Mindfulness: Being Aware & Being Present

In our busy world, our minds and bodies can get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle, and may have a hard time slowing down. It is also easy to get stuck thinking about things in the past or the future, while forgetting to focus on the here and now. The benefits of mindfulness for children and adults are plentiful, including decreased stress and increased resilience. Mindfulness is bringing our attention to our thoughts and feelings without judgement. I have been incorporating mindfulness into my guidance lessons and encourage you all to check it out for use with your children and yourself! For more information about mindfulness, check out www.mindful.org

https://www.facebook.com/PickettCounselorCorner?fref=ts

Alison Pickett, MS

Guidance Counselor
Bunker Hill Elementary
(317) 860-3426

Throughout the month of December, each grade level completes a service project.

Kindergarten: Kindergarten does a "Mitten Tree," where we collect new cold weather accessories for those in need.

First and Fifth Grades: Students in Grades 1 and 5 will work together to tie fleece blankets for a local charity.

Second Grade: Second Graders will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to share with children in the Indianapolis community. Teachers hope that parents will work with their child to help them find opportunities to earn the money to buy their donation. If parents do not feel they are able to donate a toy, perhaps your child can earn a little money to go towards a joint toy purchase that the teachers will make. The goal is to help the students work together to serve others. Toys may be sent in any time prior to the second grade field trip on December XX.

Third Grade: Instead of doing games, etc at the winter party, third graders will use it as a time to wrap all the items that have been purchased by the classroom families. Third grade families provide the essentials for a family in need. Each year, the class buys items based on a list that has been created by the parents. Third graders purchase all the essentials such as socks, gloves, hats, coats, shirts, pants, etc. Then we purchase any of the "fun" items on the list. Each year the families that we help are located in the township and we make their holiday season much better by providing for them. We have decided it is better to give than to get.

Fourth Grade: Fourth grade classes adopt a needy family of children and purchase their Christmas wants and a few wishes.

Please review a few important front office policies.

• Morning student drop off must be done in the car rider line. Drop off opens at 8:35 am in the car rider line.
• Students arriving after 8:50 am must be signed in at the front office.
• If there is a change in transportation for students at the end of the day, we must be notified by a Parent/Guardian before 3:00pm. Teachers need time to make arrangements.
• Attendance- Please review the Franklin Township policies and procedures for absences on p. 2-3 in the student handbook. We appreciate your cooperation.
• All visitors must have a photo ID to enter the building.

Don't forget to check our LOST and FOUND for any lost items. It is located at the top of the stairs on the way to the cafeteria. Any items left at the end of the school year will be donated.

Each month we will send out a newsletter with important information, dates, and reminders. This newsletter will be sent electronically to the email we have on file for each student. If you requested a paper copy, the newsletter will come home with your student. The newsletter will also be available on our website http://www.ftcsc.k12.in.us/bunker-hill or our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bunker-Hill-Elementary-School/172442352820782

Remind is another great way to stay connected to Bunker Hill. You just text the number 81010 and enter message @bhbulldogs and press send. We will send out messages/reminders and you will simply receive then as a text message. We have no access to cell phone numbers nor does anyone else in this group. You can not reply to the message as no one will receive them.

• We do our best to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum. If your child forgets an item and you bring it in, please do not be offended if the front office asks for you to leave the item with them so it can be delivered at an appropriate time.
• If there is a change in transportation for students at the end of the day, we must be notified by a Parent/Guardian before 3:00pm.
• If electronics (cell phones, ipods, gaming systems) are brought into school and removed from backpacks, they will be confiscated by the teacher. A parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the electronic at the front desk.
• When having lunch with your student in the cafeteria please remember to only have your child sit with you at the family table. We like to keep the table open for other families. Please No Fast Food!
• When visiting your child for lunch, please go directly to the cafeteria and exit the building when lunch is finished. We are no longer allowing parents to go to recess with the class. We appreciate your cooperation in helping limit our classroom distractions.

Keep an eye out for our Bunker Hill Choir! Here are some performances you don't want to miss!

• Breakfast with Santa- December 9th 10:00 AM @ Bunker Hill Gymnasium
  
• Sounds of the Season- December 9th 7:00 PM @ Franklin Central High School
  
• Indy Fuel Game- January 5th 7:35 PM @ Indiana Farmers Coliseum
  

They will also be Caroling in exchange for canned goods that the choir will donate! Watch for us on December 18th or 19th (weather depending) in our local neighborhoods!

5th Grade Winter Program: We hope you can join us on Thursday, December 14th and watch our 5th grade students perform "I Need A Christmas Vacation!" The performance is at 7:00 PM in the Gym at Bunker Hill. There is no cost! It will be the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit!

Just a friendly reminder that the cafeteria does not take debit cards, and small bills are appreciated when eating lunch with your student .

Visit http://ftcsc.nutrislice.com/menu/bunker-hill for a complete listing of our Fall 2017 menu items.

Please practice school lunch codes with your student at home. Students knowing their lunch codes and knowing how to enter them properly will speed up the lunch line and provide students with more time to eat.

For more information on student health, visit www.kidshealth.org.

**If you are interested in working for Star Express, please visit www.ftcsc.k12.in.us to apply

**Please contact the Star Express Registered Dietitians with any comments and/or questions. 862-2411

We’d love to hear from you!

Santa Shop

We are in need of volunteers for Santa Shop. Please sign up through this link:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aa8a72ba5fa7-santa1

Santa Shop will be open December 6, 7, and 8. Students will shop during their related arts time on one of these days. A schedule will come home with your student closer to the date with items available for purchase and prices.

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa will be Saturday, December 9 from 9:00 to 11:30 AM. Come enjoy free crafts, free cookies, and a visit with Santa. Pancakes will be available for purchase. The Santa Shop will be open.

We are still looking for volunteers for the event. Please sign up if you are able to volunteer for a shift! Thank you!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aa8a72ba5fa7-breakfast

Holiday Lunch

The PTO will be providing lunch for the staff December 19. We are looking for a few items to be donated for the luncheon.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aa8a72ba5fa7-holiday

Restaurant Fundraising Nights

We have a few fundraising nights at local restaurants coming up - take a break from making dinner and support the PTO!

• December 15 through December 21: Uno's - dine all day, all week!!!!
  

Entertainment Fundraising Nights

• Friday, December 1: Wheels of Wonder skating night - $2 admission, 5:30-7:30 PM
• Thursday, December 14: Sky Zone, 4-8 PM

Membership

Join the Bunker Hill PTO! Membership is free, and there are no commitments. For more information, contact Sara Thomas at 317-408-4591 or Sara.thomas1984@yahoo.com.

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/bunkerhillpto

http://bunkerhillpto.com/