CHARLES

Dear Charles Families,

Merry Christmas and Happy

Holidays to all the families of

Charles Elementary School!

This is a time to count our

blessings and be thankful for all

the people who touch our lives

every day! I am thankful for a

child-centered staff that provides a collaborative

and welcoming environment for your children

every day. Thanks to all our parents and

caregivers who volunteer and support our efforts

to provide the best education possible. This is a

time that we must come together, encourage one

another and build each other up. Take care and

have a wonderful winter break. Come back to us

January 6th safe and ready to learn!

“Make it a great day … the choice is yours!”

Mrs. Kelly Andrews Principal

Richmond Community Schools www.weRrichmond.com

December 20, 2013

CHRONICLES Volume 2, Issue 6

From the Principal’s Desk

January — KNOWLEDGE Animal—Owl Color—Brown

KNOWLEDGE—discovering something new so you can be better at what you do.

You may want to invest in a magnifying glass,

graphing calculator, chemistry set and a volume

of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare

because this month, your child is learning about

learning! That’s right, we are dedicating the whole

month of January to showing your child just how

important it is to gain knowledge. www.morethanwordswc.org

Parent Information Center

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS The holiday season is upon us and excitement is in the air. Everyone is looking forward to special events,

getting together with family, holiday baking, gifts, and

possibly some time off from work. It’s a great time of the year…or is it? This is also the time of the year when stress levels become higher. Parents start to worry about all the things that need to be done and finding the time to do them. Children also get stressed out during this time of year, although their stress level is usually a result of excitement and routine change. To

better deal with the stress level at your home during this time of year, please consider the following ideas:

Try to maintain your child’s regular schedule. Routine is

very important for children and it lets them be prepared for what to expect next. Mealtime and bed time should all remain consistent. Don’t overbook the family with lots of extra activities.

When changes in routine do need to occur, let your child

know about them in advance. This may involve reminding him/her a few days in advance, as well as a few times on the day of the event. Explanations can include where you are going, who will be there, and how long you plan to be gone.

Calendars are useful to count down the days before an

event.

If you are traveling, schedule frequent breaks or rest

stops so that your child may get out of the car and move around. Pack plenty of games, toys, and snacks to keep him/her occupied.

Try to shop during off-peak hours when the stores are

less crowded. Make sure everyone who is going is well fed and well rested. Have patience, because your child may not. Most importantly…don’t try to do all your shopping on one day.

Prepare your child for the gift giving/receiving experience.

Rehearse with him how to thank people for the gifts that they have received. Also let him know what to say if he receives a gift that he doesn’t like or already has.

Let your child help prepare the house if company is

coming. This will give her a focus and will also burn off some excess energy. Children love to help when given a chance.

Don’t expect perfection. As adults, we want everything to

be just right during this time of the year…and it frequently isn’t. You will see things that no one else will even notice. That’s okay…don’t sweat the small stuff.

It is the policy of Richmond Community Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability

in its educational programs or employment policies.

“Surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and succeed in life.” Charles Site Coordinator—Melody Weikart 973-3441

mweikart@rcs.k12.in.us

Winter Coats

Salvation Army received coats from the Coats for

Kids drive. If your student is in need, you may

stop by the Salvation Army (707 South A Street,

Richmond) to see what is available.

Parents as Leaders Academy

The PAL Academy was established to increase the

number of parents involved in the educational

lives of their children and to give parents more

confidence to become active members of their

school community. It is available to all adults with

children in Wayne County schools. The next

session is Saturday, January 25th. Contact Mrs.

Weikart if you would like to learn more.

Why Should Parents Volunteer at School?

*Major Benefits

Research shows that when parents are involved,

the children are more likely to:

Earn better grades.

Score higher on tests.

Pass their classes.

Attend school regularly.

Have better social skills.

Show improved behavior.

Be more positive in their attitude toward

school.

Complete homework assignments.

Graduate and continue their education.

*Parents Benefit, Too

When parents become involved in their children's

education, the parents are more likely to:

Be more confident at school.

Be more confident in themselves as parents

and their ability to help their children learn.

Be held in higher esteem by teachers and

have teachers expect more from their

children.

Enroll in continuing education to advance their

own schooling. *From PTOtoday.com

If you are interested in volunteering at

Charles, contact Mrs. Weikart and she will

help you get connected!

Each month teachers select a student who

portrays our Charles Expectations. They are role

models for their classmates and help create a

positive atmosphere at school. The following

students were honored on December 19:

Chloe D. Ethan N. Ashley C.

Wyatt A. Andrew F. Jzhira S.

Sae N. Zion D. Tasia H.

Sophia A. Sophia K. Lauren G.

Bryton W. Jackson A. Haley S.

Olivia H. Kara M. MaKenze Y.

Jaden J. Ava M. Tyler L.

Ethan F. Joshua B.

Noa C. Grace T.

We R Respectful!

We R Responsible!

We R Ready to Learn!

Students of the Month

On December 18th, a school-wide Spelling Bee

was held in the cafeteria. Our third and fourth

grade classes held competitions in their

classrooms to determine the participants.

Congratulations to the following students who

represented their classroom: Edyn C. Lydia C. Christian D. Ashton G. Jayden D. Avant G. Braelyn G. Madalynn H. Kaylynn J. Dorian H. Kathryn M. Duncan L.

Paighton M. Meerab R. Lex P. Kaylan S. Te’a T. Haley S.

Ashton G., Madalynn H., and Dorian H. will

represent Charles in the RCS Elementary Spelling

Bee held in our school cafetorium on January 30,

2014 at 6:00 PM.

2013 Spelling Bee

Reminder: If your after school plans change, please try to call the school before 2:00 pm.

Calling after that time creates difficulty in getting messages to students in a timely fashion. As times continue to be tough for all, please remember that Communities in Schools has a

selection of resources available to all families including lists of organizations that offer free meals. Please contact Melody Weikart at 765-973-3441 for assistance.

Be sure your students are following the outlined RCS dress code. It can be found on the

RCS website or you can obtain a copy from the Parent Resource Site in the office at Charles. IMMUNIZATIONS: Please make sure your child’s shots are up to date. If you have any

questions, please call our school nurse, Mrs. Darcelle Bullock. PTO collects Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s Labels for Education and used ink

cartridges. Please send them to school as you can.

Please keep our office up to date with your student information. We should always be able to contact you throughout the school day in case of emergency. Thanks for your help!

See the attached calendars for the school menus. Remember they are always subject to change. School lunch prices are $2.00.

Newsletter Contest: Each student whose parents read this newsletter, may sign, clip, and

return the bottom portion of this page to be placed in a drawing for a free item from our school bookstore. Our goal is to encourage regular communication from the school to

home. Thank you for participating.

Mission Statement

Charles Elementary will educate students to be literate, responsible,

and proficient in state and national standards.

Vision Statement

By 2020, Charles Elementary will be a high performing elementary school.

Upcoming Events Dec. 21—Jan. 5 NO SCHOOL—Winter Break January 6 Return to School January 20 SCHOOL IN SESSION—Snow Make-up Day January 22 Grades 2-4 Music Program @Civic Hall January 28 West End Banking Day January 28 Domino’s Pizza Day for Lunch January 28 PTO School Skate January 29 Science Bowl January 30 RCS Spelling Bee @Charles February 12 Science Fair February 15 Circle the State February 17 NO SCHOOL—President’s Day unless make up needed February 21 NO SCHOOL—Teacher Work Day February 25 PTO School Skate February 27 Math Bowl @Civic Hall - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

January 2014 Newsletter Contest—fill out and return to school to be entered in monthly drawing

Student_________________________________________ Teacher______________________________ Grade_______

Parent Signature____________________________________________________________________________________

January 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Dec.

29

30 31 1

New Year’s Day

2

3

4

5 6 Welcome Back to

School!

7 7:15 Circle the State

1:40 Early Release

8

7:15 Choir rehearsal

6:30 School Board

9

2:45 Academic Team

10

11

12 13

2:40 K-Kids

3:45 Devilette

Dance practice

14

7:15 Circle the State

1:40 Early Release

15

7:15 Choir rehearsal

Full Moon

16

Author’s Breakfast

2:45 Academic Team

17

1:40 Core Values/RtS

Assembly

18

19 20 SCHOOL IN

SESSION (snow

make-up day)

M.L. King Jr.

Day

21

7:15 Circle the State

1:40 Early Release

22

7:15 Choir rehearsal

2:45 Green Club

6:00 Music Program,

gr. 2-4 @Civic Hall

23 Student of the Month

2:45 Academic Team

24 25

9:00 PAL

Academy

@IUE

26 27 28 7:15 Circle the State

7:15 West End Bank

Lunch Domino’s Pizza

1:40 Early Release

5:30 PTO School Skate

29

7:15 Choir rehearsal

2:45 Science Bowl online

competition

30

2:45 Academic Team

6:00 District Spelling

Bee @Charles

31 Feb. 1

W i n t e r B r e a k — N O S C H O O L