December 2018
DECEMBER EXCITEMENT
The month of December is short and full of excitement for many of our students. As we move into this exciting month, please try to keep home routines as consistent as possible. Students will be able to perform their best at school when they are able to get lots of rest at night and have a good breakfast in the morning. Any help parents can provide in terms of consistency and routine are appreciated through the month of December. Thank you!
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
We know there are many barriers to regular student attendance–health/illness, transportation, school anxiety, and more. In developing a school culture around attendance, our goal is not to be punitive, but to rather focus on celebrating the effort families are making and problem-solve in a supportive way to reduce those barriers that prevent regular attendance. If you would like assistance in problem-solving any difficulties your family experiences, please do not hesitate to call. We have teams ready to meet with families on Tuesday afternoons after school. Please call Ruth Middlebrook at (360) 596-6700 to schedule an appointment.
KEEP YOUR STUDENT RECORDS UPDATED
Every month, we print new student information sheets through Skyward to ensure that we have current records in case of emergency. Please help us by keeping your student’s personal information updated in Skyward. If you have changes to phone numbers or address, make sure it gets recorded in Skyward as well. That way, we will always be able to reach you in the event of an emergency. Thank you.
WINTER BREAK
The last day of school for the 2018 calendar year is Tuesday, December 18th. Students and staff members will be on winter break from December 19th through January 2nd. School will resume on Thursday, January 3rd.
EARLY RELEASE DECEMBER
School will release at 2:42 PM on Wednesday, December 5th and 12th.
WINTER CONCERTS
On December 5th at 2:00 PM, all of our 4th and 5th grade students will perform in their annual winter choir concert. Parents are welcome to attend.
On December 12th at 1:30 PM, the 4th and 5th grade band and orchestra will perform in their annual winter concert. Parents are welcome to attend.
Kindergarten through third grades will have an opportunity to perform in the spring. Stay tuned!
SCHOOL BOARD SEEKS INPUT ON PROPOSED DRESS CODE POLICY
The Olympia School Board is seeking input from OSD students, families, employees and community members about a proposed districtwide student dress code policy and procedure.
While individual schools have rules around student dress code, currently there is no districtwide policy or procedure.
Written comments about the proposed policy and procedure may be submitted through Friday, January 4 on a brief online feedback formOpening in a new window. The form includes a complete version of both the policy and procedure.
The school board held a first reading of the newly proposed student dress code policy and procedure on November 19, 2018. Board members plan to review input received between now and January 4 before they hold a second reading of the policy and procedure at the January 22, 2019 board meeting. That meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at LP Brown Elementary School, 2000 26th Ave. N.W. in Olympia.
Any policy that comes before the school board requires a minimum of two readings (reviews) by the board before it can be considered for approval. Board action may follow the second reading on Tuesday, January 22.
In addition to the online feedback form, comments about any policies before the school board may be emailed to [email protected]. Links to the proposed student dress code Policy 3224 and procedure 3224P are included on the district website Board Policy Review webpageOpening in a new window.
LOST AND FOUND
Once again, the lost and found is overflowing. Please make sure to put your child’s name in all of their clothes (coats, hats, gloves, etc.). If there is a name on the inside of the clothing, it will be returned to your child. Otherwise, it ends up in the lost and found. Unclaimed items will be donated. The next donation date is over Winter Break. Please come and take a look if you are missing clothing.
WINTER CLOTHING
With winter upon us, it is important that students come to school with warm clothing. Every student should have a jacket every day. Water proof jackets are even better. Hats and gloves are also encouraged. In order for the students to get their exercise and fresh air during the day, I am a fan of sending kids out, rain or shine. It is helpful if students are dressed for the weather.
Along those same lines, if you need help with a warm winter coat, please contact the main office, Ruth Middlebrook, or Kevin Oiseau. We can help make sure that students have the clothes necessary to keep them warm.
Additionally, it is a really good idea to have a change of clothes in the backpack. That way, your child can change into dry clothes if they accidentally get wet at recess.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- December 3rd ARX Duo Assembly @ 2:30 PM
- December 5th 4th and 5th Grade Choir Concert @ 2:00 PM
- December 5th Early Release @ 2:42 PM
- December 7th Movie Night @ 6:30 PM
- December 11th Screenagers @ Knox Board Room @ 6:00 PM
- December 12th Band/Orchestra Concert @ 1:30 PM
- December 12th Walk and Roll @ 8:35 AM
- December 12th Early Release @ 2:42 PM
- December 18th Last Day of School Before Winter Break
- December 19th – January 2nd No School-Winter Break
- January 3rd School Resumes
- January 4th Movie Night @ 6:30 PM
MOVIE NIGHT
Join us at PTA Family Movie Night on Friday, December 7, to see "Incredibles 2." Doors open at 6:15 and the movie begins at 6:30. This free event is sponsored by the PTA. Bring cushions or blankets to sit on and enjoy free popcorn! Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the movie. Please confirm that this movie is appropriate for your child. Check out common sense mediaOpening in a new window. Questions? Contact Maureen.
WALK AND ROLL
Hey Ravens, it’s time to Walk N Roll. Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll program invites all students and families to join us for a fun morning walk on December 12th! Two meeting locations to choose from: Bigelow Park and the Olympia Little Theatre. We will begin walking to the school from each location at 8:35 AM. We hope to see you there!
STAFF FAVORITES
The staff favorites list has been updated just in time to treat your favorite staff member with a holiday thank you. Feel free to stop by to check out the binder in the office. The updated list will also be available through myrooseveltpta.orgOpening in a new window.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
The online school directoryOpening in a new window is up and running! It's not too late to sign up! If you're having trouble accessing the directory, please contact [email protected].
SCHOOL PLAY
We are excited to announce that for the 2nd year, the PTA will be sponsoring a school play, directed by Pacific Northwest Theater. The play this year will be Annie Jr! We can't wait! More information will be coming home in Monday Folders on 12/10. The play is open to all students in 2nd-5th grade. Play practice will be every day after school from 3:30-5:30 (3:00-5:30 on Wednesdays for early release) from February 4th-March 8th, with performances on March 8th and 9th. Any questions? Contact Ashley Otheim.
WINTERFEST
Save the date for Winterfest on January 26th from 1-3pm at Roosevelt! Bring the family for an afternoon of snow inspired crafts and games, as well as some yummy snacks, including a hot cocoa buffet and a cake walk! We need volunteers to help make this super cool event happen and donated baked goods for the cake walk, so please contact coordinator Katie Douglas (thanks, Katie!!) if you’re available to help. We hope to see you there!
ROOSEVELT PTA AUCTION THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who helped make this the most successful auction ever! With the help of our fabulous Roosevelt community, we were able to raise $20,000! Thank you to all who donated to the class baskets, the silent auction, the live auction and to all who attended! This money will be used to buy classroom supplies and library books, help fund field trips, staff grants, playground equipment, monthly movie nights, a school musical and Winter fest.
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors- Capital Heating & CoolingOpening in a new window and the Robinson family. Thank you to our Gold Sponsor- South Sound VasectomyOpening in a new window. Thank you to our Silver Sponsors- Elder Law with Care, Tyee Dental and Implant Center, PetSmart and Ballaura Wellness Spa. Thank you to our additional sponsors- the Reck family, the Murillo family, Ash Family Medicine, the Norris/Ash family, Evan Hirsch, the Thomas family, the LaForge family, and the Hyatt family. Also, a huge thank you to our In-Kind sponsors- 3 Magnets Brewing, Uncork & Unwind, Cottage Baked Goods by Nancy, Abby’s Cookies & Cupcakes, Sophie’s Scoops, the Ivanovich family, the Mackison family and Aniysa Zuchowski.
One last, but very important thank you goes to our auction committee who spent endless hours making our auction spectacular- Amanda Mackison, Ashley and Cory Otheim, Elaine and Alex Tomita, Heidi Livingston and Nicole Andres, Molly and Chris Ivanovich, Trixy and Mathias Eichler and Fabiana and Joel Eussen.
PTA DONATION IN MRS. STEWART’S HONOR
To honor Annette Stewart’s memory, the PTA has donated to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. This sanctuary was very important to Annette. She was an ambassador for this facility and her kindergarten class would adopt an elephant each year through donations received for cards made by the students. The PTA is sponsoring two of Annette’s favorite elephants for a year, Sissy and Shirley. Please visit the sanctuary website at elephants.com to learn more. There is also a gofundmeOpening in a new window site for Annette’s family to help with medical costs.
PTA MEETING
Join us from 6:15-7:30 on Monday, January 14th, as we discuss upcoming and ongoing events at Roosevelt. Open discussion from 6:15-6:30, followed by PTA business from 6:30-7:30. Snacks and childcare provided. We hope to see you there!