December 2012 Newsletter by Linda Baumstarck

December 2012 Sunset Newsletter 

What’s Happening This Month at Sunset . . .

December 2012 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

PTA Meeting 3:30 pm

Sunset 4 & 5 Grade Choir Perform @ 6:30

12 th

Sunset 4 Grade and Honor Choir Perform @ banks

Nutcracker Field Trip Grades 1,3,5 8:30-10:45 am

Early Dismissal for Winter Break 11:45 am

Winter Break

Dec 24-Jan 7

PTA Meeting Calendar 2012/2013 School Year The PTA meetings will be held the first Monday of every month. We are alternating between after school and evening meetings. Please mark your calendars so you can attend! Monday, December 3rd @ 3:30

Monday, January 14th @ 6:00

Monday, February 4th @ 3:30

Monday, March 4th @ 6:00

Monday, April 8th @ 3:30

Monday, May 6th @ 6:00

A Message from Our Sunset Principal – Brenda Farmer Dear Families: Conscious Discipline Power and Skill Number THREE is on tap for this month and I feel it is very appropriate. Appropriate, because parents will have two whole weeks with their children and what a time of year for Power and Skill Number 3. Power of Attention and Skill of Assertiveness So the Power of Attention states that what you focus on, you get more of. I call this a Duh moment, but even though it is basic we overlook it. If we want good behavior we focus on it by telling the child how well they are doing and how much we appreciate it. When we focus on the poor behavior we are guaranteeing to get more of it. WHY is that? I think it’s simple. I think we all want to be seen and we all want the attention of our parents (spouses, friends, etc.). Some tips concerning the Power of Attention o Be CLEAR and DIRECT in telling the child what to do o Model it in an Assertive voice tone o Children do not have the “picture talk” in their heads so you must make the image for them. o The conflict never ends till we tell the person what we want and how to do it. When in conflict we, as the adults, must learn to PIVOT (do an about face). We need to get ourselves under control first – THEN and only THEN can we focus on what we want and what we don’t want. Concerning the Skill of Assertiveness (saying NO and being heard)  Assertive Communication equals respect and gets to the goal of clear communication.  Aggressive Communication aims to win by overpowering, not clarifying.  Passive Communication gives away your power. This month listen to the tone of your voice when you are interacting with your child. Is it passive, aggressive, or assertive? Learn to be assertive and have a firm NO. Also consider asking your child if he is telling or tattling. This helps immensely with the fussing and fighting. So, we have learned all about Composure and realizing we are in control of ourselves, along with building Unity in our families by seeing, noticing, describing and not judging behavior. Now we know we must give the child the Attention he/she is demanding and be Assertive with our instructions and our No’s. Thanks everyone for the opportunity to partner with you and have a fabulous December. Mrs. Farmer

PTA News! Box Tops for Education Souper Bowl Start gearing up for our January event of Box Tops for Education Souper Bowl. If you haven’t started already, please begin collecting the Box Tops for Education labels to help raise funds for our school! Box Tops for Education has helped America’s schools earn over $475 million since 1996. You can earn cash for your child’s school by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products. Look for the label below: More information will be coming in the January Newsletter.

Sunset School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) President — Rebecca Merritt Vice President — Lisa McDonald Secretary — Chrystal Rippeto Treasurer — Marcie Barton Sunset PTA E-mail Address: sunsetptacodywy@gmail.com Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions, comments, suggestions and ideas! “Like” us on Facebook at Sunset Elementary School PTA

A message from PARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #6

Parents: If you need to leave a message in the Sunset Office for your student in regards to pick up instructions for afterschool, please plan to call by 2:30PM. We are receiving a large volume of messages for students and we are glad to deliver them, but need sufficient time to get them to students. Parents calling with messages for students after 3:00PM, we would like to inform you that we do not have sufficient time to get these messages too students. If you have any questions, please call the office at Sunset School 587-4279.

Classroom News! Want to see what is happening in your child’s classroom? Please visit the Sunset Teacher Sites by typing in the following link: http://www.park6.org/classroompages.cfm?location=736&school=736 Kindergarten We will be doing Christmas activities, writing holiday cards to those in assisted living and writing letters to our president to celebrate National Handwriting Day. Ms. Holly Baker will be coming in December 14th. Our students are beginning to decode and write CVC words. Sunset Kindergarten Team

First Grade First Graders are working hard to improve their reading skills. They are involving themselves in the Book-it Challenge, which rewards them with an individual pizza if they read all month long. Math is “Shaping Up” in a “Timely Manner.” Our focus in math this trimester is Shapes and Telling Time. Students are also completing units of Science either in Air and Weather or Balance and Motion. Up and coming we will be attending the Nutcracker performance on December 14th and also have our monthly visit from our local Children’s Librarian, Holly Baker. Thank you parents for being involved and helping your child grow! Sunset 1st Grade Team

Student Council Officers President – Mason Merager Vice President – Nicolas Talich Secretary – Emily Cole Treasurer – Sage Crofts Everyone did an outstanding job! Congratulations!

Sunset will be releasing the students early on Friday, December 21st, at 11:45 am for Winter Break. There will be No School on Monday, December 24th, through Monday, January 7th. Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 8th. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Helping Sunset Students Excel in Reading!! One simple way to keep your child healthy, increase their chance of getting into college, and improve their reading…

!!Ban the Bedroom TV!! Below are some facts about children having a TV in their bedroom, or simply watching too much TV. Children with bedroom TVs:

         

Score significantly and consistently lower on math, reading and language-arts tests Are more likely to have sleep problems Are more likely to be overweight Children with bedroom TVs have a higher risk for smoking Spend less time reading Are more likely to be violent when problems occur May have problems focusing Are less able to use imagination Experience reading difficulties linked to watching TV They tend to eat more high caloric/low nutrition snacks

Other electronic gadgets such as gaming devices, cell phones, and computers have similar impacts on the growth and development of today’s kids. Studies show that children today are not sleeping as much as previous generations with two-thirds not getting the recommended hours of sleep per night. A good night’s sleep has been linked to better academic outcomes, fewer mood disorders, and other positive health outcomes. (Fung2012) References: TV, Devices in Kids’ Bedrooms Linked to Poor Sleep, Obesity (sciencedaily.com) A one-Eyed Invader in the Bedroom (nytimes.com) TV & Children: Television, Health and Development (Washington.edu) TV in child’s room may hinder learning (msnbc.msn.com)

Parents, Christmas is fast approaching, and with it so are the classroom parties! If you plan on bringing any treats to your child's class this month, please check with your child's teacher to see if there are any students with food allergies in class. Thanks for your cooperation, and Happy Holidays!!! Windy Smith, RN School Nurse Eastside & Sunset Elementary Schools

Twas One Crazy Night Before the Holiday Dec. 4th - 6:30 pm @ Wynona Thompson Sunset Elementary 4th and 5th Grades proudly present "Twas One Crazy Night Before the Holidays". This music program presentation will be December 4th at the Wynona Thompson Auditorium at 6:30PM. If you have questions please call Sunset School at 587-4279.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Sunset-4th Grade Choir Performs at Wells Fargo @ 9:30 am Sunset Honor Choir Performs at Bighorn Bank Open House @ 12:00 pm

Food Drive At Sunset School - Support Cody Cupboard Please help fight hunger and support the Cody Cupboard by bringing your non-perishable and canned goods to Sunset School. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget paper products! Send items with your students or stop by yourself and place them in our holiday corner. The food drive begins Monday, November 26, and the last day to bring canned goods will be Friday, December 14th. Thank you for helping with this very important and worthwhile cause.

Riley Arena Public Skate Schedule Yellowstone Quake Home Games Friday, Nov 23 - Thursday, Nov 29 Start Time: 7:30 pm Catch all the action at the Victor J. Riley Arena (1400 Heart Mountain St.). For a complete season schedule, visit their website. http://yellowstonequake.pointstreaksites.c om/view/yellowstonequake

Paul Stock Aquatics and Recreation Center • DEC 1 - New Session of Aquatic & Fitness Classes Begins • DEC 4 & 6 - First Aid/CPR/AED Preregistration required; 5:30 to 9:30 PM • DEC 7 - Holiday Senior Brunch (60 Years & Older) 10:30 AM; Free! • DEC 12 - WY Health Fairs Blood Drive Hallway; 7 to 10 AM • DEC 14 - CHS Boys Swim Meet vs. Sheridan & Lander 4 PM; Pools closed to the public • DEC 15 - FREE DAY! • DEC 17 to 20 - Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Pinnacle Bank; Judging 12/20 at 10 AM • DEC 18 - Learn to Scuba Pool, 6:30 to 8:30 PM • DEC 19 - Holiday Hurrah (2 to 5 Year Olds) Wet Classroom & Pool; 3 to 4:30 PM • DEC 21 - Water Float Day Pools; 1 to 3 PM • DEC 24 - Christmas Eve Facility Open 8 AM to 3 PM • DEC 25 - Christmas Day Facility Closed!

For a schedule please go to the following website: http://www.rileyarena.com/schedule.html Pricing Public Skate Prices: $6 for 12 and over; $4 under 12. Group Rates - 11 to 20 skaters = $5 per person 12 and over; $3 under 12 21 or more skaters = $5 per person 12 and over; $2 under 12 Skate Rentals: $3 per session Stick & Puck: $7 Adult Drop-in Hockey: $10 Broomball: $7 Open Figure Skating: $7

Rocky Mountain Dance Theater's ''The Nutcracker'' 2012 Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 4:00 PM Wynona Thompson Auditorium Tickets: Adults - $20 Children (over 8) and Seniors - $17

Park County Library

Santa Claus is Coming to the Cody Library!

In the Children’s Library: Mondays: Toddler Time 10:00-10:20 am, for ages 12-36 months with parent or caregiver. Short stories, music, movement, and finger plays develop a comfort in the library. Tuesdays and Wednesdays – Story Time, 10:00-10:45 am for ages 3-6. Stories are based on a theme each week, accompanied by games, songs, and crafts promote early literacy. Sleepy Time Stories the first Monday evening of each month from 6:30-7:30 pm. Kids may come in pajamas, bring a stuffed animal or pillow and enjoy stories and snacks.

Monday evening, December 3 from 6:30-7:30, Santa Claus himself will be joining our Christmas Sleepy Time Stories! He and his elf will have free books for good boys and girls, plus will be happy to pose for pictures…so bring your camera. This is an extra-special time for the whole family, including hot chocolate and Christmas cookies! We are expecting a large turnout, so it will be held in Grizzly Hall. Get into the Christmas spirit with us!

For more information, call the Children’s

Read to a Dog every Tuesday afternoon from

Library at 527-1884 or email librarian

3:45-4:45 pm.

Holly Baker, hbaker@parkcountylibrary.org

This is wonderful oral reading

practice

opportunity,

Certified

therapy

plus

dogs

are

just

plain

fun.

non-judgmental

listeners, and this program is proven to help

or visit www.parkcountylibrary.org/kids/. Follow

codykidsread

Twitter

and

Facebook.

fluency. Call, email or stop by to sign up for a 15 minute session. For a complete calendar please go to this website:

The library will be closed for Christmas Monday, December 24th and Tuesday December 25th!

http://parkcountylibrary.org/wpcontent/uploads/2009/03/December-20121.pdf

Sleeping Giant Ski Area is now open! The ski bus will begin shuttling skiers/snowboarders to the mountain. The bus departs the Cody McDonald’s at 8 am. Additional pickups at the Chamber and Wapiti School. Cost is $8 per rider or get your $70 season pass and save!