News From The Principal….. “Building the Future One Child at a Time.”

Bilee Jo Grable Principal

December 20th, 2014 Volume 5 Piper Elementary

School K-3rd Grade

Dear Piper Elementary Parents & Guardians,

As this year comes to a close, I can’t help but look back at all the wonderful accomplishments at Piper Elementary for 2014. I feel fortunate to be a part of

a community that works together as a family to provide enrichment and support to all of our children.

As we review the closing of this semester and turn the page to a new semester, we can see

that our efforts have been extremely productive! I commend our staff and parents for doing an OUTSTANDING JOB in providing all of our children with much love in the way of

academic support, encouragement and love. Even though we have goals to continue to accomplish, I look forward to our continued partnership in making Piper Elementary a place where ALL children meet with success.

This is the time of year for reflection, rejoicing and rededication. A quote from Nelson Mandela says it well: “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.”

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with happiness, lots of love and good health! See you next year!

Mrs. Grable

12/4/14 Santa’s Secret Shop 5-8pm at Piper Elementary ~ Sponsored by PTA

12/5/14 Buy your Piper Spirit Wear at Piper High School for the 1st home basketball game!

12/6/14 Piper Craft Fair ~ Breakfast & Photo with Santa ~ Santa’s Secret Shop at

Piper High School

12/18/14 Half-Day ~ Dismissal at 11:30 ~ 2nd & 3rd Grade Winter Parties

12/19/14 Half-Day ~ Dismissal at 11:30 ~ K & 1st Grade Winter Parties

12/22-1/5/15 NO SCHOOL ~Winter Break

1/6/15 CLASSES RESUME!

December December December

Upcoming Dates:Upcoming Dates:Upcoming Dates:

School Hours are 8:35-3:40 Students may enter the building @ 8:20

Students need to be in their classrooms by 8:40

to avoid a tardy slip

Parents are asked to say their good-byes in the

front foyer. This is called our “hug & go” zone;

children will then proceed to their classroom.

If you have additional messages for your child’s

teacher, please use established common proce-

dures: email, notes, voicemail, or arrange a con-

ference. We want to optimize the learning en-

vironment and maximize safety.

Students arriving after 9:15 will be counted as

1/2 day absent. Students leaving before 3pm

will be counted as 1/2 day absent.

All transportation changes MUST be made by

3:00p.m. on the day of the change is requested

to ensure that the teacher is notified in time &

your child arrives home safely. If you send an

email please make sure to send to both secretar-

ies.

If your child has an appointment of any kind that

causes him/her to arrive late or leave early from

school, please sign them in and out through the

office. Staff members may not release a child un-

less they have been notified by the office staff.

Please call or email and let the office know if your

child is absent or will be late coming to school.

Our office will call and verify that your child is

safely at home if we have not received notification

from you. The office number: 721-1243.

Secretaries:

Leta Dehner ~ ldehner@piperschools.com

Shelia Callaghan ~ scallaghan@piperschools.com

Food Service:

Kathy Bullis (913) 721-9219

Transportation:

Kathy German (913) 721-9019

2014-2015

New Tardy Policy:

5 Tardies = 1 unexcused absence Tardy warning bell rings at 8:35 am

Tardy bell at 8:40 am

Important Information from the front office….

Piper is Paperless Please visit www.piperschools.com and click on the “Our School’s” drop down menu to visit

the Elementary School’s website. There you will find newsletters, building calendar, Parent/

Student handbook along with more useful information.

Winter Holiday Parties Schedule

Date Time Grade Level

12/18/14 9:45~10:00 2nd & 3rd Grade Sing~Along in the gym

Parents Set Up for Parties

10:00~11:00 2nd & 3rd Grade Winter Parties

12/19/14 9:45~10:00 K & 1st Grade Sing~Along in the gym

Parents Set Up for Parties

10:00~11:00 K & 1st Grade Winter Parties

Parents please enter through the cafeteria doors to sign-in for winter parties.

School Rules

Be Responsible

Be Respectful

Be Safe

Be a Problem

Solver

Be Your Best!

News from the counselor December:

This month we'll be talking about Caring.

Caring is:

I am considerate of others' feelings.

I assist those who need help.

I show kindness and respect for others and myself.

Additional Security at PES: Piper Elementary School has activated another layer of

security to the systems already in place. The new visitor system, “Raptor”, is designed

to help with visitors coming to the building. Once implemented, visitors will need to

produce their valid driver‟s license or valid photo ID. They will swipe their ID through a

machine similar to a credit card machine. Raptor instantly screens out registered sex

offenders with children while managing custody issues, visitors, students, faculty and

volunteers.

Over 8,000 schools and facilities nationwide already rely on Raptor's web-based

technology to keep students safe. Many schools across the country have already

implemented the system, and now Piper Elementary School can be added to that

list!

As a result, all visitors/parents will need to make sure and have a photo id with

them if their visit to the school involves leaving the front office during school hours.

i.e.: visiting the counselor’s office, the lunch room, meeting with teachers, etc.

Thank you for helping to continue to keep our kids safe!

Piper Elementary Pep Club

Piper Elementary Pep Club is brand new this year and we are so

excited! We already have 178 members and it is not too late to

join the fun! The elementary Pep Club is here to enhance pirate

pride by engaging the student body in Purple Piper Pirate

Friday's, youth sports, youth homecoming, school and

community events.

Upcoming events for Pep Club:

January - We will hold a pep assembly to kick off youth

basketball and spirit week

April - We will hold a pep assembly to kick off testing week and

provide special treats on testing days

Contact information: piperpepclub@gmail.com or

Piper Elementary Pep Club on Facebook

Thank you so much for your support!

Lori Robinson

Lots and lots of fun things coming up in December that you will NOT want to miss!!! On Thursday, December 4, 2014, Santa's Secret Shoppe will be set up in the lunchroom from 5:00-8:00pm so bring your kids up to shop for those special people in their lives! We will have wrapping available and help for your little ones so you can sit back and relax and they can shop for grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and even YOU! The prices for the items are very reasonable and we will accept cash or check! If you can't make it to the school on December 4th don't worry - there's still a chance to let your kids shop on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at the high school from 8:00-11:00am during Breakfast with Santa at the Piper Craft Fair! We will have Piper Mom and professional photographer Kelly Chamberlain there to take pictures of your little ones with the Jolly Ol' Guy himself!!! Proceeds from pictures with Santa and Santa's Secret Shoppe will go towards helping a Piper family in need have a WONDERFUL Christmas!! Are you looking for some new purple duds for your kids to wear on Friday's? You're in luck! We will have Spirit Wear for sale on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the first home basketball game at the high school! Come get your gear and stay and support our Pirates as they take on Shawnee Mission East! If you would like to help with the Breakfast with Santa or Santa's Secret Shoppe please sign up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/70A044DAAA72E5-santas1/ ! Happy Holidays! Amy Higdon

HARVESTERS FOOD DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS!

Thank you to everyone who donated food items

for Harvesters this year! Piper Elementary collected

1,167 lbs. which will provide 973 meals!

As you can see by the picture, Piper Elementary

once again shows they have a heart for this need!

Way to show your giving spirit at

Piper Elementary!

Mrs. Haworth

Kindergarten through third grade students are studying the artist Wayne Thiebaud. “The Dessert Artist” uses shadows, thick paint (impasto!) and repeating shapes to create pies, cakes, ice cream cones and more. Kindergarteners created 3-dimensional lollipops and sponge painted thick and creamy ice cream cones. First graders are learning to draw and stack cylinders to create amazing cakes. Second and third grade students can draw triangular prisms. We will be transforming the triangular prisms into delicious slices of pie. Wayne Thiebaud is always a favorite in the art room! December’s Art Focus: texture, shape, geometric forms, repetition, variety, working with mixed media and making personal choices about their art. Our next projects will be inspired by the work of Austrian artist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. “Who doesn’t love an artist who intentionally wears socks that don’t match, designs houses filled with beautiful colors and curving

walls, and is obsessed with spirals?”-Josey M. Brouwer, art specialist

Congratulations to 2nd and 3rd grade on their fine performances during the month of November!

We had so much fun learning the songs and performing them for our parents and families!

We have been singing Thanksgiving songs and working on songs for the character assembly in

December. 3rd grade will start working on learning note names in preparation for playing the

recorder next year in 4th grade. Kindergarten is learning to identify the instruments by sight and

sound. They are also learning to differentiate between an orchestra and a band. First and second

grade are reviewing the instruments and talking about different styles of music.

We will be singing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and winter songs during the month of December

and learning a little about the customs of each holiday.

Ms. Crouse & Mrs. Telthorst

Elementary General Music

This month in Physical Education our students will participate in many different activities.

The second and third graders will learn how to correctly setup and participate in a game of

bowling. Students will be taught the proper technique of approaching the pins and how to

release the ball. Our Great Body Shop lesson will cover Community Health. In this lesson students

will learn about community laws, pollution, and recycling. The kindergarteners and first grades

will participate in modified games of bowling. These students will play games of bowling but with

a wide assortment of equipment. As we finish up the semester our students will participate in

holiday games and activities.

From Mrs. Neas and Mr. Newell we hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful holiday

season!

See you in 2015! Mrs. Neas and Mr. Newell

PE Fun Fact: Regular and adequate levels of activity are fundamental to energy balance and weight control.

ART

Technology- Preparing 21st Century Thinkers All grades will be focusing on math computation this month in technology classes. We will be doing this in interesting new ways that encourage play, collaboration, and visualiza-tion. Third graders will also be using a math program that they can access at home to get even more practice. I will be sending home that information before the winter break. Being fluent with math facts allows the brain to not get caught up in the basics so students’ can grasp new concepts quicker. Our Virtual Learning Cart (iPads) is making its rounds through the building. It stays in one classroom for the full day and is utilized during every subject, all day long. Students will use it to practice skills taught, explore concepts through hands on visualization, share input and collaborate during instruction, and make projects that encourage 21st century problem solv-ing. It is a neat new way to motivate learning in a hands on way.

Jessica Asbury Piper Elementary Technology

“A child does not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~Unknown Piper TechKNOWLEDGEy Website

December in the library!

Lots of fun reading will be going on. Kindergarteners will be

reading and comparing fiction with nonfiction books as

they continue to learn about the library.

First graders are excited to be checking out in the

“special” section of the library. Ask them what that means.

First graders recently spent time in the library “playing with

words”. We read the story My Daddy is a Doodlebug and

then made up some of our own words. We talked about

how Dr. Seuss often made up words for his books.

2nd and 3rd graders are learning about different types of

reference material. We are looking at both on line refer-

ences and hard copy.

Tumblebooks is an online website that has books that boys

and girls can listen to or read along with. This is a wonderful

way to work on fluency and word recognition over Winter

Break. You can access it through our districts web page

and then go to the library link on our buildings page.

*Water bottles and library books do not mix well together.

Please help keep our library books from getting ruined.*

Keep separate in back packs, have them fill here at school

and empty out before they leave, or hand carry them.

Thanks for all your help.

Have a wonderful break! ~ Linda Hosch

Lift Off to Literacy

By Mrs. Herman

Winter Break Literacy Ideas

Winter Break is a great time to spend with family and friends. We all need a little

down time, but don‟t forget to weave in some literacy activities throughout the break.

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

1. Read for Pleasure – This is a great time of year for your child to pick out some

winter-time favorite books to read together. Encourage older children to read

aloud to younger siblings or family members.

2. Cooking Together – Invite your child to help you cook over the break. You

child can help read the directions and even learn new vocabulary words (i.e.,

sauté, dice, saffron) as you make your family‟s favorite dishes.

3. Write Thank You Notes and Letters – This is often the time of year where we give

and receive gifts. Have your child help you write thank you notes to teachers

and notes for gifts received.

4. Family Game Night – Use the additional family time over winter break playing

board games and card games. Ask your child to read game cards and directions.

Mrs. Herman

Literacy Coach

Hey Parents! Do you have a lot of junk mail and catalogues that you would

like to throw away???? If you do….

Turn that trash into cash for our school!! Please help us by

filling our recycling bin! It is the green bin

located on the west side of our parking lot.

We need ALL your: newspapers, magazines, catalogues,

mail, and office papers. Our school can earn money and we

can also help the environment.

Thanks for participating in our recycle program!

Important Information cont...

January Dates 1/6/15 CLASSES RUSUME

1/19/15 NO SCHOOL ~

Martin Luther King Day

Turn that Trash into Cash!!

Outside Meals & Lunch Schedule

We encourage parents to come and have

lunch with their children. We ask that

parents bringing outside food (from a

restaurant) bring it for your child only.

When only a select few from a class are

singled out,

feelings get hurt.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kindergarten ~ 11:30-12:05

1st Grade ~ 12:30-1:00

2nd Grade ~ 11:00-11:35

3rd Grade ~ 12:00-12:35

Cell Phones & Valuables We ask that students do not bring cell

phones or other valuable items to school

with them. It is very distracting if a cell

phone is ringing in the middle of class…

The school district will not be

responsible if any valuable item is lost or

stolen from the school, or the bus.

Thank you for keeping all of these items

at home.

Piper Purple Fridays We have a long tradition of wearing

purple on Fridays. Whichever

classroom is wearing the most

purple on Friday is given special

recognition with a banner on their

classroom door!

Show your Piper Pride and let

your purple shine through!!!

School Bridge Before/After Care

The winter holiday season is fast approaching!

Parents,

There are two half days of school this month on Thursday, December 18th &

Friday, December 19th. If you are currently enrolled in School Bridge and

would like for your child to attend, you will need to sign up in advance ( as

soon as the sign up sheet is available), provide a lunch on that day and also

remember there is an additional fee of $10/child for each half day.

School Bridge staff would like to wish you a safe and wonderful holiday!

Luke Newell- AM Lead Teacher

Sherdine Daniels, School Bridge Director

The Winter is Upon Us!

School Cancellation Due to

Inclement Weather

Love them or not, „tis the season for pos-

sible snow days. Our districts #1 goal is

to consider safety of our students and

staff.

Mr. Conrad, our Superintendent, will

make a determination by 5:30am at the

very latest (depending on the timing of

the storm, a determination could be

made prior to 9pm)

Notification of a snow day will be made

via the automated phone notification

system, local news stations, as well as

the district website.

Important Phone Numbers

Office: (913) 721-1243

Fax: (913) 721-3656

District Office: (913) 721-2088

Kitchen: (913) 721-9219

Transportation: (913) 721-9019

December

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1

2

3

Santa’s Secret Shop

5-8pm in the gym

4

Buy Your Piper Spirit

Wear at the Piper

High School

Basketball Game

5

USD 203 Board Mtg.

6:30 pm @ District

Office

9

9

10

11

12

15

16

17

2nd & 3rd Grade

Winter Parties

10:00-11:00

1/2 day dismissal

@ 11:30

18

K & 1st Grade

Winter Parties

10:00 to 11:00

1/2 day dismissal

@11:30

19

WINTER BREAK

22

WINTER BREAK

23

WINTER BREAK

24

CHRISTMAS

25

WINTER BREAK

26

WINTER BREAK

29

WINTER BREAK

30

WINTER BREAK

31

Classes Resume

On

January 6th, 2014!