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Crocker Chronicles
January 2024
WELCOME TO THE CROCKER CHRONICLES
Mrs. Maile Receives the Star Award!
Congratulation to Mrs. Maile for receiving the STAR Award! This traveling trophy celebrates any Ankeny Community School District staff who embody these four characteristics of excellence: Selflessness, Tireless, Adaptive, Remarkable.
Here is what her parent nominator had to say about her:
“Mrs. Maile truly cares about our children. She goes out of her way to make sure they are cared for and caretakers are informed of visits to her office. She even saved me from a mess in my car by providing a bag for us to take home, just in case! The kids respect her and she is definitely a safe place for them. She’s the best!”
Congratulations Mrs. Maile!
December STAR Award Recipient
How to make a STAR Nomination
Congratulations Mrs. Maile
B/ASP: Summer Adventure Camp and Now Hiring
Summer Adventures Camp: get ready for a summer full of sizzling fun! Registration is open to any student completing grades K-5 during the 2023-24 school year. Camp dates are June 3 - August 16. Each week includes fun, hands-on, theme-based enrichment activities focused on science, arts, technology, and recreation, as well as field trips. Two convenient Ankeny Community School District locations. Space is limited! Check out the details by clicking here! Online registration opens February 1 to current B/ASP students & 2023 Summer Adventures Camp students. Registration opens February 8 to all other students.
Now Hiring! Before & After School Program Teachers & Program Assistants: Do you know someone 16 & older who would be an amazing addition to our B/ASP team? We're hiring for multiple positions! If you know someone who loves working with elementary-aged students; working on an energetic team; and who's a committed, positive role model, encourage them to apply online today: https://ankeny.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx?jcat=BASP!
Questions? Contact the central Before & After School Program office - 515-289-3925 or basp@ankenyschools.org
THANK YOU!
Thank you to our AMAZING PTO and CROCKER FAMILIES for the gift cards, notes and treats! We appreciate all the support we receive from each of you.
December Soar The Hawk Assembly
Check out the pictures below from our December Soar The Hawk Assembly celebrating positive behavior at Crocker!
Crosswalk Guidelines
As winter approaches please be mindful of crosswalk areas.
Per Ankeny city code, when drivers approach guarded crosswalks, "the driver of a vehicle shall bring such vehicle to a full stop at a point at least ten feet from the approach side of the crosswalk". However, we're often getting drivers sitting in our crosswalks. Not only does this obstruct the crosswalk when pedestrians need to cross, but it also blocks the line of sight for through-traffic to see our pedestrians/crossing guards and vice versa.
Thank you for your assistance in keeping everyone safe!
NOTES FROM NURSE JULIE MAILE
With the cold and flu season well under way, please make sure you are following district policies when your student is sick. Your student must be 24 hours fever free with no fever reducing medication before returning to school. If your student vomits, or has diarrhea, they need to be 24 hours past their last episode before returning to school.
If your student requires cough drops, please send them in the original package and have the student bring them to my office. I will pass them out to your child at appropriate intervals.
Please make sure your student is bringing a water bottle, and also consider sending in chapstick. Cold, dry weather means lots of kids are thirsty and have dry, cracked lips!
January is a great time to talk with your children about setting healthy goals for the year. Great New Year goals for kids are drinking more water, making healthy snack choices, and following a consistent bedtime routine. Healthy and well rested bodies are ready to learn at school and fight off whatever virus they come across
Author Visits 5th Grade
Volunteer Opportunity - Hearing Screenings
Hearing Screenings for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 5th grade will be given on:
Monday, January 22nd & 29th and Wednesday, January 31st
4 shifts are available each day and you can sign up for multiple shifts:
- 8:00-9:45
- 9:45-11:30
- 11:30-1:15
- 1:15-2:45
Thank you! We appreciate all our Crocker Volunteers!!
Crocker Giving Tree Project
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Giving Tree project this year! We have received many THANK YOUS from the families that you graciously supported this holiday season. The families and Crocker are very thankful for your generosity!
Counselor's Corner
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break! In classroom guidance, your student will do a lesson on goal setting and positive mindset to kick off the first cycle upon returning from winter break. We will finish our unit on emotion management and coping skills. Then in late January and into February, students will learn about problem solving strategies. Teaching problem solving skills reduces impulsive behaviors and improves social competence and friendships. The skills taught in this unit are designed to build students’ ability to handle interpersonal conflicts effectively. Students capable of calming down and solving their own problems are more successful in school and their interpersonal relationships.
The problem solving steps being taught:
S- Say the problem in a non-blaming way
T- Think of solutions that are safe and respectful.
E- Explore the consequences – positive and negative
P- Pick the best solution
Marisa Kennedy,
School Counselor
Crocker Spirit Night!
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 11th, for Crocker's Spirit Night at the Ankeny High School Basketball Games!
More details to come!
Annual Creative Expression in Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
"It starts with me. Developing a positive culture and climate through service and education."
More information on the competition and how to apply is available here.
AHS Cheerleading Kids Clinic Fundraiser
Would you like your child to learn and cheer with our AHS Cheerleaders at the halftime performance of our boys basketball team? Then sign your child up for our kids cheer clinic! They will have a practice with the cheerleaders 1/17 to learn the cheers and basic dance and will perform it at the game 1/19. Click this link to register!
Registration for 2024-2025
It is that time of year again! Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open on Friday, February 2nd at 8:00 am. Follow this link to the Ankeny Schools Registration page.
Who needs to complete enrollment? Everyone!
All existing families are required to complete the annual update for each student in their household using the Infinite Campus portal. This is also where existing families can add a child who is new to the district, such as incoming preschool or kindergarten students.
Preschool and Kindergarten families - don’t wait to register!
For your student to be placed in their home building, it’s crucial that you register as soon as possible. Waiting to register may result in your student being assigned to a different building. This is because some buildings fill up very quickly. Don’t wait!
Crocker Family Night
Save the Date for Crocker's Family Night Tuesday, February 6, 2024!
Students and families are invited to join in some fun games and activities while exploring the 7 Habits!
Kindergarten Information Night Coming Soon!
All elementary schools will host a kindergarten information night on Thursday, February 8 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for families who are considering enrolling their child for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Registration opens to all families on Friday, February 2. This meeting will provide an opportunity for families to learn more about kindergarten at their child's home building before registration opens. Parents will also turn in their child's kindergarten checklist, learn more about Kindergarten Jumpstart, and meet other families at the school. You can find more information about registering for Kindergarten on our website.
Please share this information with families that may not be aware of this meeting for a first time kindergarten student! Thank you!
Free & Reduced Lunch Information
Attendance Reminder
To enter an absence request in the parent portal please 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.
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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.
Colder Weather
- Coat
- Hat
- Mittens
- Snow Boots
- Snow Pants
When the temperature and/or wind chill is a 0 degrees or below, students will not go outside for recess.
Thank you!
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!
Helpful Information!
These Back to School tips, are helpful all year long!!
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
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