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Crocker Chronicles
December 2023
WELCOME TO THE CROCKER CHRONICLES
Crocker Cruisers Marathon Finishers!
Fall Crocker Cruisers wrapped up on November 16th! We are proud of everyone's efforts this fall, especially our teachers/staff for running and walking during their breaks!
Attached is a recap of Crocker Cruisers by class. Way to go 3rd and 4th grade for having the most marathon finishers!
Congratulations to our 2nd marathon finishers: Mrs. Danner-3rd teacher and two 4th Grade students in Mrs. James' class!
Crocker Cruisers will resume in the spring!!
Batman & Robin Visit Crocker!
Students enjoyed a visit from Batman & Robin, aka Mr. Hargens and Mr. Houser, celebrating their success in raising funds for the PTO Crocker Fun Run!! A big THANK YOU to everyone who made this event a success!
Terrace Elementary Classroom Addition
We have some exciting news for after Winter Break!! On Monday, January 8, 2024, Terrace Learning Center will be opening an additional classroom. This will be a great opportunity for your child to participate in new learning in preparation for the upcoming Kindergarten year.
When: Classes begin Monday, January 8, 2024
Registration Begins: Today! Simply follow this link. Completed applications will be timed stamped to determine eligibility.
Registration link: https://ankenyia.infinitecampus.org/campus/apps/olr/application/login/email-choose-year
How many students in a class:
Morning Session: 8:15 am-10:45 am - 10 spots available
Afternoon Session: 11:45 am - 2:15 pm - 10 spots available
Our preschool program is funded through the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Grant. Our program is free to families and available to students who meet these eligibility requirements:
Age: Children must be four years of age on or before September 15, 2023 of the current school year.
Children who qualify for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for Special Education services, with goals beyond speech only, are eligible at the date of their third birthday.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity, register today to guarantee your spot. We are looking forward to meeting our new Terrace students.
If you have any questions, please call the Terrace office, at 515-965-9670. We would be happy to help.
Sheila Schmidt
Principal
Terrace Learning Center
REMINDER - 3rd Grade Nutcracker Field Trip
On Thursday, December 7th, the 3rd grade students will have an opportunity to attend a shortened performance of The Nutcracker ballet presented by the Iowa Dance Theatre of Des Moines at the Des Moines Civic Center. This is an exciting opportunity for the students to experience this type of performance and practice audience etiquette in an authentic setting. 3rd grade students should plan to dress nicely that day as this is a special event.
The Field Trip Permission Form for students is available to complete on Infinite Campus. Please login into your parent portal to complete if you have not already done so.
Reach out to Ms. Peek for any questions!
Ms. Taylor Peek
Winter Dress Up Days
It's that time of year again for Crocker's Winter Dress Up Days starting December 18th!!!
See below the theme of the day!
Crocker Family Giving Tree Project - Update
THANK YOU to all our Crocker families who have picked an ornament from our Crocker Giving Tree to help support and bring JOY to others during this season! We still have a few ornaments on our tree if you are interested in participating in this school project.
Each ornament represents an item that a Crocker family has requested or needs. Please return these items with the ornament taped to the wrapped package by Monday, December 18th.
Please see attached Giving Tree Pdf below for more details or contact Nicole Ritland at nicole.ritland@ankenyschools.org or Lindsey VanZee at lindsey.vanzee@ankenyschools.org if you have questions.
NOTES FROM NURSE JULIE MAILE
Hearing Screening!
The AEA will screen the hearing of kindergarten, first, second and fifth grade students on January 22, 29, and 31st. If you do not wish to have your child's hearing screened, please contact julie.maile@ankenyschools.org. Thank you!
Childhood respiratory illnesses, including flu, RSV and Covid-19 are increasing in our area. Please help limit the spread of illness and keep your children home when they are sick. Please make sure to follow district policies. 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.
The Centers for Disease Control has designated December 4-8th National Influenza Vaccination Week, so if your family has not had their flu shots yet, now is a great time to get that scheduled. Children over 6 months old are eligible for flu vaccines and Covid-19 vaccines, so call your doctor and discuss whether vaccination is the right choice for your family. If your Crocker student has infant siblings, talk to your doctor about RSV vaccines for the babies in your home.
Please remind your students that the best ways to prevent illness are a healthy diet, good sleep, and good handwashing. Those things combined with staying home when ill will help keep our students and staff healthy!
Volunteer Opportunity - Hearing Screenings
If you would like to help with Hearing Screenings on January 22nd, 29th, or 31st, please login to your MyImpact page and look for the Hearing Screening Volunteer opportunity.
There are 4 shifts available each day:
- 8:00-9:45
- 9:45-11:30
- 11:30-1:15
- 1:15-2:45
Thank you! We appreciate all our Crocker Volunteers!!
Counselor's Corner
Classroom Guidance
Hello Families! Below are the skills being taught in classroom guidance in the months of November and December.
Unit Title: Self-Awareness: Emotion Management
Essential Question: What are strategies for responding to my strong feelings?
Content taught in this unit:
- Staying in control of my emotions and actions helps me get along better with others and be successful at school.
- When I feel strong feelings, it’s hard to think clearly.
- Calming down emotions that are getting out of control helps me think clearly so I can avoid negative consequences.
- I can name and use the calming down steps: Say stop, name my feeling, and calm down.
- I can name a few ways to calm down a strong feeling in any setting: deep breathing, positive self-talk, and counting.
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!
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!
Infinite Campus Student Forms - Reminder
Your Infinite Campus Parent Portal is now used for completing many different Student Forms, such as Field Trip Permissions, District Survey Notification/Consent, Student Handbook Acknowledgement, Covid instructions from the nurse, etc.
When a student form needs to be completed we will send an email message requesting you to complete the steps below:
- Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
- Look under Documents for the specific document for your student that needs to be completed.
- Click on the form to complete and answer questions. Select “Sign” to grant permission or “Decline” to disagree.
- Click on the blue SUBMIT button.
Free & Reduced Lunch Information
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!
Lifetouch Coupon
To ensure every family has the opportunity to remember this year's school memory, Lifetouch is offering 10% off you order. See information below for coupon code.
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF your order!
CODE: F202310OFF
EXPIRES: May 1, 2024
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
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
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.
Water Bottles
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.
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