Update - Week of April 25th

AIR Testing

Wow!  We have had quite a week and are so proud of our rock-star students!   It has been a hard week beginning with testing each morning followed by a schedule that changed daily.   We were impressed with the mental energy the students put forth and the the strategies we observed -- using paper to plan responses and taking time to check over their work.   We have some great 4th graders!

We have ONE MORE TEST tomorrow (Monday, May 25)--- part 2 of the Social Studies test and then our schedule returns to normal.  Thank you for encouraging your children, feeding them good breakfasts, early bedtimes and getting them to school on time.   All of this helped make for a smooth testing session this year.   

Book Fair Update

Mrs. Burkholder reports that the Spring Scholastic Book Fair was an amazing success, beating the total from last spring by $300.  A BIG thank you to her and the PTO volunteers who helped to make this fair possible.   The online book fair will go on for another week, so you can still purchase books and SLE will get part of the profits from the sales and shipping is free.  To order from the online book fair click HERE . The online fair will be open through April 26th.  

All School Art Fair

Mark your calendar!! Every student from SLE will have an artwork displayed in the Cafeteria on May 4, from 4:30-7 pm.  Free admission.  Please come to see the talented artists at SLE.  Each student will have their artwork displayed in a frame.  The parent may have the option to purchase the frame to take home the student artwork. After the show, if their artwork was not purchased, the students will get their artwork back in class to take home.  Hope to see you at the show!  

Field Day

SLE Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17.  Volunteers help make this day a success for students.  If you are able to volunteer some time to help out, please return the form sent home in the Friday Folder, or contact Mr. Heagen.

Dress Code Reminder

Just a reminder that flip flops, tank and spaghetti strap tops are against school dress code.  Also, as the air conditioner adjusts to the the changing temperatures outside, note that we can have both warm and cold days in the building.  Some students have found that keeping a sweatshirt or sweater in their backpack or locker helps for these sudden temperature changes.

Welcome 4th Quarter!

Hard to believe we are in the 4th quarter!   So many exciting things happen these last couple months of school.  We will try to outline them all here, but remember to check back for updates as things are added to the calendar.   

Columbia Input Forms

Fourth grade parent input forms for Columbia Intermediate were emailed to you on Friday, April 1st.  Please fill out this form online to help Columbia place your child in a fifth grade class.  If you did not receive the email, you can CLICK HERE to access the online form.

Art to Remember

Art to Remember orders are due TUESDAY, APRIL 5.  If you have misplaced your order form, please contact Mrs. Hoffert.

Etiquette Luncheon

An invitation for the 4th grade Etiquette Luncheon was sent home in the Friday Folder.   The date for the lunch this year is Friday, April 15th.   Students are encouraged to wear their "Sunday Best" that day as they go to complete the etiquette program with this very special dining experience.  

State Testing

Ohio AIR testing is scheduled for April 18-25th this year.  Students will be taking tests in language arts (2 days), math (2 days) and social studies (2 days).   This is an opportunity for students to "show what they know" and of course we want the students to do their best.   Some parents have asked what they can do to help students prepare, and in general it is the same for most testing situations...good night sleep, breakfast, etc.   Academically, please have the students to continue to practice math facts, complete their homework and read and talk about what they read with you.   One challenge students face with these tests is that they will be asked to write an essay on the computer.  A stumbling block is often keyboarding skills.   All 4th grade students have accounts at typing.com.  If there is time at home, please have your child logon and practice their keyboarding skills.   

Panoramic Photo

Lifetouch will be returning to SLE on April 19th to take a very special panoramic photo of the entire 4th grade.  If you would like to order a photo, order forms were sent home in the Friday Folder. 

4th Quarter Goal and Checkbooks

4th Quarter goal for our school-wide behavior goal will again center around homework completion.   We find that this can be challenging for 4th graders as the weather gets warmer and the daylight grows longer.  Managing their homework with other things is essential for getting ready for 5th grade.   This quarter goal is to make it to 7 of the 9 Freaky Friday celebrations which means they have 7 of 9 weeks where all homework is completed and turned in on time.  

We found the checkbook system was very successful last quarter.  Students were excited to cash in their earnings at the grade-level party.   We are again using this system and looking forward to another fun cash-in party in May.  

Field Day

SLE Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17.  We will be having a school-wide field day this year.  Volunteers help make this day a success for students.   If you are able to volunteer some time to help out, please contact Mr. Heagen.   

End of the Quarter Notes.....

Confirmation times for 3rd quarter conferences should have come home last week or will be in student planners today.   Conferences are March 17 and 31 and will be with your child's reading teacher.  We look forward to meeting with you and if you are unable to make your scheduled time, please let us know.

End of Quarter Rewards

There are 2 reward parties at the end of this week.  On Thursday, we will have our 4th grade checkbook reward party.  Students will need $45 in their checkbooks to enter the party.   We are very excited at how hard students have worked to earn this reward.

Friday will be the school-wide celebration for reaching the positive behavior goal for 3rd quarter. This quarter, 4th graders focused on homework completion.  Students who did not miss more that 2 Freaky Fridays will be allowed to participate.   Those who did not achieve the goal will work on assignments that they have yet to complete and additional academic practice.

Spring Break

The Kings Local School District will be on Spring Break March 21-March 28.   Enjoy your time off and we will see you when school resumes on Tuesday, March 29.  

Important Calendar Updates

Please update your calendar for the following:

Community Conversation Meetings

The Kings Local School District will host three Community Conversations in March to address the financial future and quality of the district.  The Conversations will take place on March 1 at Columbia Intermediate School, March 2 at South Lebanon Elementary School, and March 7 at the Kings Junior High School Multipurpose Room. All conversations will begin at 6:30 p.m.

While district expenses are going up and state funding is flat, Kings is in the position of looking at how to fund district expenses going forward. We would like to gather community input on how to proceed with funding the future of Kings Schools. 

Our financial forecast shows a need to increase funding as early as 2017. Our community supported an Operating Levy in 2010, which was promised to last three years. We are happy to report that we have been able to stretch that funding for six years. Our goal is to not only maintain, but improve the quality of education we currently provide our students.  We would like to give our community a choice of how they feel is the best way to fund the quality of education we provide.

In order to do so, we will be asking for input regarding whether we should ask for new money by running a levy, (and if so, how much is reasonable), by making spending cuts, or a combination of both. If we are not able to secure new money, it appears that it will be necessary to make significant reductions in order to pay expenses.

Please join us at one of these three opportunities to give your feedback.  We are so thankful for the support of the Kings Community. Together we will continue to be #KingsStrong!

PTO March Madness

Join the fun at the PTO fundraiser this Friday, March 4th starting at 5:30.  Games, basket raffles, bounce houses and more!  

Spring Picture Day

Spring pictures will be taken on March 10.  At this time class photos will also be taken.  Order forms for class pictures were sent home last week in the Friday Folder.

Keep on Reading!

We have had our first turn in for reading minutes that will send Mr. Winebrenner walking in the Laps for Literacy challenge.  Great to see so much reading in one month!  New calendars went home this week for March -- anxious to see our number of minutes grow!

President's Day Update

We hope you all enjoyed your long weekend.   Looks like we might have warmer days ahead -- 60 degrees predicted for Friday!   Until then, please remember to dress your child for the weather (coat, hat & gloves) as we will go outside for recess as long as the temperature is above freezing.  Several came to school last week with only sweatshirts and no coats.  Brr!!  

The Big Switch!

This week students will be switching from science to social studies and vice versa.  As a reminder, the class your child is finishing will be the end of that subject for them this quarter. 

PTO March Madness

Please help support SLE PTO at March Madness on Friday, March 4.   Fliers have been sent home for advance ticket purchase and t-shirt sales.  Also part of that evening will be a silent auction of teacher experiences and class baskets.  We ask for your generosity in donating to our class baskets.  Themes this year are:

Tucker and Clements GIRLS - Girls Galore - 

any girl themed item

Tucker and Clements BOYS - Boys Rule - 

any boy themed item

Scruby - Sports (of all sorts!) Basket

Westley - Mystery Basket -

send in any fun item to be wrapped up as part of this exciting mystery basket

Book Swap!!

Once again Mrs. Burkholder is organizing a book swap.  The idea is simple --- bring a book and take home a "new to you" book.  To make this a success we need donations from you.  Please look through your shelves and see if there are some books that would be great to recycle to new readers.   Note: There is always a greater need for books for our older readers!!    Gently used books can be brought in anytime this week to get ready for the big swap next week.   

February Update

SLE Laps for Literacy

We are excited to announce the first annual SLE LAPS FOR LITERACY!   Mr. Winebrenner has pledged to walk laps at the TPC course based on the number of minutes SLE students read.  The race is on to determine the top reading class at SLE and the top reader!  Reading calendars with all the details will be sent home this week from your child's reading teacher.  Let's get reading SLE!!

Etiquette Lessons

The 4th grade will again participate in the etiquette program sponsored by the SLE PTO.  Once again we will welcome Mrs. Ann Overturf as our instructor and look forward to our celebration lunch at TPC in April.  More information on the lunch will come home as the date draws closer.  Our first lesson will be Feb. 9.\

Welcome to the 3rd Quarter!!!

New Behavior and Organization System  

  

We will be starting our checkbook program this week. For the next couple of months, we will be working with check books to keep track of deposits, withdrawals (payments) and balancing money. This is tied directly to math and our standards in economics as well as reinforcing positive behavior.

The students will be each be given a checkbook and a “paycheck” each week. The “paycheck” is $5.00. They will be responsible to enter this into their check register. Each day, the students will be expected to be prepared for class, be respectful, responsible and do their daily or weekly homework or they will be deducted accordingly (see below). They also have opportunities to earn bonuses for demonstrating respectful, responsible, problem solving skills.

At the end of the quarter, students who have earned $45.00 or more will be eligible for the celebration.  Only students with $45.00 balances will be eligible for this celebration.

This program is meant to encourage all fourth graders to continue their best habits of responsibility and cooperation. Our goal is to help our students gain independence moving forward as well as helping them to make good choices and be responsible citizens in our school community. We appreciate your continued support at home and at school.

Thank you,

SLE 4th grade teachers

Show Me the Money!!!
Earn:                                                       .25    *good manners                *compliments               *“caught being good”               *teamwork  $1.00     *Awesome behavior and no                     “payments” all week.	Lose:    .50  * talking in hall               * not prepared class           * name on board   $1.00  * missing assignment              or name on board with a check. (minor)

ART SHOW

Save the Date for an Art show!

Please mark your calendars for the following dates. 

March 4th- Selected student art show

May 4th- All SLE student art show

It is FREE to come and look at the art show.

More details to follow.