Brentwood Bulletin
Friday, March 18, 2016
Brentwood Elementary Mission Statement
~Achievement~Actions~Attitudes~
“Here Comes The Bus” – Remember these words as the flurry of activity begins. Now there is a solution to knowing when the bus is really coming. Plainfield Community Schools has initiated a program called just that – “Here Comes the Bus.” This program allows you to know exactly when the bus will arrive. There are a few things you need to do to initiate this program for your family. Please refer to the information that you received through School Messenger earlier this week or use the information found just a little farther down in this newsletter.
ISTEP is coming – the next round of ISTEP+ testing begins April 18 through May 6, 2016. Teachers will be providing more specific dates and times for the different grade levels that will be testing. We will be limiting homework assignments during that time. We simply ask that you help us by making sure your children get a good night’s rest and that absences be limited to illness only. Part 2 of this year’s ISTEP will be the paper –pencil version. Students at Brentwood will not be using the online version for this year.
Excellence Convocation – We will have our third quarter Excellence convocation Thursday, March 24th at 2:30 p.m. We will provide a checkpoint in the lobby for parents to enter. Parents are invited to attend if your child is receiving an award.
Kindergarten Roundup – We will begin our 2016-17 registration for new kindergarten students on April 6th. The registration will be held at Clarks Creek Elementary School for all kindergarten-bound students. The times are 9am - 2pm on April 6 and 5-8 pm and 5 – 8 pm on April 7th. When you come to register, make sure you have an original birth certificate, up-to-date immunization records, two proofs of residency and any student records that you may have from another school. You can make the process quicker by completing the registration form that is available at all elementary schools and on the Plainfield website. Children are eligible for Kindergarten if they are five years old on or before August 1, 2016. Please feel free to contact our office at 839-4802 if you have any questions about the registration process. We want to help you make this process as easy as possible.
Don't forget our PTO Meeting this coming Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Sincerely,
Mr. Underwood
Here Comes the Bus!!!
March 17, 2016
We are happy to introduce a program known as Here Comes the Bus®.
Here Comes the Bus allows you to view the real-time location of your child’s school bus on a smartphone, tablet or computer. You will have the information you need to get your children to the bus stop at just the right time, reducing time spent outside in inclement weather and wondering, “did we miss the bus?”
Here Comes the Bus allows you to:
· See the location of your child’s bus both before and after school
· Confirm that your child’s bus has arrived at the bus stop and at school
· Receive a push notification* or email message when the bus is a certain distance from your stop
A few of our neighboring school corporations have begun using Here Comes the Bus over the past year or two, and many of you have asked that we do the same. After doing our research and due diligence, we think you will be pleased with this service. In fact, we’ve tested it over the last several weeks, thanks to some parents who participated in our learning process!
Indianapolis-based Synovia Solutions™, makers of the GPS-tracking technology that we began using earlier this year, developed Here Comes the Bus. With it, we’ve been able to improve safety and cost savings as they relate to our transportation services.
Available in three languages (English, Spanish and French), the Here Comes the Bus app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play for $18.50 a year, or $3.50 a month. The web version is a no-cost option.
To learn more about Here Comes the Bus, visit www.synoviasolutions.com/here-comes-the-bus.
Should you have any questions, please contact Dean Shepard via email (dshepard@plainfield.k12.in.us) or by phone at 317-838-3632.
*Push notifications only available on iPhone & Android devices.
Here Comes the Bus is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™, LLC.
©2015 Synovia Solutions, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Plainfield Walk-a-Thon 2016
In the spring of 2015, our community had the wonderful opportunity of having all four Plainfield Elementary Schools participate in a walkathon. It was a huge success, and raised over $58,000 in contributions from friends, families, and businesses in and around our community! In addition to the monetary success, the students and staff were able to get some exercise and thoroughly enjoyed the day. We are excited to be able to collaborate again and have the 2016 Plainfield Elementary Schools' Walkathon! The intent of the even is to promote health and wellness, while providing a fun activity for the students and raising funds for school enrichment programs, such as, field trips, school assemblies, class parties, and much more.
The walkathon will be on Friday, April 22nd from 9:00 a.m. until approximately noon. Due to locations of the schools, Brentwood and Clarks Creek students will walk together. Every child will be given FREE of charge, an event t-shirt to walk in and have as theirs to keep.
We will need your support. There will be numerous volunteer opportunities the day of the even and the week leading up to it. PLEASE NOTE IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER OR WALK WITH YOUR CHILD, YOU MUST HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK ON-FILE. BACKGROUND CHECKS TAKE APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS TO PROCESS. All volunteers will need to sign-up online using your school's Volunteer Spot: http://vols.pt/CWU2cG Website no later than Tuesday, April 12th.
This year's walkathon theme will once again be: "Be Sporty, Raise $40". Each student is asked to raise $40 in pledges in support of completing the one mile walkathon course. Pledges raised by each schools' students goes directly to their respective school. Walkathon collection packets will be sent home Tuesday, April 5th.
Our hope is that the students will be as excited about this event as we are. In an effort to encourage enthusiasm and community pride, we are issuing a challenge to the students. If each school achieves their student pledge goal (average of $10,000 per building), the principals from each school will compete in a friendly competition. The classroom at each school that raises the most pledges will attend the competition live. The competition will also be taped and aired fro the entire student body at a later date. As always, that you for your support of Plainfield Community School Corporation Elementary Schools!
A Note about Running Club & Nicer Weather
Parents,
Hopefully we are approaching warmer weather. If weather is appropriate we will be doing some outdoor running on the grounds of Brentwood during the Running Club. Some of our weeks we will be going across the street to Clarks Creek to use the track. This will be good for knowing the distance of our runs. Your child will be with at least one of our adults all the time. Please remind your child to bring/wear clothing for being outside. You will still pick your child up at 4:30, (Door #5) at Brentwood each Wednesday.
We are making some good progress! Please ask if you have questions.
Thank you,
Madalin Eakes and Kelly Edwards
PCSC Food Service Department is Hiring!
If interested please call the Food Services Office 838-3662 or
Apply online at WWW.Plainfield.k12.in.us under employment.
2016-2017 Kindergarten Parents!!!
March-at-a-Glance
Monday, March 21st
PTO Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23rd
1st Grade Field Trip
&
After-School Running Program
3:45-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 24th
Excellence Convo
2:45 p.m.
March 25th - April 4th
Spring Break
Law Enforcement Spotlight
This month our spotlight is on Officer Mike Minardo, a regular here in the Plainfield hallways. Officer Minardo has been a police officer in Plainfield for 3 years. He was an Automotive Mechanic before that. Officer Minardo has always wanted to be a Police Officer for as long as he can remember. "My Dad, Uncle, and several other family members were Police Officers, and it is a very honorable and respectful profession," he says.
Some of Officer Minardo's Favorites:
Color ~ Orange, Blue, and Black
Movie ~ The National Treasure movies & the Bourne series
TV Show ~ Criminal Minds
Book ~ anything True Crime
Music ~ older Country
Restaurant ~ Buffalo Wild Wings
Candy ~ "I'll pretty much each any candy if I'm in the mood for it"
Holiday ~ Halloween
Food ~ "I'll pretty much eat anything!"
When Officer Minardo isn't working (when is THAT?!) he enjoys running and hanging out with friends. He cites Washington D.C. during the 4th of July as one of the most interesting places he has visited. He also has enjoyed the southern states during his travels. Eventually he would like to travel to another country.
Famous Sightings
Officer Minardo has met multiple famous people! He has run into former Colts quarterback, Jim Harbaugh at the airport. R. Lee Ermey, the voice of the green army guy from Toy Story at a Car Show, and former Pacers players Reggie Miller and Rik Smits.
In closing, Officer Minardo says the following about working in the Plainfield schools, "I enjoy walking the halls and getting high fives and hugs from the students."
Thank you Officer Minardo for all your help at our schools, for keeping us safe, for letting our students read to you, for helping our teachers and being our friend!
Post Note: Some of our families might have seen this, but Officer Minardo was surprised at Brentwood earlier this month when radio personality, Kevin Freeman, showed up with camera crew to announce that Officer Minardo won tickets to the Ellen Show. You can watch the clip HERE.
PTO Board Positions Available for 2016-2017 School Year
If you are interested in finding out more information about upcoming vacant PTO Board positions please contact brentwoodpto@att.net or come to the next PTO meeting on March 21st for details.
5th Grade Parents: YOU Have a Meeting at the Middle School
Summer Reading Skills Program
Tuitions vary by program level and there is a family discount available.
Please refer to the flyer that went home or to their website for more information.
Little Quakers Academy Fall 2016 Enrollment
What: Little Quakers Academy Open Enrollment
When: Open Enrollment begins February 1st
Where: Clarks Creek Elementary - Door #1
How: Enrollment packets for full-day and half-day preschool can be downloaded from the PCSC website.
Registration:
(2) Half Day Application
(3) Half Day Application
Full Time Application
Preschool Brochure
Little Quakers Academy is a community preschool program available for families who reside in Guilford Township. We are committed to your child's academic, social, developmental, and physical growth. It is our goal to provide a variety of exciting and stimulating activities each day so that your child can progress toward self-respect, concern for others, and a natural desire to learn.
If you have questions, please contact Little Quakers Academy at 317-754-2375.
Youth Sports
Plainfield Optimist Soccer League
Registration NOW open!!! Be one of the first 150 to register and receive a free Plainfield Optimist drawstring gear bag.
Season Dates: April 4, 2016 – May 21, 2016
Academy Skills Program: Ages U4, U5 and U6
League Play: Ages U8, U10, U12, U14 and U19
Online Registration can be found at: http://www.plainfieldoptimistclub.com/soccer
Contact Jim Eckroth for more information: 317-268-4709
Plainfield Soccer Academy
Parents: Earn Money for Brentwood Just by Shopping!
Brentwood is Enrolled in Amazon Smile Program & Kroger Rewards!
1. Amazon Smile
- Shop at the Amazon Smile website (different link than regular amazon.com)
- Search for "Brentwood Elementary PTO" to designate us as your Non-Profit
- Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to us
1. Kroger Community Rewards Website
- NPO Number 74295
2. Shoparoo Website
- Sign up using code: cror5868
Please have your Kroger Card handy before starting enrollment! If you don't have a Kroger Card you can pick one up for free at the customer service desk.
Important Policy Information for Change to Transportation
PCSC Transportation Department wants all parents to know that IF you need to change bus transportation in any way they need written notice 24 hours in advance of the change. These changes could be because you have moved permanently, need your child to ride a different bus with a friend, or any other change. If the change will take place on Monday please notify Transportation at 838-3632 no later than the previous Friday at 2:30 p.m.
There are NO exceptions to this policy.
Brentwood on Social Media
Transportation Arrival & Dismissal Info
All car riders arriving in the morning should be dropped off in our car rider lane NOT in our Visitor Parking lot. This ensures they are not crossing over any traffic.
Late Arrivals:
If you child is being dropped off late an adult must come into the office and sign them in.
Student Arrivals (bus riders):
If your child rides the bus to school and will be eating breakfast in the cafeteria please talk to them about going straight to the cafeteria to get their breakfast. This will give them the most time to eat as healthy of a breakfast as possible.Dismissal Changes:
- If you need to change your child's dismissal instructions the best way to do this is to send a signed note to your child's teacher.
- If this is impossible please call the office NO LATER THAN 2:30 p.m. to ensure the dismissal change gets to your child's teacher in a timely matter.
Transportation:
If you are permanently changing how your child goes home or if you move please notify our office at 317-839-4802, as well as Transportation at 317-838-3632, and submit a new Transportation Form to the office.
Email: rclark@plainfield.k12.in.us
Phone: 317-839-4802
Volunteer News & Information:
- Volunteer Background Agreement
- Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement (ask at front office the first time you come in to volunteer)
- Read & understand our Emergency Procedures Handout (ask for your copy at the front office)
- Read & understand our "Facts about Bullying" handout (ask for your copy at the front office)
Some guidelines to follow when volunteering at Brentwood (please refer to our handbook for more):
- You may only take photos of your own child. Photos may not be taken of friends or other students and should NEVER be posted on social media sources without the consent of the classroom teacher and the other parents.
- You should avoid taking or making phone calls while supervising students unless for an emergency or communication is needed on a field trip.
- You should not bring other children along on a field trip.
- You must immediately report incidents or suspected incidents of bullying, physical, and/or verbal aggression to a teacher.
"Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer." ~Author Unknown