preparations for the 2011-2012 school year · may’s spotlight on art again features some unique...
TRANSCRIPT
ALEM SALAMANDER NEWS
NEWSLETTER OF THE SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA 6116 OLD JENKS ROAD, APEX, NC 27523
SCHOOL TELEPHONE: 363-2865 http://salemes.wcpss.net
http://www.salemelementarypta.com
Debbie Edwards, Principal Volume 11, Issue 9
Laura Brockman, PTA President May 2011
Preparations for the 2011-2012 School Year The staff has been busy making plans for next year. This time of the year is referred to as the “clopening”
which means the closing of one school year (June 30th) and the opening of the next in year-round talk
(July 1st). Also, please remember this is the most stressful time of year for all school personnel, so please be
patient with all of us while we work through this very busy time of the year.
Budget cuts from the state and local governments have increased causing ALL schools to “tighten” their
belts. We will be losing teachers this year which is causing great stress for our school. The total number of
students fluctuates almost daily creating challenging decisions on staffing as well as track assignments for
families. Please understand I would never even consider such a move unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Meet the Teacher” is planned for June 2nd from 5:00-6:00 for track 1, and June 23rd from 5:00-6:00 for
tracks 2, 3 and 4. Please plan to come and meet next year’s teachers at these times.
I want to thank you for your commitment to PTA and volunteering in the school. You all help to make
this school run smoothly and you help the students at Salem Elementary in ways you will never know. The
staff and I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to our school by your time, money and
thoughts. During the 2011-2012 school year, your willingness to help our school will be more important
than ever. As always, feel free to contact us with any suggestions or comments.
Debbie Edwards Principal, Salem Elementary School
The Newsletter keeps you AND your children informed!
Have you shared the Newsletter with YOUR children??
May’s SpotLight on Art again features some unique pieces by our fellow Salamanders!
Australian Aboriginal Hands, by Kylie, 1st Grade Mosaic, by Scott, 3rd Grade
Earth Day T-shirt Design, by Britney, 4th Grade Optical Art, by Kara, 5th Grade
Thank you Salem Elementary for a successful year of Art by Me!! Special thanks to Ms. Blackford for coming up with awesome designs and working so hard with the students.
The artwork was amazing! **Track 3 parents: Your orders are ready at the school. Come by anytime to pick them up.
Thanks again to everyone for another incredible fundraiser for Salem!!!!
SPOTLIGHT on ART
ART by Me - Fundraiser
Congratulations to our April Character Traits Class Representatives for Good Judgment!!
Grade K: Jordan and Bailey.
Grade 1: Holden, Madison, and Britney.
Grade 2: Shealyn, Ryan, Sydney, Brock, and Evan.
Grade 3: Mustafa, Delaney, Camille, Soham, Jonathan, and Day.
Grade 5: Ben and Alyssa.
Great job everyone!!
Salem Middle School
“Meet the Teacher”
Tracks 1,2,3 Thursday July 7, 2011 5:30pm-7:00pm
Track 4 Thursday July 28, 2011 from 6:00pm-7:00pm
Tdap Vaccine for Rising Sixth-Graders
Do you have a child about to enter the 6th Grade? If so, you need to know about the immunization requirement for 6th grade entry….the Tdap booster!
Tdap vaccine protects against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria. Protection from tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough vaccine given earlier in childhood wears off over time, so a booster is needed to stay fully protected. North Carolina law now requires a Tdap booster for all children entering the sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008.
If it has been more than five years since your rising sixth-grader got a tetanus shot, they will need to get the Tdap booster. If it has been less than five years since your rising sixth-grader got a tetanus shot, they are not required by law to have a booster to enter sixth grade. Parents should:
• Talk to your child's doctor to find out if your child needs a Tdap booster • Make sure your child gets a Tdap booster before school starts • Get a copy of your child's shot record to take to school • Make sure your child is up to date on other recommended vaccines and their yearly checkup.
For more information on the Tdap vaccine please visit:
The Wake County Human Services page at http://www.wakegov.com/NR/rdonlyres/CA870EDF-083D-444E-B58C-4F27C34F4717/0/TdapSchoolHandoutforParents1510.pdf
or the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services at http://www.immunizenc.com/adolescentreqs.htm .
CHARACTER TRAITS
RISING 6th GRADERS
By Sandra Wagner, Media Specialist
Jim Arnosky
Jim Arnosky, a naturalist, illustrator, and author, will visit Salem Elementary on Wednesday, May 25. Students in kindergarten through third grade will study Jim Arnosky and his circle of literature in media, music, and art classes. He writes both non-fiction and fiction stories that focus on nature and animals. Through his literature we are observing the similarities and differences among animals and how they interact within their environment. The students are learning about the needs and wants of animals and focusing on his illustrations about different animal habitats. We are connecting new information discussed in his books with our own experiences. Just today, we discussed the diet of manatees and a first grader said, “Oh they are herbivores.” And I said, “I was going to say vegetarian but that is a good word to describe them.
With this study we are reviewing language art skills by pointing out literary devices used in his books. We will also review our research models using “The Super 3” model.
Students who purchase Mr. Arnosky books will have them autographed by him.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM - GRADES 1-6 - KIDS EARN A FREE BOOK
Barnes and Nobles will host their annual Summer Reading Program where kids in grades 1-6 who read 8 books over the summer can earn a FREE book.
The kids fill out journal sheets, bring the sheets to Barnes & Noble and they can select a FREE book from pre-selected titles.
The program begins May 27 and they are hosting a special Summer Reading Kick-Off on Friday, May 27 at 7:00 pm to hand out journal sheets and tell parents and students about the program. "Oh no!" shouted Ken to his family, as they hiked along in the Grand Tetons. "I left the other pack in the
car - the one that had the food for breakfast and lunch today." Everyone was disappointed. They had
started hiking before dawn and were very hungry. When they were packing up for the trip they had put one
sixth of the food packets into the separate pack. Then Ken had packed two fifths of the packets left. next
Darlene put one half of what was left in her pack. Then Kelly and Kasey each packed one third of what was
left. Finally Kendra put the last 10 packets in her pack. How many packets did the family begin with
altogether for the trip?
Good Luck and Have Fun Solving!! Ms. Chase
(Answer on Calendar Page)
MEDIA MATTERS
“AG” Problem of the Month
It’s hard to believe that we are planning everything for the end of the year. The good news in this is we are
gearing up for one of the most fun events that the PTA provides – FIELD DAY!!!! If you haven’t
volunteered already, there is still time to get involved. This is a fun event for both moms and dads so if you
haven’t already signed up, I urge you to check your calendars and see if you can carve out some time to be
there. Sign up information can be found in this newsletter, on our web site, or on e-comm. A big thanks goes to Dawn Worthington and Jenae Bethers for all of their work to make this event a big success.
Staff Appreciation week is this month and we have decided to do something different this year. Hopefully
your child has brought home a teal envelope. Please return those to school as soon as you can. If you have
no idea what I am talking about, please contact me so we can get your child involved! We will handle the
rest of Staff Appreciation Week with special treats each day of the week.
Curriculum Night is coming up this month on May 19th. Look for more information coming home in
Friday Folders about this event.
Thanks to you all of you for all that you do consistently to make Salem Elementary an even better school
for our kids. The PTA would not be effective without all of you!
Laura Brockman
PTA President
GENEROUS NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
PTA NEWS
Contact [email protected]
if you are interested in sponsoring the Salem Elementary Newsletter.
FIELD DAY!! FIELD DAY!! FIELD DAY!!!
TRACKS 1 and 3, Friday May 20th, 2011!
Hey Parents! Did you know that the Track 1 and 3 Field Day is 2 weeks away??
Did you know that we still need over 60 volunteers to run the event?? We need
you!
Don’t miss THE school event of the year. Your kids are for sure to say it’s the most
fun day of the year and you don’t want to miss it! Sign up to be one of our great
volunteers for our fabulous field day at SignUpGenius.com, or contact one of the
chairmen and we’ll sign up you.
Go to this link to sign up to be a field day volunteer. http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/track32
Things to remember for Field day: 1) Wear Sunscreen and put sunscreen on your children before they leave for school. The teacher cannot
apply sunscreen once they are at school. 2) Children must wear closed toe shoes. Old sneakers or water shoes are fine. No crocs or flip- flops
allowed. 3) Wear shorts and T-shirt or water shirt. If girls want to wear a swimsuit, it must be a ONE PIECE with a
SHIRT over it. Boys are welcome to wear swim trunks and a shirt. 4) Send a change of dry clothes. Your children will get wet. Send a change of dry clothes including
underclothing with them to school. 5) HAVE FUN!!!
You Must be a Registered Volunteer with Wake County Schools to Participate.
(this is different from SignUpGenius – both need to be done, please)
Please Register at School on one of the following three Mondays: May 9th, 16th or 23rd.
After that, Volunteer Registration is CLOSED for the school year.
TRACK 2/4 Field Day is Friday, June 17th!!!
We will need 110 volunteers for Track 2 and 4 Field Day on Friday, June 17th with a rain date of Monday,
June 20th. Sign ups to volunteer will be through SignUpGenius.com or by contacting us.
Field Day Volunteers for K– 2nd grade: 9:10-12:00 AND Field Day Volunteers for 3rd-5th grades: 12:40-3:30
You can sign up for morning, afternoon or BOTH sessions! DO IT NOW!!
Go to this link to sign up to be a field day volunteer. http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/track43
Contact us if you have any questions or need us to sign you up!
[email protected] /522-5973 or [email protected] /345-5264
FIELD DAY
Scrabble Challenge: Throughout the school year we challenge our fourth and fifth graders to
come up with a scrabble word. This is a short morning class activity. This year Mrs. Ray 5 th
grade class came in first place with a total of 604 points for the year.
Scrabble Invitation to Parents and Teachers of the Scrabble Club Members.
You are invited to play scrabble at Salem on Monday, May 16, 2011 in the Media Center from 4-5 p.m. All are welcome.
Odyssey of the Mind - Will You Help OM Survive at Salem? Congratulations to the two Salem Teams who competed this year at the Eastern Region Tournament. Both
teams should be proud of their accomplishments. They were able to work together, use their brainstorming
skills to solve problems and create a solution against specified requirements. They wrote a skit, built the
scenery and costumes all by themselves. Odyssey of the Mind builds independent thinkers. This program
lets children explore many different aspects of life, friendships, problem solving and teamwork. They can
uncover what skills they have. It lets them figure out what they are good at and what they need to work
on. It lets them find their strengths. How many of you parents had any idea what your strengths were
when you graduated high school? OM will give your kids the opportunity to understand themselves and
how they work together with others.
Teams can pick from 1 of 5 problems to work on for the competition. And each of these problems focuses
on one creative aspect – so there is something for every child to enjoy.
Problem 1: Vehicle: Kids build a human powered vehicle. Some years they build small vehicles.
Problem 2: Technical: Kids build noise, lighting, or special effects.
Problem 3: Classical: Kids incorporate literature, or history into their
problem.
Problem 4 Structure: Kids build with balsa wood and the structure
must withstand Olympic weights.
Problem 5: Humorous: Kids write a skit around humor.
Congratulations to the Le Tour Guide team for taking first place in
Spontaneous at the 2011 Eastern Region competition. They
earned the right to compete at the NC OM State tournament!
Some of the team members met Sammy Micklus, – the founder of
Odyssey of the Mind! What a treat.
CLUBS and ACTIVITIES
More on Odyssey of the Mind- How will it Continue?
Salem Elementary has had a rich history with the Odyssey of the Mind Program. In the past we have had up
to 10 teams compete, took home medals in the top three categories and sent teams onto to the State
Competitions. This year, due to a lack of volunteers willing to coach or help coordinate the program, not due to a lack of interest to have children participate, we were only able to have two teams and we had to
turn away children from the program.
In order for this program to not just survive at Salem, but get back to thriving at Salem, it will need your
help. This program is solely run by volunteers. Volunteer parents, staff and teachers. We need coaches/co-
coaches for next year as well as someone to take the lead on program administration. As with most
programs….we need fresh blood to keep it infused. As children grow up and move on to Middle School,
those embedded volunteers move on as well. While some of us are still around to lend the support to
rebuild the program…. Are you willing to help?? Are you willing to help organize the teams? Are you
willing to coach? Are you willing to see children flourish?
Please Join us! Find out more about the OM program. Listen to the testimonials of former Coaches and
what this program has done for their children. Come learn how to help give other Salem children the
opportunity to shine, the opportunity to find their strengths, the opportunity to find what they love to do.
Come to an informational session specifically for those interested in helping with the program next year.
OM builds confidence and lifelong friendships. It’s not just being part of a team, OM teaches a journey to
success through teamwork. Come join the experience, you won’t ever forget how rewarding it is. And you
will know that you helped the kids grow lifelong skills like critical thinking, getting along in a team, and
how to be creative!
Please Join Us: An Informational Session on Odyssey of the Mind
FOR: Parents, Teachers and Staff who are interested in keeping the O.M. Program Alive.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Come find out what it takes to be an OM’er, how the program works,
the skills your children learn and how you can keep OM Alive at Salem!
WHERE: Wake Zone, next to the school entrance
WHEN: Wed, May 18th from 6:00 – 7:00pm
Please RSVP to: [email protected]
Yes, it is almost the end of this school year….but a new year of OM starts in July!!
CLUBS and ACTIVITIES (cont’d)
BOX TOPS: A Cut Above!
We have now reached 99 percent of our goal of 31,000 Box Tops ($3,100). We only need to collect 132 more! Submit your Box Tops to help purchase another Smart Board for one of our classrooms.
The next expiration dates are May 31, June 1 and June 30. Please be sure to send in your Box Tops before
they expire. Keep those spring Box Tops collection sheets coming. You can also print off more collection
sheets at the following link: http://www.salemelementarypta.com/sites/images/salempta/box%20tops%20Spring%20collection%2 0sheet%202011.pdf
The following classes are members of the 500 Club (classes who have collectively turned in 500 or more Box
Tops) or the 1000 Club (classes who have collectively turned in 1000 or more) as noted in red:
K
Bridges Coats
Crabtree Germano Harvey
First
Bartlett Bentley Bidwell Gray
Latham Moccari Sudlow
Second
Malone Phillips Sarver
Shirsekar
Third
Carter Hansen
Mize
Fourth
Levesque Robertson
Shue
Fifth
Addiss Fowler Gray
Hickcox Hoffman
Lillis
The following classes are close to joining the 500 Club with the number of Box Tops submitted in parenthesis:
Mrs. Mackey (411), Mrs. Scholten (420), Mr. Copperwheat (441), Mrs. Tuggle (400), Mrs. Wiedenman (465),
and Mrs. Ray (458).
The following classes are very close to joining the 1000 Club: Mrs. J. Gray (929), Mrs. Mrs. Latham (994),
Mrs. Hansen (913), and Mr. Mize (968).
Thank you for choosing to make change for our school one dime at a time! Your Box Tops Coordinators, Susan McMorris & Janet Overberg
Turn Tyson Products into Big Bucks!
Have you tried Tyson’s grilled chicken products lately? There are chicken breast strips, cubes,
and fajita strips – a great time-saver with dinner preparation. The bag is green, but they also
have the Project A+ logo!
Please remember that the entire flap must be sent in for us to receive credit. See samples below:
Keep those labels coming! Susan McMorris and Janet Overberg, Your Tyson Coordinators!
FREE MONEY for SALEM
Making Great Things Happen for Salem Elementary We currently have 8894 points donated to Salem Elementary. There were over 1800 points donated in April alone, which gave us over 360 entries in the $10,000 Library Upgrade
Sweepstakes! The drawing will be held in mid-May. Thanks so much and please keep on donating your points! My Coke Rewards codes can be found on hundreds of different packages, including DASANI®, Sprite®, Minute Maid®, POWERADE ION4® and more.
Janet Overberg and Susan McMorris, My Coke Rewards Coordinators
Thu 05/05/2011, 2:30 PM PTA Board Meeting Wed 05/11/2011 Begin Staff Appreciation Week (Tracks 1, 2, 4) Wed 05/18/2011 Begin Staff Appreciation Week (Track 3) Thu 05/19/2011, 6:30 PM Curriculum Night, General PTA Meeting Fri 05/20/2011 Field Day (Tracks 1 & 3)- Rain Date May 23 Mon 05/30/2011 Holiday- No School Thu 06/02/2011, 2:30 PM PTA Board Meeting Thu 06/02/2011, 5:00 PM Meet the Teacher (Track 1) Fri 06/10/2011 Last Day of School (Track 1) Fri 06/17/2011 Field Day (Tracks 2 & 4)- Rain Date June 20 Thu 06/23/2011, 5:00 PM Meet the Teacher (Tracks 2, 3, 4) Thu 06/30/2011 Last Day of School (Tracks 2, 3, 4)
DATES to REMEMBER
MORE!!! FREE MONEY for SALEM
Ms. Chase’s Problem of the Month Answer: 120
The Smart Boards are starting to fill the classrooms. Another round of “Thanks” goes out to
these generous sponsors for their donations at our first Annual Turkey Trot for Technology!
2010 N Salem St. Apex, NC 27523
Kennel 919-387-7833 Vet 919-363-6363
“Where the most spoiled pets’ vacation”
Boarding Training Grooming Doggy Daycare Veterinarian
Kids n K9 Camp “The ultimate summer experience for children who love dogs!”
July 25-29 & August 1-5 Times: 9:00AM to 1:00PM Cost: $150
We now offer Pet Grooming on Saturdays!! Appointments are available
beginning Saturday March 12th
. Call to schedule your pet’s hair appointment today!
TECHNOLOGY SPONSORS
Join us as a shavee, volunteer or spectator and help us 'Conquer kids’ Cancer'
To see how you can participate, visit our Website at www.stbaldricks.org/events/apex or follow us on Facebook to read the inspirational stories of courage and help us reach our
Fundraising Goal of $50,000! Come Join Coach Hager and other fellow Salamanders
and Get Shaved!!
SALAMANDERS HELPING!
St. Baldrick’s Shave Event – Apex NC Saturday, May 21, 2011 @ Noon
Tyler’s Tap Room, Beaver Creek, Apex www.stbaldricks.org/events/apex in Honor of Salem Salamander
Cameron “Action” Jackson