Cougar Chronicle Coming up  January 22 Captain Strong Primary Watchdogs Kickoff

Battle Ground Public Schools Office Hours: 8:00-4:15 January 2014

Student Hours: 9:00-3:40 Cougar Chronicle Coming Up  January 22 Captain Strong Primary WatchDOGS Kickoff

Event 6:30 to 8:00 pm  January 23, 24 12:40 Dismissal Semester Break Attendance Matters  February 4 It is a new year and the new year always is a perfect PTA Meeting time to a new start with a new resolution. Let’s start 4:00 to 5:00 pm with having every Captain Strong student at school on time each morning!  February 7 PTA Father/Daughter It is easy to think that attendance at primary school is Dance not as important as in the later grades. In fact, the op-  February 13 posite is true. Students need to attend school daily to succeed. Simply put, being in school leads to succeed- 1:25 Dismissal ing in school. Achievement, especially in math, is very  February 14 sensitive to attendance, and absences affect students’ learning. Being absent from school increases the likeli- No School hood that students will fall behind and keeps us from  February 17 being able to support their learning. This gap tends to Presidents Day widen in successive years. No School Let’s resolve to help our students succeed in school Thank you to Carol Blomquist for the  February 21 and in life by developing the habit of being at school on festive seasonal decorations outside our 1:25 Dismissal time each day. entry.

A Positive Approach—PBIS

Red Slips—Are They Serious?

Captain Strong Primary is committed to a successful Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program. Our goal is to explicitly teach expected rules and behaviors in a variety of settings and to reinforce students for meeting our expectations. Like all humans, occasionally our students slip up with behavior that falls short of expectations. Those behaviors can be categorized into three levels: 1. Level 1—Minor, teacher-managed behavior. 2. Level 2—Red slips for moderate or chronic behavior incidents 3. Level 3—Major referrals for significant or unsafe behavior requiring administrative action.

Many of you are familiar with “red slips” or minor referrals. Red Slips are written for behaviors that: 1. Are a moderate disruption to the learning environment, 2. May or may not require administrative involvement, 3. Are chronic behaviors (same behavior 3 or more times per week, for example).

We expect teachers to inform parents of behavior issues and red slips originating in the classroom. For red slips written by other school staff, on the playground, for example, a phone call home is typically made by one of the administrators. Our goal is to keep you informed about your child’s behavior, not for you to impose consequences each time a red slip comes home.

A red slip is NOT the consequence for a behavior. It is simply the way we TRACK behavior. Information from red slips is entered into a database so that we may identify areas of success and areas where additional action is needed.

Every month we look at: 1. Average referrals per day per month 2. Referrals by problem behavior 3. Referrals by location 4. Referrals by time of day 5. Referrals by student

Analyzing the behavior data allows us to make specific changes and interventions based on LEARN RESPONSIBILITY data to better support our students and our school. This includes strategies such as re- teaching behavior expectations to students in problematic locations, altering schedules or staffing, or putting specific plans in place to support individual students.

L earn responsibility

E exhibit respect

A lways be safe

D o your best

Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1 Cougar Celebrations

Proud of our cougars!

Our students are to be commended for their generosity. The recent Pennies for the Philippines fundraiser brought in total of $1,256.34! A giant check was presented to Tod Thayer from the Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross at our school’s Winter Assembly.

Thanks to our Captain Strong community for their generosity and caring spirit. Kudos to Joey Fitz- gerald for his energetic and motivational daily announcements and to Melanie Florek and Sandee Myers for organizing this fundraiser. EXHIBIT RESPECT

Front row: First grader Wyatt Smith, Fourth grader Joey Fitzgerald

Back row: Health & Fitness teacher Melanie Florek, Tod Thayer from the American Red Cross, and Physical Education teacher Sandee Myers

Caring & Sharing

Thank you to our students and families for helping to make the Thanksgiving and Christ- mas holidays bright for others. Because of your donations, many Captain Strong families were able to have a hot, delicious meal on Thanksgiving. Additionally, the North County Food Bank received boxes of food and other donations to help others in our community.

Thank you to each and every one of our families that helped make the season bright for others!

Cougar Chronicle Page 3 Nurse’s Notes

We have had a confirmed case of the H1N1 flu in our school. Please take a few minutes to read about the flu and how to stay healthy and prevent the flu from spread- ing.

What is the flu? Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. There are many different influenza viruses that are constantly changing. They cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year. The flu can be very dan- gerous for children. Each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hos- pitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia.

What are the symptoms of the flu? Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Some people with the flu will not have a fever.

How long can a sick person spread the flu to others? People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding virus from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. However, children and people with weakened immune systems can shed virus for longer, and might be still contagious past 5 to 7 days of being sick, especially if they still have symptoms.

Can my child go to school if he or she is sick? No. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children or caregivers.

When can my child go back to school after having the flu? Keep your child home from school, day care or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100°F or higher.

ALWAYS BE SAFE ALWAYS Please feel free to contact our school nurse, Micki Moss, with any questions or con- cerns.

Micki Moss, School Nurse

Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1 What Are Teachers Doing on Early Release Days?

December 13 Teachers received professional development on increasing the use of complex texts with students in all content areas.

December 20 Grade level teams worked to plan instruction based on the Common Core state standards in English/Language Arts based on the professional development from the previous early release opportunities.

January 10 Teachers received professional development focused on the importance of balancing the use of literary and informational texts.

BEST DO YOUR January 17 Teachers used this time to discuss how our assessments, instruction and interventions align to support all students in reading.

February Beginning in February, the focus of our early release days will shift to studying the changes in mathematics instruction required by the Common Core state standards.

Specialists such as Health & Fitness teachers, Music teachers, Art teachers and Teacher Librar- ians continue to meet with job-alike peers from across the district on our professional development days. This time allows those teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills and to plan a more consistent program for students across the district.

We wish to express our appreciation to our families for your continued support of our work on these early release days. This time spent together working on learning and collaborating on ways to adapt and improve instruction for students has been invaluable for our staff and will show up in how we prepare your children to meet the new Common Core state standards. As always, please contact Mike Michaud or Jennifer Kerr with any questions or com- ments about the early release days.

Cougar Chronicle Page 5 WATCH D.O.G.S. ARE COMING

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures in order to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security. Watch D.O.G.S. are fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal. WATCH D.O.G.S. engage men, inspire children, reduce bullying and enhance the educational environment at our school.

Who are WatchDOGS? Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator.

Want to know more? Please join us at Captain Strong on Wednesday, January 22nd from 6:30 to 8:00 to hear all about it. Pizza and drinks will be provided followed by short presentation about our WATCH D.O.G.S. program. One Team has graciously offered their services by providing several highly engaging activities for the students while we meet with fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures. You are also welcome to join in the fun following the presentation.

Please R.S.V.P. at the following link http://tinyurl.com/cspwatchdogs or by returning the sheet that was sent home with your child. LEARN RESPONSIBILITY

Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 1 EXHIBIT RESPECT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Weather Update Winter weather has arrived! Please make sure children are dressed appro- priately for the weather as they will be outside for two recesses each day. Our Lost and Found bins are filling up quickly! Please encourage your children to look for lost items. Bins are located outside the gym close to the bus entry/exit doors.

Please contact Kristen McIntyre at 885-6402 if you are experiencing difficulty providing coats or shoes for your child.

Community Education Are you looking for activities for yourself or your children? Battle Ground Community Educa- tion offers a wide variety of classes and activities for children and adults. A schedule of Com- munity Ed program offerings can be found at bgce.battlegroundps.org.

Highly Capable Program Expanding to Include K-2 Students February 13th is the deadline for Battle Ground Schools 'Aspire' Program referrals for students in Grades K-1 and 8-11.

The law regarding highly capable students in Washington State was recently re- vised to include all students in grades K-12. Currently Battle Ground Schools serve grades 3-8. Aspire is designed for students in grades K-12 who have superior intellectual ability as demonstrated by one or more of the multiple criteria specified by the state (WAC 392-127- 035). Qualifying students will enter the program beginning next school year, 2014-2015. Par- ents of students in grades K-1 and 8-11 who wish to have their children tested may pick up a nomination packet in their school office. Testing for admission to the Aspire program for 2014 -2015 will be in March. Parents who submit the referral forms by February 13, 2014 will be notified by mail the time and dates testing will occur.

Referrals for grades 2-7 were announced and closed on December 10, 2013. Referral forms are available now at the child’s school office or on the school district’s Web site (http:// www.battlegroundps.org/node/158). For more information about the Aspire program, please contact (360) 885-5429.

CAM Academy Enrollment for 2014-15 CAM Academy will begin the enrollment process for the 2014-15 school year on February 1, 2014. Families with students in grades three through twelve are welcome to visit the school web site, cam.battlegroundps.org, to find out more about the primary, middle and high school program offerings.

Cougar Chronicle Page 7 Snow Poetry

By Mrs. Montecucco’s fourth graders

Evening Snow

Snow is white It’s snowing, it’s snowing, But very bright. Right now as I write. Snow is cold I am so excited And hard to hold. I barely speak not even a peep. There is no snow in summer It’s snowing, It’s blowing, And that is a bummer. It’s whirling about. When the snow hits the ground I’m blinded by white, Its doesn’t make a sound. What a beautiful night. It’s starting to snow By Gracy Brown So I have to go.

By Lexi Talbert

I like snow because each flake Is a piece of art. Each flake is unique so You can’t tell them apart. The color’s bright white, It’s a beautiful sight. Snow ALWAYS BE SAFE ALWAYS I made a snowman; it was fun. Boy, were my fingers glad to be done. I like to play in snow. It makes my cheeks glow. By Cassie Layne I like to sled down big hills, And, oh how my heart fills.

My favorite thing to eat after snow…

Is HOT COCOA! By my favorite thing of all Is waking up to a white Christmas. But all I pray is for a white Christmas day.

Page 8 Volume 1, Issue 1 Captain Strong PTA

Well, we have been busy since August of this year. In association with the Captain Strong Administration and the teachers we obtained enough ice cream and cold treats to welcome all incoming students in early September.

The PTA then moved full force into two of our usual fund raisers, Payback Books and Cookie Dough sales. Both fund raisers were successful and generated enough funds to set activities for the Captain Strong student body through the year. We also pledged $3,000.00 for an electronic reader board if one is approved by the city of Battle Ground. We are also preparing for a grant cycle for the teachers and staff of Captain Strong.

We had scheduled a Holiday Party, however, the cold weather and school closures in- terceded and caused the cancellation for this year. The items that can be carried for- ward will be saved and used on other projects. We did have some 200-300 gingerbread men cookies that were donated to the preschool and kindergarten classes. We do appreciate and thank all who baked the cookies.

BEST DO YOUR We had a successful book fair this fall in which sales exceeded previous fairs. The pro- ceeds thus generated were given to the new teachers so that they could buy books for their classes. We will also have a spring book fair with the “two for one sale’. We have had one Golden Skate Night and one Burgerville Night. We plan to have more in the coming months as well as a “Father/Daughter Dance”, a Mother/Son Evening” and an End of Year Carnival/Day. All of the above activities are made possible by the funds generated through the fund raisers.

We welcome any contributions whether it be fresh ideas, money, muscle or making goodies such as the gingerbread men. Please come join us in any way you might be able. Your help and contribution mean everything. Everything goes to the students and or their school!

PTA Skate Nights

Saturday, January 25th 5:15 to 7:15 Saturday, March 15th, 5:15 to 7:15 Saturday, May 17th, 5:15 to 7:15

Cougar Chronicle Page 9 Battle Ground Public Schools

Battle Ground Public Schools Post Office Box 200 Captain Strong Primary Absence Hot Line Battle Ground, WA 98604-0200 360-885-6443 Captain Strong Primary [email protected] Captain Strong Primary Post Office Box 200 Battle Ground, WA

Phone: 360-885-6400 Fax: 360-885-6432

January/February 2014

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Burgerville Night 1:25 PM Dismissal 5 to 8 PM

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 No School WatchDOGS Kick 12:40 Dismissal 12:40 PM Dismissal PTA Skate Night, Martin Luther King Off Golden Skate Day 6:30 to 8 PM 5:15 to 7:15 PM

26 27 28 29 30 31 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PTA Meeting Father-Daughter 4:00 PM Dance

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1:25 Dismissal No School

HiCap Referrals

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 No School 1:25 Dismissal Presidents Day

The Battle Ground Public Schools provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin/language, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation-including gender identity, disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, HIV/Hepatitis C status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Contact the following regarding questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Compliance Officer, 360.885.5481; Title IX Athletic Coordinator 360.885.5500; Section 504/ADA Coordinator 360.885.5318; Compliance Coordinator for State Civil Rights Laws, 360-885-5338; or a letter may be submitted to the designated coordinator at the Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604.