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Nickajack  2013-2014  Beat

This Newletter is jointly sponsored by the PTA and the NES Foundation 

 

Issue: 2013-028              

Dec. 16, 2013 



In This Issue
Chick Fil A Night
PTA Candy Gram Sales
Tickets on Sale for Casino Night
Brainy Builders Registration
Fundraise for Books
Shop Amazon for Nickajack
Kickball Classic/Fall Festival Survey
Shoe Drive
Kindergarten Open House
PTA Outstanding Parent Volunteers
Mayor's Awards
Back to School Teacher Luncheon
Yearbooks Still On Sale!
Help NEs Win a Playground Makeover!
Georgia Parent Survey
Griffin Middle School Tour



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Chick-Fil-A Night
Tuesday, Dec. 17th, 5 - 8 pm
Specialist Teachers Hosting
chick fil a
PTA Candy Grams Sales
On Sale through Dec. 18th 
Also, Volunteers Still Needed Please
candy gram
PTA's Candy Grams are still on sale now through Dec. 18th!

Students, parents, and staff can send a "sweet" note to their friends and teachers who attend Nickajack.  Each note will be tied to a candy cane and cost $1.00.  All proceeds go back to your PTA.

Sales will continue Dec. 6th - Dec. 18th before school and all candy grams will be delivered on Dec. 19th.  

We are in need of volunteers please.  Please click on here to sign up to volunteer. 

Questions?  Please contact our PTA Candy Gram Chair, Jen Leppert.

 

Casino Night Tickets  on Sale NOW!
Tickets on sale for February  8th  Event 
Speakeasy Style Casino Night will be the Cats Meow!

   
Sneak in the back door for the 2nd Annual NES Foundation Casino night!  Enjoy delicious food from Sinful Dish, table casino games, raffles and a silent auction.  The top secret location (Monte Carlo's Back Room) will require a password that you will receive when you purchase your tickets. 

 

Ticket prices are reduced from last year to $50/per person for an all-inclusive ticket or $75/per person for the "Ante Up" package (designed for high rollers).  More information ONLINE. 

 

Roaring 20s costumes are optional but semi-formal dress is a must!  Click here to PURCHASE TICKETS

 

If you buy your tickets by January 13th, you will receive an extra raffle ticket!

Brainy Builders Registration Open
Online Winter/Spring Session
Playin' on Purpose

LEGO® and K'nex® learning at its best!

Playin' On Purpose! uses specially designed LEGO® and K'nex

Education kits and tools not found in stores to introduce children to the fundamentals of physics and mathematics while encouraging social interaction through team "buddy building". Children learn about levers, gears, wheels, axels, pulleys - all the components of basic machines and mechanisms (motorized and non-motorized) while exploring energy, buoyancy, and balance. We design and construct, we observe and predict, we test and problem solve, all while having fun!

 

In Brainy Builders, kids can explore their natural talents. Brainy Builders kids learn by building! LEGO Education calls this "constructionism". Favorite topics such as machines, land air and sea travel, outer space provide the platform for creative building and problem solving activities. In every Brainy Builders class the kids are working with lego education systems that include simple and powered machines! Because LEGO and K'Nex Education tools allow children open-ended problem solving children get curious and with the help of our Brainy teachers children can find answers to their questions. We help them understand concepts in balance, stability, buoyancy, energy and motion; just to name a few!

 

Click HERE to Register   

 

 

Nickajack's Media Center Needs Your Help!
Please Donations Needed:  Now through Jan. 17th!

 

The media center plays a critical role in increasing literacy among students, assisting teachers with their curriculum, and contributing to your child's lifelong joy of reading. 

 

There simply is not enough money in the budget to fill our library with the books our students and teachers need for reading and research.  A recent collection analysis indicates that 70% of our non-fiction collection is out dated, over 4,000 books!  We need to purchase updated and relevant non-fiction books to support the Common Core curriculum and our student's interest in non-fiction topics.

 

For every $20 donated we will be able to purchase a new book and 100% of your tax deductible donation goes to the Nickajack Media Center!

 

Click to donate: http://www.funds4books.com/fundraiser.aspx?pincode=ece9

 

Donations ($10 minimum) will be accepted until January 17, 2014.

 

With your help, we can purchase the library materials our children need!

 

We greatly appreciate your support!

 

Holiday Shopping
Don't Forget to Shop for Nickajack
Amazon HOliday Toy  Shop
With the holidays quickly approaching, don't forget if you shop through the Amazon Link here, a percentage of your purchase comes back to your PTA which supports Nickajack 100%!


 
Kickball Classic/Fall Festival Survey
Quick survey to help the NES Foundation

   
NESF needs your help!  Please share your thoughts on the

Kickball Classic/Fall Festival event that took place on October 13.  Please fill out this QUICK ONLINE SURVEY

Shoe Drive for Eagle Scout Service Project
Collecting Gently Used Shoes  through Dec. 20th
cartoon-sneakers.jpg
 
Local Boy Scout, David Morse, from Troop 22, is currently working on his Eagle Scout Service Project.  He is collecting gently used shoes of any kind to help those who do not have a good pair of shoes to keep their feet warm during the winter months.
 
Please drop any shoe donations to the Red Bins located outside the front office through Friday, Dec. 20th.
Kindergarten Open House, Jan. 16th
PTA Co-Chair Person Needed
School House
Our annual kindergarten open house is quickly approaching and we are in need of a co-chair person.  If you are interested in finding out more about the position, please email our current (and veteran) chairperson, Amanda Leach for more information.
PTA Outstanding Parent Volunteers Recognized
Thank you for your Dedication to our School

thank you

Please join us in congratulating the wonderful PTA parent volunteers who were recently recognized at our last Character Assembly.  

 

Stephanie Haley has been such a wonderful room mom!  She is also the proud parent of Todd Haley. She works full time, but still makes time to update all of the parents on everything that goes on in the classroom.  She makes sure that the classroom has everything that is needed for all special events.   She has even helped with some special cases in the classroom.  We really appreciate all that the parents do every day.  Thank you Mrs. Haley for going above and beyond for the children and for Nickajack!

 

Haskell Murray has been very involved at Nickajack.  He is the proud parent of Haskell Murray.  He is always willing to do anything that needs to be done.  He comes to the school almost on a daily basis to check the needs of the classroom.  When he heard that the students were having a difficult time sharing 2 balls, he went out and purchased 12 brand new playground balls for the class.  The children have really enjoyed using the balls.    He has no idea what kind of impact his kind gesture had on the kids and how much we really appreciate it. Thank you Mr. Haskell for being the type of parent that we love to recognize at Nickajack!

 

Eric Johns is a fantastic and dedicated AR Parent Volunteer that comes weekly to assist with AR in the classroom. Mr. Johns has offered to come early in the morning to help out and always offers smiles and high fives to the students. Students look forward to the AR days and having Mr. Eric (as they very nicely call him) come help out with AR.  As a result of his dedication, they are always encouraged to try their very best. Mr. Eric is most definitely a great role model!   

 

Yvonne Johns is a part of the Box Tops committee this school year. She has motivated many classrooms to collect Box Tops and help our school earn free money. Her efforts to earn the school free money are greatly appreciated.

 

Eric and Yvonne Johns are the proud parents of Alex Johns in Mrs. Kordel's 1st Grade class.  Their happiness, love for all students and great citizenship is to be admired by all.  The Johns family is always very hands-on and always eager to help out with many opportunities in the classroom and throughout our school. Thank you both for your positive impact in the classroom and school.

Nickajack is very lucky to have you both here!

 

Being the type of dedicated volunteer she is, you would think that Lorie Meyer works full-time at Nickajack Elementary. She does the accelerated reader program multiple times a week. She is no longer a mystery during reading time because of the numerous times she has read to the class.  They anticipate her being there.  Lorie is always at the school events and does not mind rolling up her sleeves and doing administrative work such as making copies for Mrs. Butler's Class.  Lorie is the proud parent of Tatiana Meyer in Mrs. Harrison's 1st grade class and Yasmin Meyer in Mrs. Butler's kindergarten class.  She helps out with any events and centers that they have in the classroom and always volunteers to bring in any items that we need for the Food Truck Friday events. Kudos to Mrs. Meyer and her dedicated service to the literacy!

 

Kim Trumble is an awesome parent volunteer.  She works really hard to make a positive difference at the school throughout the year. Her devotion to volunteerism is an inspiration to parents and students alike.  She is the proud parent of Savannah Trumble in Mrs. Cochran's 3rd grade class and Miles Trumble in Mrs. Newman's 1st grade class.  Mrs. Trumble, your time spent at Nickajack will never go unnoticed because it is appreciated so much!

 

Katy Weihe has been nominated for all of her hard work and dedication to our local schools.  She is the proud parent of Ian Weihe in Mrs. Caputo's 2nd grade class.  Not only does she co-chair the book fair, run KC Club every week, volunteer in her son's 2nd grade class, make copies and volunteer for whatever is needed at Nickajack, she is also involved at Griffin Middle School.  It is due to volunteers like Katy, that our wonderful school is growing and thriving. Thanks Mrs. Weihe, you are an awesome friend, volunteer & Mom!

 

These 2 ladies are fantastic as a Book Fair Team!! Both are quiet but know how to move mountains with their work ethic. They genuinely care for our Nickajack students and staff.  In addition to their diligence as a team during the book fair, they do a lot of other work around school for the students and for their teachers. These ladies represent the epitome of helpful volunteers who are always so welcomed in at Nickajack!

 

 

Dr. LaQue Banks-Perkins has been nominated as a parent volunteer because she is the epitome of what a parent volunteer should be. She juggles her military career, teaching, and parenting jobs with finesse. She is the proud parent of Jerry Banks in Mrs. Tucker's 1st grade class.  Even though she's extraordinarily busy with a newborn, she still manages to have sit-down time to help her son with homework. Dr. Banks-Perkins was the class parent for her son's kindergarten class and is currently the class parent for his 1st grade class.  She is very active and resourceful in Mrs. Tucker's class.  Whenever there is a function, she is guaranteed to participate and she is very dependable and supportive! Jerry is such a happy and well-adjusted child. His mother gets the blame for that.  Thanks Dr. Banks-Perkins for all that you for Nickajack in an unselfish manner!

 

Judy Kent, the proud grandmother of Peter Hayes in Mrs. Kolbacher's kindergarten class, has been nominated for recognition as a "parent" volunteer.  Mrs. Kent, or Cracker as the children affectionately call her, is also the homeroom mother in Mrs. Kohlbacher's class.  She has done an outstanding job coordinating several different events for the children in the classroom.  She has also volunteered in other areas of the school.  She has joined our Relay for Life team and has already dedicated her time to making this event a success.  You might have run into her selling donuts or collecting money at the Holiday Market.  Or maybe she greeted you at the fall festival as she helped in one of the booths.  Wherever you have met her at this school, you know she gives 100% to the students and school genuinely.  We are so thankful for all that Mrs. Kent has done for our school as it shows with the undeniable volunteer spirit she possesses. 

 

Mary Edokpa is the devoted parent of Vivian Edokpa in the 1st grade class of Mrs. Duris and Mrs. Hunt.  She ALWAYS goes out of her way to provide materials for the classroom.  She even makes a point of providing snacks for the teachers in Vivian's classes.  She selfishly does this in addition to supporting three other children and their classrooms at other schools.  Mrs. Edokpa is indeed an outstanding parent volunteer to be appreciated!

Mayor's Award Recipients
Congratulations!

The following individuals were recently recognized at Mayor Bacon's City Council Meeting.  Twice a year, Mayor Bacon recognizes a staff person, student and a volunteer from each of the 12 area Smyrna Public Schools as nominated and voted on by the staff at each school for their dedication, commitment and excellence at their respective schools. 

Please join us in congratulating the following individuals!

gold red metal

Staff: Greg Jamison

With many years in this demanding field, he has built a strong rapport with all whom he encounters. Mr. Jamison consistently aims to go above and beyond in the classroom, and establishes high standards for each and every one of his students. As a person excellent character, Greg is always willing to assist a colleague in need, exuding nothing short of sincere positivity at all times. Greg Jamison is truly a current day change agent, an amazing educator, mentor, collaborator, and friend.  

 

Student: Alieu Njie

Alieu is incredibly polite and responsible.  He is on the WKOC team and regularly comes to his job on time and ready to do the right thing.  He is very soft spoken, yet he makes sure he can be heard when necessary.  He is very considerate and asks permission to use the computers in the media center before he jumps on them.  He also always stops by to say hello or good morning when he come in the media  center.  Recently, he came in and offered to help organize and shelve books as he was done with all of his school work.  He even gave up his recess because he felt that help was needed to put books away.  He is a delightful young man.

 

Volunteer: Lynne Scott

This was Lynne's third year of coordinating and organizing the Foundation Fall Festival and it was the best one yet!    Each year she has spent many hours preparing for the event and it has always been very successful and fun for everyone including folks in the community that do not attend Nickajack.  Ms. Scott has a passion for helping others and it shines through in the work she does.  She regularly comes in to help the front office and she is the face and voice of the PTA Welcoming Committee.  She also helps with the running club.  Truly, she volunteers whenever there is a need!  We will surely miss her when she is gone.   Her son, Topher, graduates this year.  

Back to School Teacher Luncheon, Mon. Jan 6th
Volunteers & Donations Needed Please

potluck PTA will be serving lunch to the teachers on Mon. Jan. 6th to welcome them back.  PTA will be catering in Subs from our PTA Pal, Firehouse Subs, but will need additional donations for salad items, paper goods and beverages.  We are also in need of volunteers to assist on the day.  

Please consider signing up to donate or volunteer to make this special for our wonderful teachers.  

Please Click Here to sign up.

Questions?  Please email your PTA Co Presidents, Lisa Dunn or
Yearbooks  Still On Sale!
$30 until Dec. 31, 2013
 
If you'd like a yearbook in May, it must be ordered ONLINE now.  The cost is $30 until Dec. 31, 2013. The hardcover yearbook will be 84 full-color pages.  The front & back covers feature self-portraits drawn by our own fifth graders.  There will be tons of photos of school events & classroom candid shots.  Please go online to www.NICKAJACKYEARBOOK.COM and order yours before it is too late.  

You can also submit photos of your child's classroom events and/or club photos for the yearbook. It is easy to do online by using www.
REPLAYIT.COM or using the free 
REPLAYIT app on your smartphone. You can quickly upload school photos and browse the photos that will be used to create our yearbook. IMPORTANT:  The password is 
BRAVES13.  Contribute today, the more photos & smiles we have, the better the book will be! 

A special thank you to our art teacher, Ms. Bonadonna and the fifth graders for their artwork. Also thanks to those who have contributed photos, please keep them coming! Contact Tracey Byrde for any questions at traybrzezinski@yahoo.com.

 
Help NES Win a Playground Makeover
Enter everyday until  March 20, 2014

Enter Daily for Nickajack's Chance to Win $30,000 and a New Playground!

 

To increase our chances of winning this year's Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes, we wanted to remind you to enter every day until March 20, 2014. Be sure to spread the word to everyone!   

 

Anyone can enter to win on behalf of our school!  

 

Two Grand Prize Winners will receive a $30,000 grant and a new playground.

One of the Grand Prize Winners will be chosen from a special drawing for Title I Schools.

Three Second Prize Winners will receive a $5,000 grant.

  

 

Georgia Parent  Survey  2013-2014
survey

Your Input is Needed Please 

 

The time to administer the Georgia Parent Survey for the 2013-2014 school year has arrived. 

This is the first year that the Georgia Parent Survey has been administered.  Data from the Georgia Parent Survey will be used to calculate the School Climate Star Rating 
within the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).

 

The Georgia Parent Survey will be administered electronically.  Parents will be able to complete the survey using their personal computers, smartphones or iPads. The Georgia Parent Survey has 20 questions and it should take no more than 5 - 10 minutes to complete. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.

 

The link to the Georgia Parent Survey is posted below.  After you click on the link, a drop-down menu will appear and you will use the drop-down menu to select our school district and our school.

 

 http://admin.doe.k12.ga.us/gadoe/sla/gaparents.nsf/Survey.xsp 

 

Thank you for your participation.

 

 

Griffin Middle School Tour
Save the Date: Jan. 14th, 10 am
griffin
Looking ahead for middle school options?  Why not check out Griffin Middle School which is just down the street from Nickajack on King Springs Road.  

Take a school tour on Tuesday, Jan. 14th at 10 am.  Meet the PTSA Tour Guide in the school lobby. 

Can't make this?  Don't despair.  School Tours are held the second Tuesday of every month at 10 am.  Or you can call the school at 678-842-6917 or contact our School Tour Guide, Denise Raymond

It is never too early to check out your options and get involved!