Thursday, December 6, 2018

Week of December 3, 2018

Thursday Folder Flyers:

Parking Lot:
A safety reminder - Please make sure that students are exiting and entering cars from the sidewalk side. Students should not ride scooters to their car or go between cars on a scooter as drivers may not see them. Also, please DO NOT exit your car to help your child in or out. Staff members are happy to help. Exiting your vehicle slows down the line, which inconveniences other parents. Please speak to you students about following these guidelines. Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe!

News from the Art Room:
Our December Artist of the Month goes to Penny in Mrs. Suson's 1st grade and her "Night at the Museum" project.  Congratulations! 

We're still waiting on items from late orders but all other Original Works orders should be out of backpacks and in your hands by now.  Let me (Ms. O'Hara) know if there's anything wrong with your order.  

You should have received an email from Artsonia in regards to our online art portfolio.  As mentioned in the previous Principal's Blog; it's a great way to share what's going on in the art room with you as parents and family other family members.  You as parents are in charge of who sees your child's work.  I can make comments for you to see as well so you get a better idea of how your child is doing.  If you want to make that artwork a gift, you can do that as well by having it printed on various items and a portion of the purchase goes to the IHE art department for supplies.  

Thank you so much and Happy Holidays to you all!
Ms. O'Hara
Art Specialist

PTO Holiday Store Next Week:
Students will have the opportunity to purchase items for their family (including pets) at our PTO Holiday Store. The store will be in the Junction on Wednesday, December 12th through Friday, December 14th from 8:00am-4:00pm. Prices for items range from $.25 to $20. If you are interested in having your student purchase items, please make sure to send in money in a sealed envelope or ziploc with their name on the front. If you are able to help run this store, we would appreciate your help! The sign up for volunteers is linked here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084faca728a4fc1-iron

Fortnite Information:
We are seeing an increased use of play and conflict based upon the game Fortnite. Unfortunately, this play manifests itself in acting out the shooting of others with pretend guns and play stabbing of peers. Students are also having conflicts due to their online competitions and are bringing this into the classroom and playground. This is causing other students to feel unsafe. As safety is our number one priority, we do take these situations seriously. 

According to Common Sense Media, Fortnite "pits up to 100 players against each other in solo, duo, or up to four-player squads to see who can survive the longest against each other in an ever-shrinking map. The game has a cartoonish style, and the violence, while persistent, isn't bloody or particularly gory, even though you're using melee weapons and firearms to eliminate opponents. While there isn't any profanity in the game dialogue, its online nature could expose younger players to iffy language from random strangers in voice or on-screen text chat." Common Sense Media suggests that the game is most appropriate for children over the age of 13. 

If your child is playing Fortnite at home, please have a discussion with them regarding the play of this game at school. It is imperative that they understand that this type of violent play at school is not appropriate. Thank you for your support! 

Upcoming Events:
DECEMBER
December 7: Choir Concert 6:30-7:00pm in the Gym
December 12-14: PTO Holiday Store 8am-4pm in the Junction
December 17: Holiday Program 6:30-7:00pm in the Gym
December 18: Spelling Bee 6:30-8:00pm in the Gym
December 21 - January 6: NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

JANUARY
January 7: Welcome Back!
January 16: PTO Meeting 3:45-4:45pm, SAC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm
January 18: NO School - Teacher Training Day
January 21: NO School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 23: McTeacher Night at McDonalds - 4:00-7:00pm (Mainstreet Location)
January 29/30: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm