Eglin Elementary ChronicleMr. Dennis Samac, Principal

Visit our website: www.okaloosaschools.com/eglinQuestions? Call 833-4320

EGLIN ELEMENTARY VISION STATEMENT:Eglin Elementary School will be a community of learners where everyone is responsible and committed to preparing our students for tomorrow’s challenges.

Greetings from Kindergarten!

It is hard to believe we are almost half way through the first half of the school year. In kindergarten, we are working hard on our foundational skills such as letter recognition, letter sounds, blending sounds to read and write words, and recognizing sight words. Many of our kindergarten students are using the Accelerated Reader program (AR) to build on their skills in the areas of reading comprehension and reading fluency. While we love storybooks, students are also being exposed to a variety of informational texts as well as poetry. Our hard working mathematicians are learning to build number bonds, as well as using dice, number lines, manipulatives, and ten frames. We are using these skills as we work with adding and subtracting. With Veterans Day in November, we learned about important American symbols such as the Statue of Liberty and the bald eagle. The students are also learning about important figures from the past and comparing their own lives to those who lived long ago and how the past shaped our present day lives. So far this year, our little scientists have learned about different science tools and our five senses. In the coming weeks, they will explore how things move, how a push and a pull can change how an object moves, and how gravity affects objects. In October, we had a visit from the firefighters and learned about fire safety and had a chance to practice calling 911. We also visited the pumpkin patch in October. We had tons of fun playing games and going on a hay ride. With the Christmas holidays around the corner, we are looking forward to lots of fun holiday activities such as making gingerbread houses in class with our families, reading holiday stories, and making holiday crafts. All while continuing to learn and grow as amazing kindergarten students here at Eglin Elementary. We want to say a big THANK YOU to all of our families who support us in our learning. The teachers and students would not be able to do all of this without your help. With the first half of the year coming to a close, here’s to a fun-filled, successful second half of the year!

Sincerely,

Lisa ClemmonsKindergarten Grade Level Chair

Character Trait Word for NovemberThankfulness

Self-Respect & Respect for Others: Our key to Success!

Remember the 3 B’sBe SafeBe ResponsibleBe Respectful

Lunch MenuLunch menus are online @www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/foodservices/index.htm

To create a payment account, please go to schoolpaymentsolutions.com.

Reminder: If you have not already done so, you may go to applyforlunch.com to fill out free/reduced lunch applications.

If you have any questions about your child’s account, please contact Ms. Judy Terry @ 833-4322.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Parents:For the safety of our students and to help increase traffic flow, please observe the following when picking up or dropping off children on the car ramp:1. Pull all the way to the end of the ramp before dropping off or picking up students.2. Children should exit from the right side of the vehicle only.3. Please do not block the car ramp crosswalk.4. Please use the car ramp cross walk when walking.5. Please put the card with your child’s name on it in the right side window of your car.

For the safety of our students, please watch out for them as they walk to and from the school age program each day. Please be especially cautious as they walk alongside Gaffney Road and cross the street at May Ave..

Tutoring Dates:

Third grade:Dec. 2, 7, &9Jan. 11, 13, 20, 25, & 27Fourth grade:Dec. 1, 3, 8, &10Jan. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, & 28

School Office Hours:7:15 am -3:15 pm

Eglin ElementaryHome of the Eagles

Set your AR Goal!Nov. 30, 2015

Important Dates/ HolidaysDec. 1, 2015 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmDec. 7-11, 2015 Santa Shop in the Media CenterDec. 8, 2015 GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science @ 3:00 pmDec. 8, 2015 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00Dec. 14, 2015 The Pro Kids show at 8:45 am and 5:30 pmDec. 15, 2015 3rd Grade Christmas program @ 8:45 amDec. 15, 2015 Volunteer orientation @ 1:45 pm in the Media CenterDec. 15, 2015 Jr. Minority Council @ 3:00 pmDec. 16, 2015 Coffee Talk @ 8:15 amDec. 16 and 17, 2015 Jingle Bell Jog during your child’s P.E. timeDec. 18, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016 Winter Break HolidaysJan. 5, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmJan. 12, 2016 GEMS meeting @ 3:00 pmJan. 12, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmJan. 14, 2016 End of 2nd grading periodJan. 15, 2016 Teacher work dayJan. 18, 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holidayJsn. 19, 2016 Volunteer orientation in the Media Center @ 1:45 pmJan. 19, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmJan. 22-Jan. 29, 2016 Book Fair in the Media Center 8:00 am-3:00 pm dailyJan. 26, 2016 Jr. Minority Council meeting @ 3:00 pmJan. 26, 2016 Open House @ 5:00-7:00 pmJan. 26, 2016 Report csrdsJan. 29, 2016 3rd and 4th grade Paint the Music @ 12:00 pm

Attendance Reminder:Students will have five school days,

including the day they return, to bring in written verification for an

excused absence. The absence will be considered unexcused if the school does not receive written

verification for the excused absence in that time frame.

Safety First! Parents, Please use the car rider ramp and the parking area in front of the school for dropping off and picking up your students. We have staff at these locations to supervise the safe drop- off/pick-up of ALL students. Cars are not allowed to use the areas behind the school for dropping off or picking up as this is a safety concern! We do not have staff in these locations to supervise and to ensure that your students are safe. Please help us make this part of our day as safe as possible. Thank-you for your cooperation in this matter. Mr. Dennis SamacPrincipal

Ice Cream!!!The cafeteria will be selling ice cream ala carte on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The price is $1.00. Students will need to bring additional money. If you do not wish your child to be able to purchase ice cream from his/her lunch account, please contact Ms. Judy Terry @ 833-4322, or send a letter saying that they may not use their lunch account for ice cream.

Pro Kids Show!Starring Scott Humston

Magic, Music, and Fun for Everyone!There will be 2 different shows on

Monday, Dec. 14th. One is at 8:45 am, and the other is at 5:30 pm.

Coming soon!!Santa’s Secret Shop

Dec. 7-Dec. 11

Parent notification: If you wish to view the School Public Accountability Report (SPAR), it will be available in the front office.

Out of Field Teachers:In compliance with Section 101.42 Florida Statues, the following teachers, Mrs. June Whiting-Cobb, Ms. Vaneesa Harrington, Mrs. Jones-Urena, Mrs. Heather Pinckard, and Mrs. Carol Kotulan are out of field because they do not have an ESOL endorsement, and they have an ESOL child in their classroom. They all hold a valid teaching certificate issued by the State of Florida and are working on courses to satisfy the requirements for an ESOL endorsement.

Turkeys in Disguise!!Some of our third graders recently

worked on a fun project. They were each given a cut out of a turkey and were instructed to create a disguise that would

protect the turkeys until after Thanksgiving. There were turkeys that

looked like pirates, police officers, super heroes, snowmen, Christmas presents, and pop singers. There was even a Mr.

Samac turkey!!

Mr. Samac turkey

Handprint TurkeysMrs. Kotulan’s kindergarten class also had turkey projects. They painted their

hands to create their turkeys.

Pictured here: Mrs. Kotulan helpsAshiah make her turkey.

Pictured here: Ashiah is happy with the turkey she made.

Thank you to Mrs. Judy Terry and her staff for the delicious Thanksgiving meal that she and her staff prepared for us, and thank you parents for taking the time to come share it with us! We had 420 guests in attendance!!

Pictured here: Mrs. Crawford’s first grade students made Pilgrim hats to wear to the Thanksgiving meal.

Eglin Parents: Please join us at Coffee Talk!

Wednesday, December 16th at 8:15am

Refreshments Provided

Music classes include experiences with singing, playing instruments, moving, listening and creating. The musical concepts that are studied include rhythm, melody, harmony, form, expressive qualities and style. Children will experience traditional American folk songs in addition to a variety of world music, and pieces in many styles. Lessons will lead toward note reading and music literacy.

Music lessons are fast-paced and fun, and students will need to wear comfortable clothing in order to participate fully. Primary students do a lot of moving in order to internalize the steady beat and the intermediate students will need to sit on the floor to perform on the mallet percussion instruments.November: Song of the Month: America Unit: Rhythm/melody Melody is the tune of the song. Step, skip, leap, repeat.Composer: Aaron CoplandLink-up program for 3rd grade –Orchestra MovesLink-up program for 4th grade-Orchestra RocksAsk your student what they are doing in Music Class!

Mrs. DayMusic Specialist

P.E.  Notes Tennis shoes are required each day for P.E.. Some students are stilling wearing flip flops to P.E. Flip flops are not safe for any P.E. activities. Students will need to have jackets during the cooler weather as P.E. activities are held outside. Please remind your child to wear the proper attire to P.E. for both their safety and their comfort. Parents are always welcomed and encouraged to come out and participate during your child’s designated P.E. time!

Turkey Trot Results:Kg:Garrett Meggs-10:16Cadence Bagi-11:12Marielle Aziz-12:47Jrue Crider-12:47Caileign Miller- 13:00Julian Agurs-13:00Jordan Walker-13:17Natalia Davidson-18:501st Grade:Jordan Crider-8:25Chasitie Bowers-9:18Mila Alvarez-13:19Milee Truchanowicz2 nd Grade: Justice Baldwin-8:39Graedin Follmar-9:16Addy Darif-9:27Kyra Bowen-11:053 rd Grade: Aydin Ozdogru-7:16Ryan Saffo-7:16Preston Folendore-8:27Hailey Hilland-8:42Ana Reed-10:204 th Grade: Tristan Thompson-7:16Zachary Kurtz-7:26Charlee Gonzales-8:30Lilly Darif-9:00

Eglin Elementary’s Media Center

Coming soon!!Jingle Bell Jog

Dec. 16th and 17th

During your child’s P.E. time

Coaches will be selling Freeze Pops for 50 cents each on Fridays. Proceeds will go to purchase fitness equipment for the gym.

Eglin first graders had a wonderful time at their Read-a-thon fundraiser on Nov. 10! They rotated through six different rooms all designed to encounter reading in a fun and unique way. The stations were Make-and Take, Flashlight Reading, Big Books, Sight Word Bingo, Magazines and Word Searches, & Guest Readers. The money earned from their pledges will fund classroom supplies.

Pictured here: Flashlight reading in Mrs.Wright’s room.

Pictured here: Riley is having a fun time with Sight Word Bingo in Mrs. Pinckard’s room.

You Are Our Heroes!Veterans Day Program

On Nov. 6, Eglin Elementary fourth graders, under the direction of Mrs. Sandy Day, presented a wonderful patriotic program to celebrate Veterans Day. Superintendent of Okaloosa Schools, Mrs. Mary Beth Jackson, spoke to students and let them know that there were super heroes in the room. They are those who defend us and keep us safe. She reminded everyone to honor those who protect us. Col Adrian Spain, 53rd Wing Commander also addressed students. He told students that America is 239 years old and that every generation has had those who have served in the military. He said to

remember to say thank you to those who protect us and for the sacrifices they make in doing so.

Pictured here: Col Adrian Spain53rd Wing Commander

Pictured here: Maricelyz shows her patriotic spirit.

Virtual Field Trip to Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth , Ma.

Mr. Wilson took his 3rd grade class on a virtual field trip to Plimoth Plantation in

Plymouth , Ma. Students accessed the internet to discover information about the weather in

Plymouth, Ma. and then compared it to the weather at Eglin AFB. They went to Google maps and

mapped a route to Ma., drew a line on a U.S. map to show the route they were taking and then

colored in the states that they went through to get there. Students made note of toll roads and found

the difference in miles of different routes. Students also took a virtual trip on the Mayflower learning about the challenges the Pilgrims faced, where they were planning to go and where they

stopped. They also learned all about the ship and how it was powered and how the course of the ship

was charted and then compared it to the transportation and navigation that is used today.

On Nov. 20th, Eglin second graders were treated to a performance by Kirby Locklear also known as Standing Wolf. He told students how Native Americans didn’t have books and that story telling was very important to them. Standing Wolf told the legend of how coyote put the stars in the sky. He and those who accompanied him performed a tribal dance and also taught the students how to follow the beat of the drum.

Pictured here: Standing Wolf

Pictured here: Standing Wolf and a student show how coyote shot an arrow

into the sky.

ACCElerator Grants Awarded

Two Eglin Elementary teachers were recently awarded $1000 grants by the

NDIA Gulf Coast Chapter for proposing projects or programs that will help to

foster enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math.

Congratulations Mrs. Garrett and Mrs. Gilmer!!

Pictured here: Mr. Samac, Mrs. Garrett, and Mrs. Gilmer

Congratulations to Mrs. Suzanne Glass-Troutman, Eglin Elementary Teacher of the Year!! We love you Mrs. G-T and thank you for a job well done!