The Panther Pride
Chaires School Newsletter for the week of August 23, 2002


PRINCIPAL’S PAWSE
We’re off to a wonderful start!  A big “thank you” to all of the parents
who attended Orientation and helped your children get prepared for the
first day of school. It really made the children more confident when they
arrived on Monday morning.
I was so pleased to see the children so focused and ready to learn!
 We will need your help this year, with an earlier start time, to be
sure that children get to school on time.  If you drive your child to
school, you will need to drop them off in the back of the school by the
time the first bell rings at 7:25.  If you arrive after 7:25, please plan
to come in the front office and sign your child in.  This will help us keep
accurate attendance records for your child.
 In addition, we want to stress how important it is for your child
to be in class all day . . . from start to finish!  We have begun a school-
wide policy of no early checkout after 1:30 p.m.  If your child has a
doctor or dentist appointment, please plan to pick him/her up prior to
1:30.  After 1:30, your child will not be called out of class unless there
is an emergency.  We appreciate your help in having your child present for
the entire instructional day.
 If you should have any questions, comments or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact me by phone at 878-8534 or email at
[log in to unmask]


CHILD LURES SCHOOL PROGRAM COMING TO CHAIRES IN SEPTEMBER!
 During September and October, first and second grade students will
be trained in the Child LURES program.  Leon County Sheriff’s deputies will
teach this program during P.E. class time.  Our children will learn how NOT
to become victims of crime.  (Prior to an act of violence, most predators
employ the ultimate tool:  a "Lure" or combination of Lures.  The purpose
of these Lures is to neutralize natural survival instincts, effectively
shutting down one's "personal alarm system" - those gut instincts that are
basic to the safety of all human life.)
  The Child Lures School Program improves self-reliance,
raises self-esteem and helps students master personal safety skills - all
while assuring them that most adults are kind, safe and committed to their
well-being.  Since parental involvement helps ensure the program's success,
active participation is encouraged.
  Children will bring home a Parent Guide when they begin the
program.  Learning the facts in the guide, together with your child, is an
important step to being involved.
  To find out more about the Child Lures School Program,
please plan to attend Family Safety Night at Chaires Elementary School on
Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria.


MRS. OLK'S CORNER
We are off to a great start for the 2002-2003 School Year!  Parents and
students, you all did a wonderful job getting us started off on the right
foot.
    Once again, the lunchroom will be selling a la carte items such as ice
cream and juice drinks.  We are going to require that only students who
have purchased a school lunch or brought their lunch that day be allowed to
purchase these items.  We do not want any students substituting these items
for a lunch.
    During the next few weeks as you become more familiar with your child's
classroom and expectations, please feel free to call me at the school or e-
mail me at [log in to unmask] if you have questions
regarding any curriculum issues.
    Thanks for all you have done to make sure that your child has a great
beginning of the year!


CLINIC NEEDS
The clinic is in need of donations of cake mix, canned frosting, sprinkles,
and cupcake liners to be used for cupcake classroom awards in our new
Safety Award and Empty Cot Award programs.  Please drop off any donations
in the clinic.


Site Based Decision Making Council Needs Parent Representative
Chaires is a Site school.  This means that a representative body of
teachers, staff and parents make decisions regarding school-wide policies
and procedures.  The Site team meets on the second and fifth Thursdays of
each month at 2:15 in the Media Center.  If you are interested in serving
as the parent representative, please contact Christi Lewis by calling 878-
8534 or emailing at [log in to unmask]  Your input is
valuable when it comes to making school-wide decisions!


School & District Advisory Council Representatives Needed
We are also in need of parents willing to serve on the SAC or DAC
councils.  SAC is the School Advisory Council.  SAC oversees the
implementation of the School Improvement Plan and Site Council.  SAC meets
on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 in the Media Center.  (Please
check the master calendar for specific dates as some date changes occur due
to holidays.)
The District Advisory Council takes input from school representatives on
district-wide issues.  The DAC meets on the first Thursday of each month at
7:00 p.m. at the Aquilina Howell Center on Pensacola Street.  If you are
interested in serving on either the SAC or DAC, please contact Ms. Lewis!

Remember to visit the school calendar on the web!  Join the list serve for
updates via email.


UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for these upcoming events!
Please note that the items with a + indicate that we will be seeking parent
volunteers to assist us.  If you are able to assist, please contact the
front office by calling 878-8534.
August 26 Grade Level Student Expectations Assemblies
  August Faculty/Staff Recognition/Appreciation
August 27 Bookmobile 4:30-7:30
  Leon County Mobile Health Unit at Community Park 1:30-3:30
August 30 Spirit Day (wear purple & gold or Chaires T-shirt)
September 2 Labor Day Holiday – School Closed
September 3 August Golden Spoon Awards for Lunchroom Behavior
September 5 District Advisory Council Meeting 7:00 p.m., Howell Ctr.
September 6 Spirit Day
                6:30-8:30 Skate Night (Skate World, Capital Circle)
September 9 6pm – Kindergarten Parent Meeting
  7 pm – 2nd grade Parent Meeting
September 10 Bookmobile 4:30-7:30
                6pm – 1st grade Parent Meeting
  7pm – 4th grade Parent Meeting
September 12 2:15 SITE Meeting
+September 13 Fundraiser Due Date
  Spirit Day
September 16 5:30 p.m. School Advisory Council Meeting, Media Ctr.
September 17 5:30 – PTO Meeting
  6pm – 5th grade Parent Meeting
  7 pm- 3rd grade Parent Meeting
September 18 Progress Alerts go home
September 20 Spirit Day
+September 24 Bookmobile 4:30-7:30
  Leon County Mobile Health Unit at Park 1:30-3:30
September 27 Spirit Day
September 30 September Faculty/Staff Recognition/Appreciation
October 1 September Golden Spoon Awards/Lunchroom Behavior
6:30-8:30, Skate Night
P October 2  Fall Photographs
 October 3  DAC, Howell Ctr. 7pm
P October 4  Spirit Day (Ms. Lewis’s birthday)
6pm Dinner
    6:30 Family Movie Night
 October 7  SAC Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Media Ctr.
 October 8  Bookmobile 4:30-7:30
 October 11  Spirit Day
 October 14  American Red Cross Fire House (grades K-3)
 October 15  American Red Cross Fire House (grade K-3)
5:30 PTO Meeting & FAMILY SAFETY NIGHT
  P October 16  Health Screenings
P October 17  Field Day
    End of first nine week grading period
 October 18  Teacher Inservice Day – no school for
students


GOOD NEWS FROM CHAIRES
Special thanks to the generosity of the community members who donated
school supplies for needy children!  The K-Mc Sports Foundation donated
backpacks filled with school supplies for ten students!  Thank you for
helping us all to start the school year off on the right foot!


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