Spelling Bee Winners

Congratulations to the Classroom Spelling Bee Winners!  These students will go on to compete at the School Bee on Wednesday, November 28^th. 

Caitlin Smith

Jasmyn White

Hunter Hayes

Dominica Alvarado

Xavier Dejarnett

Michelle Williams

Alana Delariva

Desha Sanders

Garrett Wells

Josie Adams

We Need YOU to Take Pictures! :)

Welcome back to another great year at VHS!  I am so glad to be here again as counselor and librarian for K-6.  I have an additional hat this year, as I am co-sponsoring the yearbook with Ms. L'Toya Jones.  One great tool that you can use is the new app and uploader for any photos that you take throughout the school year.  If you own an iphone or android, just search Herff Jones and download the app.  When the program asks for the school code, enter 7044723.  The program will also ask you for additional profile information so that we can contact you if needed.  You will not have to enter this code and information when you upload pictures after the first upload.  Once you have completed those steps, you can upload a picture already on your phone or take one at that time.  You will then be able to add names, grades of students and activity.  Please only upload school appropriate photos!  The yearbook sponsors do screen photos before they are uploaded for students to use.
If you do not have the app on your phone, you can use the same process with their website.  All you have to do is go to hjeshare.com and use the code listed above.
If you have any questions, please leave me a message at the main office (280-2820) and I will get back to you as soon a possible!

Great Article on teaching Gratitude...

While checking the weather today (under a tornado watch - again) I noticed this article on teaching Gratitude.  Take a minute to check it out!
http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/5-grateful-child_2010-11-02?page=1

RAK Winners!

Congratulations to the following winners of our Random Acts of Kindness Contest!
From the Annex:  2nd Grade teacher Dana Davis and Kindergarten Student Thomas Cabrera.  
Main building winners:  Pat Pike, Brandon Brown

Random Acts of Kindness Week!

This week we are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week.  This week was created to bring attention to the power of Kindness.  Grades 3-6 participated in a Guidance Lesson during the month of January in preparation for this week.  We watched a short video from "Life Vest Inside," a great example of how one small act of kindness can spread and help others! 

http://www.youtube.com/user/LifeVestInside?ob=0

Grades K-2 will cover Kindness this week during their library/guidance time.  We are reading a story and decorating pages to send to a local nursing home and hospital.

Throughout the week, teachers have been recognizing their colleagues and students if they notice them doing something nice for someone else.  When they notice the kind behavior, they fill out a ballot and put their name in the hat for a drawing during announcements Friday Morning!

Looking forward to seeing who wins...  :)
Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Finding Balance (Part 1)

I recently read an article addressing balance for busy kids and families.  When kids are not balanced, we often see behavior problems and lower grades at school. 
One of the most important suggestions that they made was regarding sleep!  The article mentioned that the 2003 National Survey for Children's Health found that 15 million kids get inadequate sleep.  Even a single-hour deficit leaves sixth-graders performing like fourth-graders on cognitive tests!

Please make sure that your children are going to bed on time.  This one area can make a huge impact on your child's learning!

*Article information taken from the Publix Family Magazine, 2012.