PATRIOTS’ PRESS December 2010 ~ Holiday Issue

Hugh Mercer Elementary School 2100 Cowan Boulevard Fredericksburg, VA 22401

“A Foundation of Excellence”

Telephone: (540) 372-1115 Fax: (540) 372-6753 Web: www.cityschools.com Marjorie R. Tankersley, Principal mtankers@cityschools.com Barbara N. Donaldson, Assistant Principal bdonaldson@cityschools.com Sandra P. Gillenwater, Administrative Assistant sgillenwater@cityschools.com

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Families and Friends, Holiday greetings! Your children are about to begin a well-earned two week break from school. But remember, you are your children’s first and most important teacher(s). Please take time to encourage their reading growth by reading to your children as well as listening to them read. Both have huge value to their learning. Simple conversations about the sights, sounds and experiences of the season also encourage their verbal fluency and cognitive development. Good questions can help stimulate conversations: How many gifts do you see under that Christmas tree? Which are there more of, red bows or blue bows? Open-ended questions are even better: Why do you think the little boy wants that video game? Many teachers have provided materials to help students remain engaged over the holidays. We hope you will partner with us in encouraging students to think, read and learn. Our first week back to school in January is very quiet - no scheduled events at this time. The following week is super-busy! Our After School Programs will resume on Tuesday, January 11. The School Health Committee will meet from 6:30 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Please plan to bring the entire family to our annual Math Science Exploratory Evening, which is scheduled from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, January 13. This promises to be an

exciting and fun-filled evening based on the theme, “The Magic of Math and Science.” All are welcome! Your children get a holiday from school on Monday, January 17 in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. Other than after school programs, there are no additional activities the week of January 17 through 21. On Friday, January 21, the whole school will enjoy an assembly in celebration of our namesake, Revolutionary War hero, General Hugh Mercer. On Wednesday, January 26, our Proud Patriots Celebration will take place to honor each classroom’s Proud Patriot for the month. Proud Patriots have not had discipline issues during the month and are performing well academically. Our last day for After School Programs for the semester will be Thursday, January 27. There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, January 28. This is a teacher workday so they can prepare student report cards. Take time to relax and get some well-deserved rest during our two week Winter Break. Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday and a great New Year!

Marjorie R. Tankersley Principal

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

JANUARY 2011

1

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

3

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

4

5

6

7

10

11 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM)

12 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM) Health Committee Meeting (6:30 PM)

13 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM) Math & Science Night (6:00 – 7:30 PM)

14

17 NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)

18 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM)

19 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM)

20 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM)

21 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GENERAL HUGH MERCER!

24 25 After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM)

26 Proud Patriot Celebration (2 PM) After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM) SPED Committee Mtg. (7 PM) - OWG

27 LAST DAY OF After School Programs (3:30 – 4:30 PM)

28

31 End of 2

nd Grading

Period

WAY TO GO!

Jingle Bell Jog Top Runners!

The P. E. department (Ms. Jonas, Mrs. Roohi, and Mr. Pcsolinski) hosted the Jingle Bell Jog on December 13. Congratulations to the following top runners. First and second place winners will be recognized at the School Board meeting being held on January 10.

1st Grade 2nd Grade

1st Place

Grace Maynard 1st Place

Kameryn Daniels

Joe Hardy Aidan Ryan

2nd Place

Yasmin Deane 2nd Place

Virginia Beringer

Sam Mitchell Deonte Curry Kevin Concepcion

3rd Place

Charlotte Snead 3rd Place

Alana Watson

Ryland Holland

4th Katie Fidler 4th Mariah Hudson

Elijah Bent Alex Westcott

5th Landon O’Malley 5th Delia Rabatin

Sam Lewis Cameron Davis

PTA REFLECTIONS SCHOOL-LEVEL CONTEST WINNERS

The following students participated in the PTA Reflections Contest: Jarelle Barnes, Kameryn Daniels, Madison Haug-Lloyd, Delia Rabatin, and Sofia Shewfelt. Congratulations to the following students for their winning entries.

MUSIC COMPOSITION: 1st Place: Delia Rabatin

VISUAL ARTS: 1st Place: Kameryn Daniels 2nd Place: Madison Haug-Lloyd 3rd Place: Sofia Shewfelt Honorable Mention: Jarelle Barnes

Entries were judged by Tyler Ballard, art teacher at LUES.

Many thanks to the following teachers who made ornaments, greeting cards, and trinkets for the PTA Holiday Shoppe: Mrs. Porcelli, Mrs. Weller, Ms. Wolfe, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Schwarz, Mrs. Campbell, and Ms. Stapleton.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY Working Together!

We’re collecting Pennies for Patients for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from January 19 through January 28. The classroom that collects the most money will receive a catered lunch from Olive Garden. For more information, please contact Mrs. DeNae Overton, guidance counselor, at 372-1115 (x 2012).

Rack Room Shoes in Massaponnax has partnered with Hugh Mercer through the Shoes That Fit Program. A donation drive was held, and funds raised from that effort are being used to provide shoes for needy children.

Xavier Richardson has adopted Ms. Fortune’s class (A.C.C.) through the Adopt-A-Classroom Program.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURES

School Closings: When Fredericksburg City Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, an announcement will be placed on the TV and Radio stations listed below. On days when FCPS are closed, have a delayed opening, or dismiss early due to weather conditions, the TV/radio announcement will state Fredericksburg City Schools. Frederick County, the surrounding counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, etc., and private schools (Fredericksburg Christian, Fredericksburg Academy, etc.) are separate school divisions whose inclement weather schedules may vary from FCPS.

TV Stations Radio Stations Channel 4 Channel 6 Channel 8 Channel 9 Channel 18

WFVA (101.5) WFLS (93.3) WGRQ (Q96) WVBX (99.3) WGRX (104.5) WWUZ Radio (FM 96.9)

School personnel cannot individually notify parents when schools are dismissed early due to inclement weather. You are encouraged to listen to the local radio stations or check our web site.

When schools are closed, all school-related events or activities are cancelled.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB (The Boys and Girls Club follows FCPS’ inclement weather schedule.)

If school is closed for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed. If school dismisses early for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed. If after school programs are cancelled for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.

Delayed Openings due to inclement weather will be announced on the TV and Radio stations listed above. School hours on delayed opening days are as follows: (Buses will arrive at their designated stops 2 hours later than usual.)

Hugh Mercer 10:35 – 3:15 P.M.

Lafayette 10:25 – 3:15 P.M.

Walker-Grant 9:40 – 2:40 P.M.

James Monroe 9:45 – 2:45 P.M.

RISE/STARS 10:30 – 2:00 P.M.

Preschool 11:00 – 12:30 P.M.

Head Start 10:40 – 2:10 P.M.

School closings and delayed opening information will be posted on the school’s web site (www.cityschools.com) and www.fredericksburg.com. Sign-up for email notification of school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissals! Early dismissals due to inclement weather will be announced on the radio stations listed above and posted on the school division internet site. Schools will be dismissed in the following order:

1. James Monroe 2. Head Start and Preschool 3. Walker-Grant 4. Lafayette 5. Hugh Mercer