Hoot Owl

Our Spring Concert will be held on Thursday, May 2nd at 6 PM

in the Craig School Gymnasium. Students will need to bring their instruments to school that day for a dress rehearsal.

Please help them to remember, as Thursday is not our usual string day. Concert attire for that evening

is white on top and black on bottom and students should arrive at 5:45 PM.

If you have any questions, please contact me at Mdefabio1@Parkwayschools.net

Thank you and see you soon!

Ms. DeFabio

It is time to sign up for Fourth and Fifth grade strings for the 2019-2020 school year! If you have a student that will be in 4th or 5th grade next year and would like to continue their strings learning please sign them up now.

Just click on the link below for information and registration

https://www.parkwayschools.net/Page/7384

It is amazing the amount of work that can be accomplished when you have many hands. On Saturday, April 27th, we had over 20 people help on a few projects that needed attention around Craig. You can see pictures of the hard work below. Thanks to all of those from Mt. Zion and Craig who helped make this day a success!!

Every year at this time of year we have to take a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to some of wonderful staff and hello to some new friends. For this month we will say our goodbyes to the wonderful staff that are leaving. Below is a list of the staff changes that we know about so far and some goodbyes in their own words:

Retirees:

Denise Alexander - Custodian

Carl Roberts - Custodian

Tracey Ratchford - Teacher Assistant: I have thoroughly enjoyed being a teacher assistant at Craig for the past sixteen years. I will be retiring at the end of the school year. It has been incredibly rewarding to work with so many amazing children and parents over the years. Craig has, and always will, hold a special place in my heart. Teaching at Craig has been more than a job for me, it's been a true labor of love. Thank you for all the love and kindness you have given me and for making me feel that I have truly made a difference in your children's lives. During my retirement, I plan on coming back to Craig often to volunteer my time to help teachers and work with children.

Mary Carol Schilli - Kindergarten - Over the past 27 years, I have been blessed to have taught over 620 children at Craig Elementary School. After much thought, I have decided to turn the page and start a new chapter in my life and I will be retiring at the end of this school year. The footprints left on my heart from each of you and your children, along with the memories made is something I will always cherish. I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your children’s educational journey. I appreciate all the support, love and the many ways you have helped in my classroom and our school. Goodbyes are never easy, which is why I am just saying "see you later"! I plan to come back for concerts, plays, and other important events in the lives of your children. Winnie the Pooh once said, "You may be gone from my sight...but you are never gone from my heart." Craig will always be a part of me and in my heart. Have a wonderful summer!

Sharon Wienstroer - Kindergarten: After 18 enjoyable years at Craig School, I have decided that it is time for me to retire. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to build relationships with students, families and staff. I am now looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren and family. I feel very fortunate and Craig School will always have a place in my heart.

Staff Leaving:

Tiffany Clark - Kindergarten

Heather Ogun - 4th grade: I wanted to share the news that I will not be returning to Craig next year. My family will be moving to the Washington D.C. area this summer. While I am excited about this new adventure, it is definitely a bittersweet move; I will truly miss the entire Craig community--my fellow educators and student families alike. I have been immensely blessed by the relationships built with many of you over my eight years here and will always be grateful for the kindness extended to me. I will especially miss the amazing students I've been privileged to teach! I hope my next school is just as diverse, inclusive, and amazing as Craig. Saying “I’ll miss you” is a major understatement. Thank you all for helping make Craig my home away from home!

Megan Gerberding 5th grade: I want to start out by saying how much I love your children and the Craig community. Over the past 9 years I have had the opportunity to invest daily in the lives of your children, contribute to the school community, and more importantly feel supported by all of you each day. Change is an inevitable part of life, although it is not always easy to accept. It is with sadness and excitement that I share with you that I have accepted a position as the new Assistant Principal of Mason Ridge Elementary for the upcoming school year. Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” I feel so fortunate to feel this way as I prepare to make this change in schools. I will miss you all dearly and wish your children continued success! Have a fantastic summer! With love, Megan Gerberding

Friday, May 3 is the last day students may charge meals for the 2018-2019 school year. Beginning Monday, May 6, if a student's account is or will become negative when purchasing a meal, this student must have cash or he/she will receive an alternate meal.

The alternative meal for both breakfast and lunch will include the following: Cheese sticks and crackers: a cheese sandwich; or a Sunflower Seed butter and jelly sandwich. Each alternate meal will also be served with a fruit or veggie, along with a milk or juice.

A la carte items may not be purchased if an account balance is negative.

If you have any questions, please call Nutrition Services at 314-415-8245

Craig is going to team up with Pedal the Cause to raise funds for cancer research. A representative from Pedal will speak at the May 1st PTO meeting to provide more details. Our goal is to organize a Craig Team for the September 28th race in honor of Roland Williams. Emily and Aaron Gibson are going to be our team leaders. If you have any questions, please reach out to Emily using the email address on the flyer below.

Congratulations to all our Craig owls that participated in the Penny Wars last month. We raised $665 for Moonlight Meals. Congratulations to 4th grade who the prize of getting to pie and silly string Dr. Duckworth and Mr. Waller. Thank you to all that participated.

On Saturday, May 11th Girls on the Run will hold their Spring 5k. There will be 31 Craig girls participating in this race, along with their coaches and running buddies. Please join us by either registering to run the race, all are welcome, or by cheering us on along the sidelines. Here is the link to register:

register here

Hope to see you there!

Field Day is coming up on Friday May 17th. We will need 10-20 volunteers for the morning session 9:00am - 11:00am to help facilitate the field day activities. We will also need 5-8 volunteers in the afternoon that same day to help make ans pass out snow cones during the 5th/Staff kickball game.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdlDIztHekdLLzez9YMlzMRy8Jr2r0suQq9sZlN9DSMVzaAQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

With the seasons changing many people are beginning to clean out closets. Nurse Gunn is asking for pants and underwear donations sizes 5-10, especially for boys. Donations can be new or used.

Warmer weather is here and our Lost and Found is growing by the day. We have many, many jackets, sweatshirts and other warm weather wear that needs to be claimed. If your child is missing any items please have them check the lost and found. Any items not claimed by the last day of school will be donated.

If your student is currently on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) caseload, you will be happy to know that scores are due to arrive on May 17th. You can expect to see notifications of reclassification toward the end of the school year in your student's backpack. For information on understanding the WIDA ASSESSMENT scores see The WIDA ACCESS Score Parent Guide

Craig Staff would like to thank the parents who brought us yummy treats for Birthday Bakers in April Thank you to:

Monica Adair

Emily Gibson

Jill Hooper

Kathy Huntebrinker

Joellyn Klepacki

Shelly Neece

Ellen Overmann

Carrie Ruben

Cindy Scanlon

Erin Seltzer

Bonnie Shepard

Michelle Tindira

Hello Owls and Owlettes~

Well this year is coming to an end, but we still have a few events left that you don’t want to miss.

We still have Buzz Books for $5 and yearbooks for sale for $15. Yearbooks will come in before the end of the school year.

Remainder of Upcoming events you don’t want to miss:

1) TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS MON MAY 6 - FRI MAY 10TH. LOOK OUT FOR DETAILS.

2) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS GAME vs. PITTSBURGH PIRATES - 3RD GRADE SINGING G-D BLESS AMERICA, FRI MAY 10th @ 7:15PM. IT IS DOUBLE BOBBLE HEAD NIGHT TOO! IF YOU HAVE ORDERED TICKETS YOU SHOULD RECEIVE THEM SOON.

3) CRAIG CARNIVAL - SAT MAY 11, 2019 4-8PM, FRONT LOT OF CRAIG - WE WILL NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE EMAIL US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT: craigelementarypto@gmail.com

4) RESTAURANT NIGHT - WED MAY 15, 2019 @ MENCHIES - TIME TBD

5) FIELD DAY - FRI MAY 17, 9:00-11AM (FUN GAMES) AND 1:30-3:30PM (5TH GRADE KICKBALL GAME AND SNOW CONES) - LOOK OUT FOR A VOLUNTEER SIGN UP SHEET!

6) SKATE NIGHT @ COACHLITE SKATE CENTER WITH ROSS AND MCKELVEY - FRI MAY 17TH 5:30-7:30PM

Thank you to those who participated in Birthday Bakers in April. Kathy Huntebrinker is in charge of Birthday Bakers. It is a great way to be involved in the school, but on your own time… and the teachers really do love and appreciate it. The date has changed for Birthday Bakers this month and will be on Monday May 20th. Bring in a baked or store-bought item (should have about 2 or 3 dozen servings). You can email Kathy at scouty1014@yahoo.com1 if you would like to be involved or for further information.

Our last and final PTO meeting is: May 1st, 2019 from 7:00pm-8:00pm . We hope you can make it. Besides being a part of your child’s school, there are INCENTIVES FOR ATTENDING. Another bonus is that we have lined up two babysitters for the meeting. We cannot do this without P(arents) and T(eachers) support, hence P.T.O.

GENERAL MEETINGS:

TIME: 7:00-8:00

LOCATION: LIBRARY

DATES: FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH

SEPTEMBER 5

NOVEMBER 7

JANUARY 9

MARCH 6

MAY 1

-We know not everyone is on social media so be sure and check the Craig PTO Webpage: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Page/718.

-If you are on social media please Like the Craig School PTO facebook page and CraigPTO on Instagram so you can stay updated on information and events. We also post photos from all events and hope you post your photos from events as well.

-If you are not on social media, but would like to see photos from events please email Erin Seltzer at berkow82@gmail.com and I will send them your way.

-You can also check out information on the PTO bulletin across from Dr. Duckworth’s office.

*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EMAIL ANYONE ON THE PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD PLEASE DO SO BY USING THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: craigelementarypto@gmail.com

• Erin Seltzer, President
  
• Natalie O’Brien, VP Fundraising
  
• Cassie Holt, Social
  
• Jill Hooper, Ambassador
  
• Sanderli Toledo, Treasurer
  
• Rachel Nardin, Secretary

May 1 - 8:15 am - Wellness Wednesday

May 1 - 7:00 pm - PTO Meeting

May 2 - 6:00pm - 4th and 5th grade Orchestra Concert

May 6 - May 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7 - 2nd grade Field trip - Weldon Springs

May 8 - 8:15 am - Wellness Wednesday

May 10 - 7:00pm - Craig Chorus at the Cardinal Game

May 11 - 8:00am - Girls on the Run Race

May 11 - 4:00pm - 8:00pm - Craig Carnival

May 13 - Birthday Bakers

May 14 - 9:30am - 10:30am - Kindergarten Orientation

May 15 - 4:30pm - Craig Restaurant Night - Menchies

May 16 - 5th Grade Picnic

May 17 - Field Day

May 17 - 2:30pm - Craig Kickball Game

May 17 - 5:30pm - PTO Skate Night

May 20 - Field Day (make up day)

May 22 - 8:15am - Wellness Wednesday

May 23 - 9:30am - 5th grade Awards Assembly

May 23 - 11:30am - 5th grade BBQ

May 24 - LAST Day of School - Early Release

May 24 - 9:30am - Talent Show

May 24 - 12:45pm - 5th Grade Clap out

May 24 - 1:05pm - Dimissal

Email: mduckworth@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/12
Location: Craig Elementary School, Craig Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-415-6200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craigelementary/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Twitter: @craigelementary