Whispers Dec

Wekiva Whispers Wekiva Elementary School 1450 East Wekiva Trail Longwood, Florida 32779 Phone: 746-3150 Fax: 746-3163 December 2009 Principal: Michael Pfeiffer Assistant Principal: Michelle Robinson Principal’s Message Wow, it’s amazing how quickly this year is flying by! As we enter a very hectic time of year, I would like to personally wish all the Wekiva staff, parents, and students a wonderful and safe holiday season. I encourage everyone to relax and enjoy family and friends. Wekiva Walks for Autism In support of our students and community members who have been affected by autism, Wekiva participated in the "Walk now for Autism" program, which took place at Crane's Roost on Saturday, November 14, 2009. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness and support research regarding autism. Wekiva’s team, "Wekiva Walks for Autism", organized different events to help raise money for the cause, including a breakfast for staff and dividends, provided free from Panera and which raised over $500 in pledges. We are proud to say that the Wekiva team has exceeded our team goal and raised over $2,200. Wekiva Clips Box Tops for Education Once again, Wekiva Elementary is collecting Box Tops for Education, a program sponsored by General Mills. Each Box Top coupon you send to the school earns our school ten cents. In our first collection period, Wekiva earned $1,400! The process is fast and simple, and an excellent way to support our school during these hard financial times. Please consider supporting this project. It is easy and helps our school do some of the “extras”.

KOALA Student Council News The K.O.A.L.A. Student Council, which stands for Kids Outreach and Leadership Association, is a group of fourth and fifth graders that have been elected by their peers to represent their classes at various school and community service activities throughout the year. Congratulations to our 2009-10 officers: President – Molly Von Eschenbach Vice President – Anna Spiller Secretary – Sarah Pfeiffer Asst. Secretary – Nathan Batcheller Photographer – Mayla DeBonville Asst. Photographer – Conor Patel We also thank and compliment all of the students who participated in the officer elections, as their leadership and initiative was impressive and showcased the outstanding students of Wekiva Elementary. Veteran's Day Program Continuing a twenty-three year tradition, on November 11th, Wekiva’s 3rd grade students honored our country’s veterans from each military branch by performing songs and speeches for several hundred family members. Students personally honored mothers, fathers, grandparents, and teachers who served in our armed forces. Cross Country The Cross Country Club has gotten off to a great start this year and students are collecting feet at an amazing pace. Mark you calendars: The first meet is the Winter Springs Kangaroo Run on December 5th at Central Winds Park. Arrive early as parking can be tricky. Wekiva will host a home meet on January 23rd. The full meet schedule will be coming home with athletes in the near future.

Seminole County Public Schools www.scps.k12.fl.us or www.wekivaelementary.com

AR Club Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. DeBonville are the sponsors for AR Club. AR Club is for independent readers in grades 2-5 grade. 2nd and 3rd grade students come on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 4th and 5th graders come on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The club is open from 7:45-8:05. Club members may silently read, take AR tests or check out books. Over 80 students participated this session. We will be celebrating the success of session 1 with our members on Thursday the 10th , and Friday the 11th of December. AR Club-session 2 is set to start January 25. Look for sign up information coming home soon. New AR Search Tool Do you want a quick and easy way to find which books have AR tests in our media center? QuizList Interactive will put your list into a searchable database online so you can search your list from home or the public library. Parents can help choose a book by entering their child's reading level range and a topic that interests them, and get a list of all the quizzes that meet their needs. Then they can click on each title and read summaries. This is a fantastic way for you to browse our AR list. You can find the link to QuizList Interactive right on our school website by clicking on the same "AR List" links you've used before. Ice-Skating Day at the RDV On November 8, Wekiva students, friends, and families enjoyed our annual Skate Party, hosted at the RDV Sportsplex. Thanks to our PE Department for sponsoring such a funfilled activity!

The Koala Players Our Koala Players have been working very hard at rehearsals and stage crew meetings getting ready for their new production and can’t wait until ‘curtain up’ on December 15th. Alice in Wonderland will be sure to delight all. Thanks to our faculty sponsors, Ms. Barker, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Kranz, and of course to all the parents who so generously donated time and resources in making this show such a tremendous hit! “A” Honor Roll Recognition Wekiva will honor its STAR STUDENTS who earned ALL “A’s” on their first trimester report card at an “A” Honor Roll Recognition ceremony. Students who meet these elite and outstanding criteria will receive a special invitation with their report cards for the upcoming event. Although light snacks, drinks, and coffee will be on hand, this is not a breakfast. All recognition ceremonies will take place in the media center with doors opening at 7:45 a.m. and recognition beginning at 8:00 a.m. 2nd Grade: Monday, Jan. 11th 3rd Grade: Tuesday, Jan. 12th 4th Grade: Wednesday, Jan. 13th 5th Grade: Friday, Jan. 15th A special thank you is extended to Wekiva’s PTA for supporting this event! Blood Drive at Wekiva Wekiva will be sponsoring a Blood Drive on Tuesday, Dec. 8th. The Big Red Bus will be on campus from 10:00 - 4:00 and all staff, parents, and Dividends may take part in our drive. We hope to see you there. Robotics Club Competes! Wekiva’s Robotics Club will compete in the Robotics Regional Competition on December 12th, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Oviedo High School. Good luck! Attendance Hotline Parents are asked to call the Attendance Hotline each and every time their child is absent from school. Call 407-746-3153.

Coke Reward Program Our school has joined the My Coke Rewards for Schools program. What does that mean? It means that every time you enjoy a participating CocaCola product (and there are lots of them), you can donate the My Coke Rewards points to our school. The donations will help give our students things they need, like sports gear, creative supplies, books, classroom tools and more. You can make a difference for our school. Purchase your favorite Coca-Cola drink to get codes. • Go to mycokerewards.com (register if you aren’t a member). • Enter codes to collect points – choose “Donate to Your School” from the six ways to spend points. • Find our school by Zip Code. When our school’s page comes up, click “Donate Points Now”. Too busy? You may also send in the codes to the school's contact, Mary DeBonville, and she will enter the codes for you. Business Partner Nights a Success Wekiva wants to thank all students and parents who took part in our last Chick-fil-A and Papa John’s nights. We raised a total of $274 from Chickfil-A and $95 from Papa John’s that will directly support student services at Wekiva. Don’t forget to mark your calendars. The next Chick-fil-A night is Dec. 10th and Papa John’s night on Dec. 1st. Early Dismissal THE LAST 3 DAYS OF THE SEMESTER (JANUARY 19, 20, 21) will be EARLY RELEASE DAYS. DISMISSAL IS AT 1:00 P.M. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP NO LATER THAN 1:30 P.M. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. THE CAFETERIA WILL BE SERVING BAG LUNCHES THESE THREE DAYS.

Seminole County Public Schools www.scps.k12.fl.us or www.wekivaelementary.com

Important Dates 11/23-27Schools Closed 11/30 12/1 12/2 12/3 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/10 12/11 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/21 1/4 1/5 1/6 1/11 1/12

1/13 1/15 1/18 1/19 1/20 1/21 1/22 1/23 1/28

PTA Reflections Due Papa John’s Pizza Night Tues. Enrichment Ends Club and Candid Photo Day Thurs. Enrichment Ends Field Trip: 3rd Grade to Zoo Field Trip: 3rd Grade to Zoo SAC and PTA Bd., 5:00 p.m. Chick-Fil-A Night, 5-8 p.m. Report Cards Go Home Drama Club Performance, 7:00 p.m. K Holiday Party ABCS Lunch 3rd Grade Rotations, Polar Express 1st-5th Holiday Parties Schools Closed Classes Resume Papa John’s Pizza Night SAC, 5:00 p.m. PTA Board, 6:15 p.m. “A” Honor Roll: 2nd Grade 8:00-8:30 a.m. “A” Honor Roll: 3rd Grade 8:00-8:30 a.m. MusicKidz Concert, 7:00 p.m. “A” Honor Roll: 4th Grade 8:00-8:30 a.m. ABCS Lunch “A” Honor Roll: 5th Grade 8:00-8:30 a.m. School System Closed Early Dismissal: 1:00 p.m. Early Dismissal: 1:00 p.m. Early Dismissal: 1:00 p.m. Progress Reports Go Home Teacher Work Day Cross Country Meet @ Wekiva, 8:00-11:00 a.m. 3rd Grade FCAT Info Night, 6:30 p.m.