Principals’ Paws Family Newsletter Published by the Principals of Mary Blount Elementary School
Volume 1, Issue 8		March 21, 2007
from the desks of Mrs. Bell and Mr. Murrell…
			Mark Your Calendars Mar. 21: Report Cards Mar. 23: 20-day Review Mar. 26: Parent Conferences, 9-3 April 6: No School April 9: No School April 11-17: TCAPs (2^nd-5^th) April 24: Art Fest at Central Office, 6-9 pm April 27: Kindergarten Registration May 4: Bear Run May 7: Current Events Bowl at Central Office, 6-8 pm May 9: 5^th grade registration at WBMS May 11: Kindergarten Screening May 22: last day of school, report cards, ½ day (dismiss at 11:00)
We hope this newsletter finds everyone doing well and rested from a super Spring Break. The onset of spring brings such a sense of renewal, and our hope is that you and your family take time to enjoy it to the fullest. This newsletter is being sent home with report cards. Please take time to review your child’s progress during the third grading period, and you may contact your child’s teacher if you have questions. Our first grade classes have been involved in a Social Action Project on the MBE Campus. Their motto is “Keep our Campus Clean and Green.” They are attempting to raise awareness of the number of people who walk across the grass to enter the building and of the amount of litter on our campus. Please help our first graders keep this campus clean and green. Check out Nettrekker at www.nettrekker.com. Click on Nettrekker D.I. Our username is MBE and the password is bears. This website is a great resource for projects, homework help, etc. We need two wood tone ladder-back chairs for our family room. If you have any you would like to donate or know of anyone who would, please contact the main office. We have two Summer School opportunities to share with you: § The Kindergarten Readiness program is available to students who will be attending kindergarten beginning in August 2007. Enrollment information will be available in May. The program dates are June 4-June 29. § The Sixth Grade Academy is a program that helps upcoming 6^th graders transition to the middle school. The academy will be held at William Blount Middle School. Dates and enrollment information will be available in April. Our PE teacher, Ms. Jagels, recently received a grant through the Blount County Education Foundation to purchase dance mats that she will use with our 3^rd through 5^th grade students. What a great opportunity to enhance our physical education curriculum. The state of Tennessee has set another tax holiday for April 27-29 on certain school supplies priced $100 or less on individual items. A list of supplies may be found by calling 1-800-342-1003, email at salestax.holiday@state.tn.us, or website at www.Tennessee.gov/revenue or www.tntaxholiday.com. REMINDER…read with your child 20 minutes each evening. Appreciatively, Mrs. Bell and Mr. Murrell
			Mary Blount Elementary School 131 South Old Glory Road Maryville, TN 37801 Phone: (865) 980-1430 Fax: (865) 980-1428 Sandra Bell, Principal sandra.bell@blountk12.org David C. Murrell, Assistant Principal david.murrell@blountk12.org
The vision of Mary Blount Elementary School is to encourage a love of learning, prepare responsible citizens, develop lifelong learners, and cultivate a respect for diversity.

Hats off to…

• Mr. Hurst, Ms. Jagels, and 2^nd and 3^rd grade teachers and students for a great Bear Night performance on February 27. Who knew that we had so many talented line-dancers?

• Mary Baker, Kassi Knight, Jack McReynolds, and Andrew Pierce for representing the 4^th and 5^th grade at the Blount County Science Fair held at Heritage High School on February 27. Kassi placed third in the physical division at the county level. Congratulations to all.

Wellness Update
 

Many families have posed questions regarding the new federal and state wellness guidelines. In the next few issues of the Principals’ Paws, we will address some of the Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What about parties, pizzas, and cupcakes for kids?

The new policy applies to these foods and occasions that occur during the school day. The policy stipulates that all foods made available to children on campus during the school day must meet nutritional standards. Some school principals have this list. It can also be obtained from the school Food Service Manager. In order to comply with the new standards, Mary Blount teachers will plan the menu for class celebrations.

2. Does the policy apply to outside foods brought into the cafeteria by a parent?

The policy does not apply to food brought in by a parent or guardian for his/her own child. However, it does apply to any food a parent or guardian brings in to share with children other than his/her own.

"Making Connections -Bonding Families using the LIFESKILLS"
by Heather Tuck, School Counselor

Responsibility means “to do what’s right.” Responsibility is also proving you can be trusted to do what is expected of you. Spend this week looking for responsible things you see your children doing – things they always do that you haven’t praised before or new things they’ve taken on as you study this LIFESKILL with your family. Make a list of rewards for responsibilities, but emphasize that responsibility doesn’t always bring material rewards. Talk about the personal rewards of being responsible and why you are happy to be in a family of responsible people. Sometimes families will use the springtime to start new rituals or do a little “Spring Cleaning”. This spring, decide as a family what you could do to share in the responsibility of a task. Maybe your family could start recycling or look for another project that could benefit both your family and the community. Talk with your children about responsibility for the environment and why it’s important. Ask your children to tell you some jobs they’d like to take on or new responsibilities they’d like to try out. When everyone does their part, we learn to share responsibilities to get the job done!

Tutoring Opportunity

Margie Keyser, a teaching assistant at MBE and also a certified Special Education Teacher, provides private and group tutoring sessions. If interested, please give her a call at 257-3384.

Art Smart, by Doris Poppelreiter, Art Instructor

Mary Blount art students have been busy sculpting animals like the salamander, snake, turtle, owl, fish, and elk out of clay.  Students created their own box habitat using rocks, art paper, and sticks.  They also painted their sculptures and placed them in their boxes.  What great integration of art and science.  Mary Blount students create amazing animals.

Please check out our updated webpage at… http://www.blountk12.org/Mbweb/Mary_Blount_Elementary.htm