vestavia hills elementary central · web viewimportant dates september 9/11 pto meeting 9:30 am...
TRANSCRIPT
Vestavia Hills Elementary CentralCOURIER
September 2017, Issue 2
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER
9/11 PTO Meeting 9:30 am
9/11 Camp McDowell Chaperone Meeting 4:00 pm
9/19 Help the Hills Coalition event at VHUMC 5:00 pm
9/22 Central Games Pep Rally 1:45 pm
9/25-9/29 Central Games Week
9/25 4th grade McDonald's Spirit Night 5-8 pm
9/26 5th grade McDonald's Spirit Night 5-8 pm
OCTOBER
10/2 PTO Meeting 9:30 am
10/2 Central Games Wrap-up 1:45 pm
10/4-10/6 Camp McDowell Week 1
10/6 Character Club 7:20 am
10/6 End of 1st 9 weeks
10/9 No School: Columbus Day
10/11-10/13 Camp McDowell Week 2
10/13 Report cards go home
10/18-10/20 Camp McDowell Week 3
10/23-10/27 Red Ribbon Week
10/25 Meet the Author
10/26 Book Fair Preview Day
10/27-11/3 Book Fair
LUNCH MENU
Please click on the link below to access the September lunch menu for Central.
https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/VestaviaHillsElementaryCentral
Principals' Message
"Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do!"We wish all of our students great success during the 2017–2018 school year! We know that teamwork between all participants results in a quality education for all children. As a result of the combined efforts of our PTO, community, faculty and staff working together in the best interests of our children, we continue to accomplish great things at VHEC!
Hats off to our dedicated teachers who attended workshops throughout the summer, provided by our outstanding school system. A special thank you to our PTO, who supported this worthwhile
professional development.
VHEC continues to focus on reading and writing across content areas. Our hope is that all students will be enthusiastic learners, while they continue to build a solid academic foundation.
Through iLead we are emphasizing character education at VHEC. Our approach encourages students to exercise self-discipline through reflection and self-education. Our goal is for students to “Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do!”
We are excited about the new school year and encourage all of you to be active participants at Central. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please give us a call. We look forward to your visits, involvement and support!
Marian Humphries, Principal Lorie Belski, Assistant Principal
From the PTO President
I hope everyone is having a great start to the school year! I trust that your children are settling into their school and classroom routines and are looking forward to a wonderful year. Thank you to all of our teachers for taking the time to invite us into their classrooms for Open House.
Many PTO volunteers are already hard at work on their committees.
Alissa Padgett has been organizing our Room Parent teams. This is a huge task, and she has done a fabulous job! Thank you to each of you who volunteered to be a room parent.
Lisa Bryant has done a wonderful job of organizing our office volunteers and making sure the office has had plenty of help for the first hectic weeks of school. Anna Yother has been coordinating the volunteers to provide assistance in the media center. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time to help out in the office and library.
Jamie Windham and her committee are tirelessly working to organize an amazing Camp McDowell experience for our 5th grade students. Thank you for your hard work!
Erin Stricklin and Anna Sizemore are coordinating the Character Club for our students. Once a month, students gather before school to hear a motivational speaker discuss one of our character traits. I encourage your child to attend this fun activity. The first meeting is October 6th at 7:20 am in the gym.
Ruth Bean is working hard on our Central Games Fundraiser. I know it will be a huge success this year!
Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Humphries, Mrs. Belski, Stephanie Rell, Kim Matchen, and Ginger Golden for answering ALL of my questions and making me feel welcome.
I hope everyone is receiving PTO communications through My School Anywhere (MSA). Erin Hunter is working tirelessly to input all of the information and assign students to a class. If you, or someone you
know, is still not receiving PTO emails, please let me know. We certainly want to make sure that everyone is included in our communication.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming fundraiser! The Central Games not only raises money for Central, but it is also a fun experience for the students. Please support Central and your child’s educational experience by supporting this fundraising event. This is Central’s one and only fundraising activity!
I encourage everyone to attend the monthly PTO meetings. You will learn about PTO happenings and hear from faculty representatives on programs and curriculum at Central. It is a great way to stay informed! Our next meeting is Monday, September 11th at 9:30 am in the cafeteria.
If you are new to Central or our community, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family! I am honored to be serving as your PTO President this year. I appreciate the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of parents and educators. If I can be of assistance, please contact me.
Kellie Box, [email protected]
C_O_U_N_S_E_L_O_R_S'__C_O_R_N_E_R
We have really enjoyed seeing the students’ smiling faces in the hallways and in guidance lessons. Each 4th & 5th grade classroom has now had 2 guidance lessons for the year. Students learned about Habit 1: Be Proactive. We are noticing LOTS of LEADERS here at VHEC as students are Being Proactive in their classrooms, at PE, in the hallways, and even on the playground. Hopefully you are noticing ways that your child is taking initiative and being proactive at home too! Our 2nd lesson was all about Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind (setting goals) and Habit 3: Put 1st Things 1st. Your child learned how to set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Our school-wide academic goal is for every student to read 30 minutes 4 out of 5 nights from now until December. Our school-wide character goal is to demonstrate an act of kindness 4 times per week from now until December. Students will have opportunities to add other academic and character goals throughout the year. We are SO proud of all our amazing leaders at VHEC.
By now, you have received a t-shirt order form from us for our Character Club. All students are invited to participate in Character Club. Character Club meets at 7:20am in the VHEC gym. We will have our first guest speaker on October 6 who will speak to our students about “Friendship.” Everyone is invited; you do not have to purchase a t-shirt to participate.
We look forward to working with you and your child this year. Please feel free to contact us anytime. Our door is always open!
Kellie Knight, [email protected] Marla Hatch, [email protected]
Camp McDowell 2017
We’re getting excited about our Fall Camps!!
If you have not turned in your child’s form, insurance card, or payment, please do so by August 28th, so they won't miss out on this awesome opportunity.
More Information about Camp McDowell, including the packing list, will follow via email and through your child’s backpack. If you have any questions, please contact me or your teacher!
Jamie Windham, [email protected]
Important Dates:September 11 Chaperone Meeting 4:00 pm(All Chaperones have been notified and invited.)
October 4-6 Darnall, Denton, Outlaw, Price, Self, Snable
October 11-13 Bryan, Fulton, Gililland, Petty, Williams
October 18-20 Blaising, Hurt, Lawrence, Michel, Pettway, Visram
**** Central Games 2017 ****
WHAT? An Olympic-themed “check-a-thon” run in-house to maximize profit for Central. The Central Games is completely parent-run, supported by VHEC faculty and staff and community donors.
WHEN? Monday, September 25 - Friday, September 29. Opening ceremonies kick off the event Friday,
September 22 at 1:45 p.m. Closing Ceremonies are Monday, October 2 at 1:45 p.m. 4th Grade McDonald’s Spirit Night is Monday, September 25 from 5-8 p.m. 5th grade McDonald’s Spirit Night is Tuesday, September 26 from 5-8 p.m. 25% of the proceeds go back to Central!
HOW? Money will be collected through MySchoolAnywhere (Paypal or credit card through PayPal), or checks and cash can be sent. A labeled envelope will come home with your child daily.
GOAL? $70,000 with a classroom goal of $2,000
WHERE does this money go? 10% of the profit will be split between all classroom teachers who have 100% participation from their students ($5 = 100% participation). Proceeds will also fund the PTO budget which includes teacher start-up funds, technology upgrades/ purchases, recess equipment, media, music and art supplies, teacher appreciation, and much much more.
PRIZES? The Game Truck, McDonald’s, T-shirts, Beats headphones, Drones, Spirit gear, gift cards and much more!
SPONSORS? McDonald’s, Dr. Dominique V. Backus Orthodontics, Bob Barker with Big Color, Lowe-Go Sportswear, The Booker/ Bean Family, Trak Shak, Get Bored Get Fit, Vestavia Hills Soccer Club, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts
QUESTIONS? Contact Ruth Bean or Erin Hunter at [email protected]
Character Club
The Vestavia Central Character Club meets once a month before school to address the importance of good character. The students get a small breakfast snack while listening to a speaker address the month’s character trait. We hope your child will become a part of this wonderful VHEC tradition! Please make plans for your child to attend our first meeting Friday, October 6th at 7:20 am in the gym.
Anna Sizemore, [email protected] Stricklin, [email protected]
Character Club Dates:
October 6, November 3, December 1, February 2, March 2, April 6
Wednesday Morning ChessWednesday Morning Chess is a school-wide enrichment activity! Information about this activity and a parent permission form was sent home the first week of school. Our first Chess Club will be held September 6 at 7:25 am. Everyone is welcome! If you are new to the game of chess, we will match
you up with a student that can help you learn the basics and some cool moves to get started.
When: Wednesday mornings at 7:25 am
Where: Media Center
What to Bring: Chess set and board
Why: Because Chess Rules at Central!
We hope to see you there!!
Ms. Whiddon Ms. Coxwell Ms. Gaskill
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Central Volunteers
VHEC Families,
Volunteering is a great way to get to know all that VHEC has to offer as well as getting to know new families. Go to www.myschoolanywhere.com, login to your account, and take a look at the available signups. If you have any questions about specific events, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Alissa Padgett, Volunteer Chair ([email protected])
Library News
Central will have a Design Club this year that learns more in-depth information about Tinkercad, a kids engineering program, and will sometimes print on the 3-D printer. The Design Club will meet Thursday mornings, 7:25-7:50 am, in the Media Center. If your child is interested in joining, please fill out the application at the link below. Please contact Ms. Elizabeth Hester, [email protected], for more information.
Link to the Tinkercad application: https://docs.google.com/a/vhcs.vestavia.k12.al.us/document/d/1sejn5Bi7IQkGZg-vDpUX8HhtopUXRO81B2oyy6B_g1E/edit?usp=sharing
Book Fair Dates:
October 25 Meet the Author, Tim Green
October 26 Book Fair Preview Day
October 27-November 3 Book Fair
PNC & VHCSF Luncheon
Mike Lutzenkirchen is the father of Auburn football legend, Philip Lutzenkirchen. Philip was not only a star on the field but a star in life. On June 29, 2014 Philip lost his life in a single vehicle accident at the age of 23. We are excited to announce that Mike will be the keynote speaker at the 4th Annual PNC and Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation lunch event. The ticketed event begins at 11:30 am on Tuesday, October 3rd with proceeds to benefit the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation. To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities visit vestaviafoundation.org, contact us via email at [email protected], or call 205.978.8808.
Presented by PNC and benefiting the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which provides grants each year to Vestavia Hills educators for technology improvements, classroom enhancement projects, and professional development opportunities for teachers. The Foundation currently has a grant-making endowment of more than $2.5 million. Since providing its first grants in 1999, the Foundation has awarded more than $860,000 to Vestavia Hills City Schools and the
Board of Education.
Help the Hills Fall Event
Stress, Anxiety and our TeensA Community Resource Event
featuring
Dr. Al Saunders
Tuesday, September 19th
Community Resource Fair from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Speaker begins at 6:00 PM
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church
Tyson Hall
Why are a record number of teens being treated for anxiety and stress? Do smart phones and social media play a role? Is there a link between increased stress and anxiety and an increase in the use of drugs and
alcohol among teens?
Join the Help the Hills Coalition and Dr. Al Saunders for a frank discussion on stress, anxiety and our teens. Dr. Al Saunders is the Director of Wellspring Clinic and provides individual, marital, and family therapy with clients ranging from early adolescence to adulthood. His therapy background covers a broad spectrum of mental illness with special interest in anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, and impulse control disorders. In addition to his practice, Dr. Saunders is a frequent speaker at Vestavia Hills Parent Awareness meetings.
Community representatives and resources will be on hand from 5:00-6:00 pm to distribute additional information and talk with parents.
To learn more, visit helpthehills.org.
To be added to our email list, email [email protected].
PIE - Central's Partners in Education
We love our community partners at VHEC!!
If you would like to be a partner, through donations or in kind services, please contact Leann Turner at [email protected] to find out the donation needs for this school year.
Platinum:
Bob Barker with Big Color
Bruster's Ice Cream
Dr. Dominique V. Backus, Orthodontist
McDonald's
Richter Landscape
Gold:
Lowe-Go Sportswear
Silver:
Get Bored Get Fit
Tiger Rock Martial Arts
Trak Shak
Vestavia Hills Soccer Club
Bronze:
The Booker/ Bean Family
Gifts from A to Zebra
Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry - Dr. Lauten Johnson and Dr. Clark Thomas
Dr. Stephanie Steinmetz, Pediatric Dentistry