September 2009 Connector

PTA CONNector Parents, educators, and students working together to build a stronger school community

 

SEPTEMBER 2009 Principal’s Message Dear Conn Parents and Families, Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! It is always a treat to see our students return after summer vacation – their smiles tell me that they are glad to be returning to school! It has been a busy and productive summer for the Conn Family. Our office and custodial staff has worked to prepare our building for the return of over 600 students and 75 teachers and support staff. As you are aware, there have been a number of changes as a result of budget shortfalls and staffing adjustments. We have made staffing adjustments in an effort to maximize our resources and to minimize staff and student impact. We will not offer Spanish to our K, 1st, and 2nd graders this year. We look forward to maintaining our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Spanish program under the direction of Señora Ramirez. We will continue to work with our staff and with county leaders to reinstate K-2 Spanish as our budget permits. In our ongoing effort to keep you informed, I will utilize two specific tools to share information with you – the CONNector monthly newsletter and my weekly telephone message. The CONNector will come home in Tuesday folders at the beginning of each month. I record my phone messages on Mondays (unless we are not in school) and those are delivered to the phone number on your child’s official school record. If you do not receive the phone message, contact our Data Manager Karen Foye in the main office. I hope you will find these two methods of communication to be effective! We have received End-of-Grade (EOG) test results for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students in math, reading, and science. Our students performed quite well and we are proud of the work of our teachers and students in preparing for these annual tests. We met the target scores for all 21 subgroups under the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) accountability program. Additionally, we achieved expected growth on the state’s ABCs accountability program. Hats off to our entire school community for these accomplishments. Our PTA continues to be an invaluable member of our school-home-community partnership efforts. The PTA board and I met three times during the summer to coordinate calendar events, plan the 2009-2010 budget,

and outline the role that our PTA will play throughout our school. Please show your support of our PTA by joining – memberships are $5 per person. You can also support our PTA by participating in the passive fundraisers outlined later in this newsletter.

Savings Trees is Easy! – Vote “No” CONNector Hard Copy Opt-Out Option In our hope to save trees and printing funds, the Conn PTA is asking parents this year to choose whether or not they would like to receive the monthly CONNector in hard copy form in their Tuesday folder or access the newsletter electronically. The newsletter will be posted each month on the PTA Conn website (http://www.connpta.org/communications/connector). Also, those parents that choose to sign up for the Conn Listserve will receive monthly emails that include links to the newsletters as they are published. Thank you for taking the time to check the option you prefer on the sticker you will find inside your child’s Tuesday folder. The address for the Conn website is listed there as well for easy access. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Julie Snee, CONNector Editor. Her phone number and email address are listed elsewhere in this newsletter. We ask for your support in maintaining a safe and orderly campus by adhering to the following guidelines: 1. School starts at 9:05 daily – please see that your child arrives on time. 2. If your student walks to school, escort them to our campus – do not allow them to cross the streets without supervision. 3. Use our crosswalks and pay attention to the traffic on Brookside Drive. 4. Carpoolers should wait in the carpool loop until carpool duty staff arrive at 8:45. 5. Carpoolers must be dropped off in the carpool loop – not in the parking lot. 1

September 2009 CONNector 

6. Do not use cellphones while in our parking lot or carpool lane. 7. Display your carpool tag so staff can easily identify student names. 8. School dismisses at 2:40 on Wednesdays and at 3:40 on other days – please refrain from checking your student out before these times. 9. Encourage good attendance and responsibility by sending your child to school on time daily. Join us in welcoming three new staff members: Ms. Missy Overby, Speech Language Pathologist, Ms. Hang Van Vo, Special Programs Teacher Assistant, and Ms. Leslie Taylor, Principal’s Fellow. Plan to attend our annual Parade of Staff on Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 to meet our entire staff We look forward to working together with parents and families to support all of our students’ academic and personal development. If you have questions about your child’s learning, please contact his/her teacher by note, email, or by leaving a message in the main office. If you have questions about our school program, please contact the main office. We appreciate your support and are glad you are part of our school family. P.S. Please read the enclosed information on the H1N1 and follow the recommendations so we can maintain a healthy school. Diann P. Kearney Conn Elementary Principal

PTA President’s Message Dear Conn Families, Welcome to our 2009-2010 school year! The Conn Elementary PTA invites you to join us in supporting our students and staff in the classroom and at events scheduled throughout the year. We are looking forward to an exciting year for us all! The PTA board and Conn staff have been working hard over the summer to create a calendar that will bring many exciting events to our community. Familiar events like the Fall Carnival (CONNivale) in November and Family Spirit Night in February, as well as a spring Yard Sale will continue to bring excitement for the entire community. Our Cultural Arts program will enhance our students’ curriculum thorough the grade level residencies in music, writing, story telling, and Batik. We will continue to support the Media Center with new materials. The Green Team and Butterfly Garden will continue to cultivate interest in learning about and interacting with our environment. Don’t forget to check out the Kindergarten garden, which received certification as a Wildlife Habitat, due to the variety of birds that have made their home at Conn.

I am honored to serve as your President this year. I encourage every Conn parent, grandparent, aunt, and uncle to join the PTA and be involved in some way this year. We are always looking for new faces and new ideas to enhance the wonderful education our students receive at Conn. Feel free to contact me ([email protected]) or Dakeisa Parker , PTA PresidentElect ([email protected]) with questions, ideas or comments. Linda Davis Conn Elementary PTA

Counselor’s Corner Happy New School Year! Welcome to all of the new students and parents, as well as our returning Conn family! The start of a new year holds the promise of new experiences and new opportunities, as well as the anticipation of personal growth for all students. My objectives this year are to provide continued support to parents and students, and address personal and social issues that discourage academic success in any way. I will spend the majority of my time offering responsive services, designing individualized plans to address students’ needs, and delivering direct guidance services to all students via classroom and/or small group lessons. It is my goal to see each child reach his or her fullest potential. I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you to contact me via email or phone with any concerns you have for your child during the school year. My email address is: [email protected] / phone: 919-856-3028. I anticipate meeting you at some time during the course of the school year. Please also visit www.schoolcounselor.org and click on the link “Parents and Public” to find out more about the role of a school counselor and various informative articles for parents. Thank you and I wish you a happy and successful school year. Robyn D. Faison School Counselor

H1N1: Information for parents, students and staff Wake County Public School System works closely with Wake County Human Services on any cases of communicable diseases or viruses. WCPSS and Wake County Human Services are carefully monitoring the situation and will keep parents and the public updated. With Year-round schools in session and with the start of Traditional schools on Tuesday, Aug. 25, taking simple steps to protect your health are very important. 2

September 2009 CONNector  

As with any virus, cold or other illness, students and staff with cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fever or feverishness, tiredness, body aches, headache, chills, diarrhea and vomiting should stay home from school/work until they have recovered. CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Tips for parents on talking to children about H1N1 (provided by National Association of School Nurses): Concern over H1N1 can make children and parents anxious. There is still uncertainty about how far and quickly the virus will spread during the fall and winter flu season. Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in people taking actions that reduce the risk of illness. Helping children cope with anxiety regarding the flu requires providing prevention information without causing alarm. Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children may panic. Parents should reassure their children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy. However, children also need factual, ageappropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk and concrete instruction about how to avoid infection and spread of the virus. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety. Remain calm and reassuring. Your children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions. What you say and do about the flu virus and current prevention efforts can either increase or decrease your child’s anxiety. If true, emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine. Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy. Let your children talk about their feelings and help put their concerns into the appropriate perspective. Make yourself available. Your children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns and questions. Make time for them. Tell them you love them and give them plenty of hugs and kisses. Review basic hygiene practices. Encourage children to practice everyday good hygiene by washing their hands, by covering their mouths with a tissue when they sneeze or cough, and by not sharing food or drinks. These simple steps are very effective at preventing the spread of flu and other illnesses. Giving children guidance on what they can do to prevent infection gives them a greater sense of control over the flu and will help to reduce their anxiety. September 2009 CONNector  

Be honest and accurate. In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality. Don’t ignore their concerns, but rather explain that at the present moment the vast majority of people, even those who are sick, will be okay. Nationwide, the number of people who are currently sick is very small. Children can be told that there are many ways to avoid the virus and how doctors can help to treat people who do get sick. Contact your pediatrician and/or refer them to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for factual information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) H1N1 (Swine Flu) Web site, is http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, is updated frequently and is the best source for general information. Information can also be found by contacting the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services CARE-LINE at 919-8554400 (English/Spanish) Additional WCPSS Information: http://www.wcpss.net/swineflu

Academically Gifted Hello and welcome back! Students, are you ready for some challenges? We’ve got plenty in store! The Conn AG website will list many important dates for meetings and news about Explorers and module classes throughout the year, along with some general information about the program. The website can be accessed through Conn’s homepage directly at http://connes.wcpss.net/html/classes/index.html. Just click on the Academically Gifted link highlighted at the bottom. If you are interested in learning more about the Wake County AG model, and/or the services offered at Conn, please consider attending one of the information sessions on September 8. Additionally, Wake County AG brochures are available upon request and will be sent home three times to parents of all third graders in Wake County Schools. More information about Wake County’s A.G. Program is available via the Wake County website: www.wcpss.net. I look forward to another fantastic year at Conn! Nancy A. Hanley Academic Gifted Specialist

Media Minute While you enjoyed reading over the summer break, lots has been happening in your media center! Thank you to Chris Tully for making furniture modifications, including moving stationary shelving and creating a book return slot in the check out desk. Kim Bowen, Linda Dohme, and their children spent many summer days moving all of our books, creating a more user friendly space for our children. Welcome to Ms. Rozar, our new media assistant! Please come check us out as we grow and improve! 3

Support our growth through Celebration Books, a program that allows you to dedicate a new book in the media center with a $10 donation. Your child will choose the book and be the first one to check it out! Dedication forms are available in the media center, on the Conn website, and periodically through Tuesday folders. Celebration Books are a great way to honor students, teachers, grandparents, and special occasions. Another way to encourage your child’s literacy and support the media center is our annual Book Fair. Mark your calendar for October 12 – 16, with Family Time on Tuesday, October 13 from 4 – 6 p.m. Watch the Tuesday folder and website for more information and opportunities to volunteer. Parent resource books are located outside Ms. Faison’s office. Please see media staff to check them out. Also, watch the bulletin board outside the media center for all the media center happenings!! Brenda Shore Media Coordinator

Labels for Education. By sending these labels back to school, Conn receives a variety of benefits. Our Fall Fundraiser again this year will be with InnisBrook Wraps. This will help fund PTA projects that support our school throughout the year. Typically. this is our most successful fundraiser of the year.

Conn PTA Spirit Night  Wed. Sept. 23  4 – 8 pm  Join us at Chick‐fil‐A at North Hills for dinner and  connect with other Conn families. Conn Elementary  will receive a portion of the sales generated.  

Your delicious  Chick‐fil‐A meal  on 9/23 equals  15% back to  Conn! Hope to  see you there! 

Title I Intervention Program What is Title I? It is a federally funded intervention program that offers students an extra support in reading and math. We use a balanced approach to reading and math instruction. Our direct instruction includes working with words and vocabulary, using reading and math strategies, comprehending stories, books, word problems, and fluency. The lessons are structured and fast-paced. Each Title I teacher works with a small group of students in all grade levels. We meet 5 days a week for 30 minutes. This is done in addition to their regular classroom instruction. “OUR STUDENTS” need all of us (parents and teachers) to support them. You will be contacted if your child qualifies for our program. Our first parent meeting (PAC) will be held September 24th. Amy Allen Dameron Title I Literacy Teacher/Testing Coordinator

 

With each Conn family participating, we can reach our fundraising goals. The Fall Fundraiser this year will be Friday, September 18 through Friday, October 2. Julie Thomas, the PTA VP for Fundraising, will be sending more information out soon.

Passive Fundraising at Conn There are a number of easy ways to give back to your school. We will outline them here each month. The start of the school year is a great time to renew your commitment to Conn through your grocery shopping customer card. We are locally registered with Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger and Target. Please make sure your customer card is connected to Conn by visiting their customer service desk or their website. Another easy way to help our school is with Box Tops for Education, Tyson A+ Labels, and Campbell’s 4

September 2009 CONNector  

AG Calendar 2009‐2010 Date 

Event/Meeting 

Time 

Tuesday,  September  1, 2009  

DEP meeting for parents of 4th and 5th grade  8:00 AM or 5:00 PM in room 206  identified AG students. Invitations were  sent home on August 25. 

Tuesday,  September  8, 2009  Tuesday,  9/8/2009 

Information session regarding Conn’s Jr.  Explorers/Explorers Program for parents of  K‐3 students.  *AG modules begin for 5th grade students.  *Whole‐class Explorers/Jr. Explorers   lessons begin for grades K‐3/  ** To find out more about Explorers topics,  selection‐criteria and procedures, access  the Conn AG website.** 

8:00 AM or 5:00 PM in room 206 

Tuesday,  September  15, 2009  7/1/2009‐ 9/28/2009  9/29/2009 

Make up session for 4th/5th grade DEP  meeting via invitation. 

5:00 PM in room 206 

Fall Nomination window for AG  identification.  Make up session for parents of K‐3 students  interested in Conn’s Jr. Explorers/ Explorers  Program.  CogAt/ITBS testing for Fall Nomination  Window (This is not the third grade CogAt  testing)  Spring Nomination window for AG  identification.   CogAt testing for all Wake County’s third  graders.  

 

ITBS testing for select third graders 

 

Week of  October 5th,  2009  1/4/2010‐ 2/8/2010  Week of  January 11,  2010  Week of  February 15,  2010  Week of  February  22nd, 2010  June 2010 

 

5:00 PM in room 206 

 

   

CogAt/ITBS testing for Spring Nomination    Window (Not the third grade CogAt testing)  AG identification letters go home to  parents/guardians of identified third  graders. 

 

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September 2009 CONNector  

2009-2010 Conn Elementary PTA PTA CONTACTS

NAME

HOME PHONE

CELL PHONE

EMAIL

President

Linda Davis

821.7602

210.4420

[email protected]

President-Elect VP Fundraising VP Membership

Dakeisa Parker Julie Thomas Melissa Madrid

250.0642

417.6798 434.9690 255.5219

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Secretary

Dionne Lester

792.2442

Treasurer Asst. Treasurer Butterfly Garden

Toddi Steelman Joe Sinsheimer Christine Murphy

513.0408 821.9487 832.3298

Communications

Reid Serozi

807.1878

CONNector Cultural Arts

Julie Snee Peggy Hayes Soo Keith Lisa Ferrando (Staff Liaison) Lisa & Rob Vanderberry

Fall Carnival – CONNivale Family Spirit Night Green Team

870.0599

[email protected] 271.2844 345.1807

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

210.5586 522.7995 834.1811

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected]

828.3534 872.0741

[email protected] 271.4350

[email protected]

915.1012

[email protected]

368.3856

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

428.0992

[email protected]

CHAIR NEEDED

Jeff Cherry CO-CHAIR NEEDED

Holiday Shop Hospitality Legislative Literacy Night & Campaign Media Center Parent Classroom Liaison, K-2 Parent Classroom Liaison, 3-5 Positive Behavior Support

Chrissy Pressley Capricia Conyers Matthew Brown

Reflections

834.6488 833.1732 834.6488

Pam Hartley CHAIR NEEDED

Carmon Pullen

376.0844

291.8803

[email protected]

Jaime Baker

231.9878

931.1478

[email protected]

Mary Williams

846.5019

[email protected]

Kelly LeVoyer

833.2297

[email protected]

Betsy Alexieff

524.8936

[email protected]

Room Parent Coord.

Carol Lawson

761.1013

[email protected]

School Store

Daphne Shuler

School Spirit Merch.

Mary Williams

828.5599

[email protected]

Student Directory Teacher Apprec. Yard Sale

Adrienne Berney Susan Robson Gabriella Corter

828.5599 212.8733 833.2078

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Yearbook

Mary Williams

828.5599

827.3681

[email protected]

September 2009 CONNector    

6

7

14 -PTA Board Meeting 6:15 pm

21 -5th Grade Field Trip to Blue Jay Point (2 classes)

28 -Wake County Teacher Workday – no school for students

13

20

27 29

22 -5th Grade Field Trip to Blue Jay Point (2 classes) -Interims Issued (2nd-5th)

15

8 -10th Day of School -Modules Begin

7

6

Tuesday 1

Monday

Bell Schedule: M,T,Th,F – 9:05-3:45 W – 9:05 – 2:45 Early Release Day 9/23 9:05-12:30

Sunday

17

24

23 -Early Release Day

30

-Conn Community Night – Chick-Fil-A at North Hills 4 – 8 pm

Student Dismissal 12:30

Thursday

-Innisbrook Fundraiser Begins -Conn Open House/Parade of Teachers/PTA General Meeting – 6:30 pm

10

3

16

9

2

Wednesday

September 2009

25

18

11

4

Friday

26

19 -Green Team Grounds Work Day 10 – noon

12

5

Saturday

8

5

12 -PTA Board Meeting 6:15 pm -BOOKFAIR

19

26

11

18

25

Monday

4

Sunday

27

20

13 -BOOKFAIR -Fall Scholar Night (K-5th)

6

Tuesday

28 -Conn Staff Meeting – PTA will provide snacks – 4:30 pm

21 -Early Release Day Student Dismissal 12:30

14 -BOOKFAIR

7

Wednesday

29 -Conn Showcase 6:30 pm/PTA General Meeting 6:00 pm

22

30 -Wake County Teacher Workday – no school for students

23 -Conn Community Night – Chick-Fil-A at North Hills 4:00 – 8:00 pm

16 -BOOKFAIR

15 -BOOKFAIR

2

Friday

9

Thursday

8

1

October 2009

31

24

17 -Green Team Grounds Work Day 10 – noon

10

3

Saturday