Newsletter
Date
2/17/12
Cardinal
News
•
n so that not everybody has to have a copy of the whole
plan in front of them.
Karen Western Elementary• School
Our Mission
“Karen Western - Growing Safe, Respectful,
Ralston Public Schools
•
Administrators from the
VMAC may be visiting in the
and Responsible Learners!”
6224 H Street Omaha, NE
68117
morning to observe the excellent things
that are happening in
Phone (402)731-7477 Faxour
(402)731-0952
classrooms. They will also
beHours
attending
our afternoon
School
– Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday,
Principal Erika Peterson Secretary
Kathy
Corliss
& Friday 8:15 – 3:30
staff meeting.
Health Assistant Vivian Schirmer
Wednesdays 8:15 – 1:30 (early release)
http://www2.esu3.org/dws/rkaren/
Office Hours 7:30 – 4:00
Important Dates to Remember
FEB 20 – NO SCHOOL Teacher Comp
MAR 7 - 12 – NO SCHOOL Spring Break
Day for conferences
FEB 24 – Movie Night 7:00 pm
MAR 8 – Don & Millie’s Night 4:00-9:00 pm
Numero en Espanol: 898-3454 LMMJV Por favor deje su nombre, su numero do telefono, el nombre del la escuela de
su nino, y la razon por su llamada. Los mensajes seran recuperados diariamente y elguien le llamara con respuestas a
sus pregutas. Gracias
Many thanks to all of you who joined us for 2nd semester parent/teacher
conferences! Conferences are a special time to share the progress of your child(ren)
so far this year as well as discuss goals for the remainder of the year. Special thanks to the
PTO and the volunteer parents for providing supper for the staff on Monday night of
conferences. It was MUCH appreciated!
Erika L. Peterson
Karen Western Elementary Principal
Ralston Public Schools and Trinity United Methodist Church are sponsoring a children’s clothing center at 8009 Q
Street, beginning Tuesday, March 6 from 1-4:00 p.m. and every Tuesday at this time until the end of the school year.
The Lost and Found Center will house gently used, clean clothing and will be distributed to Ralston Public School
parents or guardians at no charge. Parents do need to contact their child’s school psychologist and fill out a short form
to bring to the Center. Please contact Tracie Toscano, school psychologist, at 402-731-7477 with questions.
The clothing is from the schools lost and found collection that have not been claimed and also donated
clothing. If you wish to donate clothing, please contact the school psychologist.
Calendar Change
The calendar that was sent out at the beginning of the school year originally had Spring Break days in April
as Monday and Tuesday, April 9th & 10th. That has changed! The new dates for SPRING BREAK in April are:
FRIDAY, APRIL 6th and MONDAY, APRIL 9th.
News from the PTO – PTO is selling Smencils for $1 every Wednesday. Treats are still $.25.
Mark your calendars – Movie Night is Friday, February 24th at 7:00. The movie is Puss In Boots and
popcorn and root beer floats will be served.
Ralston Public School District is taking kindergarten registrations for the 2012-2013 school
year between February 16th and March 1st. Kindergarten Question and Answer sessions are planned
at each elementary building to discuss and answer questions about the new kindergarten law, whether
or not your child is ready for kindergarten, and what paperwork is required. If you are not able to
attend one of these sessions, please go to your child's home school to register for kindergarten.
Blumfield Elementary
Karen Western Elementary
Meadows Elementary
Mockingbird Elementary
Seymour Elementary
Wildewood Elementary
Evening Meeting at Blumfield
Feb 27th 8:10-8:40 am and 12:20-12:40 pm
Feb 29th 11:10 am
Feb 28th 11:15-11:45 and 3:25-3:55 pm
Feb 23rd 8:10-8:40 and 12:10-12:40 pm
Feb 22nd 8:10-8:40 am and 12:20-12:40 pm
Feb 22nd 10:40-11:10 am and 12:20-12:50 pm
March 1st 6-7 pm
If you are new to the district or have not been enrolled in the Ralston Preschool Program,
please bring your child's birth certificate and proof of Ralston residency (lease or utility bill) and
register at your child's home school. If you have any questions, you may call your home school or the
Ralston Central Office.
Kindergarten Orientation will be held at each of the elementary buildings later in May and you will
receive a packet of information and be notified in the mail in April.
Student Council News - Student Council will be holding the annual Lollipop Sale.
When: Starting Monday, February 6th until... we run out of candy!
Time: after school only
Price: 25 cents each
Meeting date for March will be Tuesday the 20th .
DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) Day is March 23rd- more details to come.
*******UPDATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS *******
IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY HAD A PHONE NUMBER(S) CHANGE, PLEASE LET THE SCHOOL OFFICE KNOW YOUR
UPDATED PHONE NUMBER(S). WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE WE COULD NOT GET A HOLD OF
PARENTS BECAUSE PHONE NUMBERS WERE NOT CURRENT. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WE WOULD NEED
TO GET A HOLD OF YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO PLEASE MAKE SURE WE HAVE CURRENT/VALID PHONE
NUMBERS FOR YOU. THANK YOU!
Music News – The 6th Grade District Vocal Music Festival will be
March 27th at 7:00 pm at the Ralston High School gym.
News from the Health Office – Sometimes we have students who have accidents or get
wet playing outside at recess and need to borrow clothes from the office. If your
child happens to come home in clothing from the office, please launder the items and
return them to school. Thank you!
Morning Study Center – Available to students in grades 2-6. Students in Study
Center are permitted to enter the building at 7:30, check the white board for
the location of Study Center for that day, grab a sack breakfast from the
cafeteria, and head to Study Center. There is a teacher on duty every day to
assist students with any school- work.
Our Family Labels – Embrace Teachers is once again collecting and counting any UPC symbols
from Our Family products for our school. If you buy any Our Family products, please save the UPC
symbols and turn them into the office.
Please remember to keep sending in those Box Tops for Education
If you would like to have lunch with your child at school, please call the
office before 9:00 am to order your lunch. An adult lunch is $3.05. Lunch
times are: Kindergarten-11:20, 1st-11:30, 2nd-11:40, 3rd-11:50, 4th-12:00, 5th12:10, and 6th-12:20.
Instructions for making a payment or to check a lunch balance:
Visit the district web store at http://ralstonschools.revtrak.net Click on
Student Food Services. Select amount to be added to the food service account,
or select Any amount to view a child’s balance. Enter your student’s last name
and NutriKids Student ID #. Click on “Buy now”, or click check balance. Go to
checkout…If a new customer, select “I am a new customer.” Enter your email
address and “Sign in.” If a returning customer, select “I am a returning
customer.” Enter your email address, password, and select “Sign in.” Enter
your Billing and Payment Information. Create password if required. Verify
information for accuracy and select “Complete Order” Payment will be processed
and Receipt can be viewed and printed. Credit card statements will show
payment made to the school district. Logout. If you have any questions,
please call Gail Cote in Food Service at 898-3430.
Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’s birthday
February 27th - March 2
Dress Up Days for Read Across America
Monday, February 27 - The Cat in the Hat
Wear red and white clothing! You might even see the Cat in the
Hat at Karen Western!
Tuesday, February 28 – The Foot Book
Roll up your pants and show off your crazy socks!
Wednesday, February 29 - Wacky Wednesday
Dress in wacky, colorful, mismatched clothing!
Thursday, March 1 - I Am Not Going to Get Up Today
Please DO get up today, but come to school wearing your pj's!
Friday, March 2 - Oh, the Places You'll Go
Wear clothing with the name of a country, state, or city!
Guest Speaker/Guest Readers/DEAR
National award winning author and former guidance counselor
Julia Cook will be speaking to KW students on Friday, March 2.
Mrs. Cook has written over twenty books on social skills such as
making friends, personal space, tattling, bullying, overcoming fear,
and the list goes on. Her lighthearted approach makes learning
fun and entertaining. Our KW students are in for a treat!
Classrooms will also enjoy guest readers during the week as well
as DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time.
Fun Facts About Dr. Seuss
Have you heard of Theodor (Ted) Geisel? What if I tell you his real name is
Dr. Seuss? He has also written books using the name Theo LeSieg. Can you
figure out where he got the name LeSieg?
Where did he get the name Seuss if his real name is Geisel? His mother's
maiden name and his middle name was Seuss.
Was Dr. Seuss really a doctor? Dr. Seuss explained, "I had been studying
for my doctorate when I quit to become a cartoonist. My father had always
wanted to see a Dr. in front of my name, so I attached it. I figure by doing
that, I saved him about ten thousand dollars."
One of his most beloved books is The Cat in the Hat written in 1957. Dr.
Seuss was challenged to write a story "first graders wouldn’t be able to put
down." He recalled, "I remember thinking that I might be able to dash off
The Cat in the Hat in 2 or 3 weeks. Actually, it took over a year. You try
telling a pretty complicated story using less than 250 words! No, don't, not
unless you're willing to rewrite and rewrite and rewrite. To get a 60 page
book, I may easily write 1000 pages before I'm satisfied."
Dr. Seuss wrote 48 books. More than 100 million copies have sold worldwide
in 18 languages. He was awarded a 1984 Pulitzer Prize for his contribution
to children's literature. He died in 1991 at the age of 87.
The “official” Dr. Seuss website is www.seussville.com. There you will find
information about Dr. Seuss, his books, a video, activities, and games.
by Nancy Anderson
Karen Western Instructional Coach