Rockport Elem. News

M A R C H 2 01 5

Kindergarten and Pre-K Sign-up Continues P L E A S E S I G N - U P

You can still sign up for Pre-school or Kindergarten at Rockport Elementary! Reserve your spot now

Y O U R C H I L D M A Y A T T E N D I F…

Your child may attend if he/she will be 5 years old on or before August, 1 2015

T H I N G S Y O U N E E D

Birth certificate, Immunization record

S E L L I N G P O I N T S

Small Class size currently 1 teacher for every 15 students. All school supplies will be provided by PTO

P R E - K V O U C H E R S

Parents needing financial assistance for Pre-K can apply for a voucher

MARCH IS DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH March is Disability Awareness month and the Theme is Love Where you Live: P E O P L E A R E T H E H E A R T O F C O M M U N I T Y. A N D W H E N Y O U EMBRACE DIVERSITY, SPIRIT AND POSSIBILITIES, EVERYONE FEELS AT HOME. The following “5 Suggestions for Etiquette in Communicating with People w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s ” w i l l h e l p y o u communicate more effectively with people with disabilities.

1. When talking with a person with a disability, use eye contact and speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter.

2. When meeting a person who is visually impaired, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.

3. A wheelchair is part of the personal body space of the person who uses it. Leaning on a person’s wheelchair is similar to leaning on a person and is generally considered inappropriate.

4. Listen attentively when you’re talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish,rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty in doing so. Instead, repeat what you have

understood and allow the person to respond.

5. Relax. Don’t be embarrassed if you use common expressions – such as “See you later” or “Did you hear about that?” – that seem to relate to a person’s disability. It’s okay to ask questions when you’re unsure of what to do.

By working together to create positive a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d p e o p l e w i t h disabilities,we can create a better society – and that is a positive step for everyone.

CHARACTER TRAITS AWARD Our character trait for the month of February was Kindness. Kindness is a b e h a v i o r m a r k e d b y e t h i c a l characteristics, a pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures.

Our character trait awards for February go to the following students: Alaura Hulsey, Mykhi Weatherholt, Aaliya Wilkinson, Brock Harvey, Brandon Van Horn, Elizabeth Payne, Ceagan Caver, Cassy Montgomery, Kailey Parks, Garrett Tooley, Ely Meyer, Taylor Harmon, Reagan Beard, Brittany Kellems, Aiden Roberts, Madelyn Harpenau, Jackson Davis, Traven Mongold, Dawson Deaton

BOOK STORE We have opened a book store at Rockport that is held on Tuesday’s. Students are able to purchase school supplies. The awards money is utilized to purchase

OPEN-DOOR ANGLES Doors in your house are the perfect place for hands-on practice with a n g l e s . T a k e t u r n s opening or closing a door and asking, “Acute, right, or obtuse?” Partially open a door, and it’s an acute angle. Open it straight out, and it’s a right angle. Open it wider, and it’s obtuse.

BULLYING: THE BYSTANDER’S ROLE Q: My child came home from school upset because kids were picking on a classmate and wouldn’t let

her play with them. What advice should I give my daughter?

A: Tell your youngster that her classmate was being bullied - and that she may be able to help stop it! There are several things she can do.

If she feels safe, s h e c o u l d s ay something like, “That’s not nice” and then walk away.

Also remind your y o u n g s t e r t o report bullying to a teacher or other adult.

Let her know this is not tattling, but a way to help someone who is being hurt.

Asking an adult to help a child w h o i s b e i n g bull ied is l ike asking the nurse to help a child with a scraped knee

Be there! Regular attendance in elementary school sets up a good pattern for your youngster’s entire school career. Show your child that school comes first

At Rockport, our school community has a commitment to:

Increased academic achievement

Developing positive relationships by practicing mutual respect

Celebrating the diversity of learning styles and cultures

Providing a safe environment Where each child, each day, is a success!

UPCOMING DATES AND HAPPENINGS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Due to snow days our last day of school is May 29th. Please

make note in your calendars. SPRING CARNIVAL Saturday April 11 2015 from 4pm-8pm at Rockport Elementary

SPRING BREAK Starts this Saturday March 21st. Classes resume on March 30th. Enjoy the break and be safe.

ISTEP RALLY We w i l l h ave o u r second ISTEP Pep Rally on April 24th with a special musical guest. ISTEP Part 2 starts April 27th

Spring Fling Where: Rockport City Park. When: April 18th, 2 015 . C o s t : $ 4 p e r person (Rockport Elem. Students Free) More i n f o r m a t i o n dawn@tristateawareness.com

Greetings Rockport Families Just want to take a moment to thank you for everything you did these past weeks to help our students be successful both in and out of the classroom. Your dedication is not only noticed but it is valued and appreciated! Our 3rd-5th graders finished up ISTEP and IREAD. Our kindergartners, 1st, and 2nd graders worked hard this week and showed their support by offering motivational and inspiring treats and quotes to our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students!

We have space still available in both our pre-school and kindergarten classrooms. If you haven’t already please sign your student up or encourage someone you know to get their students signed up. Our pre-school is one of the few accredited Pre-K programs in the area and may have National Accreditation by the end of the summer. Pre-K also has vouchers available. Apply for admission and vouchers now to secure your preschooler’s spot in our preschool program for the 15-16 school year. Preschool is an important start to our student’s academic success in school.

Our Kindergarten teachers are one of the many strengths of our school. They are able to mix passion, excitement, and grit to ensure that our Kindergarten students make tremendous growth over the course of their first year at Rockport. Our class sizes are currently at 15-1 which is competitive with any public or private school in the area. There is much research that supports the future success for students who have had quality Pre-K and Kindergarten experience. If you have or know of students who will be ready for preschool or Kindergarten next year, please have them contact Rockport Elementary at 812-649-2201, located at 200 S. 6th St. in Rockport.

Your Principal,

Mr. Meyer

812-649-2201

aaron.meyer@sspencer.k12.in.u

SPRING CARNIVAL Spring Carnival will be on Saturday April 11, 2015 from 4 p m - 8 p m a t R o c k p o r t Elementary

SILENT AUCTION, BIG TICKET RAFFLE & 15 MIN RAFFLE

COST IS $10 FOR A WRIST BAND

FACE PAINTING WILL BE AVAILABLE

LOTS OF GREAT FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE

REMEMBER THIS IS WHAT ALLOWS US TO PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS. WITHOUT YOU THIS WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE!

Family Science Night

It is that time again!   The Family Science night on Wed, March 18th from 5-7 p m i s a n e x c i t i n g opportunity for families to gather at Rockport and see some examples of high quality student work. There are vendors, teachers, and students displaying a variety of science related information. The kids had a great time last year and the turnout was amazing. The experiments will be very basic, but something that the kids could help with and enjoy. The 5th grade projects will be on display around the room. There are always opportunities for younger students as well. Students always enjoy the search and rescue dogs. This year we will have weather related information presented by Ron Rhodes.  

Harmony Link Many parents do not realize they can add the mobile link to their smart phone for easy access to grades, lunch accounts, etc.

R o c k p o r t l i n k : h t t p s : / /h a r m o n y . s s p e n c e r . k 1 2 . i n . u s /elementary.nsf/mobile?

ISTEP Assembly and Class Adoptions

Each K-2 class adopted a 3-5 class and created posters, cheers, and passed out snacks for our older students. This positivity contributed to giving our students the opportunity to do the best on the ISTEP test.

Current Address and Phone Number

Have you recently moved or changed your contact phone number? If you have, have you contacted the front office to u p d a t e y o u r c o n t a c t information? For the safety and protection of your student it is necessary that we have a working phone number to reach a parent/guardian in the case of an emergency. Also, it is required that we have a current address. If you need to update information, or have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the office at 649-2201 or email aaron.meyer@sspencer.k12.in.us.

Thinking Games

Between school, errands, and activities, families spend lots of time on the go. Some of that time can bemused for “thinking games.”

There is a game that I often played as a child called “Would you rather?” I offer two options and ask which they prefer and why. For example, I might say, “Would you rather live near the beach or the mountains?”

Another example is a game called “Three Favorites.” Someone picks a category (outfits, movies), and you tell your top three choices. Another example is “What Doesn’t Belong?” You take turns naming items and asking the others to explain which is the odd one out and why. Kids especially like this game because there can be more than one “right” answer. For example, if you named “owl,” “ostrich,” and “eagle,” one person might say, “Ostrich, because it can’t fly.” Another might say, “Owl, because it hunts at night.” The ideas is that you make thinking fun and practice thinking through ideas.

Rockport Elem. .3

200 S. 6th St. Rockport Indiana 47635, T 812-649-2201, aaron.meyer@sspencer.k12.in.us

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