Principally Speaking: April 2016

Thank You, Teacher

Thank you, skillful teacher, for teaching me to be

A stronger, smarter person, academically.

Thank you, favorite teacher, for acting like a friend,

And taking time to show me, lessons hard to comprehend.

Thank you for your caring, and lots of other stuff;

For all the things you gave me, I can't thank you enough.

This poem by Johanna Fuchs summarizes the role our teachers and staff members assume on a daily basis

at Chisholm. From the moment students get out of the car, off the bus, or walk onto our campus, there is

someone here to greet them and take care of their needs. Teachers plan, prep, and deliver lessons that

inspire, build skills, or prepare them for future endeavors. Long after the students leave, many teachers are

up here late into the evening or on weekends preparing for the next day or week.

A recent report from the Huffington Post surveyed parents from around the country and the overwhelming

consensus was most people felt public school teachers were overworked and underpaid. When you work in

a state that is next to or near the bottom of teacher pay, that fact only hits a little closer to home.

Our teachers work hard. We know they should be paid more. The job is daunting and challenging.

In light of all these challenges, they show up each day giving their best to our students.

The reason is simple; they like kids and are passionate about teaching.

This past week our teachers and staff were bestowed with many gifts, thank you notes, dress up days, treats

and lunches as our school was celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. Our staff would like to thank

Andee Forrest and Blythe McGuffee for organizing the daily week's activities along with the school's PTO

and the parents for their financial and volunteer support throughout the school year. For all you do to sup-

port us, I’d like to borrow the last line of the poem with one small change:

Thank You, Parents Thank you for your caring, and lots of other stuff;

For all the things you gave us, Our Teachers can't thank you enough.

Mr. Higdon

Chisholm Chargers

MARCH 28 - TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK APRIL 1:

APRIL 1: SPIRIT DAY, BOX TOP AND CAMPBELL SOUP LABEL COLLECTION

APRIL 4: PTO MEETING – 8:30 A.M.

APRIL 4: INPUT SHEETS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE APRIL 11: PRE-K APPLICATION PERIOD BEGINS

APRIL 12-14: OCCT TESTING (3RD - 5TH GRADE)

APRIL 19-21: OCCT TESTING (3RD - 5TH GRADE)

APRIL 14: MARCO’S PIZZA NIGHT

APRIL 22: PRE-K APPLICATION PERIOD ENDS

APRIL 24: 3RD GRADE LAND RUN RE-ENACTMENT APRIL 27: SECRETARIES’ DAY APRIL 28: DEADLINE FOR INPUT SHEETS APRIL 29: NO SCHOOL - APRIL DAY MAY 2: NO MORE CHARGING IN THE CAFETERIA

During the spring a great deal of time and energy will be spent evaluating the best placement for your child for the next school year. We will review each child’s individual needs, consider present teacher information, try to balance classes according to boy-girl ratios, social-emotional development, academic performance, special learning needs, and independent work habits. While we are blessed with outstanding and caring teachers throughout, we will try to select a teacher who will create the best learning situation possible for each child with all things considered. Input will be key. Input from the parents, teachers, counselor, and administrators will be reviewed and considered. You, as parents, know your child very well and may wish to share some information about him/her that will help us make a more informed placement decision. The Student Input Sheet is an optional tool for parents to fill out to give us insight into your needs and your child’s needs. We will not be taking specific teacher requests, but rather will continue to use a process designed to involve all concerns with placement. Student Input forms are available in the office on April 4th. All student input forms are due on or before Friday, April 28th for consideration. Thank you for your cooperation. We are looking forward to next year.

Save the date and join the fun at

ChargerPalooza end of the year all school social

May 20th (food to purchase & live music from

our all-parent band)

UPCOMING EVENTS……….

BITS & BYTES from Mrs. Morgan

This month, your children may

find themselves needing a break

from state testing. Toontastic is a

free app that all elementary-aged

children will enjoy. It is a

storytelling and creative learning

tool that enables kids to draw,

animate, and share their own

cartoons through simple and fun

imaginative play! Making cartoons

with Toontastic is as easy as

putting on a puppet show - simply

press the record button, move your

characters onscreen, and tell your

story.

Toontastic records your animation

and voice as a cartoon video.

Have fun creating!

MEDIA NEWS

May 18 Author Visit!

Mike Wimmer and his wife Jime

*Please take note:

There will not be a Spring Book Fair.

Save

the

Date!

Counselor’s Corner ... Helping Children Succeed in School

Second semester at Chisholm is off to a

good start. Now that second semester is in

full swing we are starting to get ready for the

elementary testing. This year we are testing

the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Please make

sure you check the calendar of events over

the next few months. According to the No

Child Left Behind Act, we must test every

third, fourth, and fifth grade student that is

currently enrolled. Please keep the following

dates in mind when planning and scheduling

appointments.

Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test

April 12-14

April 19-21

By state law, each testing session must

have a monitor in each classroom that is

participating in the testing. We will need

approximately 14 test monitors for the 2016

testing season. If you can volunteer to be a

monitor during that week, please call me at

726-4003 I appreciate any time you can help.

Just a reminder, testing can be a stressful

time for your child. It is very important to

prepare them for testing day. Here are some

tips that will help prepare your child:

Please do not schedule any appointments

for your child on those days.

Be sure your child gets plenty of rest the

night before the day of the test.

Prepare a well-balanced breakfast before

school on the day of the test.

Have your child dress comfortably.

Be sure your child is on time for school.

Try to have your child avoid stressful

situations prior to testing.

If you have any questions about testing

please feel free to contact me.

I’m an empty envelope,

Just waiting to be filled,

With labels from

Campbell’s - what a thrill!

Hang me on your refrigerator,

Or stick me on a door.

Each time you pass me by,

Please fill me up with more.

When I’m all filled up,

Bring them to the school.

We get points for every one,

It’s a great fundraising tool.

Grade / NAME __________________________________

Cut on solid

lines, Fold

on dotted

lines, glue

or tape flaps

closed.