Orca Newsletter NOVEMBER 2015

Wow! I cannot believe we are already into November. The year is going by quick and we have so much to be proud of and highlight. First, a HUGE thanks to our amazing PTA for providing dinner for staff during late night conferencing, an awesome Book Fair, a very successful and fun Boo Bash (even the pie in the face), and exciting kickoff for Spell-a-thon to buy iPads for our school. We are so lucky to have such dedicated parents and volunteers that support our students and staff! Second, many thanks also go out to our terrific staff for being so dedicated during conference week, participating in our school events, being so diligent during collaboration time, and stepping up to help each other to create a strong and positive community! As if that wasn’t enough, our staff and students also participated in Socktober bringing in 1,000 socks to give to homeless in our community. Way to go Orcas!!! We are looking forward to our Veteran’s Day assembly on Tuesday, November 10 th at 9:30. The Veteran’s Assembly is one of my favorite events all year as it is such an honor to have so many brave men and women in our community- thank you for your service to our country! Please contact Cheryl McIntyre to be sure your retired or active duty military family member is properly recognized and included in the special ceremony. Starting on Friday, November 6th we will be implementing a new security feature at our school, an access control system at our front entrance. When you arrive at the school you will need to push the white button on the access control panel to the right of the front doors. You will be on camera and will be seen by office staff who will greet you and ask how we can help you. The office staff will then be able to unlock the door and allow visitors entry into the school. There will be a short delay before you hear a click indicating that the door has unlocked. Please do not allow “piggybacking” where others enter at the same time you do. Each family or visitor should check in separately by pushing the button. With any change there is need to practice. It will take a little time to get used to this new safety feature. Ultimately, this is one additional step towards keeping Harbor Heights safe for students, staff, and visitors. Additional security measures are yet to come. I will let you know as those changes occur. If you have questions about the new system, please contact the office staff. Thank you, Nikki Hittle Principal

2015 CALENDAR

IMPORTANT REMINDERS NOVEMBER 10TH—VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY NOVEMBER 11TH– NO SCHOOL NOVEMBER 19TH-PICTURE RETAKE DAY NOVEMBER 26TH-27TH—NO SCHOOL, THANKSGIVING BREAK

11/10 11/11 11/17 11/25 11/26-27 12/1 12/3 12/4 12/4 12/21-1/1 1/27

VETERAN’S DAY ASSEMBLY NO SCHOOL—VETERAN’S DAY WORD-A-THON TESTING END OF 1ST TRIMESTER NO SCHOOL—THANKSGIVING SPELL-A-THON PLEDGES DUE REPORT CARDS HOME MLS HOLIDAY SOCK HOP PTA BOARD MEETING NO SCHOOL—WINTER BREAK NO STUDENTS-SEMESTER BREAK

Peninsula Hands On Art 7th Annual Family Movie Day! Wednesday, November 11th at Galaxy Theater / Uptown (Veterans Day Holiday / No School)

This is a FREE event with donations being accepted for

Peninsula Hands On Art. This year we will be showing…

All seating will be on a “first come, first served” basis. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. What a great way to spend the morning on a day off from school while supporting this fantastic art program!!!

9:30 a.m. in 3 Theaters

See you at the movies and THANK

A special thank you to Galaxy Theaters & our Premier Sponsor Dr. Justin Piasecki

YOU for supporting “the arts” in Gig Harbor!

Peninsula School District does not sponsor/endorse the activity and/or information contained in this flyer. The PSD assumes no responsibility for conduct or safety during the activity/event. In consideration for the privilege to distribute these materials, the PSD shall be held harmless from any cause of action, claim or petition filed in any court or administrative tribunal, arising out of distribution of these materials, including all costs, attorney’s fees, judgments

Tech Time Tidbits Two interesting sites for your students to access are: www.protopage.com/hhtechtime which was developed by me to give students links to websites that are appropriate for the different age groups; Tux Paint, a fun place to create and design using the many tools provided. Download the program and stamps for free by googling tuxpaint.org. Digital citizenship and online safety are issues that will be covered during the next few weeks during Tech Time classes. Students in grades 3-5 are practicing touch typing using www.typing.com. To really improve, home practice is suggested.

“Mom, when can I sit up front and ride without a booster seat?” Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for school-aged children. The most important way to protect your child from a crash, is to restrain them properly (with car seats, booster seats or seat belts, as appropriate) in the BACK SEAT of your vehicle until they are at least 13 years of age...Every time, on every trip. Washington law requires children under age 13 to ride in the back seat, whenever practical to do so. A recent observational survey of students being picked up at Harbor Heights showed that most all students were riding in the back seat. Hurray parents! However, some students were riding without an appropriate car seat. Remember, until they are 4ft 9inches tall boost them every time! Most vehicle seatbelts do not fit correctly until a person is 4’9” tall. If a child it not wearing a seatbelt correctly and the vehicle is involved in a crash, the child can sustain serious injuries or even be thrown from the vehicle. Did you know:

 

Adults have a myelin (fat) layer to protect their brain and internal organs from injury – children do not. Adults have higher bone density and a more mature pelvic structure – which is better able to spread and withstand crash forces than a child’s.  Size is not the issue – even “adult-size” children do not have “adult-strong” bodies.  Front passenger airbags can cause serious or fatal injuries to children. But even when there are no airbags present, riding in the back seat reduces the risk of serious injury by 40%. The cost of a ticket when your children are not restrained properly in the car – is $124.

Have questions about how to protect your child in the car? Call the Mary Bridge Car Seat Help Line at 253-403-1417 or Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One - Prevention Division at 253-851-5111.

VETERAN’S DAY ASSEMBLY I hope you all received the information for our annual salute to Veterans which will take place on Tuesday, November 10th at 9:30. If you are a veteran (which includes those currently in the military) or know one you'd like to invite, please return the blue paper that went home this past month ASAP. If you know a veteran who is unable to attend our assembly on Tuesday, 11/10...please email a picture of them to Cheryl McIntyre at [email protected] so they can be recognized at the assembly. Please also include their name and branch of service. Thank you!!!

IS YOUR CHILD SICK? Students should not come to school if any of the following are present: Fever-oral temperature of 100 F or more Red, draining eye(s) Vomiting within the last 24 hours Diarrhea within the last 24 hours Rash-Children with rashes should see their health care provide for diagnosis Any symptoms causing great discomfort for the student (e.g., severe cough)

A student may return to school after an illness under the following conditions: Fever-free without medication for 24 hours No vomiting for 24 hours No diarrhea for 24 hours, and/or Note from health care provider indicating no longer contagious

Are you missing a coat? Or maybe a sweatshirt? If so, please stop by the LOST & FOUND and take a look. As you can see, we are overflowing with articles of clothing. All lost & found items will be donated after Winter Break to the SAVE Thrift Store.

What's New?! As part of our goal to make our school buildings safer, we began installing key card access control and video buzz-in systems in all elementary schools this summer. When you now visit elementary schools during the school day, you will find a video box with a button near the front door that you will need to press to gain access to the school. The office staff will verify you and unlock the doors. You will see these features added to middle schools as well in the upcoming school year.

CALLING ALL LEAF HUNTERS The leaves are falling all over town or are actually down from our recent wind storms (which is great for you!) So…back by popular demand…”The Longest Maple Leaf STEM Contest” is starting Monday, November 9th until 10:00am Friday, Nov. 13th. Students can start bringing their leaf entry on Monday, Nov. 9th, to the OLARC for display. Winners will be announced Monday, Nov. 16th during the announcements. Here are the rules: Only 1 entry per student It must be the Large Canadian type Maple Leaf and bring in the entire leaf please. You must have your 1.Name 2.Teacher 3.Length of the stem (measured in inches) on a small piece of paper attached to the stem or attach the leaf to a piece of notebook paper and write the information on the paper. Please make sure the leaf is Clean and Dry!!! *Remember…you are measuring the length of the stem from the end to where it touches the actual leaf part to the end that attaches to the branch. Information was given to your child’s teacher and also to students this week during OLARC. There will be a Grand Prize Award for the overall longest stem turned in, and one winner for each grade level. The prizes will be a book certificate to our next Book Fair in February. The longest stem over the years was 18¾ inches. Have fun Maple Leaf Stem hunting! ~ Mrs. Watson & Skoob

PE Corner Beginning this month in PE we are continuing to work on basic throwing skills; Step 1: ball by your ear. Step 2: elbow up. Step 3: elbow and leg back (same side). Step 4: throw and follow through. We are also incorporating football skills such as, catching, throwing and kicking. Please note that each child is expected to perform at his/her own level and that all activities are geared toward 100% participation and 100% success. My goal is not to make football players out of your children, but instead give them basic skills that will allow them to participate on the playground, park, or at home. Exposing children to all activities and sports at an early age gives them confidence in knowing how to do them, rather than a fear of never having done them at all.

PE Challenge

Drawbridge: For this activity you will need a large round ball. Assume a sitting position and rest your ball on top of both ankles. Slowly raise your feet, drawing the ball toward your thighs. By raising your bottom off the floor with your hands, the ball will return to your ankles. How fast can you roll the ball up and down without losing control?

IMAGINATION CELEBRATION

Please mark your calendar for this year’s Imagination Celebration. The date will be Friday, May 27th, 2016. More details to come later. Thanks, Doris, Michelle & Ryan

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 26TH AND 27THFOR THANKSGIVING BREAK.

Peninsula School District complies with all state and federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender identity, age, disability, or marital status. This holds true for all district employment and opportunities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 RCW officers, Charles Cuzzetto,14015-62nd Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, (253) 530-1000 and/or Section 504 or ADA Coordinator, Rita Reandeau 14015-62nd Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, (253) 530-1000. Peninsula School District is a Tobacco, Drug, and Alcohol-Free Environment.