high plains highlights · (author of life’s little instruction book) once said “strive for...
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High Plains Elementary March 2014
HHHIGHIGHIGH PPPLAINSLAINSLAINS HHHIGHLIGHTSIGHLIGHTSIGHLIGHTS 2248 Vintage Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: 719-234-4700 Fax: 719-234-4799 Website: www.asd20.org/hpe
Chris Saip, Principal Jan Schneider, Assistant Principal
MARK YOUR CALENDAR :
Tuesday March 4: KidPower
6:00 - 8:00 pm │ Gym
Wednesday March 5:
Marco’s Pizza Night
Monday March 10 -
Thursday March 13:
TCAP Testing 3rd– 5th Grade
Book Fair Coin Collection
Tuesday March 11: PTO Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Friday March 14 : Elementary Teacher Workday
NO SCHOOL
Monday March 17 -
Thursday March 20: Spring Book Fair │ HPE Library
Wednesday March 19: PRIDE Assembly 8:50 - 9:30 am
Staff Appreciation Dinner
Evening Parent Teacher
Conferences 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday March 20:
Parent Teacher Conferences
8:00am - 8:00pm
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Friday March 21:
NO SCHOOL
Monday March 24 -
Friday March 28:
SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL
2014
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Colorado weather at this time of year can vary day to day. As
the days get nicer, please revisit some of our morning
procedures.
Our first bell rings at 8:05. Students enter the building and
proceed to breakfast and/or their classrooms. Our tardy
bell rings at 8:15. So please plan accordingly when
sending or dropping your child off.
Students may be on school grounds at 7:55 when we
have supervision.
Some days due to weather conditions, indoor entry will
occur at 7:55 in the morning which means that students
enter school through the front doors and proceed to their
classroom. Breakfast will be served at 7:55 unless it is a
late start. A blue flag will be flying in front and our
snowflake poster will be displayed in the Science room
window in the back of the school.
Please dress your child appropriately for this changing
weather. This includes coats, boots, hats and gloves/
mittens
Child safety is number one. Our Kiss and Drop can be
very busy on severe weather days. Please be patient
waiting in line and following the staff directions. I have
seen cars moving in the school zone way too fast, going
around vehicles, or picking their child up in the middle of
the street.
Vehicles may not leave the parking lot or go around
buses when buses are present and/or unloading.
If your child attends a club/activity before school, please
be aware of the start time. When a child arrives too early
or too late, there will not be staff supervision for your child.
Your child is being asked to “show what they know” during
parent-teacher conferences. These conferences are scheduled
for Wednesday evening, March 19th and Thursday, March 20th.
You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Your child’s
teacher and you both want your child to learn and do well.
When parents and teachers communicate, you each share
valuable information about your child’s strengths and needs.
Please take time to have this shared conversation. I look forward
to seeing our families at Parent-Teacher conferences.
Respectfully,
Chris Saip
Principal
High Plains Elementary March 2014
This month our character trait is excellence and H. Jackson Brown Jr.
(Author of Life’s Little Instruction Book) once said “Strive for
Excellence, not perfection.” Last month, STEM fair projects came in
and it is so fun to see the excitement and pride on each of their faces
as they turned in their project. Each project is unique. Even if the
students chose the same topic, the presentation came out different.
What a great opportunity for our students to show excellence. To me
the definition of excellence is doing your best and through STEM fair
our students are able to shine.
We have TCAP starting this month, remind your child (over a healthy
and nutritious breakfast) if they are nervous about taking the test all
that is expected is that they do their best.
Julie Moser and Libby Wagner School Counselors
High Plains Elementary March 2014
TCAP TESTINGTCAP TESTINGTCAP TESTING
TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program) was referred to as CSAP a few years ago. The change in title has occurred because of the state’s transition to new academic standards.
The purpose of the TCAP is to determine levels of student achievement in the Colorado Model Content Standards. It also allows us to measure the progress of Colorado students over time. This year the High Plains testing theme is “Cool Cats” High Plains staff is proud of our students and we encourage the children to do their very best to show off what they know.
This year we will administer the TCAP during the following periods of time: February Reading Grade 3 March 10 - 13 and March 17 Reading, Writing Math Grades 3-5
Parents and families can help to create a positive test-taking experience and help students prepare for tests. Here are some ideas:
Make sure that your child is well rested and eats breakfast. See that your child arrives at school on time and relaxed. Comfort counts. Send a sweater if it's a cool day. Dress in layers for a warm day. Encourage your child to do the best work possible and to have a positive attitude. Encourage your child to listen/ read carefully to all test-taking directions and to ask questions if any directions are unclear. Remind your child not to get stuck on any one item.
*** Additional state testing will occur in April for 4th grade (Social Studies) and
5th grade (Science). Dates to be announced. ***
High Plains Elementary March 2014
To report an absence or tardy, please remember to let our main office know by calling (719)234-4700. Leave a message if it’s before/after school hours with your students name and reason for absence or tardiness. Parents: For safety reasons, you must come into the office to sign in your student if they arrive after 8:30am. It is very important for your child to be in school every day. Excessive absences can interfere with his/her learning and result in a negative impact for them. We realize family time is important and emergencies do sometimes occur. However, family vacations should try to be taken during your child’s summer vacation. It is your responsibility to give your child every opportunity possible to be on time and in school every day.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Don’t forget to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences on
March 19 and 20. Your attendance is vital
to your child’s success. Watch for further
information from teachers on your
scheduled time.
High Plains Elementary March 2014
Parents! Typing is so important for your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders since part of our TCAP testing will be online this year. Your child can practice by going to our school website – www.asd20.org/hpe - click on Class Research – Click on Typing and there are 5 websites to practice typing.
ATTENTION
PARENTS!
CHECK THE LOST
& FOUND Our “lost and found” is overflowing
with many items. Please make sure to check for child’s missing items when
you visit the school for Parent Teacher Conferences
Prevent Lost Coats! Please write children’s names
on tags inside coats. If possible, put names on initials
on hats and gloves as well.
Come check out educational
games and resources from our
Title I Parent Resource Library!
Hours:
Monday 8:15-9am
Wednesday 8:15-9am
Friday 2:15-3:15pm
Or make an appointment to come
any time that works for you!
Rekha Fowler
Title I Coordinator
719-234-4700
Parents of Title I Students
~Resource Library~
High Plains Elementary March 2014
From the School Nurse . . . .
October is typically National Dental Hygiene Month; however, dental hygiene is important year round! Here are several tips from the National Dental
Hygienists web site (www.adha.org).
Brush: 2 minutes, 2 times a day Research shows that brushing for two minutes is the single most important
method for reducing plaque and preventing cavities, gingivitis, and other
plaque-related diseases. Brushing for two minutes twice a day is crucial to maintaining healthy
smiles. Proper brushing
technique cleans teeth and gums effectively.
Floss: every day Daily flossing (or other methods of interdental cleaning) removes plaque and food particles that
cannot be reached by a toothbrush, particularly under the gum line and between teeth. Plaque that
builds up in these areas can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Getting into the routine of daily flossing can be a challenge. Making flossing easier can improve
compliance with recommendations for daily flossing. If you resist flossing, try to determine why
and tell your dental hygienist. Knowing the precise reason you are not flossing will enable them to
recommend floss with the right thickness, coating, or filaments so you might be encouraged to floss
more often.
Rinse: with mouthwash Rinsing your mouth each day with an anti-microbial mouth rinse is another important step you can
take to prevent gum disease (gingivitis). Brushing and flossing cannot get all plaque and germs. Be
sure to finish your oral care routine with an antiseptic mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Ac-
ceptance. Speak with your dental hygienist for more information on which mouth rinse is right for
your
student.
Chew: sugar-free gum after eating (although NOT during school hours!!) Chewing sugar-free gum after eating is clinically proven to be an important part of good oral health.
It stimulates the most important natural defense against tooth decay (saliva) which in turn helps
fight cavities, neutralizes plaque acids, re-mineralizes enamel to strengthen teeth, and washes away
food particles. Scientific evidence clearly shows that chewing sugar-free gum, especially after
eating and drinking, has a positive impact on oral health. Please remember that gum chewing during
school hours is prohibited, despite its potential dental benefits!
High Plains Elementary March 2014
7th Annual
Science STEM Fair
Winners are ...
3rd Grade
1st place: Aidan Trippel
2nd place: Ty Snyder
3rd place: Jacob Meza
Honorable Mention: Tisha Uythoven
4th Grade
1st place: Owen Larmour
2nd place: Cooper Smock
3rd place: Bryson Smith
Honorable Mention: Rebecca Gros
5th Grade
1st place: Maxwell Hart
2nd place: Teagan White
3rd place: T.J. Maciel
Honorable Mention: John Powers
Congratulations!
High Plains Elementary March 2014
CLUB NEWS
Choir Club – Meetings are on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings starting at 7:25 am. Be on time!
Drama Club – We meet at 3:15-4:15pm every Tuesday and Thursday. We are working on staging for the new play in April.
News Club - We meet on Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. We are starting with a new group of students for News Club. They will be learning how to report the news and videotape the newscast.
Tech Club – We meet on Mondays after school. We are working on our website. We will also start making a movie.
Sports Club – We will be doing Dodgeball through the month of March. Cup Stacking will be coming in April. Tuesday: 4th grade│ Wednesday: 3rd grade│Thursday: 5th grade
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS - Meetings are held Friday mornings from 7:20-7:55am in the Library at High Plains. Any questions, please contact Ms. Smith ([email protected]) or Mrs. Edgar ([email protected]).
STEM & Jr STEM Club are enrichment clubs that focus on how science, technology, engineering, and math all work together. Jr STEM (K-2 grade) Meets Tuesdays at 7:15 -7:55 a.m. starting January 14th. STEM (3-5 grade) Meets Wednesdays at 3:20 - 4:15pm,
starting January 15th. (Each group is limited to 24 students)
High Plains Elementary March 2014
P T O H A P P E N I N G S
~ March 2014 ~
Another month of 2014 has come and gone, with February behind us and March beginning. February was another great month of fun events at High Plains! Thank you to all who came to Muffins with Mom! We hope those who came enjoyed the scrumptious muffins and time with loved ones. We were happy to see so many of you there helping us start the day in such a wonderful way. Skate City night was fun, as always, too! Thank you to those who came to participate and support the school there. We hope you had a great time! Mark your calendars for Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, March 5th ~ Marco's Pizza Night. Take a night off from cooking and let Marco do the cooking instead! This is a fantastic way to support the school and give your family a delicious meal for dinner from Marco's Pizza. Tuesday, March 11th – 6:00 pm ~ PTO Meeting. Come share your opinion and make your voice heard as we plan important events and activities that impact your child! Wednesday, March 19th ~ Staff Appreciation Dinner. Help us thank our amazing High Plains staff by providing part of a meal for them during their long evening of Parent Teacher Conferences. More details to come – watch for the specific meal request (entree, side, or dessert) based on the first letter of your last name. Monday, March 17th – Friday, March 21st ~ Spring Book Fair. Enhance your child's love of reading and support the school by buying fun, educational books from the book fair! Be sure to look at your child's classroom wish-list and pick up a book for their class, if possible. Hope to see you there! March 24th – 28th ~ Spring Break!!! Enjoy the time off with your family! Keep reading! If you'd like to know more about upcoming events, e-mail [email protected] and we will add you to the PTO Members email list. Thank you again for all you do! High Plains PTO
High Plains Elementary March 2014
Monday, Mar. 17th 2:30pm to 5:00pm
Tuesday, Mar. 18th 8:00am to 7:30pm
Wednesday, Mar. 19th & Thursday, Mar. 20th 8:00am to 7:30pm
(shop online any time 3/6/14 thru 3/21/14)
New for Spring 2014 Book Fair proceeds will be used to purchase
books to enhance student’s home libraries
with each High Plains student being given a
free book in May 2014 for summer reading.
1 for $5 Family Reading Challenge activity
where students have a chance to earn a $5
scholastic certificate to spend at the Book Fair
by reading with a family member (see separate
flyer for more details).
Book Fair Raffle Baskets (one Pre K – 2nd
grade basket and one 3rd - 5th grade basket)
students can earn one raffle ticket for
attending parent/teacher conferences.
Winning students’ teacher will also receive a
matching basket.
Support our school’s
Every cent collected will help build classroom libraries by going towards the purchase of new
books our students want to read from the Scholastic Book Fair.
(Coin Collection Goal = $400)
In addition, for every dollar donated Scholastic
will donate a book to a needy child.
Shop online at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/highplainselementary
High Plains Elementary March 2014
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
SPR ING BREAK
NO SCHOOL
KidPower 6:00 - 8:00pm
Marco’s Pizza Night
PTO Meeting 6-7 pm
Elementary Teacher Workday
NO SCHOOL
S P R I N G B O O K F A I R
PRIDE Assembly
8:50am
Staff Appreciation Dinner
Evening P/T Conferences
NO SCHOOL
P/T Conferences
NO SCHOOL Office open
till noon
T C A P T E S T I N G
TCAP TESTING
High Plains Elementary March 2014
Registration: Summer School online registration begins Friday, April 11, 2014. Go to www.asd20.org/sse for information and instructions or to www.payforit.net to register.
High Plains Elementary March 2014
Summer School 2014 Continued….