Principally Speaking: December 2016

Mr. Higdon

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and was able to spend the extra time out of school with family and friends. Even though we have had a warmer than usual fall, it appears the cooler seasonal temperatures are right around the corner. The school’s lost and found box seems to have more clothing, jackets, and coats than normal, which is most likely the result of temperature changes over the course of the day. If you can, please write your child’s name on the inside tag of those clothing items, which will help us get the item back where it belongs. If you are missing an item, you are more than welcome to come search through the box of lost items, which is usually located in the cafeteria. Teachers throughout the building are in the process of submitting grant requests to our school’s PTO to purchase curriculum, technology, and learning materials. Just like last year, funds to support these grants were budgeted into the PTO and are a direct result from the success of our Boosterthon Fundraiser at the beginning of the school year. Members from our PTO Executive Board and our administration will examine these requests and after approval we will begin purchasing these items later this month or in January. During this time of giving thanks, words cannot express how appreciated and supported we feel with the ability to add curriculum and instructional materials to our classrooms that will support our students and their learning. This is especially evident in our current climate of shrinking budgets and financial constraints. Thank you for your continued support! As we move in the month of December and begin looking towards 2017, it is my hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season.

December is here and as they say, “time flies when you are having fun.” Students have been having fun learning so

many new things this year. Benchmark Literacy (our new reading and writing curriculum) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are being integrated into your child’s daily routine and they are thriving. The holidays are upon us and while they can be a joyous and wonderful time, there is no denying holiday stress can sometimes creep up on even the most calm and organized among us. School activities such as the third grade program, winter assessments, end of the semester projects, and holiday parties coupled with family and work events can add additional demands to our time, energy and attention. During this holiday season, please take some time for you and your children to just sit down and enjoy this time of year. Read a favorite book, share a cherished memory and make some new ones, make or bake some fun treats, and celebrate spending time together. Time does fly and these moments are precious. Enjoy the present of being present! Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season and a most joyous New Year.

Mrs. Bardrick’s

Bulletin Board

DEC 1 3rd GRADE PROGRAM 1:45 & 7:00 PM DEC 2 SPIRIT DAY, POPCORN & BOX TOP 3rd GRADE PROGRAM 9:00 AM DEC 8 MARCO’S PIZZA NIGHT

DEC 20 WINTER PARTIES 2:30 PM

DEC 21 ALL SCHOOL CAROLING 2:00 PM

END OF 2ND 9 WEEKS DEC 22-JAN 4 WINTER BREAK

JAN 5 SCHOOL RESUMES

COMING

EVENTS….

MEDIA CENTER NEWS

Counselor’s Corner ... Helping Children Succeed in School

As you think about giving gifts this season, remember

that there are some gifts only you can give. Unlike toys

that may break before the next month, these gifts will

last a lifetime.

The gift of time. The old saying is true. Children

really do spell love T-I-M-E. Give the gift of listening

to your child, reading with your child, helping your

child, and just hanging around your child.

The gift of understanding. Children aren’t perfect.

(Neither are parents.) If your child makes a mistake,

listen first.

The gift of confidence. When you believe in your

child, you help him believe in himself. When you tell

him that you know he can do it, he’ll never doubt that

he can. Years from now when he faces another

challenge, he’ll hear your words in the back of his mind.

The gift of enthusiasm. Whether you’re working on

a household project or going out to toss a ball, do it with

verve. Your excitement about the task will rub off on

your child. When he has to tackle a tough

project in school (or later in life), he’ll find the

energy to carry it through.

May you have a good

and safe winter break!

Mrs. Murray

Great Websites for Kids is a website put together by the Association for Library Service to Children and includes all free, educational websites for children that can be searched by topic.

It even includes a website of the day!

The website address is http://gws.ala.org/

We have made it to December! Our fall book fair was a great success! We

raised a lot of money for our library program.

Thank you for all of your support! More information to follow about our spring

book fair which will be held in March!

The Edmond Metropolitan Library will open back up on December 5th.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Bits & Bytes from Mrs. Butler...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS