Cooks Chronicle
November 2019
Principal's Chat
As we prepare to break for Thanksgiving, I can't help but express my thankfulness to be the principal of this amazing school. It is the awesome 400+ students, amazing teachers, thoughtful essential staff, and supportive parents who help Cooks run like a well oiled machine filled with love, kindness and positivity! I couldn't be more proud to share each day with this group of people. Thank you for sharing your kiddos with us!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Birthday Book Club and Media Center News
The Library Birthday Book Club is back up an running!
Each Birthday Book Club member will receive a Birthday Pencil and Bookmark as well as having their name displayed in the Media Center, and their name in the Cooks Chronicle online newsletter. There will also be special prizes awarded to the 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th members to join. And, each time another 25 books are added, all current Birthday Book Club members will be entered into a random drawing to receive prizes as well!
Fill out the updated form attached and send it along with your donation (cash or check, made out to Cooks Corners PTO) to the attention of Mrs. Webb in the Media Center. Your child may then select a book from our special Birthday Book Selections which (after processing) will be checked out to them and delivered to the classroom. Forms are also available in the Office and in the Media Center.
Robotics Club - Tournament Voluneteers Needed
Calling all volunteers! We need your help to host a great robotics tournament on Saturday, December 7th. If you have high school aged students, they are also welcome to volunteer. Students make great refs! If you or your high school student are able to volunteer please sign up via signup genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4aaaad2ba5f58-saturday1
Purchase a Mermaid Straw to help support our Viking Pups!
Ordering Options
Make checks payable to Vale Park Animal Hospital.
Weather Attire
Now that winter has arrived, please be aware of the following guidelines for proper weather attire.
50-60 degrees: sleeves, long pants
40-50 degrees: jackets, long pants
30-40 degrees: heavy winter jacket, long pants, hat & gloves
20-30 degrees: heavy winter jacket, long pants, hat & gloves, boots*
20 degrees & below: heavy winter jacket, long pants, hat & gloves, boots*
*Snow play: snow pants and boots are required if a student wants to walk and/or play in the snow. Without boots or snow pants, students will be allowed to go outside, but will only be allowed on the blacktop during recess.
Each grade goes outside for recess every day, unless the temperature or wind-chill is below zero. Please remember to make sure that your child remembers to dress according to these guidelines. Not having the proper attire will result in a loss of recess.
If you are in need of clothing or shoes for your child, please contact our social worker and she would be happy to help accommodate your needs.
Teaxtbook Rental
Textbook statements have been sent home and are now due. You are able to make payments online through your Skyward account, or by sending payment with your child in an envelope labeled "tuition" with your child's name. Payments can be made with cash or check made payable to Cooks Corners Elementary.
Planned Absence Policy & Attendance
Attendance at school is important! We understand there will be times that your child needs to miss school, but we would appreciate if you tried to keep that at a minimum.
DISMISSAL CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE PRIOR TO 11AM.
Happy Birthday
When it is your child's birthday, be sure and ask them what they got to do in the office that morning because it was their birthday.
11/01: Isaac Martinez, Adrian Romero, Anthony Witherspoon
11/02: Micah Courtney, Milo Glickauf, Addyson Krolik, Nathan Krolik
11/04: Landen Snoreck
11/07: Maeve Mirochna
11/08: Chaycen French & Mrs. Maddack
11/09: Alaina Wlodarski
11/11: Andrew Fanelli, Hayden Jenczalik, Carson Kinsey
11/12: Kadyn Blomquist
11/14: Caitlin Burns
11/15: Christian Huerta Reyes, Leviticus Kuchta
11/16: Hakeem Jones
11/17: Karsyn Blomquist, Ethan Stokes-Lopez, Camden Worsham
11/18: Liam Baumeyer, Ethan Potts
11/19: Mrs. Gonzales & Miss Erler
11/20: Coe Krischke
11/21: Molly Carney
11/22: Maximus Coleman, James Komisarcik
11/23: Holly Koudelka
11/24: Maximus King, Zoe Rosas
11/25: Elliot Urschel
11/27 Caroline Burns
11/28 Audrey Donahue
11/29: Kloey Pisowicz, Laela Pisowicz
11/30: Emmalie Letta, Skylar Parker
12/01: Cameron Chapman, Chase Evans, Cory Parker
12/02: Nora Henson, Kalli Randell, Cameron Wilson & Miss Martin
12/04: Evan Bennett, Kori Martin
12/06: Justin Amaya
12/07: Zachary Bashman, Kyler Coffman
12/08: Colin O'Connor
12/09: Yuanshao Guo, Evelyn Puskar
12/10: Blake Parker
12/11: Gabriella Rossi
12/12: Benjamin Glass
12/13: Viviana Gonzalez
12/15: Jennifer Bernes
12/18: Cassidy Cain, Sarah Piech, Brekan Porter & Mrs.Kutkoski
12/20: Olive Danko
12/22: Katherin Norri
12/23: Kaitie Krause, Lilian Romero, Matthew Zelechoski & Mrs. Zoumas
12/24: Tyler Vo
12/26: Kaiden Krause, Logan Martin
12/30: Aiden Hein, Landen Moreno
PTO News
Thank you to everyone who was able to come to the November meeting!
Also, thank you to Raynelle Howlett, Kristin Ripley and Tiffanie Worsham for chairing the Book Fair, Fall Fest and Readathon events that were so successful this year! Also, thank you to all the volunteers who also worked so hard and came together to make these events so fun and special for our students and families!
Next Meeting
There is no December PTO meeting! Our next meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020.
Any questions, please email Nicole McGee at ptocookscorners@gmail.com!
December Holiday Parties
Holiday parties will be on Thursday, Dec. 19 (A half day of school) at various times depending on class schedule. Please reach out to your classroom teacher if you would like to help with the classroom party. They will direct you to the parent organizing the party.
Pictures and Yearbook
Have any good pictures of field trips, Fall Fest, Book Fair, lunch, or from the classroom? Please send them for consideration in our yearbook! Email them to: cookscornersyb@gmail.com.
Spirit Wear
The Spirit Wear order is in and the items have been sent home! If you need to contact us about your order, please do! Many thanks to Candice Natzke for a great job organizing and designing our Spirit Wear and online ordering this year! Everything looks fantastic!
Spell Bowl Team
Congratulations to our spell bowl team on placing 18th in the state!
Dads Club
The Dads club is planning a day out with the kids on 12/15 at Inmas for bowling and fun! If you would like to join the Dads Club email: raynellehowlett@yahoo.com
Save the Date
Save the date of Wednesday January 15th for a school wide “Skate Night” at Urschel Pavilion. We received a spot through the Valpo Parks Department Give Back program. Come have some fun and join other Cooks families and friend for an evening of fun and skating. More details to follow.
Box Tops Reminder
It's esay to earn! No more clipping (but, you still are welcome toclip if this is your preferred method)!
This year Box Tops For Education has changed their program and gone electronic! Many companies have gone electronic. The electronic process is as simple as Buy, Scan and Earn! A link to download that app to start scanning along with additional information on how you can help Cook's Corners EARN by just scanning your shopping receipt can be found here:
https://www.boxtops4education.com/How%20To%20Earn
If we meet or exceed our $1000.00 goal for the year, our children will be able to vote on one of 2 rewards that will take place at the end of the school year:
1. Movie night in the gym
2. After school dance
Please see the attached flyer below for additional information on these updates to the program and our exciting incentive for the kids to keep clipping and start scanning!
This Is Our Story
Monday, Dec 9, 2019, 07:00 PM
Valparaiso High School
Upcoming Dates
Every Mon. (10/7-12/2 and 12/9-2/24): Chess Scholars - ends @ 4:20pm
Every Wed. @ 3:20pm: Drama Kids - ends @ 4:20pm
Every Wed. @ 7:45am: Choir
Every Fri. (10/11 - 12/6 and 12/13-2/21): Let's Build It – ends @ 4:20pm
Every Other Mon. @ 7:45am: Student Council
Every Other Fri. @ 7:45am: Art Club
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11/27-11/29: Thanksgiving Break - No School
12/07: Spell Bowl Competition at Cooks Corners
12/09: This is Our Story at VHS (choir and orchestra members participate)
12/19: End of second grading period
12/19 – Holiday Parties and ½ Day (Dismissal at 12pm – Lunch Served)
12/20-01/5: No School – Winter Holiday
01/06: School Resumes