February 2013

Doors are decorated ... hats are donned ... books are checked out and ready for Dr. Seuss week at Santaquin Elementary!  Students and faculty kicked off our week of celebrations with a rousing game of Seuss Jeopardy!  Hat day ... crazy sock/slipper day ... mismatched clothes/crazy hair day ... wear green day ... and pajama day were just a few of the fun things that happened this week.  On Friday students finished out the week with guest readers in their classrooms and a whole-school read-a-thon!

On February 21st, the Sixth Grade Teachers at Santaquin Elementary were pleased to present their first annual “Love of Learning” Parent Night.  This was a special night for parents and students to fall in love with 6th grade curriculum and learn great ways to help their child at home!

Why come?  After coming, parents went home with great tools to use with their child, including websites and hands-on materials for at-home use!  But wait – there was more!

A raffle of prizes was held at the end of our evening together!  Parents and students alike agreed that you did not want to miss this great opportunity!  Everyone loved it!  We were so pleased to see so many of you there!  Thank you for your support of our learning!

Selected student's chosen for their outstanding reading efforts last month were rewarded with a cookie decorating celebration with Mr. Argyle on Wednesday, February 20th.  Students enjoyed frosting and decorating their own cookies, after which came the best part ... eating them!  As they left, each student got to choose a book to take home!  We love reading at Santaquin!

Santaquin Elementary Students "wowed" Payson Jr. High Administration with their polite behavior and great attitude on Wednesday.  Our students listened intently as they learned about what to expect in Jr. High next year.  A highlight of the morning was when former student, Ben Rowley spoke to the students and told his experiences of starting Jr. High.  He told the classes that the most important thing was to get a binder and keep things organized. 

Students left the assembly with a registration packet that they need to fill out and bring back to the school by Friday. 

The worst part of the assembly?  Finding out that 7th grade students have to have shots.....BOO.   The school nurse, Mrs. Kay, helped them understand the necessity of being vaccinated so it will be just fine.

On Wednesday, February 20th, the Administrative Staff of Payson Junior High School visited the 6th grade students at Santaquin to welcome them to 7th Grade!!  Principal Swenson shared two reasons for them to be excited:  great students and excellent staff!  He talked about the importance of continuing to work hard now so they will be ready for junior high.  Some of the fun things to look forward to at PJHS were shared by Peer Leader, Ben Rowley, a graduate of Santaquin Elementary:  "Grizzly Den" activities, lockers, races, clubs, band and orchestra classes, and 7 different class periods each day!  He said it is super important to stay organized in junior high with binders, folders, and notebooks for each subject ... no more keeping our homework in our back pockets! 

The PJHS Registration Packet is DUE back at school Friday, February 22nd.  It needs to be filled out completely and signed by a parent.  We are already looking forward to the following:

• Band/Orchestra meeting on April 23rd @ 7:00pm
• More registration information coming in July ...
• 7th Grade Day in August
• Best of all ... Making sure we have all our immunizations BEFORE the first day of school!

Thank you PJHS!

http://pjhs.nebo.edu/

Students at Santaquin Elementary School were invited to take a tour of one of our school buses.  The tour proved to be very informative and our driver had an answer for all of the student's questions.  We learned how to escape the bus in an emergency, and why school buses don't have seat belts.  Thanks to our school bus drivers who bring our students to school and home safely!!

Students and teachers alike enjoyed a very eventful Valentine's Day in Santaquin today.  Classrooms were full of doughnut eating contests, passing out of valentines, games, and goodies.  It doesn't have to be expensive ... a simple card will do; as long as you put your heart into it, and show that it's really from you!  Happy Valentine's Day from everyone at Santaquin Elementary!

Payson Jr. High students came to our school on Wednesday to show the 6th-graders how much fun it is to be in band and orchestra.  As the classes entered the gym, the Jazz Band was rockin' !!!  It was fun to see that many of the students performing had been students here at Santaquin Elementary. 

Parents who have students who are interested in joining the band or orchestra need to attend a meeting Tuesday, April 23, at 7:00pm at the PJHS.  That's the same day as the 6th-grade Hershey Track so it should be easy to remember.

There are many reasons to learn to play an instrument, for example, a ten-year study shows that students who study music achieve higher test scores, and have fewer discipline problems. 

Students from the 4th, 5th and 6th Grades participated in the annual Science Fair on Feb. 8, 2013.  Many interesting projects were entered.  Hours and hours of preparation went into  the presentation of their scientific research.  10 projects from the 5th and 6th grade entries were selected to compete at the District Science Fair.  Top scoring entries from all three grades were given trophies.  Great job students!

Santaquin Sentinel, February 2013