Newsletter

Spotlight on New Staff Members!

This week we spotlight Carrie Penka Ms. Penka is one of our 2nd grade teachers. This is her 1st year as a teacher. Ms. Penka has lived in Wichita her entire life. She has 2 degrees: one in exercise physiology from Fort Hays State and her Elementary Education degree from Wichita State University. Ms. Penka is married and enjoys spending free time with her family, working out, and cheering on the KU Jayhawks (especially in basketball). Ms. Penka is very happy to be at Colvin.

Strengthening The Family Bonds

Parents Who Care Program: Parenting Teenagers.

Reducing Conflict with your teens
Learning how to address sex and violence issues with your teens
Recognize hidden risks your child may be facing
Boosting your child’s self-esteem

Location—Colvin Neighborhood City Hall
Date—Jan. 19-Feb. 23(Thursday)
Time—Noon-1:30p.m.
Cost—FREE (lunch provided)

RSVP—call 303-8029 or 685-1821 ext 267

Recreation Events

	Free Family Night on Tuesdays from 6p.m.—8p.m. Bring the family and participate in games in the gym. A parent or guardian must actively attend with the children.
	Princess Tea Party—Saturday, February 11th, 10:00-11:30a.m. Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite princess. These princesses will enjoy making crafts, playing games, and enjoying some royal treats! Please call 303-8023 to pre-register.
	Conference Day Recreation—Feb. 15, 16, 17. Time: 12:30-6:00p.m. Cost: $4.00 per day or $10 for all three days. Call 303-8023 for more information.

Colvin's All Star Parents

The staff of Colvin Elementary recognize parents who are “All-Star” Parents. These parents were nominated by their child’s teacher for a variety of reasons. Congratualations to our first group of “All-Star” Parents. These parents can stop by the Parent Involvement Room to receive a certificate and have their picture taken for an All-Star Parent bulletin board.

Kindergarten—Ms. Benedict recognizes Brandy Keck, Aryana’s mom. Mrs. Keck has been a terrific support at home. Aryana always has her homework. Mom has also made sure that she always gets to school even if the car is broken down.

2nd Grade—Ms. Dye recognizes Edith Rivas, Hector’s mom. Ms. Rivas always helps her son with his homework. She checks in on him from time to time. She is very supportive and volunteers whenever she can.

2nd Grade—Ms. McGinnis recognizes Claudia Elias, Eduardo Aguilar’s mom. Ms. Elias makes sure her son is at school everyday and ready to learn. She takes time to help him with his homework.

3rd Grade—Ms. Garcia recognizes Diana Reason, Meriam’s mom. Ms. Reason donates supplies and sharpens pencils for our classroom. She also volunteers around the school helping out in the parent involvement room and many other places.

3rd Grade—Ms. Lyon recognizes Elvira Arroyo, mother of Joyce Arroyo. She always has her kids to school on time and is constantly working in the parent involvement room. She helps me out by making copies, laminating, and brings me yummy tamales!

5th Grade—Ms. Grayson recognizes Elesha Calhoun, Kayla’s mom. Ms. Calhoun has help me by finding an interest of Kayla’s—art, and purchasing a huge art kit. With each day that Kayla does well in school, mom adds a piece to the art kit, such as crayons one day, markers the next, paint brushes, then paint, etc. It has made a HUGE difference in Kayla’s effort and success in school already.

Music—Mr. Olson recognizes Kara Ward’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, for their help in getting Miguel Alcala to practices and the performances.

Congratulations to these parents who help support their children’s education in a variety of ways. The staff and students at Colvin appreciate your dedication to your child.

P.E. News

Colvin students in grades 1-5 have two more opportunities to stay active outside of physical education class at school. Students will now have the opportunity to check out bags of equipment from Mr. Swisher and Mrs. Rhodes. The students can take these bags home for two days for their own use and enjoyment. The bags contain a variety of balls, jump ropes, and other physical education equipment. The students are responsible for the care and return of the bags and the equipment. Parents can help by reminding the students to keep all of the equipment in the bag except when it is being used. Colvin has 10 of these bags so students are asked to be patient as they wait for their turn to check out one of these bags.

Colvin families may have also seen information about “Kansas Get Moving”, which Colvin started in January.

participate in regular physical activity outside of the school day.

Students who choose to participate are rewarded with beads and small feet which they put on a colored shoe string, for participating in physical activity for 10 or more days. While they are doing these activities they can also be rewarded for making healthy choices about their eating habits. These choices include eating fruits, vegetables, and healthy dairy products as well as cutting down on unhealthy choices. These would include cutting down on junk food, fast food, and soda pop, and limiting the amount of time they watch TV and play video games. They may also have an adult partner participate along with them. Students keep track of their activity and eating choices on a form provided by their Physical Education teachers. First and Second graders need to just participate in an activity while third thru fifth graders need to participate in an activity for at least 30 min. Students may only count one activity per day. It does not have to be in consecutive days. Participation in the after school program will count if the child is active while there. Parents are asked to initial the form after each day and to sign and date the form when 10 days are completed. The child then returns the form to Mrs. Rhodes or Mr. Swisher to get their beads. Any questions should be referred to Mrs. Rhodes and Mr. Swisher.

Geography Bee

The following 4th and 5th Graders participated in the Geography Bee.

Semifinalists: Dennis Edwards, Marisa Long, Jose Martinez, Alfredo Contreras, Daniel Nunez, Alexander Yates, Harvey Ly, Leigha Davis, Vanessa Jimenez, Jose Escalera, Alex Larumbe, leonso Corral, Carlos Ponce, Arlene Hernandez, Danielle Mewhinney, Austin Long, Israel Fralin, BreeAnn Barnard, Crystal Hernandez, Linh Toan, Chris Hua, Dalton Rodd, Jonathan Edwards, Diana Mondragon, Alejandra Arriaga

Finalists:

1st Place –Dalton Rodd

2nd Place—Jonathan Edwards

3rd Place—Linh Toan

4th Place—Jerry (JC) Grey

Congratulations to everyone on their effort and hard work!

Honor Choir Participants

The following students represent Colvin Elementary in the Honor Choir.

	4th Grade—Kara Ward, Gregory Onakoya, Austin Colewell
	5th Grade—Miguel Alcala, Deja Hill

Congratulations to Deja Hill who was chosen to participate in the Fifth Grade All-City Honor Choir.

Severe Weather Information

In the event of severe weather, please use these resources to learn about school cancellations and delays:

	Weather Hotline: 973-4259
	www.usd259.com/weather
	Cable channel 17
	Cable channel 20
	Local media outlets, TV & radio

Colvin Elementary School
Principal: Karen Boettcher
Email: kboettcher@usd259.net
Phone: 316-973-7600, Fax: 316-973-7610
2820 S. Roosevelt, Wichita, Ks. 67210