M OUND E LEMENTARY S CHOOL
Developing leaders and high achieving learners today to conquer tomorrow’s challenges.
M USTANG M EMO
T HURSDAY ,
A PRIL 23, 2015
# DESTINEDFORGREATNESS IN 2014-2015
Dear Mound Mustang Families,
As we continue to learn about the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, I am amazed at the leadership qualities that I see our students using on a daily basis. We have great kids here at
Mound. Our staff is working hard everyday to not only teach our students knowledge but
to help our kids be the best well-rounded individuals they can be. Developing good leadership and character skills is part of this. Our focus this six weeks of school is: Habit #7–
Sharpen the Saw. We will be discussing the importance of taking care of ourselves and
finding balance in our lives. This is a very busy time of the year for all of us as we juggle
the end of the school year activities. It is important to eat healthy, take care of our bodies
by getting plenty of sleep and exercise so that we can do our best at school, activities, and
our jobs.
S PECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST :
-M AY 1-“C OFFEE T ALK ” WITH
M S . B ENNETT -P ARENTS /
GUARDIANS AT 7:30-L IBRARY
-M AY 4-M AY 8 H APPY
T EACHER A PPRECIATION W EEK !
-M AY 4 TH -T ALENT S HOW
A UDITIONS AT 3:00 PM C AFETERIA
-F RIDAY , M AY 8 TH -J EANS AND
There are many ways that this habit can be used at home. At times, when my personal
S PIRIT S HIRT D AY
boys became grouchy or very active, or literally started falling apart, I knew it was be-S ATURDAY , M AY 9 TH C HARACTER M ARCH -BISD
cause we were not taking care of ourselves and we were out of balance. Many times, it
S TADIUM , 9 AM
was because they were tired, hungry, or over stimulated. Refocusing as a family by al-M AY 12, 2-6 K INDERGARTEN
lowing extra time to renew our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls always helped us to
“Sharpen the Saw” and we were back to “normal” again. It’s important to point out to our R OUND U P FOR 2015-16
K INDERGARTENERS - AT M OUND
kids that just as a car has 4 tires, we, as people, also have 4 parts. All of these parts need
-M AY 14-T ALENT S HOW time and attention. We have to take care of ourselves to be healthy and happy.
D RESS R EHEARSAL , 3:00 PM
-M AY 19, T ALENT S HOW I hope to see each of you at the Character March on Saturday, May 9th at 9 am at the
6:00 PM , C AFETERIA
BISD stadium. We will celebrate our school of character and leadership, our students of
-M AY 20, M OUND CEIC M TG .
character, and once again, go for the coveted “Character March” trophy! I am thinking
4 PM
“THREE-PEAT” all the way! Let’s show our community how amazing Mound Elementary
-M AY 22, 4 TH AND 5 TH
is and come together as one school for this morning celebration. Our Honor Choir will also
G RADE D ISTRICT F IELD D AY
be singing after the march! We are ONE!
-M AY 25, N O S CHOOL
-Mrs. Bennett, Principal
- MAY 28, A WARDS D AY
-M AY 29, K-3 F IELD D AY @
M OUND
M R . L EWIS ’ L OG -G OOD C HOICES , M OOLAH , AND M ERCANTILE
-J UNE 4, E ND OF Y EAR P ARTIES -2 PM
We are now into our final six weeks of the 2014-15 school year. It is hard to believe that we have
-J UNE 5, L AST D AY OF S CHOOL
almost completed another school year at Mound! Summer fever has definitely taken hold on camE ARLY D ISMISSAL AT 11:45 AM
pus as well. However, our students, teachers, and staff have done a tremendous job of maintaining
focus on learning and helping our students make that year’s growth to be ready for next year!
Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Pirtle, and I handle the disciplinary issues on our campus when the teachers
need us to lend them a hand. Here at Mound, we like our focus to be on positive discipline strategies in order to help our students be successful. One of these strategies we have implemented is
“Mound Moolah,” which is “money” the students can earn for positive behavior. Last year, we
opened a store that students can spend the Moolah they earn. We named the store the “Mound
Mercantile,” and it is open for business every Friday morning from 7:15-7:35. The students can
come shop for items that range from one Moolah, like pencils, to big money items, like going to see
a movie with Mrs. Bennett, which costs 50 Moolah. This item encourages the students to save their
Moolah. This is a lesson that we all should probably adhere to!
The Mercantile has been a huge hit with the students, and we even have “hired” 5th grade students
to work as salespeople and cashiers, which follows Mound’s leadership theme that the students and
staff have embraced.
-Mr. Lewis, Assistant Principal
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
AP NEWS
1
C OUNSELOR
2
N URSE
2
C LUB N EWS
3
C LASS N EWS
3
PTO U PDATE
4
I NSTRUCTIONAL
4
M USTANG M EMO
P AGE 2
Counselor’s Corner-BIG Steps to Middle School
The transition to middle school is a big step on the road to maturity. The registration process is complete, but 5 th Graders have
other concerns. Researchers have found that students anticipating the move to middle school worry about three aspects of the
change:

When researchers asked kids what aspect of moving to middle school most concerned them, the top answers related to how
things at the new school worked (Akos, 2002). How would they find the right classroom, cafeteria, bathrooms? What happened if
they were tardy? Attending camps offered by Middle School counselors will alleviate some of these concerns as students practice routines and become familiar with the middle school setting. It also helps to buy a combination lock for your child and practice
using it over the summer.

Another area of worry for students moving to middle school is the social scene. Will I see anyone I know? Will it be hard to
make friends? Will I have to eat lunch alone? Are the older kids bullies? Ease any loneliness in the early weeks of school by
helping your child arrange weekend social activities with neighborhood, church, or grade school friends. Encourage your child to
join group conversations. Talk about traits that make a good friend. Practice skills needed for difficult social situations.

Will the classes be too difficult with more homework? Are the teachers hard graders? Help your student with time management, organization, and a schedule for study time. Go to back-to-school night, parent-teacher conferences and other events
where you can connect with your child's teachers. Finally, help your child be his/her own advocate. Encourage your child to discuss problems and solutions with teachers on her own, but be ready to step in and help as needed.
The best way to help your child through this transition is to keep a positive attitude about middle school. You may remember how
clueless, awkward, and self-conscious you felt at that age. Empathize with your child and provide assurance that in time the experience will become more comfortable.
-Mrs. Pirtle, Mound Counselor
N EWS
FROM
N URSE ’ S O FFICE
2015 Mound “Be Healthy” Challenge:
Healthy Choices Today for the Leaders of Tomorrow
Wow! We have made it to the final six-weeks of the school year! Our students have worked hard this
year to not only increase their academic knowledge but to give themselves the best opportunities for
success by making healthy choices!
Last six weeks our challenge was a nutrition challenge. Students were challenged to pay attention to the food
choices they make by marking their meals and snacks daily on a food tracker. I am thrilled with the initiative
our students have taken and am so excited hearing them talk of the healthy food choices they are making!
Congratulations to 1st grader, Bridget Perry who won the nutrition challenge and received the “Be Healthy
Nutrition Pack,” filled with healthy snacks and tools to keep up the great effort of making healthy food
choices! In the final stretch to Summer, I am challenging the students to get active with the Epic Fitness
Challenge. Encourage your student to complete the four exercises for the indicated number of repetitions
daily. Each week increases the reps to build activity endurance. Have your student mark their activity daily
and turn in the form by May 29 to be entered into a drawing for the Epic Fitness Challenge Prize! By end of
school, our students will be ready for the most “Epic” Summer ever and will have set the pace for a lifetime of
making healthy choices. These activities are good for whole family participation, so get active with your kids
and get ready for an “EPIC” Summer!
-Amanda Viehmann, RN
P AGE 3
C LUB AND C LASS NEWS
ART CORNER:
PE News
Please save recycled items for upcom- Don’t forget our Field
Day dates:
ing creative art projects. Items
needed large empty Kleenex boxes.  May 22 at BHS4th and 5th
Grades
Important Art Club Dates
May 4th –Last Art Club meeting
May 6th – Field trip to Amon Carter
Museum please bring sack lunch!

May 29 at Mound
for K-3rd Grades

Students may
wear athletic
shorts and their
Mound Mustang
Spirit Shirt.
IDOL
Talent Show
Tuesday, May 19th
6:00pm
Mound Cafeteria
Entry Forms Available NOW
in the Office!
Required Auditions-May 4th
and Dress Rehearsal-May 14th
*Donations accepted at Show for
Mound Scholarship Fund
S CHOLASTIC B OOK F AIR BOGO IS COMING !
May 11-15, 2015
Hours: 8:00am-2:30pm
Tuesday: 8:00am-6:00pm
(Open During Kindergarten Round-Up
This will be a great opportunity for the kids to
purchase their favorite books for summer
reading!
~Shirley Dalby, Librarian
Front Drop-Off and Pick Up Drive-Thru Traffic Pattern Change
at Mound Coming Soon-2015-2016 School Year!
Beginning on the first day of school, August 2015, we will be changing the drop off and pick up procedures in the front of the school. We will have a “drive-thru” lane where the majority of present parking
spots are located.

Morning drop-off will be through this drive-thru or at the present “horseshoe” area at the back.

Afternoon dismissal will be by grade level at the front or back and both will be in drive-thru
fashion. Bike riders/walkers will still be dismissed through the front door.
Be looking for more detailed information regarding this change in a letter/map form during the last
weeks of school. This change will be a positive one for
the safety of our students and families as they transport
our students to and from school.
Mound PTO Update
M OUND E LEMENTARY
205 SW Thomas Street
Burleson, Texas 76028
817-245-3100
Marla Bennett, Principal
Ricky Lewis, Assistant Principal
Cherilynn Pirtle, Counselor
C HECK US OUT ON THE WEB AT
WWW. BURLESONISD. NET
C LI CK ON E LE ME NTA RY
SCHOOLS AND GO TO MOUND
E LEMENTARY!
With Ms. Bennett
Friday, May 1st
Mound Library
7:30-8:15am
Updates on What’s Going On at
Mound Elementary
Planning for Next Year!
What’s On Your Mind?
All Parents/Guardians Welcome!
Hi Mound Mustangs!
We just finished up our spring fundraiser. Everyone did a great job and
we sold a lot of chocolate bars! We appreciate your support. After all the
money is collected, our school, PTO, and art program should profit approximately $7500. Congratulations to our top seller, Kailee Porter and
Blake Black, who was runner-up. The game truck and other activities will
be coming to Mound on Tuesday, May 26 from 8:30-11:30 for the students that qualified.
Our annual talent show will be held on May 19th at 6pm. We hope to see
everyone there and wish good luck to all our talent show kids. We will be
collecting monetary donations for the Mound PTO Scholarship fund for a
graduating BISD senior at this event. We would like to build this fund up
for this year’s recipient as well as future graduates of BISD that have attended Mound. If you know of a senior at BHS or CHS that attended
Mound Elementary, the scholarship applications are due in the Mound
office on Monday, May 4th at 3:00pm. Applications can be picked up in
the office or at each high school. Last year, we were able to award a BHS
graduating senior $350.
As we finish up the year, we would like to remind anyone who would be
interested in serving on the PTO board next year, to fill out the PTO
nomination letter that will be coming home next week. Open positions will
be included in this letter. Please send the letter to the office with your preferred position. We would love for you to consider serving on the board
and helping our school and students out.
The end of the year parties will be on Thursday, June 4 th at 2:00pm. We
are looking forward to a fun event for all classes to celebrate a great year
of learning.
R EADING A T H OME
Helping Children Become Independent Readers
When listening to your children read at home, help them catch and correct their own mistakes. Ask
questions such as, “Does that make sense? What do you think that word could be?” Talk about
the story and help your child think about what words would make sense with the story line instead of
sounding out each word.
Suggest that your child read to a younger sibling. It will be good practice and a chance for him to inspire a younger listener.
Don’t stop reading aloud! Developing readers still need to listen to higher level books that will challenge
their thinking and build their vocabulary.
It’s important to continue to read during the summer months when
children are out of school. This is a great time to read together,
check books out from the library and even participate in summer
reading programs at Mound and the city library.