patriot`s press - Fredericksburg City Public Schools

PATRIOTS’ PRESS
December 2013 ~ Holiday Issue
Hugh Mercer Elementary School
2100 Cowan Boulevard
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Telephone: (540) 372-1115
Web: www.cityschools.com
Fax: (540) 372-6753
Marjorie R. Tankersley, Principal
Barbara N. Donaldson, Assistant Principal
Sandra P. Gillenwater, Assistant Principal
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families and FriendsHow the time flies! We’re already
through the first quarter, and the
addition to the building is going well. If
you haven’t had a chance to see it,
please drive by the front or the back of
the building and take a look. It appears
it will soon be under roof! And believe
me, we need it. We are up to 920
students. I believe this is the most
students Hugh Mercer has ever had.
All is going amazingly well! We have
made some significant changes to our
reading instructional program to make it
even better. It seems to be working.
Students are focused and learning well.
December will be our shortest month.
We begin with one of most academic
yet fun events of the year. Our annual
Math/Science Night is Thursday,
December 5 from 6:00 – 7:30 P.M. This
is an active, hands-on learning evening,
and all family members are invited.
There will be fun learning activities
involving science experiments and
S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math) activities. Please join
us on that evening.
Once again, our hard working PTA will
sponsor a Holiday Gift Shoppe for
children to purchase inexpensive but
nice gifts for parents and other family
members. The holiday shop will be held
on our stage (we get very creative with
limited space!) and will run through the
week of December 9 through 13.
On December 13, Interim Reports go
home. Please take time to examine
these and if you have any questions especially if your child’s grades seem to
be slipping – contact his/her teacher.
Parents and teachers working together
can ensure a successful year for all
students. Two or more heads together
often come up with better solutions to
problems.
Attendance is very important at Hugh
Mercer. What we teach your children is
the foundation of all their future
learning. That foundation needs to be
solid and strong. For students to get
that solid foundation, they need to be
here every day. Of course, if children
are sick, they should stay home and get
well. Please don’t forget to send a note
explaining their absence when they
return to school. Children who have
three or more unexcused absences
during a 9-week period are required to
attend Saturday School. Our next
Saturday School will be Saturday,
December 14.
First and second grade students will
participate in our second fun run of the
year, the Jingle Bell Jog. It begins at
3:45 P.M. on Monday, December 16. We
hope to see many parents there to
support their children in this worthwhile
event.
That same evening our wonderful PTA is
sponsoring a Spirit Night at the
McDonald’s on Route 1 (college), which
is not far from Hugh Mercer. Why not
treat your runners to dinner at
McDonald’s after their effort in the
Jingle Bell Jog? Part of the proceeds
goes to our PTA for some of their many
worthwhile projects.
We end the year 2013 on a happy note
with our annual Holiday Sing-Along on
December 20 at 1:45 P.M. in our gym.
The sing-along should end just in time
for our Holiday Parties, which will begin
in classrooms at 2:30 P.M. School will
dismiss beginning at 3:15 P.M., and we
will send your children home for a
wonderful, restful two week Winter
Break.
This time of year can be magical and
memorable. We encourage you to relax
and enjoy time with your children. For
children, one of the best gifts of all is for
parents and caregivers to take time with
them. And one of the easiest and most
worthwhile activities is for the adult to
read to the child. They absolutely LOVE
this! I have included a list of age
appropriate books your children might
enjoy which should be available at our
local library or in most book stores.
Happy reading and happy holidays!
May you all enjoy a wonderful holiday
season, celebrating in whatever way you
choose, and may everyone enjoy a much
deserved break. Our Winter Break runs
from December 23 through January 3.
We will welcome your children back to a
new year on Monday, January 6, 2014.
Once again, we thank you for entrusting
your most precious possessions, your
children, to learning under our care.
Sincerely,
Marjorie R. Tankersley
Principal
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Congratulations to the following students for having perfect attendance for the month
of October. For their accomplishment, each student received a dog tag chain with two
charms, an attendance award star, and a pumpkin to signify the month of October. For
each month they have perfect attendance from here on, they will receive another charm
to signify that month (turkey for November, Christmas tree for December, etc.).
Kindergarten – Bresli Acevedo, Brooklyn Adams, Ghazi Alanazi, Sujad Alemy, DeAvion
Allen, Kaelyn Allen, William Alvarez, Edwin Alvarez-Benitez, Rodolfo Andino-Martinez,
William Argueta Rivas, Hadi Attie, Dyshon Barnes-Rivers, Nicholas Battista, Charles
Battiste, Nathan Bayton, Olivia Bennett, Aaron Berrios-Ramirez, Michael Bridgeman,
Jayela Blakeney, Darrien Bland, Maddox, Bond, Zyion Brooks, Maleah Brosseau, Ameena
Brown, Christian Brown, Tylaysia Brown, Jayden Bryan, Kira Bugge, Katelyn Burns, Chloe
Bustle, Ryan Butler, Zavion Carey, Amelia Carter, AnnMarie Casey, Krystal CastroMendoza, Corrine Chapman, Conor Clarke, Luis Coon, Roberto Cruz-Vasquez, Cameron
Cubbage, Amari Day, Mia DeAngelo, Nataly Del Cid, Breanna Dempsey, Jayden Dexter,
Jazmyn Encarnacion, Jaiden Edwards, Jonathan Farias, Christian Ferebee, Basmaina Fnu,
Gael Garcia, Timnite Gebreegziabher, Evan George, Cheyanne Gibson, Je’Veon Gowdy,
Dominic Graham, Jackson Gravatt, Aaniyah Graves, Jackson Green, Mohammad Hady,
Emmet Hart, Mary Claire Hart, Autumn Heiston, Alexi Henriquez, Emily HernandezFernandez, Roman Hernandez-Presa, Ashely Hernandez-Velasco, Brodi Herrera, Lurence
Holloway, Nasir Holmes, Alyssah Housey, Brayden Heuter, Kelise Hunter, Daniel Jackson,
Marley Jackson, Obani Jackson, Liliana Jahnke-Aragon, Javien Jimenez, Damir Johnson,
Jahzell Johnson, Laniya Johnosn, Dylan Joy, Jordan Juggins, Donald Kearsley, Kilyn
Khanna, Hubert King, Sydney Labrador, Angel Lazaro-Cordoba, Austin Lee, Adam Lin,
Jasmine Lincoln, Jayiah Long, Luna Lopez-Valdivia, Jonathan Lovos, Ari Lucas, Camila
Maldonado, Amina Mansaray, David Martinez-Machado, Liam McCormmick, Luca Meli,
Andres Miguel-Francisco, Jacob Mkhail, Madisyn Montgomery, Ty Montgomery, Mary
Muldrow, Mariana Murcia, Jerome Murphy, Zyion Murphy, John Myles-Mills, David
Nettles, Eveln O’Brien, Kaitlyn O’Daniel, Kamdyn Orange, Kelvin Ortiz-Funez, Gabrielle
Ott, Oneil Oussantidja, Nadia Pina-Garcia, Clara Pompilio, Zion Pratt, Adam Reiner,
Kenneth Reyes-Bonnilla, Allison Reyes-Gomez, Karen Rivas-Reyes, Jaden Rivera, Julion
Rivera, Dennis Roberts, Allison Rodenberg, Luke Rossi, Holly Rowland, Bogdan Rus,
Norma Salinas, Desiree Scott, Ka’Leeyah Scott, Ella Sherfield, Zoey Shifflet, Frnaklin
Skinner, Alyssa Smith, Jordan Smith, James Snyder, Brianna Stanley, Niya Stevenson, Ray
Stitt, Amaziana Taimanglo, Doneal Taylor, Indya Terrell, Anisah Thoams, Liam ThomasRensink, Haidyn Thompkins, Marcell Thompson, Mason Thompson, Michaela Thornton,
Kristian Toney, Curon Torres, Kassandra Tovar, Paige Turner, Milton Valiente-Lopez,
Amiyah Vannorman, Carlos Vargas, Elizabeth Vezina, Tiffani Walker, Olivia Warren,
Taliyah Watson, Justin Weldon, J’Mylah White, Ammirah Whitties, HyZaun Williams,
Elijah Wilson, Jaedin Winn, Samara Word, Richard Yang, Heriberto Zarate
First Grade – Sara Abdul-Shakur, Shiaunta Adams, Reagan Adgerson, Mohammed
Almuslimawl, Luis Alvarado Zamora, Orlando Alvarez Benitez, Melin Andrade Lovo,
Justin Andreoni, Adonai Annor, Ashly Arana, Garbiela Arredondo-Bravo, Autumn Ashton,
Khadija Askari, Nadia Avila, Paola Badillo Ventura, Karuna Baniya, Lavyeska Barrera
Camacho, Ashley Barrios, Tyler Belance, Diamon Eelen, Lowell Bertolet, Katherine
Blalock, Dasia Bostick, Ava Brewer, Kendra Brewer, Alessandra Brisbin, Lorenzo Brooks,
Abigail Brown, Jaylen Brown, Jeremiah Bucknor, Jayden Brumbrey, Parish Burton, Cedric
Byers, Micahel Carella, Oscar Casro Mendoza, Caedon Clark, Jadon Cook, Rhett Coulon,
Sophia Coulon, Cameron Cressman, Joshua Cruz Diaz, Savanna Daley, Aleasecia Davis,
Destin Davis, Lucy Davis, Brianna Del Cid, Peter Descorbeth, Jeanne Dodd, Jordan
Dominguez, Maggie Dougherty, Dakari Dunn, Charles Edson, Daija Edwards, Daijon
Edeards, Michael Edwards, Victoria Edwards Coffman, Moses Evans, Addison Everett,
Brian Farish, Delaysia Foster, Aaliyah Fox-Carter, MyNashia Fox, Kobe Freeman, De’Sean
French, Elizabeth Furrow, Raven Furrow, Gregory Gibson, Anthony Granados Arenivar,
Kimberly Granados-Jovel, Yovani Gonzalez Sanchez, Emerson Guevarra Santos, Jamison
Healey, Aleah Henderson, Hailey Hernandez, Brissia Hernandez-Luis, Jefferson
Hernandez-Nunez, Alyssa Herreera, Ian Hewlett, Spogmai Himat, Katherine Hooks,
Joseph Hooks, Duncan Hoosier, Addyson Hough, Jin Huff, Mindi Huynh, Sanaa Ingram,
Adan Ismalej Sorto, Jared Jackson Bryhanna Jennings, Jeyren Jimenez, Franklin Johnson,
Jacoby Johnson, Rasheed Johnson, Eleanor Jurlando, Aniyah King, Teandra King, Anna
Kurylo, Brooke Layton, Toby Levin, Betzy Loepz Guerrero, Jessica Lovos, Brooke
Loscomb, Hannah Malin, Zahory Martinez Paz, Bryan Martinez Zamorano, Kaleb
Matthews, Desmond Maul, Grant May, McLane Maynard, Ciara McCane, Carlos McClain,
Jaden McKoy, Cheyanne McNeil, Rosario Medina, Oscar mejia, Cecilia Mellinger, Luna
Mendoza Castro, Antonio Mendoza Chen, Danitza Mendoza Santiago, Dinita Misidor,
Janelle Mkhail, Inti Money-Guerra, Tristan Morales, Emerson Moriarty, Melvin Mosley,
Angel Murcia Alvarenga, Keyonna Murphy, Ismael Nicolas Hernandez, Brittany Orellana,
Isabel Para, Yash Patil, Malachi Parker, Zamihrah Parker, Keyshawn Pendleton, Ty’Kori
Pettus, Joselin Pineda Valiente, Jayden Pratt, Rosemary Portillo Lovo, Molly Rathgeb,
Samanatha Recinos, Baxter Reed, Keri Rivas Machado, Alyana Robinson, Camiya
Robinson, Dezaun Robinson, Elizabeth Rodenberg, Ariana Rodriguez, Alejandron
Rodriguez-Seitor, Jjoseph Rose, Ishmael Ross, Tamya Ross, Grace Rouzer, Madelyn
Rowe, Hailye ryder, Kevin Samayoa Melendez, Axel Sanchez, Julio Sanchez-Menjivar,
Mahki Sands, Yasmin Santos, Ella Sherfield, Jakya Sims, Destiny Singleton, Jeremiah
Singleton, Theodore Smalley, Alyssa Smith, Iyana Smith, Emma Souza, Payton Spellman,
Alivia Teri, Gabrielle Thurman, Melei Turner, Elijah Tyree, Brooke Walters, Jamonte
Washington, Jeremiah Washington, Naziah Wilkerson, Walter William, Jocelyn Wright,
Te’Ron Woolen, Ethan Wyatt, Simon Young, Ruben Zarate
Second Grade – Gustavo Abraham-Reyes, Mahmood Alemy, Maniyah Alston, Jordan
Austin, Brooke Baldwin, Jaruna Baniya, Nakiya Banks, Durrell Barnett, Joseph Barrera,
Isaac Battista, Mihaila Baylor, Owen Benedict, Keila Berrios-Ramirez, Marcus Berry, Mia
Beverly, Payton Billingsley, Caroline Bond, Diara Donilla, Ashton Bragg, John Brindley,
Jayden Broach, Shaylah Brooks, Izac Brower, Damien Brown, Mariah Bryan, Aliviyah Byrd,
Catherine Byrd, Tyree Byrd, Samiya Campbell, Zymerra Carey, Scarlett Castillo-Tejada,
Jackson Clarke, Carley Coghill, DreQuan Coleman, Brianna Collins, Keshawn Comfort,
Jeremiah Cousins, Iris Crouch, Elyjah Dangerfield, Julius Davis, Kiaerstin Davis, Emma
Davis, Ashley Del Cid, Olivia Delgado, Nicole Deza, Aiden Duncan, Reanna Ellis, Yaretzi,
Esquivel, Jordan Fleming, Kennedy Flynn, Timothy Ford, Avery Foresman, Malakai
Francis, Dennys Garcia, Geroge Garzon Martinez, Jason George, Samuel Gertner,
Addison Gindlesperger, Oscar Gonzalez, Evan Gravatt, Erin Hancock, Lyric Harris,
Addison Heasley, Ivan Hedgepath, Daniel Hernandez, Bianca Hernandez Alvarez, Victor
Herrera, Makenna Hine, Lauren Holland, Elijah Horsley, Adan Ismalej Sorto, Tahvon
Johnson, Jariah Johnson, Jose Juarez Barrios, Regis Keddie, Heweit Keeler, Josselyn Kilby,
Piper Kingsley, Zamyah Knox, Grant Kornegay, Allaln Lackland, Margaret Lacy, Stephanie
Landaverde Rivas, Miles Landeck, Alyssa Layton, Ashlynn Lee, Jayde Lewis, Jamaal Lewis,
Zanaya Lighfoot, Jakyiah Lincoln, Cecilia Lucas, Kaniyia Mack, Justin Maldonado, Henry
Malin, Zahory Martinez Paz, Brayan Martinez Zamorano, Ana Martinez, Noel McFee,
KeShawn McLaughlin, Gabriel Mellinger, Michelle Midy, Patrick Mozingo, Regina
Ndihokubwayo, Brendan O’Brien, Angelo Oickett, Kasper Olson, Britney Orellana, Laurie
Palma, Zaryah Parker, Zamihrah Parker, Krisha Patel, Aiden Payne, Essynce Pierce,
Cameron Plajzer, Jocelyn Poland, Delphine Pomeroy, Sabrina Portillo-Marin, Noah
Randell, Cedric Rashed, Cristian Reyes Saenz, Isaac Robinson, Jeremy Rodriguez, Lilyan
Rose, Tamya Ross, Jeremy Saavedra Cotaquispe, Aiymere Sanchez, Aura Sanchez Salazar,
Carlos Santos, Nathan Scharf, Adriannah Scott, Destiny Scruggs, Elsa Sesay, Kayla
Shepard, De’Shea Smith, Brianna Smith, Angel Standfield, Olivia Stanley, Amera
Stephens, Madison Stewart, Amya Stitt, Locke Strejcek, Timothy Terpening, Ava Thorpe,
Aryanna Tovar, Nathaniel Tremper, Leah Turner, Melei Turner, Agnes Tusenge, Benjamin
Valentine, Aubree Van Wey, Anthony Vargas Gonzalez, Zowie Voje, Zarius Ward,
Xzayvion Watson, Shalise White, Montel Wilson, Brian Wilson, Lily Yager
SUGGESTED READING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Our librarian (Mrs. Bourne) and reading coaches (Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Teri) compiled a
list of suggested books for reading over the holidays. We hope and your child will
enjoy the selections!
Favorite Characters:
A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin
Pinkalicious: Merry Pinkmas! By Victoria Kann
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro
Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake by Cynthia Rylant
Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Award Winners and Classics:
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Mitten, The Hat, or Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke More or
Major Henry Livingston, Jr.
Books about Kwanzaa:
A Kwanzaa Miracle by Sharon Shavers Gayle
My First Kwanzaa Book by Deborah Chocolate
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline
Books about Hanukkah (Chanukah):
Eight Wild Nights: A Family Hanukkah Tale by Brian P. Cleary
On the First Night of Chanukah by Cecily Kaiser
The Eight Nights of Hanukkah by Judy Nayer
Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Picture Flap Book by Joan Holub
Other Fun Books:
Chita’s Christmas Tree by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Littlejim’s Gift: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Gloria Houston
American Girl Christmas Stories
Merry Christmas, Curious George by Cathy Hapka
Dinosaur Christmas by Jerry Pallotta
Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano
Snowmen at Work by Caralyn Buehner
Charlie and the Christmas Kitty by Ree Drummond
The Gingerbread Men Loose In School by Laurra Murray
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY - Working Together!
Dads Who C.A.R.E. (Character Building, All-Star Attitudes, Role Models, Encouraging Success)
Thank you to the Daily Dads for the month of November: Michael Bridgeman, Christopher
Pederson, Whitney Coulon, Stewart Lane, Will Gravatt, Mr. Montgomery, Stephen Tate, Mike
Benedict, and Aaron Penney. These dads committed to spend the day at Hugh Mercer to assist
with bus duty, car rider duty, in the cafeteria, and in classrooms. To find out more about this
program, contact Mrs. White, guidance counselor, at [email protected].
ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM - The Willis family has adopted Mrs. Lewis’ class, and J.C. Penney has
adopted Mrs. White, Mr. Riley, Ms. Saunders, and Ms. Wilkens’ classes through the Adopt-AClassroom Program. Consider giving the perfect gift this holiday season by adopting your
child’s classroom! Contact Mrs. Donaldson, assistant principal, at [email protected]
for more information.
PAYING IT FORWARD – Guidance counselor, Mrs. Overton, organized an effort to help
families in need during the holiday season. Thank you to the community partners who joined
this effort and filled Thanksgiving baskets with food: Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church,
PTA/Girl Scouts, and The Lord’s Supper Community Outreach. We’d also like to thank Hugh
Mercer families for donating canned goods and non-perishables to the Salvation Army Food
Drive.
BARNES AND NOBLE HOLIDAY EDUCATOR APPRECIATION EVENT – Barnes and
Noble invited our Patriot Singers to perform at their Holiday Educator Appreciation event being
held at 3:00 P.M. on December 7. Patriot Singers are Innea Kersey, Caroline Bond, Erin Hancock,
Scarlett Castillo, Angelica Caron, Aliviyah Byrd, Kaila Wright, Savannah Bolte, Zymerra Carey,
Ashley Del Cid, Lauren Holland, Symphoni Swain, Cecilia Lucas, Amber Jenkins, Della Pomeroy,
Ella Byrd, Alicia Bailey, Agnes Tusenge, Amelia Garman, Harmoney Prue, and Kennedy Flynn.
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 5
December 9 - 13
December 13
December 14
December 16
December 20
Dec 23 – Jan 3
Math/Science Night (6:00 – 7:30 P.M.)
PTA Holiday Shoppe (Gym – Stage Area)
Gifted Education Referrals Due
Interim Reports Go Home w/Students
Saturday School (for required students)
Jingle Bell Jog (1st and 2nd Grades) @ 3:45 P.M.
Spirit Night @ McDonald’s (college) 5:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Patriot Pride Fun Day
Holiday Sing-Along @ 1:45 P.M. (Gym)
Classroom Holiday Parties @ 2:30 P.M.
WINTER BREAK (No School)
SAVE THE DATE! FAMILY LIFE PREVIEW – The P. E. department is offering a Family Life
preview session on January 27 from 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. If you’re interested in
previewing the upcoming family life curriculum, please plan to attend either of these sessions.
Opt-out forms are available through the P. E. department if you wish for your child to opt-out of
family life instruction. For more information, please contact a P. E. teacher: Jolene Jonas
([email protected]), Molly Roohi ([email protected]), or Tony Wishard
([email protected]).
WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURES
School Closings: When Fredericksburg City Public Schools are closed
due to inclement weather, an announcement will be placed on the TV and
Radio stations listed below. On days when FCPS are closed, have a delayed opening, or
dismiss early due to weather conditions, the TV/radio announcement will state
Fredericksburg City Schools.
PLEASE NOTE: Frederick County, the surrounding counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, etc., and private
schools (Fredericksburg Christian, Fredericksburg Academy, etc.) are separate school divisions whose
inclement weather schedules may vary from FCPS.
TV Stations
Radio Stations
Channel 4
Channel 6
Channel 8
Channel 9
Channel 18
WFVA (101.5)
WFLS (93.3)
WGRQ (95.9)
WVBX (99.3)
WGRX (104.5)
WWUZ Radio (FM 96.9)
School personnel cannot individually notify parents when schools are dismissed early due to inclement
weather. You are encouraged to check our web site (www.cityschools.com) or listen to the local radio
stations.
When schools are closed, all school-related events or activities are cancelled.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB (The Boys and Girls Club follows FCPS’ inclement weather schedule.)
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If school is closed for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.
If school dismisses early for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.
If after school programs are cancelled for weather reasons, the Boys & Girls Club is closed.
Delayed Openings due to inclement weather will be announced on the TV and Radio stations listed
above. School hours on delayed opening days are as follows: (Buses will arrive at their designated
stops 2 hours later than usual.)
Hugh Mercer
Lafayette
Walker-Grant
James Monroe
RISE/STARS
Preschool
Head Start
10:35 – 3:15 P.M.
10:25 – 3:15 P.M.
9:40 – 2:40 P.M.
9:45 – 2:45 P.M.
10:30 – 2:00 P.M.
11:00 – 12:30 P.M.
10:40 – 2:10 P.M.
Early dismissals due to inclement weather will be announced on the radio stations listed above and
posted on the school division internet site. Schools will be dismissed in the
following order:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
James Monroe
Head Start and Preschool
Walker-Grant
Lafayette
Hugh Mercer
School closings and delayed opening information will be posted on the school’s web site
(www.cityschools.com) and www.fredericksburg.com.
Sign-up for Fred Alerts (you can use the link on our web site to sign up!) and receive text and/or email
notification of school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissals!