Henry Happenings

Two weeks until Winter Break? Can it be? I certainly do not feel like we could possibly be at the end of 2024, but here we are with it knocking on our door! We look forward to a very productive next two weeks.

On cold weather days, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately to go outside for recess. We will go outside until the weather is at 20 degrees temperature only or 20 degrees including the wind chill. Also, it is very helpful if your child's name is written on the tags of hats, gloves, etc. We are able to get everything back to the rightful owner quickly when there is a label!

Just a few reminders for those participating in parent drop off/pick up. Please remember adults should stay in their cars at all times and children should exit the car on the right. If you need to buckle or put children in car seats, please move forward to the space near the dumpster to get out of the car and complete this task. Please convey this message to any of the grown ups that may be picking up your child. It's important to follow these procedures for the safety of all.

Make sure to keep reading below for more information on: STEAM Night, Holiday Assistance, Spelling Bee, Nurse Notes and the latest from PTO!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jodi Oliver

December 11- Early Release (2:05 PM Dismissal at Henry)

December 11 - PTO Steam Night at MADE 6 PM to 8 PM

December 12 - PTO Restaurant Night at Rozanna's 3 PM to 9 PM

December 20 - No Letter Day

December 20 - Half Day (1:05 PM Dismissal at Henry)

December 23 through January 3 - No School (Winter Break)

January 6 - School Resumes

January 6 - Dreambox Challenge Begins

January 6 - Kindergarten Registration Opens

January 7 - PTO Tab Top Collection

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You can also access the links here while SMORE works to update this feature.

• Bulldog Brags for Teachers/Staff, Click Here to Nominate!
• Buzz Book (Password Henry2024)
• Henry School Handbook
• Henry Staff Directory
• How to Volunteer at Henry
• Update Your Family Profile

Henry is so excited to host our annual Spelling Bee at Henry! Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will have an opportunity to qualify for the Henry Elementary Spelling Bee. We will be using materials provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The first step entails a classroom spelling bee. This will take place in the classroom the week of December 16th. Teachers will be choosing the date that works best for their classroom. The test will use words that are included in the Spelling Bee Study List, which was sent home last week. Any words from the list may be used during the classroom bee. Based upon the results of the classroom bee, one student from each class will advance to the school bee.

The Henry Elementary Spelling Bee will take place on Friday, January 24th. It will be an oral contest (not written), and if your child is one of the students that does qualify, you will receive more information about the bee before winter break.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Goyal at agoyal@parkwayschools.net.

• The Nurses Office is seeking small boys long sweat/athletic pants and underwear for Henry students, as we are running low. Also, if students have borrowed clothing from the clothing closet, please wash and return the items to the school. Thank you.

• See the pictured flyer to learn more about upcoming Eye Thrive Community Visit Dates. The next event is January 30th at the St. Louis Public Library Central Branch.

• Check out the December Nurse's Newseltter to learn more about the following topics:

1. Oral Health Fund
2. Emergency Room or Urgent Care: What is the Difference?
3. Decorate Safely

The Manchester Elks Lodge #2058, has invited 5th-8th grade students to participate in an Americanism Essay Contest. Winners of the contest could win up to $1000. Leare more below or click here to access the Application Packet

• Eligible participants must be Students enrolled in one of these four divisions: I—5th grade; II—6th grade; III—7th grade; or IV—8th grade.
• Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.
• Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant.
• Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge nearest to the address of the entrant.
• Participant must be identified by name, grade, school attending and sponsoring Elks Lodge on the Essay.
• All applications must include the coverpage to identify the student and local Elks Lodge it is submitted to.

Essay should be submitted to your nearest local Elks Lodge on/before December 15, 2024.

As we continue to focus on providing the best educational experience for all of our students, we want to take a moment to highlight the critical role that consistent school attendance plays in your child’s academic success.

Why Attendance Matters: Regular school attendance is essential for your child’s learning and overall development. Every day in the classroom contributes to building knowledge, skills, and relationships that are vital for academic progress. Missing school—even for one day—can lead to gaps in learning, which can accumulate over time. By ensuring that your child attends school regularly, you're helping them stay on track, stay engaged, and feel connected to their learning community.

How We Track and Communicate Attendance: To help monitor and encourage regular attendance, we send home attendance letters each month to students with an atttendance percentange less than 93%. These letters outline your child’s attendance record for the month and include any absences or tardies. Please know this communication is an expectation from the Parkway School District.

A Partnership in Attendance: We understand that life can sometimes interfere with attendance, whether it’s due to illness, family matters, or other challenges. If your child is struggling with attendance for any reason, we encourage you to contact us so we can offer support and find solutions together. We’re here to partner with you to ensure that your child’s educational experience remains strong and consistent.

There are still a few slots available for the Wednesday, December 11th STEAM Night at MADE for Kids. This PTO sponsored event is for Henry students only and one parent per family. As space is limited, please register here.

Rozanna Mediterranean Restaurant Night – December 12, 2024 – 3-9pm - 403 Lafayette Center Dr, 63011. Please come support Rozanna Mediterranean Restaurant as it is a Henry family owned restaurant and they are generously giving back 20% of sales to the Henry PTO. Please let them know your order is for Henry when ordering.

Some of our Henry families could use a little help this holiday season. Sign up using this link. Help to donate $25 gift cards for the counselors to deliver to Henry families in need. Send the donated gift cards into the school office marked for Mrs. Herrmann by Monday, December 16th.

Does your teacher go above and beyond for their students? Are they deserving of some extra help in the classroom? Consider nominating your Henry teacher for a chance to win $500 from Tools for Teachers using this link.

Save the date for Henry PTO’s annual trivia night! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 1st, and start organizing your team of 8. Trivia night is the PTO’s biggest fundraiser and a fun evening with the Henry community. Registration details to come. We are looking for round sponsors for the evening. Sponsorship starts at $125. Interested? Reach out to Sara at henrytrivia@gmail.com.

The giving season is right around the corner and while it's not expected or required, we know families often want to do a little something extra for their child's teacher. If you're wondering what they might enjoy, check out this updated staff wishlist for ideas and inspiration gathered by the Henry Teacher Appreciation Committee.

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
Instagram: @pkwyhenrybulldogs