Weekly Newsletter – December 11, 2011

A Message from the President

With this final edition of the year, I’ve only a few things.  First, a big thanks to all who helped with the DSES Annual Cookie Exchange.  There was plenty for the staff at our school and it was much appreciated.  If you sent treats, helped spread the word, or assisted last Wednesday, I’d like to express thanks from the Staff Appreciation Coordinators.

Secondly, a big thanks to our Reflections Program Coordinator, Rebecca Wolter, and all those who helped her.  Here’s a link to the list of the results.

Finally, my most sincere wish for you and yours for the best this holiday season.  I hope it’s a safe and peaceful break for all of you!

Martin
president@dsepta.org

“Diversity Means…” Reflections Program Results

Congratulations to winners of the Reflections 2011 program. Entries in this year’s “Diversity Means…” theme receiving the Award of Excellence or Award of Merit will progress to the DS Council for judging. These winners receive a ribbon/certificate, and will be recognized this week during the morning announcements. All participants will receive a certificate of participation at the next STAMP Assembly Jan. 6, 2012. Rebecca Wolter, coordinator of this year’s Reflections Program, is working to get photographs of the artwork and students to display on a bulletin board.

For the complete list of Award of Excellence and Award of Merit winners, click here.

Counselor’s Corner: December 2011

Traci Henze, School Counselor, offers the monthly Counselor’s Corner at http://www.dsisd.txed.net/index.aspx?nid=799. Here is an overview of this month’s information.

The Tiger Trait/Tiger Tool is Compassion and Self-Control: Compassion means to “give kindness to someone in need”. Self-Control means to “stop, calm down, think about your choices, and react wisely”. Care Class discussions centered on discussion of ways we can show kindness to those in need not only during the holidays but year round. Learn more about this trait at the different grade levels…

Bullying: A lot of information is available on the district website and on mine. The biggest focus of my lessons (which will be ongoing in the spring) will be on strategies to deal with mean behavior and the importance of refusing to be a bystander-“standing up, not standing by.” There is tremendous power in stopping bullying-types of behaviors when peers stand together and refuse to encourage mean behavior.  We will also discuss the difference in reporting vs tattling.

Upcoming Recognition Assemblies: Monthly PRIDE Assembly- during the instructional day on Dec. 16. Nine Week STAMP Assembly-staggered times by grade level on Jan. 6 (see webpage for times).

Note:  Perfect Attendance is defined by no absences and no more than 3 tardies for the nine week period. Student who are present but have more than 3 tardies will not be recognized.

School-Wide Service Project-Compassion in Action Kicks off this week! Fifth Grade Community Leaders selected Water to Thrive as our world-wide service project. The goal is to sponsor a clean water well in  Rural Africa. If we raise $5000, a well will be built and have our name on it! This project will likely take several months to see to fruition, but we want to get the word out now in case anyone wishes to write a check for 2011 tax-purposes. Checks can be made to Water to Thrive and sent to the DSE front office or given to the teacher to turn in. A bucket will be set up in the front office and a “giving graph” placed in the foyer to track our progress. Mrs. Henze will hand deliver any checks that come in this week directly to the Austin headquarters next week. More information will be coming in January. To learn more about W2T go to http://watertothrive.org

Order Your Child’s Yearbook!

DSE PTA offers the yearbook to you and your family, in softcover or hardcover. Order forms were sent home last week and cost is $20 and $25. If you would like to add a personalized dedication to your child(ren), you may do so for an additional $10 each (3×5 card decorated with your message). For more information or to get another copy of the order form, contact Gina Bisett (geckodiva@yahoo.com). 

Cookie Exchange Success

The DSE PTA Workroom resembled the North Pole Bake Shop as goodies poured in Monday, Tuesday and all morning Wednesday in preparation for the DSE faculty and staff to fill up their holiday treat tins. More than 1,000 cookies and treats were assembled in a banquet design, along with coffee and holiday music, for staff to come in during their breaks to pick from the many choices. A number of parents donated door prizes, also, which were raffled off to lucky winners.

Thank you to all who provided beautiful homemade goodies to celebrate our DSE staff and show our heartfelt appreciation to them. We are posting the recipes provided, and will continue to add to this page for future reference. Check out these delicious treats! http://dsepta.org/?page_id=775 If you wish to add your recipe, email it to webmaster@dsepta.org.

Teachers and staff commented that Cookie Exchange Day is their favorite day of the year! Thanks to Kelli Baumann, Leigh Berkholz and Martin Garza, our Staff Appreciation Co-coordinators, for making it possible.

Principal Points

As the weather gets cooler, we have noticed that morning drop off has been taking a little longer and student tardies have increased. Learning at DSE begins promptly at 7:45, and we like to take advantage of every minute that we have. These are some tips and reminders that may help everyone to get to class on time:

TIPS…..

• Arrive Early-Traffic does not start to back up until about 7:30, if you arrive before then you can go through much quicker. Even 5 minutes earlier will make a huge difference in your time in line.

• Drop Students off as soon as you stop in the “Cone Zone.”

- Parents who wait to drop their students off at the door, delay the entire line. If everyone drops off the first time they stop, we can unload 10 cars at one time!

• Ride the Bus-The buses always arrive on time.

REMINDERS….

• If you approach the school from the south, enter in the first turn lane, do not go up to the light.

• For the safety of all students PLEASE do not drop off in the parking lot. If you enter the parking lot, you must park and walk students across the crosswalk.

• The north loop is for busses only. Absolutely no drop off or parent parking is allowed in the north loop.

Holiday Parties

Our parking lot will be very crowded on that day. Please be especially aware of pedestrians and restricted parking areas. Please do not park on grassy areas or in the north bus loop.

Holiday Wishes

All of us here at Dripping Springs Elementary wish you and your families a restful, relaxing, and enjoyable break in the weeks to come. We hope you all spend your time having fun with families and friends. We look forward to seeing you all back at school on January 3, 2012! For the complete Principal newsletter for December 2011, click here.

Reminders

Save those Labels and Boxtops! It’s that time of year and as you shop and prepare holiday meals, save those labels and boxtops! Also, more than 100 retailers give eBoxTops to your school when you shop online at the Marketplace. Follow the link below and you become an Online Power Earner and can earn Bonus Box Tops from your favorite stores: http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/marketplace/

Deck the DSE Halls while Saving the Earth!  Help decorate our Recycled Ornament Tree! Please create ornaments using only recyclable materials. Feel free to represent the winter holiday you celebrate, Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, etc… Bring your ornament to school this week and hang it on the tree located in the drop off zone outside the library.

Important Dates to Remember

Mon, Dec. 12, 5 p.m. – Facility Committee Meeting @ DSISD Administration Building Board Room

Tues, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. – Finance Committee Meeting @ DSISD Administration Building Board Room

Thurs, Dec. 15, 7:45-9 a.m. – Principal’s Coffee, Room 310

Thurs, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. – Regular Board Meeting @ DSISD Administration Building Board Room

Fri, Dec. 16 – Class Holiday Parties, various times. (Remember to allow time to stop in at the office to get your visitor name badge)

Mon, Dec. 19- Mon, Jan. 2 – Winter Holidays

Tues, Jan. 3 – Students return to school

Jan. 16-17 – Staff Development Days, no school for students

For all DSISD dates and events, go to http://www.dsisd.txed.net/calendar.aspx

Para Espanol: Si le gustaria recibir la carta electronica de noticias del PTA de la escuela primaria, favor de proporcinar la siguiente información: su nombre, nombre de el(la) estudiante, grado, maestro(a), y correo electrónico (si cuenta con uno). Favor de enviarlo a DSE PTA con atención a Dayna Childress, VP de informaciones públicas.

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