I loved seeing all the bright faces walking into the building this week. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an extra special time with your family. This time of year always brings excitement and a little extra energy in the air. We will be embracing these next few weeks with "10 Days of Festive Fun" with the River Ridge staff. We would love for our students to join in the fun on our dress-up days too! I have listed the calendar of events in the important dates below.

We are asking for your help to make these days as bright as possible.

First, if you would like to donate a gift card to a restaurant, coffee shop, target, amazon, etc. (between $10 - $20) for our "What's That Jingle" contest for the teachers, you can drop them off with Michelle Baker in the front office by Thursday, December 8th. We will be doing giveaways for our teachers every hour on the hour next Friday with a fun contest the whole school can enjoy.

Also, if you could volunteer 30 minutes of your time to help cover lunch duty for our teacher's PTA luncheon on December 8th, teams will be able to eat together with a duty-free lunch. If you are an approved volunteer and can help out, please sign up on this form.

• December 1st: Fall Picture Make-Up Day - This is for any student that needs a retake or did not take a picture on picture day. All students that were present on picture day (October 21st) took a picture.
• December 5th: "CANE You Believe It's December?" - Dress-up Day (Dress like a candy cane or peppermint candy.)
• December 6th: "Channel Your Flannel and Let's Go Mad About Plaid." (Dress in plaid or flannel - PJs allowed.)
• December 7th: Minute to WIn It - Rattler Pride Pep Rally
• December 12th: "We Stick Together" -Twin with a buddy or buddies in your best holiday attire!
• December 13th - "Hats off to the Holidays!" Wear a hat or holiday headwear.
• December 14th: Canyon Ridge Holiday Concert at 1:30 for our students
• December 16th: This is a half day for students. Sack lunches will be available. Students will be dismissed at 11:30.
• Student Winter Break: December 19th - January 2nd

Class Parties:

12/13: Kinder (1:00 - 2:00)

12/14: Third Grade (8:45 - 10:15)

12/15: Second Grade (8:30 - 9:30); First Grade (10:00 - 11:00); Fourth Grade (12:50 - 2:30)

12/16: Fifth Grade (8:30 - 9:30)

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Dear Parents & Students,

The PE Department has a new pilot program called Students Teach Students. Sometimes kids learn better from another kid. Once a month we will hold a free clinic for any 2nd - 5th grade student that would like extra help on a skill we have recently gone over in PE. This month we will be working on Soccer skills. Coach Jackson & I have selected students as coaches based on their above average soccer skills. They will be helping any 2nd - 5th grade student that wants a little more personal instruction. Of course we will be there as well. If you are interested please help us keep track of how many students to expect by clicking on the link below and filling out the form. Unfortunately, we will have to cap the amount of students to 20. So whoever signs up first will get a confirmation from me the night before.

Date: Friday, December 9th

Time: 7-7:30am

Where: MPR

(Drop your child off in the back of the school where the steps are and we will let them in)

Sign up for Students Teach Students

The Hospitality Committee is looking for volunteers! If you would like to participate in teacher luncheons or snack carts, please contact Christine Hammond at christineshammond@gmail.com. It’s a fun committee and a great way to get involved!

Counseling Lesson Topic for December

Topic: Finishing up lessons on learning about disabilities and inclusion

All students will learn about ability and disability and the importance of the inclusion of people with disabilities. We will be working on building student’s understanding and empathy regarding this aspect of identity with a focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity!

Mental Health Check In Resource of the Month

Here are some coping strategies on ways to help your child deal with anxiety and stress!!

https://copingskillsforkids.com/calming-anxiety