SOUTHEAST Principal’s EXPRESS #5 .pdfSOUTHEAST EXPRESS Volume 19, Issue 5 Principal’s...
Transcript of SOUTHEAST Principal’s EXPRESS #5 .pdfSOUTHEAST EXPRESS Volume 19, Issue 5 Principal’s...
SOUTHEAST
EXPRESS
Volume 19, Issue 5
Principal’s
Perspective
Dear Parents,
At a meeting on Monday, May 23rd
, the Jenks Public Schools Board of Education approved a
change in the instructional calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. School will now begin
on Thursday, August 18th
, 2011, one week later than originally scheduled. There will be two
professional days: Friday, September 2nd
, and Tuesday, September 6th
, the day immediately
after Labor Day. The last day of school is scheduled for June 1st, 2012, followed by a teacher
work day on June 4th. There are five (5) inclement weather days built into second semester.
So, there is a chance that school will end before June 1st. The rest of the instructional calendar
remains the same, including the end of the first semester on Friday, December 16th
. The move
of one professional day to after Labor Day along with moving the beginning of school forward
one week has the potential (depending upon the weather) of a substantial cost savings, along
with assistance in boosting state aid revenues. This amended calendar will be placed on the
JPS website very soon. Dates for Back-to-School nights will be published soon.
Renovations and construction have already begun at Southeast Elementary. There will be three
phases of construction. Phase 1 will include the main offices, lobby, all classrooms/offices
downstairs throughout the first-grade wing, the fourth-grade wing and the second-grade wing
upstairs, and the gymnasium. Phase 1 will end by August 1st, 2011. Phase 2 will occur during
the school year, 2011-2012, and will include the construction of eight additional classrooms
and a media expansion. This phase will end in May, 2012. Phase 3 will begin in May, 2012.
It will include the cafeteria, the pre-k, kindergarten, and Adventure Club wing downstairs, and
the third-grade wing upstairs. All classrooms will be equipped with new furniture, an updated
electrical system, new carpeting, etc. All bathrooms will be renovated.
Wishing everyone a happy, safe summer. I hope all the kids can sleep late, eat pancakes, and
enjoy their friends and families. As stated above, students will return to school on Thursday,
August 18th.
Marilyn Livingston, Ph.D.
Site Administrator
Leaving a Footprint
Tradition has it that at the end of the school year, the
graduating fourth graders leave Jenks Southeast with a
gift … something for students and staff to enjoy …
something that will leave a lasting “footprint” of the
outgoing class. For years, graduating students have
contributed to the walls of the school with beautiful
artwork or to the landscaping with such things as
benches and personalized stepping stones.
This year,
however, the class
of 2019 decided to
change things up a
little and do something different. This year, they
gave of their service and gave a gift of a different
sort.
First, they scoured the grounds of JSE with large
trash bags and picked up trash of all kinds: cans,
wrappers, roof tiles, grocery bags, bottle caps, etc.
Second, the students gave to the school a gift that doubles as a second service project.
They presented a large, heavy-duty collection bin to be used by all JSE students for
future donation projects. To break it in, this year’s fourth graders filled it with books
that will be presented to MacArthur Elementary School in the Tulsa School District.
Collections of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, The 39 Clues, and classics
like Little Women could be found in the heap. Also
included were favorites like Dear Mr. LaRue, Brave
Little Fox, and The Gingerbread Man.
However, their generosity yielded an overflowing bin
and a makeshift collection spot was begun outside the
doors of the school’s media center to compensate.
This heap included books offered by library staff as
they boxed up and cleaned out the media center to
prepare for renovations.
The Class of 2019 will be remembered each time the bin is filled with items collected
from the caring hands of JSE students.
Mrs. Crabb’s class
“Day at the Museum”
What do JSE fourth graders want to be when
they grow up? How about the likes of Amelia
Earhart, Julia Child, Walt Disney, or even
Dwight Eisenhower? Parents and teachers were
given some insight into the students’ interests
and possible aspirations while the kids worked
on their People of Purpose projects.
Each student chose a person in history who had
an impact on the world, be it in their research,
adventures, actions, or character. After
rigorous research and report writing, the
students brought their characters to life during
the People of Purpose Living Wax Museum.
Perched on chairs and still as statues, they quietly
waited for parents and staff to enter the media center
and begin pushing the red “talk buttons” on their hands. A push attained them
a 30-second history lesson as students recited autobiographical speeches about
their particular characters.
Kyle and Ian of Jean Evans’ fourth-grade
class put their heads together and chose
two brave men that had to work as a team
themselves to accomplish their goals …
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark,
otherwise known as Lewis and Clark, early
explorers of North America. In the course
of his research, Ian discovered some
interesting facts about Clark. “Clark and
Lewis were in the same army, they became
good friends,” and Lewis trusted Clark
because of his skills. Ian says his interest in
exploring was his motivation for choosing
William Clark.
For Kyle, the sense of adventure about
his home state was part of his inspiration
for choosing Meriwether Lewis.
Dillon
“Teddy Roosevelt”
Kyle and Ian
“Lewis & Clark”
“He explored the land that I live in. I wanted to learn more about Oklahoma
and all of its nature and wildlife.” An interesting fact he learned? “At age 35,
(Lewis) checked into an inn while heading to Washington D.C. and was shot and
killed. No one knows if he shot himself or if someone was hiding and escaped.”
In addition to delving into the lives of historical figures, the research process
provided many lessons for the students.
Evans says the wax museum was the
finale of a long and tedious study that
encompassed so many learning
objectives. “(The kids) had to take
ownership of their learning.” First, they
chose their famous person, justified that
choice (why was that person famous,
what were his/her challenges, what was
that person remembered for, etc.),
researched their character, created a life
timeline, and categorized the
information. They displayed the
information in a two-page layout that
required creativity, brainstorming
interesting titles, and graphing their
information.
Perhaps one of the more important lessons
learned from the experience was how to read for the “big idea.” Evans says
the project was more about conceptual learning rather than book learning.
When it came time to show off their hard work, students literally assumed the
roles of the people they had chosen by dressing like them and reciting their
speeches in first-person. Evans says it was a huge endeavor for nine and ten-
year-olds. But, it’s an endeavor that has become tradition for JSE fourth
graders and one that most of them look forward to, including Kyle who says it
was the highlight of his fourth-grade year and, “one of the most exciting
things that has happened to me here.”
Karenna and Dr. Livingston “Rosa Parks”
Springing into Springtime Fun!
Despite chilly temperatures, JSE students bundled up and put on their running shoes for this annual PTA
fundraiser. Students were encouraged to run four laps around the south-side playground, the equivalent of one mile. Stretching exercises to warm up the muscles made the run a little less rigorous … and the snacks waiting for everyone upon
completion of the run was the dangling carrot.
This special day provided students physical education
in unconventional ways. Activities included
competitions like a hoppity ball race, sled-pulling, and
tug-of-war. A hip-hop
instructor gave lessons on
the “cooler moves” of
dancing while other
students disappeared
under the waves of a giant
parachute.
Emily with mom, Mary
Kindergartener Taryn
Kindergartener
Ella Caitlin & Ella pulling classmate,
Michael
Many families ventured out for this annual event held in the evening hours. Those who took their
chances at limbo contorted their bodies every which way to avoid “sitting on their pockets.” A DJ
provided encouragement for several girls determined to be crowned hula-hoop champ of the
evening. For the little ones it was good ol’ sidewalk chalk drawing that kept them occupied.
Mother’s Day Tea
A spot of tea, mothers? How about an hour of entertainment and sheer delight
as your child sings, dances, and serves you tea and muffins? Pre-K moms were
pampered with a special day of hugs and love during this year’s Mother’s Day
Tea.
In Mrs. Bradshaw’s morning class, the kids had many
reasons for why mom is special:
Grace … “Doing the laundry.”
Knox … “She gave me a cupcake last night.”
Cooper … “She helps me put my clothes away.”
Drew … “I have no idea.”
Knox
Kindergarten teacher,
Meredith Andrews,
with son, Cooper
A recent question was posed from an inquiring parent concerning the first-day-of-school dates
for Jenks Public Schools each year. The answers come from Lisa Muller, Assistant
Superintendent of Curriculum for Jenks district.
Q: What is the name of the committee that sets the school calendar, how large is it, who serves
on it, and how are they chosen?
A: “The District Calendar Committee meets every two years and is made up of parents, teachers,
and administrators from each site. Site principals make the requests for participation
from teachers and parents. Parent reps typically are selected from PTA membership,
though it varies from site to site.”
Q: How far in advance does the committee determine dates?
A: “The committee sets the calendar for two years at a time. The 2011-2012 calendar is the
second of the two calendars that were set by the committee that met in the spring of
2010.”
Q: It seems the first day of school comes earlier and earlier each year. Why?
A: “Beginning the school year in early August allows for more equal semesters as well as the
opportunity to conclude semester exams prior to the holiday break (Memorial Day
Weekend). This is important at the secondary level both because of numerous one-
semester courses and the desire to avoid students having to complete final projects and
papers of study for tests during the break. In addition, this start time maximizes the
number of days of instruction for all students prior to state-mandated testing. These
dates are set by the state and fall in April.”
Q: Does the committee determine the entire school calendar, i.e. Parent/teacher conferences,
spring break, etc.?
A: “Yes.”
Q: Is there anything else you would like parents to know?
A: “The district seeks a wide variety of input for the calendar committee each year and
appreciates parent participation in the process. It is expected that there will be some
adjustment to the start date for 2012-2013 due to the effects of leap year and the
second Thursday falling very early in August for 2012.”
Congratulations Class of 2019
President Melissa Siemens
1st Vice President – Allocations Adriane Lakin
2nd Vice President – Fundraising Natalie Richardson
Secretary Christa Hessen
Treasurer Amy Carey
Your
2011 – 2012
PTA Executive Board
PTA Update Thank you to all the parents who put in countless hours volunteering at our school this year! It was a great year thanks to all of your hard work!