Kellison Connection
Week of February 22nd, 2016
Week of February 15th
- Dickens at Elem Principals' Mtg 8:30-12
Tuesday, February 23rd
- Kellison Night at Culver's
- Fifth Graders visit the STEM Bus
- Friends of Fenton Planning Meeting 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24th
- Office Meeting 8:45 a.m.
- Jr. Falcons Football Coach at 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade lunches
- Teacher of the Year Reception 3:30 p.m. - Library
Thursday, February 25th
- STEM Day
- Dickens, Kulifay, Muntean at RTI Working Committee 8-11:00 a.m.
- Glory of Missouri Committee Meeting 3:30 p.m.
- Kellison Night at Papa John's
Friday, February 26th
Saturday, February 27th
- Kellison Family Skating at Rollercade 4:30-6:30
A Look Forward - Week of February 29th
- Kellison Read-a-Thon Week
- Character Committee Meeting 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 1st
- Literacy Walks through Kellison with Stefanie Steffan 9:00-11:00
- Staff Development Committee Meeting 3:30 - Library
Wednesday, March 2nd
- "I Love to Read" Assembly - Keith Haddrill - 12:15 K-2; 1:30 3-5;
- Character Committee Meeting - Principles 1-3 - 3:30 p.m.
- Book Fair Previews & Library Inventory Begins
Thursday, March 3rd
- Teach Like a Champion - Chapter 5 Discussion 7:30 and 3:30 - Office
- Pie in the Face Assembly 2:00 p.m. - Gym
Friday, March 4th
- Hats on for Cancer - $1
- Muffins with Moms
- Birthday Friday - March Birthdays
- Wear Purple - Relay for Life Kellison Event 9:15-9:45 a.m.
- Earthquake Drill at 10:15 a.m.
- PSO Movie Night 6:00 - Home
Kellison Walk Throughs
Thank you to everyone for opening your classrooms to your colleagues for our school-level walk throughs. Fourth and Fifth grade teachers walked this week, and I think we all felt it was beneficial for us. We're excited to continue these learning walks this month. We will also plan to walk again in April.
Here is a schedule for our February walks:
2/23-3rd grade at 10:30, 2nd grade at 2:00;
2/24-1st grade at 1:00;
KDG-TBD
March RTI Meetings
3/8-2nd grade at 2:00
3/9-KDG at 12:00, 1st grade at 1:00
3/22-4th grade at 9:30
3/24-5th at 8:30, 3rd at 10:30
Placement Day
8:30-First Grade
9:45-Kindergarten
11:00-Fourth Grade
12:15-Second Grade
1:30-Third Grade
If additional time is needed, we will make alternative arrangements to continue our work.
Prior to this date, placement letters will be sent to our parents. They will have from 4/1-4/15 to return these to us. In addition, our special education team will meet on April 21st to consider placements for our students with special needs. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Fabulous February
- Warm-Up Wednesday - You are welcome to wear your jeans and Kellison spirit wear!
- Friday Snack Cart
- Pet Photo Contest - On Monday, pictures of our beloved pets will be e-mailed to you. Match the pet with the correct owner for a prize on Friday! I will take pet photos through the end of the day today (2/19).
Relay for Life
Relay for Life is fast approaching! We are working on some fun fundraisers to help Kellison hit the $1,000 goal. Please consider signing up on the Kellison Tiger Team so we can pack the track on Saturday, April 23 at Summit High School!! Registration is free and fast.
Once signed up, you may create your own fundraising page and you may do as much personal fundraising on your own as you like - through friends & family, to help our team hit our $1K goal!
Join the Kellison Tiger Relay for Life team here:
http://tinyurl.com/jgs4crb
Relay for Life Dress Down Tickets are on sale now. Please see Nurse Eli if you'd like to participate. You can also make a donation directly to the team's website and then stop by Eli's office for your stickers. We will be selling 10 dress casual days for $20, or 5 days for $10.
Let's Whip Cancer in the Face continues next week. Students may purchase tickets for $1 each or 6 for $5 and place them into the buckets, which will be located in the front office. We will give each grade level teacher a string of tickets and students may purchase directly from you. You are welcome to send students whenever it is convenient to place their tickets in the buckets. Monica will come around to collect the money from you each day.
Teacher of the Year Nominees
Mrs. Brady, Mrs. Rhodes, Ms. Otto, Mrs. Kulifay, Mrs. Blinkinsop, Mrs. Jackman, and Mrs. Feilner. Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize one of your colleagues.
On Wednesday at 2:40, please bring your class to the hallway and line up along the wall to cheer for our Teacher of the Year (optional). Our Teacher of the Year will be surprised in their classroom just before this time, and then we will bring the teacher around Kellison as we cheer for them and their accomplishment!
Staff Sparklight - Mrs. Blinkinsop
This week, we are excited to feature one of our fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Lindsay Blinkinsop. Mrs. Blinkinsop grew up in Moline, Illinois before she attended Truman State and then moved to St. Louis.
Here's some more information about her:
How long have you been at Kellison?
This is my sixth year at Kellison teaching 5th grade. Prior to Kellison, I was at Pond and taught 4th grade. I love, love, love the Kellison community and feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such an awesome school!
Tell us about your family.
My husband Eric and I met while attending Truman State. He works in litigation document services for Ricoh. He is my constant comic relief. So glad we are doing life together! We have been married 10 years and have three awesome kiddos. Landon, our oldest (6), is our sports fanatic. He has a great sense of humor and is my "buddy". Our twins, Gavin and Cecelia, just celebrated their 5th birthday this week. Gavin is our comedian and social butterfly. I also attribute ALL my gray hairs to that sweet, impish face. CeCe is our even-keeled child. She is an old soul and has such a tender heart. Being their mama is the most satisfying and rewarding job and I thank my lucky stars that they were brought into our lives.
What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be Jane Goodall right up until I went to college. When I applied to colleges I discovered there were surprisingly few schools that offered a degree in "working with chimps". It is still a dream of mine, but I may have to settle for watching them at the zoo.
What are you most proud of?
My children! Parenting is handwork and I must confess I went in to it overconfident. I thought that since I had been meeting the needs of 25 school kiddos for years that having one (or three) of my own would be a piece of cake. I can not tell you the number of times I've had to remind myself that the advice and council I've given to parents over the years applies to me as a parent too. Despite the times of self doubt and questioning whether we are doing the whole "parenting thing" right, I am proud of our three awesome kids. They are amazing little beings and I can not wait to see where life takes them.
What makes you happy?
I am happy that I chose a career in teaching. Outside of education, I feel like there are very few people who can say they truly love what they do every day. Even on the most exhausting days, I walk away with a sense of satisfaction that I am exactly where I need to be. Every day that you enter the classroom is a new opportunity to make a difference in a child's life and to help set that foundation for life long learners. That is some pretty exciting stuff!
What's your favorite thing to do?
I love being with my family and friends. Aside from that, I am an avid reader. My family often jokes that if my house is a mess and there is no clean laundry it's because I've found a new book to bury my nose in.
What's your spark?
People and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee!
Happy Birthday
February
25-Annette Ruby
26-Amanda Boyle
26-Mike Kaiser
28-Eli Brueggemann
28-Kim Schlueter
March
3-Dawn Cross, Mandy Johnson
5-Dave Baer
6-Kathleen Kidwell
22-Sue Baumgartner
23-Lisa Vowell
26-Amy Wiedemann
27-Megan Jackman