Character Stars of the Month

January 4 – Mechanicsville ES January 8 This is a Week at a Glance RED week. Monday  Welcome Back! Happy 2016!! 1/4/16 Tuesday  Today is Trash Free Tuesday 1/5/16 Wednesday 1/6/16 Thursday 1/7/16 Friday  MES Spirit Day—Mighty Mustang Day! Wear blue and white 1/8/16 today!

Looking Ahead Monday  Welcome Back! Happy 2016!! 1/11/16 Tuesday  Today is Trash Free Tuesday 1/12/16 Wednesday 1/13/16 Thursday  Family Reading and Math Night @ 5:30 – 6:30 1/14/16 Friday  PTA Family Movie Night @ 6:30 – 8:30 1/15/16 Character Stars of the Month We would like to congratulate the following students who were nominated as Character Stars for doing an outstanding job demonstrating confidence during the month of December. Please look for their character star on the bulletin board by the media center. Easterday: Isabella Basham: Brylie Miksa: Riley Rampata: Christian Lynch: McKenna Oneda: Seth Tighe: Elizabeth Stauder: Kylie Ring: Alyson Winebrunner: James Thurston: Brady Darnley: Tyler Chrencik: Dallin Davis: Kyla Houseal: Payton Collins: Arianna and Jaina Gentile: Tanek Potter: Tyler Karner: Hayden Ridgely: Gaby Weaver: Andy Mull: Allie Batanglo: Cassidy

Character Development This month students will learn about the character trait of connection. Children with close ties to family, friends, school and community are more likely to have a solid sense of security that produces strong values and prevents them from seeking destructive alternates. Family is the central force in any child’s life, but connections to civic, educational, religious and athletic groups can also increase a young person’s sense of belonging to a wider world and feeling safe with it.

Some questions to ponder when considering how connected your child is to the broader world include:  Do we build a sense of physical safety and emotional security?  Do I understand that the challenges my child will put me through on his path to independence are normal developmental phases?  Does my child express her emotions and understand that going to others for emotional support during difficult times can be productive?  Do we address conflict and work to resolve problems?  Do we have a common space where our family shares time together?  Do I encourage my child to take pride in the various groups and organizations to which we belong?  Do I foster healthy relationships with others?  Do I protect my friends’ and neighbors’ children, just as I hope they will protect mine?

Resource: Ginsburg KR, Building Resilience in Children and Teen: Giving Kids Roots and Wings.

Mighty Mustang News This year 5th grade news crew members have been working each month to interview and gather news stories that have been happening through the school. The crew members find the stories, write the interview questions and film the interviews or events. Take a look at our December edition of the Mighty Mustang News:

http://video.carrollk12.org/view/MES_DECNEWS_12172015

Hour of Code During the month of December 3rd, 4th and 5th graders participated in the Hour of Code during their media classes. The Hour of Code is a national initiative to expose more students to computer sciences and to make it more accessible and fun. Students learned basic computer programing skills, and practiced problem solving skills, by working through a Star Wars coding module. If your student would like to continue to explore computer science additional modules can be found at https://code.org/learn

News from the Health Room As the weather gets colder, many elementary schools are confronted with pediculosis, commonly known as head lice. Typically, increases in cases of head lice are seen during the winter months when students wear and possibly share coats, hats, gloves, etc. Early detection of head lice is imperative to controlling the spread and the treatment of the condition. It is very important for parents to check their child’s head for lice on a regular basis. Screening at home helps to preserve the learning environment and your family’s privacy. Please contact Ms. Parker, our school nurse, if your child has head lice. Proof of treatment must be provided when your child returns to school. Proof should consist of the box top of the treatment or a note from the physician.

Intense itching and scratching of the scalp are main indicators of head lice. The presence of lice can be confirmed by close visual inspection under bright light of the hair and scalp. The use of a tongue depressor or other type of “stick” will separate the hair into small sections for examination purposes. “Nits”, the lice eggs, are whitish or brownish and oval in shape. They about the size of a pinhead. Lice are small grayish bugs adhering to the hair and scalp. They are often found near the warmer areas of the scalp, such as near the ears or the nape of the neck.

What to do if nits and/or lice are found:

• Articles of clothing should be removed from school and washed. Hats, hair fasteners, linens, towels, backpacks, clothing, etc. should be washed and dried with hot water and high drying heat for thirty minutes. • All carpets, furniture, mattresses, car upholstery, and car seats should be thoroughly vacuumed. (Remember to seal and dispose of all used vacuum bags.) • Children should receive treatment for lice. A number of over the counter treatments are available.

Your assistance with this matter will be much appreciated!