Welcome Back! - Daviess County Public Schools

September 2011

Deer Prints A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR DEER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Welcome Back! Dear Deer Park Family,

Welcome to Deer Park Elementary School! DPES is a community school dedicated to providing an excellent education for our children. As a faculty and staff, we are excited to have the privilege of education YOUR child this school year. Every school year, as soon as the teachers have finished their summer trainings, we get the poster supplies out, ready to cheer and celebrate the return of our Deer Park students. It is a fun tradition and one of the most exciting days of our school year!! Deer Park is a school with a distinctive difference. The academic experience for DPES students is more than can be captured on standardized tests. While our public recognition often acclaims our success on standardized tests, those of us who exist in and create this learning community know what really brings life to Deer Park. The convergence of talented and dedicated faculty, enthusiastic and caring staff, supportive board office of educational specialists, and encouraging and involved parents have created and sustained a unique community of learners, a place where excellence is expected and attained. We are proud of what has been accomplished and are excited about another year of learning and fun!

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRINCIPAL

As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding your child’s education or school activities. We are looking forward to another great year! Sincerely, Ms. Cindy Galloway, Principal Mr. Chad Alward, Assistant Principal

ADMINISTRATION:

OFFICE STAFF:

Principal: Ms. Cindy Galloway

Family Resource Coordinator: Mrs. Denise Preece

Assistant Principal: Mr. Chad Alward

Bookkeeper: Mrs. Misty Boarman

Staff Developer: Mrs. Robin Nalley

Secretary & Attendance Clerk: Mrs. Amy Sawyer

Counselor: Mrs. Leisha Robbins

Deer Park Elementary School

A MESSAGE FROM MRS. ROBBINS

Counselor’s Corner Wednesday, 8/31/11, we hosted an assembly entitled Stronger than a Bully. The program featured two acronyms designed to push important points aimed at helping students avoid becoming the victim of a bully. The first of these is S.M.I.L.E. These represent the actions for the person being bullied.

AUGUST WORD OF THE MONTH:

COOPERATION

Stay cool, Make eye contact (take a positive posture), Identify the attack (verbal, physical, extorting, cyber, etc), Lead positive conversation, Erase the attack.

The second acronym explains the actions a bystander should take. H.E.R.O.

Help out (get involved), Empathize (identify with the victim), Respond with proper action and report the incident, Open communication (talk about it with the victim). This would be a great time to review these tips with your child. We want to make Deer Park a special place where everyone feels welcome and respected.

SEPTEMBER WORD OF THE MONTH:

APPRECIATION

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Media Center News Join us for our first “AR Family Read Night” on Monday, September 12th 5:30-7:00 in Computer Lab 102. Refreshments will be served in the cafeteria.

“As a child, my number one best friend was the librarian in my grade school. I actually believed all those books belonged to her.” ~Erma Bombeck

AFFORDABLE ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR YOUR CHILD The safety and well-being of your child is always a primary concern of the DCPS district. We know many families in our community are facing difficult situations, and we want to be sure parents and guardians of our students are aware of an accident insurance option that is available to families who do not currently have medical insurance for their children, or who wish to supplement their existing plans with affordable additional coverage. The Voluntary Student Accident Coverage Plan offers two different types of insurance at very reasonable costs. The plans include medical treatment, inpatient and outpatient hospital care and service; radiology, diagnostic imaging, nurse service, dental treatment, professional ambulance service, anesthesiologist, physiotherapy, orthopedic appliances, and replacement of eyeglasses, contact lenses and hearing aids. The first plan is called the “School Time Only Coverage Plan” and provides accident coverage for your child anytime he/she is under the supervision of our schools, with the exception of interscholastic athletic competition. This includes the regular school day, field trips, extracurricular events, after-school programs, etc. This plan is available for $35 per year. The “Around-The-Clock Plan” provides additional accident coverage for your child from now until August 2012. This includes nights, weekends, breaks and vacations. This plan is available for $220 per year. These voluntary student accident insurance plans are designed to limit out-of-pocket medical expenses relating to accidental injuries for families who have existing health care coverage and for those who do not have health insurance coverage at all. You may choose any physician or hospital for treatment of your child under this plan. Parents/guardians may purchase this insurance at any time during the year. However, the coverage will take affect only when the premium is received by the insurance company. The cost for a full year will be charged, regardless of when you sign up. Forms are available at all DCPS schools. If you did not receive a copy, contact your child’s school principal, or visit our Central Office at 1622 Southeastern Parkway to pick up a copy. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to send the enrollment form and payment directly to the insurance company. page 3

DPES HAS A MONTHLY ASSEMBLY TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Awards Assembly

Kindergarten

Elaina Norton

Hillary Hicks

Ella Grace Hayden

Macey Woodruff

1st Grade

Wyatt Fireline

Morgan Hall

Trey Wade

Xavian Galloway

2nd Grade

Tanner Leonard

Presley Foreman

Taylor Keener

Anthony Mayfield

3rd Grade

Garrett Howard

Emily Wilson

Ryann Keller

Alyssa Koller

4th Grade

Lydia, Rust

Peyton Paige

Sarah Free

5th Grade

Hannah Boyt

Alec Graves

Briley Carter

STUDENT OF THE MONTH ATTRIBUTE: COOPERATION

SAFETY REMINDERS FROM THE DAVIESS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

September 2, 2011

Sharing the road with school buses:

School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road today. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle and 10 times safer than walking to school. The reality of school bus safety is that more children are hurt outside the bus than inside as passengers. Most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related crashes are pedestrians, four to seven years old, who are hit by the bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. For this reason, it is necessary to know the proper laws and procedures for sharing the road safely with school buses: - All 50 states have a law making it illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. - School buses use yellow flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop to load or unload children. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus. - All 50 states require that traffic in both directions stop on undivided roadways when students are entering or exiting a bus. - While state laws vary on what is required on a divided roadway, in all cases, traffic behind the school bus (traveling in the same direction) must stop. - The area 10 feet around a school bus is where children are in the most danger of being hit. Stop your car far enough from the bus to allow children the necessary space to safely enter and exit the bus.

BUS SAFETY

- Be alert. Children are unpredictable. Children walking to or from their bus are usually very comfortable with their surroundings. This makes them more likely to take risks, ignore hazards or fail to look both ways when crossing the street. - Never pass a school bus on the right. It is illegal and could have tragic consequences.

DEER PARK SAFETY REMINDERS: 1. No Driving or Parking in the Bus Lanes For the safety of our students, we do not permit cars to drive or park in the bus lanes between 7:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. We often have mid-day buses (pre-school or field trips) that need full access to the bus lanes during the school day as well as during arrival and dismissal times. 2. During Dismissal, Yield to Buses & Students In order to maintain an orderly dismissal, the front exit of the building is reserved for bus riders only. Parents who must pick up in the office due to a missing car rider tag or other reasons should expect to wait until all students have safely boarded buses and buses have departed the property.

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CHECK OUT DEER PRINTS EVERY MONTH TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF THE 5TH GRADE ACTIVITIES.

We are enjoying a super beginning to student’s final year in elementary school! Our students are excited about being LEADERS in our building and we are very proud of their attitudes. We began changing classes on Thursday and students have quickly fallen into their daily routines. We are excited about these upcoming events: - Winny Lin will be visiting us on Tuesday, August 16th to introduce pen pal writing. - Art with our Discovery Team will begin on Thursday, Aug. 18th. - Electives begin on Friday, August 19th . - Our first behavior reward will be a field trip to Panther Creek Park on Fri., Sept. 2nd . Be sure to ask your child about our future behavior rewards! Also, please be sure your child wears tennis shoes on his/her P.E. day. (Welch – Monday, Owens – Wednesday, Falloway – Thursday)

5th Grade

5TH GRADE TEACHERS

CONNECT CLASSES

Mrs. Mischelle Falloway, Teacher (Math)

Fifth grade students will have 50 minutes per week of the following Connect classes:

Mrs. Jahn Owens, Teacher (Science)

Physical Education Teacher: Mrs. Ashley Ferguson

Mr. Robert Williams, Teacher

Music Teacher: Mrs. Ann Harris

Mrs. Julie Crisp, Instructional Assistant

Library Teacher: Ms. Judy Chesnut

Spanish Teacher: Mrs. Angie Lear

Computers Instructor: Mrs. Sharon Delaney

Mrs. Jennifer Welch (Language Arts)

The mission of Deer Park Elementary is to provide quality opportunities for all our students to think, to learn, to achieve, to succeed, to care, and to contribute.

Fifth grade students also have 60 minute art instruction from the traveling team of art teachers, Discovery Team. This year, Discovery Day is on Thursday.

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CHECK OUT DEER PRINTS EVERY MONTH TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF THE 4TH GRADE ACTIVITIES.

We’re off to a GREAT start in 4th grade! The students have met each of their teachers and are eager to learn. This month in science we will begin with a life science unit covering animals, insects, and plants. In math we will be working with place value and continuing to memorize the basic facts. We encourage parents to make or purchase flash cards to help students memorize the multiplication facts. In reading we will be discussing the parts of a story and improving comprehension skills. It is important for each student to spend 20 minutes reading each night. For the 1st nine weeks we will require each student to earn 1 AR point each week with an average of 85% or higher to earn their weekly pay day. We appreciate your help and support. Sincerely, Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Jicka, and Ms. Anderson

4th Grade

4TH GRADE TEACHERS

CONNECT TEACHERS

Mrs. Beth Anderson, Teacher

Fourth grade students will have 50 minutes per week of the following Connect classes:

Mrs. Jennifer Henry, Teacher

Physical Education: Mrs. Ashley Ferguson, Teacher

Mrs. Rachel Jicka, Teacher

Music: Mrs. Ann Harris, Teacher

Mr. Robert Williams, Teacher

Library: Ms. Judy Chesnut, Teacher

Mrs. Kim Ralph, Instructional Assistant

Spanish: Mrs. Angie Lear, Teacher Computers: Mrs. Sharon Delaney, Instructor

Upcoming Events: Guest Speaker: Micah Perkins Topic: Insects

Fourth grade students also have 60 minute art instruction from the traveling team of art teachers, Discovery Team. This year, Discovery Day is on Thursday.

Learning Walk: Tagging Monarch Butterflies Audubon Society and OCTC

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CHECK OUT DEER PRINTS EVERY MONTH TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF THE 3RD GRADE ACTIVITIES.

Third grade has had an awesome start! Students were excited to be assigned lockers and receive agenda books. Parents, please remember to check and sign your student's agenda book daily. Third graders are required to earn at least one new AR point each week at 85% accuracy. We are beginning our first IB unit, Personal Histories, this week. Next week, students will bring home a bright yellow note with a list of choices for their Personal History Project. We hope that you will enjoy discovering more about your family's history with your third grader. Have a terrific Labor Day weekend! We look forward to a great year!

3rd Grade

3RD GRADE TEACHERS

CONNECT TEACHERS

Mrs. Terri Anderson, Teacher

Students will have 50 minutes per week of the following Connect classes:

Mrs. Stacey Freels, Teacher Mrs. Marian Jones, Teacher Mrs. Paula Naas, Teacher Mrs. Cynthia Owens, Teacher Ms. Darlene Barnett, Instructional Assistant

Physical Education: Mrs. Ashley Ferguson, Teacher Music: Mrs. Ann Harris, Teacher Library: Ms. Judy Chesnut, Teacher Spanish: Mrs. Angie Lear, Teacher Computers: Mrs. Sharon Delaney, Instructor Third grade students also have 60 minute art instruction from the traveling team of art teachers, Discovery Team. This year, Discovery Day is on Thursday.

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CHECK OUT DEER PRINTS EVERY MONTH TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF THE 2ND GRADE ACTIVITIES.

2nd Grade August/September Newsletter

nd 2nd2Grade gradeTeachers teachers:

Lisa Clark, Jenny Mrs.Koller, Lisa Sandra Clark, Teacher McDonald, and Juli Mrs. Jenny Koller, Teacher O’Bryan Mrs.Deer Amy Lindbloom, Park ElementaryTeacher

Teacher email addresses: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Mrs.270-852-7270 Sandra McDonald, Teacher Mrs. Juli O’Bryan, Teacher

Reading: Homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. Math: Homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights. Science/Social Studies:

The first two weeks we will work on establishing classroom routines and

responsibilities. Then, the next four weeks will focus on animal life cycles.

Date to Remember: MAP testing will begin after Labor Day. Make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and eats a good breakfast, so he/she will be ready to test.

From the teachers: Thanks to all the parents who sent in bubble gum and trinkets for daily rewards. We appreciate it, so keep them coming. Spelling words: The words will be sent home on Mondays in your child’s orange F.R.O.G. folder. If we happen to be out of school on a Monday, we will send the list on the next school day. page 9


CHECK OUT DEER PRINTS EVERY MONTH TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF THE 1ST GRADE ACTIVITIES.

Welcome Back to School! We are so excited to have your children in our class. We will be learning many exciting things this year. First off, we will be learning about animal life cycles in our I.B. units. The students have started moving to their reading and math groups and are doing a great job with this transition. Please check your child’s folder daily for notes and other important information. Look for blue enrollment cards with highlighted areas that need to be completed.

1st Grade

1ST GRADE TEACHERS

CONNECT TEACHERS

Mrs. Jonell Clayton, Teacher

First grade students will have 50 minutes per week of the following Connect classes:

Mrs. Heidi Dees, Teacher

Physical Education: Mrs. Ashley Ferguson, Teacher

Mrs. Amy Foreman, Reading Specialist

Music: Mrs. Ann Harris, Teacher

Mrs. Kaye Fulkerson, Teacher

Library: Ms. Judy Chesnut, Teacher

Mrs. Ellen Hayden, Teacher

Spanish: Mrs. Angie Lear, Teacher

Mrs. Peg O’Neal, Teacher

Computers: Mrs. Charlene Tucker, Instructor

Mrs. Tammy Loucks, Instructional Assistant

First grade students also have 60 minute art instruction from the traveling team of art teachers, Discovery Team. This year, Discovery Day is on Thursday.

The mission of Deer Park Elementary is to provide quality opportunities for all our students to think, to learn, to achieve, to succeed, to care, and to contribute.

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CHECK OUT DEER PRINTS EVERY MONTH TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF THE KINDERGARTEN ACTIVITIES.

Welcome to Kindergarten! We are so excited to have your children class! We’ve had a fun filled first few weeks! Important Reminders: Practicing lunch numbers. We hope everyone continues to practice their lunch number. Please return your child’s transportation name tag daily in their green folder. Each classroom collects box tops for competition. Please send them as often as you can so our class can win!

Kindergarten

KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS

CONNECT TEACHERS

Mrs. Jennifer Ball, Teacher Mrs. Renea Higdon, Instructional Assistant

Kindergarten students will have 50 minutes per week of the following Connect classes:

Mrs. Julia Boling, Teacher Mrs. Robin Jones, Instructional Assistant Mrs. Carrie Oliver, Teacher Mrs. Donna Cunningham, Instructional Assistant Mrs. Lynsie Williams, Teacher Mrs. Nancy Jones, Instructional Assistant

Physical Education: Mrs. Ashley Ferguson, Teacher Music: Mrs. Ann Harris, Teacher Library: Ms. Judy Chesnut, Teacher Spanish: Mrs. Angie Lear, Teacher Computers: Mrs. Charlene Tucker, Instructor Kindergarten students also have 60 minute art instruction from the traveling team of art teachers, Discovery Team. This year, Discovery Day is on Thursday.

The mission of Deer Park Elementary is to provide quality opportunities for all our students to think, to learn, to achieve, to succeed, to care, and to contribute. page 11


Kentucky Youth Chorale The Kentucky Youth Chorale is back from their wonderful concerts in Canterbury and London, England. We are now holding auditions for this fall semester, which will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day. The Kentucky Youth Chorale programs include, but are not limited to: Performances at civic functions/ celebrations, business clubs, dedications, parades, RiverPark Center, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, etc. Music Theory and Sight Singing (Solfeggio) taught in addition to the healthy training of the young singer’s voice One Tuesday evening rehearsal a week during the school year at the Owensboro Symphony Academy Singers auditioned from private, public and home schools (Ages 8-16) Young singer, (8-10) years of age will benefit from working with Pam Howell and Natalie Francis in our preparatory choir. Students ages 11-16 can audition for the Kentucky Youth Chorale. Students can apply online at www.KentuckyYouthChorale.org

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Deer Park Elementary

Join 4-H! All you have to do is fill out this form and return it to your school! Membership is free! Youth ages 5-8 participate as Cloverbuds and ages 9-19 are 4-H Youth. You will be automatically registered and begin receiving our 4-H newsletter which tells you about all of the different things happening in 4-H. It’s easy to participate even if there is not a club at your school. We are always looking for adult volunteers to lead or assist with clubs. Training and materials are provided to all volunteers. Please check a box below if you are interested. If your child would like to be a 4-H member please fill out the information below and return it to your school office by September 1, 2011. For more information on Daviess County 4-H contact the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service at (270) 685-8480.

Childs Name:________________________________Male: __ Female: __ Parent or Guardian’s Name:_____________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ Zip__________ Home Phone: (___)_____________Adult Daytime Phone: (_____)________ Email Address: ___________________________________ Race: ______ Grade:______School:__________________Age:____ Birthdate________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________ Date :___________ Please check one: _____ I am interested in being a 4-H Club leader at my child’s school. _____ I am interested in helping with 4-H at my child’s school.

Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service, 4800A New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303

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4-H has opportunities for Children of all ages!

4-H is available to all youth ages 5-19. It is the largest youth organization in the world! _________________________________________________________

County-wide Specialty Clubs are open to all youth interested. Clubs are led by volunteer leaders.

Cloverbuds

Cloverbud is designed for ages 5-8 to promote Daviess County 4-H offers many projects for all ages children’s healthy development - mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. The in the following areas: activities are non-competitive, so everyone is Bicycle Clothing a winner.

Beef Sheep Rabbits Arts & Crafts Beekeeping Photography Dairy Cattle Geology Dairy Foods Tobacco Swine Tractors Health Electric Breads Corn Rocketry Soybeans

Gardening Shooting Sports Cooking Forestry Consumer Education Food Preservation Veterinary Sciences Home Environment Goats Horses Crochet Dogs Citizenship Small Engines Entomology Woodworking Knitting and much more!

4-H Camp Youth ages 9-14 attend a 4-day - 3 night overnight camp at West KY 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs, KY. Youth ages 5-8 can attend and overnight Cloverbud Camp. 4-H Camp is FUN!

Horse Club

Youth participate in learning the fundamentals of horses and participate in various activities: clinics, horse judging, trail riding and drill team.

Shooting Sports

Youth focus on proper gun safety through proper handling of a gun and marksmanship. Youth may participate in trap, archery, .22 rifle, pellet, pistol and black powder disciplines. Bi-monthly sessions are held all year.

School Clubs

Daviess County 4-H Clubs traditionally meet after school or in the evening. School and Community Clubs meet at their school or community center. Specialty Clubs usually meet at the Extension Office.

Livestock Projects These projects include cattle, feeder calves, sheep, goat, and swine. Participants learn about selection and care of livestock. Activities include: fair & shows, livestock judging and skill-a-thons.

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PHOTOS FROM THE FIRST WEEKS OF SCHOOL

September 2, 2011

The mission of Deer Park Elementary is to provide quality opportunities for all our students to think, to learn, to achieve, to succeed, to care, and to contribute. page 15
