Martin Brown, Principal Plwe ___--- Stringtown

The Charger Brigade

Stringtown Elementary School newsletter October 2015

Principal’s Corner Hello Charger families and welcome to fall! We are almost at the end of the first grading period of the 2015-16 school year. Thanks so much for helping help your children successfully through the first grading period of the year. Make sure you check Ed Ease to know your children's grades or make contact with their teacher. There is still time to improve grades that are on the bubble.

If you are a fourth or fifth grade parent, you are probably wondering how your child did on ISTEP last year. We will not receive scores until late fall due to problems that occurred with scoring at the State level. In the meantime, we have set a couple of goals for our grade 3 – 5 students. We are striving for 79% (about 12 more students) of our 3-5 students to pass the English/Language Arts portion of ISTEP. We also have a goal of 84% (about 9 more students) of our grade 3-5 students passing the math portion of ISTEP. Please know these goals are based on our 2013-2014 ISTEP scores. These goals could be adjusted after we receive our 2014-15 ISTEP scores. Thanks again for helping us help your children as we all strive to reach our goals. – Mr. Brown

“A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses those skills to accomplish their goals.” - Larry Bird

BIRTHDAY TREATS: If you are bringing Stringtown’s Paragon fundraiser kicks off on October 6 and ends on October 20 treats for the class for your child's birthday, please make sure your child's teacher is Delivery day is November 17 and the money is due by December 2. aware. As a healthy school, we are

encouraging treats that are not edible. If you Cafeteria News bring edible treats, please try to bring Any adult wanting to eat the cafeteria healthy ch oices. lunch with their child, needs to call the Book Fair cafeteria at 435-8595 that morning and leave a message. The cafeteria must be November 3-6 Choir practice will start in October and the prepared with enough food. winter program will be on December 17. Adults - $3.00 More information will be sent home soon. Visiting children - $2.25 Fall Break ALL CHECKS NEED TO BE WRITTEN IN PICTURE DAY BLUE OR BLACK INK AND MUST No School OCTOBER 27 INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER. October 9 & 12 EVSC PARENT ACCESS All families have the opportunity to update their emergency contact Student Council members information on the Parent Access tab of EdEase, at any time day or Caiden Atkinson, Haleena Baloch, Kayli Basham, night, and even on their Smart phone. Families can go to the Xavior Bufkin, Amelya Cook, Abbie Davis, EdEase website at http://rdsteach.evsc.k12.in.us/rdsparentaccess/ to update their Aaron Eaton, Ethan Fuller, August Hale, contact information by clicking on their student’s name. Parents of AnaMarie Harvey, Cherish Hassebrock, students in grades 2-5 can monitor grades, absences, etc. on this Landon Holland, Ansley Hopper, Autumn Kelly, website. Joey Rauscher, Evelina Velet, Jacob Wedding, Jaden Willis, Alyssa Witham Art to Remember fundraiser ______Students have been working on artwork for our Art to Remember fundraiser. All Gobbler Gathering Thanksgiving Baskets artwork has been completed in the classroom. Parents should expect to receive personalized order forms on October 27. November 4 is the order and payment Student council is collecting cake mixes until deadline. Please plan ahead to order cool products that showcase your child’s November 13 for the Rescue Mission to help artwork. Orders should arrive by early December. needy families in Evansville.

PTA Events for October

Red Ribbon/Spirit week is Oct. 26-30. There will be a door decorating contest for those teachers who wish to participate. There will be one winning classroom that will get a prize. The students will receive a treat every day to remind them to be drug free. Spirit Week activities: Monday, Oct. 26 - "Team up against Drugs" wear your favorite sports team t-shirt! Tuesday, Oct. 27 - "Don't be pressured into doing drugs. Be yourself. Be unique" crazy sock day Wednesday, Oct. 28 - "Let's keep hidden from those who do drugs!" Wear camouflage to school Thursday, Oct. 29 - "Staying away from drugs can help you become who you want to be!" Dress for success Dress as you want to be when you grow up. Friday, Oct. 30 - "Be true to your school" Wear your Stringtown spirit shirts or Stringtown colors to school!

The Fall Fling is Friday, Oct. 30 from 5:30-7pm. Students “Trick or Treating” will need to bring a bar of soap to participate. Soap will be donated to Hanger clothing bank. The children will go around and collect treats from different stations, and end with a snack in the cafeteria. We are asking for donations of bags of individually wrapped candy by October 28. The classroom with the most donations will receive a party. Any questions, please contact Barb Ward at 483-5079.

The deadline to send in box tops for the fall contest is October 23. The contest deadline for membership dues is November 6. Students can still send in the box tops and membership dues, as we collect them all year.

The PTA will no longer accept money to pay for popcorn for the year.

Upcoming PTA events: November 3 – PTA meeting 6:00 in the cafeteria (soup dinner provided) November 16-30 – World’s Finest Chocolate Candy Bar fundraiser December 8-11 – Santa Shop December 11 – Winter Family Fun Night

Basketball Tryouts 2015 Volleyball Team 4th & 5th grade boy’s tryouts: Thursday, October 15 3:30-5:00 Friday, October 23 3:30-5:00 Adelyn Appell, Haleena Baloch, Aurora Baumgart, Sadie Critchfield, Ashton Green, Leigha Neth, 4th & 5th grade girl’s tryouts: Monday, October 19 3:30-5:00 Jayda Steinback, Evelina Velet, Makylee Wainman, Monday, October 26 3:30-5:00 Cinzie Benson, Adyson Holden, Sierra Joines, Lilly Roberts, Audrey Rust, Kaitlynn Seto, Alexis Shadrick, Hailee Vallee PBIS Corner and Mikaila Weightman Stringtown has behavioral expectations and incentives. Being safe, responsible, and respectful are Stringtown's three guiding principles. WALK TO SCHOOL DAY – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 These are taught and emphasized to all of our students and staff throughout the school year. We also have some incentives to recognize This day is the National Walk to School Day and Stringtown students who make good choices. Charger tickets are issued daily to Elementary School is joining other EVSC schools by choosing to walk students caught making good choices. Staff members can give no more to school. All participants will meet in the IGA’s parking lot on 1st than three tickets per day. At the end of each week, three names are Avenue (on the Meadows side, closest to North Park Drive) at 7:30 drawn for prizes. At the end of the semester, three names are drawn a.m. Parents, school faculty and staff members are encouraged to from all of the names submitted that did not win for a bigger prize such attend. Starting at 7:45, participants will walk on North Park Drive as lunch with the principal or teacher. Weekly winners are posted in our to Longfield Drive to Pemberton Avenue to Stratford Road to Mill monthly newsletter. We will also have an incentive each semester for Road. All participants will cross Mill Road with the crossing guards any student that does not receive an Office Disciplinary Referral(ODR) . In December, we will have a movie day for those students. In the spring, and then walk up the sidewalk to school. Students eating breakfast we will have ice cream for those that did not receive a referral. will enter the front door. All other participants will enter the door by the gym and go into the auditorium. Rain date will be Thursday, Parents, friends, and other family members can help reinforce being safe October 8.This is a fun activity and a great way to learn and at home. Encourage your children to play well with others and stay in participate in a lifetime sport. designated areas to play. Staying away from strangers and wearing helmets when riding a bike are a couple of other ways you can encourage th th kids to be safe. Look for other information in future newsletters Cheerleading tryouts for 4 & 5 grade girls concerning Stringtown's positive behavior intervention support(PBIS). October 5 & 7 3:15-5:00

WHO: Public Education Foundation of Evansville, Inc.

WHAT: Missoula Children’s Theatre Production of Red Riding Hood Cast of up to 60 students and 4 student directors from EVSC schools Open to all Public, Private, Parochial, and Home-Schooled Students.

WHEN: Auditions/Rehearsals: November 2 – November 7 Dress rehearsal/Production (2 performances): November 7, 2015

WHERE: Washington Middle School

Auditions will be held November 2, 2015 from 3:45 - 5:45 p.m. at Washington Middle School in Gym B on the east end of the school. There are roles for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Approximately 50- 60 EVSC students will be cast to appear in the show with the Missoula Children’s Theatre Actor/Directors. In addition, 4 middle school students will be selected as directing assistants.

There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. Students wishing to audition should arrive by 3:45 p.m. and plan to stay for the entire two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins approximately 30 minutes after the audition. Rehearsals will be held in the auditorium at Washington Middle School (on the west end of the school).

 It is a group audition – no advance preparation is necessary, but a SMILE never hurts! Students should just come ready to have a good time.

Rehearsals will be conducted every day from 3:45 - 8:15 p.m. Although not all cast members will be needed at every session, those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition. Cast members scheduled for the full 4 ½ hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack supper/snack.

The students in the cast will be called for a dress rehearsal before the performance on Saturday, November 7 (probably around 9). The performance times on November 7 are 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. All those cast must be available for all scheduled performances.

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Smith at [email protected] or 812-422-1699.

This program is made available through the generous support of:

Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana and The Mesker Music Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

October Calendar of Events Saturd a Sunda y Monda y Tuesda y Wednesda y Thursda y Frida y y

1 2 3 POPCORN DAY Away volleyball AND SPIRIT game at Dexter WEAR DAY 4:15

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WALK TO Cheerleading Paragon SCHOOL DAY End of 1st FALL

tryouts fundraiser begins grading period BREAK 3:15-5:00 Weekday Away volleyball Education Away Volleyball game at ( 3rd & 4th) game at NO Highland Stockwell SCHOOL 4:00 Cheerleading 4:00 tryouts 3:15-5:00

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Weekday POPCORN DAY FALL Home volleyball Education Away volleyball AND SPIRIT game against ( 3rd & 4th) game at Caze WEAR DAY BREAK Cynthia Heights 4:00 4:00 Volleyball Report Cards NO practice Boys basketball sent home 3:15-5:00 SCHOOL tryouts 3:30-5:00

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Girls Paragon Weekday Home volleyball POPCORN DAY AND SPIRIT basketball fundraiser ends Education game against (forms are due) Oak Hill WEAR DAY tryouts ( 3rd & 4th) 4:00 3:30-5:00 Box Tops are due Away volleyball Volleyball game at practice Boys basketball Tekoppel tryouts 3:30-5:00 4:00 3:15-5:00

25 26 27 PICTURE DAY 2 8 29 30 31

RED RIBBON/ Home volleyball Weekday Home volleyball POPCORN DAY SPIRIT WEEK game against AND SPIRIT game against Education WEAR DAY Daniel Wertz ( 3rd & 4th) Vogel Girls 4:15 4:30 PTA Fall Fling basketball Volleyball 5:30-7:00pm tryouts practice 3:30-5:00 3:15-5:00

ATTENDANCE QUICK-TIPS FOR PARENTS What are the benefits of being on time and in school every day? • School is easier for students who are there every day—and on time. • • Being at school regularly and on time helps students build and maintain satisfactory friendships. • • Regular attendance builds a good foundation of knowledge so the next school year can be a success. • • Being ready and present for class establishes a life time of good habits—getting and keeping a job by being on time and being there every day. • . Being at school regularly and on time ensures that the student will know what is going on in the classroom, avoiding the embarrassment of disrupting the class.

• Arriving on time every day allows the child to be ready when everyone else is ready. Otherwise, the child feels embarrassed and uncomfortable about not fitting in with the classroom routine.

• Being at school every day and on time meets the state’s attendance requirements and avoids violating state attendance law (I.C. 20-33-2-6) resulting in consequences that impact the whole family negatively.Good attendance and promptness are necessary to earn high school credits toward graduation and to maintain the good citizenship rating necessary to participate in extra- curricular school activities, such as

A house without a good foundation is not a very good house,' a student without a good foundation of knowledge is not getting a good education. There is no learning going on when a teacher is teaching to an empty chair.

What happens when a student is not attending regularly? • When a child does not attend school regularly, the law is being broken because the Indiana Code states that every child in Indiana must attend school a certain number of minutes each day.

• A pre-court attendance conference is held after a student misses ten (10) days without medical or legal documentation or if the student is frequently late or missing too much—even through the parent calls in “illness.” At the conference the parent, student, and school officials work together to establish a plan to help the student and family solve the problems that are causing the poor attendance and/or tardiness.

• If the student continues to miss after the attendance conference without documentation from the school nurse or a physician, the truant or tardiness case is referred to either Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court—or both.

• Parents of students with excessively poor attendance or frequent tardiness or early pick-ups may be prosecuted for educational neglect with consequences that have a negative impact on the family, including fines, an assignment of community service, jail time, and/or adjusted (possibly reduced) payments from the Social Security Administration. 80% of success is showing. The first secret of success is showing up. --Woody Allen --Harvard Business Review

Report Card/Perfect Attendance Rewards (You must bring your report card in to receive a reward)

● Chuck E. Cheese – Students receive up to 15 free tokens for good grades. A’s are worth 3 tokens, B’s are worth 2 tokens, and C’s are worth 1 token. You must make a food purchase for this offer. ● The Children’s Museum of Evansville (cMoe) -$1 off admission for each “A” a student earns on his/her report card. (Up to $8.00) ● Cold Stone Creamery -Free kids ice cream for an A - Must show report card ● Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – Free mini blizzard if you make the A or B honor roll (+ marks for all K and 1st graders) as well as satisfactory marks (can have only 1 needs improvement mark). ● Family Video – Free rentals during the month of June for A’s on a report card. ● Gatti Town – All A’s receive a $5 game card and A’s or B’s receive a $3 game card. Also, students get a free kid’s buffet with perfect attendance with coupon. ● GD Ritzy's - Kindergarten - jr. scoop of ice cream } 1 A = medium flavored soft drink } Must show 2 A's = single scoop of ice cream } report 3 A's = hamburger, cheeseburger, or hot dog } card 4 A's = double scoop of ice cream } ● Jake’s Wayback Burgers – All A’s receive a free kid’s meal, A’s & B’s receive a free kid’s entrée or perfect attendance receives a junior milkshake. (You can only receive one of these rewards.) ● Krispy Kreme Good Grades Program – Students can receive a free glazed donut per A up to 6 donuts. – Must show report card ● Orange Leaf Dessert Restaurant – Students receive a special discount for A’s – Must show report card (Up to 3 ounces free) ● Walther's Golf-N-Fun -1 FREE round of mini-golf for any student who brings in a report card with passing grades.