JOY is a word we continually hear this time of year. One definition for the word joy is “a

feeling of great pleasure and happiness”. I would like to challenge each of us to find the

JOY in learning each day. At school, some of the ways we can find joy includes daily help-

ing your sons and daughters learn and achieve something, helping them to see the connec-

tions between their school work and the world around them, and helping them to realize they

can be …learners for LIFE.

What are some ways at home you find the JOY in Learning?

Here’s wishing you and your family the gift of JOY and Happy Holidays

Educationally yours,

Mrs. Diana Allen

Principal

From the Principal’s Pen

Dates to Remember

Friday, December 8

3rd Grade, Nutcracker

10 AM Adler

Friday, December 8

Festival of Trees at

Washington begins

Wednesday, December 20

2 hour early dismissal

12:25 pm dismissal

Winter Break

Thursday, December 21 -

Monday, January 1

No School

Tuesday, January 2

Return to school

Washington Elementary School

1608 East Locust

Davenport, IA 52803 DECEMBER, 2017

563-723-6150 Phone

www.davenportschools.org

Nurse Notes:

Reminder to dress for the weather. Winter

coats, hats, and gloves.

Illnesses…cold and flu season is upon

us. Keep sick kids home! It is our District poli-

cy that children must be free from fever,

vomiting and or diarrhea for a full 24 hours

before returning to school.

Enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season!

Nurse Kenyon

FAMILY FUN IDEAS FROM THE F.I.L. (FAMILY INVOLVEMENT LIAISON)

Winter break is quickly approaching! It is a wonderful time for the whole family to bond through family

fun. Listed below are a few ideas. Donate. Before or after new toys make it into your house make a few piles and chose what to donate,

throw away or keep. Go on a scavenger hunt outside. Make bird feeders for your trees outside. Bowl with your family and knock them down. Have a book festival. Toss an egg off your porch and learn while doing it. Work off some energy in your own boot camp. Go on an alphabet hunt. Go on a photo safari and write a book about your neighborhood. Make a mural . Pretend to be a veterinarian , a scientist, or even an elf. Make your own constellation. Have an ice cream taste test. Start a family journal. Draw and design your own cards ( maybe thank you cards for holiday gifts?! )

PTA Happenings:

January 9th! PTA Meet-

ing

6-7 pm Childcare Provid-

ed…

Continue to collect Box

Tops, soup label program

ends on December 10,

2017.

Washington Festival of Trees

December 8-18th

Bring change and vote for your fa-

vorite tree.

This year’s theme,

“ALL I WANT FOR

CHRISTMAS IS MY

FAVORITE BOOK.”

Top 2 trees win a $25 gift certificate

for Scholastic Books compliments of

Rannfeldt Family Chiropractic.

December Happenings: One of my favorite days of the year at Washing-ton happens to be on December 20th, last day before Winter Break. We have a school-wide PJ day and watch the Polar Express! In addition, we have some special guests and special treats that day as well.

Washington Way: Every day, Washington students are using the Wash-ington Way expectations of Respect, Safety, and Responsibility. The Washington Way merges PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) and Boystown Social Skills. An example of a Social Skill that all our students have received is "Accepting No." When we teach this skill to our students, we give meaningful rea-sons. For example, we share with students that you might not receive "yes" this time, but you are more likely to hear a "yes" next time. The steps to "Accepting No" are:

1. Look at the Person

2. Say "Ok"

3. Remain Calm.

You can use this language at home with your children as it is the same language we use here at school.

Morgan Mohr SAM

A Minute with Mohr

Welcome, December!

Our counseling lessons on responsibility

are wrapping up. When talking about respon-

sibility, we ask students – “what am I in

charge of?” I was super

impressed with students’

ability to recognized what

responsibilities they have at

school AND at home.

As we enter the month of

December, lessons will focus on perspec-

tive and empathy. Perspective is someone’s

point of view. Empathy is when we think

about how another person feels. When we

are able to think about another person’s per-

spective and use empathy, we are more likely

to be successful working and getting along

with others. This is not only important for

friendships and peer relationships, but for

when our young people become productive

members of our community!

Empathy and perspective are two of the

biggest ingredients when it comes to pre-

venting bullying in our schools and commu-

nities. Please continue these im-

portant discussions with your

children at home. If our students

practice these two things, I am

confident we will have an entire

community of every day

HEROES!

I hope you enjoy the warmth of the holi-

day season as you visit with family and

friends.

Be Safe!

Be Merry!

Happy New Year, Washington!

November HEROES –

The following individuals were recognized as

November Heroes of the Month!

Ariana Vaughn, Olivia Birkmeier, Isaac Bes-

sert, Sophie Franklin, Ava Pulford, Madalynn

Jackson, Danny Morgan, Aly Perez, Saman-

tha Ozmon, Paul Stoffer, Jenesys Estrada, Eli

Klipsch, Alyssa Knotts, Isaac Bolinger, Tana-

jae Clay, Ms. Connie Droessler-Vens and Mr.

Mendoza

Mrs. Shannan Child

School Counselor

Child Chat

HAWK TALK

Event: Washington students; Adrian Bowen, Tarique

Lee, Johnise Thorson, and Tahlea Tirrell will be par-

ticipating in the Elks National Free-Throw Contest at

Davenport Central High School

on Saturday, December 9th

Thanks,

Mr. Curtis, Physical Education

Washington Elementary

Moments in Music

To all 3rd, 4

th,

and 5th Grade stu-

dents: Congratulations

on a job well done at

your concert!

Thank you for all of

your hard work! You

should be very proud of

yourselves!

-Mrs. Dawson