PRINCIPAL’S PAWS
I would like to welcome Ms. Fannie Hope, our new Assistant Principal.  Ms.
Hope comes to us from Ft. Braden where she has been for the past 10 years.
She has already "hit the ground running" this week and is already getting
to know all of the teachers and students.  It was so nice to see students
introducing themselves, shaking Ms. Hope's hand, and welcoming her into the
Chaires family!
We had a great PTO meeting this week.  Parents, expect to be getting calls
and notes from your class parent on how you can help to make our Spring
Festival a huge success.  We have plans to expand our festival this year to
include live music from local middle school, high school, and college bands
as well as crafters and our Silent Auction.  We'll need YOUR help to make
this a success.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, feel free
to call or email me.

MS. HOPE’S CORNER
Many thanks to the Chaires faculty, staff and community for the warm
reception that I received.  Any change, for whatever the reason, brings
with it a certain amount of anxiety.  But I can truthfully say that all of
you, individually and as a group, have made me feel welcomed and at home.
I look forward to being a part of the Chaires family and contributing to
the success of the school.  My short time here has convinced me that this
is the best, or one of the best schools in the district.  I consider it a
privilege to be here.
As each day passes and I become more acclimated, if I can be of assistance
in any way, please do not hesitate to call, e-mail or come by.  Working
together, we contribute to the overall success of the school...and I look
forward to working with all of you.

FEFP STUDENT RIDERSHIP CARDS
Students are coming home with a green FEFP Ridership Card. Students need to
give this card to their bus driver anytime during the weeks of 1/26 – 2/6.
Even if your child does not normally ride the bus, we encourage them to
ride at least once during this 2-week period as it brings in funds to the
transportation dept.

CHILDREN’S DAY
The Museum of Florida History is hosting Children’s Day on Saturday,
January 31, 2004 from 11:00am to 4:00pm.  There will be many hands-on
crafts, games, activities and special performances by FSU Flying Circus,
Young Actors Theater and many more.  Admission is free.  The Museum is
located in the R.A. Gray Building, at the corner of Pensacola & Bronough
Streets.

MVP DISCOUNT CARD FUNDRAISER
Get out and sell those cards. The MVP cards sell for $10.00 each & we would
like each student to sell a minimum of 5.  For every 5 cards sold, the
student will get to select a toy from the prize bag.  For every 10 cards
sold, you will get to choose from the prize bag and win a game from Fun
Station.  Top selling boy and girl will win a bicycle and top selling class
will win a pizza party with cookie dessert.  SELL, SELL, SELL! Final
collection date for the prizes will be February 6th, 2004.  Cards will be
available for sale all year long.

ATTENTION PARENTS
A staff member has found a Black Leather jacket in the back of our school.
It was found on Thursday, January 15th after the awards assemblies were
held.  Contact the office if you think it might be yours.

WINNING VOLUNTEER
Congratulations to Volunteer Willie Williams.  Mr. Williams’ name was drawn
for the free Publix Chicken Dinner at Tuesday evenings’ PTO meeting.  For
each 10 hours of volunteer time, names are entered in the PTO monthly
drawing.  Mr. Williams works in all three Pre-K classrooms everyday.  He
fosters developmental play in the classroom and on the playground, giving
extra attention to those children with special needs.  Each day, he cleans
up the sensory room, and all 3 classrooms, including wiping tables and
sweeping floors.  Both the children and teachers love him.  He is an
integral part of our program and Pre-K is truly blessed to have such a
special person on our team.  Mr. Williams has donated over 350 hours this
year alone to Chaires. Thanks so much for all your hours of services.

SHAMROCK SCURRY
On Saturday, March 13th, The Children of Ireland Group, a local non-profit
organization dedicated to helping at-risk children in Ireland, will be
sponsoring the Shamrock Scurry 5K race, staging at Celebration Baptist
Church in Killearn.  The 5K race will be preceded at 8:30am by a “1 mile
Fun Run” for children 12 and under.  There will be awards going to the
first and second place child for the race, PLUS, awards for the best Irish
dressed boy and girl!  In addition to area runners, we will also be joined
by Irish Olympian, Ms. Breda Denehy-Willis, who competed in the 2000
Olympic Games and 2001 World Games in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter running
events!  I know she will be very happy to meet the children after she runs
her 5K race, sign autographs, and chat with them!  For more information
contact J. Terry Ryan at 562-6466 ext. 3307 or www.childrenofireland.us.

YEARBOOKS ON SALE
The cost is $15.00. Please make checks payable to Chaires Elementary.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for these upcoming events!
January 27 Cub Scout Pack #25 Meeting, 6:15-8:00, Cafeteria
January 30 MVP Discount Card Fundraiser Due by 12:00 noon
February 3 Skate Night at Skate World on Capital Circle NE, 6:30-8:30
February 4 Progress Alerts go home
February 9 School Advisory Council Meeting, 5:30 Media Center
February 12 Black History Chorus Program, Cafeteria 8:00 & 9:15
February 17 PTO Meeting, 5:30 Media Center
February 20 Spring Individual Photographs (prepaid)
February 24  First Grade Program, Cafeteria, 8:00 & 9:15
  Cub Scout Pack #25 Meeting, 6:15-8:00, Cafeteria
Bus Information
If your child rides the bus and the bus has not arrived within 10 minutes
of the assigned pick up time, please call the Connor Compound at 922-6701.
Here is a list of our busses and their numbers: ORANGE-642, BROWN-643, BLUE-
631, GREEN-3019, PURPLE-688, RED-649, PINK-2013

Good News At Chaires
Spirit Stick Award
Congratulations to the following most “Spirited” classes for the week of
January 16th, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Padgett, Mrs. Shaner, Mrs. DeRouin and Mrs.
Toner.  These classes had the most students in their grade level wearing
purple and gold.

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