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Henry Happenings
December 10, 2023
Principal Message
I hope you enjoyed your weekend. December weekends always seem so full and busy! Below you will find two examples in which we need your help to provide safety for all children.
1. Anytime you visit Henry Elementary, please arrive with your identification. This includes any other adult, grandparent, etc. Our system runs the ID provided to ensure we are granting access to only those that should be present in a school environment. It is terrible to turn people away, but it happens to ensure the safety of everyone. So, please help us by providing your identification to avoid this issue.
2. It is imperative if you are picking up your child through the car rider line that you help to make sure our families who walk continue to stay safe. Please do not block the sidewalk with your vehicle, stay off of your cell phone during drop off/pick up, and follow the traffic safety signs. Please be kind to our neighbors as you are waiting in line to pick up or drop off as they live next to school, but should also be able to access their homes. Your help with this is greatly appreciated!
With it being December, I want to make sure you are aware of the snow day plan in case inclement weather happens in the future. Parkway will use the same snow day plan for this school year. The first three snow days, if needed, will be no school days for students and staff and the district will be closed. If Parkway were to close more than three snow days, virtual learning days would be used. This allows students and staff to enjoy a few snow days each year and also avoid the need to makeup snow days at the end of the school year.
Check out information below about strings open houses, contest entry, school spirit week, PTO events, and more!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jodi Oliver
Upcoming Dates
December 11 - Strings Open Houses (Grades 3 and 4)
December 11 - PTO Gift Card Fundraiser (Available on PTO Facebook Page) 8 PM
December 12 - Reader in Me Turn-In Deadline 9:30 AM
December 12 - PTO Gift Card Fundraiser (Available on PTO Facebook Page) 8 PM
December 13 - Early Release, 2:05 PM Dismissal at Henry
December 13 - PTO Gift Card Fundraiser (Available on PTO Facebook Page) 8 PM
December 14 - 2nd Grade Field Trip
December 14 - PTO Gift Card Fundraiser (Available on PTO Facebook Page) 8 PM
December 15 - Strings Open Houses (Grades 3 and 4)
December 15 - Reader in Me Prize Distribution 9:05 AM
December 17 - Before-School 5th Grade Choir Performs at Ambush Game 3:05 PM Family Arena
December 18 - Spirit Day(s) Starting Today, 12/18 through 12/21 - More Details Below, See Flyer
December 19 - 5th Grade Biography Day (Byrd and Call) 11 AM
December 19 - 5th Grade Biography Day (Lois and Valleroy) 1:30 PM
December 21 - Half Day at Henry, 1:05 PM Dismissal
December 22 through January 2 - No School, Winter Break
2023-2024 Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Alicia Goyal
Congratulations to Mrs. Alicia Goyal, who was named Henry Teacher of the Year on Friday. She was nominated by and on voted on by her peers. As the librarian at Henry, she has worked hard to reimagine the library! Congratulations, Mrs. Goyal!
Cooperating Teacher Award Winner - Mrs. Peggy Plesia
Mrs. Plesia was surprised with the Outstanding Cooperating Teacher Award by Lindenwood University on Friday. Ms. Heather Hill nominated her because of the great student teaching experience she had this fall. Congratulations, Mrs. Plesia!
3rd and 4th Grade Strings Open House Invitation for 12/11 & 12/15
3rd Grade
- Mrs. O'Connor's Class - Monday, December 11th, 1:40-2:10
- Mr. Bunsick's Class - Monday, December 11th, 2:45-3:15
- Mrs. Barthelmass's Class - Friday, December 15th 1:40-2:10
- Mrs. Meyer's Class - Friday, December 15th, 2:45-3:15
4th Grade
- Ms. Ayers’ Class – Mon, Dec. 11, 9:40 - 10:10
- Mrs. Simon’s Class - Mon, Dec. 11, 10:10 - 10:40
- Mrs. Kaliyaperumal's Class – Fri, Dec. 15, 9:40 - 10:10
- Ms. Zinselmeier’s Class – Fri, Dec. 15, 11:50 - 12:20
All classes will be in the orchestra room. Please remember to bring your ID as all guests will need to sign in at the office. Plan to come about 5-10 minutes early to park and get signed in.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contest Entries Due by 12/18
The Missouri NEA Human Rights Committee is sponsoring the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay-Poster Contest for K-12 public school students. The theme for the 2024 contest is "Leadership and Service."
Students are being asked to reflect on the qualities of leadership and service that were exemplified by Dr. King, and how they can apply those qualities to their own lives. Grades K-2 and 3-5 can submit a written essay with a poster.
Entries due to Mrs. Herrmann by Monday, December 18th.
Assembly Notification - 12/21/23
As an annual tradition, the PTO hosts an assembly for all Henry students right before Winter Break. Please read below to learn about the guest entertainer, Rusty Pliers. If you would like for your child to opt out of this opportunity please let the classroom teacher know.
Rusty Pliers is America’s favorite Hillbilly Comedy Ventriloquist and Magician. Rusty is from a small town in St. Louis Missouri with no phones, no lights, and no power, called Mehlville. Rusty Pliers has performed his unique “Country-Fried” magic and ventriloquism show to children from every continent.
You can see Rusty performing on cruise ships, fairs, libraries, and schools. Rusty has also performed at many church events, conventions, and corporate events. Rusty has performed on MSC Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, as a guest Children’s Entertainer.
During Apple Picking Season Rusty performs at Eckert's Fun Farm in Millstadt Illinois. You can see Rusty's show on weekends during September and October 2024. This will be Rusty's sixteenth season performing at the Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm.
Please check out the following link for more information about Rusty.
Upcoming School Spirit Week, 12/18 to 12/21
Reminder: Holiday Assistance Available
Henry is once again organizing some help around the holidays by providing gift cards to local
stores. If your family could use assistance this year, please contact one of our school
counselors. Contact information is below.
★ Julie Herrmann at 314-415-6359 or jherrmann@parkwayschools.net
★ Lauren Turner 314-415-6358 or lturner@parkwayschools.net
Notes from Nurse Munch
1. During cold and flu season a common question is: 'When is a child too sick for school?'
A child is too sick for school if:
- They have a fever of greater than 100.4 F or higher. Students need to stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without taking medication to reduce their fever.
- They have vomiting or diarrhea. They should stay home and rest until they are symptom free for 24 hours.
- Severe cough, persistent sinus or nasal congestion, persistent headache and body aches also usually indicate that a child needs to stay home until they are feeling better.
2. Take a look at the Parkway December Nurse Newsletter linked below. Helpful tips and information included on the following topics:
- Decorating Safely
- Holiday Food Safety Tips
- Grandparent Cafe
- Knowing How to Differentiate Between Symptoms this Winter
3. With COVID, flu and regular cold viruses circulating this season, it can be helpful to know which you are dealing with when a family member is ill. Families can receive up to four free COVID tests through COVID.gov. Here is a link to claim yours.
Pick-ups from After School Activities
Henry hosts many after school groups such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and we are glad to partner with these groups! When arriving to pick up your child from these activities, please wait outside the front entrance (or in your car during the colder weather) until the group leader brings the children to the entrance. The office administrative assistants leave at 4:30 pm, and generally, no one is available after that time to answer the front doorbell. Ringing the doorbell after school hours may interrupt meetings or phone calls in progress. If you need to enter while a group meeting is in process, please use the contact information you have for the group leader.
Directions for Using the Online Payment System for Field Trips
* Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal (if you need assistance with this, please contact the help desk at 314-415-8181, option 2 or via email at ic-parenthelp@parkwayschools.net )
* Select "More"
* Select "Online Payments"
* If you have more than one student in Parkway, please select your student's name (tab next to where it says "Summary")
* You will then see all fees/fines assigned to your student. You may then add items to your cart and proceed to pay as preferred.
*Please complete the form, click “Submit.”
NOTE: If you are using an Apple product, please use either Chrome or Firefox when logging in to your account. Also, if you are using your mobile phone, please turn your phone to landscape mode so you can see the full screen properly.
PTO Updates
Help for the Holidays!
It is that time of the year to help out some Henry families for the Holiday’s.
We are collecting $25 Gift cards for the counselors to hand out to families in need.
Please get the gift cards in to the school NO LATER than Tuesday
Dec. 19th.
2nd Grade Parents Stock the Lounge Reminder, Deadline Tomorrow 12/11
Please help us stock the lounge for the teachers/staff/administration. 2nd Grade is responsible for the month of December. Please see the Sign Up Genius at the link attached and sign up to bring items. You can drop off at the school office by the morning of Monday, December 11th. Thank you for being so thoughtful and generous for those taking care of our students.
STEAM Night Follow Up
- And the Winner is: The VEX GO Educational Robotics Kit Raffle Winner is Drew Slais! Please check your email in the next day for pick-up instructions. Congrats! We are so excited for what amazing STEAM is up ahead for you!
- Thanks to to everyone that participated in the raffle! *ALL proceeds from this raffle will be going straight into the HenryGives Direct Giving Fund and be put to work right away for our Henry School PTO Teacher Grants, classroom and school enhancements & improvements, and so much more! A direct impact right back to our students and the school. Helping to grow young Henry minds!
- Do-It-Yourself STEAM Night Reminders: Click here to access the 2023/2024 Portal of STEAM for activity suggestions, project ideas and the Science Experiment Reporting Form to be completed. Students should remember to complete and return the Science Experiment Reporting Form to their classroom teacher by Thursday, 12/21. Students who turn in their completed Experiment Reporting Forms will receive a STEAM surprise!
Visitor and Volunteer Information
A Parkway volunteer is an individual who has an opportunity to be alone with a student.
A Parkway visitor is an individual in a school for a limited period of time who does not have the opportunity to be alone with a student.
Parkway Volunteers must go through the background check process outlined below.
Parkway Visitors do not need to go through the background check process.
Per Missouri Statute 168.133, those who wish to volunteer must complete a fingerprint
background check through the Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI. The cost for the
background check is $41.75 and is the responsibility of the volunteer. Please reach out if you
need assistance. The background check will remain current as long as a volunteer stays active.
If a year passes, the volunteer will need to complete and pay for another background check.
Volunteers may complete the App Garden/TransAct (Parkway volunteer tracking software) now. Use this link to start App Garden/TransAct Application. It can take volunteers anywhere from 4-6 weeks to be approved so please do not delay if you plan to assist in the coming months.
Henry Elementary School
Email: joliver2@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/15
Location: 700 Henry Avenue, Ballwin, MO, USA
Phone: 314-415-6350
Facebook: facebook.com/henryelementaryschool
Twitter: @BulldogsHenry