STORYTELLER

1. November 30, 2010 Sponsored by Story PTA STORYTELLER Cub Scout Pack 308 Coat Drive Please join Cub Scout Pack 308 in our 2010 Coat Drive for the Salvation Army by donating any gently used or new coats. Donation boxes will be located in the entryway of Story Elementary for your convenience from now until December 15. Thank you!!!!! • Principal’s Corner • Student safety is one of our primary concerns.  In order to provide the safest environment for our children, Story has an organized drop-off and pick-up plan that we would like for every parent, guardian, carpool driver and daycare to follow.  • To ensure that pick-up time is safe and orderly, some changes have been made to the inclement weather procedures.  I appreciate the input that both parents and staff have provided to help improve our dismissal procedures. The information has been provided in Tuesday folders for review.  We ask that you would please complete the “Student Dismissal Information” form attached to the updated procedures.   We want to have the most current information to avoid any confusion.  If there is a change to your child’s afternoon pick-up arrangements, please send a note to the teacher with your child or contact the office no later than 2:30 p.m.  This will allow school personnel adequate time to get information relayed to classroom teachers and students.  • Safety Reminders •      Students should keep the door of the vehicle closed until it comes to a complete stop next to the curb and then exit or enter the car from the curbside only.  •       Vehicles are not allowed to stop for student drop-off or pick-up in the outside lane of traffic in the parking lot.  Students should only exit or enter the vehicle next to the curb. •       Students should not walk across the lot unattended.  If a parent parks in the lot, he/she must walk the children across at the crosswalk. •       Please use designated parking spaces.  This will prevent lack of visibility when driving around a car that is blocking the flow of traffic. •       Please avoid texting or cell phone use while driving through the parking lot or in the school zone. •       Don’t forget to always be patient with our traffic staff and each other. • Thank you in advance for helping us keep our children safe! • Judith Coffman, Principal A Message from Your Librarian… Attention 1st-4th grade students and parents! Underwater Photographer and Children’s Author Michael Patrick O’Neill will be visiting Story on December 15 to share his incredible stories and photography of ocean life. You also have the opportunity to purchase his books, as well as have them signed by Mr. O’Neill! Order forms are available at the front desk and in the library. Forms and payments are due by December 7.   PTA Membership Drive Who wants to have a POPCORN party?? On December 17, PTA Membership is going to throw one for the class in each grade level with the highest percentage of PTA parent members. No worries, if you have more than one child, each of the child’s class will receive credit for one parent membership. Let’s see if we can get 100% participation and parties all over campus!! Please sign up today by going online to Story Elementary’s PTA webpage and printing off a form or you can pick one up at the reception desk on campus. Memberships are only $6.00 and are good for one year. Let’s see what classes can get the most members…..Questions? Please email Rachel Bond at ricracbond@att.net. Fall Fundraiser We have kicked off the 2010/2011 Fall Fundraiser! Our PTA has set a goal of $3500. One hundred percent of these donations goes directly to the school for the enrichment of our students and campus. Anything you can give towards this fundraiser drive is greatly appreciated! Thank you, Story Elementary PTA Rudolph Run If you want to sign up for the Rudolph Run, you can still do so at Luke’s Locker, Joe Farmer Rec Center, and the Natatorium.  Thanks! Erin Needham

2. Box Top News! I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!! I know with all the cooking your parent’s did this past week you probably have LOTS of Box Tops and Labels for Education to turn in soon!! The first two weeks are passed so send those Box Tops and Labels so you can win the free recess!! Here are the current top ten classes: Hogan – 206 Devault – 20 Jarboe – 66 Kraus – 19 Abraham – 35 Cook – 16 Mitchel – 32 Coroneos – 11 Russum – 27 Wright - 6 Good luck and may the best class win!!!  Cheryll Tallent Box Top Coordinator Gifted and Talented Placement Testing AISD Learner Services and Assessment Department will be coordinating upcoming CogAT testing at your campus.  All AISD Kindergarten and sixth grade students will be administered a CogAT aptitude testduring the weeks of November 29 - December 10, 2010.  This test will be administered in groups at each campus.  Please visit the following web link to find out more information on CogAT:  http://www.riverpub.com/images/flashElements/cogat_demo.swf All second grade and fourth grade students interested in taking the CogAT test for Gifted and Talented placement consideration will have the opportunity to do so during the spring testing to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011.  Registration information will be located on the Gifted and Talented website in mid-January. Story Elementary/AISD Testing Dates 2010-2011 Parents please be aware of these testing dates and try not to schedule appointments on these dates. January 31 Math Simulation – grade 5 February 1 Reading Simulation – grade 5 February 8 Math Simulation – grades 3,4,6 February 9 Reading Simulation – grades 3,4,6 February 10 Science Simulation – grade 5 March 1 TAKS Writing – grade 4 April 4 TAKS Math – grade 5 April 5 TAKS Reading – grade 5 April 26 TAKS Math – grades 3,4,6 April 27 TAKS Reading – grades 3,4,6 April 28 TAKS Science – grade 5 Calling all Mad Scientists! Story’s annual Science Fair is coming!  Informational packets and safety rules can be picked up at the front desk or downloaded online.  Please visit Mrs. Langlais’ sixth grade website for the packets and approval letter.  All projects must be approved by Mrs. Langlais by December 1.  Projects are due on the morning of January 25 in the Story Multipurpose Room.  Good Luck! Story Time! You are cordially invited to celebrate the holiday season with ‘Cookies and Bedtime Stories’ Stories will be read by Mrs. Coffman, Mr. Rupert, and Mrs. Gonzalez on Tuesday, December 7 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM in the Story Cafeteria ~ The PTA will also host a free holiday craft table and  provide an opportunity to take pictures with Santa for $5. Feel free to wear your PJ’s and bring a blanket to snuggle in. Allen Community Outreach ACO donation items to be collected for December: All Purpose Cleaners and Paper Towels Items will be collected in your child's classroom. You may send them with your child anytime. Help your child's class become the "Class of the Month" for the most items collected for December! Mark Your Calendar Dec 4 2010 Rudolf Run 7 AM Dec 7 Story time with Cookies and Milk 6:30 PM Dec 17 End of third 6 weeks Dec 17 Holiday Parties Dec 20 – 31 Winter Vacation – No School Jan 3 Staff Development – No School Jan 7 Falcon Celebrations Story Elementary School Judith Coffman, Principal : Adam Rupert, Asst. Principal 1550 Edelweiss 75002 * School: 972-727-0570 * Fax: 972-727-0573 *Absentee Hotline: 972-7270320 School Website: http://www.allenisd.org/storyes/site/default.asp