North Hamilton County Elementary

October 15, 2010

Dear NHCE Families,

WOW! It is hard to believe that we have already completed the first quarter of the 2010-11 school year! We have accomplished much in these first nine weeks. Thanks to everyone for a very successful Kids First Coupon Book Sale. We sold 1150 books this year and we are excited about the funds raised for technology. Last year with the support of the PTA and a grant from Unum along with the great successes of the fund raisers we were able to purchase 5 Promethean Boards and 3 Elmo document projectors for 2 individual classrooms and l for teachers to check out from the library to use in the classroom. This year we have updated our aging computer lab with 26 newer and faster computers. We are working to have the school set up for wireless computer access. We also had very successful orientation evenings for each grade level.  Thanks to all parents and family members who attended. Writers of the month are sharing their writings with the entire school each morning during morning announcements as well as having their work showcased in the main hallway. The Sale Creek Fire Department shared fire safety tips and allowed the students to explore the ladder truck. We have administered the first benchmark assessment in reading using both DIBELS and Think Link and in math using Think Link. The data reports for these assessments have been received, reviewed and analyzed and the teachers are using this information along with the daily classroom observations and data to plan appropriate and rigorous lessons, assignments and assessments for all students. Over 50 kindergarten and first grade students joined me today as we celebrated the power of reading with the principal’s book club. The students in 2^nd and 3^rd grades will be joining me to celebrate their reading of the principal’s book club on October 28th. Students are receiving additional supports in literacy and math based on their needs and/or strengths through intervention groups, literature circles, and before and after school enrichment classes. Our 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students did an amazing job at the Hamilton County Cross Country Meet. Several grade levels have taken some wonderful field trips providing learning opportunities that we cannot provide at school. Teachers continue to work diligently to learn new strategies and best practices to implement so as to better impact student learning and achievement. We are beginning the second quarter with many exciting things taking place. We have the annual pumpkin/gourd decorating contest to raise funds for the library that will take place October 25^th through October 29^th.  That same week teachers will be conducting parent conferences. Finally, on Friday, October 29^th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. the PTA is sponsoring the Fall Fling. Most importantly, on a daily basis all teachers and staff work very hard to provide only the best educational opportunities possible for ALL students so that ALL students learn at high levels every day! I am so proud of all the many accomplishments of our great students!! Thank you to all parents and family members for your help and support in making NHCE the best!!

Thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to us! We promise we will give them our best each and every day!! Please call on us if you ever have a question or concern.

Sincerely,

Penny Leffew

Principal

PRINCIPAL’S BOOK CLUB LIST FOR 2010-11

K-1^st

1^st Semester-Fluffy and Baron-Rankin

2^nd Semester-Junie B Jones First Grader

Boss of Lunch-Parks

2^nd-3^rd

1^st Semester-Happy Birthday BadKittyBru

2^nd Semester-True or False Birds-Berger

4^th-5^th

1^st Semester-Nerds-Buckley

2^nd Semester-Hoot-Hiaasen

UPCOMING EVENTS:

OCTOBER

15^th Report Cards

Cookie Dough Fundraiser begins

18^th -22^nd Fall Break

25^th Cookie Dough Fundraiser ends

25^th-29^th Pumpkin/gourd decorating contest

Parent – Teacher Conference Week

28^th 2^nd/3^rd grade Principal Book Club Celebration

29^th Early dismissal 11:50

29^th PTA Fall Fling 6:00-8:00

NOVEMBER

3^rd Fall pictures

4^th 5^th grade field trip – Mayfield Corn Maze

5^th 4^th grade field trip – Kids Like You Kids Like Me

16^th 2^nd grade field trip – Nature Center

24^th-26^th Thanksgiving Holidays

DECEMBER

3^rd Holiday pictures/fall picture retakes

9^th PTA Meeting/3rd, 4^th and 5^th grade program

6^th-10^th Santa Shop – PTA

Food Drive

16^th Student last day

17^th –January 4^th Christmas/Winter Break

JANUARY

5^th Students return

“IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD”