OB Weekly News 3_10

March
10- Early Dismissal, 1:15 p.m. P/T Conferences 
11- NO SCHOOL- Conference Compensation 
14-18 NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
22- 4th Gr. Jeff City Field Trip, 7:15-5:30 p.m.
After-School Classes begin
23- Walk in the Park (during PE)
4th Gr. Music demo, 9:05-9:45 a.m. 
3rd Gr. Science in a Tree Program
Dine Out Night- Noodles & Co., 5-9 p.m.
24- 3rd Gr. Science in a Tree Program 
25- Quarterly Newsletter goes home 
29- Kindergarten Performance, 7 p.m.
Announcements:
PTO News

The OBPTO Board would like to thank Kelly O’Donnell and her committee for a fun-filled Passport Night. We also thank all the other parent volunteers who helped show our students the wonders and diversity of our world!
Swing for Old Bonhomme!
Swing! Play! Learn! CCRC’s pro teaching staff will work with kids in grades K-5 on tennis basics as well as playing games that help develop motor skills and agility. Dinner is included for students. Saturday, April 2, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
Creve Coeur Racquet Club, 12691 Conway Road $30 per student—Only 100 Spots Available, So Register TODAY!
REGISTER ONLINE: CCRCTENNIS.COM/SWING4SCHOOL
And don’t forget to purchase your RAFFLE TICKETS! $20 per ticket!
Prizes include: 1 year Indoor Family Membership to CCRC, tennis bag & Junior Racquet.
This fundraising program is open to students at Conway, Old Bonhomme, Reed, Spoede and the Fifth Grade Center, and will benefit the parent associations of these schools. Approximately 50% of OB ticket sales & 100% of OB raffle sales, go BACK to the OBPTO!!
Parents are invited to stay and watch the kids play! Please email any questions to allison@CCRCTENNIS.COM or call her at 314-434-0344.
OB's Got Character
Did your happen to notice the big red hearts hanging up around school, in the main hallway? Hopefully your OB student(s) shared with you about our February Class Buddy Time! The objective of the lesson was for students to understand that words have a powerful effect and can be used to hurt or heal, and students can Choose to Be Nice by controlling their voice and by thinking about the words they use. Please consider asking your child to tell you about it, and to explain the bandaids they taped to the heart.

In Other News...
Congratulations to our Old Bonhomme Technology Integration Coach, Mrs. Brown, for her recognition by the National School Boards Association as a "20 to Watch" Education Technology Leaders.
This is a well-deserved recognition for Mrs. Brown, who recently returned from Mountain View, California, Google headquarters. She was one of 30 educators from around the globe selected as this year's Google Innovators.
Here is the article National School BoardsAssociation Names "20 to Watch" Education Technology Leaders and the Spotlight onLadue article about Google Innovators.
Jump Rope for Heart
Information and envelopes are coming home TODAY! Cash, checks, matching funds from employers, and online donations are all accepted. Go to http://jumphoops2016mwa.kintera.org/oldbonhommeelem (or scan the QR code below) to get started online. It's so easy! Donations are due April 1. Let's continue our record-breaking tradition! The Big JUMP Day is April 4, during PE.

Counselor News

Career Presentations - Thank you!
Thank you to the following people who made career presentations to our students in February: Terra Barnes, Dawn Rossetti, Shawn O'Shaughnessy, Frank Francone, Kamlesh Patel, Sharon Rosenberg, Cynthia Kerman, Shabaana Khader, Karen Loiterstein, Amy Moore and Stefanie Shelton. We appreciate you taking the time.
Pet Connection
Click here to check out our OB families’ pets. If you still want to contribute a picture to the bulletin board you can send one in or email it to harnold@ladueschools.net.
Class Lists
Later this Spring, we will begin working on class lists and teacher assignments. We anticipate four sections each in all grade levels except for a possible fifth section of first grade. Staffing decisions have not yet been finalized so teachers may be changing grade levels.
The staff and principal build the class lists together, in a series of meetings, considering each student’s achievement level, motivation level, special program needs, strengths/talents, and learning style. Our goal is a balanced classroom that will enable a teacher to meet the needs of all the students in the classroom. If you wish to provide input to the process with your perspective of a child’s learning preferences and learning style, or previous school experiences a letter or email to Mrs. Kirchgessner must be submitted no later than March 25. Input that requests specific teachers is not accepted and input based on a teacher’s reputation, or other parents’ opinions will not be considered since each child’s learning profile and school adjustment is unique.

If you choose to provide input, send your letter to the office before March 25. If received by that date your input will be taken into consideration when the final decision is made; however, it is not possible to honor specific input.
Hopefully this explains how your input will be made a part of the process. As you can see from the many things considered when class lists are built, it is not a process done quickly. For this reason, it is not possible to honor parent input as the sole determiner of a classroom assignment. It is a thoughtful process that balances classrooms, considers the needs of all students, and provides a successful learning experience for each of them.
LEF Thank You
Ms. Ladue and the students are excited and thankful for the new drum set we received through the Ladue Education Foundation grant. Check out this video at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxVrys_N9k_aUExWZ05qV2pDZFk/view?usp=sharing to see for yourself.
LEF Rhythm & Hues Event
On April 8, from 7-11 p.m. at Majorette in Maplewood, 7150 Manchester Rd, 63143. The evening features performances by LHWHS student musicians like the Percussion Ensemble, Choir, Strolling Strings and Jazz Combo, joined by a lineup of all-star alumni musicians and bands, dancing, entertainment. This is a rare opportunity to hear live performances by our own talented musician students, teachers, alumni and professionals in one night, in one venue. Visual artists like Zack Smithey, whose work is featured on our Rhythm & Hues logo, will have works available for auction, along with other music-themed items and unique, local experiences. For more info, visit the LEF website at http://laduefoundation.org/wordpress/events/rhythm-hues-2016/

The Ladue School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs or activities. Inquiries related to the district’s employment practices may be directed to Ken Rossics, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Inquiries related to district student programs may be directed to Dr. Derrick Wallace, Director of Student Services. Both administrators can be reached at Ladue Schools Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road, Saint Louis, MO 63124; 314-994-7080. 

OB Weekly News 3-4

March

4- Early Dismissal- Prof. Dev., 1:15 p.m. Passport Night, 6 p.m.
8- Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4-8p.m.
9- Diversity Mtg. 4 p.m.
10- PTO Mtg. 9 a.m.
Early Dismissal, 1:15 p.m. P/T Conferences 
Parent-Teacher Conferences, 1:30-7 p.m. End of Quarter 3
11- NO SCHOOL- Conference Compensation 
14-18 NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
22- 4th Gr. Jeff City Field Trip, 7:15-5:30 p.m.
After-School Classes begin
23- Walk in the Park (during PE)
4th Gr. Music demo, 9:05-9:45 a.m.
Dine Out Night- Noodles & Co., 5-9 p.m. 
25- Quarterly Newsletter goes home
29- Kindergarten Performance, 7 p.m.
Announcements:

Counselor News

Parenting well is hard, but not impossible. This semester we are hosting a Strong Parent group at Old Bonhomme. We will share coffee and treats while using a program called The StrongParent Project to facilitate our conversations, learn, and share parenting tips and strategies. Upcoming meetings are on Saturday, March 5, April 2, and April 16 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m in the OB Conference Room. You can commit to one or all of the sessions. If needed, child care will be provided. Click on this link to enroll in the program.
March Madness
In honor of March Madness, students and staff are encouraged to wear a college shirt and/or colors to school on Wednesday, March 9. This is a great opportunity to talk to our kids about all the different activities you can participate in while at college.

Parent Guide to Student Appraisal
It is important to analyze and evaluate your child’s abilities, interests, skills, and achievements. Assessment data including results from formal testing as well as informal evaluation information form a basis for developing short-term and long-term plans. At the elementary level, parents/guardians can use this information to match their child with appropriate experiences and opportunities outside of the school setting. The emphasis should not solely be on the assessments, but looking at the whole child. Click on this link to find assessment descriptions and the reason why students take these assessments.
PTO News
The OBPTO Board would like to thank co-chairs Jami Cohen and Jamie Steinbach, and also Mrs. Kelley, for their leadership and hard work putting together and managing the great Book Fair last week that successfully raised funds for our treasured OB library. We also thank all the other parent volunteers who helped with the effort.
In Other News...
The segment aired on KMOV last evening regarding Old Bonhomme's support of their crossing guard was an outstanding reflection of how the students and staff at Old Bonhomme took a horrible situation and turned it into a teachable moment on many levels. The link is below. Enjoy!
News 4 Schools

Class Lists
Later this Spring, we will begin working on class lists and teacher assignments. We anticipate four sections each in all grade levels except for a possible fifth section of first grade. Staffing decisions have not yet been finalized so teachers may be changing grade levels.
The staff and principal build the class lists together, in a series of meetings, considering each student’s achievement level, motivation level, special program needs, strengths/talents, and learning style. Our goal is a balanced classroom that will enable a teacher to meet the needs of all the students in the classroom. If you wish to provide input to the process with your perspective of a child’s learning preferences and learning style, or previous school experiences a letter or email to Mrs. Kirchgessner must be submitted no later than March 25. Input that requests specific teachers is not accepted and input based on a teacher’s reputation, or other parents’ opinions will not be considered since each child’s learning profile and school adjustment is unique.
If you choose to provide input, send your letter to the office before
March 25th. If received by that date your input will be taken into consideration when the final decision is made; however, it is not possible to honor specific input. Hopefully this explains how your input will be made a part of the process. As you can see from the many things considered when class lists are built, it is not a process done quickly. For this reason, it is not possible to honor parent input as the sole determiner of a classroom assignment. It is a thoughtful process that balances classrooms, considers the needs of all students, and provides a successful learning experience for each of them.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If you have a child that will be 5 years old before August 1, 2016, please contact Mrs. Dunkle in the school office to set up an appointment for a kindergarten screening, or call (314) 983-KIDS. Screenings have begun and spaces are filling up, so please call and book yours today!
The Ladue School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs or activities. Inquiries related to the district’s employment practices may be directed to Ken Rossics, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Inquiries related to district student programs may be directed to Dr. Derrick Wallace, Director of Student Services. Both administrators can be reached at Ladue Schools Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road, Saint Louis, MO 63124; 314-994-7080.