Eglin Elementary ChronicleMr. Dennis Samac, Principal

Visit our website: www.okaloosaschools.com/eglinQuestions? Call 833-4320

EGLIN ELEMENTARY VISION STATEMENT:Eglin Elementary School will be a community of learners where everyone is responsible and committed to preparing our students for tomorrow’s challenges.

Hello from First Grade, First grade students have been actively learning, growing, and developing the skills needed to be successful! We are excited about the learning opportunities that the second semester of the year will bring and transform our classrooms into learning laboratories filled with engaging learning experiences! In English Language Arts, our teachers have provided students with challenging and complex texts to enhance fluency, academic vocabulary, and comprehension skills. First graders have also been developing close-reading skills, through the use of high-quality literature and focused instruction. Through close- reads, we have been examining the meaning of words, analyzing text, and completing meaningful performance tasks. In addition, students will continue to work on foundational skills, such as phonics, phonemic awareness, and correct grammar usage. During Writer’s Workshop, students have been exploring their creativity through various writing assignments which includes narrative and informational essays. Students have engaged in interactive writing lessons and have learned about effective writing traits. To celebrate our love for reading, students participated in our first grade’s 5th annual Read-A-Thon fundraiser! First graders circulated through 6 first grade classrooms and participated in fun and exciting literacy activities. The activities included, flashlight reading, sight-word bingo, making books, and much more! In Math, students have been developing an understanding of whole group numbers with an emphasis on extending a counting sequence and understanding place values. During the upcoming months, students will focus on comparing numbers and two-digit addition and subtraction. Students have been modeling “talk moves” which include wait time (allowing students adequate time to think about the problem), restating (repeating what was said in their own words), re-voicing (the ability to articulate what others stated), prompting (adding information onto an existing problem or solution), and applying reasoning (students justify their reasoning). Our little mathematicians give their very best every day! In Science, we have been exploring the world around us using our inquiry skills. During the first semester of school, students studied how scientists work, objects in the sky, Earth’s resources, and most recently matter. Our science experiments have included, observing rocks, finding out how objects move and which objects sink and float. In addition, our science teacher Mrs. Gilmer has also provided us with many hands-on science experiments that have sparked our interest and love for science! In Social Studies, students have learned about the historical aspects of holidays such as Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas celebrations around the world, and the influence and impact of brave men and women such as Martin Luther King Jr. and other historical figures. First grade teachers would like to thank our parents for your continued support and look forward to the remainder of a great school year!

Learning together,

Amy Anderson1st Grade, Grade Level Chair

Character Trait Word for January

Self-Respect & Respect for Others: Our key to Success!

Remember the 3 B’sBe SafeBe ResponsibleBe Respectful

Lunch MenuLunch menus are online @www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/foodservices/index.htm

To create a payment account, please go to schoolpaymentsolutions.com.

Reminder: If you have not already done so, you may go to applyforlunch.com to fill out free/reduced lunch applications.

If you have any questions about your child’s account, please contact Ms. Judy Terry @ 833-4322.

Parents:For the safety of our students and to help increase traffic flow, please observe the following when picking up or dropping off children on the car ramp:1. Pull all the way to the end of the ramp before dropping off or picking up students.2. Children should exit from the right side of the vehicle only.3. Please do not block the car ramp crosswalk.4. Please use the car ramp cross walk when walking.5. Please put the card with your child’s name on it in the right side window of your car.

For the safety of our students, please watch out for them as they walk to and from the school age program each day. Please be especially cautious as they walk alongside Gaffney Road and cross the street at May Ave..

Tutoring Dates:

Third grade:Jan. 11, 13, 20, 25, & 27Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, &24Fourth grade:Jan. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, & 28Feb. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25

School Office Hours:7:15 am -3:15 pm

Eglin ElementaryHome of the Eagles

Set your AR Goal!Jan. 31, 2016

Important Dates/ HolidaysFeb. 1, 2016 Dental Health presentation @ 8:00 am-2:30 pmFeb. 1, 2016 PTO meeting @ 3:30 pm in the cafeteriaFeb. 2, 2016 Dental Health presentation @ 8:00 am-2:30 pmFeb. 2, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmFeb. 9, 2016 GEMS meeting @ 3:00 pmFeb. 9, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmFeb. 9, 10, &11, 2016 Valentine Fun Run Feb. 15, 2016 Presidents Day-school holidayFeb. 16, 2016 Volunteer Orientation @ 1:45 pm in the Media CenterFeb. 17, 2016 Dental Health presentationFeb. 23, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmFeb. 26, 2016 Cookie Dough Kick-off @ 1:30 pmFeb. 29, 2016 Spirit WeekMar. 1, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmMar. 3, 2016 1st grade Dr. Seuss, We Love You! Play @ 8:45 am & 5:30 pmMar. 7, 2016 PTO meeting @ 3:30 pm in the cafeteriaMar. 8, 2016 GEMS meeting @ 3:00 pmMar. 8, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmMar. 15, 2016 Volunteer Orientation @ 1:45 pm in the Media CenterMar. 15, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmMar. 16 & 17, 2016 St. Patrick’s Day RunMar. 17 End of 3rd grading periodMar. 18, 2016 Teacher work day/student holidayMar. 21-25, 2016 Spring BreakMar. 29, 2016 1st grade Lady Liberty Live program @ 9:00 amMar. 29, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pm

Attendance Reminder:Students will have five school days,

including the day they return, to bring in written verification for an

excused absence. The absence will be considered unexcused if the school does not receive written

verification for the excused absence in that time frame.

Safety First! Parents, Please use the car rider ramp and the parking area in front of the school for dropping off and picking up your students. We have staff at these locations to supervise the safe drop- off/pick-up of ALL students. Cars are not allowed to use the areas behind the school for dropping off or picking up as this is a safety concern! We do not have staff in these locations to supervise and to ensure that your students are safe. Please help us make this part of our day as safe as possible. Thank-you for your cooperation in this matter. Mr. Dennis SamacPrincipal

Ice Cream!!!The cafeteria will be selling ice cream ala carte on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The price is $1.00. Students will need to bring additional money. If you do not wish your child to be able to purchase ice cream from his/her lunch account, please contact Ms. Judy Terry @ 833-4322, or send a letter saying that they may not use their lunch account for ice cream.

Santa’s Secret ShopStudents really enjoyed shopping during the week of Santa’s Secret Shop. Thank you PTO for providing this fun opportunity for our students to be able to do their own holiday shopping!

Pictured here: A happy Santa Shop shopper.

Parent notification: If you wish to view the School Public Accountability Report (SPAR), it will be available in the front office.

Out of Field Teachers:In compliance with Section 101.42 Florida Statues, the following teachers, Mrs. June Whiting-Cobb, Ms. Vaneesa Harrington, Mrs. Jones-Urena, Mrs. Heather Pinckard, and Mrs. Carol Kotulan are out of field because they do not have an ESOL endorsement, and they have an ESOL child in their classroom. They all hold a valid teaching certificate issued by the State of Florida and are working on courses to satisfy the requirements for an ESOL endorsement.

Eglin Parents: Please join us at Coffee Talk!

Wednesday, February 10th at 8:15am

Music classes include experiences with singing, playing instruments, moving, listening and creating. The musical concepts that are studied include rhythm, melody, harmony, form, expressive qualities and style. Children will experience traditional American folk songs in addition to a variety of world music, and pieces in many styles. Lessons will lead toward note reading and music literacy.

Music lessons are fast-paced and fun, and students will need to wear comfortable clothing in order to participate fully. Primary students do a lot of moving in order to internalize the steady beat and the intermediate students will need to sit on the floor to perform on the mallet percussion instruments.January: Song of the Month: This Land is Your LandUnit:Tone Color-the sounds of instruments/voice/study of the orchestral instrumentsComposer: John Williams/Star WarsLink-up program for 3rd grade –Orchestra RocksLink-up program for 4th grade-Orchestra SingsMusic Literacy Week: Jan. 25-29 Books with instruments K-2Ask your student what they are doing in Music Class!

Mrs. DayMusic Specialist

P.E.  Notes Tennis shoes are required each day for P.E.. Some students are stilling wearing flip flops to P.E. Flip flops are not safe for any P.E. activities. Students will need to have jackets during the cooler weather as P.E. activities are held outside. Please remind your child to wear the proper attire to P.E. for both their safety and their comfort. Parents are always welcomed and encouraged to come out and participate during your child’s designated P.E. time!

Jingle Bell Jog Results: Garrett Meggs-9:20Caileign Miller-10:58

1st Grade:Jayden Seidel-9:11

Chasitie Bowers-10:582 nd Grade:

Ja’Shawn Glasgow-8:11Addy Darif-8:55

3 rd Grade: Aydin Ozdogru-6:57

Ryan Saffo-6:57Cecilia Titus-9:21

4 th Grade: Zachary Kurtz-8:50Kylie Robinson-8:50

Coming soon!!Valentine’s Day Fun Run

Feb. 9, 10,& 11During your child’s P.E. time.

Coaches will be selling Freeze Pops for 50 cents each on Fridays. Proceeds will go to purchase fitness equipment for the gym.

2nd Nine Weeks Lap Leaders:Kg: Cadence Bagi-77 lapsGarrett Meggs-97 laps1 st Grade: Mark Johnson-Foresta-106 lapsMila English-102 laps

2 nd Grade: Justice Baldwin & Caleb Case-142 lapsAddy Darif & Ovyel Payton-119 laps

3 rd Grade: Ryan Saffo-151 lapsAva Rios-105 laps

4 th Grade: Zachary Kurtz-167 lapsCharlee Gonzales-140 laps

Learning about OwlsMs. Fuller’s class had a great time learning about the habitat and diet of some different owls, specifically the Barn Owl. After watching a video of a barn owl inhaling a whole mouse, they learned about the digestive system of the owl. They were amazed to find out that the fur and bones from the mouse aren’t digested inside the owl. Instead, the owl regurgitates a pellet of fur and bones. Using tweezers and a bone identification chart, each student was able to identify the type of rodent their barn owl had ingested (rat, mouse, vole, or mole).

Pictured here: An owl pellet is examined by a student.

Pictured here: Finn holds the skull that was found within his owl pellet.

Orange Trees

Eglin Elementary’s Media Center

Refreshments Provided

Last year, Mrs. Laney’s and Ms. Fuller’s classes helped to plant 8 orange trees on

Earth Day. A few other classes have also joined in taking care of the trees. Ms.

Fuller’s class waters the trees in front of the library, and Mrs. Laney’s class takes care of the tree in front of their classroom. Mrs. G-T, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Kotulan have helped to take care of the four trees by the bus ramp.

The whole school has helped to keep the orange trees safe by not walking near them or

touching them.

Pictured here: Little oranges cover one of the trees.

Pro Kids Show!On Dec. 14th, Eglin students had a wonderful time at the Pro Kids Show! Scott Humston used a series of magic tricks and puppetry to teach students about character traits. He told them that character is who you are when no

one is looking. He compared people to i-Pods and told kids to create a great playlist of

character traits such as cooperation, respect, and responsibility.

Pictured here: As always, Mr. Humston started the show by squirting students with a water bottle as

they roared with laughter.

Pictured here: Scott Humston performs a magic trick for students.

Pictured here: Students loved Elroy T. Raccoon!

Gingerbread HousesIn December, first graders and kindergarteners had

the fun of transforming milk cartons into gingerbread houses. Parents contributed many

different kinds of candy and then joined the students in creating some wonderful houses!

Pictured here: Seth and his mother work together on his gingerbread house.

Pictured here: A work of art in progress.

The Santa Claus EncounterOn Dec. 15, third grade students presented The Santa Claus Encounter musical play under the direction of Mrs. Sandy Day. One of the favorite numbers was the song Hip Hop Reindeer performed by Kylie Burden, Haley Hilland, Ambra Ruhbusch, Laila Archer, Cole Richards, Quinton Higgins, Ricky Guien, and Joseph Micha-Guerrero.At the close of the play, the entire school participated in a holiday song sing-a-long. Congratulations Mrs. Day and students for a job well done!!

Pictured here: Some of the Hip Hop Reindeer.

Congratulations to Mrs. Sue Sorlie, Eglin Elementary Educational Support Person of the Year!! Mrs. Sorlie is a well-loved staff member who is always smiling and cheerful. She is in charge of our Student Training Program and is also our Volunteer/ Mentor Coordinator.

Thanks everyone for a very successful Book Fair!! The Book Fair proceeds will be used to purchase new library books. Thanks to Mrs. Chastain, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Enloe, Mrs. Ballard, Mrs. Shanno, Mrs. Stamm, and Mrs. Carter- our wonderful volunteers who manned the Book Fair and kept it running smoothly!!