| NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE - Students in
Miss Senner and Mrs. Jezewski's fourth grade classes are completing the
preliminary round of the National Geography Bee. Three finalists from
each room will compete in the school's finals on Friday, January 11 at
12:45 p.m. We would encourage you to attend and support these young
students in their endeavor. The
overall school winner will receive a special medal and will be tested
to qualify for the state competition. The bee is intended to create an
awareness of geography and current events among students. SCHOOL MALL FUNDRAISER - Lincoln students will again be raising funds to bring the Missoula Children's Theatre to town. The fundraiser call "School Mall" will be launched on Tuesday, January 15. Students will take home a booklet with postcards attached. The booklets should be returned the next day, Wednesday, January 16. Students should, with parents guidance, write the address of a friend or relative on each card in the booklet and return the booklet intact. School Mall will do the follow up and see that individuals printed on the cards receive their ordering information and materials. The PTO will receive $2.25 for each completed book and up to 40% of sales made thereafter. READING - As we continue i our efforts to make reading a priority, we would like to share with you some exciting news regarding student reading incentives. Stockman Bank has graciously offered to support our reading program by providing a new presidential dollar to each student in grades 1-4 who reaches his "individual" goal. These uncirculated dollars will be given in plastic sleeves and presented at the end of each quarter. A different presidential dollar will be offered each quarter so that students can begin collecting if they wish. We will have an assembly on Friday, January 25th at 2:30 p.m. to recognize those students who have reached their goals. In addition, each student who reaches his goal will have his name placed in a drawing for one of several presidential coin collector kits that will provide room to collect all 50. Please be looking for your child's TOPS report on a regular basis. This report will give you information concerning your child's progress in reaching his goals. January 18 will be the last day for students to reach their second quarter goals. Thank you for your help in promoting reading at home. Your enthusiasm and encouragement are vital to your child's attitudes and success. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - Regular school attendance is a vital part of a successful school experience. In order to maximize the educational benefits for each child, students need continuity of instruction, classroom participation, and sequential learning experiences. These can only occur when your child is in school. When an unplanned absence is necessary, please phone the school office before 8:30 a.m. at 377-2308. WINTER CLOTHING - A reminder that children should be dressed to fit the weather conditions as they will be expected to go outside for recesses except during sub-zero weather. It is a good idea to label your children's winter clothing and to have them check the lost and found boxes if they do loose anything. Please make sure that your children are dressed appropriately before leaving home in the mornings. CHARACTER COUNTS PILLAR OF THE MONTH IS FAIRNESS - Here are some important guidelines to discuss with children when we consider fairness: Play by the rules, take turns and share, be open minded and listen to others, don't take advantage of others, don't blame others carelessly. COUNSELOR'S CORNER - Kids and TV (submitted by Mr. Melby - Counselor at Lincoln School) It is easier to get toothpaste out of the tube than it is to put it back in. The reverse is true about putting a TV set into your child's room Once you put it in you will have a hard time getting it out. A good rule to follow is to never put a TV in a child's room. Here are some reasons why. 1. Kids watch too much TV as it is, without watching it while they are lying in bed. 2. When the TV is in the child's room, you lose control over what he/she will be viewing. 3. In addition, most homes have cable and this will give your child access to movies that are entirely inappropriate for children. There is too much nudity, sex, violence, and bad language on TV. Pornography viewed at an early age can be especially damaging to children and there is a good chance that is what they may be watching once you go to bed. 4. Television can upset a child's sleep habits. They will begin to rely on it to put them to sleep and this can become a life-long bad habit. 5. The TV in a child's room often becomes a quasi baby sitter. Instead of doing things with the family they spend the time in their room. Family communication is reduced and is even viewed as an interruption by the child. 6. Reading, which improves the child's vocabulary, writing ability and general knowledge often loses out to the tube when the child is in control. 7. Child obesity is a national problem. TV time replaces physical activity. 8. Children learn to reply on being entertained by sight, sound, and motion. If things become boring, they simply change channels. Once they are in the classroom and listening to their teacher lecture, is it really surprising that they have a hard time paying attention? Consider this. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children in the U.S. watch about 4 hours of TV every day. Watching movies on tape and playing video games only adds to the time spent in front of the TV screen. Children who watch too much TV are more likely to be overweight. For older children the academy recommends 1-2 hours of educational or non-violent programs per day. When a program is over, they recommend turning off the television. The (AAP) does not recommend TV for children ages two or younger. KIDS HEALTH. The Nemours Foundation has these recommendations for parents. 1. Keep TVs out of your child's room. 2. Turn the TV off during meals. 3. don't allow your child to watch TV while doing homework. 4. Treat TV as a privilege that your child needs to earn. |
MANNERS OF THE WEEK: January 3 - 4
Refrain from gossip and whispers.
January 7 - 11
Practice good sportsmanship.
January 14 - 18
Always treat others the way you would like to be treated.
January 21 - 25
Be responsible for your own actions - don't blame others carelessly.
DATES TO REMEMBER: January 11
School Geography Bee - 12:45 p.m. Gym January 15 - 16
School Mall Fundraiser for MCT
January 18
End of the 2nd Quarter of School
January 23
Report Cards go home with students
January 25
Reading Awards Assembly 2:30 Gym
January 30
Early Out 1:05 p.m. (Professional Dev.)
