Tom McCall Elementary School
December 2022
Dear Families,
As we’re wrapping up the 2022 calendar year, I’ve been reflecting on the beginning of this school year. There are so many positives to recognize. To highlight just a few:
Kindergarten: Fall field trip to the pumpkin patch
1st: Studies on bats, spiders, and owls in October, while November focused on giving thanks and being thankful through picture books and art projects. In December, we begin our study of Traditions Around the World. This study will include learning about different traditions as well as making some fun crafts too!
2nd: Pumpkins on Parade and a Walking field trip using our map skills. Cocoa, Cookies, and Flannels Family Read-Aloud next for families.
3rd: Upcoming Christmas in the West performance for parents
4th: Coding multiple forms of technology (Spheros and Microbits)
5th: Field trips to the Bend Science Station, an all day Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) day and our Kindness is a Superpower, buddy group activity.
In past years, December was the month in which our students and families were deeply engaged in our annual Food Drive. We have supported many Redmond families for years through our spirit of giving. Our current logistics won’t make a canned food drive possible this year, but you can still help if you wish. Gift cards that can be used for clothing and/or gas are the highest priority need for families at this point. Fred Meyers, Safeway and Grocery Outlet are some possible options to consider. Cards should be made out to Tom McCall - FAN and ideally would be dropped off at school on or before December 14th to ensure timely distribution. If you’d like to donate a gift card to these or any other organizations, please contact Tom McCall’s Family Advocate, Kelly Johnson. Kelly can provide additional information and provide receipts for tax write offs if necessary.
We’re so appreciative of your participation in your child’s conference prior to Thanksgiving Break. Teachers learned a lot from you and your child’s perspective that will help make their learning the best it can be. Please continue to communicate needs with your teachers.
With the winter break coming soon, I wish you all the best and hope for the safest holiday season for you and your family.
Drew Frank - Principal
Dates to remember
- Spirit Wear: Grade Level Color Day
7 - 2nd Grade Cocoa, Cookies & Flannels 1:30-2:00
9 - Spirit Wear: Mustang Wear
14 - 3rd Grade Performs Christmas in the West 1:45
15 - Kindergarten Holiday Program 2:00
16 - Spirit Wear: Christmas PJs or Holiday Wear
- 1st Grade Holiday Program 1:00
No School Dec. 19 - Jan. 2 -- Winter Break
School Resumes Tuesday, Jan 3
Library
Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair was another resounding success!! What an amazing group of families we have here at Tom McCall! Thank you to all who participated to make this book fair so great!
Read, read and read some more! December 5th is the deadline for 3rd, 4th & 5th graders to qualify for Redmond Battle of the Books. Students must read 3 of the RBOB titles to qualify. But don’t stop there! The Tom McCall battles will begin in January and continue through February. Remember, parents, you can help your student by reading aloud or helping them find an audiobook.
As we approach Winter Break, please remember to return all overdue library books before December 16th.
Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!
Character Trait
September Winners - Respect
Showing respect to someone means you act in way that shows you care about their feelings and well being. These students were chosen by their classroom teacher or specials teacher for consistently showing respect here at school!
Conley K, Jack B, Andres V, Josephine L, Kohen F, Violet DdL, Alma G, Mac C, Olivia P, Roman VH, Oliver E, Adrielle G, Hadlie H, Lane C, Hannah J, Caleb P, Alyssa A, Daniel RG, Brigham F, Lilly F, Oliver P, Mykah L, Logan G, Gage B, Eastyn V, Grace M, Juliana G, Brody M, William B, Olive T, Erik FG, Sean F, Kisa G, Aaron E, Alyssa H, Jirair B, Madison S, Bryson C, Alysyn C, Wyatt P, Grayson K, Devynn L, Harper J, Steven W, Holdyn M, Finnley W, Montgomery F and Yaretzi RG.October Winners - Responsibility
Being responsible means being dependable, makind good choices and taking accountability for your actions. A responsible citizen looks out for the well being of others and understands we all have a part to play in making the world a better place. These students were chosen by their classroom teacher or specials teacher for consistently being responsible here at school!
Addy T, Zayden C, Emerson, D, Sammy H, Olivia T, Liam F, Brody V, Naomi M, Luna Z, Vera B, Asher T, Freya S, Addison H, Walter R, Olivia M, Lincoln L, Mallory I, Andres P, Julian R, Gavin B, Jaxon H, Amelia D, Lydia M, Devlyn BM, Giavanna L, Aiyana R, Cadence Z, Clayton G, Sydney D, Alexis M, Joshua C, Charlotte S, Dawson F, Garrett J, Bryson R, Olivia M, Grayson K, Lizette L, Kyla J, Natalie M, Ryan D, Takota D, Hadlie H, Brielle S, Adrian P, Emma A, Cyri R and Kisa G.
November Winners - Kindness
A kind person shows a genuine, deep and selfless concern for people without expecting anything in return. These students were chosen by their classroom teacher or specials teacher for consistently showing kindness here at school!
Arya A, Jeremy B, Londyn A, Adrian R, Lindsey B, Palmer O, Brealynn A, Boden S, Samara G, Kasen S, Adriel R, Esther, Sonic M, Cindy A, Delaney F, Chazrick T, Brooklyn C, Takoda D, Camily D, Molly N, Olivia G, Noah H, Sariah S, Henry C, Kayson B, Karli V, Olive F, Luke K, Julian F, Lillian B, Payton O, Amelia R, Demetrius F, Kaiya L, Madison O, Nathan R, Lacey A, Adrian P, Pippa H, Natali M, Christian L, Emmerson S, Amelia D, Roman VH, Brecken R, Seirra M, Brooklyn B, Devlynn BM and Amy P.
Decembers Trait: Gratitude
Every month at Tom McCall we focus on a character trait and we teach, talk about and look for ways to incorporate that trait into our daily learning. Having good character is important for success in your life and highly influences the choices you make.
December’s character trait focus is GRATITUDE. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness to someone. Let’s be grateful for what we have, who we have in our lives, the gifts that we receive, the blessings in our lives, and our own special gifts and talents. Having an attitude of gratitude can change your life and others around you!
We are looking for our Mustangs to demonstrate gratitude here at school, at home, and in our community!
Social and Emotional Learning
Winter break is just around the corner and the excitement is in the air! Along with excitement comes big emotions for many children. Whether it is the changes to the routine, the anticipation of the holidays or the time off, behavior can heighten during this time of year. This is a great time to talk about expectations at home and at school as well as allowing your child to process their emotions and help them through their big emotions.
During the month of December students in all grades will continue to learn about empathy and respect. Empathy is an important life skill that helps us understand and relate to people from all walks of life. It is the ability to understand things from another perspective. Students will be “walking in each other's shoes” to help them understand each other better. We are also learning about how to train our brains to be attentive listeners and learners.
notes from the nurse
*Students must be fever free without medication for 24 hrs. before returning to school.
Students with vomiting/diarrhea must be symptom free for 48 hrs. before returning to school.
*McCall dental screening will be January 9th and 10th
We will not be sending paper consent forms home this year, consent was done online at time of registration or verification.
*Immunization Exclusion day is February 15th, your student's immunizations must be up to date by this time in order to come to school.
Those families of students with no record of immunizations or incomplete immunizations should have received a letter with details in the mail.
Please make sure the office has your student's updated immunization record as soon as it's completed.