In Pre-K we are learning about arctic animals and all about snow. We have been waddling around like a penguin with a paper egg on our feet, and we have found it is hard to be a penguin and get anywhere very fast. If you try it, remember you have no hands! It's hard in Chandler, Texas' climate to predict an activity revolving around real snow, so we just tried one out. We tested ice cubes to see which would melt faster: ice on a plate, ice you breathe hot air on, ice covered with salt, ice you hold tight in your hand, ice you stick under your shirt against your tummy, or ice that is covered with tap water. Well, it was a cold test on our tummys but our ice melted the fastest covered with tap water. If you haven't ever tried this, you should. This was only a little test to see how cold the arctic weather just might be. And, it was really fun; at least most of us liked it.

We hope your holidays were as wonderful and fulfilling as all of ours were. Now we are back here together and enjoying each other. See Ya Soon! Mrs. Kiker and Mrs. Tullos

Kindergarten has been excited to start back after the Christmas break. We have been learning about winter. We have made snowmen and talked about the polar animals like seals, polar bears, walruses and penguins. We are very excited to get to our 100th day of school and all the activities that we have for that day on February 2nd. We cannot believe it is almost here. This school year has flown by so fast.

First Grade has been studying about Martin Luther King and the Presidential Inauguration. Our students are becoming more fluent in their reading. Parents, please continue to read with them every night for 20 to 30 minutes.

We are going to start a money unit. Have your child count your change and identify each coin. We are looking forward to the 100th day of school and Ground Hog Day. Our program will be February 10th. Come and see how patriotic we are. First grade is in charge of selling the Valentine key chains. Buy your favorite Valentine a key chain for only $1.00.

Second Graders are continuing to develop their reading skills and working on fluency. Second graders should be able to read 90 words a minute by the end of the year. We encourage you to read to your child every day. We have been studying about the weather. We are looking forward to the hundredth day of school on February 2nd.; we have some great activities planned.

Third Graders have been working really hard on our TAKS skills! We have taken several reading benchmarks to see how we are improving and most of us have made some improvements. We have also started our after-school tutorials. In December, we studied about Christmas in several countries and then compared their customs to our own. Some of the countries were Mexico, Denmark, France, and Holland. Keep studying your multiplication facts, reading your story, and studying your spelling words at home every night.

-----

Our character word for the month is `Responsibility. ' Responsibility is following the rules, doing class work and homework and keeping up with your belongings.

Students will be recognized for perfect attendance and no tardies throughout the year. Be sure to be at school on time every day. A warning bell will ring at 7:55 and the tardy bell will ring at 8:00. Make sure you are in your class at 8:00! This month we reward all the students who had perfect attendance for the first semester with a special breakfast with Mrs. McCoy and Mrs. Smith. We had 65 students that qualified for the breakfast. Congratulations to those students.

We are collecting Box Tops again this year. Send 10 box tops in an envelope with your child's name on it. We will draw names for prizes.

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 January are Mrs. McCoy, Mr. Roberson, Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. West.

Students are trying to win a free ticket to Six Flags by reading for 6 hours. Reading forms are due by February 18th.

Upcoming events: February 2nd, 100th day of school; February 10th, PTO meeting at 6:30 and 1st grade program at 7:00; February 12th - Valentine parties; February 27th, TAKS; Pep Rally at 2:00;

March 3rd, TAKS Reading test for 3rd grade.

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.

We had a PTO meeting on January 20th. Bill and Star gave an excellent presentation on being involved with your child's education. Bill stressed the points of being consistent, setting expectations, teaching responsibility and the importance of communication. Bill stated that it is important to remember that all children are different. They learn and do things differently, so we have to teach them in different ways. Focus on your child's strengths and they too can be a star!