
Crocker Chronicles
October 2023
WELCOME TO THE CROCKER CHRONICLES
PPEL Vote
Classroom projectors, roof repairs, playground equipment, security radios, and new stadium bleachers. What do these all have in common? They were paid for by PPEL funds!
WHAT IS THE PPEL VOTE?
PPEL funds are one source of capital revenue available to Iowa school districts. On November 7, Ankeny residents will vote on renewing the current levy. It is required by law that PPEL has a public vote every 10 years.
FUNDS IN ACTION
Drive through the neighborhood of an Ankeny School, and you’ll see PPEL funds at work. New roofs, beautiful landscaping, updated playgrounds, and outdoor classrooms are just a few exterior projects funded by PPEL.
Inside our schools, you’ll see over 10 years of continued improvements, from energy conservation projects to colorful murals and upgraded gym floors. PPEL funding has also positively impacted the safety of our students, staff, and visitors with updated security and access systems. Classrooms district-wide have the same voice amplification systems and ceiling-mounted projectors so students can hear their teachers better and see their lessons better.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE RENEWAL
The current PPEL is $1.67 per $1,000 in taxable valuation. The community will vote to renew $1.34 of that total amount. The Ankeny Board of Education votes to approve the remaining $.33. This vote will not increase the amount of the previous levy, with past levies generating more than 8 million dollars each year. For more information on PPEL, visit our website.
NOTES FROM NURSE JULIE MAILE
Hello, Crocker Families!
October is National Dental hygiene month. Oral health is the health of the teeth, the mouth, and the surrounding skull and facial structures. Oral health impacts the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions. To maintain oral health, It is recommended that your student brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, paying close attention to their molars (that’s where the most cavities are found in children). Excellent teeth brushing, flossing, and eating a healthy diet all help contribute to the oral health of your student. Your student should visit their dentist every 6 months for a check-up. If you need help finding a dentist, or have questions about the health of your child’s teeth and mouth, please contact me at julie.maile@ankenyschools.org. If you are a kindergarten family who has not turned in a Dental Screening Form, please get that turned in soon!
General Reminders:
*If your student has a fever (over 100.4) they need to stay home until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication
*If your student has had vomiting or diarrhea, they need to stay home until they have gone 24 hours without an episode.
*If your student tests positive for Covid-19, they will need to stay home and isolate, please call me at 515-965-9710, or email me at julie.maile@ankenyschools.org and we can discuss when they can safely return to school.
Have a safe and healthy school year!
Book Character Pumpkin Contest
Pumpkins can begin coming to school on Monday, October 2nd.
REMINDER - Infinite Campus Student Forms
A reminder to complete the Infinite Campus Student Forms for the Survey Notification and Student Handbook. See below for details on how to complete and original notification details.
Directions to complete Student Forms
In order for a child to participate in one or both of the surveys and to acknowledge receipt and review of the student handbook a child’s parent or legal guardian must complete each form.
- Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
- Look under Documents > District Survey Notification & Consent Form
- Click on the form to complete and select “Yes” or “No” for each applicable survey. Select “Sign” to grant permission or “Decline” to disagree.
- Click on the blue SUBMIT button.
- Look under Documents > XX Grade Handbook
- Click on the form and then click on the box to confirm receipt and review of the student handbook and then scroll down to the 2nd page to sign.
- Click on the blue SUBMIT button.
If you have questions about any of the surveys listed or student handbook, please contact our school Principal, Brandon Hargens. We value your partnership as we strive to engage all students in a high-quality, personalized educational experience.
Counselor's Corner
Hi! My name is Marisa Kennedy and I am the Crocker School Counselor. Each week students in kindergarten through 5th grade will have a 30 minute session of classroom guidance. Topics covered in guidance throughout the year will be: school readiness skills, problem solving, empathy and respect, conflict resolution, careers, bullying prevention, respecting differences, and teamwork. Guidance activities can include any of the following: whole class discussion, partner work, children’s literature books, video clips, interactive games, and role plays.
October’s Unit Title: Empathy
Essential Question: How do I recognize feelings in myself and others?
Content taught in this unit:
- Empathy is feeling or understanding what someone else is feeling.
- People can have different feelings about the same situation.
- If you can name your own feelings, it will help you figure out how other people feel.
- All feelings are natural. Some feelings are comfortable and some are uncomfortable.
- Physical clues can help you identify others’ feelings.
- It is okay to have strong feelings, as long as you know how to cope with the strong feelings.
Mrs. Kennedy, School Counselor
Lifetouch Picture Retake Day
Please see below for more information.
Book Fair
Our book fair will be open during Fall conferences at the following times:
Monday, October 16th- 3:30-7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 17th - 3:30 PM-7:45 PM
Volunteers are needed to help our Crocker book fair run efficiently during conferences week. This is an important fundraiser for our school library and more importantly, gets new and exciting books in the hands of our students. All volunteers must have their background check and updated volunteer paperwork completed prior to volunteering.
Below is the link for our Crocker Volunteer Portal through Ankeny Schools. Please click on the Book Fair option to sign up!
Notes from School Social Worker Nicole Ritland
BackPack Program
Ankeny Schools in a partnership with the Food Bank of Iowa offers school aged students access to the Friday BackPack Program. This program is designed to increase access to easy-to-prepare, single servings of food to support your child over the weekend. If you are interested in your child receiving a sack filled with kid-friendly foods each Friday, please contact Nicole Ritland, nicole.ritland@ankenyschools.org, Crocker School Social Worker.
FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS
You can apply for free/reduced lunch electronically through SchoolCafe by clicking here or using the QR Code below. A printable application and fee waiver are also attached. Return completed applications to your school's main office.
If you qualified for free/reduced meals last year 2022-2023, October 5, 2023 will be the last day you will continue to receive free/reduced priced meals UNLESS you complete a NEW application for the 2023-2024 school year. Families are welcome to apply for free/reduced meals anytime throughout the school year.
If you feel you may qualify for free/reduced hot lunch meals, find the guidelines and application or use the QR Code below.
If you have questions or if you would like assistance contact Nicole Ritland at 515-965-9604 ext. 51703 or at nicole.ritland@ankenyschools.org.
23-24 Free Application Packet - English
23-24 Free Application Packet - Spanish
Ankeny Waiver of Confidentiality
ANKENY RESOURCE LIST
Please see attached list for several Ankeny Resources that are available.
Helpful Information!
By following these Back to School tips, you’ll be well-prepared for the upcoming school year and have several tasks checked off your to-do list!
BACK-UP CLOTHING
Unforeseen accidents in the classroom, lunch room and playground can result in wet or soiled clothing. Please make sure your student(s) has the following back-up items in a grocery sack or large ziploc that can be kept in their locker for those unforeseen accidents.
Appropriate back-up clothing suggestions:
- Shirt
- Long pants
- Underwear
- Sock
- PE shoes
CROCKER PTO
Crocker Social Media
You can connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for information and updates about "Life at Crocker"! Tell your family and friends, too!
Attendance Reminder
Entering an absence request in the parent portal is quick and easy. This can be done using your desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device. Follow these simple steps:
- Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
- Select your child's profile.
- Navigate to the Absence Request section.
- Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.
- Submit your request.
Visit this Absence Request Guide for detailed information on how to report absences.
.
Per the student handbook, students who know they will be absent for a reason other than a school-sponsored trip or school-sponsored activity must have a parent notify the school’s office in advance of the absence.
If the school is not notified of an absence, the office will attempt to contact the Parents/Guardians at their primary number listed on Infinite Campus.
STUDENT APPOINTMENTS AND DELIVERIES
If your student forgets to bring something needed that day for class, we ask that you ring the Aiphone doorbell and we will ask for you to put the items on the table just inside the door. Please label item with the student's name and teacher.
Please remember that delivery's of flowers, candy, balloons, or presents are not accepted for students as stated in the parent handbook and will be sent back with the delivery driver.
Water Bottles
TENNIS SHOES FOR PE
Register for School Cafe`
School café is a great resource for lunch information click here to register.
Register for TouchBase
VIRTUAL BACKPACK
The information distributed in the Virtual Backpack (vBackpack) is provided as a community service to inform members of the community of available activities or services. The majority of information included in the vBackpack is from community organizations. Community groups can submit their information within certain guidelines, governed by Board Policy #1004.25.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Crocker Elementary
Email: cr.office@ankenyschools.org
Website: crocker.ankenyschools.org
Location: 2910 Southwest Applewood Street
Phone: 515-965-9710
Facebook: facebook.com/CrockerElementarySchool
Twitter: @AnkenyCrocker