THE EAGLE FLYER

A Newsletter for the Family and Friends of Hobe Sound Elementary School

 

November 2009

 

From the Principal’s Pen  

 

 

Time flies by when you’re having fun!

That message certainly is true here at Hobe Sound Elementary School. Looking forward to our month of November, we see that there are only 16 days of school and only one week that has five full days! Please help teachers to make the most of their time with your child by scheduling appointments outside of the school hours. Our teachers are dedicated to creating exciting and enriched learning opportunities for students and participation is essential for success! We could never replicate this collaborative learning through the use of a paper/pencil task at home. Thank you in advance for supporting the effective use of instructional time.

 “Use of time” has been a topic of discussion by all of our teachers over the past few weeks. They have been increasing knowledge and expertise in the curricular area of mathematics. Each grade level has a team leader for professional development gained from a recent Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference.  These teachers have learned exemplary instructional strategies at the conference and are collaborating with peers to increase the effectiveness of our math program. The following teachers are to be recognized for their outstanding support of peers as leaders of mathematics: Mrs. Cathy DeSena, Ms. Polly Wixson, Mrs. Dana Carlisle, Mrs. Lea Stanton, Ms. Rebecca Goosey, Mrs. Stephanie McCreary, Mrs. Kara Patel and Ms. Connie Coleman.

Many times educators notice that teaching higher order thinking skills is hindered by lack of basic math facts. I’d like to challenge each family to support the acquisition of math skills by using addition/subtraction or multiplication/division flash cards with their children at least one hour a week. One simple strategy is to choose only 4 facts for the week, have copies of flash cards in the kitchen, car, and child’s bedroom for easy  access. In no time at all these four facts will be mastered and a new set of facts can be worked on for the next week. With this support of basic fact acquisition from home, teachers can focus  on  the  more challenging concepts to help create more powerful lessons for all children.

 Research tells us that it is not necessarily the intelligence level, but the time on task that creates academic success. “Practice makes perfect”. No pain, no gain” “Put your nose to the grindstone” - these are all sayings that speak to diligence. Since our school day is so very short, we must all strive to use our time wisely with the precious children we are fortunate to guide each day.

I remain grateful for the wonderfully supportive school community here at HSE and confident in our ability to create successful outcomes for all of our students.

Wishing you and your family a special month of November and a glorious family celebration of Thanksgiving.

              Joan Gibbons

              Principal

 

 

 

To view your child's grades, please click the Pinnacle link :Pinnacle

 

EXTENDED DAY

 The Hobe Sound Extended Day Program was very excited to have 10 of our students participate in a reading program with professional author Marianne Berkes. This special event had the students reading a script to the author while presenting facts about “their” animals, all taking place in our beautiful butterfly garden. Another new aspect to our program is the use of weekly “themes” that involve our students in discussions, activities and projects about the topic. We began with “careers” and students discussed definitions, concepts, pros & cons and their own long term goals. Some of our student “architects” drew the home of their dreams, and the results were both creative and interesting, especially the home made from a giant chocolate chip cookie!

 

We are excited to be offering “You Are What You Eat” Cooking class for forty of our students! Classes will incorporate math skills, measuring, journal writing, hygiene skills and of course, eating their own final projects!

 

There are three non-school days in the month of November including  Wednesday, November 11 (Veteran’s Day), Friday, November 20 (Parent Teacher Conferences) and Wednesday, November 23 (the day before Thanksgiving). Extended Day will be open each of these days from 7:30am – 5:30pm and students must be registered in advance. Fun activities will include a trivia treasure hunt (using the school building and it’s secrets), wear pajamas day (always a favorite!), a Thanksgiving carnival and projects including making froot loop trail mix and whip cream games! Come join the fun!

 

Finally, we are looking for donations of used games, Legos, action figures, dolls, puzzles, kitchen play sets and stuffed animals. With the holidays coming soon, now might be a great time to clean out closets and donate your unused goodies to our program! For more information on the Extended Day program, please contact Gabrielle Ingram at (772) 219-1545.

 

Gabrielle Ingram, Program Manager

Hobe Sound Extended Day

 

 

EXTENDED DAY CLOSURE

The following is the Extended Day schedule for the Winter recess:

December 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 - Closed

December 28, 29, 30 - Open

December 31 & Jan 1 - Closed

Please be sure to make other childcare arrangements for the days we are closed. Extended Day will reopen on Monday, December 28 and remain open on the 29th & 30th.

Closed on December 31st & January 1st

 

 

 

 

 

BOX TOP$ 4 EDUCATION, CAMPBELL’$ & TY$ON LABEL$

Congratulations to Ms. Goosey & Mrs. Medford’s 3^rd grade classes for winning the “Ice Cream Sundae” contest with over 1300 in Box Tops & UPC’s between them!!!  Ice pops were also awarded to Ms. Demus and Mrs. Devoe’s classes for doing such a great job! So far HSE has raised almost $1500 toward our 2009/2010 school year goal of $2700!

Our next contest will be “Wendy’s Frosties” awarded to the class that turns in the most Box Tops and UPCs by December 8th.

Keep up the great work and please make sure you mark the bags with your child’s teacher’s name so that their class will get credit for them.  Also, remember that Campbell’s now accepts only the UPC (not the front label) and that you must cut the entire “A+ 1,2,3” label from the Tyson Chicken products. We are no longer collecting Nestlé’s water labels due to the program being discontinued.    

 

 

 

EARN MONEY FOR HOBE SOUND ELEMENTARY

WHEN YOU SHOP ON-LINE

 Hello fellow HSE friends! Can you believe it? We are officially into the holiday shopping season and what better way to shop, save on gas, time and money than to shop ONLINE. And since you are already shopping online, why not help the school earn CASH BACK?!  To earn cash back for the school you will need to access www.shoptoearn.net/hse.  From there you can view all participating retailers by clicking on the drop down menu and seeing an alphabetical list, or enter a retailer in the store search box.  This will give HSE credit for your purchase.  Many retailers will be offering big savings and free shipping by shopping early, so check out the HUGE variety of stores you know and love:

 Target - Best Buy - Toys R Us - Regal Cinemas -  Macy’s Sports Authority -  Restaurants.com - Kohl’s - QVC

and so much more!

 ALL STORES PAY ANYWHERE FROM 1–40% CASH BACK that will go directly to Hobe Sound Elementary!  Don’t forget you can purchase gift cards to many stores through drugstore.com that has a 10% cash back.  Make it easy on yourself this holiday season and shop the school website at www.shoptoearn.net/hse.  Any questions, please feel free to call Beth Long @ 561-262-8032 or blongnga@comcast.net, Happy Shopping!

 

 

BANKING DAY DAYS - WEDNESDAYS!

 The super savers of Hobe Sound Elementary have saved $357.41 in the first month of banking!

Congratulations to the students who visited the Bank Atlantic banking table during lunch time and have been consistent savers every week.

You can also visit the bank at Hobe Sound and use our coin machine to make your deposit at the bank!  When you visit us, bring a canned food item for our food drive to help the needy for Thanksgiving!  If you would like to receive an application to have your child become a supersaver, please email to cklein@bankatlantic.com. You can visit us at www.bankatlantic.com.

Cecile (Cece) Klein - Vice President - Market Manager

BankAtlantic - Hobe Sound

TRANSPORTATION

If you need to change your child’s transportation home, a note or fax must be provided to school, before noon of the day of the change.

We cannot accept transportation changes over the phone.

 The note should contain your child’s full name, teacher, date and parent/guardian’s signature.  Clear communication will insure that your student arrives home safely each day.

Nature Know It Alls

         Environmental Club

  At our last meeting, our group worked on creating beautiful tie-dyed covers for our environmental journals.  Mrs. Foy shared her knowledge of the plants in the reading garden.  Since the HSE nature trail has been semi-cleared, we will be taking another trek out to our nature habitat exploring the fish, birds, and insects.  We will continue investigating habitats and looking at what is and is not in the environment surrounding our school.  In our next project, we will begin bringing a water feature to our reading garden.  Students will decorate small ceramic containers to provide a water source for birds, reptiles and insects who inhabit the area.  We are planning a lot of activities that we need to accomplish in a small amount of time.  If your child has signed up, please remind them to attend on our meeting days.

Thanks for your kind support,

Missy O’Connor

DINNER AT DUFFY’S

Family night at Duffy’s is the first Wednesday of the month. Come on down and enjoy a delicious meal that also benefits HSE.  We receive 10% of all adult dinners from 5:00 - 10:00 pm. It’s a fun HSE family night, with great food and fellowship!!

EAGLE BOUTIQUE SALE!

The Eagle Boutique will be open November 6th and 13th, from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm. This is a perfect time to drop off gently used uniforms and take advantage our FALL SALE! ALL SHIRTS are $2.00 each. ALL skirts, skorts, and shorts are $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00! All pants are $4.00 each. Hurry, while supplies and sizes last!

If you missed the Family Literacy Night and you have a son, you may want to check out this great web-site. It is powered by Jon Scieszka who is an author and a very funny guy. The site is www.guysread.com. Enjoy!

MEDIA CENTER

 A belated thank you to Mr. David Tears of Sherwin-Williams in the Island Crossing Plaza for the generous donation of paint sticks once again this year. The paint sticks are used as the students’ library cards and every year we need about 150 for the first graders, new students and students that need to replace their sticks. When you need paint, please stop by the nice store at Island Crossing.

Literacy night was a great success. Thanks to Mrs. Susan Perez who is the Early Literacy Specialist from the Center for Reading & Literacy which is part of our Martin County Library System. She shared her expertise with our families. I love pairing up with the public library! (Thanks also goes to Ms. Greenberg, Mrs. Creswell, Mrs. Doty and Ms. McGeehon who helped out in the library that night.)

Just a reminder for parents of Sunshine State and Magic Tree House readers; the public library has a great selection of these books as well as many others. Those books are popular here at our school and if your child is frustrated because the book he/she wants is not in our library, spend a little time with your reader and visit the public library. The Hobe Sound branch is on US 1 just south of Pettway.

I am so excited for my readers. Kids are striving to meet their Achieving Eagle goals, book clubs are off to a great start and the Magic Tree house books can’t stay on the shelf. Ask your child what they are reading today. It might be nice to read a book to them. Choose one that you both would like to read and do it just before bed time. I know it is difficult to find the extra minutes, but it is worth it. When they are older, grab a chapter book (Sunshine State is always a good idea!) and read a chapter a night to them. Even older kids benefit from being read to. They pick up voice inflection, tone, and pronunciation skills, not to mention precious alone time with you!

BOOK FAIR IS NEAR! Wow! Please make out your Christmas list and shop at the book fair. There are books for everyone, even adults. Wimpy Kid fans should know that we will have the newest Wimpy Kid book #4 at the fair! First and fifth grades will have a preview day and then all K-5 classes will have the opportunity to purchase books the 18^th through the 24th. Parent purchase night will be on Thursday the 19th after the PTA meeting.  We will be open for check out during the math and science night November 12th. Please stop in with your child to find a book or cruise the computer together.  REMINDER: Book club meetings are as follows:  Fifth grade - November 3^rd, Third Grade - December 8^th and Fourth grade - December 19^th.

Thanks to my wonderful volunteers! Please keep coming in, you are so valuable to the running of our library.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful for, I bet you do too! Don’t forget to read!

Mrs. Parrilli

Media Specialist

First Grade Lunchtime Change

 First grade lunch times have been changed. The following is the revised lunch schedule:

Carlisle                    12:00 - 12:30

Covey                      12:00 - 12:30

Evans A.                 12:05 - 12:35

Newman                12:05 - 12:35

Pultz                         12:10 - 12:40

Roberts                   12:10 - 12:40

WANTED!

ADULT MENTORS/VOLUNTEERS

Hobe Sound Extended Day is looking for adult mentors/volunteers to assist with reading and other simple homework related activities. If you are interested in this worthy cause, please contact Gabrielle Ingram at (772) 219-1545

Exceptional Student Education Parent Advisory Council Meeting

 Attention all parents of students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  All parents, caregivers or interested family members of students who have an IEP are invited to attend the second quarterly meeting of the Parent Advisory Council for Exceptional Student Education (ESE).   The meeting will be held on November 17, 2009 in the Pinewood Elementary School Media Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.   Topics will include Project Discover and results of the 2008-2009 IEP Attendance Survey.  Also invited to attend are teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and interested members of the general public. For more information please contact Ann Koebe, Parent Liaison for Exceptional Student Education at 219-1200 extension 30192 or e-mail to koebea@martin.k12.fl.us.

TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Paul Billington

 Mr. Paul Billington has been a teacher here at HSE for the past seven years.  He teaches fourth grade and is a well respected member of our school faculty.  Mr. Billington is a United States Navy Veteran and was recently selected as the Hobe Sound/Port Salerno Rotary Teacher of the Excellence. His students excel both academically and in the area of character development. Mr. Billington serves on our Audubon Committee and Science School Improvement Team. He has been selected by his peers to represent HSE as our 2010 Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Mr. Paul Billington, a teacher of honor!

VOLUNTEER of the MONTH

Felicia Golino

 Mrs. Felicia Golino has been a faithful volunteer in Mrs. Roberts’ classroom for the past six years.  Every week, she comes in to support Mrs. Roberts and her students. Mrs. Golino is a self-starter who takes the initiative to do any tasks that she sees necessary too.  She is a tremendous asset to Mrs. Roberts’ first grade class. Mrs. Golino has two children here at HSE. Thank you for all you do for our HSE family, Mrs. Golino!!

FIFTH GRADE ST. AUGUSTINE TRIP

 After our very successful educational field trip to St. Augustine last year, we are making plans to return to that historic city. There will be an informational question and answer meeting for fifth grade parents on November 5th at 7:00 pm in the Media Center. In order to secure your child’s place, the first payment of $75.00 is due on November 30th. We look forward to another wonderful field trip experience!

PTA HAPPENINGS

 It’s another busy month here at HSE!!!

Our next general PTA meeting will be held on Thursday, November 19^th at 7pm.  Before the meeting, from 6:00-700 pm, is the pickup time for the frozen food fundraiser. After the meeting is the Parent Night at the Book Fair.

Thanks to everyone who supported our frozen food fundraiser. All monies will be used to provide school-wide programs and classroom enhancements. Special thanks to Amy Clowdus, our Ways & Means Chairman, for chairing this project.

The Family Learning Night was a great success. Thanks to Laurie Frost for organizing the “Carrabba’s” feast. Special thanks to all the PTA board members who purchased books to give out, distributed and collected tickets, served food, drinks and desserts, and cleaned up.

Our students have been busy creating entries for our Reflections Contest. Thanks to Mrs. White for chairing this event. We hope that some of the entries will go on to the state and national contest.

If you haven’t joined PTA, it is not too late. We are having a contest for the class that has the most memberships. The prize will be a pizza party. The deadline is November 19^th. Everyone is invited to become a member…it will be the best $8.00 you ever spent. Every child at HSE benefits from the PTA’s involvement. Keep watching for more information on upcoming PTA events.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Marcey Broedell, PTA President

Thanks to everyone who participated in the PTA fundraiser. All funds raised will be used for curriculum and school-wide enhancements. Please remember that the pick up date is NOVEMBER 19^th from 6pm – 7pm. All items MUST be picked up at that time as we do not have freezer space available. Hobe Sound Elementary PTA appreciates your support.

ADOPT-A-GRADE

Many thanks to the following Adopt-a-Grade Sponsors, who generously donated $100 or more for the purchase of supplies and teaching aids in classrooms:

 Jim & Dot Cain

Sandi Cullifer - State Farm Insurance

Federal Animal Hospital

H&H Custom Pools, Inc.

Walter & Beverly Millet

Now that the 2009-2010 school year has begun, we reflect on the resounding success of the Adopt-A-Grade program at HSE since its inception in 1995, and we look forward to its continued success.  Thanks to the generosity of HSE families and local businesses, additional supplies, books, and other classroom materials are purchased for our children each year through this program. 

We understand that many HSE parents may want to contribute to the Adopt-A-Grade program, but due to the economy it is difficult.  If this is true for you, you may want to consider what other HSE families have done…team up with friends, neighbors or relatives to make a combined donation.  For example, consider getting 4 families together and each contributing $25.00, or 10 families together and each contributing $10.00.   Together we can take small steps and still achieve our goals!

The sponsorship application may be found on the HSE website at www.hse.sbmc.org under the PTA link.  Please complete the form and return it to school with a check payable to Hobe Sound Elementary PTA. 

Thank you for being a partner for our children’s education.  Remember, 100% of the financial support garnered through this program goes directly to purchase supplies and teaching aids for the grade or program you sponsor, and your donation is tax deductible. Thank you in advance for your consideration!

AUDUBON COMMITTEE

Nature Trail:  The good news is that all of the plants in our nature trail area grew like crazy over the summer!  The bad news is that the plants have overgrown the path. We hope you will volunteer with us on Saturday, November 7^th from 7:30 – 10:00 am to help make the trail usable for students again!  Bring gloves and garden tools and join us for a little trail clearing.

 Family Learning Nights – We hope you all enjoyed the first Family Learning night and were able to join one of the Audubon Committee’s three classes on vegetable and herb gardening in Florida.  Our Audubon Committee will be hosting an environmental theme class for each Family Learning Night this school year.  You won’t walk away empty handed, and the environmental knowledge gained will stay with your families forever.

 Going Green on early release! - October 21^st was our first GREEN early release.  Students were pretty creative in their “go green” clothing choices.  Our next Go Green early release will be April 28^th, so start thinking ahead about how to show your environmental spirit!

 Butterfly Garden – Our butterfly garden needs a little sprucing up and we are looking for volunteers that have an hour to help us prune, plant, and mulch the garden.  Starting on November 3^rd at 1:15 pm, and continuing every other week, let’s meet in the butterfly garden and make this the best butterfly garden in town!  For those of you that come to the car pick up line to pick up your students, why not plan on coming an hour early and do a little gardening every other week?  Mrs. Foy will meet you in the garden on November 3^rd.  Bring your gloves, clippers, and a bottle of water.

LOCKS OF LOVE

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

HSE is planning a cut-a-thon on November16th to benefit Locks of Love. Students must have parental permission to donate their hair.  The hair will be cut on our campus by Dana, a stylist at Illusions Salon in Tequesta.  Ponytails need to be ten inches long.  Hair is accepted from everyone, but estimates are that 80% of the donations come from children who want to help other children.  Is your child ready to be a donor?  Look for the letter coming home soon with more details.

ROTAKIDS

RotaKids is a program for elementary school age children, sponsored by the Rotary Club.  The objective of this program is to build self-esteem by presenting opportunities for service to others, understanding and citizenship. Rotakids is open to fourth grade students with meetings held with Mrs. Gibbons during the fourth grade lunch period. Our first meeting will be held on November 2.  The first service project of this school year will be “Food for Families.”  Rotakids will be collecting non-perishable food items and canned goods for needy families in our community.

The Rotakids Pledge

AS A ROTAKID, I PROMISE TO BE FAIR TO ALL,

TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY, AND TO SHOW RESPECT TO OTHERS.

Due to a recent increase in “smash and grab” incidents in the area, and on our campus, we ask that you do not leave valuables or children in your car when you come into school - even for a short period of time. According to local law enforcement, it takes only five seconds for thieves to smash a vehicle window and remove valuables. Schools and daycares are being targeted by these perpetrators. Remember a locked car will not protect your valuables.

UNITED WAY

FREE DRESS DAY

Tuesday, November 17th will be a free dress day for students who bring in $1.00 to donate to United Way. The money must be received by November 16 in order to receive the free dress coupon. Martin County dress code will, of course, apply.  

SEPTEMBER WRITERS’ WALL OF FAME

Congratulations to our September Writers’ Wall of Fame honorees.  The students were honored on October 9 at the Writers’ Wall of Fame Celebration for their exemplary writings that are displayed on the  Wall of Fame bulletin board.  All of the students received a special award certificate and then heard published writer and local Hobe Sound resident, Jerry Blumengarten, present on the topic of writing and publishing.  He  has written educational activity booklets for the past 30 years that have been used throughout the U.S. Students received awards and have their work displayed on the Writers’ Wall of Fame.

Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER 2009

2 - Food for Families Food Drive Begins

     Audubon Meeting, 2:30 - 3:00

     Chorus Rehearsal, 2:15 - 3:00 pm

4 - Duffy’s Family Night, 5:00 -10:00 pm

5 - Reflections’ Club Meetings, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

      PTA Board Meeting, 6:00 - 6:30 pm

      St. Augustine Fifth Grade Trip Meeting, 7:00 pm

6 - Art Fundraiser Orders Due

     Reflections Contest Entries Due

7 - School Clean Up Day, 7:30 - 10:00 am

10 - Veteran’s Day Ceremony, 8:30 - 9:15 am

11 - NO SCHOOL - VETERAN’SDAY

12 - Report Cards Go Home

        Nature Know-It-Alls, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

        Family Learning Night 6:30 - 8:00 pm

13 - Picture Retake Day

       Book Fair begins

16 - Honor Roll Assembly ( 3rd), 8:30 - 9:30 am

        Locks of Love, 10:30 - 12:00 pm

        Chorus Rehearsal, 2:15 - 3:00 pm

        SAC Meeting, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

17 - United Way donation - Free Dress Day 

        Honor Roll Assembly (4th ), 8:30 - 9:30 am

        Honor Roll Assembly (5th), 9:30 - 10:30 am

18 - Principal’s Honor Roll Breakfast, 8:30 - 9:30 am

        Parent/Teacher Conferences,  5:00 - 8:00 pm

19 - Nature Know-It-Alls, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

       PTA Meeting - Book Fair, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

20 - NO SCHOOL - DISTRICT CONFERENCE NIGHT (not HSE)

23 - Audubon Meeting, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

       Chorus Rehearsal, 2:15 - 3:00 pm

24 - Book Fair ends

25 - 27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

30 - Chorus Rehearsal, 2:15 - 3:00 pm

DECEMBER 2009

1 - Screenings (vision/hearing/height/weight) - Kindergarten

2 - EARLY RELEASE

      Duffy’s Family Night, 5:00 - 10:00 pm

      Interims Go Home

3 - Nature Know-It-Alls Meeting, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

3- 10 - Holiday Store

5 - Hobe Sound Christmas Parade, 1:00 pm

7 - Chorus Party, 2:15 - 3:00 p.m.

14 - Audubon Meeting, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

17 - Basketball Ends

       Nature Know-It-Alls, 2:30 - 3:00 pm

21 - Winter Recess Begins

January 4, 2010 - Classes Resume - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

HOMEPAGE