Prairie Winds Elementary

790 King’s Deer Point East

Monument, CO 80132

Ph# (719) 559-0800

Hawk Tales

Newsletter

lewispalmer.org/pwes October 4, 2018

Calendar of Events

October

Oct. 3 K-Kids Mtg., 8AM Oct. 3 Kindie Field Trip - Starsmore Oct. 3 October Count Oct. 5 NO SCHOOL – Teacher Work Day Oct. 8 Harvest of Love Food Drive begins Oct. 12 Hearing & Vision Re-Screens Oct. 17 K-Kids Mtg., 8AM Oct. 17 BAAC Mtg., 9:15AM, Staff Lounge Oct. 17 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4-8PM Oct. 18 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 8AM-7:25PM

(NO SCHOOL for students) Oct. 19 NO SCHOOL Oct. 24 Fox 21 Pledge of Allegiance taping Oct. 25 Picture Re-take Day Oct. 26 Spirit Day – wear your favorite sports jersey Oct. 31 Delayed Start PLC Day Oct. 31 Fall Parties

Dear Prairie Winds Families, Here’s a funny story from September: We are required by law to conduct an Evacuation Drill once a month for every month that we are in school. Our district has asked that we conduct unplanned drills whenever possible to be better prepared for a real situation. After our September drill, one of our students described his emotions this way:

“That scared the FISHSTICKS out of me!”

In September I felt GRATITUDE for a lot of things…. ● For warm, sunny mornings all month, minus the last day of September ● For completion of all of the Beginning of the Year tasks, especially schedules ● For settling into a routine and finally experiencing stamina for a whole week of school ● For Picture Day (albeit interrupted!) when students came to school curled, straightened, and shiny ● For a bountiful first harvest of our school’s garden, which provided zucchini to many of us ● For a staff who jumped into action and helped to dismiss 370 students unexpectedly early (see above) ● For the continual thoughtfulness of families who found little and big ways to thank us for a good start to the year for their children Flipping my calendar to October signals the end of the “beginning of school.” Thinking of just how fast life flies by, in the words of a PWES student, scares the FISHSTICKS out of me.

Sincerely,

Aileen Finnegan

In this issue:

Run4Fun$ Update 2

Art & PE News 3

Music News 4

K-Kids 5

Book Fair 7

meet more of our New Staff . . . . !

Andrea Stiles . . . SPED paraprofessional. Andrea was born in Colorado Springs, but was raised in Austin, Texas. However, she and her young daughter have also lived all around Colorado before joining us at PWES. She received her BA in Communication Studies and is also a certified yoga instructor. When she is not working, Andrea enjoys yoga (teaching it, too!), rock climbing, climbing 14er’s, cross fit, running, cello, and snowboarding!

. . . . stay tuned for more staff introductions in next month’s newsletter!

Congratulations, Hawks, on another successful Run4Fund$ fundraiser!

As a school, we ran a total of 10,396 laps and raised $16,281 for our new library furniture!

Thank you for your hard work and support!

Class winners:

Most Laps: Mrs. Cole’s class

Best Spirit: Mrs. Jensen’s class & Mrs. Kimple’s class

Top Dollar Class: Mrs. Aston’s class (K-2) and Mrs. Saccuman’s class (3-6)

Top $ Grade: 3rd

Home Access Update for Typing Agent Google + is the new sign in for Typing Agent. When signing into your child’s Typing Agent from home please use Google +. Have your child sign into their Lewis Palmer Google account/email using their personal password. Once signed into Google go to https://lewispalmer.typingagent.com then select Google +. Typing Agent then prompts to authenticate the Lewis-Palmer email before signing in. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Thank you,

Paula Perconti

Welcome to a new year of ART! Each grade level has created its own sketchbook to be

used in learning the elements of art and principles of design. It will also be used for drawing practice and creating working memory of various skills. During the first couple weeks of school, students in all grade levels created monochromatic self-portraits, which are displayed in the hall as a school-wide collaborative project. Be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the building. In celebration of the book, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds, each grade level created its own version of a dot, inspired by the notion that we all can “make a mark and see where it takes us.” This project is also on display on the hallway walls as you head toward the west doors. Grade levels are currently working on a variety of compositions that implement elements of art including line, shape, and color, to start out the year. I’m so impressed with the high level of craftsmanship practiced by art students here at Prairie Winds!

Jen Rowedder, Art Teacher

We are up and running in P.E.! This year we will focus on four characters we want to see when it comes to good sportsmanship:

1. The Encourager 2. The Fun Player 3. The Helper 4. The Gracious Winner

We want all our Prairie Winds students to be safe and healthy! If your student has an injury or illness and cannot participate in PE, please send a note from home stating his/her restrictions. If the restrictions stretch longer than three days, a doctor’s note is requested. Sometimes a student may have an injury or illness but can still participate with modifications. A doctor’s note helps us know how to best help your child heal. Students are strongly encouraged to wear appropriate clothing to school on P.E. days. Tennis shoes allow children the optimum amount of participation and safety during gym class. Please, no sandals, high heels, Crocs or heavy snow boots. If you would like to help with Physical Education on an as-needed basis, please let me know. Occasional help is needed with labeling/cleaning equipment as well as assistance with various activities. Please call or email me if you are interested in knowing more about this. (757-1467, or, jrushing@lewispalmer.org) Here are some key events coming up this year:

Turkey Trot/ November 15th Field Day/May 21st

Thank you for supporting physical education as an important part of your child’s school day! It is a pleasure working with all the students here at Prairie Winds!

Jimel Rushing

Physical Education Teacher

A great big THANK YOU goes out to the

following parent volunteers who assisted with Picture Day:

Kathy Carlson, Raquel Huisman, Mandy Kajs and

Carrie Manny

Thank you for giving the gift of your time to ensure that this event ran smoothly. We

appreciate you!

Did you miss picture day?

Were you unhappy with your picture? Re-takes will be taken on this day, including all those that did not have the opportunity due to the unexpected

early dismissal last month!

Picture Re-Take Day is October 25, 2018, in the morning.

Music Notes During the first weeks of school, students spent time learning about the routines and procedures that are being used in the music room this year. We have talked about the qualities included in our “HAWKS” motto and how they appear during music. We have also spent a significant amount of time talking specifically about respectful choices, and how important this is. In addition, we have spent time learning about the following:

Mozart, his life, and his music. During this unit students learned about Mozart’s short life and the genius he demonstrated. We listened to examples of his work, including the beautiful slow movement of his clarinet concerto, the “Queen of the Night” aria from his opera, The Magic Flute, and excerpts from his first and last symphonies.

Review of previous concepts. We have briefly reviewed music terms and symbols in some classes, while other classes have reviewed games learned last year which help us continue to develop a sense of beat, an understanding of rhythm, and the use of our voices in different settings (outside, speaking, singing, whisper, etc.).

Jazz / Swing. During this unit, students have learned a brief history of the evolution of jazz in the early 1900s, some important jazz pioneers such as Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. Students have also learned how early performers paved the way for greats of the swing era, including Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.

At the end of each class, one student is chosen as the “Outstanding Musician” for that class period. This has proven to be a meaningful recognition for students who are working hard and making excellent choices during class. Please take a few moments to discuss this recognition with your student when he/she receives this honor.

Michael Norris Music Teacher

The next meeting is October 17th, at 8:00AM in

Mrs. Locke’s room in the Raccoon House

Congratulations to our newest K-Kids Officers:

President – Maren S. & Mason M. Vice-Pres – Callie G. & Amy H. Secretary – Robyn R. & Kenna D. Treasurer – Hannah W. & Anna H. Friday Announcers – Aaron W. & James W. Poster Chair – Gracelyn K. & Emma S.

Committee Leaders

Raina S., Sarah B., Jackson K., Reese G., Liana M.,

Lauren C., Ella C., Maddie K., Lily C., Sarah T., Sean E., Gabby M., Thatcher C.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It’s time for our annual Harvest of Love Food Drive!

October 8 – November 1

Holiday Basket Needs

gravy cranberry sauce fruit boxed potatoes

boxed stuffing boxed Jell-O boxed sugar cookie mix pie crust mix

canned yams canned pumpkin canned fruit pie filling macaroni & cheese

Snack Pack Needs (pre-packaged individual portions)

goldfish crackers chips cookies crackers

fruit roll-ups fruit cups pudding cups trail mix

raisins

Earn a visit from “Patches” again by bringing your food in!

All food and money stays in the Tri-Lakes area.

PWES Birthday Invitation Policy Invitations may be passed out at school

ONLY IF all students of the same gender are invited. If both boys and girls are being invited, invitations may be passed out at

school ONLY IF all students in the class are invited.

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and new students in 4th and 6th grades had their hearing and vision screened on September 14th. All students who were in attendance were screened. If your child was absent or did not pass any part of the screening, s/he will be re-screened on October 12th. If a concern is detected regarding your child’s vision, you will receive a letter recommending s/he see a vision specialist. If your student did not pass his/her hearing screening, s/he will be referred to our district audiologist for further evaluation. I would like to thank the District 38 Hearing & Vision Screening Team and our wonderful parent volunteers: Raquel Huisman, Kathy Carlson, and Pamela McJoynt for helping with our vision and hearing screenings and making these screening days a success!

Ann Colby, RN

Lewis-Palmer School Nurse Consultant

Visitors are Welcome at our School!

We are proud of our school! We encourage parents to visit the

building and to volunteer in their children’s classrooms, browse

through our library or just talk to the principal about ideas for

improving our school. We request out of respect for the learning

environment, that all unscheduled classroom visits be pre-arranged

with the principal, and that visitors check in at the office upon arrival.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Prairie Winds! Get ready to find some enchanting books to get your child’s

imagination soaring! All profits from our Fall Book Fair go directly to PWES, so enjoy your shopping experience, knowing

that you are giving the gift of reading.

The Fair will operate from November 5th

– 9th

during the following times:

Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday: 9:00 am – 6:15 pm Extended evening hours during our school event.

Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

A special preview sale will be held on November 2nd

from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm

We need volunteers to help make this fun event a success. We’ll distribute a sign-up link soon with a variety of times

slots; you can choose the day/time that works best for you.

Students will have an opportunity to visit the Book Fair with their class and may purchase at that time or fill out a Wish

List. Parents may send money or checks (payable to PWES PTO) with their child to school. (If you send cash or a check

with your child, please factor in tax. Our tax rate is 5.13%, so a $20 purchase will cost $21.03 or a $7.99 book will cost

$8.40, etc.) Students love to make their own selections and purchases.

Teachers and specialists will create Classroom Wish Lists to enrich their classroom libraries. Classroom Wish Lists will

be on display at the Book Fair and will be e-mailed to classroom parents via the Room Parent network. You may donate

these teacher-selected books to any teacher’s classroom in your child’s name.

Don’t forget to save your spare change for our donation opportunities! Our school “houses” will be competing in a

change collection contest, and we will have pencils and bookmarks available at the registers for small individual

contributions. All money collected will be used to purchase books for our children and their classroom libraries!

Scholastic will match those donations to provide books to non-profit organizations.

For the most up-to date information, visit our Fair homepage here. Can’t come to PWES? The Online Book Fair will be

available from October 26th – November 14

th via the Fair homepage. Thank you for supporting Prairie Winds Elementary

School!

© 2018 Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. 14835 F18 • 400000 Permission to reproduce this item is

granted by Scholastic Book Fairs®.