Principal's Letter April 2008

Notes from Ms. Daniels,

I would like to extend a big thank you to our PAWSE Leadership team led by Tami Taylor; PALS Coordinator, Tracey Dingley and Volunteers; and Teachers and Staff for all of their hard work in organizing and preparing for the PALS Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  It was a wonderful event and we hope all of our volunteers know how much we appreciate each and every one. 

There are many activities happening during the last two months of school but remember - learning is the most important.

Our annual school carnival will be on April 18^th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance and also at the carnival. 

Kindergarten Round-Up is scheduled for April 29^th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  We invite any students who will be attending Cranberry in Kindergarten next fall to come with their parents for a time of orientation. 

KUDOS KORNER

THANK YOU

TO

Dr. Cherie Rzad and staff for the doing a great job in the administration of our FCAT and Stanford Testing.

AND

TO

A Word from the Counselors…….

SAY “Yes”, too.  Do you find yourself automatically saying “no” to your child?  Instead, take a minute to think about alternatives.  For example, maybe he/she can see a movie on a weekday – if he/she finishes their homework first.  Saying yes, as well as no, shows your child that you are considering his/her feelings. 

Getting ready for Middle School –

Help your rising middle schooler feel confident about changing schools.  Have him/her attend orientation sessions (Cranberry 5th graders will tour HCMS on April 21^st.)  Parent night at Heron Creek will be held in May. Look for a flyer to be sent home soon with a date and time for this event.

Science Spotlight

            During the month of April, children will be learning about processes of life.  This is the study of how plants and animals grow and change.  Students will be investigating life cycles, classifying items as living and not living, and recognizing the needs of living things.  In the older grades, students will be learning more in depth about cells, body systems, and animal’s dependence on plants.  A few vocabulary terms to discuss with your child are organism, life cycle, habitat, organ, and tissue.

          A great family activity to do this month is to find a plot of land in your backyard about 3 feet by 3 feet.  Mark it off with some branches.  Visit the plot of land at different times of the day and many days throughout the month.  Discuss with your child what they observe in the plant and animal life in your own plot of land.

CALENDAR OF UP COMING EVENTS                                                                                  

APRIL

April 14                                                   Venice Little Theater – K-3 grades 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

April 16                                                   Class Group Pictures – Must Prepay, notices will be sent home

April 17                                                   Individual Spring Pictures – No prepayment

April 18                                                   School Carnival, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

April 18                                                   Field Trip – 3^rd grade, Venice Symphony, N. P. High School

April 21                                                   Field Trip, Burns, Tabor and Schweitzer, 9:20 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

April 22                                                   Field Trip, Carter, Butigian and Pappas, 9:20 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

April 22                                                   SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m. Media Center

April 23                                                   Field Trip, Lang and Johnson, and Feo 9:20 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

April 25                                                   Field Trip, 5^th grade

April 28 – May 2                                     Book Fair

April 29                                                   Kindergarten Roundup, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m

MAY

May 5                                                     Fifth Grade Parent Night – Heron Creek Middle 6:00 p.m.

May 6                                                     Fifth Grade Parent/Student book club 6:30 p.m.

May 7                                                     Field Trip, Young, Gillis, Rice, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

May 8                                                     Staff Appreciation Luncheon

May 9                                                     DARE Swim Night, YMCA Swim Park , 7:00 p.m

May 14                                                   Field Trip, Irving , Daniell, Tannehill, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

May 21                                                   Field Trip, Wong, Anderson , Lagerman, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

May 23 – 24                                           Fifth Grade Read-A-Thon Sleepover, 6:00p.m. – 8:00 a.m.

May 26                                                   Memorial Day Holiday – School closed

May 29                                                   Fifth Grade Graduation, 6:00 p.m., Heron Creek Middle School

May 30                                                   Last Day of School for students

*Chorus every Friday, 3:15 – 4:30p.m.

  Orff every Monday, 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.

MEDIA CENTER NEWS

   The Cranberry Elementary "Take a Reading Road Trip" book fair will be held in the Media Center April 28 - May 2, 2008, Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tuesday also during Kindergarten Round Up, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.  The book fair is closed daily from 1 - 1:30 p.m. for lunch.  Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.  If sending in money with your student (cash or checks) please remember there is 7% sales tax.  Students will attend the Book Fair during their Media time.  Parents are welcome to attend, please sign in at the office. Check out the Cranberry Book Fair website http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/cranberry for a sampling of the books offered, featured books, classroom wish list information, to make a student wish list online, view the schedule and hours, and find out more about the Summer Reading Buzz.  Visit the Summer Reading Buzz site for fun activities and resources for parents, teachers, and kids!  Flyers will be sent home after Spring Break. 

      Sarasota County Public Library card applications will be given to all first graders at Cranberry Elementary in April in promotion of libraries and reading for School Library Media Month from school to community.  The promotion is called, “Get Ready for Summer Reading Fun".

      Some great websites offering reading activities are Book Adventure, http://www.bookadventure.com/; http://childrenstory.com/, http://www.childrenstory.com/; Story Place, http://www.storyplace.org/; Ant Bee, http://www.antbee.com/; KidsClick, http://www.kidsclick.org/; Sakes Alive, http://www.sakesalive.com/; and BAB Books Online, http://www.sundhagen.com/babbooks/.

Principal's Letter March 2008

Notes from Ms. Daniels,

The Cross-Age Tutorial Program was a huge success with over 100 students from Cranberry and over 50 area teens participating.  We also had several Cranberry teachers who assisted with the reading portion of tutoring.  Thanks to everyone who took part. 

We know our students are ready and prepared for the upcoming FCAT testing  for 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students which will take place beginning on March 11, 2008.  Please encourage your children and make sure they get to bed early and eat a good breakfast each day.

Plans are being made at this time in preparation for our annual School Carnival to be held on April 18, 2008 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Tickets will be going on sale after Spring Break.  This is always a wonderful time of fun for parents, students, and staff.  If you are interested in volunteering to assist with set up, food booths, or clean up, or if you are interested in setting up a vendor booth, please call the school office and leave your name and phone number for one of the committee members to contact you.

KUDOS KORNER

CONGRATULATIONS

TO

District Science Fair Winners

Sarah Anderson

“Fizzability”

Emily Roberts

“Raisins Galore”

Callie Thompson

“Biggest Bubbles”

Nicholas Tine

“The Battery Life Testers”

Justine Tryon

“Dancing Swirling Colors”

 A Word from the Counselors…….

It’s that time of year when staff and students are both excited and anxious about the upcoming testing.  This is a good time to review a few strategies with your child.

1.   Keep an eye on your time, pace yourself.

2.  Read the question before you look at the answers.

3.  Your first choice is usually the correct one.  Don’t keep changing your answers

A Note from Food Services

“WE FEED THE FUTURE”

Difficult economic times have affected many families in Sarasota County , and have touched the lives of our most precious resource – our children.  In response, the Department of Food and Nutrition Services wants to respectfully remind all parents/guardians and students of the availability of free and reduced priced meals.  These meals are wholesome, nutritionally balanced, and provide a variety of nutrients for growing bodies and fuel for the academic day. 

Some parents and students have been reluctant to apply for meal benefits, believing that others might find out that they receive meal benefits.  We are exceptionally cautious about keeping this information confidential.  All students, paid, free, and reduced priced status, enter their 5-digit PIN to receive meals.  No meal status is reflected on the cashiers’ computer screens and at no time is the child asked about their meal status in the serving line.

Students eligible to receive free meal benefits are also eligible to receive free or reduced priced breakfasts.  Research has shown that an adequate breakfast meal improves test scores and academic achievement. 

If you have questions about the application process or would like to complete an application, please contact the Food and Nutrition Services Manager at your school, or call the FNS Central Office at 486-2199.  We must receive a completed, original application, with a parent’s or guardian’s signature and cannot accept faxes.

Food and Nutrition Services remains committed to the childre3n, adolescents, and young adults of our school district and our community.  In truth, “We Feed the Future.”

FAMILY AND FRIENDS DAY FOR CRANBERRY

TAMPA BAY RAYS vs BOSTON RED SOX

The Tampa Bay Rays are offering a Family and Friends Day for all Cranberry students on April 27, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa .  Flyers will be sent home prior to Spring Break with information about ticket purchase.  Upper Deck infield seats will be $14 each with a group of seats together being reserved for Cranberry Elementary School .  There will be a free give-away at the gate for students and students can run the bases at the end of the game.  Deadline for ticket reservations is April 16, 2008. 

MEDIA CENTER NEWS

The Media Center will host a Spring Scholastic Book Fair April 28 - May 2, 2008 each day from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the Media Center .  Students will attend the Book Fair during their regularly scheduled Media time.  Parents are welcome to attend the Book Fair during these times, please sign in at the office before coming to the Media Center . The Book Fair will also be open during Kindergarten Round-Up on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.  A Book Fair order form and preview flyer will be sent home the week before the Book Fair.  This will be a great time for you to buy your student some summer reading books.  The Book Fair benefits the Cranberry Elementary Media Center .

      Cranberry Elementary will be teaming up with the North Port Public Library for a library card sign up for the month of April.  This Sarasota County School District promotion of libraries and reading from school to community will be called "Get Ready for Summer Reading Fun".  Watch for details and library card applications to come home in April.

CALENDAR OF UP COMING EVENTS                                                                                 

MARCH

March 11 – 25                                        FCAT Assessment, Grades 3-5

March 25                                                SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m., Media Center

March 27                                                Ident-A-Kid –Flyers will be sent home

March 27                                                Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Cafeteria

March 29 – April 6                                 SPRING BREAK- Students/Staff return on April 7

*Chorus every Friday, 3:15 – 4:30p.m.

  Orff every Monday, 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.

APRIL

April 8 - 10                                             Stanford Achievement Testing – Grades 1 and 2

April 9                                                    Environmental Club Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

April 11                                                  K and 1 Field Trip  - 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. N.P. High School

April 14                                                  Venice Little Theater – K-3 grades 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

April 16                                                  Class Group Pictures – Must Prepay, notices will be sent home

April 17                                                  Individual Spring Pictures – No prepayment

April 18                                                  School Carnival, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

April 18                                                  Field Trip – 3^rd grade, Venice Symphony, N. P. High School

April 21                                                  Field Trip ,  Burns, Tabor and Schweitzer, 9:20 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.

April 22                                                  Field Trip, Carter, Butigian and Pappas, 9:20 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.

April 22                                                  SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m. Media Center

April 23                                                  Field Trip, Lang and Johnson, and Feo 9:20 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

April 25                                                  Field Trip, 5^th grade

April 28 – May 2                                    Book Fair

April 29                                                  Kindergarten Roundup, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m

Principal's Letter February 2008

Notes from Ms. Daniels,

In February we celebrate Black History Month.  Students will be learning about famous African Americans, past and present, who have made a significant contribution to society and helped make our country great.  

In preparation for the FCAT Assessment which will take place March 11^th through the 25^th, our Cross-Age-Tutorial program will be held on three Saturdays; 1 in February and 2 in March.  The training session for our teen tutors will be held on February 20^th from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. and the tutoring sessions for 3^rd through 5^th grade students will be on February 23, March 1, and March 8, 9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Teen tutors should call the main office and register prior to February 19^th and 3^rd through 5^th grade students should have already sent in their permission forms to participate in these sessions. 

KUDOS KORNER

Thank you Carmen Sleeth for all of your hard work in organizing the Math Fair.  It was a wonderful learning experience for both parents and students with over 600 participants.  We appreciate the teachers, staff, and parent volunteers who helped make this event possible

A Word from the Counselors…….

We are enjoying working with the students in many ways in the classrooms, guidance groups, and also individually. 

This month we would like to share with you a tip regarding the “Challenge of Chores”.

BEHAVIOR TIP:

The earlier you expect your kids to take an active role in helping around the house, the easier it will be to get them to cooperate.

1.        Specify chores and delegate responsibilities.

2.       Teach how to do the chore, and what completion will look like.

3.       Set deadlines for task completion.

4.       Set a consequence for incompletion.

Feel free to call us if you have any questions.  We have some great parent resources

FEBRUARY IS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH

Thank you to our many volunteers who assist throughout the school in a variety of ways.  We would like our volunteers to “Save the Date” for a special dinner on March 27^th when will be honoring our volunteers.  Individual invitations to each volunteer will be sent out in the near future. 

Please take the time to “Thank” a volunteer whenever you see them around campus and let them know how much we appreciate everything they do! 

There will be an “appreciation” table near the PALS office during the month of February.   We would like all of our volunteers to stop by and pick up a special treat. 

Congratulations to our January “Volunteer of the Month”

Jennifer Byrd

 THANK A VOLUNTEER TODAY!

CALENDAR OF UP COMING EVENTS                                                                                 

FEBRUARY

February 6                                              Environmental Club Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

February 9                                              FCAT Writing Seminar for 4^th grade students 9:00 – 12:00

February 11                                            Leadership Team Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

February 12-13                                       FCAT Assessment, 4^th grade only

February 15                                            Professional Day, No Students in School

February 18                                            School Closed, Presidents’ Day Holiday

February 19, 21, 26, 28                          FCAT Prep for Third Grade, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

February 20                                            TEEN Training for CAT Program, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

February 23                                            Cross-Age-Tutorial Program, 9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

February 25                                            Leadership Team Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 pm..

February 26                                            SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m., Media Center

February 26                                            5^th grade Parent/Child book club, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

MARCH

March 1                                                  Cross-Age-Tutorial Program, 9:45 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.

March 5                                                  Environmental Club Meeting 3”15 – 4:15 p.m.

March 4, 6                                              FCAT Prep for Third Grade 3:30 – 5:00

March 8                                                  Cross-Age Tutorial Program, 9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

March 11 – 25                                        FCAT Assessment, Grades 3-5

March 25                                                SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m., Media Center

March 27                                                Ident-A-Kid –Flyers will be sent home

March 27                                                Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Cafeteria

March 29 – April 6                                 SPRING BREAK- Students/Staff return on April 7

 *Chorus every Friday, 3:15 – 4:30p.m.

  Orff every Monday, 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.

SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT

     Science is Out of this World in February.  We will be studying all about Earth and Space this month.  Students in younger grades will be discussing the causes of night and day, how the sky looks different in the day and night, and how the Earth, Moon, and the Sun move in space.  Older children will be studying why we have seasons, the location of the moon during each of its phases, and characteristics of the planets. 

Below you will find a vocabulary memory match game.  Cut out the pieces, mix them up,  and lay them face down on the table.  See if you can match the definition to the correct term.

Media Center News: 

    Kindergarten students now have Media Specials.  Mrs. Twedt is teaching Kindergarten students the parts of a book, identifying the author, illustrator, and title of a book, the difference between fiction and nonfiction books, locating books in the Everybody Section, doing author studies, and the ABC's of the library/media center through storytime, ActivBoard activities, Tumble Books, games,creative projects, and hands-on learning. 

    Second and third graders are continuing to learn and reinforce their research and reference skills using the dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, almanac, encyclopedia, newspapers, and periodicals.  Ask your 2nd or 3rd grade student what a "guide" word is and how to use guide words to navigate the dictionary, ask them to find the definition of a "ponderous" book.  Ask them what part of speech the word is.

    The Sarasota County Public Library System offers "Dial-A-Story" by calling 486-2330.  Children ages 3 - 10 can enjoy a two-minute story or fairy tale.  The story is changed every two days. 

    February highlights and holidays include Groundhog's Day, Black History Month, President's Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and the birthdays of authors Laura Ingalls Wilder author of the Little House on the Prairie series, Judy Blume author of the books Double Fudge, Fudge-a-Mania, and Superfudge and Norman Bridwell author of the Clifford series books. 

Principal's Letter January 2008

Notes from Ms. Daniels,

I would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help with our “Breakfast with Santa”.  It was well attended and was a fun event for our students. 

The Cougar Fun Run will take place on January 25^th to help raise funds to purchase computers to replace some of our original computers in the classrooms.

 As we begin the New Year, we look forward to the many opportunities for students to receive additional help as they prepare for the FCAT Testing.  Many fourth grade students will be receiving tutoring after school to improve their writing skills.  Our third graders will be receiving help in reading.  The Cross-Age-Tutorial program will be taking place on three Saturdays:  Feb. 23, March 1, and March 8.  Third through Fifth graders will have an opportunity to sign up for this great student-to-student tutoring. 

KUDOS KORNER

Congratulations!

To our School-Related Employee of the Year

Mrs. Lynn Twedt,

Our Media Specialist

A Word from the Counselors…….

 We will continue with our current guidance groups through January.  In February we will begin new groups.  If you would like your child to participate in a Buddy, Journeys, Sharing, or a Positive Behavior Support group, please send a note to Guidance through your child’s teacher. 

YMCA Youth and Family Services in Sarasota are offering FREE seminars for families:  “Parents Who Care” and “Anger Management”. They start January 8^th and run every Tuesday through February 12^th. 

Call 952-1644 to register. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING

“Edge of Excellence Grant Winners”

Mrs. Dame – EDIBLE AQUARIUM

                       SOLAR SCIENCE

Mrs. Pappas – BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER,  SECOND GRADE MOVIE STARS

Mrs. Cramer – 3D MODELS OF REVOLUTIONARY AND CIVIL WAR, STARGAZING STUDENTS

Mrs. Brunson – ACTIVELY ACTING WITH READERS THEATER

Mrs. Kemble – IT’S ONLY LOGICAL

Mrs. Vodopija – THE “OBJECT” OF READING SUCCESS FOR PRE-K THROUGH FIRST GRADE ESE STUDENTS

Mrs. Fourman – FOCUSED ON PHONICS,  FLUENCY IS ‘FUN’DAMENTAL, MAKING MATH MOTIVATING

Mr. Zimmerman – TEXCELLENCE SOFTWARE CLUB –Supporting Students in the Digital Age

Mrs. Embury – THE NEED FOR READING SPEED:  BUILDING FLUENCY IN THE CLASSROOM SCIENCE MATTERS:  SOLID, LIQUID, GAS

We congratulate these winning teachers and applaud those who submitted proposals for this Grant Program.

Of course, it is the students who win as a result of their teacher’s ingenuity and drive. 

CALENDAR OF UP COMING EVENTS                                                                                 

JANUARY

January 11                                 Last day to purchase Yearbooks at price of $15.

January 14                                 Leadership Team Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.  

January 16                                              Environmental Club Meeting

January 18                                              Cougar Fun Run

January 21                                              School Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

January 22                                              SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m. , Media Center

January 28                                              Leadership Team Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

January 29                                              First Grade Family Night, 6:00 p.m. , Cafeteria

January 31                                              Math Fair, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. , Cafeteria

January 31                                              LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER/PURCHASE YEARBOOKS

FEBRUARY

February 6                                              Environmental Club Meeting

February 11                                            Leadership Team Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

February 15                                            Professional Day, No Students in School

February 18                                            School Closed, Presidents’ Day Holiday

February 19, 21, 26, 28                          FCAT Prep for Third Grade, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

February 23                                            Cross-Age-Tutorial Program

February 25                                            Leadership Team Meeting, 3:15 – 4:15 pm ..

February 26                                            SAC Meeting, 4:00 p.m. , Media Center

Science Spotlight

During the month of January, students will be focusing on Processes that Shape the Earth in their classroom science lessons.  Through study of this area, students should make connections to show that the Earth’s surface is continually changing due to many factors, such as waves, weather, and shifts of land.  Topics such as the water cycle, the rock cycle, weathering, and erosion will be discussed. 

Some fun activities involving the Earth can be done in your backyard.  Collect a soil sample from your yard and separate its parts by size, shape, or colors.  See if you can see evidence of the four main parts of soil:  sand, clay, humus (materials that were once living), and gravel.  After looking at your soil sample, use an old jar, with a screw on lid.  Add your soil and then fill the jar with water.  Shake it up really well and watch as the mixture settles.  Discuss observations with your child.

FAMILY MATH FAIR

6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

January 31, 2008

Come out and join the fun at our Math Fair.  You can come with your family any time between the above hours.  Pizza and sodas will be available for purchase.  Each family will receive a math game packet to continue enhancing math skills at home.

PRINCIPAL’S LETTER – DECEMBER 2007

Notes from Ms. Daniels,

Thank you to our volunteers, student leadership group, and staff who assisted with our Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program and to our parents and students for the donation of non-perishable food items.  It was a great success and we were able to help over 250 families.  Thank you to Mayor’s Feed the Hungry and All Faiths Food Bank for the donation of the turkeys. 

We wish everyone a restful and relaxing winter break as we look forward to a great New Year!

  KUDOS KORNER

Congratulations!

To Mrs. Dame and staff

for our wonderful Science Fair. 

The students did a fabulous job showcasing their scientific experiments.  The top twenty winners are listed below