Cheetah News
November 27, 2017
Fall Picture Retakes
Change to Morning Routine for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade
We sent out the following information at the end of October regarding our new morning intervention time starting which began with our 3rd - 5th grades. This has been running smoothly for the last several weeks and we are now at the point of adding this for our kindergarten - 2nd grade students as well.
In order to provide targeted intervention in small, focused groups, we have developed a school-wide plan that allows us to provide intervention from 7:25 – 7:45 each morning. This intervention will be provided in grade level classrooms by grade level teachers. Only students that need and have been invited to tutoring will report to the classrooms at 7:25, which will allow for a quiet and supportive learning environment. If your child will be participating in the morning intervention, you will receive a letter from your child's teacher letting you know. Please know that these intervention groups will change throughout the year, so your child may be participating at different times throughout the school year.
While the intervention is taking place in the classrooms, the remaining students will report to the MPR beginning at 7:25. While students are in the MPR, we will engage in a brief school-wide assembly type activity, student directed and delivered Cheetah News, the pledges and minute of silence. Additionally, as part of the Cheetah News and daily announcements, students with a birthday will be recognized each morning. As students arrive in the MPR, they will be greeted by grade level teachers and will begin participating in the activities of the morning. Our daily focus in the MPR will be as follows:
Monday Motivation & Movement - a focus on leadership skills tied to the 7 Habits and/or Second Step or physical movement
Take a Breath Tuesday - a focus on mindfulness with focused breathing techniques and introduction to basic yoga
Word Wizard Wednesday - a focus on further development of our academic vocabulary as related to Science, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies and the integration of each of subject
Think About it Thursday - a focus on problem solving and brain teasers
Feel our School Spirit Friday - a focus on our collective school spirit complete with grade level chants, cheers, hashtags, etc.
In order to prepare the students for the changes and expectations of reporting to the MPR in the morning, we will have grade levels begin reporting prior to when morning intervention is set to begin. Beginning this week, our kindergarten - 2nd grade students will be joining in this new routine as well. Kindergarten will start reporting to the MPR daily before school (7:25-7:45) tomorrow, Tuesday, November 28th. Second grade will follow on Wednesday, November 29th and then first grade on Thursday, November 30th. Morning intervention for kinder through 2nd grade will begin on Monday, December 4th.
Please let your child's teacher know if you have any questions about the morning procedures or intervention. Thank you in advance for your support and partnership. It is greatly appreciated.
Calling All Leaders!!
Breakfast with Santa
Spelling Bee
We are pleased to announce that Cypress Elementary will be participating in Scripps National Spelling Bee for the first time! Two after school practice sessions will be held to support our students. The first one is this Friday, December 1st from 2:45 - 3:45. Please make sure to send in a change of transportation if your child is staying for this practice. The second practice is scheduled for December 15th from 2:45-3:45. The Cypress Spelling Bee will be held on January 10th at 8:15 a.m. There will be one winner from our school to advance to the state competition in Austin on March 25th.
Our Spelling Bee Co-Chairs are Barbara Sieger, Sharon Yero, Lynne Meyers, Kiley Sanderson, and Anita Brunson. To contact any of the teachers listed above you can email them at firstname.lastname@leanderisd.org with any questions you may have.
Thank you for supporting your child in this exciting endeavor!
You've Been Caught Using the 7 Habits - An At Home Leader In Me Challenge - Due 1/19
Important Dates
November 29th - Fall Picture retakes
November 30th - Author, C.W. Trisef, visits 3rd - 5th Graders 8:00 - 8:45
November 30th - Students can work in garden during recess
December 1st - Spelling Bee Practice 2:45 - 3:45
December 5th - All students will learn about and participate in Bus Safety evacuationDecember 6th - Progress Reports go home
December 8th - Donuts with Dad for ALL students 7:15 - 7:45
December 13th - Students may work in the garden during recess
December 14th - CPMS Choir & Band performs for Cypress
December 15th - Spelling Bee Practice 2:45 - 3:45
December 18th - Polar Express
December 19th - Holiday Celebrations
1st Grade 9:30 - 10:30
2nd Grade 9:45 - 10:45
3rd Grade 10:45 - 11:45
(times forthcoming for kindergarten, 4th and 5th grades)
December 20th - January 3rd - Winter Holiday