February Kid Life 2015 by Denton Media Company

February 2015

February 2015 | Vol. 8, No. 5 Publisher: Bill Patterson The contents of this free publica tion are copyrighted by Denton Publishing Company, 2008, a sub sidiary of A.H. Belo Corp. (www. ahbelo.com, NYSE symbol: AHC) with all rights reserved. Reproduc tion or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Kid Life is published monthly by Denton Publishing Company, 314 E. Hickory St., Denton, TX 76201. E-mail: drc@dentonrc.com

On the cover:

E.P. Rayzor Elementary students Drew McLaughlin, Nick Wilson and Abigail Barker enjoy listening to E.P. Rayzor Young Author Winner Allie Wilson (cen ter) read her essay “What will Denton ISD look like in 2023?”

Table of Contents Head of the Class �� 3 Denton ISD Update �� 4-5 Artwork �� 6 Top of the List �� 7 Library Events �� 10 Lunchbox Bites �� 11 Kid Scoop �� 12

Courtesy photo/ Denton ISD

Scott K. Parks

Editor sparks@dentonrc.com 940-566-6879

Shawn Reneau

Advertising Manager sreneau@dentonrc.com 940-566-6843

Strive to make smart goals Counselor’s Column

Hello, Friend! Welcome to 2015! I hope you enjoyed your break and the cooler weather. I am so thankful that we have warm buildings where we can come and learn. I wanted to talk to you for a bit about resolutions and kindness. Resolutions are promises that many people make at the beginning of new things – like the New Year. Sometimes the promise is to help you improve or become better in some area. Other times, the promise is to stop doing something because it is moving you away from a dream that you have. Both kinds of resolutions are important. At school, we talk more about goals than resolutions. I think of goals as “dreams with plans.” Resolutions don’t really include plans. Good goals, smart goals, always include some planning. Here’s an example of a smart goal: Earn 100 percent on at least 3 spelling tests every month this spring. 1. Smart goals are specific. That way, you know exactly what you are going to do. I’m going to earn 90 percent on some of my spelling tests. 2. Smart goals are measurable. I know how many spelling tests I need to get 90 percent on (3)

and I know how many words I need to learn to get 90 percent (If you don’t know, share your goal with your teacher and has her how many words that would be). 3. Smart goals are attainable. If I’m getting 90 percent on my tests now, this is not a goal – I’m already doing it. I need to set my goal a little higher so that I will have to do some work, but I can get it done. 4. Smart goals are realistic. This goal is a good goal if I’m getting 75 percent on my spelling tests now. If I’m only getting 50 percent on my spelling tests now, my goal might be to get 70 percent on my spelling tests. It is important to set goals that are not too big. 5. Smart goals have a time limit. I will be working on this goal this spring. Hopefully, before the end of the semester, my spelling skills will be better and I will have to set a higher goal. Let’s switch topics here for just a bit and talk about kindness and friendship. Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, is celebrated in many (but not all) places around the world. In many places, it is celebrated as a day for sweethearts, but there are places in the world where the day is for everyone. It is a day to remember your friends. In Latin American countries, it is often called, “Día del Amor y la Amistad” (Day of Love

and Friendship). Since you are in elementary school and you are too young for a boyfriend or girlfriend, this is a day for you to remember those people who have been kind to you and those people who are your friends or people you want to become friends with. It is a day to let them know you appreciate their kindness to you. I have some questions for you to think about and talk over with the adults in your life and your friends: 1. What if every day of the year we remembered and thanked those who have been kind to us? 2. What if every day we did something kind for at least one other person? 3. Is this something that we might be able to set as a goal? For example, I will help at least one friend every day during 2015. (Wow! Do the math! At the end of the year, that would be at least 365 kind things that I have done!) Or, every day in 2015, I will say “thank you” to at least 2 people who help me. Don’t just think about it – write your goal down and then get started. Keep track of how you are doing so you can see your progress. I’ve got to go write mine down! Your friend, Mrs. Shelton

Head of the Class 3

February 2015

Amy Murray is 2014 Jostens McNair Teacher of the Year Amy Murray has been a teacher for 14 years, with the past eight of those spent teaching fifth-graders in Denton ISD at McNair Elementary. Mrs. Murray began her teaching career with Lewisville ISD in 2000, when she taught third grade. In 2002, she transitioned to teaching fifth-grade math and science; she moved to Denton ISD in 2007 and began teaching the same subjects. Since 2010, she has focused on teaching fifth-grade math at McNair. Prior to beginning her career as a teacher, Mrs. Murray earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in 2000. In her first year of teaching out of college, Mrs. Murray was named a top-three finalist for Lewisville ISD’s First Year Teacher of the Year award. Mrs. Murray has held several leadership roles in teaching, including being a team leader, the science fair co-coordinator, and organizer of the fifth-grade outdoor education event to Pine Cove at McNair. Additionally, she was the science fair coordinator and UIL coordinator at Hebron Valley Elementary in Lewisville ISD. Her teaching philosophy: What makes my day is when I hear a student tell another student, “Is it really time to go? I was really having fun in math today. This statement sums up my ultimate goal, which is for math to be educational and fun.

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Whitney Gohlke is Jostens Nelson Teacher of the Year Whitney Gohlke has been a teacher in Denton ISD for 16 years, and it’s also the only school district she’s ever taught in beyond her student teaching in college Mrs. Gohlke has been at Nelson Elementary as a Reading Recovery teacher and interventionist since 2012, and before that she’s worked in the district’s curriculum department as well as Ginnings Elementary and Hodge Elementary. She taught a variety of grade levels at her former schools, going all the way from first grade to fifth grade. In addition to her professional experience, Mrs. Gohlke has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Texas Woman’s University, with her master’s specializing in elementary reading. After she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1988, Mrs. Gohlke began teaching first grade at Hodge later that year. Mrs. Gohlke has been an active member in her community, volunteering at her church and being involved at special events and in the PTA for Hodge Elementary, Ginnings Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Strickland Middle School and Ryan High School. Her teaching philosophy: Helping students reach their goals is my mission. It is my goal to make each child happy in their journey from high-fives to hugs! Keeping students headed in the right direction with attitude and support is a must.

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Adopt-A-School honors contest winners

February 2015

Cynthia Guima and Fatimas Avelar of Rivera Elementary, winners of Denton ISD’s Adopt-A-School Essay Contest, sign copies of a book including their work that will be on display in elementary campus libraries across Denton ISD.

Denton Independent School District’s Adopt-A-School program hosted two events honoring its young authors and artists for their involvement in the recent AAS Art and Essay Contest. Fourth- and fifth-grade students were challenged to create essays and artwork for the contest regarding this year’s topic, “What will Denton ISD look like by the time I graduate?” Up to three winners were selected in both categories – art and essay – from both grade levels at each Denton ISD school. Additionally, at least six students were

chosen from each grade level as district winners. The district hosted a Young Authors Night on Jan. 14 to honor all first-place winners in the essay portion, while a Young Artists Night was hosted Jan. 21 for winners of the art portion. Winning students were previously surprised with trophies by district administrators and AAS sponsors at their campuses in December with trophies for their accomplishments. As a result of their accomplishments, each campus champion also received a certificate and book including the work

of every art and essay winner. That book will also be found in all Denton ISD elementary school libraries, and businesses that sponsor the Adopt-ASchool program will also receive the books. The winners and top three students for each campus can be seen below. Fourth-grade district art winners: The fourth grade district art winners were: Haemin Kwon, first place, Houston Elementary; Jair Santos Guillermo, second place, Ginnings Elementary; Purvi Weerasinghe, third place, McNair Elementary;

Sydney Wall, fourth place, Blanton Elementary; Kara Sprabary, fifth place, Stephens Elementary; Christian Rodriguez, most innovative idea, Hodge Elementary. Fifth-grade district art winners: The fifth grade district art winners were: Allison Lander, first place, Adkins Elementary; Dayani Valencia, second place, Evers Park Elementary; Bryan Soto, third place, Ginnings Elementary; Zachary Anderson, See WINNERS on Page 5

From Page 4 WINNERS fourth place, Providence Elementary; Gabrielle Fabela, fifth place, Cross Oaks Elementary. Fourth-grade school art winners: • Adkins: Kate Duncan, first place; Jack Krebs, second place; Garrett Hunt, third place. • Blanton: Sydney Wall, first place; Moriah Offner, second place; Jackson Gilkey, third place. • Borman: Marcos Trejo, first place; Carlos Rojas, second place; Eleanor Davis, third place. • Cross Oaks: Nicholas Sturgell, first place; Daxton Jones, second place; Travis Harland, third place. • E.P. Rayzor: Ellie Lowery, first place; Alivia Christensen, second place; Jude Bourque, third place. • Evers Park: Kaitlyn Jones, first place; J.D. Franco, second place; Omar Gonzalez, third place. • Ginnings: Jair Santos Guillermo, first place; Gavino Torres, second place; Jonathan Strange, third place. • Hawk: Landry Sololosky, first place; Mason Prickett, second place; Kiwi Lynas, third place. • Hodge: Christian Rodriguez, first place; Jessica Vo, second place; Francisco Gonzales, third place. • Houston: Haemin Kwon, first place; Nicole Cygan, second place. • Lee: Dany Monsivais, first place; Lessly Marroquin, second place; Marlene Nunez, third place. • McNair: Purvi Weerasinghe, first place; Hailey Hurd, second place; Andrew Galindo, third place. • Paloma Creek: Mandy Manh, first place; Alexis Pineda, second place; Nikolas Hagan, third place. • Providence: Camden Bradford, first place; Melissa McGriff, second place; Torie Sevier, third place. • Rivera: Melanie Wences, first place; Gavin Coward, second place; Bella Salazar, third place. • Savannah: Ethan Roach, first place; Hannah Petty, second place; Sophia Esparza, third place. • Stephens: Kara Sprabary, first place; Grace Braswell, second place; Noelle Sipherd, third place. Fifth-grade school art winners: • Adkins: Allison Lander, first place; Carson Rosckes, second place; Braedyn Cunningham, third place. • Blanton: Addie Allen, first place; Kate McIntosh, second place; Emma Martin, third place. • Borman: Emilia White, first place; Crystal Garrett, second place; Anthony Vargas, third place. • Cross Oaks: Gabrielle Fabela, first place; Ravyn Barnes, second place; Autumn Vance, third place.

• E.P. Rayzor: Avery Perry, first place; Julia Quigley, second place; Thetu Mwaniki, third place. • Evers Park: Dayani Valencia, first place; Tatiana Pacheco, second place; Gerardo Zamarron, third place. • Ginnings: Bryan Soto, first place; Gabriela Sanchez, second place; Esmeralda Caballero, third place. • Hawk: Madalyn Gray, first place; Reece Alley, second place; Ah-young Kim, third place. • Hodge: Isabel Elaine Moya, first place; Haleigh Steinmetz, second place; Brayden Ashby, third place. • Houston: Gia Suo-Anttila, first place; Yasar Labib, second place; Vivien Ayers, third place. • Lee: Nicholas Sanchez, first place; Jhnovanny Rangel, second place; Jacky Rodriguez, third place. • Paloma Creek: Anissah Grant, first place; Trevor Davis, second place; Ellen Contreras, third place. • Providence: Zachary Anderson, first place; Caitlin Vessel, second place; Sydney Hammond, third place. • Rivera: Erick Lopez, first place; Jorden Bunch, second place; Hannah Williams, third place. • Savannah: Abby Vick, first place; Caroline Paget, second place; Brooklyn Hoyt, third place. • Stephens: Connor Bays, first place; Mia Matthew, second place; Yumin Huang, third place. Fourth-grade district essay winners: The fourth grade district essay winners were: Kelsey Head, first place, Pecan Creek Elementary; Robert Jones, second place, Nelson Elementary; Carsyn Goin, third place, Stephens Elementary; Alivia Christensen, fourth place, E.P. Rayzor Elementary; Lillian Bedore, fifth place, Cross Oaks Elementary; Maddie Chambliss, sixth place, Evers Park Elementary. Fourth-grade district bilingual essay winners: The fourth grade district bilingual essay winners were: Vanessa Prado, first place, Lee Elementary; Diego Malagon, second place, Borman Elementary; Fatimas Avelar, third place, Rivera Elementary; Emiliano Aldrete, fourth place, W.S. Ryan Elementary. Fifth-grade district essay winners: The fifth grade district essay winners were: Jackson Williams, first place (tie), Adkins Elementary; Adelle Anderson, first place (tie), Paloma Creek Elementary; Emma Lutz, second place, Savannah Elementary; Aaliyah Saucedo, third place, Lee Elementary; Alison Cevallos, fourth place, Blanton Elementary; Aidan Jaramillo, fifth place, McNair Elementary; Kiley Rojas, sixth place, Providence Elementary.

Fifth-grade district bilingual essay winners: The fifth grade district bilingual essay winners were: Carolyn DeLeon, first place, Lee Elementary; Julieta Lomeli, second place, Borman Elementary. Fourth-grade school essay winners: • Adkins: Andrew Ogilvie, first place; Brenna Stell, second place; Kate Duncan, third place • Borman: Daylin Kirschner, first place; Jessy Moeder, second place; Elisa Malagon, third place; Diego Malagon, bilingual first place; Allison DeLeon, bilingual second place; Elias Melchor, bilingual third place. • Cross Oaks: Lillian Bedore, first place; Owen Morris, second place; Ainsley Eiffert, third place. • E.P. Rayzor: Alivia Christensen, first place; Aubrie Benton, second place; Hannah Sydow, third place. • Evers Park: Maddie Chambliss, first place; Ivy Ta, second place; Jeremy Serrano, third place. • Ginnings: Kerani Hernandez, first place; Jair Santos Guillermo, second place; Jonathan Strange, third place. • Hawk: A.J. Knowles, first place; Kyndal Stower, second place; Brad Pruett, third place. • Hodge: Wyatt Athey, first place; Jessica Vo, second place; Kyaisha Milton, third place. • Houston: Jolin Feng, first place; Rhea Pookulangara, second place; Sarah Wood, third place. • Lee: Aaliyah Palomares, first place; Sapphire Kren, second place; Kaley Bonilla, third place; Vanessa Prado, bilingual first place; Lessly Marroquin, bilingual second place; Jacqueline Noriega, bilingual third place. • McNair: Lane Allen, first place; Purvi Weerasinghe, second place; Audrey Lee, third place. • Nelson: Robert Jones, first place; Katie Stengal, second place; Mandalyn Greene, third place. • Paloma Creek: Andrew Larsen, first place; Griffin Curtis, second place; Blake Ladell, third place. • Pecan Creek: Kelsey Head, first place; Maddy Mabray, second place; Jesse Pancoast, third place. • Providence: Nick Farley, first place; Anthony Brooks, second place; J.D. Fife, third place. • Rivera: Cynthia Guima, first place; Matthew Carter, second place; Fatimas Avelar, bilingual first place; Andy Hernandez, bilingual second place. • Stephens: Carsyn Goin, first place; Jack Santage, second place; Charlie Depew, third place. • W.S. Ryan: Kelly Revels, first place; Maddee Young, second place; Elliott Jones, third place; Emiliano Aldrete, bilingual first place; Maritza Carmona,

bilingual second place; Alexis Campos, bilingual third place. • Wilson: Jackson Menzi, first place; Jorgia Hollebeke, second place; Taylor Wallace, third place. Fifth-grade school essay winners: • Adkins: Jackson Williams, first place; Kaylee Schmidt, second place; Isabella Rohilik, third place. • Blanton: Alison Cevallos, first place; Riley Chapple, second place; Piper Cummings, third place. • Borman: Caitlyn Moores, first place; Adrian Rodriguez, second place; Kaylan Cardona, third place; Julieta Lomeli, bilingual first place; Evelyn Delgado, bilingual second place; Raudel Morales, bilingual third place. • Cross Oaks: Alana Rucker, first place; Lillian Kalmbach, second place; Lawson Herger, third place. • E.P. Rayzor: Allie Wilson, first place; Ria Patel, second place; Bailey Guilford, third place. • Evers Park: Angeles Orta, first place; Pieper Martin, second place; Grace Reese, third place. • Ginnings: Dailyn Hipilito, first place; Reid Layton, second place; Natalya Mercier, third place. • Hawk: Kendall Knott, first place; Lauren McGrew, second place; Mallory Guilstorf, third place. • Hodge: Savannah Stacey-Stokes, first place; Isabel Moya, second place; Rafael Gonzalez, third place. • Lee: Aaliyah Saucedo, first place; Eddie Buzzard, second place; Miya Portillo, third place; Carolyn DeLoeon, bilingual first place; Jorge Ramirez, bilingual second place; Xavier Saucedo, bilingual third place. • McNair: Aidan Jaramillo, first place; Jayce Biondo, second place; Ariana Rosales, third place. • Nelson: Chimka Okere, first place; Jonathan Mendes, second place; Cesar Jimenez, third place. • Paloma Creek: Adelle Anderson, first place; McKenna Martino, second place; Imani Taylor, third place. • Pecan Creek: Isabella Kissenger, first place; Ryleigh Metting, second place; Lauren Vannatta, third place. • Providence: Kiley Rojas, first place; Sam Vader, second place; Caitlin Vessel, third place. • Rivera: Aaliyah Breedlove, first place; Aaliyah Kunkie, second place; Diane Williams third place. • Savannah: Emma Lutz, first place; Ashley Vaughn, second place. • Stephens: Jacy Jofferber, first place; Jake Simpson, second place; Kirk Abbey, third place. • W.S. Ryan: Jennifer Elizondo, first place. • Wilson: Lexi Duhon, first place; Travis Harris, second place; Emalee Reece, third place.

February 2015

Artistic Endeavors Second-grade students in Lindsey Garrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art class at Houston Elementary recently studied landscapes and the concept of patriotism as inspiration for chalk pastel art, while Mrs. Garrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth-graders recently observed nature up close and captured various perspectives of flowers for watercolor paintings. Seen clockwise from top left is artwork from Nathan Dorrance (fourth grade), Aklesia Assefa (fourth grade), Brady Fleitman (second grade) and Lily Petros (second grade).

Top of the List 7

February 2015

Here are the top holiday picks from Grace Smart, library assistant at Emily Fowler Central Library. Books: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier, 2011 Sixteen-year-old Gwyneth discovers that she, rather than her well-prepared cousin, carries a time-travel gene, and soon she is journeying with Gideon, who shares the gift, through historical London trying to discover whom they can trust. 330 pages, ages 12 and up Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle, 2013 In this wordless book with interactive flaps, a friendship develops between a girl named Flora and a graceful flamingo, as they learn to dance together. Ages 3-6 Fairest of all by Sarah Mlynowski, 2012 After moving to a new house, ten year-old Abby and her Younger brother Jonah discover an antique mirror that transports them into Snow White fairy tale. 169 pages, ages 9-12 Maple by Lori Nichols, 2014 A nature-loving little girl’s favorite playmate is her maple tree, until the day she’s surprised with a baby sister. Ages 3-5 Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlan, 2014 While in North Dakota helping her Aunt Frankie prepare for a possible flood, Lucy finds her voice as a poet with the help of her two-year-old brother Teddy, the rest of their family, and a few cows. 108 pages, ages 7 and up Movies: From Up on Poppy Hill (2012) In the year 1963 in Yokohama, an innocent romance blossoms between two high school students, Umi and Shun. As Japan recovers from World War II and prepares to host the 1964 Olympics, the mood contains both optimism and conflict as the younger generation struggles to escape the shackles of the past. While trying to save a dilapidated Meiji-era club house from demolition, the relationship flourishes. But a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart. Rated PG The Book Thief (2013) Although Liesel is illiterate when she is adopted by a German couple, her adoptive father encourages her to learn to read. Ultimately, the power of words helps Liesel and Max, a Jew hiding in the family’s home, escape from the events unfolding around them. Rated PG-13 The Lego Movie (2014) Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. Rated PG Sofia the First: Ready to be a Princess (2013) Becoming royalty overnight is every girl’s dream, and Sofia is eager to prove she can be a true princess. Visit an enchanted circus, meet a pet dragon, and soar through desert skies with Sofia and Amber on a magic carpet ride! But when their high-flying adventure veers off course, it’s special guest Princess Jasmine to the rescue with inspiring advice about trying new things and staying strong. Rated TV Y Ernest and Celestine (2014) Deep below snowy, cobblestone streets, tucked away in networks of winding subterranean tunnels, lives a civilization of hardworking mice, terrified of the bears who live above ground. Unlike her fellow mice, Celestine is an artist and a dreamer, and when she nearly ends up as breakfast for ursine troubadour Ernest, the two form an unlikely bond. Not Rated

February 2015

‘Robot leg’ doesn’t stop former Paloma Creek student

February 2015

Navo Middle School seventh-grader Luke Johnson speaks to students at Paloma Creek Elementary, his former school, about how he’s adjusted to life well after getting a prosthetic leg following an amputation. When Paloma Creek Elementary students first saw Navo Middle School seventh-grader Luke Johnson’s prosthetic right leg, they called it a “robot leg.” After they saw him in action on a basketball court, they saw it wasn’t all that different from their own legs. Luke, a former Paloma Creek student, was born with a defect that hobbled his right leg. Initially, doctors believed the defect would correct itself, but an accident changed that prognosis. Luke required a leg brace to walk and eventually had to make a decision on whether to have part of his leg amputated. Around the same time, Luke met Scott Odom of amputee basketball team Amp1 during a student assembly at school. Mr. Odom, a friend of a Paloma Creek teacher, connected with Luke after that meeting and the two formed a friendship. That friendship, and Mr. Odom’s guidance, helped Luke make his decision. “The doctors said my leg would heal on its own, but one day I fell and that changed,” Luke said. “Years later, I was faced with a tough decision of either going through a major surgery or amputation. I feel like I made the best decision for myself thanks to Scott – I’m healthy now.” The summer before he entered fifth grade, Luke’s leg was amputated and he had to relearn how to walk and run with a prosthetic leg. His artificial limb took

some getting used to, Luke said, but he’s now more active than ever and plans to try out for the Navo basketball team. Mr. Odom, who fought a battle with bone cancer that resulted in the amputation of his right leg, said he just wanted to “let Luke know how things can be without a leg” and left the decision to him. Having dealt with cancer at the age of 14, Mr. Odom said he had an idea what Luke was going through. “A lot of people told me I wouldn’t be able to play stand-up basketball again, but I’m proof that if you stick with it, you can do anything,” he said. Luke said Mr. Odom’s advice helped him make a difficult decision, but one that’s made him much happier, adding that he hopes to pay it forward one day. “I’d like to do for someone else what Scott did for me,” Luke said. “I can show someone that it’s not a scary thing and you can be just as successful without a leg.” Luke and Mr. Odom showed Paloma Creek students just how active they are, playing a game of basketball at the school’s gym during a recent event. Paloma Creek third-grader Derrick Covalt said the event taught him that people missing a limb are just as capable as those with all their limbs. “It was really cool,” he said. “Even without two legs, they were really good at basketball.”

Scott Odom of amputee basketball team Amp1 talks to Paloma Creek students about how he’s remained active in life following a leg amputation as a result of bone cancer.

February 2015

Star Students from Adkins, Providence schools Name: Sandy Dayrin Suarez Nickname: I don’t have a nickname. Community/school activities: I am in the Aviator Choir. I also joined the Running Club at Adkins this year. School/grade: Dorothy P. Adkins Elementary, fifth grade Family: I have a brother, his name is Christopher, and my mom, her name is Sandra. My Dad is Jaime, and my other dad is Carlos. My hobbies are: I like to draw pictures and characters from movies like Big Hero 6. My favorite school subjects are: art & math When I finish school I plan to: I want to be an Art teacher. The best movie I’ve ever seen is: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island I wish I knew how to: Draw people’s faces. I’m so sick of: I don’t like vacations. I like school! My worst habit is: Playing video games. My favorite restaurant is: Margaritas in Justin – it’s my family’s restaurant. My hero is: My mom because she is always there when I need her. She works for me and my brother and she keeps us safe. My dad is my hero too!

Name: Anurag Rajkumar Dore Nickname: Anurag Community/school activities: Orchestra School/grade:Providence Elementary, fifth grade Family: Twin brother, Anupam; my Mom, Sumita, my Dad, Raj My hobbies are: Taking photos My favorite school subjects are: P.E., math, history Two people I’d most like to meet are: Don Knotts and Bob Denver What music I’ve been listening to recently: Pentatonix When I finish school I plan to: Be a lawyer The best book I ever read was: The Geronimo Stilton Series The last movie I saw: PK (A Hindu movie) I wish I knew how to: Knit I’m so sick of: Long conversations My worst habit is: Biting my nails My favorite restaurant is: Bruno’s Italian Restaurant and Church’s Chicken My hero is: Bob Denver

Library events scheduled for February Recite Pi Contest Rehearsal Practice reciting Pi with our resident Pi expert. Learn memory techniques and use computer applications to practice for the Pi recitation contest, which will take place during the Pi Day of the Century celebration in March. For all ages. 4 p.m. Fridays 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 at North Branch Library Super Kids Book Club Do you love chapter books like the Magic Tree House? Join this book club and participate in activities that celebrate some of your favorite chapter book series and authors. Ages 6-10. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday 2/11 at Emily Fowler Library

LEGO Builders Club Drop in and get creative by building with the library’s LEGOs. All LEGOs provided by the library (please don’t bring your own). Ages 6 and older. 4:30 p.m. Friday 2/13 at Emily Fowler Library Animal Hunts at the Library! Author Deborah Johnston will lead us on an imaginary journey as we read and learn about animals. Best for ages 5-9. 3:30 p.m. Tuesday 2/17 at South Branch Library

3:30 p.m. Thursday 2/5 at South Branch Library Sweet Valentine: Hearts and Chocolates Make heart-shaped collages, molded chocolate candies, and Valentine cards for your sweetheart. Registration required. Ages 5-12. 4:30 p.m. Friday 2/6 at Emily Fowler Library Chocolate Factory Make chocolate creations and play M&M Bingo. Best for ages 5-8. 3:30 p.m. Thursday 2/12 at

South Branch Library The Worm Underground Learn about the world of worms and create a worm painting. Best for ages 5-8. 3:30 p.m. Thursday 2/19 at South Branch Library Family Block Party Spend the afternoon creating and building with different kinds of blocks. We will provide the blocks, including Legos, Duplos, bristle blocks and more. For all ages. 1-4 p.m. Saturday 2/21 at North Branch Library

Art Adventures Do you like to explore with art? Create your own artwork with tissue paper collage inspired by Eric Carle, author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Ages 6-11. Registration required. 4:30 p.m. Thursday 2/26 at Emily Fowler Library

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Dancing with Degas Explore the world of Edgar Degas and create a chalk masterpiece. Best for ages 5-8.

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Buzzing Bees Buzz your way through the hive and examine the world of bees. Best for ages 5-8. 3:30 p.m. Thursday 2/26 at South Branch Library

940.387.2939 J3

Lunchbox Bites

Make grilled romaine with cheddar croutons Makes 6 Servings Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 5 min Ingredients • 1 22-ounce package of plain jumbo croutons • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) white cheddar cheese, shredded • 6 tablespoons of low-fait Italian dressing • 6 tablespoons of whole berry cranberry sauce • 3 each romaine lettuce hearts (washed, trimmed, halved) • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil • 6 tablespoons of shredded Romano cheese Instructions To prepare croutons: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Place croutons on a baking sheet; top with shredded cheddar cheese. 3. Bake croutons of 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. To prepare dressing: 1. In a small bowl, combine Italian dressing and cranberry sauce; whisk together until combined. To prepare salad: 1. Cut romaine hearts in half; drizzle each half with 1 1/2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. 2. In a large sauté pan or on a charcoal grill, sear romaine hearts on cut side over high heat for 10 to 15 seconds or until lightly charred. 3. Top one half romaine heart with 2 tablespoons of dressing, 1 tablespoon of Romano cheese and 8 cheese croutons. Nutritional Facts • Calories: 250 • Total Fat: 13 g • Saturated Fat: 5 g • Cholesterol: 25 mg • Sodium: 470 mg • Protein: 10 g • Carbohydrates: 24 g • Dietary Fiber: 4 g • Calcium: 25% DV -Recipe courtesy of 3-Every-Day, the National Dairy Council

February 2015

HEARING PROBLEMS? If your child has failed their hearing screening at school or is having difficulty listening to or hearing the teacher, Denton Hearing Health Care can be your first point of contact to conduct a diagnostic hearing test and central auditory processing screening. For children with chronic middle ear problems, swimmers ear, or P.E. tubes, we can make colorful custom made earplugs to prevent water from entering the ear canal. These are floatable and can be used when swimming or bathing and may also be used for sound protection as well. Dr. Judith Caudle and Dr. Chris Caudle have served the children in Denton County and the surrounding areas for over 25 years.

940-387-0550

www.dentonhearing.com

2540 Lillian Miller

Ste 100 Denton, Texas

February 2015

Because she worked on the docks, Annie wore men’s clothing most of the time. But she always wore her pearls. She added one pearl every time she whipped a man in a fight. Add the numbers on each string of pearls below to learn more about the amazing Annie Christmas legend. Length (in feet) of Annie’s pearl necklace:

= Paul Bunyon isn’t the only giant in American legends. Old-timers along the Mississippi River tell of a giant of a woman – Annie Christmas. The stories say she worked on the river docks near the French Quarter in New Orleans and she was fearless – especially when it came to dealing with bullies who hung out on the docks. When you see blank line in the story below, a word is missing. Select one of the words in Annie’s barrel for each blank until the story makes sense.

Help Annie find the two matching barrels.

Standards Link: Visual discrimination.

Longshoreman n. A dock worker who loads and unloads ships. Keelboat n. A large flat-bottomed river boat used to carry freight.

For longshoremen along the Mississippi River, it was the highest compliment to be called “as strong as Annie Christmas.” Legends say that Annie could carry a barrel of flour under each arm and another balanced on her head. Once she towed a keelboat from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and never got out of breath. Use the map to calculate how many miles or kilometers she towed her keelboat. Standards Link: History: Students understand variouscultures drawing from folklore. A2

Occasionally, Annie liked to get all dressed up. Once, she put on a red satin ____ and red feather plumes in her hair and took a trip on a ___________ called the Natchez Belle. The captain of that boat was as stubborn as he was mean. When the _________ turned bad, he decided to take a shortcut through a channel that cut across a bend in the ________________ River. Annie knew the river like the back of her hand and she knew that the cutoff was full of snags and sandbars that could _____ the big paddle wheeler. But the stubborn captain wouldn’t listen. When the boat hit a sandbar, Annie loaded passengers on her keelboat and fought the current back to the main river. Behind her the Natchez Belle was broken up and _________ by the muddy, swirling river water. The _______________ hugged Annie, thanking her for saving their lives. They say Annie’s face turned as red as her dress. Standards Link: Literary Response: Students comprehend basic plots of folk tales.

Baton Rouge 25 20

45 45

25 52

= miles

New Orleans

= kilometers

Glue a newspaper photo onto a piece of paper. Then draw a picture of what might happen next. Pass the two pictures to a friend and have him/her draw a picture of what might happen after your picture. Standards Link: Writing Applications: Students use pre-writing strategies to organize and focus narratives.

Annie’s weight (in pounds):

Annie’s height (in inches):

= Standards Links: Number Sense: Students compute sum to 250.

ANNIE CHRISTMAS KEELBOAT LEGENDS RIVER FEARLESS DRESS PEARLS DOCKS TOWED STRING SINK TALE DRAW BEND

Find the words in the puzzle, then in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities. A G T I S S A N T S T W O O K I L F A S

G A A C W E N M O S

N R O P G E T K B E

I D R E S S D W L L

R O N A I R I V E R

T D M R A N N A E A S V H L B E N D K E

N C N S E E L A T F

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognizing identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Exaggerate the News

Exaggeration makes legends like Annie Christmas entertaining. Look through today’s newspaper for a story that offers an idea for a legendary tale. Rewrite the story, greatly exaggerating the details.

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Students write narratives that provide a context to enable the reader to imagine the experience.

Woman I Admire

Write about a woman you admire. Include reasons why you chose this woman. A2