december 20th, 2014 piper elementary school k-3rd...
TRANSCRIPT
News From The Principal….. “Building the Future One Child at a Time.”
Bilee Jo Grable Principal
December 20th, 2014 Volume 5 Piper Elementary
School K-3rd Grade
Dear Piper Elementary Parents & Guardians,
As this year comes to a close, I can’t help but look back at all the wonderful accomplishments at Piper Elementary for 2014. I feel fortunate to be a part of
a community that works together as a family to provide enrichment and support to all of our children.
As we review the closing of this semester and turn the page to a new semester, we can see
that our efforts have been extremely productive! I commend our staff and parents for doing an OUTSTANDING JOB in providing all of our children with much love in the way of
academic support, encouragement and love. Even though we have goals to continue to accomplish, I look forward to our continued partnership in making Piper Elementary a place where ALL children meet with success.
This is the time of year for reflection, rejoicing and rededication. A quote from Nelson Mandela says it well: “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.”
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with happiness, lots of love and good health! See you next year!
Mrs. Grable
12/4/14 Santa’s Secret Shop 5-8pm at Piper Elementary ~ Sponsored by PTA
12/5/14 Buy your Piper Spirit Wear at Piper High School for the 1st home basketball game!
12/6/14 Piper Craft Fair ~ Breakfast & Photo with Santa ~ Santa’s Secret Shop at
Piper High School
12/18/14 Half-Day ~ Dismissal at 11:30 ~ 2nd & 3rd Grade Winter Parties
12/19/14 Half-Day ~ Dismissal at 11:30 ~ K & 1st Grade Winter Parties
12/22-1/5/15 NO SCHOOL ~Winter Break
1/6/15 CLASSES RESUME!
December December December
Upcoming Dates:Upcoming Dates:Upcoming Dates:
School Hours are 8:35-3:40 Students may enter the building @ 8:20
Students need to be in their classrooms by 8:40
to avoid a tardy slip
Parents are asked to say their good-byes in the
front foyer. This is called our “hug & go” zone;
children will then proceed to their classroom.
If you have additional messages for your child’s
teacher, please use established common proce-
dures: email, notes, voicemail, or arrange a con-
ference. We want to optimize the learning en-
vironment and maximize safety.
Students arriving after 9:15 will be counted as
1/2 day absent. Students leaving before 3pm
will be counted as 1/2 day absent.
All transportation changes MUST be made by
3:00p.m. on the day of the change is requested
to ensure that the teacher is notified in time &
your child arrives home safely. If you send an
email please make sure to send to both secretar-
ies.
If your child has an appointment of any kind that
causes him/her to arrive late or leave early from
school, please sign them in and out through the
office. Staff members may not release a child un-
less they have been notified by the office staff.
Please call or email and let the office know if your
child is absent or will be late coming to school.
Our office will call and verify that your child is
safely at home if we have not received notification
from you. The office number: 721-1243.
Secretaries:
Leta Dehner ~ [email protected]
Shelia Callaghan ~ [email protected]
Food Service:
Kathy Bullis (913) 721-9219
Transportation:
Kathy German (913) 721-9019
2014-2015
New Tardy Policy:
5 Tardies = 1 unexcused absence Tardy warning bell rings at 8:35 am
Tardy bell at 8:40 am
Important Information from the front office….
Piper is Paperless Please visit www.piperschools.com and click on the “Our School’s” drop down menu to visit
the Elementary School’s website. There you will find newsletters, building calendar, Parent/
Student handbook along with more useful information.
Winter Holiday Parties Schedule
Date Time Grade Level
12/18/14 9:45~10:00 2nd & 3rd Grade Sing~Along in the gym
Parents Set Up for Parties
10:00~11:00 2nd & 3rd Grade Winter Parties
12/19/14 9:45~10:00 K & 1st Grade Sing~Along in the gym
Parents Set Up for Parties
10:00~11:00 K & 1st Grade Winter Parties
Parents please enter through the cafeteria doors to sign-in for winter parties.
School Rules
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Safe
Be a Problem
Solver
Be Your Best!
News from the counselor December:
This month we'll be talking about Caring.
Caring is:
I am considerate of others' feelings.
I assist those who need help.
I show kindness and respect for others and myself.
Additional Security at PES: Piper Elementary School has activated another layer of
security to the systems already in place. The new visitor system, “Raptor”, is designed
to help with visitors coming to the building. Once implemented, visitors will need to
produce their valid driver‟s license or valid photo ID. They will swipe their ID through a
machine similar to a credit card machine. Raptor instantly screens out registered sex
offenders with children while managing custody issues, visitors, students, faculty and
volunteers.
Over 8,000 schools and facilities nationwide already rely on Raptor's web-based
technology to keep students safe. Many schools across the country have already
implemented the system, and now Piper Elementary School can be added to that
list!
As a result, all visitors/parents will need to make sure and have a photo id with
them if their visit to the school involves leaving the front office during school hours.
i.e.: visiting the counselor’s office, the lunch room, meeting with teachers, etc.
Thank you for helping to continue to keep our kids safe!
Piper Elementary Pep Club
Piper Elementary Pep Club is brand new this year and we are so
excited! We already have 178 members and it is not too late to
join the fun! The elementary Pep Club is here to enhance pirate
pride by engaging the student body in Purple Piper Pirate
Friday's, youth sports, youth homecoming, school and
community events.
Upcoming events for Pep Club:
January - We will hold a pep assembly to kick off youth
basketball and spirit week
April - We will hold a pep assembly to kick off testing week and
provide special treats on testing days
Contact information: [email protected] or
Piper Elementary Pep Club on Facebook
Thank you so much for your support!
Lori Robinson
Lots and lots of fun things coming up in December that you will NOT want to miss!!! On Thursday, December 4, 2014, Santa's Secret Shoppe will be set up in the lunchroom from 5:00-8:00pm so bring your kids up to shop for those special people in their lives! We will have wrapping available and help for your little ones so you can sit back and relax and they can shop for grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and even YOU! The prices for the items are very reasonable and we will accept cash or check! If you can't make it to the school on December 4th don't worry - there's still a chance to let your kids shop on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at the high school from 8:00-11:00am during Breakfast with Santa at the Piper Craft Fair! We will have Piper Mom and professional photographer Kelly Chamberlain there to take pictures of your little ones with the Jolly Ol' Guy himself!!! Proceeds from pictures with Santa and Santa's Secret Shoppe will go towards helping a Piper family in need have a WONDERFUL Christmas!! Are you looking for some new purple duds for your kids to wear on Friday's? You're in luck! We will have Spirit Wear for sale on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the first home basketball game at the high school! Come get your gear and stay and support our Pirates as they take on Shawnee Mission East! If you would like to help with the Breakfast with Santa or Santa's Secret Shoppe please sign up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/70A044DAAA72E5-santas1/ ! Happy Holidays! Amy Higdon
HARVESTERS FOOD DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS!
Thank you to everyone who donated food items
for Harvesters this year! Piper Elementary collected
1,167 lbs. which will provide 973 meals!
As you can see by the picture, Piper Elementary
once again shows they have a heart for this need!
Way to show your giving spirit at
Piper Elementary!
Mrs. Haworth
Kindergarten through third grade students are studying the artist Wayne Thiebaud. “The Dessert Artist” uses shadows, thick paint (impasto!) and repeating shapes to create pies, cakes, ice cream cones and more. Kindergarteners created 3-dimensional lollipops and sponge painted thick and creamy ice cream cones. First graders are learning to draw and stack cylinders to create amazing cakes. Second and third grade students can draw triangular prisms. We will be transforming the triangular prisms into delicious slices of pie. Wayne Thiebaud is always a favorite in the art room! December’s Art Focus: texture, shape, geometric forms, repetition, variety, working with mixed media and making personal choices about their art. Our next projects will be inspired by the work of Austrian artist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. “Who doesn’t love an artist who intentionally wears socks that don’t match, designs houses filled with beautiful colors and curving
walls, and is obsessed with spirals?”-Josey M. Brouwer, art specialist
Congratulations to 2nd and 3rd grade on their fine performances during the month of November!
We had so much fun learning the songs and performing them for our parents and families!
We have been singing Thanksgiving songs and working on songs for the character assembly in
December. 3rd grade will start working on learning note names in preparation for playing the
recorder next year in 4th grade. Kindergarten is learning to identify the instruments by sight and
sound. They are also learning to differentiate between an orchestra and a band. First and second
grade are reviewing the instruments and talking about different styles of music.
We will be singing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and winter songs during the month of December
and learning a little about the customs of each holiday.
Ms. Crouse & Mrs. Telthorst
Elementary General Music
This month in Physical Education our students will participate in many different activities.
The second and third graders will learn how to correctly setup and participate in a game of
bowling. Students will be taught the proper technique of approaching the pins and how to
release the ball. Our Great Body Shop lesson will cover Community Health. In this lesson students
will learn about community laws, pollution, and recycling. The kindergarteners and first grades
will participate in modified games of bowling. These students will play games of bowling but with
a wide assortment of equipment. As we finish up the semester our students will participate in
holiday games and activities.
From Mrs. Neas and Mr. Newell we hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful holiday
season!
See you in 2015! Mrs. Neas and Mr. Newell
PE Fun Fact: Regular and adequate levels of activity are fundamental to energy balance and weight control.
ART
Technology- Preparing 21st Century Thinkers All grades will be focusing on math computation this month in technology classes. We will be doing this in interesting new ways that encourage play, collaboration, and visualiza-tion. Third graders will also be using a math program that they can access at home to get even more practice. I will be sending home that information before the winter break. Being fluent with math facts allows the brain to not get caught up in the basics so students’ can grasp new concepts quicker. Our Virtual Learning Cart (iPads) is making its rounds through the building. It stays in one classroom for the full day and is utilized during every subject, all day long. Students will use it to practice skills taught, explore concepts through hands on visualization, share input and collaborate during instruction, and make projects that encourage 21st century problem solv-ing. It is a neat new way to motivate learning in a hands on way.
Jessica Asbury Piper Elementary Technology
“A child does not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~Unknown Piper TechKNOWLEDGEy Website
December in the library!
Lots of fun reading will be going on. Kindergarteners will be
reading and comparing fiction with nonfiction books as
they continue to learn about the library.
First graders are excited to be checking out in the
“special” section of the library. Ask them what that means.
First graders recently spent time in the library “playing with
words”. We read the story My Daddy is a Doodlebug and
then made up some of our own words. We talked about
how Dr. Seuss often made up words for his books.
2nd and 3rd graders are learning about different types of
reference material. We are looking at both on line refer-
ences and hard copy.
Tumblebooks is an online website that has books that boys
and girls can listen to or read along with. This is a wonderful
way to work on fluency and word recognition over Winter
Break. You can access it through our districts web page
and then go to the library link on our buildings page.
*Water bottles and library books do not mix well together.
Please help keep our library books from getting ruined.*
Keep separate in back packs, have them fill here at school
and empty out before they leave, or hand carry them.
Thanks for all your help.
Have a wonderful break! ~ Linda Hosch
Lift Off to Literacy
By Mrs. Herman
Winter Break Literacy Ideas
Winter Break is a great time to spend with family and friends. We all need a little
down time, but don‟t forget to weave in some literacy activities throughout the break.
Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
1. Read for Pleasure – This is a great time of year for your child to pick out some
winter-time favorite books to read together. Encourage older children to read
aloud to younger siblings or family members.
2. Cooking Together – Invite your child to help you cook over the break. You
child can help read the directions and even learn new vocabulary words (i.e.,
sauté, dice, saffron) as you make your family‟s favorite dishes.
3. Write Thank You Notes and Letters – This is often the time of year where we give
and receive gifts. Have your child help you write thank you notes to teachers
and notes for gifts received.
4. Family Game Night – Use the additional family time over winter break playing
board games and card games. Ask your child to read game cards and directions.
Mrs. Herman
Literacy Coach
Hey Parents! Do you have a lot of junk mail and catalogues that you would
like to throw away???? If you do….
Turn that trash into cash for our school!! Please help us by
filling our recycling bin! It is the green bin
located on the west side of our parking lot.
We need ALL your: newspapers, magazines, catalogues,
mail, and office papers. Our school can earn money and we
can also help the environment.
Thanks for participating in our recycle program!
Important Information cont...
January Dates 1/6/15 CLASSES RUSUME
1/19/15 NO SCHOOL ~
Martin Luther King Day
Turn that Trash into Cash!!
Outside Meals & Lunch Schedule
We encourage parents to come and have
lunch with their children. We ask that
parents bringing outside food (from a
restaurant) bring it for your child only.
When only a select few from a class are
singled out,
feelings get hurt.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Kindergarten ~ 11:30-12:05
1st Grade ~ 12:30-1:00
2nd Grade ~ 11:00-11:35
3rd Grade ~ 12:00-12:35
Cell Phones & Valuables We ask that students do not bring cell
phones or other valuable items to school
with them. It is very distracting if a cell
phone is ringing in the middle of class…
The school district will not be
responsible if any valuable item is lost or
stolen from the school, or the bus.
Thank you for keeping all of these items
at home.
Piper Purple Fridays We have a long tradition of wearing
purple on Fridays. Whichever
classroom is wearing the most
purple on Friday is given special
recognition with a banner on their
classroom door!
Show your Piper Pride and let
your purple shine through!!!
School Bridge Before/After Care
The winter holiday season is fast approaching!
Parents,
There are two half days of school this month on Thursday, December 18th &
Friday, December 19th. If you are currently enrolled in School Bridge and
would like for your child to attend, you will need to sign up in advance ( as
soon as the sign up sheet is available), provide a lunch on that day and also
remember there is an additional fee of $10/child for each half day.
School Bridge staff would like to wish you a safe and wonderful holiday!
Luke Newell- AM Lead Teacher
Sherdine Daniels, School Bridge Director
The Winter is Upon Us!
School Cancellation Due to
Inclement Weather
Love them or not, „tis the season for pos-
sible snow days. Our districts #1 goal is
to consider safety of our students and
staff.
Mr. Conrad, our Superintendent, will
make a determination by 5:30am at the
very latest (depending on the timing of
the storm, a determination could be
made prior to 9pm)
Notification of a snow day will be made
via the automated phone notification
system, local news stations, as well as
the district website.
Important Phone Numbers
Office: (913) 721-1243
Fax: (913) 721-3656
District Office: (913) 721-2088
Kitchen: (913) 721-9219
Transportation: (913) 721-9019
December
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
2
3
Santa’s Secret Shop
5-8pm in the gym
4
Buy Your Piper Spirit
Wear at the Piper
High School
Basketball Game
5
USD 203 Board Mtg.
6:30 pm @ District
Office
9
9
10
11
12
15
16
17
2nd & 3rd Grade
Winter Parties
10:00-11:00
1/2 day dismissal
@ 11:30
18
K & 1st Grade
Winter Parties
10:00 to 11:00
1/2 day dismissal
@11:30
19
WINTER BREAK
22
WINTER BREAK
23
WINTER BREAK
24
CHRISTMAS
25
WINTER BREAK
26
WINTER BREAK
29
WINTER BREAK
30
WINTER BREAK
31
Classes Resume
On
January 6th, 2014!