Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Star Testing Tips for Parents

The weeks of April 16-27 are upon us.  During these two weeks PHE students will be participating in STAR testing.  In the last principal's newsletter  Mrs.Voris shared with you information about the STAR test, who takes it and what is covered.  Below are some tips that will help you support your child to do his/her personal best on STAR.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
• Provide your child with a high protein, low sugar breakfast.
• Make sure your child arrives before the bell.  Students who are late may need to wait outside the classroom until a subtest is complete.  It is better if your child can take the test with his classmates proctored by his/her classroom teacher.
• Make all appointments for after school, or if needed, for the afternoon.
• Remind your child to take the test seriously- do their best, read the questions carefully, eliminate the obvious
• The test is for students and teachers.  It will tell us what they know as well as tell us what we need to teach better.

Many thanks go to the PHE PTA who will be providing healthy snacks for your students during the testing window.  Testing is hard work and we want to give students the fuel they need to do their very best and to feel appreciated for the efforts.

Thank you for supporting your child during STAR testing week!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Congratulations to Reflections 2012 Participants

We would like to congratulate all of our Reflections participants in this year's contest, with the theme "Diversity Means..." Reflections is a nationwide art contest sponsored by the PTA. The arts are so important and this is one way to keep it alive in our schools.  

There are several categories to choose from: Visual Arts, Literature, poetry, dance, music composition, film production, and photography.  A workshop was held at the end of October where the kids had the opportunity to use different mediums to express themselves. Some chose watercolor, while others opted for pastels and/or black and white.  

Please take time to stop in the MU room and reflect on the art pieces presented on the Reflections Wall in the back of the room.   The kids all had their own take on what "Diversity Means..." and it's quite special to see the variety of art that they presented. 

This year, of the 33 Visual Arts entries, nine went on to the council level. Congratulations to:

• Katelyn C.
• Jakob S.
• Cameron D.
• Chloe D.
• Morgan C.
• Jaylin S.
• Kaylee K.
• Allison K.
• Dante O..

The theme for next year's contest should be coming out at the end of the school year. If your child would like to participate, entries are generally accepted in the middle of November. You can go online to get appropriate registration papers or contact PHE PTA's Reflections representative.

Again, a big round of applause to all the participants who entered their work into the Reflections contest. Also the PTA would like to thank Brenda Callabro-Collins for her leadership and dedication to Reflections at PHE. She had a great time working with your children on this important art program.

Please join us for a certificate ceremony to be held on Thursday, May 24, at 5:15 p.m. in the MU room. All participants will receive a certificate of participation and a pin.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A Race to the Finish with Box Tops

We have reached the last stretch of this school year and we need all families to continue to collect those Box Tops! 

PHE is on a roll with surpassing the goal for this school year; but let's see how far we can really go!
 
Click here to open and print a "Race to the Finish" sheet.  Please remember to attach "10" box tops to this sheet and verify that the Box Top is not expired. Check the very, very small print at the bottom of the box top.  If you don't want to use the collection sheet, just toss those Box Tops into a zip lock baggie and send them into school.

Each classroom has a collection envelope or there is a collection box on the counter in the office.  

Thanks so much for your help with this super easy fundraiser for the PHE PTA.

Julie Stern
Box Top Coordinator

2012 PHE Book Fair a Huge Success - thanks to YOU!

BOOK FAIR results are in!

First of all a big thank you to all the volunteers that helped set up, run and take down the book fair.  It was a huge job requiring many mom hours and we couldn't have been successful without the help of the numerous volunteers.

Thanks also to the generosity of parents and our community.  Because of you, the Book Fair had sales of over $15,000.00!  That earned our school over $3000 and the library receiving over $800 worth of new books.

Especially gratifying about the book fair is seeing all the kids and families all who enjoyed coming to the fair during recess, lunch and after school and being able to share our love of reading with them.

All in all a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!  The PHE PTA says THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Student Information Form Available April 20th

We believe that all teachers at Pleasant Hill Elementary are superb and qualified to teach all students. Although we do no accept teacher requests by parents, parents may submit Student Information Forms describing the special needs and learning environment that they consider important for their child. The forms are available in the office April 20. These forms must be returned to the office by 3:00 pm Friday, May 11.

As you can imagine, many factors need to be considered when classes are created. The following criteria will be considered in this process: 

• Total number of students divided equally in each class;  
• Structure of class;  
• Parent information regarding student's need;  
• Assessment of student's need;  
• A reasonable range of ability in each class;  
• Separation of some students;  
• Academic balance; leadership balance;  
• Last minute class configuration changes due to over/under enrollment.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Lost and Found Items

We've been donating Lost and Found clothes on the last Friday of each month. The donation includes clothes found in the previous month (for example, clothes found in April will be donated on the last Friday of May, etc.)

At this time of year we find lots of jackets due to the cool mornings and warm afternoons. Kids shed their jackets during recess and lunch. 

Please be sure to label all your children's jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, backpacks and lunch boxeswith first and last name. If they are labeled we make an effort to return the items to your child's classroom. You can find the Lost and Found rack inside the multi-purpose room or often times seen in front of the MU room. There are also some plastic bins in the MU with additional clothing and lost items.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Register for the Amazing Race this Week! Sponsored by FPHE

Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the city-wide Amazing Race

Date:  April 21st

Time:  10 am to 4 pm (You can do as much or as little as you want based on your schedule.)

Create a team: up to 4-5 people - family, friends, co-workers, sports, volunteer groups, etc. Create a theme. Make it fun.

Register today at www.fphe.org:   Registration is $40 and pre-registration is required.

How it works:  Based on the like-named TV show, the race and its activities will be structured similarly to the Minute to Win It and Amazing Race activities.  FPHE will email your first clue on the morning of the event and then you are off (!) following intriguing clues from one site to another throughout the day. 

Questions:  Email amazingrace@fphe.org.

Campaign Update: FPHE is working toward its Annual Campaign goal in an effort to provide funding for the school grants we'll award in May.  Please donate at www.fphe.org or mail your check with the attached donation form.

Thank you - The Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education