Dear Willow Hill Families,

Research has shown that strong communication between home and school is a key element in the educational success of our children. In an effort to be more efficient and effective in our communication, the Willow Hill staff has created teacher web pages and Moodle sites. The staff’s biographies, photos, email addresses and contact information are listed under the staff tab on our recently improved WH web site. Here you will get to know each staff member on a professional level including educational background and experiences. You will also get to know the staff on a more personal level as some have shared various hobbies and personal interests in their lives outside of school.

Moodle is used throughout the Traverse City Area Public Schools District from the elementary, to middle, and secondary levels. As you and your child/children experience the high caliber programming in TCAPS, you will become more familiar with this communication venue. Moodle contains information including curricular goals, objectives, assignments, upcoming tests, quizzes, study guides, spelling words, classroom events, and resources to name just a few. Your child’s/children’s classroom teacher will also update Moodle information on a regular basis. Some of the staff is using password protection to access Moodle if student photos are posted while others are not using password protection. Your child’s/children’s classroom teacher will contact you if there is a necessary password to access his/her Moodle page.

Thank you in advance for your patience and constructive feedback on our communications efforts. Please feel free to contact your child’s/children’s teacher or me if there are any further questions.

Best Regards,

Colleen Smith,
Principal

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

Happy New Year 2012! The New Year is a time when we commit to New Year’s resolutions, renew our hope for the future, and dreams seem boundless. In my 24 years as an educator working with children, their parents and my fellow colleagues, I have been inspired in many ways every day of the year.

The following poem by Mary Anne Radmacher is a wonderful reminder about keeping things in perspective every day.

Walk to the edge.
Listen hard. Laugh. Play with abandon.
Practice wellness.
Continue to learn.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Lead or follow a leader.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

Happy New Year! May your every day interactions inspire you to do great things and live life to the fullest.

Colleen Smith, Principal

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

As an educational leader I have met and collaborated with some of the most generous, creative, and talented people who support our children, our school community, and public education. I am both thankful and humbled by these unsung “heroes and “she-roes”.

I am thankful for….

1. The Curtis and Jamie Warnes Family. Mr. Warnes created our beautiful school logo, the falcon, on the front of our building. It’s a work of art.

2. Carol Stetler’s work with Katy Ramsdell and the Kid’s Hope Volunteers.

3. The amazing army of volunteers we have at WH including:

• Thanksgiving dinner servers
• Parents who listen to our children read weekly
• Library and Literacy Library volunteers
• Service Bureau Team
• W.H.O.
• Classroom helpers
• Crosswalk, playground, and car line volunteers
• Coaches
• Popcorn poppers

4. Mrs. Julie Phend and her work with the organization of Leveled Literacy materials.

5. The SMART initiative by Mrs. Jen Gaston and her tireless efforts with the Giving Circle. The SMART technology is being used in every classroom and the Giving Circle is growing.

6. The dedicated and thoughtful WH staff. They are diligently working to incorporate SMART technology and creating teacher Moodle pages to communicate electronically with our families.

7. The caring bus drivers who safely transport our children to school every day.

8. A TCAPS Administration team who supports and encourages thinking “outside of the box” when it comes to educating every child in our district.

9. The wonderful WH office staff. I am honored to work with such thoughtful, bright, lean thinkers.

10. Our children. From the youngest to the oldest, they teach us lessons in unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Colleen Smith, Principal

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

It’s November! As the days get shorter, Jack Frost is leaving his frosty marks on our Halloween jack-o-lanterns, leaf piles, and car windows. As our thoughts turn toward winter preparations we need to think about winter gear for our children including hats, gloves, snow pants, boots, and warm jackets. These items are essential for the winter wonderland we experience in northern Michigan.

Our school is participating in the Boots For Kids program again this year. The Boots For Kids program provides free winter boots, hats, mittens, and dental products for children in need. Typically the winter gear is delivered prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and hopefully before the first snowfall! Please call me if there is a need or if you have any questions about the program.

As adults we want to ensure the safety and welfare of all of our children. The bulky winter clothing will keep our children warm but it may impact motor skills or impede vision. This coupled with slippery roadways is never a good combination. Here are a few reminders as you travel through our neighborhood streets or through carline.

• Travel at a much slower rate of speed along our side streets and up/down Hill Street. Always err on the side of caution.
• Watch for students and adults crossing at intersections.
• Give yourself a reasonable distance to stop. Road conditions are always changing.
• Take your time and expect that it may take a little longer to get from one destination to another.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and courtesy in your travels as the seasons change.

Warmly,

Colleen

 

Dear WH Parents,

• October 11, Reading Day 1- grades 3-4-5
• October 12, Reading Day 2 - grades 3-4-5
• October 13, Writing Day 1 - grade 4
• October 18, Mathematics - grades 3-4-5
• October 19, Writing Day 2 - grade 4 and Science, grade 5
• October 20-28, MEAP Make-Up Days

• Encourage your child to get plenty of sleep
• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet each day (snacks will be provided by W.H.O.) 
• Avoid doctor’s appointments and vacations during this time so your child may test with his/her peer group
• Talk to your child about the importance of the tests and to do his/her best 

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! There are several important qualities that make Willow Hill Elementary School a wonderfully vibrant and inviting school community. Besides our outstanding students and the involvement of their supportive families, Willow Hill's staff is second to none. Please read on for more information about Willow Hill Elementary School.

• School Wide Positive Behavior Program: WH has focused on three main behaviors to help remind and support our positive behavioral expectations in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, playground, bus, etc… every student is expected to be safe, respectful, and responsible. We review the expectations at the beginning of the school year through staff skits in an all-school assembly and review as necessary throughout the school year. Ask a student to show you their “Willow Hill pride” as a helpful reminder about who we are and what behaviors are expected.

• Caught You Being Good: We celebrate positive student choices with “caught you being good” coupons. Any staff may reward a student for his/her positive choice. The student may place his/her coupon on the bulletin board in the lobby. Each week five names are drawn from the bulletin board and are honored on the Friday announcements.
  

• Willow Hill Organization or W.H.O.: This is a delightful group of parents and staff that meets on the second Tuesday of the month to plan for, review and assess school needs/events. Staff members take turns attending the monthly meetings and give a brief “teacher report” of what is happening in the classrooms or address any needs/requests. This is a very supportive group working together to benefit every WH student.

• The Giving Circle: The Giving Circle is a wonderful alternative way to support W.H.O. initiatives including but not limited to technology, virtual field trips and literacy. Last year The Giving Circle along with a matching grant generated $29,500 to purchase SMART Boards for every K-5 classroom! This is a creative and tax deductable way of supporting all students’ education.

• Junior Achievement, Virtual Field Trips and Assemblies: W.H.O. has generously committed to support JA for all classes during the 2011-2012 school year. W.H.O. also supports virtual class field trips and all school assemblies.

• Service Bureau and Volunteers in the Classroom: There is a dynamic group of parent volunteers who support staff needs such as collating, organizing, cutting, and laminating classroom materials. Volunteers are also present throughout the building including the library, classrooms, playground, and popcorn Fridays. Any time you can put into your child’s education is worth the dividends throughout a lifetime so get involved and volunteer.
   
• Teacher Fundraiser: The staff sponsors a traditional fundraiser in the fall to support classroom material needs and/or field trips. Students support this effort by taking home brochures and order forms for candy, wrapping paper, etc…
   
• Odyssey of the Mind, Introduction to Spanish, Cross-Country, Basketball, Volleyball, and Track: OM is offered for students in grades K-5 with Spanish instruction during the school day for 3rd-5th grades. Sports are offered to students in grades 4-5 through TCAPS' Learning, Enrichment, & Athletic Program (LEAP). Our academic and sports teams are outstanding! Get involved and become a coach.
  

• Job Squad: The fourth and fifth grade students are responsible for our job squad. Each of the classrooms takes on the job responsibilities for a two-week rotation. A.M. Channel 13 news announcers, lunch basket helpers, recyclers, preschool helpers, car line, bus sign holders, art helpers, etc… are only a few of the jobs our students participate in. This is a wonderful way to build stewardship and show our WH pride.  

• Extended Childcare Before and After School: Before school childcare is available as early as 7:00 a.m. and immediately after school until 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Nutritious snacks, fun games, outside play, creative arts and crafts are offered daily.

• Student Pick Up and Notes: Please send a note with your child if there is a change in the daily routine. Whether it’s a doctor’s appointment, after school plans, a different adult picking up your child, etc… your child’s classroom teacher and the office would appreciate a note/email/voicemail detailing the change. Thank you.

• Car Line, Drop Off and Pick Up: The beginning and end of every school day is a very busy time. Do not park in the circle drive during the a.m. or p.m. drop off/pick up time. Parents are welcome to park in the parking lot and walk students into the building in the morning and wait for them in the lobby at the end of the day. Other parents may choose to wait in car line to drop off or pick up their student. The morning drop off is fairly quick. Students are allowed to exit their vehicles closest to the sidewalk in the circle drive. Please do not allow students to exit the vehicle from the driver’s side to go in front or behind the vehicle. This is dangerous. If your child needs assistance getting out of the vehicle or an extra moment to say good-bye please park in the parking lot or along the neighborhood streets.
  
  At the end of the day students are gathered on the front walk and called to a numbered cone once his/her vehicle is identified. Here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind for a smooth and safe car line experience:
  • Clearly write in large, bold print your family’s last name on the passenger side visor. Flip visor down for speedy identification of your student’s last name. A staff member will call your student to the identified cone 1,2,3 or 4 to wait for you to pull up next to.
  • Students exit and enter vehicles on the passenger side.
  • Be ready to receive your student in your vehicle and greet them.
  • Keep all pets contained in vehicles during pick up. Pets are not allowed on school property. It’s very difficult to predict a pet’s reaction to a group of students.
  • If you need to buckle in a child please pull forward and off to the side so the line may continue to move smoothly.
  • Thank you in advance for being gracious and patient with one another while in car line.
    

• Parking Lot and Cross Walks: Parking is a premium so please be considerate and park in designated parking spots. If the lot is full Hill, Wayne or Madison Streets are viable options. There are volunteers and/or staff crossing guards at the top of Hill Street before and after school. It’s imperative to drive with extreme caution in this cross walk areas because students may not always look both ways or wait for the guard to cross them. Err on the side of caution and take your time. Also do not cross in the car line cross walk during pick up or drop off times due to the traffic volume. The sidewalk is much safer.  

• School Hours and Red Flag Days: Students are allowed on our playgrounds with adult supervision at 8:25 a.m. with K-2 students on the lower playground and 3-5 students on the upper playground. The school day begins at 8:45 a.m. and the end of the day is 3:43 p.m. If there is a red flag at the main and bus entrances this means the weather is too poor for students to go out to the playgrounds. Students come into the building and stand by their lockers.  

• Birthday Treats: We do not allow birthday treats for students at school. In lieu of treats, staff honor birthdays in ways including but not limited to wearing a birthday necklace, hat, or sash. The special person of the day may have preferential seating near the teacher or lead the line for the day. A class book may be created to honor the birthday student of the day. And there are so many more ideas staff uses to honor students on their special day!

• Allergy Aware Classrooms: We do have students with allergies and have “allergy aware” classrooms. A sign is posted outside of the classroom in the event there is a student with a food/latex/tree nut/peanut/bee sting/medical allergy. Classroom teachers make parents aware of the allergy aware status (not identifying the student necessarily) and request that the particular food items are not sent in for classroom snacks or parties. If your child is in an allergy aware classroom the food item may be eaten in the cafeteria during lunch. We have separate wash water and cloths for wiping down the allergy aware tables in the cafeteria.  

• Green School: We are a green school. We recycle milk cartons in the cafeteria and use real silverware. We recycle paper from classrooms, batteries, ink cartridges, and repurpose/reuse materials for classroom projects. Many staff members are communicating classroom newsletters via email and/or established class Web sites. The monthly school newsletter will also be sent via email. This has been a powerful communication tool and valued resource for our parents.  

• Breakfast/Lunch Accounts: Breakfast is served daily beginning at 8:15 a.m. You may pre-pay on your child’s cafeteria account by either sending a check or cash in an envelope with your child’s first and last name, grade and his/her teacher’s name. You may also pay on line at www.SendMoneytoSchool.com. (There is a $2 fee for each transaction.) Free and Reduced lunch/breakfast applications are online at www.tcaps.net/menu. This is the quickest and most efficient way to fill out the paperwork. Cafeteria prices for the ’11-’12 school year are as follows: Breakfast $1.25, Lunch $2.10, Milk .40,  Juice .30

• Halloween Parade: The entire school parades around Slabtown. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the whole parade route. We have a wonderful audience of neighbors, parents, and friends who watch this long-standing tradition. 450+ dressed in costumes is a pretty impressive sight!  

• Popcorn Fridays: Popcorn is popped every Friday. Popcorn is 25 cents per bag and students may purchase popcorn for the whole year. Parents organize the prepaid list by classroom. Volunteers are needed.  

• Kid’s Hope Mentors: We currently have 13+ Kid’s Hope Mentors from the Central United Methodist Church. This group of volunteers works weekly with students to build academic and social success.
  
• Share Fair: This is a huge all-school potluck picnic at the end of the year. Classroom projects and artwork are displayed in the gymnasium.  

• Talent Show and School Carnival: These are two huge all-school events held in the spring. The talent show is held at West Senior High School and the carnival in the gym, cafeteria, and classrooms. You don’t want to miss these fun and exiting events.  

• Classroom Meetings/Circle of Friends/Changing Family Groups/Boys and Girls Groups and So Much More: Carol Stetler, SSW, has supported our school-wide positive behavior program by extending her support to classroom teachers through classroom meetings/Circle of Friends/Changing Family Groups/Boys and Girls Group and individual meetings with students. Please see her directly if you are interested in her support services.

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

Research has shown that strong communication between home and school is a key element in the educational success of our children. In an effort to be more efficient and effective in our communication, the Willow Hill staff has created teacher web pages and Moodle sites. The staff’s biographies, photos, email addresses and contact information are listed under the staff tab on our recently improved WH web site. Here you will get to know each staff member on a professional level including educational background and experiences. You will also get to know the staff on a more personal level as some have shared various hobbies and personal interests in their lives outside of school.

Moodle is used throughout the Traverse City Area Public Schools District from the elementary, to middle, and secondary levels. As you and your child/children experience the high caliber programming in TCAPS, you will become more familiar with this communication venue. Moodle contains information including curricular goals, objectives, assignments, upcoming tests, quizzes, study guides, spelling words, classroom events, and resources to name just a few. Your child’s/children’s classroom teacher will also update Moodle information on a regular basis. Some of the staff is using password protection to access Moodle if student photos are posted while others are not using password protection. Your child’s/children’s classroom teacher will contact you if there is a necessary password to access his/her Moodle page.

Thank you in advance for your patience and constructive feedback on our communications efforts. Please feel free to contact your child’s/children’s teacher or me if there are any further questions.

Best Regards,

Colleen Smith,
Principal

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

Happy New Year 2012! The New Year is a time when we commit to New Year’s resolutions, renew our hope for the future, and dreams seem boundless. In my 24 years as an educator working with children, their parents and my fellow colleagues, I have been inspired in many ways every day of the year.

The following poem by Mary Anne Radmacher is a wonderful reminder about keeping things in perspective every day.

Walk to the edge.
Listen hard. Laugh. Play with abandon.
Practice wellness.
Continue to learn.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Lead or follow a leader.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

Happy New Year! May your every day interactions inspire you to do great things and live life to the fullest.

Colleen Smith, Principal

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

As an educational leader I have met and collaborated with some of the most generous, creative, and talented people who support our children, our school community, and public education. I am both thankful and humbled by these unsung “heroes and “she-roes”.

I am thankful for….

1. The Curtis and Jamie Warnes Family. Mr. Warnes created our beautiful school logo, the falcon, on the front of our building. It’s a work of art.

2. Carol Stetler’s work with Katy Ramsdell and the Kid’s Hope Volunteers.

3. The amazing army of volunteers we have at WH including:

• Thanksgiving dinner servers
• Parents who listen to our children read weekly
• Library and Literacy Library volunteers
• Service Bureau Team
• W.H.O.
• Classroom helpers
• Crosswalk, playground, and car line volunteers
• Coaches
• Popcorn poppers

4. Mrs. Julie Phend and her work with the organization of Leveled Literacy materials.

5. The SMART initiative by Mrs. Jen Gaston and her tireless efforts with the Giving Circle. The SMART technology is being used in every classroom and the Giving Circle is growing.

6. The dedicated and thoughtful WH staff. They are diligently working to incorporate SMART technology and creating teacher Moodle pages to communicate electronically with our families.

7. The caring bus drivers who safely transport our children to school every day.

8. A TCAPS Administration team who supports and encourages thinking “outside of the box” when it comes to educating every child in our district.

9. The wonderful WH office staff. I am honored to work with such thoughtful, bright, lean thinkers.

10. Our children. From the youngest to the oldest, they teach us lessons in unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Colleen Smith, Principal

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

It’s November! As the days get shorter, Jack Frost is leaving his frosty marks on our Halloween jack-o-lanterns, leaf piles, and car windows. As our thoughts turn toward winter preparations we need to think about winter gear for our children including hats, gloves, snow pants, boots, and warm jackets. These items are essential for the winter wonderland we experience in northern Michigan.

Our school is participating in the Boots For Kids program again this year. The Boots For Kids program provides free winter boots, hats, mittens, and dental products for children in need. Typically the winter gear is delivered prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and hopefully before the first snowfall! Please call me if there is a need or if you have any questions about the program.

As adults we want to ensure the safety and welfare of all of our children. The bulky winter clothing will keep our children warm but it may impact motor skills or impede vision. This coupled with slippery roadways is never a good combination. Here are a few reminders as you travel through our neighborhood streets or through carline.

• Travel at a much slower rate of speed along our side streets and up/down Hill Street. Always err on the side of caution.
• Watch for students and adults crossing at intersections.
• Give yourself a reasonable distance to stop. Road conditions are always changing.
• Take your time and expect that it may take a little longer to get from one destination to another.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and courtesy in your travels as the seasons change.

Warmly,

Colleen

 

Dear WH Parents,

• October 11, Reading Day 1- grades 3-4-5
• October 12, Reading Day 2 - grades 3-4-5
• October 13, Writing Day 1 - grade 4
• October 18, Mathematics - grades 3-4-5
• October 19, Writing Day 2 - grade 4 and Science, grade 5
• October 20-28, MEAP Make-Up Days

• Encourage your child to get plenty of sleep
• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet each day (snacks will be provided by W.H.O.) 
• Avoid doctor’s appointments and vacations during this time so your child may test with his/her peer group
• Talk to your child about the importance of the tests and to do his/her best 

 

Dear Willow Hill Families,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! There are several important qualities that make Willow Hill Elementary School a wonderfully vibrant and inviting school community. Besides our outstanding students and the involvement of their supportive families, Willow Hill's staff is second to none. Please read on for more information about Willow Hill Elementary School.

• School Wide Positive Behavior Program: WH has focused on three main behaviors to help remind and support our positive behavioral expectations in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, playground, bus, etc… every student is expected to be safe, respectful, and responsible. We review the expectations at the beginning of the school year through staff skits in an all-school assembly and review as necessary throughout the school year. Ask a student to show you their “Willow Hill pride” as a helpful reminder about who we are and what behaviors are expected.

• Caught You Being Good: We celebrate positive student choices with “caught you being good” coupons. Any staff may reward a student for his/her positive choice. The student may place his/her coupon on the bulletin board in the lobby. Each week five names are drawn from the bulletin board and are honored on the Friday announcements.
  

• Willow Hill Organization or W.H.O.: This is a delightful group of parents and staff that meets on the second Tuesday of the month to plan for, review and assess school needs/events. Staff members take turns attending the monthly meetings and give a brief “teacher report” of what is happening in the classrooms or address any needs/requests. This is a very supportive group working together to benefit every WH student.

• The Giving Circle: The Giving Circle is a wonderful alternative way to support W.H.O. initiatives including but not limited to technology, virtual field trips and literacy. Last year The Giving Circle along with a matching grant generated $29,500 to purchase SMART Boards for every K-5 classroom! This is a creative and tax deductable way of supporting all students’ education.

• Junior Achievement, Virtual Field Trips and Assemblies: W.H.O. has generously committed to support JA for all classes during the 2011-2012 school year. W.H.O. also supports virtual class field trips and all school assemblies.

• Service Bureau and Volunteers in the Classroom: There is a dynamic group of parent volunteers who support staff needs such as collating, organizing, cutting, and laminating classroom materials. Volunteers are also present throughout the building including the library, classrooms, playground, and popcorn Fridays. Any time you can put into your child’s education is worth the dividends throughout a lifetime so get involved and volunteer.
   
• Teacher Fundraiser: The staff sponsors a traditional fundraiser in the fall to support classroom material needs and/or field trips. Students support this effort by taking home brochures and order forms for candy, wrapping paper, etc…
   
• Odyssey of the Mind, Introduction to Spanish, Cross-Country, Basketball, Volleyball, and Track: OM is offered for students in grades K-5 with Spanish instruction during the school day for 3rd-5th grades. Sports are offered to students in grades 4-5 through TCAPS' Learning, Enrichment, & Athletic Program (LEAP). Our academic and sports teams are outstanding! Get involved and become a coach.
  

• Job Squad: The fourth and fifth grade students are responsible for our job squad. Each of the classrooms takes on the job responsibilities for a two-week rotation. A.M. Channel 13 news announcers, lunch basket helpers, recyclers, preschool helpers, car line, bus sign holders, art helpers, etc… are only a few of the jobs our students participate in. This is a wonderful way to build stewardship and show our WH pride.  

• Extended Childcare Before and After School: Before school childcare is available as early as 7:00 a.m. and immediately after school until 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Nutritious snacks, fun games, outside play, creative arts and crafts are offered daily.

• Student Pick Up and Notes: Please send a note with your child if there is a change in the daily routine. Whether it’s a doctor’s appointment, after school plans, a different adult picking up your child, etc… your child’s classroom teacher and the office would appreciate a note/email/voicemail detailing the change. Thank you.

• Car Line, Drop Off and Pick Up: The beginning and end of every school day is a very busy time. Do not park in the circle drive during the a.m. or p.m. drop off/pick up time. Parents are welcome to park in the parking lot and walk students into the building in the morning and wait for them in the lobby at the end of the day. Other parents may choose to wait in car line to drop off or pick up their student. The morning drop off is fairly quick. Students are allowed to exit their vehicles closest to the sidewalk in the circle drive. Please do not allow students to exit the vehicle from the driver’s side to go in front or behind the vehicle. This is dangerous. If your child needs assistance getting out of the vehicle or an extra moment to say good-bye please park in the parking lot or along the neighborhood streets.
  
  At the end of the day students are gathered on the front walk and called to a numbered cone once his/her vehicle is identified. Here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind for a smooth and safe car line experience:
  • Clearly write in large, bold print your family’s last name on the passenger side visor. Flip visor down for speedy identification of your student’s last name. A staff member will call your student to the identified cone 1,2,3 or 4 to wait for you to pull up next to.
  • Students exit and enter vehicles on the passenger side.
  • Be ready to receive your student in your vehicle and greet them.
  • Keep all pets contained in vehicles during pick up. Pets are not allowed on school property. It’s very difficult to predict a pet’s reaction to a group of students.
  • If you need to buckle in a child please pull forward and off to the side so the line may continue to move smoothly.
  • Thank you in advance for being gracious and patient with one another while in car line.
    

• Parking Lot and Cross Walks: Parking is a premium so please be considerate and park in designated parking spots. If the lot is full Hill, Wayne or Madison Streets are viable options. There are volunteers and/or staff crossing guards at the top of Hill Street before and after school. It’s imperative to drive with extreme caution in this cross walk areas because students may not always look both ways or wait for the guard to cross them. Err on the side of caution and take your time. Also do not cross in the car line cross walk during pick up or drop off times due to the traffic volume. The sidewalk is much safer.  

• School Hours and Red Flag Days: Students are allowed on our playgrounds with adult supervision at 8:25 a.m. with K-2 students on the lower playground and 3-5 students on the upper playground. The school day begins at 8:45 a.m. and the end of the day is 3:43 p.m. If there is a red flag at the main and bus entrances this means the weather is too poor for students to go out to the playgrounds. Students come into the building and stand by their lockers.  

• Birthday Treats: We do not allow birthday treats for students at school. In lieu of treats, staff honor birthdays in ways including but not limited to wearing a birthday necklace, hat, or sash. The special person of the day may have preferential seating near the teacher or lead the line for the day. A class book may be created to honor the birthday student of the day. And there are so many more ideas staff uses to honor students on their special day!

• Allergy Aware Classrooms: We do have students with allergies and have “allergy aware” classrooms. A sign is posted outside of the classroom in the event there is a student with a food/latex/tree nut/peanut/bee sting/medical allergy. Classroom teachers make parents aware of the allergy aware status (not identifying the student necessarily) and request that the particular food items are not sent in for classroom snacks or parties. If your child is in an allergy aware classroom the food item may be eaten in the cafeteria during lunch. We have separate wash water and cloths for wiping down the allergy aware tables in the cafeteria.  

• Green School: We are a green school. We recycle milk cartons in the cafeteria and use real silverware. We recycle paper from classrooms, batteries, ink cartridges, and repurpose/reuse materials for classroom projects. Many staff members are communicating classroom newsletters via email and/or established class Web sites. The monthly school newsletter will also be sent via email. This has been a powerful communication tool and valued resource for our parents.  

• Breakfast/Lunch Accounts: Breakfast is served daily beginning at 8:15 a.m. You may pre-pay on your child’s cafeteria account by either sending a check or cash in an envelope with your child’s first and last name, grade and his/her teacher’s name. You may also pay on line at www.SendMoneytoSchool.com. (There is a $2 fee for each transaction.) Free and Reduced lunch/breakfast applications are online at www.tcaps.net/menu. This is the quickest and most efficient way to fill out the paperwork. Cafeteria prices for the ’11-’12 school year are as follows: Breakfast $1.25, Lunch $2.10, Milk .40,  Juice .30

• Halloween Parade: The entire school parades around Slabtown. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the whole parade route. We have a wonderful audience of neighbors, parents, and friends who watch this long-standing tradition. 450+ dressed in costumes is a pretty impressive sight!  

• Popcorn Fridays: Popcorn is popped every Friday. Popcorn is 25 cents per bag and students may purchase popcorn for the whole year. Parents organize the prepaid list by classroom. Volunteers are needed.  

• Kid’s Hope Mentors: We currently have 13+ Kid’s Hope Mentors from the Central United Methodist Church. This group of volunteers works weekly with students to build academic and social success.
  
• Share Fair: This is a huge all-school potluck picnic at the end of the year. Classroom projects and artwork are displayed in the gymnasium.  

• Talent Show and School Carnival: These are two huge all-school events held in the spring. The talent show is held at West Senior High School and the carnival in the gym, cafeteria, and classrooms. You don’t want to miss these fun and exiting events.  

• Classroom Meetings/Circle of Friends/Changing Family Groups/Boys and Girls Groups and So Much More: Carol Stetler, SSW, has supported our school-wide positive behavior program by extending her support to classroom teachers through classroom meetings/Circle of Friends/Changing Family Groups/Boys and Girls Group and individual meetings with students. Please see her directly if you are interested in her support services.