CHARLES

Dear Charles Families:

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! It is

with great pleasure to return to the land of our wonderful Charles Chargers. Charles Elementary is on top when it comes to

providing an excellent education for our children. Our staff is committed to providing

a safe learning environment for our students. I am honored to serve as your Principal and look forward to many years of watching this

community grow.

“Make it a great day … the choice is yours!”

Mrs. Kelly Andrews Principal

School Times for Charles

K—4th Gr. MWRF 7:50 am—2:40 pm

Tuesday 7:50 am—1:40 pm 2-Hour Delay Starts at 9:50 am

Breakfast 7:15 am—7:45 am

Morning Preschool 8:30—11:00 am

Afternoon Preschool 12:00—2:30 pm

Richmond Community Schools www.weRrichmond.com

August 16, 2013

CHRONICLES Volume 2, Issue 1

From the Principal’s Desk

Safety During Morning Arrival

The safety of our students is of utmost

importance. Please help us by following these procedures each morning.

Door #17 (right of main entrance) opens at 7:15 am. Students go to the cafeteria to eat

breakfast or join their classmates in the gym. Students are dismissed to classrooms at

7:45 am. Tardy bell rings at 7:50 am. Drop-Offs (Car Riders): Vehicles should use

the westbound lane of Reeveston Road and enter south driveway (by Door #16). Pull up

to far yellow sign or to vehicle in front of you and have students exit passenger side directly to the sidewalk.

Vehicles may use the main circle drive AFTER

7:30 am when buses have finished dropping off students. DO NOT DRIVE BETWEEN

BUSES! These are continually moving lines so if you need to come in or assist your student in getting out, park on the road.

Please do not drop off children in the

middle of Reeveston Road or Southeast Parkway and allow them to walk to the building unescorted. Use one of the Drop-

Off Lanes. Staff are outside greeting and directing students into the building.

Walkers: Please stay on sidewalks and refrain from cutting through car and bus lines

when walking up to Door #17.

Dismissal Procedures

Dress Code Reminders

The following procedures should be followed

during dismissal for the safety of all.

Car riders: Vehicles should use the west-bound lane of Reeveston Road and enter south driveway (by Door #16). Pull up to far

yellow sign or to vehicle in front of you. Place your student name sign in the front dash-

board on the passenger side. Staff members will assist students to the correct vehicle. Four or five vehicles are able to be loaded at

a time so the line moves quickly once students are dismissed to the gym.

Should you need to exit your vehicle to help your child, please consider choosing

another method of pick-up. We are not able to dismiss students to anyone who walks

up to Door #16.

Walkers: People picking up students who will be walking or need assistance getting into a vehicle need to use North Door #3. Students

are supervised by staff members until an adult comes to pick them up. Having a sign

with the child’s first and last name printed on it helps this process go faster.

Bus riders: Using the main circle entrance, buses will load Kindergarten students as they

exit the north doors and 1st-4th graders from the main entrance.

Vehicles may not use the main circle drive after 2:00 pm until all buses have

left. Y-Care: Students participating in the Y-Care

after school program will be dismissed to the cafeteria with their supervisors.

“How a student dresses for school has a

direct effect on how well he/she behaves and how well he/she feels about himself/herself.

This influences learning.” Charles Elementary students are expected to

“dress according to weather conditions” and in clothing “that properly fits the student

without causing interruptions in classroom activities…”.

Some important things to remember: · Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh

length. A good rule is that when the student has their arms down to their sides, the shorts or skirt should fall below

the bottom of the fingertips. · Tops are to be long enough that the

stomach area is fully covered. · Mesh tops, loose-fitting tank tops, short

shorts, biker shorts or other extreme articles of dress, are NOT acceptable school wear.

· Flip-flops, while not banned by the dress code, are not advised for school for safety

reasons, particularly on the playground, and also due to the many times flip-flops break during the school day. Please also

consider safety issues when it comes to sandals. Children should always have

their gym shoes available on days that they have Physical Education and consider playground safety with other types of

warm weather shoes.

Thanks for helping the learning environment of Charles Elementary by working toward adhering to the dress code that has been

established. The complete dress code is found in both the RCS Code of Conduct and the

Charles Student/Parent Handbook.

2013-2014 Charles Staff

Richmond Community Schools www.weRrichmond.com

Principal: Mrs. Kelly Andrews

Secretary: Mrs. Melissa Swafford Clerical/Health: Mrs. Cindy Elzemeyer

Nurse: Mrs. Darcelle Bullock Preschool: Ms. Maggie Jeurling

Kindergarten: Mrs. Kendra Beisner

Mrs. Amanda Lee Mrs. Krista Oler Mrs. Terri Paul

Mrs. Kylee Southerland

1st Grade: Mrs. Amber Hall Mrs. Brandi Jackson Mrs. Gina Jones

Mrs. Jennifer Wesler

2nd Grade: Mrs. Michelle Hilbert Mrs. Susan Miller

Mrs. Erica Pearson Mrs. Diana Weatherly

3rd Grade: Mrs. Jan Frye Mrs. Lori Thornburg

Mrs. Sarah Vance 4th Grade: Mrs. Kelly Amos

Mrs. Rachel Burdette Mrs. Jeanne Hendricks

Art: Mrs. Hanna Hoogenboom Library: Mrs. Kathy Eyer

Music: Mrs. Gwen Lattimer Physical Education: Mr. Ryan Higgins

CIS Coordinator: Mrs. Melody Weikart

Instr. Coach: Mrs. Chris Buchholz Interventionist Mrs. Karen Bolle

Special Education: Mrs. Pam Cochran Mrs. Sherry Kean

Counselors: Mrs. Karen Butler

Mrs. Amanda Lear Speech: Mrs. Teresa Lee Teacher of

Hearing Impaired: Mrs. Brenda Leddington ESL Interpreters: Ms. Sandra Calderon

Ms. Sara Frakes Paraprofessionals: Mrs. Melissa Foley

Mrs. Roxann Hollingsworth Mrs. Regina Kimmel

Ms. Barbara Mays Mrs. Linda Murray

Mrs. Rochelle Rogan Ms. Karnisha Satterfield Mrs. Hope Shipley

Envir. Services: Mr. Eugene Crawford

Cafeteria Staff: Ms. Heather Boomershine Mrs. Vicky Kanke

Mrs. Patricia Rohe Mrs. Carolyn Casiano

Student Teachers: Mrs. Caitlin Hunter Ms. Chaz Loehrig

Obedience Trusting those who lead you by doing what you’re asked to do

From the Lunchroom

How to Help

The school cafeteria serves a Type A

breakfast and lunch every day school is in

session unless there is a 2-hour delay.

Menus are published monthly, attached to the newsletter and located on the RCS

website. Fees for the week should be paid the first day of each week and now you have the

opportunity to set up online cafeteria payments. However, for security purposes, if you are sending money to school, we

encourage you to make payment by check, payable to Charles Elementary, and enclose it

in a sealed envelope labeled with your child’s

and their teacher’s names.

Students may charge for three (3) days. Any additional charges must be made through the

school office. Applications for FREE or REDUCED lunches are available at the school

office.

Milk is also available for $0.45 for students

who bring their lunch. Charges for milk are not allowed. Soft drinks and candy will not be

permitted in the cafeteria.

Adult lunches are available for staff, parents and visitors for $3.00. If you plan to join us

for lunch, please contact the office by 9:00

am.

August 27th is Domino’s Pizza Day for lunch.

Regular lunch prices include one piece of cheese pizza along with the usual sides. If you want to purchase a 2nd piece of pizza,

please bring in $1.50 on that day.

When parents get involved in their children’s

school, everyone wins. Volunteering in the school sends an important message to your

children: education is important! There are countless ways you can help here at Charles.

Here are a few ideas: Volunteer in the classroom, during lunch

or recess. Share your hobbies, travels or the job

that you do with students.

Tutor children who need extra help. Volunteer as a room mother or father.

Chaperone field trips and other class activities.

Attend public hearings, school board

meetings or let your state representatives or senator know about your concerns for

education. Help in the school office by photocopying.

Make the school grounds more attractive. Help in the computer lab. Donate books or volunteer in the school

library. Help raise money for school equipment or

classroom needs. Provide snacks for special events, like

ISTEP testing week, the school carnival or

class events. Read your favorite children’s stories to

the class. Get involved with the PTO and/or PALs.

Whether you have an hour a day or an hour a month, Charles needs you. All volunteers

that have direct contact with students must complete a Volunteer Form available at the Charles Office.

Thanks for your consideration.

Daily Weekly

Elementary Breakfast $1.25 $6.25

Elementary Lunch $2.00 $10.00

Adults $3.00 $15.00

The BIG Three

the bus, in the library, taking a test, or load-

ing the dishwasher at home. The BIG Three apply in all areas of life and to all age-grade

levels. When we all use a common language and the expectations are the same across school and home, then there is little room for

excuses.

Will this eradicate those weeds of misbehav-ior for good? Of course not! Every gardener still fights with weeds. But when you have to

have a one on one chat with your child about behavior it is no longer, “Don’t do that

again”. Instead it is a conversation about where the breakdown in behavior took place. We have found almost any offense or mis-

step can be channeled through these BIG Three ideas. The image of a stop-light might

best help to hit home our point: Stop, Slow Down, and Go correlate to each part of the

BIG Three. RED/STOP—Are you treating others right?

YELLOW/SLOW DOWN—Was it a smart decision?

GREEN/GO—Develop and implement your plan for maximizing your potential!

As you gear up for the year, make time to plant the seeds of The BIG Three in your

home. The BIG Three are not just for the start of the year. The BIG Three are the roots of a healthy growing tree. For roots to

be strong and provide vital elements of growth they must be tended throughout the

year. Plant your seeds, cultivate your home culture around The BIG Ghree and we are sure the fruits of your labors (inward atti-

tudes) will be well worth the harvest (outward behavior).

Expectation / Title 1 Night

On Thursday, August 29, everyone is invited

to school for our annual Expectation / Title 1 night from 5:00—7:00 pm.

Meet in the cafeteria from 5:00—5:30 with Mrs. Andrews for an overview of the evening.

Meet with your child’s teacher during the

following times to go over grade level and classroom expectations and learn about the Toyota Reading Program, Positive Behavior

Support, Friday folders, birthday celebrations, curriculum and many other items.

5:30—6:00 pm 2nd grade 6:00—6:30 pm Kindergarten & 1st grade

6:30—7:00 pm 3rd & 4th grade

Richmond Community Schools www.weRrichmond.com

Welcome back to school! We are starting the

2013-14 year off by cultivating The BIG Three. Cultivating means to “encourage the

growth of” and isn’t that just what we teach-ers and parents are in the business of? As we encourage your child in their growth, we will

be utilizing the foundational expectations of The BIG Three. We encourage you to join us

and use the BIG 3 concepts in your home.

1. Treat others right 2. Make smart decisions

3. Maximize your potential

As educators we can make rules about rules!

It is so much easier when it all boils down to 3 BIG ideas. It doesn’t matter if you are on

The first PTO School Skate is Tuesday,

August 20 from 5:30—7:30 pm at The

Skate in Richmond. Please join us in

welcoming our Chinese Delegation.

Richmond Community Schools and Charles

Elementary School are excited to welcome 13 students and 3 adults to our building next

week from Luming Elementary School in Zheijang, China.

While they will be in the States for two weeks, they will be in Richmond for one of

those weeks and at Charles for just four days, from Monday, August 19 through Thursday, August 22.

They will get to experience what it is like to

be a student in our classrooms, the roller skating party during our first School Skate of the year on Tuesday, and a hay-ride and

pitch-in at Wesler Orchard and Lodge on Wednesday.

We would like to express our sincere thanks

to the host families for taking in our visitors while they are here—the Jackson’s, Elzemeyer’s, Hogg’s, Smith’s, Vincent’s,

Etherington’s, Reising’s and Shull’s have graciously offered their homes.

Please welcome our guests and show them true Hoosier hospitality!

Chinese Delegation

Kiwanis K-Kids

Charles Elementary is a site of a club called

K-Kids sponsored by the Richmond Kiwanis.

K-Kids is the youngest and fastest growing service organization for elementary students worldwide. Charles is the first elementary

school in Richmond to have an active K-Kids club.

K-Kids is a “student-led” community service organization, which operates under school

regulations and draws its members from the student body. This club is open to students

in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade.

Their motto is “We Build,” and its objectives are:

To provide opportunities for working together

in service to school and community.

To develop leadership potential.

To foster the development of a strong moral

character.

To encourage loyalty to school, community,

and nation.

The K-Kids Pledge:

“As a K-Kid, I promise to serve my neighborhood

and my school; I will show respect toward my

environment; and I will try to make the world a

better place in which to live.”

Charles received their charter in 2012. Meetings

will be held monthly and will be run by the

students.

Sticking to the K-Kids pledge of “serving neigh-

borhood and school,” the Charles K-Kids will be

doing volunteer work and projects as the need is

decided by the membership. The activities and

projects of K-Kids will be developed by members.

Charles is pleased to have this opportunity to be

a part of the Kiwanis Family and looks forward to

serving our school and community. Students who

would like to join K-Kids should pick up a

brochure application when they become

available.

Arthur M. Charles PTO

The first PTO General Meeting of the school

year will be held on Tuesday, September 10th. More information will be in the next

newsletter. Please mark this on your calendar and help us support our Charles School Family.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5

8-4 Registration

6

8-4 Registration

7

8-6 Registration

4-6 Kindergarten

Open House

8 9

4-6 Meet Your

Teacher Night

10

11 12

1st Day of School

Opening Flag

Ceremony

13 14

RCS School Board

Meeting

15 16

Chinese Delega-

tion Arrives

17

18 19

Chinese Students

begin at Charles

20

5:30-7:30 pm

School Skate

21 22

Chinese Delega-

tion Leaves

23 24

25 26 27 28

RCS School Board

Meeting

29

5-7 Literacy /

Title 1 Night

30 31

August 2013

Reminder: If your after school plans change, please try to call the school before 2:00 pm.

Calling after that time creates difficulty in getting messages to students in a timely fashion. As times continue to be tough for all, please remember that Communities in Schools has a

selection of resources available to all families including lists of organizations that offer free meals. Please contact Melody Weikart at 765-973-3441 for assistance.

Be sure your students are following the outlined RCS dress code. It can be found on the

RCS website or you can obtain a copy from the Parent Resource Site in the office at Charles. IMMUNIZATIONS: Please make sure your child’s shots are up to date. If you have any

questions, please call our school nurse, Mrs. Darcelle Bullock. PTO collects Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s Labels for Education and used ink

cartridges. Please send them to school as you can.

Please keep our office up to date with your student information. We should always be able to contact you throughout the school day in case of emergency. Thanks for your help!

See the attached calendars for the school menus. Remember they are always subject to change. School lunch prices are $2.00.

Newsletter Contest: Each student whose parents read this newsletter, may sign, clip, and

return the bottom portion of this page to be placed in a drawing for a free item from our school bookstore. Our goal is to encourage regular communication from the school to

home. Thanks for participating.

Mission Statement

Charles Elementary will educate students to be literate, responsible,

and proficient in state and national standards.

Vision Statement

By 2020, Charles Elementary will be a high performing elementary school.

Upcoming Events August 16 Chinese Delegation Arrives August 20 PTO School Skate August 29 Title 1 / Literacy / Expectation Night September 2 Labor Day—NO SCHOOL September 10 PTO General Meeting September 12 Authors of the Month Breakfast September 18 Author Visit—Nathan Levy September 24 PTO School Skate September 26 Students of the Month

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - August 2013 Newsletter Contest—fill out and return to school to be entered in monthly drawing

Student_________________________________________ Teacher______________________________ Grade_______

Parent Signature____________________________________________________________________________________