The Groundhog Gazette
Amity Elementary - Home of the Groundhogs
January 6, 2016
Have you joined Celly?
Kindergarten Registration
Groundhog Fitness
Congratulation to our Amity Hoop Shoot Champions:
Madison B.
Savannah C.,
Tyler S.
Jesse O-G.
200 Amity kids earned WAHOOZ Fit for Fun passes.
282 kids earned charms in the Red Nose Fun Run!
Don’t forget to hydrate in the winter!
Important Information for Sixth Grade Students
It is time to start thinking about 7th grade, and I am here to help! We will register for classes in February, and I am available to go over any questions regarding class choices. If you'd like to explore future possibilities for your student, I can work with you to create a six year plan.
Plan to attend West Junior High's Orientation Evening for Incoming 7th Grade Students. It will be held on Thursday, January 21st, 2016 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the West Junior High Gymnasium.
Matt Rutte
January
8: Cupcake Friday (Third Grade)
12: PTA Meeting at 4:00
15: Run Club
15: Early Release at 1:45 - End of First Semester
18: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
29: Amity Shirt Day
February
5: Cupcake Friday (Fourth Grade)
12: No School - District In-service Day15: No School - President's Day
19: Run Club
19: Bingo Night 6-8 p.m.
26: Amity Shirt Day
March
10: Kindergarten Registration 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
11: Cupcake Friday (5th Grade & Mrs. McSurdy's Class)
18: Amity Shirt Day
18: Run Club
18: Early Release at 1:45 - End of Third Quarter
21-25: No School - Spring Break
29 - April 1: Book Fair
Simple Reading Strategies for Beginning Readers
✪ Invite your child to read with you every day. ✪ When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help the child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word he or she says is the word he or she sees. ✪ Read a child's favorite book over and over again. ✪ Read many stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat. Invite the child to join in on these parts. ✪ Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?” ✪ Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the story. ✪ Read from a variety of children's books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and informational books.
U.S. Department of Education
PTA News
Join us on Friday, February 19th, for our annual Family Bingo Night from 6-8 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.; come early to get the best seat, buy your Bingo cards and order nachos.
As in the past, we will hold our Silent Basket Auction during the event. Themed baskets will be available for bidding. We'd like to have a large variety of fun baskets to auction off; however, we need your help! The baskets are put together with your donations.
There are three ways to donate:
1. Each grade level has been assigned a theme (listed below). Purchase an item(s) for any of the themes.
2. We will accept gift certificates from any family friendly location. These make great additions to the baskets.
3. Don't have time to shop? Send in a monetary donation, and we'll do the shopping for you. (Checks can be made out to Amity PTA).
Kindergarten - My Mom Rocks!
First Grade - Do It Yourself (crafts for kids or adults)
Second Grade - Family Game Night
Third Grade - Reading is Fun
Fourth Grade - College Spirit
Fifth Grade - Super Dad!
Sixth Grade - Great Outdoors
We are also looking for donations of new, small items that can be used as prizes. We gave out over 400 prizes last year; donations help alleviate this expense.
A parent or guardian must stay onsite during the event.
Thank you for your donations. We depend on Bingo Night as one of our two main fundraisers; all proceeds benefit your child's classroom. We hope to see you there!
All parents are invited to attend the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, January 12th at 4:00 p.m. Free childcare is provided.
Amity Boys' Basketball
Amity Just For Kids
Just For Kids is an on site, before and after school program for children ages 4-12. For more information check out our page at www.boiseschools.org. or call us at 854-6720.
Amity Just For Kids
854-4222
fax 854-4223
Open Enrollment Reminder
Please be aware that the Boise School District has closed all NEW open enrollment at both Amity and West Junior High.
Community Resources for Families Program
Did you know we have a special program at Amity called the COMMUNITY RESOURCES for FAMILIES PROGRAM? This program is designed to assist elementary children and their families with emergency needs and is dedicated to helping children do their best in school. This often requires strengthening family stability with community resources.
Our Community Resource Worker joins with the family to develop a plan to help. The plan can include supportive community services, such as short-term counseling or budgeting; community referrals such as information about free medical care, food banks, clothing and energy assistance; and/or financial assistance if the family qualifies.
If you would like more information about this program, please call Andrea Geraghty, our Community Resource Worker, at 472-3074.
Amity Elementary School
Email: tim.lowe@boiseschools.org
Website: https://amity.boiseschools.org/
Location: 10,000 W Amity Rd Boise, ID 83709
Phone: (208) 854-4220
Twitter: @AmitElem