Southern Boone Elementary
December, 2013/January, 2014
On Thursday, December 12, author Judy Young will be spending the day at Southern
Boone Elementary, speaking to students in grade level groups about what it’s like being an
author. As she reads from her books, she’ll also share the writing process and what goes on
behind-the-scenes with the publication of her award-winning fiction, nonfiction and poetry
books.
During the presentations, third grade students will be read A Pet for Miss Wright.
Fourth and fifth grade students will be reading The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous,
Mysterious, and (maybe even) Magical Creatures.
Judy Young is the award winning author of over a dozen children’s poetry, fiction
and nonfiction books, including two new books: Tuki and Moka, A Tale of Two
Tamarins and Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo. Another book in the Digger and Daisy
Series will release in March. Her books have won several national awards and honors
including the 2012 Paterson Prize Honor Book for A Pet for Miss Wright, 2012 Women
Writing the West Willa Literary Award Finalist, 2011 National Parenting Publications
Award Gold Winner and the 2011 Society of School Librarians International Honor Award
for A Book for Black-Eyed Susan; 2009 Storytelling World Award for Minnow and Rose and
2008 Mom’s Choice Gold Award for R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet. Judy’s books have
been nominated for different states’ reading awards, including the 2013/14 MO Show Me
Readers Award for A Book for Black-Eyed Susan and A Pet for Miss Wright, 2012 MO Show
Me Readers Award Minnow and Rose and 2011 MO Show Me Readers Award for The Lucky
Star.
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR PTA FOR HELPING TO SPONSOR THIS AUTHOR
VISIT!!!!!
Please note that school begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students who plan to eat breakfast
should arrive no later than 7:45. All other students should arrive at school before 8:00
a.m. or they will be counted tardy. Supervision begins at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.
Students should not arrive before this time due to safety concerns for unsupervised
students.
Shake It Up!
Use strong glue to attach a plastic toy to the inside of a jar lid, then add baby oil and glitter for a homemade
snow globe; it makes a fun souvenir of a great day.
Taken from Parents® Magazine!
Lost and Found
We have a lost and found bin located outside of the main gym entrance. If your child
is missing something, please take time to check out the Lost and Found. Items begin
to stack up quickly!
This month our PBS (Positive Behavior Support) topic is compassion.
Compassion is a feeling we have when we see a person who needs help and we show
them kindness. Students have been receiving short lessons on what compassion is
and brainstorming ways they can show compassion at school and home. I have
attached an article about compassion with some ideas to help teach your child more
about compassion:
10 Ways to Teach Your Kids Compassion
by Carrie Snyder (Subscribe to Carrie Snyder's posts)
Mar 9th 2010 9:00AM
Craig Kielburger became famous when, at only twelve years old, he founded a
charitable organization to fight child exploitation called Free the Children. Since its
humble beginnings in the Kielburger family home in 1995, Free the Children has
developed into an international organization that continues to focus on children's rights-and to bring positive change into the lives of the world's most vulnerable children:
children of war, children orphaned by natural disaster and disease, and children born
into poverty, their futures uncertain.
Most fascinating -- and moving -- is that the goal of this unique organization is to inspire children to discover, develop,
and act on their own beliefs. "Children helping children through education," is its tagline.
Big subjects for small people.
But in a new book, The World Needs Your Kid, co-written by Craig and his
brother Marc Kielburger, with Shelley Page, the brothers argue that any child
has the potential to change the world. And that parents have a big role to
play. Written in a light-hearted and easy-to-read style, the book is chockful of
practical suggestions that families can easily grab onto and do, while learning
and putting into practice the "Three C's": compassion, courage, and
community. Some suggestions apply more to older children and teens, and
others work for families like ours, with children eight and under.
Cabin Fever urges you to read the book for yourself. But here are our top 10
inspirations from The World Needs Your Kid...
1. Eat supper together. Talk about everything. Large and small. This is your time to be together casually, informally,
enjoying each other's company.
2. Identify your own priorities, as a parent. This may take some thinking and some work, but it is worth identifying
for yourself what you stand for. And then exploring whether these values are visible in your life.
3. Help each child find his or her gift(s). Don't rush. Give your child the freedom to explore. Encourage the effort
rather than the results. Suggest practical ways that a child can use his or her gifts to help others.
4. Give your children responsibilities around the house. Let them help, even when they are small and their help
seems more of a hindrance. Have patience for trial and error. Give your children problem-solving tools, then step
back and let your children find solutions to their own problems. "If you are forever tying his shoes, he might never try
on his own."
5. Let your children make mistakes. "Don't always clean up their messes." Keep it in perspective. The most
creative people are courageous enough to make mistakes. Making mistakes--and figuring out how to fix something
you've done wrong--are among the best ways to learn and to grow.
6. Ask: How would you feel if ...? Ask your child to put herself into someone else's shoes.
7. Hang a map of the world on the wall. "When you discuss issues with your kids, help them locate the country you
are discussing."
8. Discuss the headlines. This is a hard one. But the Kielburgers urge families to read the newspaper together, and
to be aware of what is happening in the larger world. They suggest pointing out stories where people are helping
other people, showing compassion, and responding to crisis.
9. Volunteer as a family. The desire to help might be sparked by a major crisis, such as the recent earthquake in
Haiti, or it might come from an experience closer to home. Together, with your children, work to respond with
concrete help and compassion. Make volunteering a regular part of your family's life.
10. Don't preach. As the Kielburgers say: "There's a fine line. If your kids stop listening, you'll know you've crossed
it."
We are grateful for our Southern Boone County PTA and for all of the support they provide to
our school throughout the year. PTA provides our school with funding and support by
participating in several fundraising activities throughout the year. Please save BoxTops and
Moser's receipts throughout the year and drop them off or send them in to our office collection
box.
Upcoming Dates:
Dec. 6th- The high school FFA Washington Leadership Conference Participants will be holding
a babysitting night from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the agriculture building. This would be a
great time to get your Christmas shopping accomplished! They are asking for a monetary
donation you feel fit.
Dec. 9- FFA will be wrapping Christmas presents the first three Monday’s in December. If you
have gifts you’d like wrapped, please stop by the Ag building between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30
p.m. They will wrap while you enjoy cookies and a warm drink.
Dec. 20- Elementary Holiday Parties 1:45-2:45. Parents may set up for parties beginning at 1:15.
Dec. 23-January 5- Winter Break
Jan. 6- Students return to school
Jan. 20- NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 24- PBS Assembly beginning at 2:00
Feb. 4- Cold Winter’s Night for grades 3, 4, and 5 from 6:00-7:00
Feb. 14- Valentine’s Parties 1:45-2:45. Third and 4th grade parents may begin setting up at 1:15.
Fifth grade Sock Hop set up in the gym may begin at 1:00. (Please remember suckers are not
allowed at school for safety reasons)