Newsletter, January/February 2012
A late welcome back to the 2nd semester of the 2011-2012 school year. As I predicted, the New Year got off to a running start and I do not expect it to slow down until May! The students seem to have grown taller over the winter break and also have also grown in terms of their maturity and readiness to learn. We are proud of the tremendous social and academic growth we are noticing among our students. Our future leaders will be ready!
We strive to maintain a healthy learning environment for our children and to ensure that they have adequate opportunities for physical activity and healthy food choices. We provide at least 20 minutes of semi-structured physical activity each day and an additional 60 minutes of structured PE each week for each child. Thank you for providing classroom snacks that meet the requirements for approved classroom snacks. Consider snacks that are nutrient dense, i.e. whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products. (A complete listing is posted on the Borton website). Please note that our NO CANDY policy applies, even on Valentine’s Day. Be creative in providing healthy (non-sugary) snacks for our classroom celebrations. Thanks.
Our PTA is busy planning the Spring fundraiser. Mark Friday, March 23rd on your calendar for the Borton Silent Auction, dinner and Family Movie night. Festivities begin as soon as it is dark. Details are forthcoming.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of you who donated to the Borton AZ Tax Credit Fund and encouraged friends and family to designate Borton as the recipient of their AZ Tax Credit Donation. Thanks to, Sue Ellen S, our tax credit coordinator; we reached our $35,000 goal. Tax Credit funds are used for field trips, afterschool activities, to provide activities for students during recess hours, and for fine arts. We are happy to accept payments in the office throughout the year, and you can also make monthly or quarterly payments on-line at https://tusdstats.tusd.k12.az.us/paweb/utility/taxcredit/school.aspx. Call us at 225-1000 — we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
The tortoise is coming, the tortoise is coming! The tortoise enclosure is complete and the next step is the fence that will surround the enclosure. Final steps include researching plants that will enable the tortoise to be self-sustaining, preparing the habitat, and finally bringing him or her home from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Our adoption ceremony will occur during our Earth Day Celebration Wednesday, April 20th. Save the date! If you are interested in volunteering in BELL, please contact me at katrina.smits@tusd1.org or Selena Zimmerman at szimmerman@prescott.edu.
The east parking lot gets very congested in the morning and I am concerned about safety. There is often a line waiting to pull in, I have seen children crossing the parking lot while cars are passing other cars dropping off students by the flagpole. Please consider using the west parent drop off gate on Euclid when dropping off your child in the morning and picking him/her up in the afternoon. This is a very safe alternative to the front parking lot. Mike Carpio monitors the gate in the morning from 7:40 - 8:20. He will make sure your little ones get into the building safely. Teachers wait for parents at the gate from 2:45 - 3:00. In addition, we have opened both gates in the west parking lot to improve traffic flow. Please enter through the south gate and exit through the north gate in the west parking lot. Our children’s safety is our utmost concern.
8:20 - 2:45 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8:20 - 1:45 Wednesdays. See the chart below for “Dates to Remember”.
Peace,
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