Upcoming Events

August 29	Back to School Night
	Grades K-2 6:30-7:00 PM, Grades 3-5 7:15-7:45 PM
September 2	Labor Day No School
September 5	Harriers Running Club Begins 3:45-4:15 PM
September 7	Old Settlers Parade 10:00 AM
September 17	Math Wings 3:45 - 4:45
	PTO Meeting in Library 6:30-8:00
September 19	Harriers Running Club 3:45-4:15
September 24	Math Wings 3:45-4:45
September 25	Site Council Meeting in Library 6:00-7:00
September 26	Harriers Running Club 3:45-4:15
September 27	Movie Plex After School 3:45-6:00 PM
	PTO General Meeting at 5:30 in Downstairs Gym

 

Student Recognition

It is important to us that students are recognized for positive efforts.  We believe this recognition creates a climate of high expectations and performance.  When students are recognized for their success, they typically are motivated to continue to succeed.  Each week, we will recognize two students from each classroom as Students of the Week.  When students are chosen, they will get the opportunity to eat lunch with the principal on Friday of that week.  They will also receive a certificate for their accomplishments.  Whether it is working hard for a test, or helping out a friend, teachers will let the students know why they were chosen. 

We are continuing our "Caught Yas" this year at Heritage.  This is a positive way to recognize students if they are CAUGHT doing something safe, kind, respectful, or responsible.  Students will be keeping their Caught Yas and cashing them in for things like taking your shoes off during math, eating lunch with an adult, or earning extra recess for the entire class.  About once a month, there will be a "Double Caught Ya" day where students can earn double the caught yas!  Our students are excited about a new twist on an already successful Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) program.

 

 

Harriers Runnning Club

The Harriers Running Club is back for another running season!  Heritage students in third through fifth grade will have the opportunity to promote fitness and community involvement by joining our school running club.

The Harriers will meet Thursdays after school from 3:45 - 4:15, from September 5th to October 5th except for September 12th.  The Thursday meetings will be fun, training runs (between 1 & 3 miles each time) along the bike path by the school. 

All Harriers are asked to participate in the 15th Annual Jared Coones Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 5th at 8:00 AM at Black Bob Elementary School.  More information will be coming home soon. 

Grab a water bottle, put on your running shoes, and come join us!  Parents feel free to join us if you would like.

 

 

Spanish News!

We are learning so much in Spanish!

 

Kindergarten and 1^st grade- Students are learning greetings, feelings and counting to 10.

2^nd grade- In addition to learning about school supplies, students are reviewing months of the year.

3^rd grade- We are learning how to tell someone how to do something and new vocabulary about weather.  Also, we are reviewing numbers and school supplies in Spanish.

4^th grade-We are answering questions, learning colors, counting by 10’s and learning names of classes in Spanish.

5^th grade-Students are learning to count by 100’s, learning emotions and names of furniture.

Nurse's Notes Mrs. Wray Heritage Nurse

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year.  I am hoping to have a healthy and safe year here at Heritage.  As a reminder, all prescription and over the counter medications require a doctor’s order.  There are still several students who have brought inhalers into the health room without an accompanying doctor’s note!  Also, if you carry an inhaler in your backpack, you too are required to have a doctor’s note.  In regards to students who carry their own inhaler, PLEASE take a minute to call the school nurse and let her know if your student does carry an  inhaler so we know of availability if needed.

Just a reminder that Kindergarten students are required to have a physical exam on file, and all required “Kindergarten Boosters”. 

The nurse’s office is open from 8:00-4:00; therefore, student medications including inhalers, epi pens etc. are only available during this time.  If your student participates in any before or after school activities, please note that the nurse’s office is locked. 

Please also remember to call and report when your student is absent.  An unreported absence is documented as unexcused. 

It is my goal to make sure our students stay healthy.  As indicated above, we can make strides towards meeting this goal when students are properly immunized, when students have necessary medication at school, and when the school nurse is aware of the health needs of the student body!  It is a pleasure to serve you and your children.   

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call Nurse Joy at 780-7496.

 

 

Outdoor Classroom

Hollis and Miller are placing their final touches on our outdoor classroom.  The first week of September, they will be staining the concrete, and towards the end of the month, they will be planting around the learning areas.  We are excited to roll this out for our students.  We will communicate a time for a Ribbon Cutting that will be taking place once the area is completed!

PTO

Our PTC has done some restructuring for the 2013-2014 school year.  This parent group is now a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).  To help explain what these changes look like to our community, please plan on joining us on Friday, September 27 at 5:30 PM in the downstairs gym for a brief description of our new parent group.  This meeting will be taking place during our first Movie Plex and will conclude prior  to picking students up at 6:00 PM.

Principal's Message

It has been an amazing beginning to our 2013-2014 school year!  We welcome our returning students back and we want to give a special welcome to our new Hound Dogs starting with us this year.  One of the best events in the education world is "Opening Day," or the first day of school.  It was so much fun to see excited, happy, and enthusiastic students enter our building.  I am so happy to be a part of such a wonderful community!

One of the changes we would like to implement this year is to convert our monthly newsletter into a more timely blog.  We will continue to produce a newsletter each month for the remainder of this semester, along with this blog,  However, beginning second semester, we hope to transition to a "blog-only" parent communication tool.  Feedback from community members will be important in this transition process as communication is a vital part of our system.  Please let me know if you have thoughts or ideas regarding using online communication versus a monthly pdf.

With the passing of the 2013 Bond, construction will begin at Heritage this school year.  We are unsure about the start date of the construction due to weather conditions being a major factor.  I have met with our district construction manager to begin the discussion on scheduling.  We will provide information to our community as soon as we have dates confirmed.  This will be an exciting project, however it will change drop-off, pick-up, and several other procedures for us.  This will be communicated out to parents as soon as we have a better idea of what our construction "zone" will entail.

As always, please contact me with questions, concerns, or comments regarding your child's education.  I am looking forward to continuing to get to know all of our students and their families.

Sincerely,

Scott McFarland