News from Pray Woodman Elementary

We were all very saddened by the events that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut. At PWS we have safety and security procedures in place and we practice them with our students. We continually review our procedures to ensure that all of our students and staff are safe here at school. We have practiced our lock down procedures, and our staff is prepared to implement these procedures very quickly.

All of the exterior doors at PWS will be locked throughout the day with the exception of the east side entrance doors (by the cafeteria) which are unlocked briefly at the beginning and end of the school day.

When you come to PWS, please follow these safety and security procedures.

Enter through the secure entrance on the west side of the building (the main office).
Ring the buzzer and tell the secretary why you are here.
Sign in at the front office counter.
Put on a Visitor sticker.
Sign out in the office if you leave before the school day is over.

These procedures will ensure that our school will be safe for our students and staff.

If you have any questions regarding our safety and security procedures, please feel free to contact me at ngabrielson@usd266.com or 721-0902.

We look forward to seeing you at Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, Feb. 6 (4:00-8:00 p.m.) and Thursday, Feb. 7 (Noon-8:00 p.m.). Your child's classroom teacher will send you information about the time and date for your child's conference.

Thank you for all of your support! We are looking forward to a great second semester!

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES

In order to alleviate some of the end-of-the day chaos and to ensure the safety of your children, if there is a change in transportation for your son/daughter, you MUST NOTIFY THE OFFICE BEFORE 3:30 p.m. on M/T/Thurs/Fri and on Wednesday before 2:45 P.M. If the office is not notified by these times, the student will be expected to follow normal procedures that have been established regarding riding the bus. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

2ND GRADE MUSIC PROGRAM

Sing Across America!

2nd Grade

Feb. 19th, 2013

7:00 pm

Maize Middle School Auditorium

4600 N. Maize Road

Read Across America

Parents, get ready to travel with your 2nd grade child as we "sing" our way across America!

Mrs. Connell, the librarian, and I are collaborating this semester. The library is hosting its annual classroom contest "Read Across America" involving SRC points. More information on this friendly contest will be announced at a later date. The music in your child's program is to encourage not only the love of singing but the love of reading, geography, history...

Mark your calendars with the date and location of your child's program. The students need to arrive at 6:45 pm dressed in blue jeans and in a plain white shirt. Sleeve length does not matter.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGE FORMS

Transportation Change Form Now Available in Skyward Family Access

Parents needing to make changes to pick up or drop off locations for student bus transportation can now access an online form in Skyward Family Access. Simply log in to your Family Access account and click "Bus Change Form" under District Links in the left side navigation pane.

For the safety and protection of our students, any change in a student's bus transportation arrangements must be provided using this form. Please allow up to three school days after the form is received by the Transportation Department for the changes you have requested to be made.

Please note if your home address has changed, you must provide proof of residency to your child's school before changes in transportation occur. We can accept an electric bill, gas or water bill with service address or housing contract with date of residency or lease/rental agreement.

LIBRARY NEWS... by Sheryl Connell

During Parent Teacher Conferences (Wed., February 6, 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, February 7, 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.), our Story Laboratory Book Fair in the Library Media Center will offer you an opportunity to purchase quality, affordable books AND raise funds to enrich the school's library and classrooms with great new reading material. Most importantly, the book fair promotes an enthusiasm and love of reading among our students which lasts a lifetime!

There's something new this time for all you tech-savvy readers who like downloading your books to read. Scholastic has a new, free app for Windows PC, Android Tablets, and I Pads available to use with Scholastic books. It comes with five free books to start; and for each app download associated with Pray-Woodman's Book fair, our school earns rewards. If you want to watch the video and learn more about this cool new app, go to www.scholastic.com/storia-fairs.

If you have completed the district Volunteer background check and are interested in helping with the book fair, please call 721-0902 or email librarian, Sheryl Connell at sconnell@usd266.com. We love having parents (and students with their parents) volunteer at the book fair. There is also a Book Fair Volunteer Schedule on the front counter in the library, if you have time to drop by and sign up. We look forward to seeing all of you soon at the Book Fair!

PWS 4TH GRADE TEACHER RECEIVES AWARD

On Friday afternoon, PWS fourth grade teacher Jason Ramey and MSMS sixth grade math teacher Betsy Robb received surprise phone calls from Kansas Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Diane DeBacker to inform them that they were selected to be Horizon Award winners for their outstanding performance in their first year of teaching.

32 teachers from across the state received the honor - Maize USD 266 is one of four districts in the state to have both an elementary and secondary award winner. Jason and Betsy will be recognized next month at the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network conference in Topeka. Congrats to these outstanding teachers!

Online Bulletin Board -
Your Resource for Clinic and Camp Information

Maize USD 266 is working to utilize technology and online resources in communicating with parents, staff and the community. As part of this effort, Maize USD 266 is introducing an Online Bulletin Board to tell parents about opportunities offered by school sponsored or student curricular groups, events linked to individual schools or activities sponsored by groups partnering with the Maize schools.

The Online Bulletin Board is through the district Web site, www.usd266.com. Beginning in January 2013, the Online Bulletin Board will replace all paper flier distribution from outside groups.

Families can access the Online Bulletin Board from the Parents or Community tab on the district home page. Additionally, it will be available under Quick Links or you can go directly to the page at www.usd266.com/bulletinboard.

As an added convenience, people can receive email updates each time new information is posted. Visit www.usd266.com/bulletinboard and click "Subscribe" to sign up. Subscribers will receive emails each time new fliers are posted.

LIFETOUCH CLASS/INDIVIDUAL PICTURES

PICTURE DAY IS COMING!!

Casual Individuals and Classroom Groups Picture Day at

Pray - Woodman Elementary School is scheduled on

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

To Order Group Pictures:

Please print off the attached flyer and return it to the photographer on picture day with Group Money Enclosed OR send the flyer that was sent home with your student.

Pick The Pose That Says 'You'

-Choose from 5 poses on this selection form and bring it to school on Picture Day

-If no pose choice is returned the photographer will choose an appropriate pose.

-Wear your Favorites

-Look Your Best!

-Choose fun, bright colors

-Solids work best

-Avoid sleeveless tops

If you are ordering a group picture and/or a pennant, we ask that payment be sent to the teacher on or prior to picture day. If you would like to purchase a pennant and/or classroom picture, please send payment in the envelope attached to the order form. Individual pictures will be sent home for family preview and optional purchase.

If you have questions contact Lifetouch locally at 316-262-1732.

Thank you,

Lifetouch National School Studios

217 S. Sycamore,

Wichita, KS 67213

(316) 262-1732

NO DELIVERIES

We would like to remind everyone that PWS can NOT accept deliveries of flowers, balloons, candy, cookies etc.

This is per USD 266 District Policy.

We appreciate your cooperation!

Online Student Address & Phone Directory

Parents and guardians may now opt to include your address, primary phone number, email addresses, student's school and student's grade level in the Skyward Family Access Student Directory so that other families with login rights to Family Access can view your contact information. You may choose what, if any, information you display and can change these options at anytime by logging into Family Access.

Once in Family Access, click on School Directory, then on the Display Options tab at the top of the page to complete the process. If you are unsure how to log on to Skyward Family Access, please contact the PWS office at 721-0902.

Maize School District to Survey Patrons

This project will identify residents' views on how Maize USD 266 is meeting the school needs of our community.

A phone survey will be conducted soon! Calls will begin on February 11th. If you get a call, please participate and tell us what you think!
Calls for the 10-15 minute survey will be made between 7-9 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.
A sampling of 400 patrons will provide insight into what our community thinks about the district and plans for future facilities.
Participants will be selected totally at random and all responses are kept confidential.
We will gather information from all geographic parts of the district, people of all ages, and everyone from newcomers to long-term residents.
Caller ID may show "Market Research Associates" or an area code from 816 or 913.

COUNSELOR'S CORNER...by Dr. B.J. Wells and Joey Buresh

As part of the fourth and fifth grade human growth and development curriculum, parents are invited to a preview of videos to be shown to their students at Maize Central Elementary School on Monday,
April 1 at 6:00 p.m. for fourth graders and 7:00 p.m. for fifth graders. Parents may bring their fourth or fifth grader with them to watch the video. Parents will be able to opt out their child after the preview if they would like to by signing a form in the office. These

videos will be scheduled during the students' regular physical education time. Male students will see the human growth and development videos with Coach Buchanan or Coach Schauer and female students will see the videos with Counselors Joey Buresh, Dr. B.J. Wells, or Nurse Darlene Henderson.

This month counselors emphasized the Maize Way trait of self-discipline and self-control. Dr. Wells discussed with second, third and fourth graders how Martin Luther King Jr. used self-control when he noticed how African Americans were treated differently on buses, in restaurants, and in schools. They learned about peaceful demonstrations at lunch counters including one in Wichita, at schools in Topeka and Little Rock, and on public buses by studying Rosa Parks.

Martin Luther King

Ms. Buresh focused on self control and diversity with fifth & fourth graders by showing a section of "Eyes on the Prize." Students discussed the definition of self-discipline and students learned how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used peaceful solutions in working toward a goal. Fifth grade students practiced conflict management strategies. Fourth grade students identified ways to show self-discipline at home and school and practiced effective time management by identifying what daily/weekly tasks needed to be accomplished first when given a list. Next, the students explained why they ordered the items the way they did in their small groups. Last, the groups compared and discussed their answers.

A NOTE FROM THE NURSE...by Darlene Henderson, R.N.

Dental Screenings will be done by Dr. Schuyler on February 22nd in the morning.

Since this time of year can bring colds, flu, and coughs, remember to wash your hands frequently, get plenty of sleep, cough o couph r sneeze into the crook of your elbow, and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth when they are not clean. Another reminder is to please send any medicine to school in the original bottle. I cannot give out pills from a baggie. Thanks, Nurse Darlene

POSITIVE RECOGNITION

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH:

November

2nd Grade:

Elysia & Ryan (Andrus)

Izaac & A'nyah (Eikelman) congrats

Jacob & Aleah (HInson)

Ava & Jackson (Hobbs)

3rd Grade:

Jackson & Haylee (Charles)

Breann & Adam (Doern)

Madison & Jake (Ewert)

Donovan & Doreen (McDowell)

Isaac & Alexandria (Peters)

Peyton & Cameron (Schweikert)

Brook & Ryan (Weis)

Collin (Wiltse)

4th Grade:

Zoe & Colby (Carter)

Brooke & Ethan (Hay)

Brayden & Abby (Hunsaker)

Rachel & Raul (May)

Amanda & Tyler (Palmer)

A.J. & Madison (Ramey)

Matthew & Neena (Runck)

Olivia & Kaden (Whitson)

5th Grade:

Nathan & Olivia (Christian)

Makenzie & Ben (Harding)

Kennedi & Lyza (Morrow)

Tia & Colby (Pfaff)

Abigail & Preston (Scott)

Jillian & Vin (Scribner)

Julia & Connor (Tice)

Bella & Mitch (Wiechman)

December: smiley congrats

2nd Grade:

Bailey & Wayne (Andrus)

John & Lindsey (Eikelman)

Alexis & Nathan (Hinson)

Shelby & Kaden (Hobbs)

3rd Grade:

Dallen & Cora (Charles)

Bella & Logan (Doern)

Maici & Korey (Ewert)

Toria & Chris (McDowell)

Casey & Taylor (Peters)

Sequoia & Kylie (Schweikert)

4th Grade:

Malik & Mackenzie (Carter)

Ben & Katie (Hay)

Ezra & Chloe (Hunsaker)

Carter & Annjolee (May)

Maddux & Natalie (Palmer)

Rhys & Cale (Ramey)

Reed (Runck)

Jamie & Kaden (Whitson)

5th Grade:

Eliora & Tony (Christian)

Leann & Blake (Harding)

Alexys & Aby (Morrow)

Dalton & Addy (Pfaff)

Sean & Cadie (Scott)

Lydia & Grayson (Scribner)

Riley & Joe (Tice)

FEBRUARY - HONESTY

speaking the truth...keeping your promises...
being trustworthy and reliable...
being sincere in both actions and words...
doing what you know is right.