Bower BuzzProvided by Bower PTA

January 2015

Bower Elementary ›› 4S241 River Road ›› Warrenville, IL 60555 ›› (630) 393-9413 Office

Mark Your CalendarJanuary 8th PTA Meeting -6:30 pm

January 15th Movie Night 6 pm

January 16th No School

January 19th No School

January 21st Market Day pick up

January 25-30th No Screens Week

January 26th District Reflections Ceremony at Hubble 6:30

January 30th Face to Face Assembly

From The PTA President ›››

Happy New Year! We will kick off the year with our first meeting of

2015 at 6:30 on Thursday January 8th. Immediately following we

would like to discuss fundraising options for the next school year.

Would love some new ideas! Hope to see many of you there! If you

haven’t already, join our facebook page, Bower Elementary School

PTA. Its another way we can stay connected. Thank you Renee

Marotto for keeping it updated!

Movie night this year is going to be a lot of fun! Melissa

Simmons has worked hard to secure some surprises that

promise to bring lots of smiles! If you would like to help her

out that night let us know at bowerpta@gmail.com.

Our “Bower Dines Out” program has been a huge help and

looking forward to seeing which restaurant is next! If you have

any suggestions let us know!

Similar to the restaurant support, we have been offered a great

opportunity from Eagle Academy of Martial Arts. Currently they

are offering a 100% donation of their 6 week trial class to Bower

PTA! So, you pay $69 for 6 weeks of classes that meet twice a

week and a uniform and ALL of that comes to Bower PTA. We are

very thankful and looking forward to what we can give Bower

with this contribution. Personally, all 4 of my kids are taking part

in this offer. We went there Friday night for an orientation and I

was quite impressed with their program and kindness!

Monday January 26th at 6:30 at Hubble there is a award

ceremony to honor those Reflections participants that moved

up to the DuPage West Region level. We have 2 from Bower!

Daithan Narayanan for his photograph “Garbage Robot” and

Eiley Clark for her visual art piece “Flower Garden”. If you

have the chance to attend its a great opportunity to see all the

schools contributions to this program.

Julie Clark, Bower PTA President

Bower Dines Out ›››

Thank you to Kevin at Rosati’s for welcoming Bower families,

giving them a night off form making lunch or dinner and

sharing in the profits for a day! Stay tuned for a January Bower

Dines Out night soon!

Movie Night ›››

You’re invited to Bower Movie night Thursday, January 15th

at 6 pm. The movie is Frozen, the sing-a-long version!

This isn’t an event you will want to miss. A special thank you to

North Star Credit Union and Renee Marotto of TJ’s land care,

inc. for finding and inviting Queen Elsa to join us. Shh, this

is to be a grand finale surprise for the kids!! She will

be singing with us too! Don’t forget to bring your camera and

your own water bottle. Dress as your favorite Frozen character!

There will also be 2 raffles; the movie & a singing Olaf!!

Community Unit School District 200 MEMORANDUM ›››

You are hereby notified that Community Unit School District

200 has conducted the required inspections of asbestos con-

taining building materials in District 200 schools as required

by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).

Certified District 200 employees have conducted the inspec-

tions and developed the management plans.

Appropriate response plans have been developed and imple-

mented which include semi-annual surveillance and a three-

year re-inspection.

The results of the inspections indicate that safe conditions

exist in all buildings. The implementation of Operations and

Maintenance plans will continually maintain and monitor the

district to insure these safe conditions are sustained.

Copies of the management plan are available in each building

and in the office of the Buildings and Grounds Department in

the Woodland School Facility in Warrenville.

Market Day ›››

Hello Bower families. We have been raising a lot of funds for

Bower School this fall so far. Every month we have had more

orders then last year!

It’s time to place your January order for Market Day. Paper

order forms are due to Bower by Friday, January 16th OR place

your order on-line by Saturday, January 17th. You can even

pay when you order on-line so your pick-up is quick and easy!

Thanks as always for supporting Bower through Market Day!!

Joy Tosto

Market Day Chair

NED Show Assembly ›››

The NED Show came to Bower on December 12th.

NED stands for Never give up, Encourage others, and

Do your best. This was a free show given to Bower with the

“pay it forward” agreement. We paid it forward by selling the

NED show products (yo-yo’s, strings & holsters) for 5 days.

Feedback was teachers & students enjoyed the show.

Box Tops For Education ›››

Keep saving and sending in those box tops!

They’re adding up! You can find a list of items that carry Box

Tops on their labels here: http://www.boxtops4education.com/

products/participating-products When your child brings in Box

Tops there is a box in the lobby that they can place them in.

Thank you for your continued support of this great program! Any

questions contact Ashley Laxton at ashleylaxton@hotmail.com

Vision & Hearing Screenings ›››

Thank you to Kathlyn Kosten for organizing this with Nurse Pat!

Third Grade Gingerbread house building

Many Thanks to the

Warren Tavern

Preservationist Committee

for allowing us to meet

there without a charge.

~Connie Schmidt

And MANY MANY thanks to

Connie Schmidt for giving her

time & talents to teach our

5th graders to knit!

Kn itt ing Club

Gingerbreadman Project ›››

I am the only teacher at Bower and the district (I believe) that

participated. I got involved through a very small Facebook

group called “Kindergarten Klub” which is capped at only 500

members who are kindergarten teachers all around the world.

Last year, one member from TN started this gingerbread ex-

change with 20 other classes to exchange with just her class.

This year it has turned into 116 classes participating from all

around the globe! 32 states plus schools from Guam, Australia,

Virgin Islands, Canada, Indonesia, and British Columbia are

participating. My classes received one from St. Thomas, Virgin

Islands and Australia. I am on two lists since I have 2 classes.

On Monday, Dec. 1st, my AM and PM classes created paper

gingerbread men using construction paper, glitter, stickers, and

wiggle eyes. (One of the pictures I am including.) Once our

creations were complete with the addition of an Illinois flag, I

mailed them out to the 44 other classes on my 2 lists. Before

Thanksgiving break, I asked parents to donate $1 or $2 to help

me cover the cost of postage. With their generous donations, I

was able to purchase mailing envelopes and decorations for the

kids to use to decorate our gingerbread men, in addition to the

$45 in postage to mail everything to the other schools.

Every morning or afternoon during our Daily Focus calendar

time, I read the new letters we have received and show the kids

the gingerbread man that came with each letter. We talk about

how the other schools are similar or different from Bower

including if their school has a bigger number of students than

us, what grades attend their school (some are K-8), their school

colors/mascot, how their weather is different or the same as

ours, etc. all based on information provided in the letter. Then

we go out to the hall to look at our US map. Before the mail

started arriving, we talked about where Illinois was located on

the map and the kids wanted to know why the states were dif-

ferent colors. :) Now as we get mail, I remind them of where

Illinois is on the map as I put a new gingerbread man on the

map. We talk about why it took longer for us to get mail from CA

and FL. While some thought it was because those schools hadn’t

made theirs yet, some kids figured out that it was because CA is

so far away (definitely a critical thinking skill with that question!)

We talk about the different directions and I let the kids make

connections to states they have visited! In fact today, we received

a gingerbread man from Scranton, PA which is the hometown of

Mrs. Foster’s mom and dad!

This activity has been so educational on many real life levels:

1. To have fun receiving mail from around the globe and to learn

about other schools with kindergarten classes just like ours.

2. To compare and contrast information about Bower and other

schools. These comparing/contrasting skills include using the

math skills of more or less than when we talk about school or

class sizes. We also compare and contrast weather if that info is

included in the class’ letter. My questioning just depends on the

info written in the letter.

3. To expose the students to geography skills such as distance,

directions, states, and oceans.

Michele Foster, Kindergarten Teacher

who’s who at Bower...

Name: Mr Kohlmann

Favorite Color: Bower blue

Favorite Sports team: Bears

Favorite food: Pizza

Pets: A yellow lab named Zoey

Favorite Subject: Physical Education (was a PE teacher at Bower before Mr B.)

In my free time I like to: Spend time with family.

Favorite book: Old Black Witch was a favorite book growing up.

Bower’s Principal

Name: Mrs. O’Connor - Norse Pat

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Sports team: Hawks!

Favorite food: dark chocolate

Pets: none currently

Favorite Subject: Science

In my free time I like to: Spend time with my family.

Favorite book: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear Book - it makes me smile every time I read it to some-one!

Bower’s Nurse

p Christmas Sharing ›››

Christmas Sharing was a wonderfully successful event this year!

We raised 1,466 dollars from our coin drive and monetary

donations!!! This is the biggest amount Bower has raised since

starting the coin drive.

The Family Game night was a great way to have fun with the

kids and raised 425 dollars for Christmas Sharing.

The donations were plentiful with lots of new clothes and toys!

Thank you to everyone who donated.

It is such a joy to see our students learn the practice of gener-

osity by bringing in coins, toys, clothes and other gifts.

The holidays are not as much about opening presents as open-

ing our hearts. Thank you again everyone who contributed.

Happy Holidays! Kate Schleyer, Social Worker

Family Game Night on Friday December 3rd...Thank You to Mr. B!!

111 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187

(630) 682-7400 www.dupagehealth.org

Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday In an emergency go to www.protectdupage.org and tune into WDCB 90.9 fm radio.

INFLUENZA FACT SHEET FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS

With the arrival of cold and flu season and with an increase in influenza-like illness reports, the DuPage County Health Department is recommending increased awareness and actions to help control and prevent the spread of influenza (flu), toward keeping our students and community safe and healthy. To prevent widespread flu in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu-like illness symptoms (such as fever, cough, and sore throat). Since influenza is primarily spread by direct contact with nose and throat secretions, there are measures we can all take to reduce our chances of becoming sick with influenza and other similar infections:

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100

degrees Fahrenheit or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. For medical questions or concerns, contact your physician.

Your child should stay home if he/she is sick until at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications). This will help reduce the number of people who may get infected.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve, not your hand.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Do not share eating utensils or drinking containers. Persons should not share straws, cups, glasses, water bottles used during sports or recreation, etc.

Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Get your child and family vaccinated against seasonal flu. Vaccination is recommended yearly for everyone 6 months and older.

If you or your physician have any further questions, please contact the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 221-7553. More information on seasonal influenza is available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm and www.dupagehealth.org/data. Thank you for your time and cooperation. 11/14/2014

111 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187

(630) 682-7400 www.dupagehealth.org

Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday In an emergency go to www.protectdupage.org and tune into WDCB 90.9 fm radio.

HOJA INFORMATIVA DE INFLUENZA

PARA ESCUELAS Y CENTROS DE CUIDADO DE NIŃOS Con la llegada de la temporada de resfriados y gripe, y con el aumento de la influenza como enfermedad informes, el Departamento de Salud del Condado de DuPage está recomendando una mayor conciencia y acciones para ayudar a controlar y prevenir la propagación de la influenza (gripe), para mantener a nuestros estudiantes y comunidad segura y saludable. Para prevenir la gripe generalizada en la escuela, se recomienda que su hijo se quede en casa de la escuela si experimenta síntomas de la enfermedad de gripe (como fiebre, tos y dolor de garganta). Desde que la gripe se transmite por contacto directo con secreciones de la nariz y de la garganta, hay medidas que todos podemos tomar para reducir las posibilidades de enfermarse con la gripe y otras infecciones similares:

Conozca los signos y síntomas de la gripe. Los síntomas de la gripe incluyen fiebre (100 grados Fahrenheit o más), tos, dolor de garganta, secreción o congestión nasal, dolor de cuerpo, dolor de cabeza y sensación de mucho cansancio. Para preguntas o inquietudes médicas, llame a su médico

Su niño debe quedarse en casa si él/ella esta enfermo durante al menos 24 horas después de que haya desaparecido la fiebre o signos de fiebre (sin el uso de medicamentos para reducir la fiebre). Esto ayudara a reducir el número de personas que pueden ser infectadas.

Cubra su nariz y boca con un pañuelo desechable cuando tosa o estornude. Tire el pañuelo a la basura después de usarlo y lávese las manos. Si no tiene un pañuelo disponible, cúbrase la boca y la nariz con la manga, no la mano

Lave sus manos frecuentemente con jabón y agua, especialmente después de toser o estornudar. Si el jabón y el agua no están disponibles, use un desinfectante para manos a base de alcohol.

Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz o la boca. Los gérmenes se propagan de esta manera.

No comparta utensilios para comer o contenedores de beber. Las personas no deben compartir carrizos, tazas, botellas de agua usadas durante le practica deportiva o de recreo, etc.

Trate de evitar el contacto cercano con personas que estén enfermas.

Consiga que su hijo y familia esta vacunada contra la gripe estacional. La vacunación es recomendada anualmente para casa uno de los 6 meses y mas.

Si usted o su médico tiene más preguntas, por favor póngase en contacto con el Departamento de Salud del Condado de DuPage al (630) 221-7553. Más información sobre la influenza estacional está disponible en: www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm y www.dupagehealth.org/data. Gracias por su tiempo y colaboración. 11/14/2014

BOWER ELEMENTARY PTA TEAMS UP WITH

EAGLE ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL

Class Schedule Monday thru Friday

6:00—6:45PM Saturday 9:30—

10:15AM

MAKES A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT!

Call Eagle to arrange for a Gift Certificate and Uniform to put

under the tree!

6 Weeks of Martial Arts Training for $69 *1st time students only*

Find us on

facebook.com/EagleAcademyOfMartialArts

29 W 585 Batavia Road Warrenville, Illinois 60555

Phone: 630-393-0033

100% of the $69 fee goes directly to Bower Elementary PTA!

All forms of payment are accepted .

Includes free uniform donated by Eagle Academy of Martial Arts

You can choose the 6 weeks of classes that works for you. 2 classes per week for a total of 12 classes

All make-up classes must be within the 6 week program.

Convenient Classes held at the Eagle Academy of Martial Arts

Please feel free to call or stop by! Register by

January 15, 2015.