PICKERINGTON ELEMENTARY NEWS
December 2018/January 2019
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
P.R.O.U.D. Winners
During our November PTO meeting, seven students were recognized for being chosen as school leaders for the month of October. Each of the seven students was nominated by a staff member for demonstrating one of the seven habits described in the book The Leader in Me by Steven R. Covey and in the series of books titled the 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey. Each student demonstrated what a highly effective leader looks like. During the meeting, the students were given a leadership T-shirt, a certificate, and a charm. Congratulations to: Ryan G., Lilly H., Aminata S., Max M., Jacob W., Olivia S., and Jillian M.
STEM Day
Our fourth annual STEM Day was held on Friday, November 2nd, and was a tremendous success! The theme this year was STEM in the Parade, to highlight the PHSC and PHSN Bands marching together in The Tournament of Roses Parade. Students learned about drone photography and marching from Dave King, wind instruments from our RTI teachers Maureen Welch and Melissa Woodward, and about the OSU marching band from student band members Emily Balzer and Erin Koyle. Andy Harris and our Bio STEM students shared heart rate, blood pressure information and more with our students, while Erika Schoenbeck, music teacher, and Jeff Denty shared stringed instruments. The City of Pickerington demonstrated a street sweeper since they’re used to help clean up after a parade. The finale was two STEM Parades, emceed by Karen Sewell featuring some PHSC marching Tigers, a Tiger mosaic banner made by our students, and all grade levels taking turns as either spectators or marchers.
This day wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteers named above who gave of their time and expertise – Thank you! A big thank you to our PTO for providing funding and volunteer support, to the entire STEM Day committee of staff and teachers, and to fourth-grade teacher, Sarah Burre, for coordinating and organizing a fabulous day for our students!
K.I.S.S. Luncheon
Holiday Season
COUNSELING NEWS
Violet Township Fire Department, Holiday Toy Drive
Pickerington Schools have teamed up once again with the Violet Township Fire Department to collect new, unwrapped toys for families in need this holiday season! Families are encouraged to donate items in our red holiday box, located just inside the main entrance at Pickerington Elementary. Any item you provide will be greatly appreciated!
FROM THE OFFICE
End of Day Dismissal
We try to limit the number of classroom interruptions during the school day, however, we realize that it may become necessary to change your child’s dismissal plans. If you must change the way your child is to be dismissed, we ask that you send a note in advance. If you have to make a change via telephone, we asked that you do it as early as possible. Please try not to call with dismissal changes after 3:00 pm.
Also, as the winter season approaches, some parents may decide to pick up/drop off their children who normally walk to and from school. Please remember that the front of the building is designated for buses only. If you choose to pick up/drop off your child you must do so in the parent line on the side of the building. If you choose to pick your walker up at the end of the day, please send in a note informing us of the end of the day change. This is necessary so that we can ensure your child is sent to the parent pick up line at the end of the day.
Notes
Please remember, you must send a note in with your children when they will be leaving early for appointments. This allows the teachers to be prepared and to have them ready to go at the designated time. Please allow enough time for you to come into the building to sign your child out. Students will be called from class once you come into the office. You may send in the doctor's excuse the next day. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Fetch a Good Book
As we prepare for winter break, we would like to invite our students to “Fetch a Good Book” on December 20th. They may wear pajamas and bring slippers that day. Students may have read-a-thon events in classrooms, listen to books read aloud, and get ready for our upcoming author visit.
Fourth Grade Spelling Bee
On Wednesday, December 19th, all fourth grade students will take a written spelling test in an effort to qualify for the annual Pickerington Elementary Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January 15th at 6:00 p.m. Invited students and families will be notified after returning from winter break, based on results on the written qualification test.
"Paws for Reading" - Right to Read Week
Monday, January 28th - Wear orange for at-risk animal awareness.
Tuesday, January 29th - Bring an item for the Fairfield Area Humane Society. Wear your favorite animal hat or headband.
Wednesday, January 30th - Dress as your favorite character from an animal book.
Thursday, January 31st - Wear your best Pickerington Purple or tiger paw spirit wear to welcome our guest author Andra Gillum.
Friday, February 1st - Bring your favorite book and a stuffed animal to read with today.
"PAWS for Reading" Family Night and Author Visit
Doggy Drama series author Andra Gillum will visit our school on January 31st during our annual Right to Read week. We will also have a family reading night from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. that same evening, and she will be available for a meet & greet and book sale. More information will be sent home closer to the date.
Fairfield Area Humane Society Donation Drive - January 28th through February 1st
During “Paws for Reading” Week, the Pickerington Elementary reading committee will be collecting items needed to care for rescued animals at the humane society in Lancaster. Requested items are listed on the website at http://www.fairhumane.org/Donate-Fairfield-Area-Humane-Society.html. At this time, they are in most need of Purina food for cats and dogs, HE laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, treats and toys. Collection boxes will be in the main hallway during the last week of January.
Every-1-Connected Program
Starting in November, students with limited or no internet access in their homes can gain access to WiFi for their homework and other school projects thanks to a new Pickerington Schools program.
Through the Every-1-Connected program, the district will offer a limited number of free wireless hotspot devices to students who have limited or no internet access at home. Students can borrow the devices from their building media center.
This program is open to Pickerington School students who are fully enrolled in one of the 15 district buildings. Priority will be given to students on the free/reduced lunch list and who have little to no household internet access.
“Every-1-Connected gives students with the greatest need the opportunity to borrow a free hotspot device for two-week periods during the school year,” said Brian Seymour, Director of Instructional Technology. “These devices hook up to district iPads and Chromebooks and allow free access to the internet.”
Seymour said the devices will help students who need internet access complete homework or other major projects. Because multiple students can sign on to a single hotspot, the devices also can be used to facilitate group projects.
There is no cost to students to borrow the hotspots, which were funded by the district and through a grant from T-Mobile.
“The reality is that not every household can afford internet connectivity in the home,” Seymour said. “With our emphasis on one-to-one technology, we knew we needed to find ways to bridge the digital divide and ensure educational equity for all our students. These hotspots are a step in that direction.”
The devices use internet content filtering, and student browsing history is recorded, Seymour said. While only one device may be borrowed per household, the hotspots can be signed out repeatedly throughout the year, based on availability.
For students to participate in the program, parents must complete a form (available from the school and on the district website). The form indicates that parents will assume financial responsibility for the equipment if it is damaged due to intentional reckless, willful, wanton or malicious conduct. The devices are covered under the district’s existing Technology Protection Plan, which is already available to families to cover district-provided Chromebooks and tablets.
Complete information about the program, including instructions for requesting a hotspot, are available online under “Every-1-Connected Program.”
Music News
Do you like to sing and have fun with your friends? We will be holding our second annual PLSD Elementary Choral Festival. This year’s theme is Sing! and will feature music from around the world and tons of fun games. There will also be performances by the combined North and Central High School Choirs.
Students will have the chance to work with Dr. Amy Chivington from Otterbein University. Dr. Chivington has worked with youth choirs all around the world and is excited to work with our students.
Keep an eye out for registration information in January!
Who: All 4th Grade Students
What: Sing!
When: Saturday, March 2, 2019 (9 am Start, 2 pm Concert)
Where: Pickerington Central High School
Cost: $10 - Includes Lunch and a T-Shirt
Updates from the Media Center
Jacob W. - 2
Shelby M. - 5
Lucy S. - 1
Eli K. - 1
Ayri P. - 1
Kayra J. - 1
Nash B. - 1
Arpan G. -- 1
Kaleigh P. - 2
Andrea C. - 1
Emmanuel A. - 2
Max R. - 1
Payton H. - 3
Breanne M. - 3
Sophie M. - 4
Important Dates
December 5
2-Hour Late Start - Professional Development
December 21
No School – Teacher Record Day
December 24 - January 4
No School – Winter Break
January 7
Classes Resume
January 18
No School – Professional Development
January 21
No School – Martin Luther King Day