B arfield Gaz ette e t t e z a G d l e i f r Ba February 2015 Our students will achieve academically & socially in order to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. From the Principal’s Pen B arfield E lem entary Sc hool Barfield Elementary School Judy Goodwin, Principal Chris Lafferty, Asst. Principal Inside this issue: Counselors’ Corner 2 Attendance, PTO Post 2 February Calendar 3 “Can-Do” 3 Library Corner 3 ESL Café 3 More Recycling 4 Nurse: Antibiotics 4 Feb. 16th: Presidents’ Day _ No School! Technology has become such a big part of our lives that we wonder how we ever did without it and panic when our devices aren’t working well. While I depend every day on my computer and iPhone, I wanted to share with you some concerns that relate to technology use and the potential impact that technology may have on our children. Being a parent I know how hard it is to be all things to all people and get everyone in the family where they’re supposed to be. Sometimes we become so busy with the “stuff” we have to do that we fail to notice what our kids are doing—especially when they are using electronic devices, particularly the computer and devices with internet and texting features. Recently someone sent me some very shocking information about various phone apps that pose potential, serious risks for your children. Among the apps said to pose the most risk are the following: Whisper, YikiYak, Kik, Snapchat, Vine, ChatRoulette, Omegle, Tinder, and Poof. One of the biggest concerns of these apps is the ability of strangers to connect with your child without your knowledge and pinpoint where the child is! I hope that you will research the advantages and disadvantages of these apps and take any action that you believe is appropriate for your child. Food for Thought: While waiting recently in a doctor’s office I was saddened by what I observed of a young mother with her child who was about kindergarten age. As they waited for their appointment, for the entire time, the mother gazed at her iPhone watching an entertainment talk show despite the many overtures that the little girl made to talk to her mother and engage her. The child was completely ignored for approximately 25 minutes. This was a lost opportunity for everything to slow down and for this young mother to have a conversation with her daughter or to read to her. Instead, the message was sent by the mother’s disregard for the child that she’d rather spend her time watching something on her phone than talking to her daughter. We are all busy, rely so much on our electronic devices for various purposes, AND want some time for ourselves; but I urge you to PUT DOWN THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES and spend quality time with your children. You will be so glad that you did! How do YOU want to be remembered by your child? Stay warm! -- ]âwç ZÉÉwã|Ç Inclement Weather Line: 904-3883 Please remember that after dismissal, students may not return to the classroom to retrieve left behind items unless the teacher is present in the classroom and gives permission for the child to return. Custodians are not permitted to unlock classroom doors for students or parents. Page 2 COUNSELORS’ CORNER Mrs. Marylyn Caperton – Extension 4 [email protected] Ms. JoAnn Graves–Extension 5 [email protected] Barfield Gazette For your convenience, you can send me an email that I can print to use as their excuse note. My email is [email protected]. Thanks for your cooperation and have a Winter of wellness :) Lori Duke, Attendance __________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Congratulations to Mrs. Angela Mikolon who has been voted by her peers as Barfield Elementary School's Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Mikolon teaches our Comprehensive Development Class (CDC/K - 2). Special recognition also goes to Mr. Jason Simmons, our Music teacher, who received the 2nd highest number of votes by his peers. Both of these educators are representative of the highly effective teachers in our school. PTO Post ____________________________________ Parents, Winter is here and with it comes an increase in cold and flu cases. There has been an increase in truancy letters since the break, and I just wanted to remind you to ALWAYS SEND IN A NOTE when your child returns from being absent. The note MUST HAVE A VALID REASON to excuse your child's absence. For a list of valid reasons, please refer to your Student handbook (page 50) or inside your child's agenda. Rutherford County allows for 10 days to be excused with a parent written note (again, it must be valid reason). If your child sees a doctor, always send in the doctor excuse, as this will help save your parent notes. Once your child reaches the 5th UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, you will receive an attendance letter, so please make sure you send those notes in. Barfield families, I hope that you all enjoyed your holidays and your children are ready to finish out the next half of their school year! Just a quick update on upcoming items: The next PTO meeting with 2nd grade Fine Arts and Curriculum Fair is February 10th. Our next skate night is February 17th. The change of days for skate night appears to be more advantageous for us and we hope that the new day works for most of you, as well. PTO is currently providing funding for the Twig Carolina science website prescription and two new security cameras needed for different areas that had been missed in the school. If you ever have any questions or need information, please do not hesitate to contact the board at [email protected]. Thanks, Erin Hamilton, PTO President Our students will achieve academically & socially in order to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. February Calendar 4 Progress Reports go home 5 Recycle cans - “Can-Do” 10 5:30 - 2nd grade Curriculum Fair 6:30 - PTO Meeting / 2nd grade emphasis 17 Barfield Skate Night @ Skate Center West 16 Presidents’ Day - No School! Page 3 Library Corner - Read Every Day Barfield students love to read, and it shows. Here is a review by a fifth-grade student, Marell, of a new title that has recently been added to the library collection: “Wendy Mass has a wonderful imagination, and I can’t believe how spot-on and realistic she made the main character, Mia Winchell, seem! “A Mango-Shaped Space” is one of my favorite books because I feel like I can reach out right to Mia. I hove how the author described Mia’s synesthesia perfectly, like how a real person would feel if they had synesthesia. I love the part when the family all cries and comes together for one little cat. This book is humorous and heartwarming at the same time, and I love it!” The book reviewed here sounds like one I will want to read personally, based on this sizzling recommendation by Marlee! Students can be on the lookout for hundreds of new books on all levels that will be added to our bookshelves over the next few weeks, thanks to your fabulous support of our Fall Scholastic Book Fair! ESL Café “Can-Do” Thanks for helping Kindergarten with our recycling project. The top Can-do collectors for Dec and Jan were: Emma in Mrs. Myers’ class with 459 and Zachary in Mrs. Lane’s class with 252 cans!!!! Please remember to drop off cans in a well-tied trash bag outside the Kindergarten playground on the morning of Thursday, February 5th. In January, we learned a lot about the polar habitats. Barfield ESL and Hobgood ESL kids and families participated in a Family Writing Night on January 28. We wrote about a family memory and shared our stories. In February, we will be taking the WIDA ACCESS test, which is like the TCAP for ESL students. Calling all recyclers! Please send me your new or gently used kids' meal toys for use in my treasure box. I am in room A07. Thanks! Sunita Watson, Barfield ESL Teacher Sc hool B arfield E lem entary Barfield Elementary School 350 Veterans Parkway Murfreesboro, TN 37128 350 Veterans Parkway Murfreesboro, TN 37128 Phone: 904-3810 Phone: Hours:904-3810 8:15-3:15 Hours: 8:15-3:15 Office Hours: Office Hours: M-F M-F 7:30 a.m.-4:00 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. p.m. "Learning for Life" "Learning for Life" We’re on the Web! www.bar.rcs.k12.tn.us/ Recycle, Barfield! The 2nd Grade team invites you to send in Box Tops for Education! You can send Box Tops to your student’s homeroom teacher. ___________________________________________ Ms. Robin Saupe’ recycles metal tabs from cans by sending them to the Ronald McDonald House. Please send can tabs to her room, D16. _____________________________________________________ Send old ink cartridges and cell phones to Mary Guimbellot for recycling so that Barfield can earn dollars toward new technology! Mary Guimbellot, STS ______________________________________________ Antibiotic Resistance Antibiotics have been used for more than 70 years to treat infections caused by bacteria. Misuse of these medications has led to a problem known as antibiotic resistance. Simply put, some bacteria have become resistant to the positive effects of antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are more difficult to treat and become more contagious to those around you. Antibiotics are designed to fight bacteria, not viruses. The common cold, most coughs, many types of sore throat, and the flu are all caused by viruses. A viral illness cannot be treated with an antibiotic. In fact, taking an antibiotic with a viral infection can cause harmful side effects and contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. To help combat antibiotic resistance it is important to take antibiotics only when clinically necessary and to take them exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Many people stop taking antibiotics when they start feeling better. It takes a full course (usually 7-10 days) to kill all the bacteria causing your infection. Stopping an antibiotic early can result in the illness returning. The bacteria left behind also become resistant to the medication you have been taking and will require a stronger medication the next time. It is also important that you don't skip any doses; antibiotics are most effective when taken regularly. Do not save antibiotics. Medication is prescribed specifically for a particular infection. For example, the medication you took last year for a skin infection will not help the cough you have now. Taking leftover medication causes a delay in the treatment you need and can cause the infection to worsen. Never take antibiotics that have been prescribed for someone else. That medication may not be appropriate for your particular illness and may not be the right dosage for your age and/or weight. When you're not feeling well, seek the help and guidance of your healthcare provider! Jessica Floyd, RN, BSN Barfield Elementary School Nurse 893-5815, x 22521