs. Smith
School Counselor
(913)780-7480
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Heatherstone Elementary is full of great leaders, and we have a 27 member team who are working to help the school and community. The sponsors are Ms. DeLorme & Mrs. Smith.
Students interested in joining SLT, applied by writing responses to 5 questions about leadership, service, & cooperation. This year’s representatives will meet once a month on Mondays, typically the 2nd Monday of each month, from 3:45-4:45 PM. Our focus is on enhancing leadership skills and community service.
In addition to participating in team building & leadership activities, students help promote Kansas Bullying Prevention Week, Red Ribbon Week, and Veteran’s Day. If ANY student has an idea to help our school or community, please share it with one of your class’s members.
3rd Grade: Olivia Amberson, Jett Blessing, Jillian Clark, Lydia Evans, Rachel Hadley, Taylor Holland, Keialani Iuli, Kylie Johnson, Josie Smotrilla
4th Grade: Jake Bloomquist, Olivia Hyer, Blaine McCarthy, Caroline Patnode, Emma Petersen, Will Rawalt, Alex Smith, Danyelle Smith, Rose Tenove, Lincoln Wadsworth, Adalia Washington
5th Grade: Hayden Allen, Gabriella Armenta, Cameron Ayoade, Kaya Eastman, Roman Peoples, Sidharth Pradeep, Kathryne Pronske
HELP NEEDED, HELP GIVEN
Johnson County Christmas Bureau needs your help providing food to low income families in our community. The contributions of nonperishable food provide meals for the hungry. Food is needed by November 28th.
· Food, new clothing, books and gifts will be distributed to all eligible clients at the 2017 Holiday Shop, December 1st thru December 9th
· One third of the 12 to 14,000 people that will be served are from Olathe. A majority of those served are children from the Olathe school district.
· If poverty where a city, it would be the fastest growing city in our county!!!
For more information on the Johnson County Christmas Bureau visit their website at www.jccb.org. If your family is in need of assistance for the holidays, you can apply on-line or ask Mrs. Smith, Counselor, for a paper application. Applications are accepted 10/1-11/15. Finally, if you would like to volunteer to help at the Holiday Shop, over 3,000 slots need to be filled.
Treasurer's Report
Thank you for participating in the Hurt's Donut fundraiser! It brought in over $1000!
Here are some of the ways your fundraising dollars have been used so far this school year:
- Teacher assistance for items such as supplies, class prizes, equipment, etc.
- Ice cream truck at Sneak a Peek
- new recess balls
- Hospitality days for the hard working staff at Heatherstone
- American Royal field trip for kindergarten
- KU Natural History Museum for fourth grade
- Mahaffie House for 2nd grade
- Eclipse assembly items
- And more!
Thanks for all of your support!
Leslie Schultz
PTO Treasurer
Spirit Wear
Veterans Day Luncheon
Each year on November 11th, we celebrate veterans. Members of the armed forces dedicate themselves to serving our country. All American veterans, who have answered the call to duty, deserve our deepest respect and gratitude. Heatherstone staff and the Student Leadership Team would like to provide a soup and salad lunch for Veteran’s Day guests on Friday, 11/10/17, from 11:20-1:00 in the school library.
Any Heatherstone student with a relative or friend that has served in the military may invite them to the luncheon. Students will bring their regular lunch to the library & dine with their guest. Student Leadership Team will provide desserts for EVERYONE! Please RSVP to the office at (913)780-7480.
Students will dine with their honored guest during the student’s lunch/recess period.
K-1st Grade: 11:20-11:55
2-3rd Grade: 12:00-12:30
4-5th Grade:12:35-1:00
Additionally, students may bring in a photo of their veteran, whether living or deceased, for display on a WALL OF HONOR. Any Heatherstone student may contribute, even if not attending the luncheon. Please bring a copy with both the student’s name & the veteran’s information. If you do not have a copy, let us know it is the original. We will copy it & give it right back to you.
Dear parents, many hands make light work. We welcome your help to make this day a success!
Please contact Heather Smith, Counselor, to volunteer hsmithhn@olatheschoools.org or (913)780-7480.
- Donations of food items (bread, crackers, desserts) that day.
- Help with set up, during the luncheon, or clean up
Math Wings Awards
Congratulations to the following 4th graders for placing 2nd and 3rd place in our district math wings competition on October 3rd at Olathe North High :
2nd place: Max Haney, Andrew Crainshaw, Wyatt Pence
3rd place : Aoyu Jin, Joseph Patnode
Mrs. Beller, Math Wings Sponsor
PTO Committee Chairs
Interested in connecting with one of our PTO committee chairs? Look no further.
- 5th Grade Promotion: Tara Sayers, tarasayers@gmail.com; Angela Brookerd, angelabrookerd05@hotmail.com; Stacy Murray, smurray127@sbcglobal.net
- All library committees: Julie Moore, jkmoore@olatheschools.org
- Apex Fun Run: Andrea Russel, andrearhansen@yahoo.com
- Box Tops/HyVee: Scott Middendorf, middendorf13@live.com
- Chat n Chew: Lou Ann Cunningham, lcunning723@gmail.com
- Lunch n Listen: Julie Crainshaw, juliecrainshaw@yahoo.com
- Directory: Abby Walter, abby11480@hotmail.com; Amy Curtis, amyrcurtis@gmail.com
- Facebook: Gina Blessing, gblessing@hotmail.com
- Family Movie Night: VOLUNTEER NEEDED
- Hospitality: Laura Fenner, mackroo@kc.surewest.net
- Landscaping: Janine Kluckhohn, janine.kluckhohn@gmail.com
- Lego Robotics: Angela Brookerd, angelabrookerd05@hotmail.com; Jim Farnham, jfarn1107@gmail.com; Eric Bloomcamp, eric@bloomcamp.com
- Lost and Found: Lizz Welter, ewelter12@gmail.com
- PTO Cookout: Shannon Haney, shannongerke@hotmai.com
- Reading Incentives: Bonnie Mitchell, bonnie.r.mitchell@gmail.com
- Room Parents: Shawna Allen, the.allens4@icloud.com
- Silent Auction: Gina Blessing, gblessing@hotmail.com
- PTO Newsletter: Jennifer Knobel, jennifereknobel@gmail.com; Emilee Minor, emilee.minor@gmail.com
- Spring Carnival: Janine Kluckhohn and Shawna Allen, heatherstonecarnival@gmail.com
- Teacher Appreciation: Juli Wadsworth, juli.wadsworth@yahoo.com
- Watch D.O.G.S.: John Blessing, johnwblessing@gmail.com
- Yearbook: Gina Blessing, gblessing@hotmail.com