Just a reminder that instruction at Elmira Elementary school starts at7:45. We allow the kids to come in hang up their coats and get settled but we are starting to teach at 7:45 to maximize our instruction time with our students. This gives us an extra 15 minutes/ day and extra 75 minutes/week some 6 plus hours /month. As you can see it adds up. And if your child is late 5-10 minutes each day, they are also losing that much in what they can gain in instruction. SO have your kids here no later than 7:45 and for sure no later than 8:00 as that is when they will be counted as tardy. If your student is late 5 or 10 minutes every day he or she is losing a lot that can help her or him be the absolutely best they can be in life!

The job of our Design Committee is to   design the  physical improvements for our New school.   We are a group of teachers, administrators, parents and community members who are planning for the future of our kids. Design Committee members develop a thorough understanding of the district’s unique characteristics and create opportunities for positive improvements in education, and then together as a team we develop a plan of action to guide those improvements.  We impact the future.  Please join us and make a difference.

Next Meeting:

February 17, 2015 3:00 in the Elmira Elementary School Library!

Drop off times at Elmira Elementary school.    This is just a reminder that our office does not open until 7:30.   We will welcome all kids into the school at that time but we are unable to accommodate early drop offs.   The secretary may be in but is working and cannot provide day care for early drop offs.   So thanks for your assistance with this and we appreciate everyone making our system work!   Questions?   Please call Jackie @ 541-935-8214.

Samuel Becerra, the artist for our current Oregon Country Fair grant project, is originally from Mexico City. He has been interested in Pre-Columbian music and culture throughout his lifetime. He has played, composed and recorded music for more than twenty years. He plays a variety of instruments included the congas, bongos, guitar, the cajon and flutes. He has also studied visual arts focusing on ancient Mexican sculptures. Samuel makes his own percussion and wind instruments that resemble instruments of ancient times in the Pre-Hispanic era of his homeland. He promotes the Mexican culture of the past and present as a full time artist.

We are honored to have Samuel working with our students this year to have them create their own whistles modeled after those of the Pre-Columbian era. Each grade level has chosen a symbol to make out of clay such as birds, dragons, bears, panthers, foxes and skulls. In addition to creating their own whistle and learning how to play it, the students are mesmerized as Samuel infuses the history, music and culture of his ancestry.

There will be a culminating exhibit and presentations on Thursday, February 19 beginning at 6:30 in the gym where the students and Samuel will share with parents and the public about this incredible experience.

The school-wide character education program (N.E.D.) is bringing their 45 minute assembly to EES. This assembly will be presented January 20, 2015 from 1:00-1:45. NED is a loveable cartoon character whose name is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. NED is simple, relatable and kid-focused.

There will be Yo-Yos… tricks and a strong message of positive self-esteem delivered to all our kids this coming Tuesday!

Next month in  February… our kids are participating in the Portland Opera Grant for schools

 and the Barber of Seville will be performed at EES!

Thanks a  ton to the FRSD Board for the time… effort and dedication to making our buildings and education grow.

Toys for Tots generously donated toys for children at Doernbecher’s Hospital.

Elmira students Kelly Torres and Nancy Coffman received some help from local Marines and Toys for Tots as they spread their message of “Kindness Counts” to children at Doernbecher’s Hospital in Portland.  Kelly, a cancer survivor, and Nancy wanted to find a way to give back to Doernbecher’s.  Kelly has been a patient there and knows what some of those children are going through during the holidays.  The pair decided to ask community members to donate toys for those children.  Their act of kindness caught the attention of Ms. Turle who phoned the marines and asked for additional help.  Today, the girls were presented with the donated toys and had the opportunity to share their message with local news media.

Elmira Elementary strives to teach students the importance of compassion for others.  We are proud of what these two exceptional young ladies have chosen to do for those who are in difficult situations this holiday season.

Veteran’s day is November 11^th and every year I think of my father and my uncles who have all been classified as the last great American Heroes.   These were people who fought in World War II. World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a war fought from 1939 to 1945 in Europe and, during much of the 1930s and 1940s, in Asia. But anyone who has served our country is a hero and needs to be thanked or remembered on this day.

World War II was the largest armed conflict in history, spanning the entire world and involving more countries than any other war, as well as introducing powerful new weapons, culminating in the first use of nuclear weapons. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few said Winston Churchill, when he spoke about the R.A.F fighter pilots during WWII. But it stands to reason to say,  never has so much been owed by so many to so few for anyone who has served or who is currently serving in our armed forces.   Thank you Veterans…you make our world a better place.

Also as a reminder, Elmira Elementary School will be closed November 11th in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Jackie

The FRSD is looking for community members who are willing and available to participate on the District Budget Committee.  The commitment is minimal (typically meets 3 times max each Spring) and there is no experience or financial background necessary.  The application to apply is available at: http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/blog/2014/09/03/budget-committee-vacancies/  Please consider applying or passing along the information to anyone that may be interested.  Thanks.

A message went out to all students from the dialer, this was a mistake…obviously we don’t have Thursday school at the elementary???!!! Holy Moly!!??  Sorry for any inconvenience but it is good to know the dialer works so well.