Monthly Newsletter - Cork Elementary School

December 2014
Important Dates
Volume 1, Issue 4
Cork Elementary School
Cougar News
Dec 22-Jan 2
Holiday Break
Jan 5
Students Return
9
Club Pictures
15
SAC Meeting
2:40
16
End of 2nd 9
weeks
19
MLK Day-No
School
As 2014 comes to a close, I want to wish each and every one of you the Happiest of Holidays and
a Joyful New Year! During the last two weeks of December, we asked students to write little notes
expressing their thoughts about what makes their teachers (or staff members) so special. We
then took these note cards, wrapped them in aluminum foil, and gave them to each teacher or
staff member. As you can imagine, the recipients of these notes were overjoyed at receiving such
a priceless gift. This project went along with a book that Mr. Bruck and I read to the students
called Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant. It is a beautiful story
about giving back and spreading joy. The students wrote beautiful messages straight from their
hearts which made me so proud. The teachers and staff members who received them felt so
loved and appreciated. There is absolutely nothing more special than words of endearment from
a child!
20
Non-Student day
27
Parent Night @
Knights Elem.
6pm
28
Spirit Night @
Sonny’s-KG
28
All Pro Dad
29
Studio Night 67:30 p.m.
I want to make you aware of an opportunity that you will have once we return from winter break.
On January 27, 2015, the School District of Hillsborough County’s Math Department will be
conducting a workshop on the new Florida Standards in Mathematics. I know many of you have
concerns and some may even be frustrated by the “new math.” I have seen this presentation and
it is dynamic. You will not want to miss it! Knights Elementary will be hosting this event for both of
our schools because they have an actual auditorium that can accommodate the number of
parents we believe will be interested in this session. Both schools will have teachers and staff on
hand to provide fun activities for the students to do while parents attend the presentation. Please
mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 27th and make plans to join us at Knights Elementary
for this event. For more information see the attached flyer.
Febr 2
3501 N. Cork Road, Plant City, FL 33565
(813) 757-9353
http://cork.mysdhc.org
A Hillsborough County Public School
Letter from the Principal
Also when we return, please make every effort to have students arrive before 7:55 a.m. and
remain at school all day with as few early check-outs as possible. Students who arrive early have
time to settle in, get themselves organized, and feel less stressed because they are ready to
learn. Students who arrive late or leave early miss invaluable instructional time.
Report cards go
home
4
Award Ceremony
5
Head Start to
Dinosaur World
9
Walk-a-thon
12
Class Spring
Pictures
13
Glazer Museum
– 1st Gr
Enjoy this extended time with your family! Be safe and we’ll see everyone again on Monday,
January 5, 2015
Sincerely,
Sherri Black
Cork Elementary School
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @
HCPSCorkES
New this year, we will
tweet what’s happening
at Cork.
Sherri Black, Principal
Ryan Bruck, Assistant Principal
Grade 5
Page 2 - December 2014
Kindergarten
On Friday before Thanksgiving Break, we had our
annual Kindergarten POW WOW! It was a big success and the students really enjoyed the fun educationalactivities.Winterbreakbeginsnextweek.Itis
a well-deserved time off for your child who has
worked hard, so enjoy this time with your family.
WhenwecomebackinJanuary,wewillstarttheNew
Yearrefreshedandreadytolearn.Wewillcontinue
to work on reading strategies, sight words, and
blending words. In math, we will begin working on
addition and subtraction. Please continue to read
withyourchildeverynightandchecktheirdailyfoldersforimportantnotesandinformation.
From Science Fair to Tropicana Speeches, this past month
has been one of the busiest for 5th grade. We would like to
congratulate Max Edwards, Alexis Villegas, Ryan Petrik,
Jesse Storm, Kyle Willey, and Jonathan Ramos Lopez.
These students will be representing Cork at the county Science Fair competition in February. We would also like to
recognize Autumn Sullivan who won overall at the schoollevel Tropicana Contest. Autumn will compete at the District
level in January. Good luck to you all!
In math, we have been working with fractions and will soon
start addition and subtraction of decimals. Please encourage your children to practice their math facts as well as use
Think Central throughout Christmas Break. In ELA, we just
finished learning about the Colonial Market Economy as
well as completing our opinion writing pieces. As you can
see, your child has been working hard! We are looking forward to a well-deserved break and coming back refreshed
and ready to work hard in January!
Grade 1
We are almost heading into the third nine weeks. First grade has been very busy learning across the curriculum. We are happily welcoming the holiday break this school year.
In Reading, we are using fictional and nonfictional text to find details/facts to explain the
author’s purpose in our text. We are also continuing to practice sequencing the events
in our fictional text. Please continue to read with your child every evening, especially
during the holiday break. We cannot stress enough the importance of daily reading
practice at home every night. Your child is now also able to access Istation.com at home
or at the public library for additional reading practice. He/she should have received a
green letter, along with their special password, to access the program.
In Math, we are wrapping up our unit on using addition and subtraction strategies to
help solve word problems. Soon, we will begin our unit on Counting and Modeling Numbers to 120.
Grade 3
Seasons greetings from the third grade team! Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to chaperone for our Busch Gardens field trip. As we
get ready for our time of rest, we would like to give a few reminders to our
families. Please remember to have your child read for at least 20 minutes
daily. Also, for those who have internet access, I-Station and MyOn, and
are a few websites that students can utilize to get extra practice in reading. The more they read, the better they read!
During writing, we have been responding to our reading. We are using text evidence in
our writing to explain the author’s purpose. Through our writing, we are also using capital letters at the beginning of our sentences and ending them with the correct punctuation mark. Finally, we are practicing how to add more detail to our writing.
We are continuing to work on multiplication and division. Please practice
multiplication facts with your child on a regular basis as we will be moving
to fractions in the near future and knowing the facts will make a smoother
transition. In addition, Think Central is a great resource for extra math
practice.
In Science, we have learned about engineers and the many different jobs of an engineer.
We have also become engineers in our classroom while participating in different Design
Challenges. Ask your child what an engineer does and the structures they have built in
class. You might be surprised with what they have to say. We have also learned about
the sun and stars.
In science, our little scientists are currently working on the properties of
matter and will be investigating changes in matter when we return from
the break.
First grade teachers would like to wish all of our families a happy holiday break. Relax
and enjoy spending time with your family! We also look forward to welcoming our wellrested students back for the New Year!
Have a wonderful break!!!
Grade 2
Thank you for all of your support! We really enjoyed seeing and talking with you at the Conference Night. Please know that we look forward to 2015 and have many wonderful things
planned to help your child learn. Your child will be learning the following in the upcoming new
year: how to compare and contrast, identifying the main idea of an informational text, adding/
subtracting three digit numbers, and all about earth structures (soil and rocks). Have a safe
and wonderful winter break! We look forward to a fantastic 2015!
Page 3 - December 2014
SPEECH/LANGUAGE NEWS
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Did you know our Hillsborough County School District offers free hearing
screenings and evaluations? The school speech language pathologist
can screen your child’s hearing right at school! Should your child fail the
screening, you may make an appointment with the District audiologist for
a full audiological evaluation. This service is available even for young
children not of school age; so if you have concerns about a child who is
not enrolled in school, you can call the audiology scheduling number and
make an appointment, as long as you are a resident of Hillsborough
County. Services for children who are hearing impaired can be provided:
in the home, in a day care, in a regular classroom at your neighborhood
school, or in a special classroom--depending on your child’s age and
need. Even a child with a mild hearing loss can miss important
information, and not just from the teacher! Curriculum encourages
discussions among peers as a vehicle for learning and for experience
with presentations and public speaking. Speak with your school speech
language pathologist to arrange a hearing screening for an enrolled child
or call 813-276-5561 to schedule an appointment for a complete
audiological evaluation with one of our staff audiologists for a nonenrolled child.
Music
Chorus:
Cub Chorus and Cougar Chorus had a successful performance on December 11th. Great job by everyone involved!
Group pictures will be taken on Friday, January 9. Order envelopes will be sent home with students. I am asking all chorus members to wear a Cork
spirit t-shirt (if they have one) for the photo.
Chorus rehearsals will resume on Monday, January 12 for Cubs and Wednesday, January 14th for Cougar Chorus. Also look for t-shirt order forms in
January.
In the Music Room:
4th and 5th graders are learning how to play the recorder in class and 3rd grade will begin in mid-January. Students have expressed interest in
purchasing their own recorder for home use. Miss Wilson will be taking orders for recorders until January 14th. Those students who want to get a
recorder sooner can go to one of several local music stores:
•Dove Music Center 104 W. Reynolds St Suite 8 Plant City, FL 33563 813-764-9002
•Music Showcase 402 Oakfield Dr. Brandon, FL 33511 1 blk W of Brandon Hospital (813) 685-5998
•Roydon Music 939 Oakfield Dr. Brandon, FL 33511 (813)685-8909
Websites:
Here are several music oriented websites that students can explore:
h>p://www.creatingmusic.com/ Ideas for creating music, honing listening skills
h>p://bu>onbass.com/ Another one for creating music using “cubes” and “bu>ons.”
h>p://classicalkusc.org/kids/opera/base.htm Learn about Hansel and Gretel and opera
h>p://dsokids.com/ Learn about the orchestra
h>p://studiokay.com/recorder Songs to play one the recorder along with play along tracks. Click “Students” for the recorder songs.
Page 4 - December 2014
GUIDANCE
I am so excited for the holiday season, not to mention we get two weeks off from school!!!!! Please join us
on January the 29th for our Arts Night. This will be a night to focus on Art, PE and Music. All grade levels
will be represented and students will be able to show parents what they are learning during their “Specials”
time at school. The night will start at 6PM and go till 7:30. Please join us. Also, All Pro Dad will be on
January 28th at 7:10AM. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.
Message From Our Assistant Principal
I hope that you and your family have a safe and wonderful winter break! The winter holidays are the
perfect time to read for the simple joy of reading. Writing thank you notes is also a good way to express
gratitude, as well as practice important writing skills.
We are looking forward to an outstanding 2015 working with each of our families to create the very
best instructional partnership for our children.
Teacher of the Year
We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Rachel Zipperer was selected by the teachers at Cork Elementary as our Teacher of the Year representative. Ms. Zipperer strives to make learning fun and meaningful for her fourth grade students each and every day. Mrs. Zipperer is truly a blessing to our school.
Ida S Baker Award Winner
Hip Hip Hooray to Mrs. Winona Perez! Mrs. Perez was selected by the teachers at Cork as our Ida S
Baker Award representative.
Instructional Support Employee of the Year
A round of applause is due to Deborah Thompson our Instructional Support Employee of the Year. Ms.
Thompson serves with our Student Nutrition Services.
NAEP
A random sample of 4th grade students will be taking the NAEP assessment in February. Students
who are scheduled to take this test were given an informational letter on December 11th. If you have any
questions or want to see if your child is on the list to take the test, please contact me.
Perfect Attendance
Cork Elementary had 315 children, over 43% of our school population with Perfect Attendance for
the first grading period. We had an overall attendance rate of 96.7%. Let’s get that up to at least 97 by the
next quarter. Thank you so much for your support in making school attendance a priority!
It is cool to be in school-each and every day!
Student Safety
Parents, who help at school, please make sure that you have completed a SERVE volunteer form and that
you bring your driver’s license to school every time you would like to sign in. No one can enter the school
without a driver’s license. Thank you so much for all of your support.
Happy and Healthy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Ryan Bruck
Page 5 - December 2014
Media Center
The end of the nine weeks is fast approaching with only 2 weeks once
we get back from the holiday break. Please check with your student
to see if they are on target for meeting their independent reading goal
(RP) for the nine weeks. We will celebrate those students who meet
their individual reading goal by having a bingo party!!! Prizes will be
given to our lucky bingo winners!!
Our annual walk-a-thon will be held Monday, February 9, 2015. Prizes
will be given to students who donate $5 or more. Businesses that
donate $100 or more will be recognized on the back of our walk-athon t-shirt. More information will be sent home towards the end of
January.
PTA
Our first collection of Box
Tops for this school was super.
The school earned $877.40.
That's AWESOME! Great job,
Cougars!
Congratulations to Mrs.
Boyd’s class for winning the
Box Top competition for the
first 9 weeks. Keep bringing
in Box Tops! The classroom
competition is still going on
for the second 9 weeks.
AGP
AGP has been really busy in the month of
December! Congratulations to our 5th grade Math
Bowl team who came in 2nd place at the
competition. They were within three points of
winning the whole thing! Way to go Lisee Griffin,
Autumn Sullivan, Caleb Thatcher, Trevor Smith,
and Kasey Drapp.
Congratulations to Autumn Sullivan and Kacey
Drapp who placed 1st and 2nd in the Science
Fair. They will be going to the district Science
Fair.
I am excited to be piloting a math program for 2nd
grade that will start in January. It is for AGP only
and it is called Measuring with Meerkats. More
details will be forthcoming and the students are
excited. I gave them a sneak peek and we looked
up some fun facts about Meerkats.
3rd graders should be studying their multiplication
facts and they will start weekly testing on these
facts after winter break. Flash cards are excellent
and there are many math websites that are good
for additional practice.
Technology
Inordertohelpourstudentsprepareforsuccessthisschoolyear,we’reprovidingMicrosoft
Of+ice365toeverystudentfreeofcharge.Ourpartner,EducationFundingPartners,is
workingwithMicrosofttosponsorthecostofcommunicatingthisopportunitytoreachall
studentsandparents.
TheOf+ice365bundleincludesWord,PowerPoint,Excel,OutlookandOneNote.Itcanbe
installedonupto5compatibledevices(PCs,Macs,ortablets)andthesubscriptionlastsuntil
thestudentgraduatesfromourdistrict.Studentswillneedtheirschoolemailaccounttosign
in.
StudentsandparentscanfollowthesestepstogettheirOf+ice:
1.Visithp://www3.sdhc.k12.fl.us/pdf/Office365_MSA.pdf
2.Clickthroughtodownload&signinwithyourchild’scredentials
3.Onthedownloadsite,selectyourlanguageandclickinstall
Wewillbesharingmoreaboutthisopportunitywithourparentsandstudentsthrough
December31stusingourwebsite,schoolposters,socialmediaandournewsletter.Thankyou
inadvanceforspreadingthewordaboutthisgreatstudentopportunity.
Page 12 - December 2014
HUMAN RESOURCES
The School District of Hillsborough County does not
discriminate nor tolerate harassment on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, age, disability or marital status in its
educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or
employment practices; and it will take immediate action to
eliminate such harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address
its effects. Any student(s) or employee(s) found to have engaged
in acts of harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin,
gender, age, disability or marital status will be promptly
disciplined. Such discipline may include, if circumstances
warrant, suspension or expulsion for students, or suspension or
termination for employees.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND
SODA CANS IN LUNCHBOXES! We are trying to
teach students to make
healthy choices and hope this
can be modeled at home as
well as school!
All school personnel, students, and parents are expected
to work together to prevent harassment. Should you believe you
or another individual has been subjected to harassment on the
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability or
marital status, you should report the harassment to your school
or to:
Mark West, General Manager of Employee Relations
Division of Human Resources
901 East Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 272-4227
mark.west@sdhc.k12.us
County School Board
Absence Line
Please let us know of your child’s absence by
10:00 am.
Call 757-9353 and press #1
during the
greeting. Leave your child’s name, teacher’s
name, date and reason for the absence.
Estimados Padres
Si necesitan esta información en
español, por favor avisan a la
oficina, 757-9353. Gracias
Carol W. Kurdell, Chair
Susan L. Valdes, Vice Chair
Doretha W. Edgecomb
Transportation Changes
If your child will be
changing the method of his
or her transportation home,
please send in a note to
your child’s teacher.
Beginning this year we must
have all transportation
changes in writing.
April Griffin
Candy Olson
Cindy Stuart
Stacy R. White, Pharm.D.
Superintendent of Schools
MaryEllen Elia
www.sdhc.k12.fl.us