News from Chandler Elementary School

Pre-K has been busy getting ready for Christmas. We are still working on writing our names and getting along with others. We are learning our letters and how to count to ten. We encourage you to read to your child over the break. We will be having our Christmas party on Friday, December 21st. We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Kindergarten: This is one of our favorite times of year and the kindergarten students are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus and his reindeer. We have all been very good this year. During our writing time each day we have been writing a Christmas wish list. We made reindeer food for the reindeer to eat while Santa is bringing our Christmas presents; the reindeer get very tired and hungry on the long journey. We have made many ornaments for our Christmas trees and gifts for our families. We are counting down the days until Santa's arrival. We are having our school Christmas party on Friday morning at 9 a.m. Our mothers are providing lots of yummy breakfast foods and treats for this special day. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!

First Grade: I wish I may, I wish I might ... Christmas is just around the corner! Classroom trees have been decorated, students have been shopping at the PTO Christmas Store and First Graders have been busy making their Christmas wishes by writing to Santa, imagining what he will deliver to their homes on Christmas Day! What an exciting time of year this is!

Parents, please remember to let your children read to you as well as you to them over the Christmas holidays! Don't forget to read those favorite Christmas stories with them. Reading is so important over the holidays. Some students will have grades fall because of not reading for such a long time. We encourage your child to practice writing. One way they can do this is by writing thank you notes for the gifts they have received. First grade teachers hope you and your family have a safe and Merry Christmas! See you next year!

Second Grade: Chandler Second Graders studied Christmas `Round the World' The teachers taught the countries of Mexico, Italy and Holland. As well as learning about how Christmas is celebrated in each country, the children got to taste food from the countries. While studying Mexico, the children made a lantern and pinata and had nachos. In Holland, the children made a wooden shoe and ate cookies. In Italy, the children made individual pizzas. The children were then tested on what they learned about each country. Great fun was had by all.

Third Grade: December is such a wonderful month, especially at school! Our third graders have been very busy with their normal classwork, but also we have been working on several other seasonal activities. We are doing a "Christmas Around the World" unit in Social Studies in which we learn about the various customs and traditions that other countries have when celebrating Christmas. The countries that we will be studying are Mexico, France, Holland, Denmark, Finland, and the United States. After studying each country, the students will be making something to represent that particular country. The kids are having so much fun!

The third graders will have their Christmas parties at 9:00 on Friday, December 21st and will be allowed to leave after their party is through, if needed. Parents and family members are always invited -- the more the merrier!

As we know, this is a season for giving to others and Chandler Elementary school is holding a canned food drive for the needy and will accept any donations of non-perishable food items. Each class that collects at least 50 items will get an extra recess.

The third grade teachers would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas! Also, we would like to thank all the parents in advance for helping make the Christmas parties special for our students.

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Happy Holidays! Our character word for the six weeks is `Caring.' Caring is being kind to others, forgiving others, helping people in need and saying thank you. Caring is very important this time of year. Let's remember to help those in need for the holidays and to thank everyone that does something nice for us.

Students will be recognized for perfect attendance and no tardies throughout the year. Be sure to be at school on time every day. We now have a warning bell that rings at 7:55 and the tardy bell will ring at 8:00. Make sure you are in your class at 8:00! Students who had perfect attendance with no tardies for the first semester will be recognized in January with a special breakfast. Students will be rewarded again in May for perfect attendance for the second semester, so try to be at school every day. Remember, if you are sick we want you to stay home and get well. All students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

We are collecting Box Tops again this year. Tape 10 box tops on the box top page and send it in. We will draw names for prizes at the end of the month.

Happy Birthday! Student birthdays are acknowledged in the office. Come by the office and pick up your Birthday Ribbon on your special day. Our Staff birthdays for the month of December are Mrs. McKeever, Mrs. Hopson, and Mrs. North. I need to make a correction from last month. I want to say Happy Birthday to Mrs. Seale whose birthday was in November.

On December 11 the second graders put on a Christmas program, "Candy Cane Lane." They did an outstanding job. Thank you to Mrs. Hughes and the teachers for all your hard work.

We want to say thank you to our parents and community. We had a food drive to help God's Open Hands. Our school collected over 1,500 food items. Thank you for all your help and support.

The following students participated in UIL events: Shelby Hines, Andrew Bersano, Ruby Gutierrez, Emma McCoy, Jenny Burch, Karley Loftis, Chloe Bertrand, Rebecca McGough, Madison Harmon, Addison Jay, Luis Altamirano, Alexis Minick, Trace Crocker, Lauren Porter, Kaci McLarry, and Zachary Walker. You worked hard and did a great job.

Upcoming events: Dec. 21, Classroom Christmas parties; Early Release; No School Dec. 24-Jan. 4, January 7th, Back to School.

We hope you enjoyed reading the news from Chandler Elementary. If you need additional information about the news, please call the school at 903-849-3400. CES loves our school, parents, teachers, students, volunteers, and community.

PTO News: PTO had their annual Christmas store on Dec. 11th and 12th. This fundraiser allowed students to purchase small items from $.50 to $3.00 for their families and friends. PTO also sold Christmas cards that were made by the students. In October the PTO sponsored the Fall Festival. The final count is in. PTO raised over $6,000. Thank you to all who supported the PTO and their events. The next PTO meeting will be January 8, 2008. Perry Eaton, BISD Parent Involvement Coordinator, will be at the meeting to talk about parent involvement. We hope to see you there. Have a safe and happy holiday.