TIGER PA W School Information 2620 Carolina Avenue, Roanoke VA, 24014 Office: 853-2976 School Web Address: Crystal.rcps.info DATES TO REMEMBER: Science in a Sack – Wednesday, March 4 – Friday March 6 Movie Night #3 - Friday, March 6 - 6:15 pm PTA Board Meeting - Tuesday, March 10 – 9:15 am Skate Day #3 - Wednesday, March 18 – 3:30-5:30 pm Family Fun School Dance - Friday, March 27 – 6:00 – 8:00 pm Building Tomorrow’s Future Today FROM YOUR February has been a shorter than usual month! In addition to only 28 calendar days, we have experienced five snow days to further shorten the instructional month. I don’t think anyone could predict that students would miss five days of school because of two consecutive snow storms. As you probably remember, the Roanoke City Public Schools’ calendar allows for us to “bank” time. Bank time is a scheduling tool that allows us to add extra time to each school day. This extra time enables us to give a full course of instruction even if we miss days due to inclement weather. So, as of now, there is no need to worry that we will need to cancel spring break to “make up” the school days. However, we may need to extend the school day as we did last year. This will be a decision that may be made if we miss more days of school. As March looms before us, we should remember that some of our worst winter weather has occurred during this month. Everyone is looking forward to spring and warm weather; more daylight; and an opportunity to play outside again. We will finish our third grading period on March 13 and begin the countdown to the end of another school year. We will be sending you information MARCH 2015 regarding an opportunity to have a spring parent/teacher conference. Thank you to all of the parents for their wonderful support of teacher appreciation weeks! The teachers were treated to several wonderful meals and notes of appreciation by students and parents. March will be a busy month. Kindergarten registration will occur on March 12th and 13th. Students will also have a two-hour early dismissal on March 13th because it is the end of the nine week grading period. Students in grades three through five will begin their spring simulation tests on March 23. The simulation tests are meant to see what the students know, or do not know, to allow for adjustments to our instruction. Tutorials are planned before the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are given in May. There are many extra-curricular and social events occurring in March. Our last movie night will be held on Friday, March 6 and our Odyssey of the Mind Teams will participate in regional competition on Saturday, March 7 at Franklin County High School. Our fourth annual “Family Fun Dance” will be held on March 27th. Please check your monthly calendars for the details of these events. Each year the staff of Crystal Spring selects one teacher to represent our school as “Teacher of the Year.” Our teacher competes with teachers from every other school in Roanoke City to become the Roanoke City “Teacher of the Year.” I am pleased to announce that Ms. Gretchen Jensen as been selected as our “Teacher of the Year.” She will be honored at a city-wide dinner at the end of April. I join all of you in wishing for an early spring with lots of sunshine, warm weather and an opportunity to gather around Tiger Field each afternoon. Happy Spring! With Warm Regards, Kathleen Tate, Principal A NOTE FROM THE PTA PRESIDENT Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings During our recent surprise week off, I read these words and smiled. Seems to sum up the trials of winter weather and (maybe even – at least some days -) parenting in general. It’s also useful advice when you find yourself at home with children for 10 days straight. As we wait for Old Man winter to give way to spring, our PTA is busy preparing for lots of fun. Please make sure to mark your calendar for the Family Fun School Dance on March 27; Fun Day on May 9 and plenty of Movie Nights, Skate Day’s and exciting events in between. A Huge Tiger THANK YOU to all of the wonderfully generous and prepared hands who have helped our school recently: Jennifer Roberts and Carol Kepley for weeks of extraordinary events to celebrate our fantastic teachers at Crystal Spring. Caroline Thielecke and all of the Homeroom Parents who planned, prepared and hosted Valentine’s Day Classroom Parties. Many thanks to all of you for supporting Crystal Spring! Jennifer Blackwood PTA President The LINK CRYSTAL SPRING LINK Watch your email inbox for the Crystal Spring LINK, our new way to share information with Crystal Spring families. Not receiving? Please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. Please include your child's grade and all email addresses that should receive. Odyssey of the Minds Odyssey of the Mind teams are busy getting creative! They perform on March 7th at Franklin County High School. Crystal Spring students will get a chance to see the "dress rehearsal" the week before competition. Thank you to all the parents who stepped up to help out. I appreciate it as much as the students. It's always a fun and rewarding time!! Lucinda Hancock Fun Day 2015 Crystal Spring's annual Fun Day Saturday May 9th 10am-1pm. There will be some new games and some old favorites for all of our Tigers. If interested in sponsorship please contact Angie Reichardt [email protected] Taste of Asia DINING FOR DOLLARS The next dining for dollars will take place at Taste of Asia on Franklin. The date is April 20th from 5-8. It's a new restaurant and the owner has a daughter in first grade at Crystal Spring. The Family Fun School Dance is March 27, 2015 6 to 8 pm Science in a Sack for Second Graders! Science in a Sack for second graders will be on the following days from 8-10:30 am: March 4th - Mrs. Shorten March 5th - Mrs. Simmons March 6th - Mrs. McIntyre Thank you to those who have already signed up to help. Anyone else wanting to volunteer can email Elizabeth Martin. [email protected]. Skate Day Wednesday, March 18 3:30-5:30 pm Brambleton Skate Center Order Your Yearbook Now! Movie Night Friday, March 6 6:15 pm Chick-fil-A, pizza and snacks. Donations appreciated at the door. Make sure you order your yearbook to capture all your great Crystal Spring memories. If you’ve lost the order form, just fill out the information below and send it to the office in an envelope labeled “yearbook sales.” The last day to order is March 20, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Katie McKernan, [email protected]. Child’s Name:__________________ Teacher:_____________________ Each yearbook is $20. Please make checks payable to “Crystal Spring PTA"