Mar 23, 2017 - To kick off our school's service learning work each year, the Craig Staff ... New Craig website: htps://w
The
Craig
Courier
News and Informa on for Craig Elementary A NaƟonal School of Character
Issue 9 March 2017
#CraigCares At Craig, we work to extend our Craig Core Values into the community through learning and service. To kick off our school’s service learning work each year, the Craig Staff has a midsummer day of service. This past year, Craig Staff members have donated me at Craig weeding, cleaning up the grounds, revitalizing the interior, and collec ng for the Craig Food Pantry. Teams of staff volunteers have also donated me at the Humane Society, Opera on Food Search, and a local re rement community in previous years.
At school, each grade level has a theme for their service learning work that was selected to align with grade level curriculum and to be developmentally appropriate: Kindergarten – Gardening First grade – Animal Care and Protec on Second grade – Environment Third grade –Building a Safe and Strong Community Fourth grade – Hunger, Homelessness, and Poverty Fi h Grade – Social Change
While the themes stay the same for each grade level each year, the service learning work that is done may change based on the needs of the community and student choice/voice. To learn more about what types of things each grade level is doing, talk with your child or the teacher. We believe that Service Learning at Craig will enrich each child’s academic experience while reinforcing our Craig Core Values and ins lling the importance of service to their community.
Sincerely, Bill Sen Principal
wsen @parkwayschools.net www.twi er.com/mrsen
March 2017 Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
S
1 DELAY START
2 A
3 B
4
5
6 C
7 D
8 A
9 B
10 NO SCHOOL
11
12
13 NO SCHOOL
14 NO SCHOOL
16 NO SCHOOL
17 NO SCHOOL
18
15 NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK
19
20 C
21 D
22 A
23 B
24 C
25
26
27 D
28 A
29 B
30 C
31 D
MARCH 2017 1 Delay Start Day, 11:05am‐4pm Book Fair, Library, 11am‐4pm 2 Conference Night, 4:15‐9pm Book Fair, Library, 8:50am‐9pm 3 Book Fair, Library, 8:50‐12,closes at noon 4 Moonlight’s Trivia Night for adults 6 Kdg Registra on Night, ISC, 5‐8pm 7 PTO Mtg., Library, 7pm 8 Wellness Wednesday, K‐5, 8:15am Brd of Educa on, PCMS, 7pm 8‐9 Big Smiles Dental Visits 10 NO SCHOOL
13‐17 Spring Break, NO SCHOOL
20 School Resumes – PTO’s No Screens Week All America Obstacle course, Gym, 6‐7pm 21 5th grd panoramic photo, 9:15 am, Gym Personality Portraits, 9:45‐11 am, Library PTO’s Rep le Experience, Gym, 6‐7pm 22 Wellness Wednesday, K‐5, 8:15am PTO’s Pro Hula Hooping, Gym, 6‐7pm 23 PTO’s Cardboard Arcade, Gym, 6‐7pm 25 PTO’s Family Bowling, Olive e Lanes 28 All‐District Orchestra Concert, Queeny, 7:30 29 Wellness Wednesday, K‐5, 8:15am 30 2nd Grd Go Fish Musical, Gym, 7pm
April 2017 5 Delay Start Day, 11:05am‐4pm
New Craig website: h ps://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/12 Craig Elementary, 1492 Craig Road, St. Louis, MO 63146 phone: 314‐415‐6200 fax: 314‐415‐6212
Conferences this Week … don’t forget your appointment Our second trimester, spring conferences are this week, with the big Conference Night on Thursday, March 2. Make sure you know the time and day of your conference. The Conference Preparation Forms were sent home on Friday, February 24 and should be returned completed to the teacher by Tuesday, February 28. Please use the form to provide information so that we may better prepare for your child's conference.
Scholastic Book Fair Continues Conference Week We invite you to visit our Scholastic Book Fair to experience a celebration of reading that provides families the opportunity to get involved in a universal mission: encouraging kids to read every day so they can lead better lives. Our Scholastic Book Fair theme – Happy Camper: S’more Fun with Books! – is part of an exciting reading event that brings to school a wonderful selection of fun, engaging, and affordable books kids want to read. Giving kids access to good books and the opportunity to choose their own books will motivate them to read . Book Fair Shopping Hours: Monday, February 27: 8:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28: 8:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 1: 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2: 8:50 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, March 3: 8:50 a.m. to noon
Don’t Feed the Students …
It is the policy at Craig, not to bring in food to share with our students. The reason for this is simple – allergies.
Allergy issues have become more complicated than when we only had one or two children who could not eat peanut bu er or have sugar. Now it is fish products, dyes in food, ground nuts, tree nuts, sugar, and many more ingredients and chemicals which affect our children. In order to keep them ALL safe, we do not allow any treats to be brought in and shared with the students.
Our safety policy applies to every school day…including birthdays, holidays, lunches and so forth. Parents, grandparents and our staff may fondly remember food as a part of celebra ons when we were all in school, but things have changed, and the safety of our children is our main concern.
Thank you for helping us keep our children safe and well.
Appropriate School Clothing …
Please remember to send your children appropriately dressed for the weather indoors and out. Layering is great.
Students need to wear tennis shoes on their Gym Days.
As warmer weather approaches, many children like to dress lighter. Please make sure that any t‐shirts worn show appropriate messages and designs, and children are appropriately covered (no spaghe or strapless tops).
2nd Grade Musical ‐ Go Fish! March 30th, 7:00 PM, Craig Gymnasium
Students should be dropped off by 6:30 PM in the cafeteria with their costumes on! Please join us for this fun event. Our musical will begin at 7 p.m. ‐ Sam Skibbe, Music Teacher
5th Grade string students who are par cipa ng in the All‐District Orchestra will have a mandatory rehearsal on Monday, March 27th at Queeny Park from 4:45pm ‐ 6:15pm.
Please bring a folding music stand. The concert will be held on Tuesday, March 28th at 7:30pm in the same loca on. Concert a re is dressy black pants/skirt and a white shirt. – Michelle DeFabio, Strings Teacher
5th Grade Picnic! Friday, May 12th, 2017 The me is quickly approaching for our end of year celebra on with our awesome 5th graders. The date has been set for Friday, May 12th, rain or shine. Our Schedule: 9:15‐ 12:45 Group Ac vi es 12:45‐1:30 Lunch 2:30‐4:00 A ernoon Ac vi es This is a special and highly an cipated day for 5th graders! We would love for you to share this special day with your 5th grader, if me allows. Many volunteers are needed to help e‐dye, serve food, orchestrate outdoor ac vi es, set up and clean up. We are asking each childto bring $5 to school to help with the purchase of food for the picnic. In the past we have asked each class to bring a different item, but we want to ensure everything we purchase is safe for all students. If you are interested in volunteering you can contact Julie McCollum at
[email protected]. More informa on will be coming home later in the year! ****** PLEASE SEND A PLAIN WHITE T‐SHIRT FOR THE TIE‐DYE PROJECT TO SCHOOL BY May 8th. IF YOU HAVE AN EXTRA SHIRT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE, IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED! ******
It’s not too late to Volunteer at Craig for the 2016‐17 School Year
If you would like to help in the classrooms, at school func ons, on field trips and more, we’d love to have you apply to be a Craig volunteer. The Parkway School district volunteer process is done online. Just go to the Parkway website Human Resources link for Volunteer info and the form: h ps://www.parkwayschools.net/domain/783 Or go to the Parkway C‐2 School district home page, click on “employment” and then you’ll choose “volunteer packets”. The approval process can take 5 business days – so plan ahead. When completed your online applica on will go to the rep at the school you indicated and be reviewed and sent on to Human Resources to process. Your volunteer approval is for all your children’s Parkway schools even though you only listed one school on the form.
Dismissal Changes Involving Child Care Companies … Contact School AND Child Care
If your child dismisses to Adventure Club (or other child care vans) PLEASE BE SURE to let not only the teacher/school know – but the child care company including Adventure Club as well. We o en have to hold buses trying to figure out why a child is not at Adventure Club or the van pick up. If the child care company does not know that you are doing something different on a scheduled day, then they will let us know a child is missing and we have to hold the buses, check the car pool line, track down teacher etc.
Please communicate with both the school and the child care company to ensure the safety of your child and speed up the dismissal process. Thank you.
Craig: 314‐415‐6200 Adventure Club: 415‐6222 KinderCare: 314‐576‐1612 Westport School: 314‐878‐5339
Summer School – Craig Students at McKelvey This Summer Craig Elementary is partnered with McKelvey Elementary for summer school this year. Summer school will be held Monday through Friday, June 5 through June 23, 8:00 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. at McKelvey Elementary.
Summer gives everyone the time to engage in fun activities that encourage creativity, team building with friends, enrichment, and academic growth. In the north area you can “Launch into Success” at McKelvey. Teachers are busy planning a wide range of opportunities that include PE, drama, computer, science, math, writing, reading and much more. This is a chance you don’t want to miss. So, sign‐up to fill your summer days with fun, excitement and new learning!
Bus transportation between schools is provided for Parkway residents (including students entering Kindergarten classes) from Craig Elementary to McKelvey Elementary. Students in the VST program will be transported as during the regular school program. There is no bus service between period one and two.
Look for the 2017 Parkway Summer Programs bulletin to arrive around March 23 at your home.
Fees & Supplies We are very excited to announce there are no fees for summer school classes this year! The only fees charged will be for Academic Camps and other district camp offerings. Academic Camp fees are paid online by credit card, debit card, electronic check, or savings account. On the first day students should bring a supply box which includes the following: crayons, scissors, markers, glue and pencils. In addition, students should bring a snack to eat. Please notify the nurse and the teacher of any food allergies.
Schedule Summer School classes meet June 5‐June 23, Monday‐Friday. Classes will provide students with various learning opportunities. The classes will meet as follows: Period 1: 8:00 a.m.‐10:00 a.m. Period 2: 10:05 a.m.‐12:05 p.m. (except Kindergarten which will meet 8 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. each day). (con’t next page)
New this year ‐ Elementary School Students have the option to create a full‐day experience!
Parkway Summer School
8 a.m. ‐ 12:05 p.m.
Supervised lunch (students bring lunch) – Summer Afternoon Camp Only 12:05 p.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. Parkway Academic Camps for students entering grades K‐8
12:30 p.m. ‐ 4 p.m.
After Care for students entering grades 1‐5
4 ‐ 6 p.m.
Notes: 1. Supervised lunch is only available for students staying for Summer Afternoon Camps. All other students will be dismissed at 12:05 p.m. 2. After care will be offered through Parkway‐Rockwood Adventure Club and will only be available from 4‐6 p.m. for those students entering grades 1‐5 staying for Summer Afternoon Camps.
Registration Opens Online Available Online! Summer school registration must be completed online at the following website: http://prcommunityed.org. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 6 (see page 2 of Program Bulletin for guidelines). Computers will be available at McKelvey between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on April 6 for anyone who needs computer access. Classes will be filled on a first‐come, first‐served basis, so early registration is encouraged. If, on the FIRST DAY of summer school registration, any class receives more registrations than there are spaces available, families will have the option to be added to a wait list. Should a space become available, the student will be added to the course in the order the registrations were received. When signing‐up for courses, please sign your child up for the grade he/she will be ENTERING in the fall. Courses are designed with this in mind, and we want all children to be excited and engaged. Lunch is not provided. Students should bring their own snack. Summer School registration online by May 24 is encouraged.
Summer Afternoon Camps – Fee Based Students can create a full‐day experience by participating in exciting, hands‐on academic camps in the afternoon.
After Care After care will be offered through Parkway‐Rockwood Adventure Club and will only be available from 4‐6 p.m. for those students staying for academic camps. For more information please visit the Parkway Summer School page https://www.parkwayschools.net/Page/1660. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Karll, McKelvey Summer School Principal, at 314‐415‐6503 The McKelvey and Craig teachers are looking forward to having your children join us this summer!
Teacher of the Year 2017: 1st Grade Teacher, Cindy Deane
We are proud to announce that Mrs. Cindy Deane has been elected by the Craig faculty and staff as Craig’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. She will be recognized at the Parkway Apprecia on Evening in April. Congratula ons!!
Mrs. Deane has taught at Craig for six of her seven years in the Parkway School District. She received her degree in Elementary Educa on from Maryville University. While at Craig, she has taught both 5th and 1st grade students.
This year, Cindy is also in charge of leading our school in becoming Trauma Informed through Alive and Well STL. Some of you may have a ended the evening parent mee ng on this topic. She also par cipates in our Wellness Wednesday program.
Looking Ahead to April
Our Craig Volunteer Recep on will be held on the morning of Friday, April 7.
There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, April 14.
The Parkway All‐District Art Show will be at Queeny Park, April 22 & 23.
Our annual Missouri Ap tude Tes ng (MAP) for 3rd, 4th and 5th‐grade students will be the two weeks of April 24‐28 and May 1‐5. More specific grade level schedules will be coming from Lindsay Knowles, Craig Counselor and Tes ng Coordinator, in our April newsle er.
And much more…
Op onal Spring Personality Portraits Wagner Portrait Group will be at Craig on Tuesday morning, March 21 to take Personality Pictures, portraits with a bit more flare than the standard fall student photos. Since these are op onal photos, only the children with order paid orders will have their photos taken that morning. If you are ordering photos of your child, BE SURE to let the teacher know that they have an order or the online receipt with them.
Annual 5th Grade Panoramic Photo Our 5th Grade panoramic photo of the en re 5th grade student body and teachers will also be taken on Tuesday, March 21 – at 9:15 a.m. Make sure your 5th grade student is on me for school that day!! All students (except those on the deny‐photo list will be in the photo. You will also have the op on of purchasing a copy. PHOTO ORDER/INFO FORMS for both types of photos will be sent home prior to Spring Break.
Character Corner: Service Learning
Building on Mr. Sen ’s cover le er, the Craig Character Council would like to give you and your family some ideas for your own family service learning.
Ideas to Extend Service Learning into Your Home: ● Create and Donate. Ask your child who in your community might need something and what you could make to help them. It could be as simple as making a meal for a family that has a new baby, or making get well cards for a friend who is sick. Whatever you do, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to make a huge difference! ● Raise Money and Give. Is there a cause that your child is passionate about perhaps a local homeless shelter, kids’ museum, or zoo? Help him create a plan to raise money for his favorite organiza on. Then implement your plan over the course of a few weeks or months. Research the organiza on so your child can explain why it’s important for your community and keep a graph of the money you’ve raised. As you fundraise by washing cars, solici ng dona ons, or sending out an email campaign, your child is learning about numbers, money amounts, and communica on. When you’ve reached your goal, drop off the dona on in person. ● Advocate for a Cause. Is there a cause that your child or family cares deeply about? Perhaps playground safety, animal conserva on, recycling, or ea ng healthy and organic foods? Think of ways to teach other kids and families about it. Your child can prepare a presenta on for the city council, organize and par cipate a cleanup or awareness event, or make a YouTube video about the cause. ● Con nue a School‐based Project. If your child’s school does service learning during the school year, ask if he’d like to con nue the school project during the summer. An a ernoon each week working on the school garden or visi ng the residents of a nursing home will teach him that it’s important to con nue to work on improving our communi es all the me, regardless of the season.
Ideas taken from: h p://www.educa on.com/magazine/ar cle/8waysengageservicelearning/
More Ideas to Extend Service Learning into Your Home: 1. Collect and donate items on animal organiza ons' wish lists: Example: Paper towels, dried dog food, milk subs tute, portable cages, blankets and towels, cleansers, and food bowls. 2. Raise money for homeless pets or sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife by collec ng coins. 3. Sponsor a walkathon, bowl‐a‐thon, read‐a‐thon, etc. backed by pledges. Donate to local shelters or animal organiza ons. 4. Put together packages for a children’s hospital. 5. Prac ce reading a book and read it to a younger child who needs help learning how to read; a senior ci zen who will benefit from companionship or a child in a special needs classroom in your school who is learning to read. 6. Make a book on tape to contribute a local daycare center or pediatric pa ents. 7. Make a holiday basket for someone in need or crisis. 8. Write le ers to service men/women. 9. Put together a care package for service men/women.
Ideas taken From: h p://www.kidac vi es.net/post/communityserviceideasforkids.Aspx OWL Family March Lesson: Our OWL Families will con nue the focus on diversity. This month they will read the book: Chocolate Milk, Por Favor!: CelebraƟng Diversity with Empathy by Maria Dismondy. A er the book, students will discuss differences and similari es between people.
Traveling Mammogram Van
Loca on: Parkway Northeast Middle, 181 Coeur DeVille Drive Date/Time: March 23, 2017, 8:00 am to1:30 pm Site Contact: Stacy Scarle , 415‐5144 Open to the community.
Parkway North High School is presen ng SchoolhouseRock LIVE! March 2, 3 & 4
This is a young audience friendly produc on appropriate for Elementary and Middle School students. Introducing young people to live theatre is a great way to encourage crea vity, empathy, and social skills. This show encourages audience par cipa on and interac ons with the cast. We are sure you remember Schoolhouse Rock either from Saturday morning cartoons or from classes you took as children. The PNH Theatre students hope you will join them for some fun and to share a new experience with your school age children.
The show is 90 minutes long and starts at 7:00PM on Thursday, March 2nd and Friday, March 3rd (the box office opens at 6:00 and the house opens at 6:30). We have also scheduled a 2:00p.m. Ma nee on Saturday the 4th at 2:00 PM. Ticket prices are: $5 for students under 12, $6 for Senior Ci zens and Children over 12, and $8 for Adults. Tickets can be reserved by calling the PNH Theatre Box Office at 314‐415‐5626. Please leave a message with the date of the performance you would like to a end, the number of each cket type you would like us to reserve and a good number to reach you. A student box office staff member will call you a er school hours within a day or two of your call. We are expec ng the show to sell out so please order your ckets in advance. Any ckets not picked up/claimed by 6:45PM on Thursday and Friday or 1:45PM on Saturday will be sold to the next person wai ng in line for ckets. Unpack your adjec ves, get your adverbs here, and get your circula on going for a fun and entertain hour and a half you will not soon forget. Mr. Morton will be glad you did!
Craig Cafeteria Prices: Breakfast: Student Full Price Student Reduced (1 meal only) Student Free (1 meal only) Adult Full Price
$2.35 .30* .00* 2.60
Lunch: Student Full Price Student Reduced (1 meal only) Student Free (1 meal only) Adult Full Price
$3.10 .40* .00* 3.35
*For reduced meal prices, the parent/guardian must submit the 2016-17 Free and Reduced forms to Parkway School District (online is fastest), and be approved for 2016-17. Forms must be submitted EACH school year. Additional milk or juice Bottle of water, Lemon Ice
.50 1.00
Please join us for the upcoming PTO mee ng on Tuesday, March 7, 7‐8 p.m., Library At this mee ng we will discuss current board posi ons and begin accep ng nomina ons for open posi ons next year. We will also talk about the possibility of adding more class par es to the calendar for the next school year. Our special guests will be our Kindergarten teachers, and Cathy Kinamore, a current NEMS PTO member, to reach out to incoming parents. – Trish Mayfield
NO SCREENS WEEK March 20‐25 Craig PTO wants to promote health and wellness by asking students to turn off the screens in their home and par cipate in alterna ve ac vi es throughout the week of March 20th‐March 25th. Ac vi es from 6‐7pm on Monday through Thursday will be in the Craig Gym.
Watch for info to come about our Saturday family bowling at Olive e Lanes.
Monday‐ All American Gymnas cs Obstacle Course, 6‐7pm Tuesday‐ Serenge Steve, A Rep le Experience, 6‐7 pm Wednesday‐ Pro Hula Hooping, 6‐7pm Thursday‐ Cardboard Arcade, sponsored by Craig Boy Scouts, 6‐7 pm
Saturday‐ Bowling at Olive e Lanes, March 25, 3‐4pm, pay at the door $10 per bowler, includes shoe rental OR $16 per bowler, includes shoe rental, 2 slices of pizza and unlimited soft drinks
PARENTS! We are working on this year's Fine Arts Auc on to be held at the Craig Carnival on May 6th. If you or someone you know owns a small business and would like to contribute, we are accep ng dona ons. You can contact me, Trish Mayfield at
[email protected] and I will gladly give you more informa on and arrange to pick up. Thank you!
Buzz Books Buzz Books (Craig Elementary Directory) are in. There are still some left. Please contact Kellie Viau at 314-749-3490 or
[email protected] to get one. Or you can see the front office staff. They are $5.00. Buzz Books will also be for sale during the March 2nd Conference Night.
Cardinals Tickets on Sale Cardinals vs Reds
April 28, 2017 Friday at 7:15pm (Left Field Pavilion Sections 368, 369, & 370) Ticket Prices are $19.00 each
Please fill out the attached envelope and drop it in the lime green PTO box in the school lobby. (All students attending must have a ticket & be accompanied by an adult)
NO CASH IN THE ENVELOPE
All orders will have to be turned in NO LATER than April 6, 2017. (All students must have a ticket & be accompanied by an adult) Craig Chorus will be singing God Bless America. Contact number @ 314-749-3490 or
[email protected]
If you lost your Cardinal Ticket Order envelope, Please fill out and attach the form below to your own envelope. Thank you.
Cardinals Tickets Order Cardinals vs. Reds April 28, 2017 Friday at 7:15pm (Sections Left Field 368, 369, & 370) Student Name: _____________________ Chorus ___Yes ___No (All students must have a ticket & be accompanied by an adult)
# of Tickets needed __________ @ $19.00/ea = $___________ Grade: __________ Teacher: __________________ NO CASH IN THE ENVELOPE Cash would have to be paid in person to Kellie Viau with a receipt. Please contact me @ 314-749-3490or
[email protected]. All orders will have to be turned in NO LATER than April 6, 2017. Payment Type: Check (Payable to Craig PTO)_________________ Prefer to sit next to another family: ______________________________________
The easiest fundraiser ever! Craig School PTO Nothing to buy, sell or deliver! “Yellow Envelope Campaign” To keep our school strong and support critical programs, the PTO runs an annual Fund Drive. Because of your wonderful support, we are able to contribute to various enrichment opportunities for the students and teachers, as well as assist with many programs and daily classroom experiences. In the past, funds the PTO has raised have supported purchasing many of the essentials used everyday at school including the Craig School marquee sign in front of school, all outdoor benches, tables and trash receptacles, new sound systems for the music department and another for performances in the gym, Smart Boards, Moonlight the Owl and his storage bag, school library shelves and storage and the playground equipment, just to name a few. If we are able to get enough donations, this direct appeal of the “Yellow Envelope Campaign” allows the PTO to forego multiple fund raising projects where students are asked to sell items throughout the school year. Instead, we seek one‐time donations. Unlike those other projects, every dollar contributed to the “Yellow Envelope Campaign” goes directly to support Craig Elementary School. We welcome contributions from friends, grandparents, and employers! How much should we give? In the past, most donations have been around $25 to $50 per student, but PTO has also received as little as $5 and as much as $500. You decide. It all adds up. If your employer matches donations, please include a completed matching request form. We will fill in the organizational information and request the matching funds from your employer. Tax‐deductible contributions can be made to “Craig PTO” and sent, along with the information below, in the attached envelope. Drop envelope in the bright green PTO box located in the school lobby anytime, or mail to: Craig Elementary School, Attn: PTO, 1492 Craig Road, St. Louis, MO 63146 or please go to: https://www.gofundme.com/craigpto2016 or you can mail a check to: Craig Elementary School PTO, 1492 Craig Rd. St. Louis, MO 63146 For more information, contact our Fundraising Officer, Kellie Viau at:
[email protected]
Thank you for your support! Donor Name: _______________________________________________ Student Name: __________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contribution Amount: ________ $25 ________ $50 ________ $75 ________ $100 ________ Other _______ I would like my name to appear as follows in Craig newsletter’s List of Donors: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______ I do not wish my name published on the List of Donor