2009 U.S.D. #261 Born to Learn to Learn Born 316-554-2303 316-554-2303 Haysville Schools 1745 W Grand Ave Ave W Grand 1745 Haysville KS 67060 67060 KS Haysville February Newsletter You are your child’s first and most important teacher! important first and most child’s You are your

U.S. POSTAGE HAYSVILLE SCHOOLS PAID U.S.D. #261 1745 W GRAND AVE Permit #9 HAYSVILLE KS 67060 Haysville, KS A Non-profit 316-554-2303

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"Becoming a Lifelong Learner"

Parents,

Sometimes one of the most difficult things to do is to step outside of our comfort zone. Whether we are pushing ourselves physically, socially, emotionally or even cognitively, we are bound to feel a certain level of discomfort. I know that if you are anything like me, you get into ruts from time to time and actually come to enjoy those ruts because they are so familiar! But like our children, we only grow and learn when we are “stretching” ourselves to some degree. Children need new challenges such as figuring out how to open a plastic bottle to remove the items inside. We, on the other hand, need new challenges such as learning a new language, trying a more difficult level of Sudoku or researching a character from history. Not only does it help to keep our brains sharp, it also models lifelong learning for our children. Mom’s Meal The world is changing quickly and much of what we know now will be obsolete by the time our children are grown. 2009 Lifelong learning is not only good for us, it’s critical for our children if they are to thrive in a rapidly changing world. May you never stop learning!

Roxie

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Thank you to the following for helping PAT needs playdough make the Mom’s Meal a success! If you would like to make some playdough for PAT, Applebee’s here is a great recipe: Campus High School Drama Dept. Campus High School Athletic Dept. Kool-Aid Play Dough

Carrabba’s Italian Grill 2 ½ to 3 cups of flour City of Haysville 2 cups boiling water mixed with 2 pkgs of Kool-Aid (select flavor based on color desired) The Coleman Company 3 T corn oil Emily Dawn Salon ½ cup salt 1 T cream of tartar Excel Cheer & Dance Mix ingredients and knead with flour (may take up to 1 cup--use more if the dough draws moisture in high humidity). Keeps well, Harriet Harris Cookies & Cakes nice fragrance, very colorful, and has wonderfully soft flexibility. Haysville Activity Center Haysville Chamber of Commerce Homewood Suites @ The Waterfront Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza Jason’s Deli

Johnny B’s Aviation Museum Kansas & Space Center LaVaun’s Hair Design McAlister’s Deli Stacy Anderson Outback Steak House Anu Arndt Pizza Hut & Wing Street David Cowell QuikTrip Kim Hovey Katherine Johnson Trudo’s Automotive Denise Shaffer Walmart Tanja Waggoner Angela Wright FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

TOOL TIME 2009

Camden S Luke N. February 2 February 5 Tuesday February 10th 6:30—7:30 pm Abbey S. Prairie Elementary February 8 (7101 S. Meridian—Haysville)

Aleigha K. February 12 Samuel S. This month, PAT will be hosting Tool Time. February 12 This is a hands-on event that will involve parent/ child interaction. We will have stations such as Kodi R. “nuts & bolts” February 13 “hammers & nails” Alyssa I. “tents & flashlights” February 17 “building station” “wallpaper wall” “painting wall.” This event is FREE and open to all PAT & ECC families as well as Alexander P. USD 261 February 27 kindergarten students. FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

Are you helping your child Build strong teeth respect belongings? during Dental Health Month At school, students must respect others’ belongings, such as books, toys, crayons and furniture. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month—a time to include lessons about dental health in everyday learning Answer yes or no to the questions below to see if you’re activities. For example: encouraging this at home:  Discuss why teeth are important. Look 1. Do you give your child places to keep belongings, such through a magazine together. Find pictures as a bin for blocks or a drawer for crayons? of people using their teeth. What are the 2. Do you make cleaning up a habit? “Before we get out a people doing? Eating? Smiling? Talking? new game, let’s put away the one we just played.” What if no one had teeth? 3. Do you talk about the benefits of respecting belongings? “If you treat Grandpa’s piano gently, I’m sure he’ll let  Practice making sounds. Use your teeth you play it again.” to make sounds, such as the th in teeth and 4. Do you notice when your child treats belongings well? the f in face. People use their teeth when “Thanks for putting your books on the shelf. That will pronouncing the letter v, too. keep them in great condition!” 5. Do you set an example by caring for household items  Review how to clean teeth. Brushing and yourself, including your child’s belongings? flossing are ways to keep teeth healthy. Preschoolers should not floss without parents’ help—and brushing How well are you doing? should always be supervised to prevent swallowing of toothpaste. Each yes answer means you’re building your child’s respect for belongings. For each no answer, try that idea from the  Talk about dental visits. Who and what will your child see quiz. at the dentist? Lots of friendly helpers, a light for seeing

Reprinted with permission from Parents make the difference!-February 2009 better, a chair that moves up and down for the best view of teeth, an x-ray machine for pictures, and more.

 Read about the dentist. Find reassuring books about visiting the

Don’t worry that children never listen dentist. One is available online from the American Dental to you; worry that they are always Association at www.ada.org/public/games/story.asp. Or ask watching you. the librarian at your local library. -Robert Fulghum Reprinted with permission from Parents make the difference!-February 2009 DETAILS

TOOL TIME Don’t miss this event! February 10th 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Prairie Elementary (7101 S. Meridian) If you have any questions, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 please call the PAT office 9:00—9:30 am 9:00—9:45 am 554-2303. 9:45—10:15 am 10:00—10:45 am 10:30—11:00 am 11:00—11:45 am 2:30—3:00 pm Explorer Lab @ 9:30—10:45 am Explorer Lab is an opportunity for Move & Groove PAT IDEA Room Play Group your child to practice science inquiry through @ PAT IDEA Room hands-on exploration. Be prepared to explore, touch, and get messy with your child. This class will take place at the PAT IDEA Room (148 Stewart). Parent participation is 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 required. The 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. classes are 9:00—9:30 am currently full but feel free to check us out 9:45—10:15 am at the 11:00 a.m. class. No cost to attend. 10:30—11:00 am 2:30—3:00 pm 6:30-7:30p 1:45 pm—Campus 9:30—10:45 am Happy Move & Groove H.S. Teen Group Valentines Playgroups are provided as a time for Play Group Day @ PAT IDEA Room your child’s skills to develop. Playgroups are held at the PAT facility located at (134 Stewart). No cost to attend.

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Move and Grove is a class that 9:00—9:45 am 9:30—10:45 am incorporates music, movement and or Gross Motor instrument exploration. This class is 10:00—10:45 am held at the PAT IDEA Room 12:05 pm Growing Cooks Play Group @ (148 Stewart). Parent participation is Alt.H.S. @ The Learning Chapel Ridge required for this class so wear Teen Group President’s Day Center Apartments comfortable clothes and be ready to move and have fun! The morning classes are currently full so plan to attend the afternoon class if you are 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 not already signed up. 9:00—9:30 am 9:00—9:45 am No cost to attend. 9:45—10:15 am 10:00—10:45 am 10:30—11:00 am 11:00—11:45 am 2:30—3:00 pm Explorer Lab @ 9:30—10:45 am Move & Groove PAT IDEA Room Play Group Gross Motor Playgroup is @ PAT IDEA Room offered twice a year in the Gym 1:45 pm—Campus H.S. Teen Group of Chapel Ridge Apt. (235 S. Jane). This group gives the kids a large place to run, jump & play. All of these events are open to all of our PAT and BBB Children. No cost to attend.