Bear Cub Newsletter

 Bear Cub News

                                           Academy of Tucson Elementary School

January, 2012

Principals Message

Happy 2012! We have had a great start to the New Year and hope you have as well.  As I have walked through the classrooms, the teachers continue to develop lessons that are thought provoking and actively engaging to students. Once again, we have many activities that students will be participating in this month. Please keep updated on these events by reviewing the various modes of communication that we have established for families. (Newsletters, Website, Blogs, Marquee, Bear Cub E-Mails, and PASS)  The Academy of Tucson schools are in the beginning phases of establishing their school communities for the 2012-2013. We have asked families to please return their Declaration Forms to us by January 20, 2012 to let us know if their child will be returning to one of the Academy schools for next year. We have also scheduled open houses throughout the remainder of the school year for prospective families. Please spread the word if you know of anyone who is looking to make a change in their child’s academic environment. I have included the dates of the open houses for all of the Academy schools in this newsletter.

In closing, I would like to thank all of the dedicated families of our school that have chosen to participate in making the Academy of Tucson Elementary School a wonderful learning environment for students. I would also like to send my appreciation to those families and friends who chose to include the Academy of Tucson Elementary School in their giving of tax credit donations. Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Sutter of Sutter’s Catering Service for donating their time, food and efforts at the Academy of Tucson alumni event that was held on December 18^th at the middle school.                                                                  

Calendar

January 10th: Elementary School Open House for

                 Prospective New Families 

                 Academy of Tucson Elementary

                 4:00-5:30 pm

January 11^th:  Early Release Day

January 13th: Parent Advisory Meeting 8:00 am

January 16th: No School-Martin Luther King

Jan.26^th-Feb.3rd: Book Fair        

January 24th: Middle School Open House for 4^th

                Graders-4:30-5:30 pm (Location:

                Middle School)               

January 26^th: 4^th Grade Field Trip-Old Tucson

January 27^th: Luau Dinner/Book Fair/Spirit Day

February 1st:  Lunch with a Loved One

Physical Education Update:

A note from Mrs. Mitchell:  

This month in P.E., we will be focusing on Jump Rope for Heart. We will be learning all about the heart; how it works and how to take care of it. We will also be learning new jump roping skills.

Music Update:

A note from Mrs. Cmiel:

The 3^rd and 4^th grade students are starting to learn about how to read music and how to play the recorder. The younger grades are learning about rhythms and are having fun participating in interactive songs. Just a quick reminder to 3^rd and 4^th grade parents: Please make sure that your child has a recorder by Jan. 11^th. If there are any concerns please contact Mrs. Cmiel at 886-6076 or 749-1413.

Art and Library Update:

A note from Mrs.Teitelbaum

Art: We will be displaying art at the Kirk Bear Canyon Library from 12/18/11 through 1/28/12
The students will be learning about Georgia O'Keeffe and doing various art activities associated with her style. 

Library:
Kindergarten - Continue student selections and proper shelving of student books

Grade 1-Viewing picture books and writing the sentences to go with the pictures.
Grades 2- Working on a mystery
Grade 3 - Continue reading Mr. Popper's Penguins
Grade 4 - Continue reading Number the Stars

 

Parents Corner
There will be a parent advisory meeting under the ramada at 8:00 am on Jan. 10. This meeting will focus on upcoming events and other fundraising possibilities. PAC will be having their 2^nd annual yard sale in March. So, as you are doing your spring cleaning, consider donating your unwanted items to the school for our garage sale. We will have specific dates and times for dropping off your treasures and will let you know in a future newsletter and/or e-mail when those dates and times will be.

Science Fun Fest:

This year’s Fun Day of SCIENCE will be on

 March 23, 2012 and will focus on solar energy. 

The Science Fun Fest is still in need of the following items:

1. Empty Capri-Sun/Kool-aid cardboard boxes  

2. Empty Oatmeal round 42 oz. containers  

* There will be a Rubbermaid container in front of the administration building for you to drop off your containers.

You can contact Maya Hendrickson at 520-490-0251 with any questions.

The Science Fun Fest team thanks everyone for their donations.

Book Fair/Luau/Lunch with a Loved One
Please plan on coming to the book fair which starts on Jan. 26^th and goes until Feb. 3. Included during that time is a Luau sponsored by 4^th grade where there will be pre-orders sent out and that event will be on Friday, Jan. 27^th starting at 5:30. Then on Wed. Feb. 1^st from 11:00-1:00 pm you are invited to come to “Lunch with a Loved One.” Be on the look out for pre-order forms. There will be an all you can eat pizza luncheon for $5.00 a person. The Luau is to support the 4^th grade trip to the Grand Canyon and the “Lunch with a Loved One” will help to support the needs of the library.
Mrs. Teitelbaum is in need of some additional help at the book fair. Please contact Mrs. Anthis if you are able to volunteer. She can be reached at trishanthis@hotmail.com  

Tardiness 
Timely arrival to school and class is essential for student learning.  Since tardy students interfere with the learning of those who come on time, late arrivals are considered discipline violations. 
The first bell rings at 7:45 AM. This is the signal for students to line up with their classes.  The second bell rings at 7:55 AM. All students arriving after the second bell must be signed in by an adult.


Open House For Prospective Students/Kindergarten Screenings:
We will be having open house events for prospective students who are new to the Academy of Tucson Elementary School. This is a designated time to tour the school, get questions answered about the school, meet teachers/principal and complete registration forms. The following are the dates and times of the Open House Events for the elementary school including the dates and times of the other Academy of Tucson Schools:
Elementary School Open House Dates and Times:   
Tuesday-January 10^th 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday-February 7^th 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday-March 6th 4:00-5:30pm
Tuesday-April 10^th 4:30-6:00 pm
Tuesday-May 1st 4:30-6:00 pm
Kindergarten Screenings will be held on March 10^th and then on an as needed basis after March. PARENTS WILL BE MAILED A LETTER DESIGNATING THEIR CHILD’S SCREENING TIME. Note: The screenings are not used for admittance purposes.
Please Note: If new families are unable to attend any of the open house events, call to schedule a tour of the school in order to become familiar with the Academy of Tucson. We accept registration packets year round.

Middle School Open House Dates and Times:
Tuesday-January 24^th 4:30-5:30 pm (for 4^th graders going into 5^th grade)
Tuesday-February 7^th 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday-March 6th 4:00-5:30pm
Tuesday-April 10^th 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday-May 8th 4:00-5:30 pm

High School Open House Dates and Times:
Tuesday-January 10^th 4:00-6:00 pm
Tuesday-February 7^th 4:00-6:00 pm
Tuesday-March 6th 4:00-6:00pm
Tuesday-April 10^th 4:00-6:00 pm
Tuesday-May 8th 4:00-6:00 pm

Student Council Updates:
The Academy of Tucson Student Council raised $150.00 for the “Toys for Tots” program selling candy grams before we went on our holiday break. The next project they will be working on is the “Pennies for Patients” drive benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Start saving your loose change and more information will be coming in your child’s weekly correspondence folder. Please contact your child’s teacher if you would be willing to help count and roll the change before it is deposited. This event will start on Jan. 30^th and will continue until Feb. 17^th.