Chimborazo Elementary Newsletter
December 2019
Principal's Message
Parents and Community Stakeholders,
November was an amazing month! I cannot think of a superlative that is strong enough to describe our Chimborazo Annual Thanksgiving. I do know, like everything at Chimborazo, we continue to reflect and refine what we do on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis and this event was evidence of a strong support system for our students and the need for more space. We were busting at the seems! I enjoyed seeing all our Chimborazo family together. Our parents, teachers, community businesses, churches, and students are just a few of the things I am thankful for in life. We have so much to celebrate at Chimborazo which was evidenced this past month as Mr. Fisher, our math specialist, was recognized as an R.E.B. Teacher of Excellence Award Winner that came with a $10, 300 dollar grant to enrich his teaching to take back into our classrooms! We have so many amazing and dedicated educators and it is great to see our staff recognized for their efforts.
Switching gears, this weekend is fantastic way to start the month of December as we will participate in the Dominion Christmas Day parade with some of our teachers and student leaders from our Safety Patrol, National Elementary Junior Honor Society, SCA, and ambassadors from Community of Caring. This is the second year in a row we have been accepted to participate as we showcase our student leaders and school across the capital city!
Please be sure to read the other impending events this abbreviated month for events and to check out our theme for " Holiday Spirit Week" below. In the month of December, we only have 15 instructional days, and we will work to make the most of them. We need to ensure we are not counting the days but making sure everyday counts. This is applicable at school and at home. Interims will come out before Winter break and you may see some changes to grades as the rigor and grade level demands begin to increase. For example, 2nd grade had their assessments read to them in reading in the first quarter and that is not longer an applicable practice. The first half of the first 9 weeks, to some extent, was spent establishing routines and expectations and taking diagnostic assessments to see where our children stand academically. If you find that there is a change in your child's academic standing, work with the teacher to see what you can do to support your child at home. Additionally, please follow their academic progress online on the parent portal. Devoting time at night to read to your child, having them read to you, working on mathematic material, and supporting with homework are all contributions that will enable our students to succeed. I thank you for this support. Teachers are working industriously to ensure our students are achieving mastery on each unit the students undergo and remediating accordingly. If students are achieving mastery in each unit of the multiple content areas, then those who take SOLs and PALS will achieve successful results. Our students who are not in a standardized testing grade will transition smoothly when they do reach 3rd grade. Third grade is the grade level when state-wide testing begins but preparation begins in Kindergarten!
We will continue our work in making Chimborazo Elementary a pillar of academic excellence that produces young men and women who have the academic aptitude and character to make a positive difference in our community and in our world. We will set the standard for other schools to emulate. Have an amazing holiday! Our Chimborazo Jaguars will be missed when they begin break on the afternoon of the 20th.
Respectfully,
Mr. Peck
R.E.B. Teacher of Excellence Award Winner
Mayor Stoney advocates healthy eating habits
Thanksgiving Dinner and Literacy Night
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December Events and Spirit Days
December 16th-20th
Holiday Spirit Week-
Monday, December 16th- Holiday head gear ( Wear you favorite holiday hat or antlers)
Tuesday, December 17th- (Tacky holiday sweater day)
Wednesday, December 18th- (Holiday socks Day)
Thursday, December 19th- (Festivus-Show your holiday spirit wearing holiday attire of your choice)
Friday, December 20th- (Pajama Day)
Wednesday, December 4th
5:15 pm PTA Meeting
Thursday, December 5th
3rd grade Blue Sky Field Trip
Saturday, December 7th
Dominion Christmas Parade
Wednesday, December 11th
6 pm Winter Concert
Monday, December 16th
Holiday Spirit Week Begins
VPI Field Trip to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Tuesday, December 17th
School-wide spelling Bee
4 pm Cookie Tin Pick-up
6 pm Family Paint Night
Friday, December 20th
Open High School/Chimborazo Winter Event
December 21st-January 5th
Winter Break (No School)
Get involved at Chimborazo through PTA!
We had a huge turnout at Thanksgiving and we encourage you to join the very dedicated group of parent volunteers we already have in our PTA! Please consider joining and supporting one of our many school events and initiatives in supporting the success our teachers and students at Chimborazo.
Be sure to join PTBoard to see PTA news and opportunities to get involved in your student's school!
https://chimborazo.ptboard.com/formvw?store=1244&form=3
Follow our PTA on Twitter @chimbopta !
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Attendance matters
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
Box Tops Online!
Box Tops is changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. We still have our mailbox in the entrance for those who have box tops that they have cut out.
Winter Holiday
One of the many things we can celebrate over the Winter holiday is the diversity and uniqueness of the celebrations and the traditions that are held close to our families. Regardless of what you celebrate during the holidays, I hope everyone has a wonderful break and the new year brings you happiness and success.
Respectfully,
Mr. Peck