PINNEY post
the
Pinney Website
January 2012
9989 Concord Road * Dublin, OH * 43017 * 614.798.3570 * Fax 614.718.8961
Please check out the Eli Pinney website for school calendar events and other
important information. Scan the QR code above to access.
http://www.dublinschools.net/pinneyelementary_home.aspx
Celebrating
10 Years of
Excellence
Greetings Pinney families!
Happy New Year to all of our Pinney community.
enjoyed a restful break with friends and family.
I hope everyone
We continue our 10-year celebration with several fun events coming
up in January. First, our annual Skate Night will take place on
Saturday, January 7th at the Dublin Chiller. The event is FREE and
skate rentals are only $2.00. We hope to see you there!
The ever-popular Movie Night will be
Friday, January 27th with the showing
of Kung Fu Panda 2.
Look for a
separate email and flyer to go home to families during the first week
back to school.
Check out the enclosed calendar with other events coming up in
January and February.
Go Panthers!
Troy Ehrsam, Principal
Important Upcoming Events...
Saturday, January 7th
PTO Skate Night
5:15-7:15 p.m. Dublin Chiller
Thursday, January 12th
PTO General Meeting
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Commons
Friday, January 27th
PTO Movie Night
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gym
Office Communication
• Students may not enter the building until 9:18 a.m. daily. If you are dropping children off in
the morning, please walk them through the front entrance. They are not permitted to enter
through the side door until 9:18 a.m.
• Call the office or the automated attendance line (718-8960) if your child is going to be absent
or late. Please send in a note if your child is signing out early for an appointment.
• If your child is going to be absent from school, we would appreciate a phone call before 9:30
a.m. of that day. Ohio state law does require us to now have a written note upon a child’s
return to school after an absence of any kind. An absence form can be found in the
downloads section of our Pinney website (Absence Notification Form). We would appreciate
your help by sending in this form, or a note explaining the absence upon your child’s return
to school. It is also important that you know that absences due to a family-planned vacation
are no longer excused absences.
• All phone number changes should take place at the building level. Please do not call the
district office to change your contact information. Please call the Pinney office for questions
(798-3570)
• Send in a note if your child’s end of the day arrangements change. Without a note, we will
follow typical end of day routine.
• Both students need a note giving parent permission when bringing home a friend. New
“Note to School” pads can be picked up in the office.
• Write your child’s first and last name on the inside of lunch boxes, backpacks, jackets and
other items so that we can return them if lost. All lost and found items will be donated to
Welcome Warehouse at the end of each trimester.
• Give the buses the right of way during arrival and dismissal. No cars in the bus loop during
the following times (8:45-9:15 a.m. & 3:45-4:15 p.m.)
• Be patient in the pick-up line at the end of the day. Cars need to remain in a single file line to
pick up students. Also, please drop off your child at the sidewalk or side door in the
morning. A Pinney staff member will monitor the side door beginning at 9:18 a.m. daily. We
do not want children walking through cars and/or traffic. Student safety is our priority.
• Check your child’s backpack frequently.
School Day
AM Preschool
AM Kindergarten
Grades 1-5
9:05-11:35 am
9:28-11:58 am
9:28-3:58 pm
PM Preschool
1:10-3:40 pm
PM Kindergarten
1:28-3:58 pm
Latchkey (7:05 a.m. start & 6:00 p.m. end)
Clinic Communication with Mrs. Slack & Mrs. Pagan
The Dublin City School District has developed policies to help insure the health and safety of
all our students. These policies have been developed in direct correlation with the recommendations of both Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control. It is even
more important that parents familiarize themselves with these policies and adhere to them as
we move into the time of year when flu and other contagious illnesses become more prevalent. Please take time now to review the following information. If all of our parents follow
these policies, we can reduce illness and absences for your child.
• It is important to keep any child home exhibiting signs of illness. Signs of illness include fever
of 100 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, chills, irritability, or unusual skin
rash. Other signs of illness are red and crusty eyes, as well as, other symptoms that are unusual for your child. If your child has been home ill, they must be symptom free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. If they have been placed on an antibiotic for a
contagious illness, they must be on the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school.
• Please remember that parents are responsible for supplying the school with any medication
(prescription and over-the-counter) that needs to be given during school hours. The appropriate forms(s) must be completed for clinic staff to be able to administer the medication. Prescription and non-prescription forms are available on the district web site at
www.dublinschools.net or from the clinic. The clinic staff is happy to help you determine which
forms are needed for your child.
• Please make sure to call the school if you change phone numbers. This information is vital
as we often need to contact a parent(s) if there is an injury or illness. When listing someone
as an emergency contact, please make sure it is a local person who would be able to pick up
an ill child.
• Remember that cough drops are considered a medication. They must be kept in the clinic
and must be sent in with a non-prescription medication form that has been completed by a
parent. Students are not permitted to carry cough drops with them during the school day.
• When leaving a message on the attendance line, please provide any symptoms your child
has such as student's temperature, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, vomiting,
diarrhea, etc. Please also include if your child has been seen by a doctor or travelled abroad.
Please feel free to call the clinic and speak with the clinic aide or school nurse regarding any
questions or concerns you have. Thank you for your helping to keep all of our students
healthy and safe this winter.
Clinic phone # - (614) 718-8955
Important Food Allergy Message
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our parents that Pinney has many students with serious food allergies. Each student ‘s allergies are different and unique. In order
to keep our students who have food allergies safe and healthy while in school, please remember that when you are planning parties for your child’s classroom, always check with
your child’s teacher or the clinic staff to see if that classroom has any student with serious
food allergies. Allergy Alert letters went out early this year to inform parents of allergies in
their child’s classroom. Foods to which any student is allergic will not, in most circumstances, be allowed into their classroom. It can be very difficult to determine if a food item
contains particular foods as some of those food products go by many names that most people are unfamiliar with. I want to encourage our parents and families to consider bring nonfood treats such as pencils, puzzles or a non-food activity.
I would also like to remind our parents of students with food allergies to keep your child’s
medications updated. The clinic staff makes every effort to let a parent know if their child’s
medication will be expiring. Forms may change format occasionally for varying reasons. The
clinic staff will make sure you are given the most up to date form. All of our current forms
are also available on the district web site at www.dublinschools.net. Please ask the clinic
staff, if you have any questions about which form you need for your child. Judi Slack is our
Clinic Aide (Mon-Fri) and Patti Pagan is our school nurse (Two days per week). We also
have a certified nurse on staff who works in our special education department (Carolyn
Joyce - Mon-Fri).
Clinic phone # - (614) 718-8955.
Sincerely,
Troy Ehrsam
Principal
Counselor Corner with
Mrs. Leslie Cellar
During the month of January, I will visit each classroom, grades K-5, for one guidance lesson.
The lessons will focus on Individual Differences (K-2), Cooperative Learning (3rd), Social Media
(4th) and Goal Setting and Decision Making (5th). Boys Club will also start at the end of the
month.
In kindergarten, we will read and discuss One, by Kathryn Otoshi. After discussing the importance of differences and respect for one another's differences, students will be asked to draw a
self-portrait, including some of the things that make them different, unique and special.
In first grade, we will read and discuss The Crayon Box That Talked, by Shane DeRolf. We will
discuss how our differences keep life interesting. If we were all the exact same, wouldnít life be
boring? Students will then participate in an activity that requires them to work together to create an interesting picture. Each student is allowed to use just one crayon, giving them something unique to offer the picture.
In second grade, students will participate in an activity that requires them to put themselves in
different groups by similarities and differences. We will then read and discuss Giraffes Canít
Dance, by Giles Andrede. Even though we do not all accomplish our goals in the same way, we
are all working towards goals and find success in our own ways.
In third grade, students will participate in an activity that requires them to work together in
small groups to build the tallest tower with the supplies given. If students are uncooperative
and do not work respectfully, they will lose some of their building supplies as a penalty. We will
then discuss what groups were more successful and why.
In fourth grade, students will discuss social media, what it is, benefits, challenges and safety.
They will then participate in an activity that requires them to think about their responsibilities in
a digital community. Students will then create their own digital superhero and write a comic
strip where the superhero steps in when they see an act of poor digital citizenship and saves
the day!
In fifth grade, we will read The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, by Mordicai Gerstein. We
will discuss the importance of setting goals and making decisions that will help us achieve our
goals. Students will then be asked to set two goals and list the steps they will take to achieve
those goals.
Boys Club is a small group for boys, grades 1-5, that focuses on social skills, friendship and selfconfidence. Group will begin the week of January 23 and will meet during the school day for
thirty minutes, once a week, for six weeks. Permission forms will be sent home the week of
January 9th and need to be returned by January 18th. If you think your child would benefit from
this group, please contact me directly at cellar_leslie@dublinschools.net or 718-8953.
PTO & Parent Information
• “Child Find” is the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities who may
be in need of special education and related services. Parents, relatives, public and private agency employees, childcare providers, physicians, and concerned citizens are encouraged to help school districts
find any child, ages birth – 21, who may have a disability and are in need of special education and related services. If you suspect a child may have a disability, help is available. Please contact:
Department of Student Services, Dublin City Schools 7030 Coffman Road Dublin, OH 43017-1068
Phone: 614-764-5913 Fax: 614-761-5899 <www.dublinschools.net>
Dublin
City
Schools
Community
Education
Program
•The
<http://www.dublinschools.net/communityeducation.aspx> is offering programs for the 2011-2012
school year. Contact Mary Ann Grimes <grimes_maryann@dublinschools.net> with details.
Panther Prints
Thank you to our student and parent volunteers who participated in our annual Kinder Key Caroling
event on December 8th. We raised $939.00 for the Heart Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
LEAP Notes
Our Gifted Teacher, Mrs. Sharon Kendzior will be taking leave effective January 2012 with
plans to retire. We wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors. Mr. Ehrsam is currently
working on a long-term replacement. Once the candidate is finalized, a letter will go out to
all LEAP parents.
IMPORTANT DATES
* January - February
* ELI PINNEY ELEMENTARY
* You can also check out the Pinney calendar on the website for updated events and times.
Mon., Jan. 2
Sat., Jan. 7
Wed., Jan. 11
Thurs., Jan. 12
Fri., Jan. 13
Mon., Jan. 16
Tues., Jan. 17
Wed., Jan. 18
Thurs., Jan. 19
Tues., Jan. 24
Fri., Jan. 27
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
PTO Skate Night
Dublin Chiller
Interims go home (as needed)
PTO General Meeting
Commons
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day
NO SCHOOL - MLK Jr.
NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development Day
Market Day pick-up
Commons
APE Field Trip
Dublin Chiller
Student Council Meeting
Rm. 234
Pinney Movie Night (Kung Fu Panda 2)
Gym
Tues., Feb. 7
Conference Night (evening events canceled)
Thurs., Feb 9
PTO General Meeting
Thurs., Feb. 9
Conference Night (evening events canceled)
Tues., Feb. 14
Student Council Meeting
Tues., Feb. 14
Valentine’s Parties (AM-K/1st/2nd)
Tues., Feb. 14
Valentine’s Party (AM-Preschool)
Tues., Feb. 14
Valentine’s Parties (PM-K/3-5)
Tues., Feb. 14
Valentine’s Party (PM-Preschool)
Wed., Feb. 15
Market Day pick-up
Mon., Feb. 20
NO SCHOOL - Presidents’ Day
Tues., Feb. 21-Fri., Feb. 24
Time With Teacher Raffle Sales
Thurs., Feb. 23
APE Field Trip (bowling)
Hilliard
Mon., Feb. 27-Fri., Mar. 2
Read Across America Week
5:15-7:15pm
10:00-11:00am
5:30-6:45pm
10:00-12:00pm
8:30-9:15am
6:30-8:30 pm
Commons
4:30-8:15pm
10:00-11:00am
4:30-8:15pm
8:30-9:15am
10:15-11:30am
10:30-11:35am
2:15-3:30pm
2:45-3:45pm
5:30-6:45pm
Commons
Ten Pins
11:30-1:15pm
10:00-1:30pm
Commons
Rm. 234
Cafeteria News
The cafeteria is now offering during lunch periods the opportunity for students to purchase snacks. Students can either pay in cash or purchase tokens using money from
their school cafeteria account. The following drinks/snacks can be purchased during
lunch; Water , Milk, Danimals Yogurt, Fruit Roll-up, Graham Crackers, Strawberry yogurt, Chex Mix, Crunch Mania, and Mookie Cookies.
Technology Tidbits
During Writer’s Workshop, the first graders at Eli Pinney have been focusing on breaking
down an idea into smaller, detailed steps. The students all wrote “How To” books to
demonstrate their expertise in something and teach others how to do it as well. Mrs.
Carpenter’s and Mrs. Thompson’s classes utilized the Pixie application to type their
words, as well as illustrate each page in their books. Mrs. Tucker provided great support
along the way to model and provide helpful hints and useful tools within Pixie to make the
students more successful. The first graders also learned how to record their own voices
reading their own “How To” books, which they did independently! When the students finished their projects they had the opportunity to share with grade alike peers as well as
some 5th grade students (who seemed to be pretty impressed)! The students gained
new insight for future concepts and were able to self reflect and gather ideas on how to
improve their own writing.