“Abess Park…Where Learning is Out of This World” Abess Park Elementary, 12731 Abess Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225 (904-220-1260)

Ms. Kristin M. Shore, Principal - Ms. Schantel Minton, Asst. Principal

School: http://dcps.duvalschools.org/abesspark PTA: www.abesspta.com

PTA Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/abessparkelementary PTA Twitter: #abesspta

September 2015

“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I

may remember; involve me and I’ll

understand.”

From the “Shore Shuttle” of Abess Park… A message from your Principal

Welcome to our new 2015-2016 school year ‘where learning is out of this world!’ This school year we will be challenging students by intro-ducing new curriculum in Reading, Writing, and Math which will be more rigorous and engaging than ever before. We will continue to explore our Academy of Science and Music through various school-wide activities. Be on the lookout for our Family Nights to join us for learning and fun. We know how proud our students are to share their hard work! Welcome back Jaguars! ROAR Ms. Shore

Some Friendly Reminders Students arriving after 9:00 a.m. are tardy and must go directly to the

main office for a tardy slip permitting him / her to enter the classroom. A parent/guardian must accompany the child. Students may not be checked out of school early during the last 45 minutes of the school day (2:45-3:30 p.m.)

Please inform your child’s teacher in writing of any changes to their dismissal plan.

All medication must be delivered to the front office by an adult and forms must be completed including a physicians signature.

Please join our PTA ($6) and our SAC Community!

September 3rd

PTA General Meeting – 6pm

CSS, VPK-2nd Open House 6:30-7:30pm

September 4th

New Medications form due including

doctor’s signature

September 7th

Labor Day –No School

September 8th

Extended Day Payment Due

PTA Fund Raiser Kick-Off-Charleston Wrap

September 9th

Early Dismissal (2:05)

September 10th

3rd-5th Open House 6:30-7:30pm

September 11th

Patriot’s Day

Grandparent’s Tea 7:30-8:30am

September 16th

Kdg. Fieldtrip to Pablo Creek Library

September 17th

Boy Scout Roundup 7:00-8:00pm

September 22nd

Chili’s Spirit Night 4:00 until close

PTA Fund Raiser Due

September 23rd

Eddie Eagle Safety 2nd Grade

Early Dismissal (2:05)

September 24th

Student of the Month – 9:30am

SAC Meeting – 4pm

September 25th

1st Qtr. Progress Reports

PTA Membership Dances– Please join!

September 28th

Student Flu Mist Vaccine 1:00-2:45

with parent permission slip only

September 29th

Picture Day - Clix Studios

Safety First - Rainy Day Dismissal

Parents – we need your cooperation to keep ALL students safe. If you normally park and walk up to the school to pick up your child and do not want to wait at the parker gate in the rain…

Please stay in your car and utilize the car rider pickup line.

No students will be dismissed to parents at the front lobby.

Bike Riders and Walkers will be dismissed as normal.

Please be sure your student is aware of his/her rainy day plan! A school wide announce-ment will be made just before dismissal if we will be following this procedure.

Please strive to do your best–follow the posted traffic rules to help us keep everyone safe –remember YOU lead by example–your student is watching and learning from your actions.

ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SHIRTS TODAY!

All school shirt orders are due September 10th. All orders must be accompanied by a completed order form and payment.

Don’t be left out! This is the only time shirts/jackets can be ordered.

Congratulations Abess Park! Student Transportation of America (STA) has adopted Abess Park Elementary

for the 2015-2016 school year!

Visitors MUST sign in and out of the building and wear visitors badge so it may be clearly seen at all times.

Character Trait for September:

Respect Showing regard for the worth of

someone or something Week 1 – Self Respect

Pride and belief in one’s self and in achievement of one’s potential. Week 2 – Respect for Others

Concern for and motivation to act for the welfare of others.

Week 3 – Respect for Authority Respect for those individuals who are

in positions of responsibility. Week 4 – Respect for Learning

and Punctuality Appreciation for the importance of

and effort involved in acquiring knowledge. Showing high regard for the

worth of promptness.

Get Social with Abess Park PTA

Check out our new website

www.abesspta.com

“Like” our FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/abessparkelementary

“Follow” us on Twitter - #abesspta

Get Social and Stay Connected!

VOLUNTEERS

If you have not already done so please take a mo-ment to complete the Volunteer Application on the DCPS website http://www.duvalschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=7416 It is a Duval Coun-ty Public School requirement and a must if you will be participating with your student’s class. For your convenience, a computer with on-line access is available in the front office. Our front office staff is available for any questions or to assist you in com-pleting the application.

Abess Park would like to give recognize the following for assisting in our school opening

Mr. Wagner - Reading Rocket & hanging decorations in the lobby Summer Camp & Ms. Coldfelter- paper maché planets The Barrow Family – loaning us telescopes to explore our theme Extended Day Staff – decorating the front lobby L. Stuhl – Space painting for display in our glass case Faith-Based Partners: Titus Harvest Dome Spectrum Church, East Pointe Church

Every Friday morning we will place a blue container by the handicapped parking area where you exit car rider drop off.

PLEASE place any EMPTY ALUMINUM CANS in the container. Any funds generated will be put back into our P.E. program and help with equipment costs. Don't forget to bring water bottles and wear tennis shoes for P.E. classes. Notify teachers if your child has any MEDICAL NEEDS ex: Asthma, allergies, epi-pens,

or overheating concerns.

Thank you for the support. Coach B.

Earth Savers Club is recycling old or broken cell phones, small elec-tronic devices and printer ink cartridges. We have collection baskets in the office and front foyer counter. They may also be placed in Ms. Fleming or Ms. Wimberley's mailbox. In August we did the front land-scaping by the school with the club's monies. Please GO GREEN and help us improve our environment! Every little bit helps. Thank you!

CHARACTER CAUGHT IN ACTION K. Bunn and B. Timberlake assisted staff with a spill!

2015-16 NO LUNCH MONEY PROCEDURE

The District has instituted a procedure that allows students in grades Pre-K to 12 to run a maximum negative balance equivalent to one paid lunch ($1.80) if they do not have money to purchase lunch. No credit is extended for breakfast.

Students in grades PreK-5 who forget to bring their lunch money will be allowed to run a negative balance of $1.80 for lunch.

If an elementary school student reaches the maximum negative balance amount of $1.80 after the first week of school, these students will receive a non-reimbursable “substitute meal” of a bag lunch; the student will receive this “substitute meal” until the balance in their account has been cleared.

No students will be allowed to charge breakfast or a la carte items. MyschoolBucks.com is a convenient and easy to use credit card prepayment sys-tem that allows parents to add money to their child's meal account at the school he/she attends.

Thanks to our Earth Savers Club ,

Ms. Fleming & Ms. Wimberley for beautifying our campus with new

plants/mulch around campus.

MILLION FATHER MARCH

Thanks to all the dads, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers, and other gentlemen that brought their students to school on August 24th.

SAVE THE DATE

DISTRICT BASED ASSESSMENTS

Beginning August 31st

FLKRS –Kdg. Achieve 3000 Level Set-3rd-5th iReady Diagnostics –Rdg. K-2 Math K-5 CAST Baseline Assessments Art, Music and PE 2nd and 5th grade Beginning September 1st

VPK Assessment 1 Beginning September 16th

Pre-K Get Ready to Read Pre-test For further information about District Assess-ments please visit: http://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/15067 Please have students at school before

9:00 am so testing can begin on time. Contact your child’s teacher for specific

testing times.