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ISSUE NO. 4
December 1, 2014
‘Tis The Season!
Block House Creek
Elementary
401 Creek Run
Leander, TX 78641
Phone: (512) 570570-7600
Fax: (512) 570570-7605
Attendance: (512) 570570-7628
bhc.leanderisd.org
Those Bears are at it
again! Count the paws
and check your answer
on the back cover!
From The Principal
P. 2
Library News
P. 3
Upcoming Events
P. 5
P. 6-7
P. 9
WriteWrite-a-Check
P.10
Secret Santa Shop
P. 11
Donuts&Cocoa with Santa
PTA Board Members
We collected approximately 11,500 Box Tops
which will result in about $1,500 going to our
Art Department. Congratulations to 1st Grade
for collecting the most Box Tops. They will be
rewarded with a party soon. Thank you for
supporting this effort to help our Art departI would also like to thank Katie Bartow and Leslie ment.
Stephens for coordinating our Fall Book Fair. It
For more information on these and other
was so great seeing all of the kids looking for that
events visit our website bhce-my-pta.org or
one special book. The totals from the Fall Book
contact any of the board members listed on
Fair were not available prior to printing the newsthe back page of this newsletter.
letter but will be in the January newsletter.
Tori Kenney
e:
What’s Insid
Counselor Corner
purchase for those less fortunate. These
items can be returned unwrapped and put under the tree. There are a lot of families in our
community who are in need during this holiday
season so please stop by the Giving Tree and
be as generous as you can.
On behalf of the Block House Creek PTA, I
Our Volunteer Coordinator Ashlea Lee did an
wish you and your family a wonderful holiday
awesome job lining up volunteers for the Thanksseason and a very Happy New Year! See you
giving Luncheon, Book Fair and all our events.
in 2015.
Without her help and the work of our volunteers
our events would not have been so successful.
Leading the pledge.
Bear Essentials
The Holiday Season is upon us. To me, holidays
are spent with family and friends and a time to be
thankful for all our blessings. I am especially
thankful and proud of our PTA and school for
such a great year so far. As a school and PTA
Board we have done so much and have
achieved great success this year. Many thanks
to the entire board and many volunteers. Our
hard work has paid off at our annual Bear Fest
where we raised over $6,000. I want to thank
Tanya Clarkson, Serena Walker and Michelle
Kuhn for coordinating this event.
P. 11
P. 12
Our Donuts and Cocoa with Santa is coming up
on December 13. This will be a fun
filled event so remember to bring your
own camera to get a picture with
Santa. Please keep an eye out for the
ticket order form coming home soon in
your child’s folder. Our annual Secret
Santa Store will be open December 16th
through 18th. Students can shop for
family and friends and all items cost only $2.00.
Proceeds from both events will be donated to the
Hill Country Christmas Bureau.
Our Counselor, Tracy Mercer, will be having a
Coats for Kids drive and a Giving Tree which is
decorated with tags identifying items you can
PTA President
Help someone in need! Give to the
BHC Giving Tree. Details on page 9.
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FROM THE DESK OF DR. CADY . . .
Fall is in the air! Of course, the fall season here does not compare to the spectacular colors in the northeast, but
the crisper air is welcome, nonetheless. With the change of the seasons, comes a change in our clothing, outside
playtime, and routines. Some have added new activities to their family’s daily routines, such as sports, extracurricular classes, or clubs. These are all great opportunities for our students to expand their horizons and learn new
skills. Setting good study routines that work with these new activities will help your student keep up in their
schoolwork. Children need good study skills in order to complete assignments successfully and gain the most
from them academically. Good study skills may include:
Set a regular time for homework - one that works for their child and their family. Research shows a correlation between
successful students and parents who create and maintain family routines.
Pick a fairly quiet study area with lots of light and supplies close by. A desk in the bedroom is nice, but for many youngsters the kitchen table or a corner of the living room works just fine.
Remove distractions. Turn off the television and discourage social telephone calls during homework time. More than two
to three hours of television viewing on school nights is related to lower student achievement. Moderate television viewing,
especially when supervised by parents, can help children learn.
Provide supplies and resources such as pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, an assignment book, and a dictionary.
Provide aids to good organization, such as an assignment calendar, book bag, and folders.
Encourage parents to check with you, the school counselor, or the principal if they cannot provide their child with the
necessary supplies, and resources.
Look over the homework, but do not do the homework for them.
Review teacher comments on homework that has been returned and discuss with their child.
Contact the teacher if there's a homework problem or need they cannot resolve. Teachers may need to be flexible in
scheduling meetings with parents to discuss homework problems in order to accommodate inflexible job schedules and other
demands.
Developing solid routines and good habits early on will help your child in their education for years to come!
Dr. Deana Cady
Principal
PTA members:
Bhc Pta
Don’t Forget—
Spirit Day Friday!!!
Spirit Wear On-Sale Now!!!
GET YOUR NEW BHC SPIRIT WEAR!
Order ONON-LINE or watch for order forms with prices & details!
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In upcoming library lessons, Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be comparing/contrasting Traditional Tales such as fairy tales, fables, folktales, legends.
In upcoming library lessons, 3rd through 5th grade will be exploring the library databases on the library webpage:
http://bhc.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=bhc.library.home
Kindergarten through 5th grade will be learning how to access library eBooks, just in time for reading over the holidays.
The last week before Winter Break, all library classes will be involved in a Makerspace during library time. Makerspace is a time & space to invent, create,
collaborate, and problem solve using critical thinking skills with Science, Art, Math based activities.
Library is looking for any of the following items to be donated for use in Library Makerspace:
any building sets such as tinker toys, Lincoln logs, Lego's, K'Nex, Trios, Zoob building sets, yarn, large - medium crochet or knitting needles, magnets, children's
electrical sets, children's Spirograph sets, wooden domino sets
Also, library uses stuffed animals/dolls to help mark shelves of library books’ locations. I could use any of the follow donations:
Arthur aardvark/anteater, 2 yellow dogs, polar bear or brown bear, yellow school bus, spider Dalmatian, orange tabby cat, white rabbit or pigeon
Want to learn computer coding along with your child?
Come to BHC Library's "Hour of Code"
Dec. 9 -- 6:00 - 7:30 PM in the BHC Library
Software engineer & BHC parent, Sarah Hubert will be facilitating this session, co-sponsored by Ms. Rausch, librarian.
Children and their parents are welcome to attend. Please bring your own devices. We will also be using library computers.
Newsletter Available Online at www.bhc.leanderisd.org
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DineDine-Out Night at
Double Daves!
Watch for info on Dine-Out Nights Supporting BHC !
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BHC Bulletin Board
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAFF BIRTHDAYS
Dec
3
Dec
Tracy Crossman (5th)
13 Kelsey Breneman (2nd)
9
“Hour of Code” 6pm BHC Library
11
3rd Grade Nutcraker Trip
12
Spelling Bee
13
Donuts & Cocoa with Santa
13 Stephanie Skinner (Ins. Asst)
15 Stacy Woolery (2nd)
Jan
15 Brenda Sloan (4th)
18 Deana Cady (Principal)
1616-18 Secret Santa Shop in Library
23 Gilda Mux (Custodian TL)
23 Deily Parada (Day Custodian)
Show-Off Nights 6pm
1616-18 1st Grade Show-
25 Debbie Crunk (Ins. Asst)
18
Fuel Up to Play 360 Meeting
19
Classroom Holiday Parties
22–
22–
Jan 2
No School! Winter Break
Keep saving your Box Tops for the
PTA members:
Bhc Pta
next collection this Spring!
http://bhce.my-pta.org/
Newsletter Online at : www.bhc.leanderisd.org
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Kinder Team:
In Phonics we will be reviewing our letter names and letter sounds and using them to sound out words when we write.
In Language Arts, we will be exploring Folktales and Fairytales.
We will begin our Science kit called Animals where the students will investigate snails, worms, and isopods!
In Social Studies, we will learn about Customs and Cultures.
Math will include skills such as more than/less than/ and equal to, adding numbers to 10, and problem solving with addition and subtraction using
manipulatives and models.
We hope you can join us for our Holiday Class party on December 19th!
First Grade: The 2nd 9 weeks of First Grade is in
full swing and we are continuing to encourage our students to take ownership of their learning throughout the various subject areas. Please ask your
child, what are your learning targets and how can you be engaged in your
learning?
Language Arts: We continue to examine our reading by identifying supporting details, determining author's purpose and identifying fiction/non
fiction. This month we have a focus on historical non fiction.
Math: We have begun working with coins. We continue on comparing
numbers using greater than, less than and equal to symbols.
Science: We are exploring energy through hands on experiments to determine how light, heat, and sound energy are important and also how we use
force, motion and energy in every day life.
Social Studies: We will be studying customs around the world.
Writer's Workshop: We continue to develop our skills as writers. We continue to check our writing for capitals, punctuation, details in our writing
and making sure the writing makes sense.
Second Grade:
Happy Holidays! The year seems to be flying by. We’ve been busy in
Second Grade, and are looking forward to new learning.
Teachers are very excited to be piloting a new science unit called “Building
Bridges”. We will be identifying physical properties of matter and building
bridges. We will study existing bridge structures from around the world,
how engineers design and test bridges, then build one in class. Should be
very engaging.
We will continue to study different fiction and nonfiction stories to deepen
understanding of story elements and author’s purpose for writing. In writing, we will begin an expository unit (how-to, explain steps…). The holidays provide many opportunities to discuss “how to….” Think about cooking, wrapping presents, and even shopping.
Problem solving will be a focus throughout the school year. There are strategy examples on the Second Grade Team website to assist you in helping at
home. Shopping provides lots of examples for real world problem solving.
Locating points on a number line and bar graphs are also skills we will
work on in December to prepare for the district benchmark.
Third Grade:
Hello Parents! Here are some of the skills we’ll be working on for
the 2nd half of our 2nd 9 Weeks!
In Social Studies we wrapped up our unit on Economics. We learned
about inventors, budgets, the U.S. free enterprise system and how
businesses operate within that system. Here are a couple of questions
to ask your child about Economics:
1. How does supply and demand affect the price of a good or
service?
2. How do people including Ford, and other entrepreneurs in the
community such as Mary Kay Ash, Wallace Amos, Milton
Hershey and Sam Walton, who started their own business
contribute to our economy and our community
In Science we’ve begun learning about simple machines and different types of energy that exist. Some questions to ask your child during this unit are:
1. What are some different types of energy used in everyday
life?
2. What are the 6 types of simple machines?
During Reading we’ll be ending our exploration of different types
fictional texts and moving onto informational/expository texts. Some
questions to ask during this unit are:
1. How do readers use informational texts?
2. How do text features help readers comprehend what they
have read?
Finally, in Math we’ve been learning about rounding and estimating
in problem solving and are moving onto measurement and fractions!
Here are a couple of questions to ask your child during this unit:
1. How are fractions and whole numbers related?
2. How does measuring things in the real world help us?
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Fourth Grade:
Fifth Grade:
Greetings from 5th Grade!
November has been a busy month for fourth graders! We enjoyed a
very cold, but educational and exciting trip to the Austin Science and
Nature Center. Everyone engaged in a day of learning about animal
adaptations and their habitats.
As the second nine weeks goes into full swing, we wanted to update you
on some things going on in class.
In Math, the students are learning and using skills and concepts related to
place value, from reading, writing and comparing decimals to rounding
We have been working on Personal Narratives in our own classrooms
and examining decimal patterns. We are also continuing the study of
and students are becoming more aware of how to write about a MOmultiplication and division strategies, including the standard algorithm.
MENT in their lives while captivating their audience. Keep sharing
Students are also beginning to examine and apply everyday math to learn
memories and stories with them!
how to manage financial resources effectively for lifetime financial security.
Reading statistics show that students who read daily are more successful in school as well as life in general. Please encourage your child to
In Science, students are doing energy explorations. They are learning
read and make it a priority to read with them. They love to share their
about the different types of energy as well as how they affect everyday
knowledge, as well as their choice of books. Reading logs are easier for life. They are studying the different types of energy and doing explorathe students if they find a book they love to read and are actually read- tions with mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound energy.
ing aloud and sharing what they have read. Ask your child to give you a
In Social Studies, the students are learning about the thirteen original
book talk!
colonies. Specifically they are discovering by comparing and contrasting
how the colonies were established, what made each colony unique, and
We all know that Math is an important part of daily life. This month
we are working on fractions and decimals. You can help your child by what made them attractive to the early settlers.
using real world applications utilizing fractions. One example would be
In Language Arts, students are looking in depth at different types of
having them help with cooking or baking and discuss fractions in the
imaginative fiction. The students are studying how imaginative fiction
process. You could also implement decimal conversations when talking
can encompass literature from science fiction to tall tales to fantasy and
about money. Always be sure to work with your student on multiplicaare discovering through comparison how imaginative fiction is different
tion facts. By the end of November, ALL fourth graders should know
from other genres. Students are also exploring different themes in literatheir 6, 7, 8 & 9 math facts.
ture and how the themes may be presented differently across multiple
types of genres. Students are also looking at persuasion and how authors
Fourth graders created some FABULOUS Native American projects to use persuasive techniques in literature and media. Students are also being
share with their classmates. We are now beginning to learn about Exgiven opportunities to apply this learning in their own writing.
plorers and why they journeyed to Texas.
Congratulations to ALL the classroom Spelling Bee winners! The
school-wide Spelling Bee will be held on Friday, December 12
.
Holiday parties will be held on Friday, December 19. Additional information coming soon!
Art: K-1 will be working on leaf rubbing and printing
2-3 will continue their study of Henri Rousseau by creating a mixed media project inspired by his painting entitled The Sleeping Gypsy.
P.E.: December P.E. Activites:
Ask your student about Go, Slow, and Whoa foods!
Bowling
Pacer Challenge - who will win the Golden Shoe this month?
Obstacle Course
4 is working on a Chuck Close style Abstract self portrait using a grid
Check us out...
Facebook - Block Hoise Creek P.E.
5 has some amazing ceramic Empty Bowls making their way to the Austin Empty Bowl Project on November 23 and then will begin Cubist style
Picasso self portraits with acrylic paints.
Twitter - @bhc_pe
Instagram - @bhc_pe
Performing Arts:
We are hard at work on our First Grade Show Off Nights! A letter should have gone home stating what night your child performs on.
Second Grade: We are learning about creating rhythms with simple instruments.
Third Grade: Our field trip to The Nutcracker is coming up on Dec. 11. We are studying the ballet and the music composer Tchaichovisky.
Fourth Grade: We are working on sixteenth notes and rhythms.
Fifth Grade: We are rehearsing our final duet scenes. Recorder information will be coming home soon!
Great job to the Beartones on a successful Veterans Day Assembly. Spring Show Choir info will go home soon.
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LISD Backpack Program
Since food and nutrition are so closely linked with the ability to learn, we want to make sure students have food
over the weekend so they are ready to learn when they arrive at school on Monday. For this reason, the LISD
Backpack Program was created. This program provides participating the bags from the office as they leave campus
each Friday afternoon. There is no cost for the participant’s family for the food. Permission forms can be found
online at the following site or you can request one directly from Mrs. Mercer: https://sites.google.com/a/
leanderisd.org/bhc-schoolcounselor/parent-resources/lisd-backpack-program. Return forms to the school
counselor, Mrs. Mercer.
For more information, or to know about donating to the program, go to: http://classroom.leanderisd.org/
default.aspx?Mrs.TracyMercer/BackpackProgram or contact Mrs. Mercer at [email protected] or
(512) 570-7616.
BHC is looking for HEROES!
LISD PTA Clothes
Closet
There are many resources in the
area for families in need. PTA
Clothes Closet provides clothing for
LISD students. If your student(s) are
in need of clothing, please contact
the school nurse, Mrs. Stebbins, for a Clothes Closet
voucher.
HEROES is LISD’s mentor program. HEROES
are caring adults who have a Heart for
Encouraging, Respect, Optimism, Enthusiasm,
and Self-confidence with our students while
providing guidance and support to cultivate personal, social,
and academic development. These everyday people (parents,
community members, and business professionals) are just like
you! HEROES are trained by the district. They spend 30 minutes
to an hour with a designated student once per week for the
school year.
A child is waiting for you to become their hero…
For more information and to register, please go to
http://www.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=com.heroes
You can also contact Mrs. Mercer at
[email protected] or (512) 570-7616.
The LISD "Clothes Closet" is a service program supported by the
generous donations of businesses or individuals from our community
and LISD school PTA drives. The Clothes Closet operates by friendly,
helpful LISD PTA volunteers. The Purpose of the Clothes Closet is to
provide gently worn, clean, school clothing as well as brand new
underwear and socks to students that will appropriately fit a child
between the ages of 4-18 or pre-K thru high school.
LISD Clothes Closet Coordinator: Abbie Williams [email protected]
Find us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LeanderISD-Clothes-Closet/190480951015679
Address: 300 West Drive, Leander, TX 78641
Normal hours of operation during the school year are every Tuesday
from 10am - 12pm and one Saturday a month, from 10am-12pm.
The Clothes Closet is closed on school holidays and bad weather
days.
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School Counselor Notes:
The BHC Giving Tree will be available December 2nd -December 12th.
If you are able, please donate:
New or gently used coats for school age children
New socks and underwear for school age children (do not open packages)
New toys for school age children up to age 12- Toy tags will be hanging on the tree. Pick a tag, purchase the item,
and return it unwrapped to the tree or front office by December 12th. (You may also choose to purchase quality items that
are not listed on the toy tags.)
Clothing donations will be given to the PTA Clothes Closet to benefit students in Leander ISD. Toy donations will be given to Hill
Country Christmas Bureau to benefit children in the Leander school district.
Have your child help you pick out items. It is a great way to get your child involved in showing concern for others!
If your family would benefit from one of these programs, please contact Mrs. Mercer for more information at (512) 5707616 or [email protected]. (Registration for the Hill Country Christmas Bureau ends Dec. 11th.)
Thank you to everyone who participated in the BHC Annual Food Drive in November! Over 500 food items were donated! These
will benefit the LISD Backpack Program and Hill Country Community Ministries. Thank you for showing concern for others!!!
Student Council News
Student Council has been busy planning for the
year! The officers have attended a conference
to sharpen their leadership skills and received a
trophy as a National Honor Council. The council has been planning and preparing for the
bluebonnet stomp to help beautify our school
and our community this spring…. Keep an eye
out for sprouting bluebonnets! Starting Dec.
8th, the council is helping PTA raise money by
“Trimming the Tree”. You can purchase an
ornament for the foyer trees beginning Dec 8th
for 25 cents in honor of your teacher. The
teacher with the most ornaments will have the
opportunity to display their “spirit” at the middle school band/choir performance at BHC
Dec. 19! Start saving those quarters!
Council officers receiving their awards.
PTA members:
Bhc Pta
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Volunteers needed!
[email protected]
12
2nd Grade Trip to
Inner Space Caverns
4th Grade trip to the Nature & Science Center
2014-2015 PTA BOARD
Tori Kenney
President
512-809-1187
[email protected]
Naysa DollingerDollinger-Tidey
1st Vice President
512-799-4380
[email protected]
Shannon Skolaut
2nd Vice President
512-917-4799
[email protected]
Michelle Kuhn
3rd Vice President
512-422-0740
[email protected]
Nicole Wells
4th Vice President &Newsletter
Coordinator
619-208-2628
[email protected]
Tanya Clarkson
Secretary
512-633-6992
[email protected]
Serena Walker
Treasurer
512-905-2277
[email protected]
Tina Reckaway
Historian &
Room Parent Coordinator
512-986-4975
[email protected]
Ashlea Lee
Volunteer Coordinator & Parliamentarian
501-658-6762
[email protected]
Greta Walsh
Membership Coordinator
659-7638
[email protected]
MaryAnn Navarrete
Cares & Concerns
512-947-8285
[email protected]
Elizabeth Guerrero
Reflections Coordinator
512-775-7215
[email protected]
Teresa Stover
Spirit Wear Coordinator
512-922-0598
[email protected]
Katie Bartow
Book Fair & Spirit Wear
Coordinator
512-736-4102
[email protected]
Macy Beauchamp
Label Collection Coordinator
512-786-6007
[email protected]
Kathy Madden
Teacher Liaison
512-570-7600
[email protected]
Don’t Forget!!! Now you can purchase your PTA
Membership, Spirit Wear, Event Tickets and much
more on line through the PTA ONON-Line Store!! Visit
http://bhce.myhttp://bhce.my-pta.org/ and click on Store for
more details.