michael t simmons newsletter - Michael T. Simmons Elementary ...

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MICHAEL T SIMMONS NEWSLETTER
February 2013—issue 1
1205 South 2nd Avenue Shannon Leatherwood, Principal
Tumwater, WA 98512 Andrew Rondeau, Dean of Students
www.tumwater.k12.wa.us/schools/mts Heather Alnes, Secretary
Michael T. Simmons wants to give a warm “Welcome
Home” to Brayden Gordon’s dad, Paul Williams.
Chief Warrant Officer 2, Brigade Targeting Officer
for the 2nd Brigade/2nd Infantry Division at JBLM,
just returned home from having spent 9 months stationed
at Camp Nathan Smith in Afghanistan. Mom
and Dad decided to surprise Brayden at school that
afternoon! Mr. Smiths’s 5th grade class was able to
witness the happy reunion. The family spent some
quiet time at home that evening. Dad says “I’m not
too needy when I come home, I’m just glad to be
here.”
STEM Tools at Home
By: Reading Rockets
Many of the "tools" needed for science, math, and engineering
exploration are right inside your home! Here is an
idea for putting everyday tools to work for some everyday
fun:
A CLEAR GLASS JAR
Use this as a rain gauge. Using a ruler and a permanent
marker, mark the jar with a line every quarter inch or so up
to 4 inches. Place the jar outside before a rainstorm. Encourage
your child to predict or guess how much rain will
fall. Ask your child to write the prediction down on a piece
of paper. After the storm, check your gauge. Compare the
actual total to the predicted total. Talk about the information
gathered.
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
1 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, PM Kindergarten)
6 Character Assembly (Kindness) 4-6th
7 Character Assembly (Kindness) K-1st
7 PTO Meeting @ 6pm (library)
8 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, AM Kindergarten)
13 Family Reading Night @ MTS Gym
14 School Board Meeting @ District Office
15 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, PM Kindergarten)
18-19 Mid-Winter Break—NO SCHOOL
22 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, AM Kindergarten)
25 Coffee w/the Principal from 8:30-9:30am in
the staff lounge
25 Missoula Children’s Theater Auditions from
3-5pm @ MTS Gym
25 Missoula Children’s Theater Rehearsals
from 5-7:30pm
26-28 Missoula Children’s Theater Rehearsals
from 3-7:30pm
29 Missoula Children’s Theater Performance
during assembly, exact time TBA
29 Missoula Children’s Theater Performance
@ 6:30pm in MTS Gym
MARCH
1 Fundraiser Kick-Off Assembly
1 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, PM Kindergarten)
7 Junior Programs (grades 4-6) “Let Freedom
Ring” @ 12:30pm
7 Meet w/the Principal Night from 5pm-6pm
(library)
7 PTO Meeting @ 6pm (library)
8 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, AM Kindergarten)
12 District Battle of the Books (@ EOE)
14 School Board Meeting @ DO
15 ACT Day (dismissal at 1:35pm, PM Kinder
garten)
16 PTO Spring Rummage Sale, 8am-4pm
18 5th Grade Field Trip - State Capitol
20-21 Conferences, 1/2 Day (release @ 11:20am)
No AM/PM Kindergarten

Due to the school cancellation on 12/18/12, the school
calendar has been adjusted as follows:
Friday, May 24th is now a half-day instead of ACT
day (release @ 11:20am)
Thursday, June 13th is now a full day of school
instead of a half-day
The last day of school is now June 14th (half-day).
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PAWS PAWS-ITIVE PAWS ITIVE PUBLICATIONS
THANK YOU FOR WALKING WITH US
Mrs. Leatherwood & Mr. Rondeau would like to
thank all students, staff, parents and community
members who joined us in our Walk with the Principal
this past Wednesday. Despite our wintery
weather we continue to have great turnouts for
these monthly events. If you’ve missed us, there
will be another walk at the end of February!
PBIS ASSEMBLIES
The month of December & January we focused on
the character traits of RESPONSIBLE & KIND-
NESS/CARING. Our assembly to honor students
who are chosen for PAWS-itively displaying these
traits will be held on Wednesday, February 6 (3rd-
6 th) and Thursday, February 7 (K-2). Both assemblies
will run from 1:40-2:10.
STILL FILLING BUCKETS?
Don’t forget to continue filling others buckets with
PAWS-itive words and actions! If someone fills
yours, return the favor. Remember FILL MORE,
DIP LESS!
GO WOLVES!!!
PTO SPRING RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, March 16th ~ 8am-4pm
We will start collecting new and gently used items in
the beginning of March. We will not be able to ac-
cept the following items: large appliances, car
seats, tires, mattresses, cribs, plasma tvs
or computers.
1 container of strawberry cake frosting
1 bag of Wilton white candy melts
Optional sprinkles
Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line
with wax paper.
Microwave your Wilton candy melts at 30 second intervals
for a total of 1.5 to 2 minutes, stirring between
intervals.
After melted, stir until smooth. Mix with cake
frosting and pour into prepared baking dish.
Top with sprinkles quickly or they will
not adhere well.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes
then serve.
Frozen Cookie Dough
Fundraiser Coming Soon!
We will have an all school assembly on Friday,
March 1st to kickoff our Spring Fundraiser.
This year our PTO is again partnering
with 360-Fundraising and offering their Indulgence
Collection, featuring over 25 items
including cookie dough, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels,
pizza, cheesecakes, fruits & dessert
pies, fudge and more! Proceeds help fund
PTO events, activities and other PTO funded
purposed (i.e. field trip buses and teacher
grants). Watch for your brochure and order
forms to come home March 1st.

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Candyce Lund Bollinger
is offering a
This workshop is designed to help parents and professionals:
1. Create a discipline “map” for their children
2. Develop a toolbox of discipline techniques
3. Practice presentation and discipline techniques
4. Become self aware of personal issues or agendas that can get
in the way of positive discipline
* Candyce would like to encourage parenting partners who are having
philosophical conflicts about discipline, to participate together.
When: Sunday, February 24, 2013
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Candyce’s Office
1824 Miller Ave. NE
Olympia, WA 98506
Cost: $50.00 per participant
Pre-registration is required
To pre-register, send full payment to Candyce Lund Bollinger,
at the above address. The workshop is limited to the first 20
people to pre-register.
The last day to pre-register is Friday, February 15, 2013
Please bring a sack lunch, and a chair or pillow to sit on.
Please share this invitation with friends, relatives, and
colleagues.
Any questions, call Candyce’s office @ (360)357-9480
For more information about the work Candyce is doing,
please see her website www.candycelundbollinger.com
Candyce Bollinger has been the SPSCC child development specialist
and has done several “Safety Without Fear” workshops
as part of our Walk & Roll schools program.
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT ABOUT THE FLU
Read more at
http://mts.tumwater.k12.wa.us/Page/2467
How can you add 4 to 9
and get1?
The Washington State Department of Health issued a flu news release last week about the widespread flu activity
in our state. This means that people are catching and spreading the flu in most areas of the state. Influenza
A (H3N2) is circulating most and is associated with more hospitalizations and deaths. We encourage people
who haven’t been vaccinated to do so now and to continue using good health manners like frequent handwashing,
covering coughs, and staying home and away from others when sick.
Visit our department Flu News web pages for more information about flu at http://www.doh.wa.gov/
YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Flu.aspx.
Add four hours to 9 o’clock and it will be one o’clock

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A big CONGRATULATIONS to the following students
for reaching 100% of their AR Goal:
TRUMAN AFFELDT
JOE BOWN
DAWSON CROOK
CELESTINE LE
BRANDON NAGEL
WILLIAM NEER
ADDY REYNOLDS
NOLAN RICE
DYLAN RICHMOND
ANNA STOLP
Michael T. Simmons Elementary School Presents
Coffee with the Principal
Shannon Leatherwood
COME & JOIN US
Monday, February 25th
from 8:30am—9:30am
in the Staff Lounge
Meet our principal Shannon Leatherwood
while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee and discussing
relevant school matters.
Michael T. Simmons Elementary School Presents
MEET THE PRINCIPAL NIGHT
Shannon Leatherwood
Thursday, March 7th
From 5:00pm-6:00pm
In the Library
Meet with our principal Shannon Leatherwood, ask
questions, share your thoughts, discuss relevant
school matters and help improve our school!
6th Grade Grad Photos
Attention parents, students and teachers!
Now is the time to begin sending in pictures
(with brief descriptions and a
names) for the 6th grade graduation slide
show. Email them to maegancote@yahoo.com
or send them in and
we’ll scan and return.

Tumwater School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, disability, or
the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries may be made to:
Kim Howard, Compliance Coordinator at 360-709- 7000, 621 Linwood Ave. SW, Tumwater, WA 98512
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