PATRIOTS’ PRESS December 2015

Hugh Mercer Elementary School 2100 Cowan Boulevard Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Telephone: (540) 372-1115 Fax: (540) 372-6753 Web: www.cityschools.com

Marjorie R. Tankersley, Principal [email protected] Barbara N. Donaldson, Assistant Principal [email protected] Sandra P. Gillenwater, Assistant Principal [email protected]

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Families and Friends, support, put up a great plastic cup sign on the fence, and done all the leg work to If you’ve been around Hugh Mercer any make this a successful event. If you have time in the last month, you have seen what not already done so, please take a few a busy, bustling place it has been. minutes to sign up online to make a Boosterthon pledge. Remember, this is our I would be remiss if I didn’t begin this letter major fund raiser this year. with a great big “thank you” to all you parents, families and friends who have been When we return from Thanksgiving Break, such wonderful supporters of our new fund second graders will begin Jumping Rope for raiser, Boosterthon. It’s not over yet, but so Heart. They will participate in this very far with all the supportive activities, - worthwhile program through their PE starting with the pep rallies, Get Movin’ classes the week of December 1 – 5. Night, and the daily huddles that students enjoy and learn from - it has been amazing. On Friday, December 5, our students are in The “Huddles” take up the last 15 minutes for a real treat. They will be serenaded with of your child’s daily specials. There is heavy a medley of seasonal songs presented to us emphasis on positive character building by the Monroe Singers from James Monroe lessons, and there’s always a physical High School, under the direction of Mrs. activity that gets their blood flowing and Heidi Ribel. This is an exceptional group, generates enthusiasm for the program as and we are honored by their visit. well as Hugh Mercer School. The During the week of December 8 – 12, our culminating event will be a Fun Run on wonderful PTA will once again be Tuesday, December 2. All children will sponsoring a Holiday Shoppe. This is a fun participate. opportunity for children to practice their math money lessons and purchase I want to add a special thank you to our PTA inexpensive gifts for family members and parents who have devoted countless hours friends. to setting up the Boosterthon program. They have decorated the building… it’s like On Wednesday, December 10, our monthly a wonderland …, been here many days for PTA meeting will be held in the library. Please join us in supporting this hard- day will be our annual Holiday Sing-a-Long, working group who do so much for the led by our music teacher, Mrs. Holly Horn. It children of Hugh Mercer. The meeting will be a full day. At 3:15 P.M., students will begins at 6:30 P.M. and generally lasts less go home to a two-week holiday break, and than an hour. Babysitting will be provided. we won’t see them again until Monday, January 5, 2015. Our second graders will perform a special musical holiday program on Thursday, It’s been a great month, and now my wish is December 11. The daytime event for that we send all of your children home to a students and faculty will be held at 9:00 happy, restful Thanksgiving Break. May A.M. The evening program for families and your family enjoy a happy Thanksgiving friends begins at 6:00 P.M. holiday. We all have much for which to be thankful. On Monday, December 15, our PE department will sponsor the Jingle Bell Jog. Sincerely, This is a combination first and second grade fun run and promises to be an exciting event. We have some amazing young runners here at Hugh Mercer! Marjorie R. Tankersley Principal Our last day of school for 2014 will be Friday, December 19. The highlight of the

TURKEY TROT

Congratulations to the following first grade Turkey Trot winners. For their achievement, these students will be recognized at the School Board meeting being held at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 1 in City Council Chambers.

1st Place: Holly Rowland and Jeremiah Crawford

2nd Place: Mackenzie Mueller and Amari Young

TEA WITH MRS. TANKERSLEY

Congratulations to the following second graders for being selected by their teachers to have Tea with Mrs. Tankersley this month by exhibiting good behavior, nice manners, or improvement: Jamonte Washington, Javier Sanchez Valiente, Eber Amaya-Guevara, Nathan Copeland, Destin Davis, Isabel Para, Rebekah Furrow, Hannah Malin, Joseph Rose, Michael Bonilla, Sophia Coulon, Noelia Calderon, Ezatullah Anaytuallah, Jeremiah Jones, Alejandro Rodriguez, Bryhanna Jennings, Jeb Brough, Jackson Billingsley, Aiyana Robinson, Logan Maiden, Chase Pack, Emerson Moriarty, Khadija Askari, Alyssandra Serrano, Jahleah Fraser-Davies, Andrea Zavala, Arianna Housey, Lea Pettie, Samim Wellezadi, Kendrell Smith, McLane Maynard, Yash Patil, Joselyn Sandoval-Cortez, Raven Furrow, Elizabeth Furrow, Yazmin Santos, Walter Linsner, Christian Diego Juan, Hailey Ryder, Lola Rodriguez, Bradley Rose, Taija Minor, Makenzie Burton, Sammara Fergeson, and Madison Hawkins.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM?

Mrs. Szafranski and Mrs. Weller’s kindergartners incorporated their math and language arts skills in comparing sets of milk and corn while preparing for their Thanksgiving feast.

Ms. Utz’s and Mrs. Sponseller’s kindergartners dressed out for their Thanksgiving play.

Mrs. Schumacher’s kindergartners got into the spirit of Crazy Sock Day as an incentive for the PTA Boosterthon.

Ms. Downer’s and Mr. Anne’s first graders used pumpkins to measure weight and circumference for 1st Grade S.T.E.M. day.

Mr. Riley’s second graders learned about Powhatan Indians of when the Jamestown Foundation visited all second grade classes.

SCHOOL POLICIES

Breakfast Eaters: If your child wants to eat breakfast and he/she is a car rider, please have him/her at school before 8:30 AM. The serving line closes at 8:30 AM.

Car Riders: If you need to unbuckle or buckle your child when you are dropping him/her off in the back, please pull all the way up (as far as you can go) against the yellow curb.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Dads Who C.A.R.E. (Character Building, All-Star Attitudes, Role Models, Encouraging Success) Thank you to the Daily Dads for the month of November: Courtney Neal, Walter Williams, Michael Jacobs, Michael Taylor, Chris Muldrow, Whit Coulon, Stewart Lane, Darrell Champion, Charles Goode, Randy Woods, Abib Oussantidja, and Tim Hough. These dads committed to spend the day at Hugh Mercer to assist with bus duty, car rider duty, in the cafeteria, and in classrooms. To find out more about this program, contact Mrs. White, guidance counselor, at [email protected].

Make-Up Picture Day - Thank you, Mrs. Lisa Lynn, for volunteering to assist with make-up pictures.

PTA BOOSTERTHON FUND RAISER – FUN RUN!

PTA kicked off the 9-day fun, healthy, and character-building Boosterthon Program fund raiser on November 17. This program teaches student five ways to make their community rock with the character theme Rock’n Town Live, a music festival theme all about community. Along the way, students have been gathering pledges for how many laps they’ll run at the Boosterthon Fun Run event, which is on December 2. Your family is invited to come out and cheer on the students! You can help the PTA raise funds for our school by connecting your child with sponsors over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Your support is appreciated!

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 1 - 5 Jump Rope for Heart (during 2nd grade Health classes) December 2 Boosterthon Fun Run (K: 9:35-10:50) (2nd: 12:30-1:45) (1st: 2:00-3:00) December 5 Heart Mascots Visits 2nd Graders during Lunch Waves December 8 – 12 PTA Holiday Shoppe (playroom) December 11 2nd Graders’ Winter Concert (9 AM and 6 PM) December 15 Jingle Bell Jog (1st and 2nd Graders) – 3:45 PM December 19 Holiday Sing-Along (1:30 PM) Class Parties (2:30 PM) Dec 29 – Jan 2 NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURES

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

When Fredericksburg City Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, it will be announced on the TV and Radio stations listed below. On days when FCPS are closed, have a delayed opening, or dismiss early due to weather conditions, the TV/radio announcement will state Fredericksburg City Schools. Frederick County, the surrounding counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, etc., and private schools (Fredericksburg Christian, Fredericksburg Academy, etc.) are separate school divisions whose inclement weather schedules may vary from FCPS.

TV Stations Radio Stations WFVA ( B101.5/FM 101.5) Channel 4 WFLS (FM 93.3) Channel 6 WGRQ (Q96) Channel 8 WWVB (FM 99.3) Channel 9 WGRX ( Thunder104.5) Channel 18 WWUZ Radio (FM 96.9)

WYSK (AM 1350)

School personnel cannot individually notify parents when schools are dismissed early due to inclement weather. You are encouraged to listen to the local radio stations or check our web site.

When schools are closed, all school-related events or activities are cancelled.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB follows FCPS’ inclement weather schedule:

 If school is closed for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.  If school dismisses early for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.  If after school programs are cancelled for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.

DELAYED OPENINGS

Due to inclement weather will be announced on the TV and Radio stations listed above. School hours on delayed opening days are as follows: (Buses will arrive at their designated stops 2 hours later than usual.). Breakfast will NOT be served on delayed opening days.

Hugh Mercer 10:35 – 3:15 P.M. Lafayette 10:25 – 3:15 P.M. Walker-Grant 9:40 – 2:40 P.M. James Monroe 9:45 – 2:45 P.M. RISE/STARS 10:30 – 2:00 P.M. ECSE 10:40 - 1:30 P.M. Head Start/VPI 10:40 – 1:30 P.M.

School closings and delayed opening information are posted on the school’s web site (www.cityschools.com). Early Dismissals due to inclement weather will be announced on the radio stations listed above and posted on the school division internet site. Schools will be dismissed in this order: James Monroe High School, Head Start and Preschool, Walker-Grant Middle School, Lafayette Upper Elementary School, Hugh Mercer Elementary School.

Sign up for Fred Alerts (click on link on our webpage, www.cityschools.com) to receive text and/or email messages of weather or emergency related school delays and/or closings.