Principals’ Paws

Family Newsletter Published by the Principals of Mary Blount Elementary School

Volume 1, Issue 2

September 6, 2006

Mary Blount Elementary School

131 South Old Glory Road

Maryville, TN 37801

Sandra Bell, Principal

sandy.bell@blountk12.org

David C. Murrell, Assistant Principal

david.murrell@blountk12.org

  What a great start!

What a great start to the 2006-2007 school year. 

 

Progress Reports are going home today.  Please take time to discuss your child’s progress with him/her.  Your interest in education will pay dividends for many years to come.

 

Over the summer, we received our results from the Spring 2006 TCAP Test that is taken by 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.  Our students traditionally score well on achievement, and the 2006 scores are no different.  Most of our students are Proficient or Advanced in all academic areas.  We will continue to focus on value-added scores, which will provide a measure of student growth from year-to-year.  Value-Added growth in Reading/Language and Math was identified as the focus for our Tennessee School Improvement Plan.

 

Make plans to join us to celebrate grandparents’ day.  Forms have been sent home for you to make reservations for grandparents.  Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd will celebrate on September 15.  2nd, 4th, and 5th will celebrate on September 22.  Our café is preparing a wonderful meal for both days.  What an exciting time for our students and their families.   

 

Please join us on Monday, October 2 for Bear Night.  You may visit your child’s classroom beginning at 6:00.  A performance by our 4th and 5th graders will begin around 6:45.  The performance will revolve around an Americana Theme.  4th and 5th grade students will be singing patriotic songs and art work will be on display.  Please make plans to join us.

 

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 22 for the annual Run for Education.  The Blount County Education Foundation will be sponsoring the event at Heritage High School.  The registration fee is $10, of which $8 comes back to Mary Blount to fund instructional initiatives.  More information will be coming home soon.

 

Appreciatively~~Ms. Bell and Mr. Murrell

 

 
       Mark Your Calendars

 

Sept. 6: Progress Reports

 

Sept. 8: PTO Fundraiser Kickoff

 

Sept. 15: Grandparents’ Day (K,1,3)

 

Sept. 22: Grandparents’ Day (2,4,5)

 

Oct. 2: Bear Night, 6:00 pm

     (4th and 5th grades performing)

 

Oct. 9-13: Fall Break

 

Oct. 16: Return to school

 

Oct. 18: Report Cards

 

Oct. 22: Run for Education at

              Heritage High School

 

Oct. 27: Makeup pictures

 

Oct. 28: PTO Masquerade Ball,

              6:00-8:00 pm

 

From the Bookshelf, by Ms. Joy Bivens, MBE Librarian

The library is doing a booming business, especially after it started out with a bang with the crash of our circulation database, but we think we have finally gotten all the data – books, kids, videos, etc. reentered.  We are currently reading back-to-school stories that tie in with the Lifelong Guidelines and Lifeskills that our school is studying.  Our Book Fair is scheduled for Jan. 22-Feb. 2.  We had a very successful Book Fair last year during the same time frame, so save your Christmas money.  See you at the library.

 

 

 

10 Ways to Help Your Child Be a Better Reader

by Ms. Robin Henry, MBE Literacy Leader

 

  1. Fill your home with books, magazines, comic books, and newspapers –any and all reading materials.
  2. Visit the public library regularly.
  3. Organize a parent/child neighborhood book club. Parents read and discuss one book, while children read and discuss another book.
  4. Continue bedtime reading, even if your youngster is getting older.
  5. Play games that include reading, such as Scrabble or Boggle.
  6. Turn computer time into reading time by suggesting the child read the news and information online.
  7. Make time to talk about what your child is reading.
  8. Have a family reading hour (or half hour, or whatever is manageable).
  9. Let your child choose reading material that interests him/her.
  10.  Praise your child for reading!

 

 

Making Connections-Bonding Families Using the Lifeskills,

by Ms. Heather Tuck, MBE Counselor

 

Welcome back to school!  Whether you are a new or returning family to Mary Blount, I bet you've already heard about a Lifeskill your child has learned about in school this year.  We spend a lot of time during the school day teaching our students the 18 Lifeskills and showing them how to use them.  You can help reinforce this by using the Lifeskills at home.  (For a complete list of all 18 Lifeskills & 5 Lifelong Guidelines with their definitions, refer to your Family Handbook.)  Around the dinner table this week, ask your child to tell you what Lifeskill they are learning about.  Talk about what that Lifeskill means to you and give your child an example of a time you have used it.  Modeling is a great way of teaching children good behavior, but sometimes they like to hear stories about you and your childhood.  For example, when was a time you had to learn the important lesson of being Truthful - even if it meant getting in trouble?   You can help make connections between school and home by frequently talking about the Lifeskills with your child.

 

 

 

Musical Notes, by Mr. Craig Hurst, MBE Music Instructor

 

In music, the kindergarten students have been learning about "teams" and how teamwork is required to make music.  1st grade students have been learning about long/short notes and fast/slow music.  1st grade classes and 1st/2nd multi-age classes will also be learning a special song for their family celebration program, which will be presented this month.  2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes have been learning about the music of America.  Songs such as "America, the Beautiful," "My Country 'tis of Thee," "This Land is Your Land," and others have been sung by each class.  The 4th and 5th grade classes will perform some of these songs as part of their "Bear Night" on Monday, October 2.  Hope you can make plans to join us for this time of sharing and reflection. 

 

 
Keeping Fit

by Ms. Rosemary Jagels, MBE PE Instructor

Physical education is an important part of your child's development and learning process.  Physical activity is good not only for the heart, but also for the brain, feeding it glucose and oxygen, increasing nerve connections, all of which makes it easier for children of all ages to learn.  Numerous studies show that children who exercise do better in school.  By presenting your child with a variety of challenging, stimulating activities throughout the year, the physical education program will help create an enjoyable, success-oriented experience that reaches every child.  Special attention will be given to social interaction, improvement of self-concepts, cooperation, and sportsmanship with emphasis on fitness, skill development, and basic fundamentals.  Safety is an important aspect of the physical education curriculum.  Safety begins with wearing the appropriate shoes and socks.  Physical activity in the gym is unsafe without proper footwear.  Please have your child wear "tennis shoes" on his/her day for physical education.

 

Art Smart

by Doris Poppelreiter, MBE Art Instructor

This summer, the Tennessee Arts Commission announced a Mary Blount art grant for $3,900.  This grant will fund guest professional artist Annamaria Gundlack's collaborative instruction with art teacher Doris Poppelreiter.  All K-5 students will participate in the “Native American: Unheard Voices” clay lessons.  Pueblo, Hopi, Cherokee, and Navajo tribal art will be the inspiration.  Art students begin working with clay Sept. 13, 14, and 15.

 

 

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