Clarks Creek Chronicles
August, 2017 - News and Notes to Keep You Connected
A Note From the Principal
We have had an outstanding beginning to the school year! Thank you all for helping us begin our year so smoothly - from you, as parents, to our outstanding staff, bus drivers, and everyone else who has played a role, THANK YOU! We had many parent volunteers from our PTO helping our youngest students beginning on day one, and we all commented on how quickly all of our students were in their new classrooms on that very first day. This was thanks, in large part, to their help!
I'd like to extend a special welcome to all of our new students and their families. We also have several new staff members on board, as well. We welcome five new classroom teachers at Clarks Creek - Mrs. Imburgia in grade 2, Miss Livingston in grade 4, Mr. Letman in grade 5, Miss Holstad in grade 5, and Mr. Lease in physical education. Little Quakers Academy also added two new teachers; welcome to Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Prather! Welcome to everyone who is calling Clarks Creek your new "school home" this year!
As we go throughout the year, you will receive updates from your child's teacher frequently. In addition, this monthly newsletter will arrive in your inbox. Separate emails with specific information will also be sent, as needed. We strive to communicate the information that we know you'll need. You can also watch the news updates on our website or on Facebook and Twitter. As always, feel free to contact your child's teacher or the main office if there is other information that you need from us.
We are ready for another amazing year of learning and growing for all of our students!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Donovan
In Case You Missed It... Eclipse Info - Repeat of Emailed Info from Friday
The historic eclipse that will take place on Monday has generated a lot of excitement, and also some trepidation. I wanted to let you know exactly what our plan for Monday is in order to ensure that students understand what is happening during the eclipse and experience the wonder of this natural phenomenon, but also how we plan to keep them safe from potential dangers associated with the event.
- Each classroom will engage in discussion/lessons about the eclipse. Teachers have been working on plans to make this a fun and educational day for everyone!
- No one will be allowed outside for school activities after noon. Some classrooms will be having outdoor recess prior to that time, but no one will be outside after 12:00 p.m., which gives us plenty of time before the eclipse begins.
- To ensure the eclipse is over prior to releasing students, we will begin dismissal at 3:50 for car riders, walkers, and bus riders. This is five minutes later than our usual schedule.
- Classrooms will show the live stream of the eclipse, with particular attention being given at the maximum exposure time, at 2:24. Before and after that, teachers may carry on with other planned activities and continue showing the eclipse.
- Since we will not be outdoors during the eclipse, we will have a human “indoor eclipse” instead! Please encourage your student to dress in as much yellow and/or black as possible, and even wear sunglasses* on Monday in honor of this special event!
- Parents of afternoon LQA students will be getting an email from Mrs. Scott with additional information.
*Sunglasses will be for indoor or recess use only. No students will go outside during the eclipse.
ISTEP Scores - Coming Your Way Friday!
A Note on Attendance from the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Perry
Some of the things that you can do to help support attendance are:
- Schedule all doctor’s appointments outside of the school day, if at all possible.
- Share with your child how important it is to be at school all day, every day.
- Make sure to communicate absences in advance, if possible, so the classroom teacher can ensure that your child still has opportunities to learn skills that he/she will miss when they are absent.
- Help make sure that your child arrives at school on time each day. The doors open at 8:30 and students need to be seated in their classroom each morning by 8:50 or they are counted tardy.
Working with your child/children each day is a pleasure. We want to make the most of each and every minute we have with your child.
PRIDE - EXPECTATIONS
Students and teachers have been working daily on showing PRIDE. We had our first PRIDE credit drawing last Friday and are so excited about the number of credits that have already been given out to students who are meeting Clarks Creek's expectations! If you have not already asked your child about PRIDE credits, please take the time to ask him/her.
We are very close to earning our next school-wide credit award because of the hard work of our students last year, in addition to that of the students thus far in these first few weeks. We look forward to a special event - coming soon!
You can reinforce these safety procedures with your child at home!
Visiting School? More Info About "Safe Visitor"
Pre-register here: https://secure.safevisitorsolutions.com/Safe/Visitor/plainfield2807
- 8/21 Eclipse Day - Black, yellow, and sunglasses dress-up day
- 8/22 PTO Meeting 6:30pm- library (enter door 3)
- 8/25 ISTEP Reports Go Home
- 9/7 Trash Bag Fundraiser Kick-off
- 9/12 LQA Student Pictures
- 9/12 PTO Meeting 6:30pm- library (enter door 3)
- 9/13 Student Pictures - Clarks Creek and LQA
- 9/21 Trash Bag Orders Due
- 9/26 Parent Night - Body Safety Preview - 6:30pm @ Central Elementary
Volunteer at Clarks Creek!
Another thing we ask all volunteers to complete annually is the Volunteer Confidentiality Form. This form is available in the school office and should also be completed before the first volunteer experience.
We appreciate the help of all of our volunteers! We couldn't do it without you!
LATE BELL
School BEGINS at 8:50. This means that students must be in the building, have emptied their backpacks, and be seated at their desks by this time. If you bring your child to school by car, plan on arriving by 8:40 to allow your child plenty of time to accomplish all of this.
School Lunch Information
- Click Menu in the top right
- Click "Parent Info" on the bottom left
- Scroll down to "Food Services"
From there, you'll be able to click on the various menus.
Visiting for Lunch
Also, be aware that we will only allow those visitors who appear as parents/guardians or emergency contacts in PowerSchool to visit for lunch. If you have a special friend or family member who is not already in our system who wants to come for lunch, please notify your child's teacher and Miss Conley at the front desk ahead of time that you are allowing this person to visit your child for lunch. All visitors must be processed through the Safe Visitor system before going down for lunch.
A Note from the Nurse
A Note from the Home School Advisor
They will continue to work on additional skills through the end of September, including: listening/following rules, sportsmanship/friendship, tattling, respect for others, and empathy. We hope this builds on what you have already worked on at home and gives all of our youngest CC Quakers a good foundation for developing friendships and being "good citizens" throughout their lives.
DRESS CODE REMINDERS
PTO Info
Restaurant Night
We hope to see you at Frigid Frog on August 30 from 3-8 pm.
Upcoming Meeting
The first PTO meeting of the year will be on Monday 8/21 @ 6:30 in the library. Please enter through door 2 and walk down the hall to the right to the library.
Nightmare on Elm Drive
The planning meeting for our annual Halloween event will be happening soon. Email clarkscreekpto@gmail.com if you'd like to help organize the event. We'd love to have your help!
Spirit Wear
Be on the lookout for Info on spirit wear coming home soon in folder. We have a new easy online ordering system this year that we are excited to roll out to you.