Bobcat Bulletin

From your principal: Mr. Reaves

Upcoming Events:

02/03: Kona Ice

02/04: McTeacher Night

5:00-7:00pm

02/08: Science Fair Info Night

6:00-7:30pm

02/10: VIPS Recognition Day

8:30-10:30am Seabreeze HS

02/10: All Pro Dads

7:00-7:30am

02/12: Jump Rope for Heart kick-off

02/15: Presidents Day

No school

02/17: Kona Ice

02/17-2/24: Book Fair

7:30-2:30pm

02/19: Chick-Fil-A– Night

5:00-7:00pm

02/23: Book Fair Evening Hours

02/23: Technology Night

02/25: SAC Meeting

02/27: PTA Carnival

February 2016

Through the shared responsibility of all, we will provide a safe learning environment

that fosters commitment, collaboration, and creativity in a changing world.

Bell Schedule:

7:30 Students may enter

campus

7:50 First Bell

7:55 Bell to signal the

start of school

2:00 Bus students

released (1:00 Early

Twitter at:

EPS_HomeoftheBobcats

Edgewater Public School

801 South Old County Road-Edgewater-Florida 32132

386-424-2573

EPS_HomeoftheBobcats

February is Black History Month. I recently read the book We

Could Not Fail. The book is based on the Space Age and the

struggle for civil rights. Part of the book’s origin can be found in

our local community. References are made to Titusville,

Allenhurst (A community on the north end of Merritt Island

before the government purchased the land for NASA.) Presidents

John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson utilized the space program

as an agent for social change, to open workplaces at NASA.

Thousands of research and technology jobs came to the south to

decrease poverty. It is an inspiring and largely unknown story of

how shooting for the stars helped to overcome segregation. Our

students will study and complete research on the local African

Americans who made an impact on the space race. It is great to

see the connections our community has on impacting that change.

As we focus on fields in engineering, math and science, I would

encourage you to inspire your student to reach for the stars.

Parents and guardians, when your student is out of school for

any reason, it is your responsibility to contact the school and

excuse your student. Our contact number is 386-424-2573

extension 35223. Thank you!

Dear Parents,

We are so fortunate at EPS to have amazing teachers that have been working diligently to teach

your children how to effectively write an opinion, informative or narrative paper.

When you have a moment, please have a conversation with your child concerning what they now

know about what a good piece of writing must include. In opinion and informative writing it is im-

portant that students have a strong topic sentence. Then throughout the writing they must keep con-

trol of their topic and not allow themselves not to wander from it. Their ideas need to have good or-

ganization throughout. Narrative writing should be entertaining with an attention grabber in its

first sentence. It must also have good organization or flow of thought. Finally, All of the three kinds

of writing should end with a strong conclusion.

Our district has a grading rubric to assist our kids in knowing when then have nailed it! I would be

glad to get you copies of these if you are interested.

We had a great turn out for literacy night. Thanks to all of you who attended.

Anna Wylie

Reading Coach

“GIVE KIDS A SMILE”

Do you know of a child or family that can use a “hand up”? Do you know of a child who

needs some assistance because of issues with their teeth but their families cannot afford

it?

Volusia County Schools has partnered with the Volusia County Dental Society for their

annual, “GIVE KIDS A SMILE” event. This ONE DAY event will be held on February 5th. Families will

need to make an appointment (appointments are first come, first serve- If one office is full, I suggest they

try other offices). Please help spread the word to a family in need AND if you happen to see one of these

dentists, please say THANK YOU! They are truly doing great things for our students.

The Volusia County Dental Society is conducting the annual Give Kids a Smile event on Febru-

ary 5, 2016. This is a one-day event where dentists and their staff

volunteer their time to provide free dental care to low-income and disadvantaged children.

From the Agri-Science South Forty…

Winter has arrived, Fellow Bobcats, and with it, Hungry Birds! Your 3-4-5 grade students recently

completed a module on basic bird habitat and requirements by drawing their observations of where they

put their pinecone feeder up, and who visited. It sounds like a lot of squirrels and raccoons had a good

holiday feast! Many students also observed the annual pairing up of eagles in our area over the holidays,

a treat to see such a rare thing in nature. We are hoping to learn more about local birds in February

during the Backyard Bird Walk. Thank you to all of you who sent in wax paper, peanut

butter, pine cones, and other supplies.

The Agri-Science students started a new module in January called “Water Life”, dealing

with things that grow in and around the water in our area. They are also learning about

an important part of the local economy – aquaculture - and how it affects everything from

locavore food to saving shorelines and providing water breaks through oyster renovation in the Mosquito

Lagoon. And don’t forget, aquaculture helps keep our boat builders and fishing guides in business in

Edgewater!

February will see us start to talk about sustainable agriculture and conservation, how we responsibly use

the resources we have, and how that use affects everything around us. You might have your students

asking some questions ranging from “where did dinner come from?” to “how do we get rid of the muck in

the lagoon?”

Ms. Galbreath and I will be taking FrogWatch training in early February to share with the students.

This will allow them to learn to identify frogs by their call and help log that valuable information in the

FrogWatch International database. Frogs are in trouble worldwide, much like pollinators, and are very

sensitive to things like bacteria and parasite infections, water pollution, and loss of habitat. Frogs and

toads provide valuable pest control throughout Florida, both on farms and in your yard.

March and April will see an emphasis on gardening and nutrition coming to

Agri-Science. Students will learn how to propagate cuttings, how compost and mulch

work, and what exotic and invasive species are and whether they are good or not. We

will focus a lot of attention on pollinators and how important it is for us to pay

attention to providing quality habitat and food sources for them. We will also learn

more about healthy eating, local products, and how to read everything from a recipe to

a seed packet.

We are continuing to gather coffee containers for hydroponics, and hope to start work on a recycle tower

when the weather warms.

A new Bobcat Time group has started, and I am enjoying a half-term each of Gr 1-2 and then

Kindergarteners. We will be learning what agriculture is, what farm animals are raised, and crops that

are in our area. We might even plant some seeds or plants if the weather cooperates! Please enlighten

yourselves regarding real bobcats through the article that follows, researched and written by the Bobcat

Gr 4-5 AgOffice Team.

Enjoy the wonder of the outside world with your students, and take time to watch some of the fantastic

birds migrating through our area on the way to Merritt Island National Refuge and points beyond. Keep

those feeders ready for our feathered friends. And don’t forget, Florida strawberries are in season! Enjoy!

Ms. GreenJeans

We are excited to announce that Edgewater Public School has been selected as one of the first in the

state of Florida and nine in Volusia County to pilot a new App called the Parent Information Exchange.

This free smartphone app is designed especially for parents to make it easier to stay connected with your

child’s school. Here are some of the things you can expect when using this app:

A link to the school activity calendar

Text announcements from your child’s school

Social Media sharing with friends and families

App Comment button to submit comments and suggestions for improvement

We are always looking for ways to better serve our students, families and community. When you

participate, you will gain access to information that will assist you to stay up-to-date about events and

communications with your child’s school.

Simply search your App store for Volusia County Schools or go to Google Play or ITunes and

download this FREE app.

If you have any questions, please contact the school at 386-424-2573. You can also contact IQ Onsite

directly at support@iqonsite.com.

Edgewater

Public School

gets $1000 if

500 sign up.

FSA Writes 2016

Teachers and students in Fourth and Fifth grade have been working hard throughout the year on

curriculum writing. Students will show their expertise on the FSA Writes which will be

administered on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016. Below are some tips to remind your child leading up

to the assessment:

1. Read each passage carefully and respond completely to the writing prompt.

2. Your writing should show that you can organize and express your thoughts clearly.

3. Manage your time carefully so that you have time to read the passages, plan your response,

write your response, and proofread, revise, and edit your response.

Most importantly, make sure students get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, relax and do their

best.

Melanie Amato

Melissa Cleveland

Let’s Meet Bobby the Bobcat For Real!

Researched, written, and edited by AgOffice Bobcat Enrichment Students

Sometimes called wildcats, bobcats live throughout all of North America, but they are very rare to find. In

many places bobcats have gone down significantly in numbers because they are hunted for fur. The hunting

reduction is harsh, because humans like to keep warm and look fashionable.

The scientific name for the bobcat is Lynx rufus, a name that roughly translates “sharp sighted red catcher of

game.” The “red tiger cats” of many of Lewis and Clark’s journals are vivid descriptions of our modern day

bobcat. Lynx and bobcats share a DNA together, and have 12 subspecies ranging from the Artic to central

Mexico. While bobcats are native to North America, most lynx are now found only in the sub-Artic regions.

Bobcats are usually shy and live in the forest. They are muscular and strong, and can be easily

distinguished from feral or house cats by the size of their tracks. Usually 4 – 8 inches apart, they place their

rear paws in the front paw tracks to avoid being found. Bobcats love the cold and are usually more active in

the fall and winter. Being nocturnal, each night the bobcat travels an average of seven miles in their habitat,

usually starting about three hours before sunset. They go out of their way to avoid humans and dogs.

Female bobcats start having litters by their second summer, usually giving birth to 2-4 kittens. She

raises them alone. They usually give birth in an enclosed space like a small cave or hollow log. The

kittens open their eyes by the ninth or tenth day. Within 3 - 5 months they start to travel with their mother.

People are negatively affecting where bobcats can make homes due to building and cutting down native habi-

tat.

They live up to 7 years and rarely to 10 years. Kittens are taken by many predators, including owls, eagles,

foxes, and even male bobcats. Adult bobcats get killed by cougars, gray wolves, and coyotes have been known

to kill both adults and kittens. They also get hit by cars.

Bobcats are able to survive for long periods of time without food if necessary. Bobcats will usually hunt by

staking out prey, then ambushing it. Bobcats hunt all different kinds of animals. They will eat birds, insects,

and even scavenge for food when necessary. Their favorites are rabbits, squirrels, and small mammals.

During lean periods bobcats will prey on larger animals, store it, then come back to it later to feed.

The species range [the amount of territory they look for food within] of a bobcat isn’t limited by human

population. Males have bigger sizes of ranges but females have to think about their cubs also. In

average bobcat territories are about 16 miles squared in summer and up to 40 miles squared. Female

bobcats, especially those which are reproductively active expand their home range in winter.

Urbanization can result in the fragmentation of contiguous natural landscapes into patchy habitat. Other

animals that live in these areas often have reduced movement between the habitat patches. The bobcat

population may not be declining as much as predicted but lacking connectivity of different

populations, they cannot reach other groups of cats and genetically diversify. This alone causes

decreased populations with weaker individuals. [ed. Note: This is why Florida is so active in trying to create

“greenways” to connect animal habitats throughout Florida, to help save a number of species.] There are

many legends about bobcats, but they mostly aren’t true, such as preying on cattle and horses. They are very

native to the U.S. and were considered sacred by native and indigenous peoples.

Like many Florida and North American animals, most modern stories are about their ultimate

survival. Ten states protect bobcats totally. Florida does not, but bobcats are being watched to see if they need

to be listed on the state “Species of Concern” list. It is illegal to kill a bobcat unless it is a nuisance animal

(endangering people or livestock) and must be removed by a state licensed trapper. There is an active bobcat

adoption program run by a non-profit in Texas.

Safety and Security Reminders

From the desk of Ms. Brown We are now over half way through the school year which is a perfect time to review our Safety & Security

procedures.

Please use the parent pick up side at our school for pick up and drop off of students

Before entering the campus, you must check in with the office.

Parent Zone: Parents are to wait outside of the fence in the parent zone for their children to be

dismissed.

Student Cell Phone Reminder All students should keep any electronic device, including cell phones, off and out of view unless

directed by the teacher for BYOT use.

Let’s Work Together to Keep Everyone Safe! As a countywide initiative, we as a school family and parents should be working together to keep all of our

students safe. Please review two very important areas and the procedures that should be followed. Thank you

for working together to keep all of our students SAFE! Parent Pick-up Loop

Please remember to observe all traffic rules for safety at the Parent Pick-up Loop. Parents who drive their

children to and from school use the west gate. Parent Loop procedures to remember:

Students may only be dropped off on the inside lane along the sidewalk. Parents are expected to pull all the way to the front of the Parent Loop before dropping children off. A painted line has been provided designating this area. Signs have been installed to direct parents to pull forward. Children are not allowed to enter or exit the vehicle outside of the designated area There is NO cell phone use while driving through the pickup loop Signal when you are moving away from the curb

Bicycle Safety It is time to review the very important bicycle safety rules!

All students MUST wear their helmets! This is not only a school rule, but it is the law. Motorized/electronic bicycles and/or scooters are not permitted on campus or sidewalks. Walk your bicycles/scooters off of campus until you reach the sidewalk. Cross streets only where there is a crossing guard. Come directly to school or go directly home. Please do not stop and wait for friends on the sidewalk because this could create a dangerous situation.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY DONATION OF CLEAN STUFFED ANIMALS TO SELL AT THE PTA CARNIVAL. YOU MAY BRING YOUR ANIMALS IN A BAG OR BOX TO THE FRONT OFFICE LABELED PK AND WE WILL STORE THEM UNTIL CARNIVAL TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN OUR "ADOPT A PET" BOOTH.

VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN

For children that are 4 years old by September 1, 2015.

For information please call our registrar, Kay Holland for details.

386-424-2573 ext. 35225

***The Bobcat Bulletin is available electronically. ***

If you wish to have the newsletter emailed to you, please e-mail epsbobcats@gmail.com, or

complete the form below and return it to school with your child.

Your Name: ________________________________________________________________

Your e-mail address: ________________________________________________________________

Student’s Name: ________________________________________________________________

Your Student’s Teacher: ________________________________________________________________